Chapter 59: 059 The special one. Part 1

The Home System’s automatic announcement could be heard by everyone.

It’s the Boss?

Ming Ruan was about to stand up but was held back by Ming Ji pressing down on his shoulder, keeping him seated at the dining table.

“I’ll get it.” Ming Ji’s voice betrayed no particular emotion.

A visit from the Adjudicator, the highest authority in the galaxy, would leave anyone else extremely apprehensive.

But for the Ming Family, it was somewhat reasonable. After all, Su Yuyun’s regard for Ming Ruan was evident for all to see.

Father Ming and Mother Ming had just stood up, not having prepared anything, when Ming Ji had already opened the front door.

Outside the door, indeed, stood that familiar figure.

“Lord Adjudicator, good day. For your sudden visit, please forgive our lack of preparation.” Ming Ji was neither humble nor arrogant. His demeanor showed no lack of etiquette, yet his body blocked the doorway, showing absolutely no intention of inviting the guest inside.

Su Yuyun nodded. He hadn’t come today in his capacity as Adjudicator, but faced with this attitude from Ming Ji, he didn’t explain much, simply saying, “I’m looking for Ming Ruan.”

The reason Su Yuyun was here today went back to the Beastman Research Institute’s emergency meeting the night before.

…

The Beastman Research Institute.

Another meeting regarding the research on the Therianthropy process had just concluded.

The attendees filed out. As they walked, they were still contemplating the Light Brain screens floating beside them.

Based on the phenomenon of Shi Huai’s second instance of Reverse Therianthropy, the meeting had further clarified some research conclusions.

Regarding the current Reverse Therianthropy process, most researchers believed that achieving a stable rating of A-Rank signified the capability for Reverse Therianthropy, what was lacking was merely a ‘trigger’. Judging from Shi Huai’s experience, the trigger might lie in a renewed identification with human social identity coupled with a strong, present desire for Reverse Therianthropy…

Consequently, the Institute had also made further interpretations regarding the nature of Therianthropy and the causes of Reverse Therianthropy, pending verification…

“Teacher!” A youth’s voice, breathless from chasing, came from behind.

Within the crowd, a certain Researcher paused his steps, waiting for his student to catch up.

The student bent over, hands on his knees, panting a few times before looking up and blurting out his question. “So, currently, the predecessors believe that Reverse Therianthropy entirely hinges on so-called… emotions?”

At some unknown point in the Stellar Calendar, technology had completely mastered all methods of regulating emotions from within the human body. The so-called psychological illnesses of the old era had all vanished into the river of history.

And now, someone had proposed in the meeting that the emergence of Therianthropy might originate from a need for emotional release—not an Alienation, but an evolution of regulatory mechanisms. Simultaneously, the triggering factor for Reverse Therianthropy also lay in emotional fulfillment, a sense of security being filled, being recognized and self-acknowledged, positive… to put it somewhat sappily, feeling loved and being able to love.

For someone raised since childhood steeped in technology and rationality, this was as absurd, embarrassing, and fantastical as a prehistoric romance film.

The student awkwardly stammered, toes curling. “L-love can really, uh, work miracles?”

The Researcher looked back at the blushing, red-eared student before him. “If we can eventually rule out all other possibilities, then I believe so.” He was calm, matter-of-fact, even carrying a hint of thoughtfulness.

Since the emergence of Therianthropy, they had considered it an Alienation brought by alien clans, a mutation of humanity, a hidden threat from the universe… They had exhausted every possible means, pushed technology to its limits, yet all efforts had returned fruitless.

Yet someone had effortlessly achieved all of this.

“He has taught us an excellent lesson.” Perhaps they had been arrogant for too long.

“Very fortunate, perhaps, we are collectively witnessing the unfolding of a ‘miracle’.” The Researcher nodded to the student and said nothing more.

In the now-empty, spacious corridor, only his steady footsteps remained.

The student stood frozen in place, unable to return to his senses for a long time.

After turning a corner, the Researcher entered the break room and closed the door.

His expression immediately changed!

Anxiously and excitedly, he jabbed at his Light Brain. With trembling hands, he dialed a communication number. After the other side connected, he hastily pressed the Light Brain to his ear, his voice humble and pleading. “Please, do arrange for Mr. Ming Ruan to have contact with the Beastmen again as soon as possible, just like with Shi Huai… Ideally Mr. Xie… Of course, of course, apologies, we know he is currently on vacation… No, no, there’s absolutely no chance we would overlook his contribution. The Research Institute has long been discussing nominating him as Person of the Era, or CEO; we can also put in a word with the Royal Family… Please discuss this with the Lord Adjudicator… Ah, yes, yes, thank you.”

The memory flashed and was gone.

This was the reason Su Yuyun appeared at the Ming residence’s doorstep.

The Research Institute hoped Ming Ruan could attempt to replicate Shi Huai’s Reverse Therianthropy with Xie Gewen, to support their hypothesis.

But Ming Ji didn’t know any of this.

He, usually a gentle person, was now very displeased with this man before him.

Purely based on intuition, Ming Ji had always suspected that the white tiger was Su Yuyun. Although he didn’t know how he managed to freely switch between human and beast forms, his covetous intentions towards Ming Ruan were crystal clear to Ming Ji.

To the current Ming Ji, the person before him wasn’t the Adjudicator, nor was he some Boss of Ming Ruan’s.

He was simply a pig trying to root up their family’s cabbage.

Ming Ji was on extreme high alert, guarding the household tightly.

He tried his best to remain gentle. “Ruanruan is on vacation right now. If the Lord Adjudicator has any requests, I can—”

“I can!” Ming Ruan suddenly popped his head out from behind Ming Ji, looking at his brother, then at his Boss, and said eagerly.

Ming Ji: “…”

Ming Ji rubbed his silly little brother’s head. “Be good.”

Then he said to Su Yuyun, “As you can see, I was just about to take Ruanruan out for a stroll. After all, it’s the holidays…” Ming Ji stopped at an appropriate point, leaving sufficient implication.

He hadn’t expected that after listening quietly, Su Yuyun would say, “I can take him. Sightseeing.”

Ming Ji: ?

Ming Ji’s wariness instantly maxed out!

He smiled. “The Lord Adjudicator is too kind. You are very busy with affairs. How could the Ming family dare trouble you with such matters.”

Su Yuyun: “Does the First Academy of the Main Star have no classes today?”

This was the institution Ming Ji attended.

Ming Ji: “…”

The two confronted each other for a moment. Ming Ji was the first to turn to Ming Ruan and ask, “What does Ruanruan think?”

Ming Ruan had already stealthily retreated several steps back while the two were glaring and emitting sparks at each other.

Now suddenly caught and forced into a multiple-choice question, Ming Ruan thought: Wasn’t there a possibility that, as an adult, he could actually go out by himself?

But under the two oppressively forceful gazes, Ming Ruan swallowed this sentence back down.

He thought for a moment, then said, “Then I’ll trouble the Boss.”

His situation was a bit different from most people’s. Compared to the Ming Family, he was actually more familiar with Su Yuyun. It wasn’t the first or second time he’d troubled Su Yuyun, and because of his status as a worker and the white tiger’s presence, he did have opportunities to repay the favor.

But to Ming Ruan, the Ming Family was only a first encounter. And precisely because the Ming Family was so good to him, Ming Ruan wanted to approach this relationship more cautiously.

Ming Ruan tugged at his brother’s sleeve and whispered, “Mom and Dad are really busy, right? Brother is too. Don’t worry about me, I can manage.”

Ming Ruan’s single sentence instantly soothed Ming Ji’s recently prickled heart.

The Ming Family had indeed set aside all other matters for today, and had even specifically cleared a few days after to properly spend time with Ming Ruan. He never expected that Ming Ruan would actually notice.

How could he be so sweet?

Utterly charmed, Ming Ji’s dissatisfaction towards Su Yuyun and that pack of Beastmen only grew.

He didn’t want to restrict his little brother’s friendships. He just wanted to find a way someday to personally enter the Sanatorium and keep an eye on those Beastmen, making sure they couldn’t take advantage of his little brother!

Mother Ming walked up from behind and also ruffled the back of Ming Ruan’s head. “Then go upstairs and change your clothes. Don’t keep the Lord Adjudicator waiting too long.”

Ming Ruan nodded and ran up to the second floor.

Watching Ming Ruan’s retreating figure, Father Ming invited Su Yuyun inside, shaking his head with a sigh. “Xiao Ji treasures this younger brother very much. Please forgive him.”

“It’s no matter. The Ming family is harmonious and loving—” Su Yuyun lowered his voice. “Becoming your family must make him very happy.” Thank you.

Upstairs, listening to the sounds below, Ming Ruan swiftly changed his clothes.

Because he was a bit hurried, while standing to pull on his pants, he lost his balance and bumped against the wall.

Just this one bump, however, unknowingly activated some point. A small section of the wall suddenly became transparent, then gradually disappeared, revealing a small, square space.

What was this?

A legendary secret compartment? Or was it called a hidden cabinet?

Ming Ruan maintained his posture of pulling up his pants, staring at this small square space, frozen.

The original owner had installed a secret compartment in his own room? What could be inside…

Ming Ruan recalled the various doubts he’d had about the original owner.

He hesitated for a moment, but still reached his hand in to feel around.

He fished out something similar to a Chip. Small, held between his fingertips.

What was this? How to use it? It looked somewhat like an interstellar version of a flash drive.

Remembering the Boss was still waiting downstairs, Ming Ruan had no choice but to put this matter aside for the time being. He slipped the Chip into his pocket, thinking he’d research it when he had the time.

…

Ming Ruan and Su Yuyun were soon seated together in the Flying Sedan.

As soon as he settled in, Ming Ruan took the initiative to ask, “Boss, is there some sudden mission that needs handling?”

Su Yuyun paused, the words he’d just prepared momentarily caught, and asked instead, “Why do you ask?”

Ming Ruan scratched his head. Although the Boss was very good to him, actually, every time he sought him out, it was for official business.

Ming Ruan spoke frankly.

Su Yuyun’s expression showed no discernible change, but the temperature inside the Flying Sedan seemed to inexplicably drop a few degrees.

They sat in silence for a moment. “Where do you intend to go play?” Su Yuyun suddenly asked.

“Are we really just going out to play?” Ming Ruan blinked. He felt this topic was somehow mismatched with the Boss’s aura.

“Mhm.” Su Yuyun confirmed.

Only then did Ming Ruan feel a little embarrassed. “I’m taking up too much of the Boss’s time…”

Su Yuyun was concise. “Not busy.”

The words having been said, Ming Ruan had no choice but to ponder.

Where to go play?