Universe Infinite Canteen

(Correction, I forgot Ma Lu was still in his hometown, the previous text has been modified, the location changed back to his home, and the City Manager has also been replaced; those who have read before won't be affected in their reading.)

"Ah, I remember there was a news story a while back, it said the bear in the park was played by a person, always walking on two legs, with wrinkles on the body, just like a suit being worn, and it even seemed to play with a smartphone while crossing its legs." Ma Lu said.

"I was playing with my phone because there was a mobile game I really liked that was launching that day, so I took the opportunity to play for a bit, got to rush when the server opens, you know. I tried to have my back to those tourists, but I didn't expect to still get caught on camera." Black Bear said.

"But saying I'm wearing clothes, that's nonsense. My body is indeed a genuine bear, just that I've recently put on a bit of fat, which folds over when I walk."

"I see," Ma Lu said sympathetically, "it must be hard living in the zoo all the time."

"Not at all," Black Bear said, "working here is like working anywhere, and the welfare and treatment are pretty good. I only need to stroll around in the exhibition area, and don't have to do any work.

"I punch in and out on time every day, get food and housing, plus there are people to bathe me, seeing the doctor is free, and then there's that pha-, pha..."

"Phase Shifter."

"Right, right, right, the Phase Shifter. After work I can go back to my little cabin, play games, browse forums, yeah, not being able to leave the zoo is a bit annoying.

"But now that technology is so advanced, with a VR headset I can take cloud tours, by the way, I bought that Apple Vison Pro on its first release, it's quite substantial, fits me perfectly."

"When you put it that way, it does make some sense."

Black Bear added, "Plus, the zoo is in the city center, shopping online is really convenient. I order stuff and leave it at security, then get Xiao Lin to bring it over to me. If I hadn't turned into a bear, I definitely wouldn't have found such a divine job."

"Xiao Lin, is that the person who brought me to find you?" Ma Lu asked curiously, "What's his deal?"

"I'm not too clear myself." Black Bear said, "He was working here before I came to the zoo, probably one of those Different Dimension visitors you mentioned, but he doesn't like to talk about life before coming to Earth.

"The City Manager introduced us, saying that although I'm a native of this universe, I can no longer communicate normally with other people and that he was worried I would be too lonely, so he suggested I mingle with other oddballs like him.

"Xiao Lin was the first friend I made after becoming a bear, and the only one.

"Mainly because I can't leave the zoo now, can't exactly strut down the street.

"So, I can only meet with Xiao Lin, who for the most part appears to be a normal person, but one night when I was wandering around the zoo, I saw him whispering to a Siamese crocodile in the reptile house. I don't know what they were talking about.

"As I approached, they stopped talking. Oh, although I haven't made many new friends, I've joined quite a few groups.

"I really like to lurk in the groups watching everyone chat, so I'm extra attentive to this kind of news and ask to be pulled into new groups when I see them."

"Ooooh, so that's how you popped up in my WeChat group."

At this point, Ma Lu remembered something, "Are you ordering Little Sakura Egg Pudding to use its transformation effect and turn back into a human?"

"Mhm, mhm, mhm." Black Bear nodded.

"But... the transformation from Little Sakura Egg Pudding only lasts less than 12 hours."

"That's perfect, it won't affect my work tomorrow."

Ma Lu's gaze flickered, "Actually, if you have this need... we could also sign a long-term contract, and my restaurant could continuously provide you with Little Sakura Egg Pudding, even with more favorable pricing."

Black Bear was stunned, "But I only want to eat one piece."

"Hmm?"

Black Bear scratched his head with his paw, "Boss Ma, you seem to have misunderstood something. I'm not interested in being human anymore; I don't want to turn back into one, except for tonight.

"And tonight, I'm not turning into a human because I want to be one. It's just more convenient to move around in a human body outside."

"Alright."

Having failed to make a sale, Ma Lu didn't mind. He handed over the Little Sakura Egg Pudding and helped Black Bear tear off the outer insulation wrapper.

The latter opened its huge mouth and swallowed the fist-sized egg pudding in one gulp.

"How does it taste?" Ma Lu asked.

Black Bear smacked his lips twice, "Ate it too fast, didn't notice, but it should be pretty good, I see everyone in the group says your restaurant's food is delicious."

After pausing a moment, it asked, "When will the transformation happen?"

"Within a quarter hour after you finish eating, just imagine what you want to look like." Ma Lu said.

Black Bear, touching his chin, fell into thought, "Shoot, I forgot what I used to look like."

"Don't you have a photo in your WeChat profile picture?"

"Oh, right." Black Bear took out his phone, opened WeChat, and looked, "Wow, I used to be quite handsome, and so was the King. Ah, if it were still alive, it probably would look like I do now."

"......"

Ma Lu found himself at a loss for words for a moment and had to change the subject, "What do you plan to do after you go out?"

"Return something." Black Bear said.

"Hmm?"

"Did you see that sign when you came in?"

"Which sign, the one that says visitors are not allowed in?"

"Not that one, not on the iron gate. The one in the corridor." Experience more on My Virtual Library Empire

"'Love me, please do not feed at random'?"

"That's right, that one, although it doesn't really help, still many people throw things into Bear Mountain. Humans are like that, lots of self-centered fellows."

Black Bear explained, "I'm not against this behavior because I can read. I'd check the packaging of things thrown in to see if they're produced by a legit factory, if they're expired, if they contain trans fats.

"If it tastes good, I eat it; if not, I throw it aside, and in the evening, workers come to clean up.

"There's a little girl. She comes to the zoo with her mom to see me every week. Once she brought honey cheese sticks that tasted amazing, and I couldn't find them online.

"I approached her quietly when her mom was on the phone, and asked where she bought them."

"She said from the bakery right by her house. So, I asked her to think of a way to get her mom to buy some more."

"And the next time she came, she indeed brought a big bag of them which I thoroughly enjoyed. Ever since then, she always brings honey cheese sticks when she visits the zoo.

"So, you see, my relationship with her is not ordinary. Even during New Year, she didn't forget to come bring me treats. Unfortunately, this morning while she was feeding me, she accidentally left something important with me.

"I planned to ask Xiao Lin to deliver it for me, but he refused, and just as I saw the food effects you posted in the group, I thought maybe I could make the trip myself."

"Just for that?"

"She's my second best friend." The man blinked earnestly.