Ming Ruan extended his index finger.
Everyone’s gaze locked tightly onto the direction that fingertip was pointing.
Just at this moment.
His light brain popped up two messages.
“Wait a sec.” Ming Ruan immediately withdrew his hand and opened his light brain.
【AHHHH DON’T WAIT!!】
【Wifey, you really know how to build suspense, I’m numb】
The first message that popped up on the light brain was a notification.
“Respected Executor of the Twelfth Sanatorium Zone, according to your schedule, today’s Merit Points have been settled. Please check! (Executor Merit Points Explanation [Jump Link]) (Tomorrow’s Schedule [Jump Link])”
Today, 230 Merit Points had been deposited.
Points again?
Ming Ruan jumped into the explanation and read it, finally understanding:
Merit Points are the Executor’s salary. After becoming a full-fledged Executor, they accumulate a portion of Merit Points daily. This portion can be withdrawn once every six months—equivalent to being paid once every half-year.
In addition, every time an Executor completes an assigned task, they are awarded varying amounts of Merit Points based on the task’s nature.
And these Merit Points can not only be exchanged for the interstellar common currency but also for an Executor’s vacation time!
Vacation!
He had always wanted to experience the interstellar world. Even when he left the Sanatorium Zone last time, he had still essentially been cooped up at home.
Ming Ruan grew excited, but no matter how he scrolled, he couldn’t find the specific exchange details for vacation time.
He’d just have to ask the Boss then—
The carefree Ming Ruan plotted, lacking any sense of distance.
He clicked on the next message.
After reading the message for a moment, Ming Ruan looked up. “Ah, sorry, everyone.”
Although he apologized, he made no effort to hide his sigh of relief, his face full of vindication.
He announced: “It’s settled. Tomorrow, I’ll have to trouble Gray Wolf to come with me to teach!” Ming Ruan rubbed Gray Wolf’s head. The wolf’s large, thick triangular ears were squashed down, then sprang back up.
【??? Why won’t I accept this!!】
【YAY!! Wen Ming, yay!! The Wenming Ship is back at its peak, I’m not joking!!】
【Come on, Ming Ruan obviously said that after reading his light brain. There’s definitely insider dealing!】
【Let me lose with full understanding!!】
Shi Huai thought the same. The little fox felt like he’d been struck by lightning. He scrambled up onto Ming Ruan’s shoulder and peered at his light brain.
On the light brain was a message from the Beastman Research Institute.
In the message, first, they thanked Ming Ruan for his contribution today. Second, they hoped that Ming Ruan would invite Gray Wolf to participate in tomorrow’s practical class.
With what right!
Shi Huai looked at White Tiger behind him, at Lion in front, and finally glared at Gray Wolf.
Xie Gewen definitely had a hand in this! That man really has eight hundred minds!
Xie Gewen turned a blind eye to all the gazes fixed on him. He gently nudged Ming Ruan’s palm. Beneath the fur collar at his neck, his light brain flickered faintly.
Xie Gewen had indeed performed some maneuvering beforehand.
Xie Gewen knew that Ming Ruan was going to teach at the Beastman Research Institute. At that time, he had already anticipated that a beastman assistant might be needed later for teaching.
Therefore, he sent a letter to the Beastman Research Institute: With the prerequisite of improving efficiency, he suggested the institute prioritize learning and researching soothing techniques for large Ferocious Beast-type Beastmen, so as to quickly help the fierce beasts within the Sanatorium Zone. Smaller beastmen, who mostly still live with their families, could be taught via Ming Ruan’s live stream.
Thus, once the Beastman Research Institute accepted this suggestion, the large, fierce beast for assisting teaching could only be chosen from among him, the Adjudicator, and Fuxi. Furthermore, of the three identities, he himself, holding no demanding official post, was the easiest to invite. Being the one who proposed the suggestion also meant he would be prioritized for consideration.
Indeed.
Everything was as he had anticipated.
As he felt the warmth of Ming Ruan’s palm, this entire chain of calculations ran through Xie Gewen’s mind.
When he opened those ice-blue eyes to look at Ming Ruan again, they held none of these considerations or schemes. They were clean, calm, like glacial meltwater.
“How about it, huh? How about it? Does Mr. Gray Wolf have any problems?”
Ming Ruan cupped Gray Wolf’s face and gently shook it.
This familiar gesture made Xie Gewen recall the last time, when the youth had said he liked him, holding his face just like this, looking at him.
Actually, Xie Gewen’s life plan had never reserved the slightest space for romantic love.
But if his work required it, he had considered it. He might marry a man or a woman, neither interfering with the other, each taking what they needed. Of course, if they could mutually benefit each other’s careers, that would have been the best outcome he had ever imagined.
And before Fuxi brought up those words, he had never connected all this with the youth.
He…
He didn’t truly understand what ordinary people pursued in love.
But.
But just trying to place the youth before his eyes in the position of a future ‘fiancé’…
Then those unending daily smiles, that figure full of vitality, the purity and gentleness beneath the airheaded sluggishness, and the crisp, sweet calls of ‘Mr. Gray Wolf’ would be a constant presence by his side.
And he, in turn, would faithfully, responsibly, supportively, and lovingly embrace everything concerning him.
In this way, this became the new, best future he could imagine.
From entering the Council to firmly securing his position as Council Speaker without ambiguity.
Decisiveness, force of will, courage, and efficiency were always the sharp blades clenched tightly in his hand.
For matters between him and Ming Ruan, this same blade would also make him the one to seize the initiative.
Even if everything was unclear, he would never miss his chance due to hesitation!
“Woo~” Gray Wolf tilted his head and let out a soft howl, placing his paw in Ming Ruan’s open palm.
“Good baby! I’ll leave it to Mr. Gray Wolf tomorrow!” Ming Ruan’s smiling eyes curved like crescent moons. He took Gray Wolf’s paw and shook it up and down.
For Ming Ruan, this was just an ordinary interaction with Gray Wolf.
He had no knowledge of the changes within the human heart hidden beneath Gray Wolf’s exterior.
Lion had already left the living room the moment the result was announced—after it arrived, Ming Ruan had stayed up all night reshaping the house, adding a separate activity room for Lion.
And White Tiger watched the wolf paw being held in Ming Ruan’s hand, remaining as impassive as ever.
……
Early the next morning, Ming Ruan and Gray Wolf arrived together at the same conference room as yesterday.
The number of people in the conference room was reduced by eighty or ninety percent, with only a sparse dozen or so attendees—because the practical session required beastman cooperation, the limit on attendees had drastically increased.
Those who could come to this class today were the elite among the elite, perfectly suited to their specialties.
They were uniformly dressed in protective suits, and beside each person stood a fierce beast wearing a bite guard and other restraint devices.
Having had yesterday’s experience, Ming Ruan thought he could calmly face everything now.
However, the moment he saw the situation inside the conference room, he couldn’t help but sweat.
Ming Ruan exchanged a glance with Gray Wolf beside him, who had no restraints whatsoever, not even a collar.
Was he being too casual? After all, these were indeed fierce beasts.
Ming Ruan scratched his head.
Without further hesitation, he quickly got to the main topic.
“Before touching the animals, we first need to establish trust with them…”
Ming Ruan first explained some concepts. Due to the special nature of interstellar animals, Ming Ruan’s approach was based entirely on the standards used for pets.
Then he requested: “Now, please try to establish a trust relationship with the animals. Tell them you wish to make contact, that you want to touch specific parts of their bodies, and obtain their permission…”
Ming Ruan reached his hand out in front of Gray Wolf, adjusting his posture simultaneously to demonstrate.
Below the platform, the group of seemingly formidable academic experts nodded gravely and solemnly, then began their attempts.
Ming Ruan observed the room. Although everyone was extremely stiff and their interactions with the animals were bizarrely awkward, theoretically, nothing seemed to be going wrong.
They were all top professionals in related fields. Even though the interstellar realm didn’t seem to have much experience interacting with animals, petting fluffy things was simple, right! They’d surely get the hang of it immediately.
Ming Ruan held great confidence for today’s practical class.
With such confidence, he quickly advanced to the next stage.
“Now, gently stroke the head of the animal beside you. Be careful to make the animal feel your goodwill and friendliness, and observe its reactions. These are relatively comfortable areas. Note: Do not rashly touch the tail, belly, or other areas. These places are sensitive and vital for animals, comparable to private areas for humans…”
As Ming Ruan spoke, his hand slowly, gently brushed between Gray Wolf’s ears.
Xie Gewen felt a numbing electric current pass over the top of his head. He almost couldn’t resist shaking his fur.
But Ming Ruan’s words burrowed into his mind.
Tail, belly… comparable to very private areas for humans…?
Had the youth ever tried to touch these parts of him before?
Just as Xie Gewen was recalling this, his wolf ears burning—
A loud, collective gasp suddenly erupted from beside him, followed by a sharp shriek from Ming Ruan.
