3 Three-Headed Whale

Five years ago, Jing Chengyun did indeed spend ten yuan at a roadside stall to win a lop-eared rabbit.

That was the first time she had ever kept a pet—a living creature that belonged entirely to her.

Jing Chengyun doted on the little rabbit, buying it the finest forage. Before long, she started university, learned a few rules of human society, and began working part-time to earn her living expenses. She would set aside a portion of her earnings to buy a spacious cage for her rabbit.

Then, later on... the little rabbit vanished into thin air overnight, leaving only the cage door standing wide open.

Jing Chengyun experienced the sting of "loss" for the first time, tears streaming down her face. Her mother told her that this was called heartbreak, called being torn asunder.

Now that she had recovered what was lost, Jing Chengyun did not feel overly overjoyed. While she might still feel saddened by the loss of a pet, the feeling of being torn asunder would never return. She liked too many things, and it was impossible to pour abundant emotion into every single one.

"Five years ago, my mother rescued me and took me home in the middle of the night..." the rabbit spirit scratched his head in shame. "I wanted to come back and repay your kindness later, but I was too stupid; I couldn't find you no matter how hard I looked."

"What is your name?"

"Ruan Mianmian!"

The rabbit spirit named Ruan Mianmian was very happy. He was the youngest among his siblings, possessed a very cute name, and shared a marvelous bond with his master!

He was simply the happiest bunny in Baiyun City!

Having recovered from his shock, Ruan Mianmian hopped twice on the spot in delight, his tail twitching along with him: "I was truly terrified just now. Thankfully, Master saved me. Master is a great, wonderful whale!"

"You've misunderstood."

"Huh?"

Jing Chengyun, her confidence unshaken, pointed to the spot a few inches below Ruan Mianmian's lower back, revealing her true nature: "It's mainly because—your tail looks rather... interesting."

"Eep!!!" Ruan Mianmian jumped in surprise.

Just as orcas usually invest their skill points into size, intelligence, and combat power, rabbits rarely evolve toward gigantism.

The small, cute lop-eared rabbit hopped about, his ears and tail trembling, causing Jing Chengyun’s heart to flutter and her mind to wander.

Ruan Mianmian’s thoughts drifted back to the past, to when he hadn't yet taken human form, living in the large cage Jing Chengyun had bought for him, eating expensive rabbit food, and having his tail petted dozens of times a day...

To tell the truth, he really wanted to return to that life.

To a rabbit spirit in human form, a cage was merely a cramped space, but to a rabbit-form spirit, it was the happiest place on earth.

Most importantly, it meant he could stay by Jing Chengyun's side.

In truth, Ruan Mianmian didn't like having his tail touched. Others always mocked him for being unable to even hide his tail, which had become a sore point in his rabbit life. But, but... Master said she liked his tail!

The most obedient bunny in the world never refuses his master!

"Wuu, I see." Ruan Mianmian wiped his face messily, his tear stains still fresh. "Since it’s Master’s hobby, then go ahead and touch it!"

He put on an expression of resigned stoicism, obediently turned his back, and lay down on the marble table, a mixture of seriousness, anticipation, and nervousness on his face.

Jing Chengyun was stunned. In human social circles, casual physical contact with strangers was impolite; she hadn't understood this at first, but she had learned it over time.

Even if a rabbit’s tail was wonderful to touch, there was no reason to do it the first time they met! Right beneath the tail was the rabbit's bottom!

After a brief internal struggle, Jing Chengyun firmly refused: "That wouldn't be appropriate!"

Upon hearing this, Ruan Mianmian’s tone shifted instantly, and he asked in a pitiful, tiny voice: "Why? Does Master not like it? I, I..."

It wasn't like this before. Before, Master loved petting his tail and rubbing his head most of all!

It was all because he was too stupid. After his mother rescued him, he could never find Master again, or else the bond between the whale and the rabbit wouldn't have faded!

The more Ruan Mianmian thought about it, the sadder he became, and he began to cry uncontrollably.

Logically, it is very difficult to remain beautiful while crying, yet he had a natural gift; not only did he cry like a pear blossom in the rain, but he also looked incredibly endearing.

Jing Chengyun wasn't buying it. She was dumbfounded and growled irritably: "What are you crying for? I hate it when people are blubbering! I’m not touching it today simply because the time isn't right yet!"

"When will the time be right?" Ruan Mianmian calmed down, rubbing his moist eyes.

Determined to learn to be smarter today, he quickly took out his phone and said: "Master, let's exchange contact information. You saved me today, and I must repay you! If you want to touch a rabbit tail another day, I will deliver the bunny to your door overnight!"

"Delivering a bunny to the door" sounded far too tempting. Jing Chengyun didn't care if this was her boyfriend's funeral; Chen Ji loved her so much that even if she added Ruan Mianmian's contact, Chen Ji wouldn't truly be angry with her!

Without hesitation, Jing Chengyun agreed.

She asked a few more questions and learned that five years ago, Ruan Mianmian's demonic power had been too weak and his aura too thin, which was why his identity as a spirit hadn't been exposed. After being rescued, he had been lucky enough to catch a minor fluctuation of spiritual energy in the Blue Star, allowing him to successfully take human form. Because both he and Chen Ji were members of the same photography enthusiast group, he had attended the funeral.

Ruan Mianmian’s cultivation was still very low, but being able to transform was a good thing.

After all, not everyone was a heaven-defying genius spirit like Jing Chengyun. While other spirits took hundreds or thousands of years to achieve human form, she had broken through the limits early on.

To this day, she had only been alive for twenty-five years.

*

The following afternoon, Jing Chengyun received a call from Ruan Mianmian. The caller wasn't the little rabbit, but his mother.

The woman proposed meeting Jing Chengyun to properly thank her for her help. Jing Chengyun found it hard to refuse such a warm invitation and set the time for noon.

At the tea restaurant.

The shop was lit with green tea-scented aromatherapy. Jing Chengyun didn't care for the scent; she preferred the smell of the sea breeze—and the carefully dressed male rabbit spirit before her.

Ruan Mianmian was fair and delicate, his almond eyes looking as if they were soaked in autumn water, and today he wore a long white hoodie. Just one look was enough to bring the phrase "a lotus rising from clear water" to mind.

He hadn't inherited his mother's intelligence and sharpness, and he stuttered when he spoke: "Ma, Master! You're here!"

Ms. Ruan Hui patted her son on the shoulder and reminded him gently: "Mianmian, don't address others like that; it's impolite."

In truth, she herself was reluctant. Her Mianmian was fine, so why was he calling someone else "Master"? Wouldn't that put him in a lower position?

Jing Chengyun introduced herself and, addressing Ruan Mianmian's choice of words, added specifically: "Just call me 'Yunyun.' My friends all call me that."

Ruan Hui nodded in approval: "I'll treat you to this meal. Do you have any dietary restrictions?"

Jing Chengyun was not at all reserved: "Oh, I can eat anything; I have no restrictions."

"That's a good thing. It's great to be able to break free from the diet adapted to one's original form and try all sorts of fresh things. I don't have that talent; I see delicious food but can't eat it, which is quite frustrating." Ruan Hui was very approachable, her smile as refreshing as a spring breeze.

"Master is super amazing!" When Ruan Mianmian heard his mother praising his master, he chimed in with excitement.

Ruan Hui sighed and reminded him helplessly again: "Mianmian, you mustn't address Ms. Jing like that anymore—Ms. Jing, what line of work are you in? I work in the Personnel Department of the Space-Time Travel Bureau, and things are always very busy."

"The Space-Time Travel Bureau, huh?" Jing Chengyun raised an eyebrow.

The Space-Time Travel Bureau was a mysterious organization with an unknown founding date and purpose. It had branches in every large planet and city across the multiverse, including Baiyun City.

Its true face did not seem as clean and upright as it appeared on the surface, and people's opinions of it were quite polarized.

Facing Ruan Hui’s warm smile, Jing Chengyun was thoughtful: "That must be very tiring. Then again, no job is easy these days. Like me, I work at a funeral home; it's very exhausting."

"Hmm?" Ruan Hui exclaimed in surprise.

When she first entered the industry, Jing Chengyun’s teacher had warned her repeatedly that death was a taboo subject regardless of species; with the exception of a few groups with unique beliefs, almost everyone avoided the word "death."

Therefore, it was best not to easily reveal one's profession.

Jing Chengyun’s teacher never attended weddings or funerals, rarely shook hands with others, and certainly never mentioned to anyone that she did mortuary makeup at a funeral home.

But Jing Chengyun wasn't close with Ruan Hui, and they likely wouldn't have much to do with each other in the future. Moreover, she didn't consider her profession to be a taboo.

She steadied her mind and said bluntly: "I work at a funeral home as a mortuary makeup artist."

The silence she expected never came. Ruan Mianmian felt that even if his master were picking up trash on the street, she would be great. He clapped his hands excitedly and showered her with praise: "So amazing, as expected of Sister Yunyun!"

Sister Yunyun—once she accepted this title, a sense of pride washed over Jing Chengyun, as if she were being held in high regard.

Ruan Hui tasted her green tea and smiled as before: "Oh, oh, Ms. Jing, don't worry about me having any taboos. On the contrary, I am the one who should be worried today."

She took a booklet out of her briefcase with the words "Space-Time Travel Bureau Recruitment Prospectus" printed on it: "Ms. Jing, I’ll be direct. Our Bureau is in great need of talent. Your race is both intelligent and skilled in combat. If you are willing to join us, we would be very honored."

Ruan Hui stated her reasons.

Two months ago, a "book-transmigrator" had disrupted the world within a story, causing its internal programs to collapse.

The severity of the damage had crossed universes and dimensions, affecting the real-world Space-Time Travel Bureau. Travel equipment had overloaded, exploded, and shattered, causing massive losses, with many employees caught in the crossfire.

Afterward, employees either resigned or took sick leave. If things continued this way, how could the Space-Time Travel Bureau function?

"Then just stop functioning."

Jing Chengyun’s words were shocking.

Ruan Hui was left dumbfounded.

"As far as I know, the Space-Time Travel Bureau has almost no contribution to society. In the hearts of most Blue Star residents, it belongs to the chaotic faction, because every resident is afraid of going to sleep only to wake up transmigrated."

This was Jing Chengyun's view of good and evil.

If something didn't need to exist, it shouldn't exist; if it couldn't function, it should just stop. She wouldn't strive for things that had nothing to do with her, and therefore, she cared even less about its survival.

Besides, from the moment Jing Chengyun sat down in the tea restaurant, Ruan Hui’s words had been full of flattery. Admittedly, Jing Chengyun was a whale who loved to hear people compliment her, but she wouldn't lose her head over it.

Since she couldn't be reasoned with, Ruan Hui decided to use incentives: "We can offer you a monthly salary of twenty thousand Blue Star coins, double pay at the end of the year, and complimentary travel group tickets. The position I am recommending for you is special; you don't need to clock in every day, and you only need to come to the Bureau when a task requires it..."

Jing Chengyun straightened her back slightly, the light in her eyes brightening. High salary, high benefits, and highly flexible working hours—the temptation was too great!

The material temptation alone wasn't enough to fully sway Jing Chengyun; she had inherited Chen Ji’s estate and wouldn't have to worry about food or clothing for the rest of her life, so she had no pressing reason to take another job.

Ruan Hui racked her brains and continued to persuade her: "If you join the task force, you will be able to experience the marvelous journey of traveling through time, books, and games..."

Jing Chengyun: "Deal."

Ruan Hui: "?"

Wow! Ruan Mianmian’s heart surged with excitement. His master was so decisive and brave; his admiration for her grew even deeper!

Ruan Mianmian jumped for joy, his floppy long ears spinning like propellers, shaking faster and faster.