Ming Ruan numbly stumbled back to his room and sat stiffly on the bed.
His mind began an infinite loop of the moment the Boss had leaned in slightly close to him.
The cold, hard brim of his cap drew near, casting a shadow. Outside the shadow, the sun was bright, and people were chatting with each other. Within the shadow, however, there were only Su Yuyun’s eyes, drawing closer to him.
In that moment, the temperature between his mouth and nose seemed to shoot up several degrees, and the oxygen felt thin.
He heard Su Yuyun’s whisper.
“Tonight… would it be possible… to, with me…”
It seemed, like, he was asking him out for the evening.
What exactly was said? He couldn’t remember now, just that his ear had felt numb and ticklish at the time!
Just thinking about it, Ming Ruan felt a strange sensation continuously rising from the bottom of his heart.
He fiddled with the bedsheet and found a single tiger hair on it. He picked it up, pulling it straight, then rolling it between his fingertips.
What did the Boss want to do, asking him out? Was it to talk about something? What couldn’t he have just said earlier?
Was this, was this really something he could go to?!
Although they had indeed spent a long time together, and the Boss took very good care of him, but still…
Ming Ruan sat like this, his back ramrod straight, perfectly upright on the bed, until the moon climbed over the treetops.
Time passed in an anxious crawl.
Suddenly, his Light Brain vibrated!
Without a second thought, he stood up and quickly pushed the door open, walking out.
The Clarence family estate was quiet at night. The entire castle-like mansion was bathed in soft light, making the night appear even more gentle and romantic.
Ming Ruan hadn’t walked far before he saw that figure under a giant tree.
But the pristine, moonlit white of that outfit almost made him afraid to recognize the man.
Su Yuyun had changed out of his usual black military-style uniform. He was still wearing a uniform similar to the previous black one, but its design was far more intricate. Yet, it similarly accentuated the man’s dignified, unattainable presence.
He had originally been looking at the moon.
But the moment Ming Ruan appeared in the distance, his gaze immediately fell upon him.
Even the bitterly cold winter night wind couldn’t dispel the heat on Ming Ruan’s face.
Ming Ruan didn’t know where he’d picked up all those random, messy ideas, but he admitted that in that instant, countless keywords flashed through his mind: night, moonlight, boss, formal wear…
Stop, stop!
He pretended to be very interested in the greenery on both sides, looking left and right to avoid that gaze, and quickly walked up to Su Yuyun.
“You’ve come,” Su Yuyun said.
The other speaking first made Ming Ruan breathe a sigh of relief. “Mm-hmm.”
Su Yuyun: “The night is deep and the dew is heavy, so let’s get straight to the point. The reason I asked you here tonight is to…”
Ah! What, get straight to the point! That fast?!
Ming Ruan’s heart instantly leaped into his throat. What would the Boss say? How should he reply? What if—
Su Yuyun: “…inform you of the final calculation result of the Executor Regularization Points and the confirmed time for the final presentation.”
Ming Ruan: “…”
Ming Ruan: “……”
Ming Ruan: “Huh?”
Perhaps Ming Ruan’s “Huh?” was too genuine and blunt, because Su Yuyun paused.
“Is there a problem?” Su Yuyun stopped very respectfully, prepared to listen to Ming Ruan’s thoughts.
Ming Ruan suffocated.
Ming Ruan didn’t want to blame his good boss for choosing such an unconventional time to discuss serious business.
He just wanted to severely condemn his own thoughts and soul!
The breath he’d been holding tightly suddenly deflated, leaving him feeling a little empty for a moment.
“It’s nothing, nothing!” Ming Ruan shook his head rapidly, scolding himself inwardly while straightening his attitude.
Su Yuyun carefully scrutinized Ming Ruan’s expression. Seeing he truly had no other concerns, he continued.
“The final calculation of Executor Regularization Points usually takes place in the Sanatorium Zone’s main control center, with no outsiders allowed. However, because the presentation couldn’t be delayed any further, we had to proceed here somewhat hastily.”
As Su Yuyun spoke without haste, Ming Ruan’s restless heart gradually settled down.
He nodded earnestly.
“Then let us begin—Twelfth District Executor Ming Ruan, please open the Executor Regularization Assessment Point System.”
In the night, under the moonlight, with the magnificent Clarence mansion as the backdrop, only two figures, one tall, one short, stood in the quietly flowing night breeze.
“Twelfth District Executor Ming Ruan, instances of unexcused absence during the probationary period: zero. Points for this item: Full marks.”
“Special Contributions, four in total. First, the rescue incident. Second, the cross-district incident. Third, the special commission. Fourth, maintaining the animals under his charge in peak condition… Total extra points awarded: forty.”
This was a falsified score. Ming Ruan’s contribution to the Reverse Therianthropy research was absolutely excessive in the point calculation, but he couldn’t be informed of that now.
“Finally, the Supervision Vote will begin three days after the presentation concludes. The public notice has been sent in advance.”
Su Yuyun showed Ming Ruan the parts of the notice that didn’t reveal other information.
“During his probationary period, the Twelfth District Executor demonstrated a proactive attitude, outstanding ability, fulfilled his duties to the utmost, and willingly undertook responsibilities… The Chief Adjudicator of Alpha Galaxy Sanatorium Zone, Su Yuyun, hereby extends his sincerest respect and gratitude to Twelfth District Executor, Ming Ruan…”
The man’s deep, unhurried words fell between the two. Although the title was official and the wording conventional, every sentence was a meticulously detailed commendation and praise.
His voice wasn’t loud. It probably couldn’t escape their shared little world. And anyway, these words didn’t need a third person to hear them.
The outfit Su Yuyun wore today was the Adjudicator’s most formal official ceremonial uniform. There were very few occasions that required him to wear this set.
When other Executors regularized, it happened in the highest-level main control center of the Sanatorium Zone. He felt that even though Ming Ruan couldn’t regularize there due to circumstances, he shouldn’t be treated casually.
So he had chosen this specific time.
Su Yuyun looked into Ming Ruan’s eyes. Those earnest eyes reflected the moonlight.
The moon of Alpha Prime wasn’t some artificial satellite. It was the very moon they had taken with them when they left their homeland for the universe.
He thought, if no other human eyes were here to record this moment for this Executor, then let Ming Ruan’s old friend—the moon—witness it all.
Under the moonlight, a moment for a thousand ages, an era for a hundred generations.
In the time he spent gazing into those eyes, Su Yuyun finished speaking. He stopped, but his gaze didn’t withdraw.
After the night wind passed through the two of them, it carried a thread of warmth.
But by now, Ming Ruan had completely corrected his mindset!
Seeing that Su Yuyun had indeed finished, Ming Ruan, moved and solemn, took a step back and bowed. “Thank you, Boss, for your recognition and commendation of my work! If I can successfully regularize, I will definitely continue to work hard, shine brightly, never forget my original intention, and absolutely not disappoint your expectations, Boss!”
The young man’s resounding voice, full of conviction and determination, shattered the nebulous atmosphere. That gently warm, strange atmosphere instantly ignited!
Extremely passionate!
Su Yuyun: “…”
Su Yuyun: “…Mm.”
The presentation was set in three days. This time it was absolutely final.
Filled with passionate fervor, Ming Ruan clutched Boss’s praises and returned to his own room, chest puffed out with pride.
He sat back down on the edge of the bed.
In the silence, his proud tail gradually lowered.
The scenes from just now replayed in his head. No matter how hard Ming Ruan tried to correct his thoughts, that fine, thread-like strange feeling still crept up inside him.
Like delicate, soft vines winding around his heart, scratching at it gently, one stroke at a time.
Making a sound like ‘clack, clack’.
No, wait, that sound seemed to come from outside the door.
Ming Ruan stood up, a strange premonition rising in his heart. He quickly went and pulled open the door.
Sure enough, outside the door, the White Tiger put down the paw it had been scratching the door with, took a step back and sat down, lifting its protective head. Its golden eyes looked at Ming Ruan, as if asking if it could come in.
Ming Ruan’s heart trembled from the cuteness. He rushed forward, hugged the tiger fiercely, squeezed it, and his voice pitched up: “Baby is here!”
Having said that, he put his arm around the White Tiger’s neck like a good buddy and brought it inside.
It was only after they parted that Su Yuyun realized he felt somewhat unsettled, for some reason. A slight irritability, as if some emotion was desperate to find an outlet—he still wanted to see Ming Ruan again.
Su Yuyun thought, perhaps because the time spent with Ming Ruan recently was too little, and the problem of suppressing the therianthropy was about to break free.
Although he really didn’t want to disturb his subordinate late at night, he had to come to maintain his human form.
Su Yuyun convinced himself.
Ming Ruan was just lacking a fluffy to pet right now!
He skillfully played with the White Tiger’s ears, his favorite softest cheeks, its muscular, firm limbs and back…
The White Tiger remained majestically still, letting him pet.
The moonlight from outside shone in, reflecting off the White Tiger’s clean black-and-white striped fur, making the whole tiger look like it was glowing.
“Baby, you’re a little moon,” Ming Ruan tilted his head, examining the White Tiger. When it closed its eyes, then looked up at him, his heartbeat suddenly skipped a beat.
The image of Su Yuyun in his white ceremonial uniform standing under the moon suddenly appeared in his mind.
They were astonishingly alike.
For some unknown psychological reason, Ming Ruan, on a whim, rested his chin on the White Tiger’s head and brought his mouth close to its ear, whispering: “I think… the Boss… Su Yuyun, is a bit off.”
Just an ambiguous sentence.
The White Tiger’s ears swished back and forth rapidly several times, flattening against its head into airplane ears.
It lifted its head. Ming Ruan’s chin slid down unexpectedly. Man and tiger locked eyes at an extremely close distance.
After the initial startle, Su Yuyun’s tense muscles slowly relaxed.
No, there was nothing wrong. He was merely following procedure in everything.
The ceremonial uniform, the moon, the prolonged gaze, or even turning into beast form to knock on Ming Ruan’s door in the middle of the night.
The White Tiger’s tail bounced chaotically on the ground like a giant caterpillar.
Then, after Ming Ruan stroked it a couple more times, it slowly returned to being soft and still.
Everything had a valid reason.
It was fine to continue. No problem.
When Ming Ruan buried his face in its head, Su Yuyun thought calmly.
–
Three days passed in the blink of an eye, especially when one was anxious about something.
After Ming Ruan even recited his script in his sleep, the day of the presentation finally arrived.
Due to Ming Ruan’s Information Shackle, this presentation would be conducted online. At that time, everyone could watch and vote through the official live stream room.
When Ming Ruan heard it was an online presentation, he felt much better.
However, when he arrived at the venue arranged by Clarence that day, his heart, which had just settled a bit, jumped right back up with double force.
“Why is it so…” Ming Ruan was dumbfounded.
The hall before him was like some legendary golden opera house. Under a giant illuminated stage was tier upon tier of seating, arranged irregularly, undulating outward like waves.
The Butler appeared from somewhere, worried. “Is there a problem, Mr. Ming Ruan? This was prepared somewhat hastily, and we are extremely sorry to subject you to such a small venue. Of course, if you wish, we can immediately contact a larger…”
For the first time, Ming Ruan impolitely interrupted the Butler. “No, no, no, the current one is absolutely wonderful!”
Only then did the Butler shut his mouth, still looking worried.
After this ordeal, Ming Ruan didn’t dare utter a single extra squeak, afraid that a few more squeaks would prompt the Clarence family to arrange an even grander spectacle.
Like a doll, he was tended to and arranged, then placed backstage to wait.
Through a curtain, Ming Ruan heard the hall go from silent to a series of soft, small sounds—fine and rustling, not like the friction of clothing, nor any whispered conversation.
This rustling continued for a long, long time before silence returned.
At some point, someone behind him placed a hand on his shoulder and gave a gentle push. “Go on.”
Snapping out of his chaotic thoughts, Ming Ruan used that force to walk onto the stage. He stood still, his eyelids fluttering nervously.
He lowered his eyes and took a deep breath.
The lights shone down.
At the same time, the holographic live stream room activated simultaneously!
Everyone on StarNet seemed to be sitting right across from Ming Ruan.
They watched as the young man from Ancient Earth slowly raised his head.
Ming Ruan: “…”
Ming Ruan: !
Ming Ruan had imagined countless times who might be sitting in the audience for his presentation.
Maybe relevant leaders of various levels from the Sanatorium Zone, maybe colleagues, maybe just some acquaintances gathered nearby…
But he had never imagined.
It would be a sight like this.
In an instant, all the formulaic phrases Ming Ruan had prepared, the scripts he’d memorized for days—he couldn’t remember a single word.
His mind went completely blank.
In the holographic live stream room at that moment, the frantic barrage of comments gradually slowed down. They saw the young man’s silence on stage, but at this time, no one responded with mockery or a spectator’s attitude. In unison, they flooded the comments with the name ‘Ming Ruan’.
Amidst everyone’s anticipation.
The first sound came from the stage’s invisible sound amplifier.
