Chapter 54.2

Just as Mu Ling was about to leave the ship’s cabin, someone called out “Wifey!” from behind.

She froze instantly, turning around. Though she expected it would be impossible to identify the caller among so many passengers, she noticed everyone was staring confusedly at two female college students, around 18-19 years old, in the corner. Following their gazes, she too looked at the young women.

The students were mortified. Caught in their act and completely embarrassed, their faces flushed crimson as they crouched down to hide.

The other passengers grew even more confused.

Mu Ling quickly fled the scene.

By the time she returned to her private cabin, new videos were already trending on the interstellar network:

「Breaking News: Mutant Beast Terminated!」

「Who else saw the war fox instantly kill the mutant hamster?」

「Most complete footage of a war beast’s hunt ever—even caught the bathroom scenes!」

「Wifey looks so beautiful holding the fox!」

「When the fox nuzzled her, I couldn’t decide who to envy more!」

「I’m reporting these girls for stealing my Wife!」

The videos showed the five-minute scene of the white fox killing the mutant hamster and Mu Ling carrying it away, replayed endlessly from multiple angles.

As the videos multiplied and discussions increased, the top trending topic quickly shifted from “Mutant beast Found on Starship A2271” to “Wifey Credits Everything to the Fox.”

Content creators produced dramatic edits of their interaction: one moment showing the white fox bisecting the mutant beast accompanied by stirring music, then cutting to the fox leaping into Mu Ling’s arms, nuzzling her face with complete devotion the background music would change. She tenderly wiped blood from its mouth and kissed its forehead—human and fox wrapped in a moment of mutual warmth and dependence.

*

At 8:30 PM in Bi Ke Zoo’s dining hall, dozens of zoo employees sat gathered around a large screen watching the viral video. The room was silent.

After what seemed like an eternity, Dr. Burey broke the silence. “Who would have thought? The Director’s only been gone a few hours and she’s trending again. But how did a mutant beast get on the starship?”

No one had an answer.

Wei Li spoke up, “One thing’s certain—this video cannot reach Moonlight.”

Xiao Zhao sighed, “Or Tayun.”

Server Ailin nodded, “And definitely not Lightning.”

Li Yan added helplessly, “It’ll be hard to explain to Qilin too.”

Everyone: “…”

Somehow this was starting to sound like their Director had abandoned her family to elope with the fox.

Outside the dining hall, Xiang Bie connected with Mu Ling via their light brains.

She was using paper towels to dry the fox’s wet fur around its mouth and chest, having just washed off the blood in the bathroom. Without a hair dryer, paper towels were her only option.

“So you’ve heard about it too,” Mu Ling said while drying the fox. “I’m really fine, but this incident is suspicious. I heard Lieutenant Luo—the one who just spoke with Captain Li—will personally investigate at the next stop. With the military involved, we should have answers soon.”

Xiang Bie’s brows furrowed. “Be careful while you’re away.”

Mu Ling smiled. “Don’t worry, I’m not alone. I have Fas with me, and if anything happens, the Silin and Fu’ai Zoo people are here too.”

She then changed the subject, “How’s the park today?”

After a brief “Mm,” he asked, “Want to see the animal dormitory?”

“Yes, yes! Brother Xiang, you’re the best!”

Xiang Bie paused, saying nothing. He switched to video mode and brought the camera into the animal dormitory, staying at the entrance since he couldn’t approach the war beasts too closely.

Watching each animal in the dormitory, Mu Ling sighed wistfully, “I finally understand why viewers beg for daily updates. When you see them every day, you don’t notice, but after just three hours, I already miss them!”

Xiang Bie fell silent for a moment before saying softly, “Then come back soon.”

“Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!” Mu Ling quickly agreed.

*

At Star Station 800u1, sixteen disembarking passengers were immediately detained by local military forces pending investigation of their connection to the mutant beast incident. Lieutenant Luo personally questioned the remaining passengers.

The first priority was the mutant beast’s owner—a middle-aged noblewoman in first class, dressed in designer brands. Initially hysterical about her hamster’s death, she quickly sobered under Lieutenant Luo’s stern questioning. She explained that she’d bought an allegedly rare, expensive pedigreed rat from Shenwang Star for her son.

Lieutenant Luo meticulously recorded every detail about the purchase while dispatching teams to verify her story and investigate her background.

After hours of questioning other passengers, around 3 AM just before disembarkation, Lieutenant Luo sought out Mu Ling.

Though she expected an interrogation, he surprised her: “Thank you, Ms. Mu and your fox, for your brave intervention in eliminating the mutant beast. I will report your meritorious service.”

Embarrassed by the praise, Mu Ling waved it off. “No need to mention me—just credit the fox. The merit is entirely its own.”

Lieutenant Luo smiled. “No need for modesty. As its guardian, its achievements are yours as well. However, I have one question—could you describe exactly how it first detected the mutant beast?”

After listening to her account, Lieutenant Luo fell silent before asking, “Director Mu, with your experience with war beasts, do you know the maximum range at which S-class beasts can detect war beast scents?”

Mu Ling recalled Major Chang mentioning that S-class war beasts could detect mutant beasts from a hundred kilometers away.

Frowning, she said, “You think it’s odd that it didn’t detect the mutant beast immediately upon boarding? It’s not in good health, mentally or physically. A delayed reaction seems normal.”

“It’s not normal,” Lieutenant Luo stated firmly. “As a military beast tamer, I can tell you definitively—even war beasts with near-100 trauma levels maintain at least a hundred-kilometer detection range. That’s what makes them S-class—it’s their unique gift.”

Mu Ling fell silent.

“Think carefully,” Lieutenant Luo pressed. “Was there really no unusual behavior when it first boarded?”

After long consideration, she shook her head. “Nothing. It was perfectly behaved until the mutant hamster passed overhead.”

Lieutenant Luo nodded and stood, offering his business card. “If you remember anything else, contact me anytime.”

Just then, the starship docked at Four Bay Star. Mu Ling tucked the white fox into her bag, said goodbye to Lieutenant Luo, and disembarked.

Lost in thought about the conversation, she made her way through the terminal until she spotted Fas rushing toward her with two suitcases. “Director, I’ve got the luggage. Are you alright?”

He scrutinized her carefully. Being in different cabins, he’d only glimpsed her during the incident before she disappeared. Her later assurance of safety by text hadn’t fully relieved his worry.

Seeing his concern, Mu Ling smiled warmly. “I’m really fine. Come on, let’s find the Silin and Fu’ai teams.”

They quickly met Manager Chen from Silin, but the Fu’ai team was absent.

“Fu’ai brought two lionesses,” Chen explained. “They’re at the special transport entrance. The cars are there too.”

Unfamiliar with Four Bay Star, Mu Ling followed Manager Chen’s lead.

En route, Manager Chen couldn’t help glancing repeatedly at the white fox in her arms. Finally, he remarked, “That was quite dangerous on the starship. Thank goodness for your fox—though it certainly doesn’t behave like a beast with 83 damage value. I saw the video—it was incredibly brave and clear-headed.”

Mu Ling lovingly stroked the fox’s head, gazing into its wet purple eyes. “That’s how war beasts are when facing mutant beasts. Damage value doesn’t affect their fighting ability.”

Just like Qilin with the python, like Lightning with the hyena.

Manager Chen nodded reverently. “War beasts—truly the Federation’s treasures.”

As they reached the transport area, they spotted Manager Harry directing staff to carefully load the lion cages.

“Gentle now, take it slow.”

“Don’t rush—don’t frighten Roumei and Xiaoduo.”

As Mu Ling observed the beautiful lionesses, suddenly the white fox in her arms jerked to attention, its cold purple eyes locking onto the two lions with fierce intensity.