Chapter 42: Eyes Are Peeing

Not letting the risqué comments in the livestream linger too long, Ming Ruan earnestly explained: “Except for extremely special circumstances, almost all pets need exercise and companionship. This is very important for their physical and mental health. Even those not accustomed to outdoor activities should get appropriate exercise at home!”

As he spoke, Ming Ruan beckoned the fluffballs of the house to head outside.

After leaving the house, Ming Ruan pulled out some small toys he had made or had custom-designed from his Space Button.

Shi Huai glanced over. He wasn’t initially interested, intending only to play a bit to keep the stream from dying.

But after being teased with the toy by Ming Ruan two or three times, he inexplicably began to battle seriously with the toy, chasing it all around the yard, running wildly around the house!

Even Gray Wolf and White Tiger circled the pile of toys, occasionally lowering their heads for closer, meticulous observation.

Xie Gewen watched Shi Huai frolic, his paw stepping on a small toy as he studied it.

Ming Ruan always managed to produce small gadgets that seemed incompatible with beastmen but worked remarkably well.

The comments were also kneeling in unison:

【Is there a link?! Ahhh! My baby at home can’t hold back anymore, scratched my hand red!】

【Oh god, just a moment ago I was thinking: aren’t these things too childish? Because beastmen are human】

【I was already crafting my consolation for Wifey, and Wifey slapped me in the face again】

【But this really looks so fun!! Too childish for the kids, but just right for adults!】

【Is there a purchase link?! Uwu, mine at home hasn’t moved much in ages, and now he’s scratching at my hand!! I’m really, I’m so emotional】

Such comments plastered the screen. One or two that hadn’t triggered the forbidden word filters were curated to Ming Ruan’s view.

【Please share the shop!!!】

Without much thought, Ming Ruan opened his light brain and displayed several shop names.

These weren’t specialty toy stores, but places Ming Ruan had stumbled upon while shopping, accidentally discovering items that could serve as equivalents to some Earth pet toys.

Two seconds later, in the uncurated comments:

【Gone T-T!! Gone!! What are you people, do you have eight hands??】

【??? Who used a Time Stop ability? Huh? Two seconds?? I hadn’t even jumped to the page yet!!】

【Where?! I can’t even find the shop!!】

【The shop has already been… bought out of stock…】

Simultaneously, in certain industrial planets of the Alpha Galaxy, several heads of operations simultaneously received calls from their regulatory departments.

“What? The shop’s delisted? What’s going on? Sabotaged? File an appeal to the Central Authority immediately!”

“Huh? Sold out? What do you mean ‘sold out’? Explain yourself clearly! EVERYTHING?? Do you even know what you’re saying?!”

“There are still tons of people demanding more??”

“What is going on! Write up a report, fast! Hurry!”

The heads of operations listened to their light brain comms as they rushed onto StarNet. They traced the source of the chaos with surprising ease.

Because the current StarNet trending list read: #SevenShopsDelistedInTwoSeconds# #BossAwakeYet?TimeToRestock!!#

The heads stumbled into the livestream and saw the scene of Ming Ruan tossing a toy into the distance, with all the various big-shot beastmen charging after it.

The heads of operations couldn’t help but have their thoughts stirred!

It wasn’t just these lucky selected shops. Other capital investors lurking in the livestream were also deeply shaken by Ming Ruan’s terrifying market appeal.

Could he be invited to be a spokesperson?

Wonder if he has any interest in the entertainment industry? A collaboration would work too!

Beastman supplies—likely the next boom market. Notify R&D immediately to test the waters!

Everyone had their own calculations.

【Azure Light Entertainment sincerely invites Mr. Ming Ruan to join us! Softie Wifey, look over here~】

【Huh? Isn’t that the number two entertainment company?】

【Poaching right under the Adjudicator’s nose? Truly bold!!】

【Let me count how many have floated past. A Famous Director nominated for the Star Alliance Award just appeared earlier too.】

【Family!! Several shops seem to have changed into beastman supply specialty stores! Announcements say they’ll stalk Ruanruan’s livestreams to try and replicate his items!】

【[Popcorn] [Popcorn] [Popcorn] No one’s going to object if I say Ming Ruan is the new Top Star, right?】

Ming Ruan had no idea that simply sharing a few good product links with netizens had triggered such a massive chain reaction. Seeing the comments saying they were sold out, he only assumed the shops had good sales. He soothed the viewers, telling them to wait a bit, and then casually taught a few simple ways to make homemade toys.

After teaching, he stood up, brushed the grass clippings from his clothes, leaned close to White Tiger’s ear, and instructed: “You guys play nicely. Keep an eye on Little Fox, too, okay?”

White Tiger’s ear twitched as he watched Ming Ruan quietly head back inside.

【Ruanruan tired of playing? Why’s he going back inside?】

The camera followed Ming Ruan as he walked purposefully to a closed door. The viewers suddenly understood.

【!! I didn’t even notice Fuxi was missing!】

【Tsk, the future Duke. Not surprising he wouldn’t mingle with us commoners.】

【Ruanruan going to find Fuxi? Won’t he get mauled by the lion?】

【It’s galactic consensus that Clarence family members are all lone wolves. Personalities can’t be forced by Ming Ruan, right?】

Amidst the worried speculation, Ming Ruan gently knocked on the door.

The ‘knock knock’ sound echoed in the quiet room.

Almost without making Ming Ruan wait, the door automatically opened.

Inside, the room was fitted with old-fashioned sliding curtains, currently half-drawn. One side of the room was dim; the other was bathed in golden sunlight.

A thick rug, interlaced with reds, browns, and greens in complex patterns, lay at the center of the room. Lion was sprawled right at the heart of the rug, illuminated by the sunbeam, eyes closed. His tufted tail swished.

Ming Ruan tiptoed in and sat cross-legged next to Lion, placing a hand on his head and smoothing it gently.

Fuxi opened his eyes and looked up.

What’s the matter?

Before Ming Ruan came in, Fuxi had been reading a book on his light brain.

He liked being alone, in a quiet room, during moments filled with sunlight.

Reading something, or handling family affairs, or observing the bustling world from a distance, aloofly.

These were some of Fuxi’s personal habits.

But not everyone understood.

Lion’s gaze drifted to the side.

Some memories flickered in his mind.

Because of the Clarence family, peers had always been respectful to Fuxi’s face since childhood.

But after that perfunctory respect, the kids, not very good at hiding their feelings, would immediately run far away. Behind his back, they’d point and gossip about his every move. Their innocent children’s words were bluntly hurtful.

And when they grew up, those seeking to profit from Fuxi frantically sought every opportunity to cling to him. Fuxi’s personal habits were infinitely glamorized by their words, praising him as uniquely noble amidst a world mired in murk.

Those who didn’t hope to profit from him maliciously misinterpreted his actions as arrogance, looking down on everyone…

In short, no one ever set aside ‘Clarence’ to look at Fuxi, the person, individually.

Everything he did was always distorted.

Unfortunately for them, Fuxi was confident enough; he didn’t care about these things.

But…

Lion looked at Ming Ruan.

He knew Ming Ruan was usually lively and liked things bustling and warm. He didn’t want his own behavior to cause Ming Ruan any misunderstanding or distress. If Ming Ruan needed, he could—

“This room has great sunlight!” Ming Ruan asked, “Can I lean against you for a bit?”

Lion’s eyes showed rare surprise and hesitation.

Seeing the lion didn’t resist, Ming Ruan found a comfortable spot, stretched out, and leaned his upper body against the lion.

Then he opened his light brain and just rested like that for a while.

Ming Ruan’s arrival hadn’t broken the tranquil atmosphere of the room.

Sunlight still flowed quietly on the rug, like thick, sweet caramel.

Human and lion simply stayed together like this, silent.

Even the comments were affected, becoming involuntarily timid.

【Oh god, even my typing feels light】

【What does Ming Ruan mean by this? I thought he was going to call Fuxi to come out and play?】

Ming Ruan didn’t stay long. After a while, as if fully rested, he got up.

From his Space Button, he took out a small item and placed it beside Lion. “Times like this are perfect for something tasty. I brought you a little ‘afternoon tea’—I’ll leave it here.”

Then, he tiptoed to the door. “Come find me if anything comes up, okay?” With that, he gently closed the door behind him.

【Ah】

【This is…】

Walking out, Ming Ruan explained to the comments: “Yes, everyone should also pay attention. Every baby’s personality is different. They have their own preferences. Like Lion, who’s always preferred quiet alone time. Another crucial point in daily interaction is: don’t force them.”

“Some babies are active and love to play, some are quieter, some are affectionate, some prefer being with their own kind. This is all normal. There’s no good or bad, and no ‘should be’.”

“Aside from necessary activities for their health, our beloved babies don’t need to change. Every baby just needs to be themselves! Isn’t that right?”

【He actually thinks this way】

【Ah… I… my eyes are peeing again, wuwu】

【Uwu, Ruanruan always manages to make my heart soft at the most unexpected moments】

【Yes, I’ve wanted to say this for a while. Actually, I’m a personal fan of Fuxi. I really don’t get why you all keep saying he looks down on people, that he’s arrogant and considers others beneath him. That’s completely baseless speculation, right?? As everyone knows, when the official institutions were reformed back then, the Clarence family was the only Noble house that supported the democratic selection of the Citizens’ Assembly!!】

【Just now, I was really afraid Ming Ruan would insist on forcing something. Now I feel this is truly wonderful】

【Sigh… If only someone had told me this back then, too】

Inside the room, the lounging lion slowly sat up straight.

He had originally assumed Ming Ruan had also come to persuade him.

Like those countless, familiar words he’d heard since childhood: “Come play with us, or you’re just anti-social…” “Fuxi, as the Clarence family heir, you don’t even like socializing? Too unqualified, aren’t you? It’s just that you have no younger brother to replace you…” “Too aloof, too arrogant. He’s still lacking so much…” “So pretentious. Basically, he just looks down on us, right? Let’s go, let’s go.”

Casual distortions, malicious speculations, attempts to use words to control his personality and behavior.

Utterly repulsive.

But Ming Ruan…

He looked at the delicate, pretty little item Ming Ruan had left beside him.

Lion spread his plum-blossom paw and carefully pressed it with a claw tip.

Some homemade dried treats made by Ming Ruan cycled up and down inside the container several times before tumbling out with a gurgle.

It was the kind of fun, charming little object Ming Ruan would like.

Lion’s ears tilted forward, his tail swishing rapidly now.

That little lion living inside his heart—the one who had suffered immeasurable self-doubt, pain, and confusion because of others’ pointing fingers, who had tried to change, and finally decided to become truly arrogant, never again swayed by any words—felt a warm hand ruffle its head.

Seems it was those people’s own problem after all.

Fuxi rested his chin on his paws and sprawled down comfortably.

Ah, Ming Ruan.

When he had first set his sights on Ming Ruan, he had also witnessed his interactions with Gray Wolf and Fox, knowing he was different from others.

But he had always maintained reservations, observing and evaluating this person from a distance, aloofly.

But observing up to today.

He had only ever brought him pleasant surprises; never disappointment.

Fuxi thought.

Someday, he truly wished he could regain his human form, invite him back to the little attic of the Clarence family estate, and bask together in the warm afternoon sunlight, enjoying afternoon tea.

He would share his favorite readers with him.

Thinking about it, if it were him, he would surely receive wonderful feedback and experience.

The lion lay peacefully, dreaming a sweet dream.

During winter, the sun sets quickly.

The viewers felt as if it were only a fleeting moment, yet today’s interactive livestream was already nearing its end.

“Babies, come here!” Ming Ruan adjusted and fixed the camera, then started calling the fluffballs.

Contrary to expectations.

The first to walk over this time was Lion.

【Ah, I suddenly feel like Fuxi seems… different now, somehow】

【Feels like he’s looking at my Wifey kinda weirdly】

【??? Why is he still walking closer? Why is he getting so close to my Wifey??】