Pretending to Be Human, I Fell in Love with an AI - Chapter 8

After wrapping up the last bit of work at hand, Yu Ting took Yu Dengdeng out.

Feeling much better, Dengdeng didn’t need Yu Ting to carry him anymore. Instead, he held Yu Ting’s hand the whole time, walking slowly along the street with him and observing their surroundings.

The air had cleared up considerably after the rain.

In the distance, the pale blue sky hung like a still oil painting. The red plastic signs along Zhengyang Street, washed clean by the rain, had lost the grime accumulated from wind and weather, now glowing brightly.

People in this area had a habit of taking midday naps, and since it was lunchtime, most shops were nearly empty. More electric scooters than cars passed by them.

After walking a few steps, Yu Dengdeng suddenly stopped and looked toward a middle-aged woman sitting in a shop, fanning herself.

Noticing his gaze, the woman glanced at him twice, her scrutinizing look just as unwelcome as before.

Seeing Dengdeng’s reaction, Yu Ting followed his gaze and recognized the owner of a nearby convenience store.

The reason Yu Ting remembered her was because he had once overheard her discussing with two others whether he had mental issues when he came to buy food nearby.

Unsurprisingly, their conclusion had been yes.

Seeing Yu Ting look over, the woman, who had been reclining in a chair, immediately planted her feet on the ground and sat up. Still awkward from their last encounter, she forced a smile. “Xiao Yu, out for a stroll?”

Realizing she was greeting Yu Ting, Yu Dengdeng tightened his grip on Yu Ting’s hand. He first looked up at Yu Ting but could only see his sharp jawline and thick lashes. Then he turned to face the middle-aged woman.

Yu Ting replied, “Mm.”

He wasn’t unaware of how people on Zhengyang Street viewed him, and in a way, he understood.

If someone in his neighborhood went to an unrelated place at the same time every day, he’d be suspicious too.

Besides, having lived in the slums for so long, he’d faced far worse situations.

“Oh, whose child is this? I’ve never seen him before.”

The woman squinted as she examined the child beside Yu Ting. Sharp-eyed, she had noticed the boy the moment Yu Ting appeared and had already run through several possibilities in her mind.

Yu Ting’s?

She’d never heard about that before.

Cheng Qiang spent all day at the mahjong parlor—unlikely.

And judging by the boy’s looks, he was too cute to be Cheng Qiang’s.

Cheng Ze? Even less likely.

Looking at the woman, Yu Dengdeng recalled what Cheng Qiang had said that morning. He suddenly realized that her gaze might be related to the rumors about Yu Ting circulating on Zhengyang Street.

So he spoke up first, smiling sweetly. “Hello, Auntie. My name is Yu Dengdeng. Yu Ting is my dad.”

Yu Ting glanced at Dengdeng and added, “I’m taking him out for lunch.”

A child?

And Yu Ting’s child??

Hearing the innocent, childish voice, the woman froze for a moment before quickly putting on a smile, as if she hadn’t just learned this news.

“Oh, hello, Dengdeng. Haven’t had lunch yet? You should hurry then. The street vendors up ahead will start packing up soon.”

“Mm, we’ll be going now,” Yu Ting replied. The woman’s gaze lingered on them until they turned the corner, clearly burning with curiosity.

Even his own mind suddenly conjured up a mischievous thought.

If he were to suddenly turn his head, he’d probably startle the other person, just like last time when he was caught red-handed.

But he didn’t do that.

Sensing that the aunt was still watching them, Yu Dengdeng pouted and glanced back, only to see her standing at the doorway, looking in their direction. When she noticed him turning around, she even smiled at him.

He turned his head back again.

So, what was the reason, really?

…

Most of the restaurants on Zhengyang Street were located at the street corners, where students and office workers passed by most frequently, making it a bustling area.

It took them over ten minutes to walk from the auto repair shop to this spot. There weren’t many street vendors here—mostly small eateries with a few tents set up outside, offering affordable and hearty meals that nearby workers often frequented.

The moment the two arrived, they drew quite a few glances.

First, there were those who recognized Yu Ting, curious about the unfamiliar child by his side.

Second, the two of them were simply too striking in appearance. Yu Ting stood at 190 centimeters tall, towering and imposing.

The child he held by the hand had soft hair and was dressed in a cute black onesie, which softened Yu Ting’s otherwise unapproachable aura.

As they walked and looked around, passersby couldn’t quite tell whether they were father and son or brothers.

“What would you like to eat?” Yu Ting shook his hand gently and looked down at Dengdeng, who was carefully scanning the options.

Yu Dengdeng stopped and glanced at the restaurant on his left. Its signboard was a vibrant mix of red and green, adorned with enticing photos of various dishes.

He pointed at one of the pictures. “I want to eat that.”

Yu Ting followed his gaze—it was the Kung Pao chicken he’d had before, not spicy but even slightly sweet. He nodded in agreement.

The advantage of arriving after the peak dining hours was that only one table in the restaurant was occupied; the rest were empty.

Yu Ting chose a seat not too close to the fan and went to the counter to order a Kung Pao chicken rice bowl.

When he returned to the table, he saw Dengdeng resting his cheeks in his hands, curiously observing the surroundings.

Since the day he brought Dengdeng home, Yu Ting had never asked him about his past.

The child was clever, full of curiosity, and adaptable.

Though physically fragile and a bit clingy, his vitality was tenacious—like a plant that could take root and sprout wherever there was soil.

Could anyone really abandon a child like this on purpose?

Impossible.

Still, Yu Ting sometimes wondered what kind of environment could have produced a childlike Dengdeng.

Perhaps it was simply fate’s arrangement.

Yu Dengdeng, of course, had no idea what his human father was thinking. His mind was now filled with the fries Yu Ting had mentioned before they left.

If he ate now, would he still have room for fries later?

What if he got too full?

With that in mind, Yu Dengdeng decided to eat just a little less rice, saving some space in his stomach.

After all, he really wanted to try… what fries tasted like.

“Kung Pao chicken rice is here!” The owner brought over the meal and, noticing the child, even brought an extra small bowl.

When Yu Dengdeng saw the food in front of him, he couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wow!” It looked exactly like the picture on the signboard!

Hearing such an enthusiastic exclamation from Dengdeng for the first time, Yu Ting couldn’t help but take another look at the meal.

The restaurant owner, amused by Yu Dengdeng’s genuinely awed reaction, chuckled. “Try Uncle’s cooking and see how it tastes. You can ask for more rice if you finish it.”

Watching their reactions, Yu Dengdeng belatedly covered his mouth, his cheeks instantly flushing bright red.

Yu Dengdeng, oh Yu Dengdeng, as an octopus prince, how could you have no restraint at all!

Yu Dengdeng scolded himself inwardly, but his sincere gaze never left the rice bowl in front of him for even a moment.

It seemed he was truly hungry.

Yu Ting rinsed a spoon with hot water, scooped a small portion of rice into a bowl, and pushed it toward Yu Dengdeng. “Eat up, but be careful—it’s hot.”

Yu Dengdeng: “…”

The child picked up the spoon, lowered his head to scoop a mouthful of rice, then looked up to see Yu Ting watching him with an expression of approval (?) before blowing on the steaming rice and finally putting it into his mouth.

Seeing that Dengdeng could eat on his own, Yu Ting bent his arm to pour two cups of hot water, placing both on his side of the table, before picking up his own spoon to eat.

With each bite, Yu Dengdeng felt more and more satisfied, a sense of fullness quickly spreading through his body.

Wait, do humans always eat this deliciously?

This is just too good!

Yu Ting ate slowly, bite by bite.

Although he had never been picky about food or living conditions growing up, since coming to Earth, he had to admit—this was what real eating felt like.

The nutrient paste he had consumed for over twenty years was merely about meeting physiological needs.

Noticing Yu Dengdeng eating too quickly, Yu Ting reminded him, “Eat slower, or you might choke.”

Yu Dengdeng nodded but continued diligently devouring the rice in his bowl.

Soon, the last grain of rice disappeared from the bowl.

Yu Ting had only taken a few bites when he saw the child holding his spoon, eyes shining brightly as he stared at him. Yu Ting pushed the now-warm cup of water toward him. “Drink some water first.”

Yu Dengdeng picked up the cup, took a few sips, and set it down again.

“Want more?” Yu Ting asked again.

Yu Dengdeng glanced at the kung pao chicken that Yu Ting had barely touched, even feeling as if the peanuts were waving at him.

But thinking of the french fries, he pursed his lips tightly and shook his head. “No more, I’m full.”

No more.

Observing the gaze still firmly glued to the plate, Yu Ting raised an eyebrow slightly, scooped another spoonful of rice, and watched as those eyes immediately followed the spoon, staring intently as he brought it to his mouth.

When Yu Ting looked over, Yu Dengdeng quickly averted his gaze, swallowing the saliva that had been frantically building up in his mouth.

Seriously, he should have eaten even slower!

“Tell me, why aren’t you eating?” Yu Ting set his spoon beside the plate and looked leisurely at the child in front of him.

“I’m not hungry,” Yu Dengdeng insisted, swallowing another mouthful of saliva.

“If you don’t say it, there really won’t be any more food,” Yu Ting said, lifting his gaze.

Seeing that Yu Ting’s expression wasn’t joking, Yu Dengdeng fiddled with his fingers and mumbled softly.

“Hmm?”

“It’s just…”

“I’m afraid if I eat too much, I won’t be able to eat french fries later…” Yu Dengdeng said a little louder, sneaking glances at Yu Ting sitting across from him as he spoke.

Honestly, it wasn’t his fault!

As an octopus who had never tried french fries before, it was perfectly normal for him to be curious about them—even desperately wanting to taste them, right?

The first time, Yu Dengdeng’s voice was so soft that Yu Ting could hardly believe what he had heard.

Hearing it the second time, he was nearly amused by the absurdity. What on earth do human children think about all day?

“Have another bowl.” Yu Ting added half a bowl more for Yu Dengdeng. “After dinner, we’ll go for a walk, and then you can have some fries.”

Yu Dengdeng: !

“Really?”

“Would I lie to you?”

Yu Dengdeng shook his head and picked up his bowl to continue eating.

Watching the child eat heartily, the corners of Yu Ting’s mouth lifted slightly as he poured him another half cup of warm water.

In the end, with Yu Ting’s promise to buy fries, Yu Dengdeng ate less than two small bowls of rice before stopping, leaving the rest for Yu Ting to finish.

Afraid that Yu Dengdeng might get indigestion, Yu Ting took him for a short walk nearby, where the sound of music drifted over.

Yu Dengdeng quickened his pace, pricked up his ears to listen, and then excitedly looked at Yu Ting.

“It’s probably that night market festival. Let’s go check it out, though it shouldn’t be too crowded at this time.” Yu Ting glanced at his phone.

It was almost five o’clock, and the distant sky was tinged with dusk. The night market would truly come alive after eight or nine in the evening.

But considering Yu Dengdeng had just recovered from a fever, Yu Ting decided to take him for a stroll while it was still relatively quiet.

When they arrived, they found the night market busier than expected. Most vendors were already set up beside their stalls, and several speakers along the roadside blared music at full volume.

To avoid the crowds, Yu Ting picked up Dengdeng, shielding one of his ears with a hand. Seeing Yu Ting’s gesture, Yu Dengdeng raised his own hand to cover his other ear.

There were all kinds of food—stinky tofu, barbecue, grilled cold noodles, ice cream—and various activities for children, like bumper cars and goldfish scooping.

Noticing several kids gathered around the bumper cars, Yu Ting thought of Dengdeng’s love for tricycles and asked if he wanted to try.

But Dengdeng shook his head, saying he only wanted fries.

He didn’t tell Yu Ting that on their planet, they didn’t play bumper cars. They wrapped things with tentacles and threw them at each other.

Along the way, they finally spotted a vendor selling sweet plum fries, and Yu Ting bought a portion for Yu Dengdeng.

This time, although the child didn’t exclaim in delight like last time, he still couldn’t put them down.

No matter how much he loved them, he kept sharing with Yu Ting as he ate. Only after Yu Ting insisted he was truly full—though in reality, he wasn’t fond of sweets—did Yu Dengdeng happily focus on his fries.

He just couldn’t understand, Yu Dengdeng thought while chewing his fries, why they tasted so incredibly good.

“What’s that?” Yu Dengdeng asked curiously, pointing to a tent set up ahead after swallowing a fry. A small crowd had gathered there, and it looked quite lively.

From this angle, it was hard to see what was happening. Yu Ting walked closer and discovered it was a toy shooting range, with a small mountain of toys piled on a table.

A red paper sign next to it, written in black marker, listed the price and stated that if all targets were hit, the player could choose one toy to take home for free.

“Let me give it a try.” A boy who looked to be in his teens stepped forward eagerly, paid the fee, but his first shot—and all the ones after—missed completely.

Then another boy stepped up. This time, he did slightly better, hitting three targets and winning a small dolphin plushie.

“Want to give it a try?” the stall owner asked the young man standing nearby, who was holding a child in his arms. “Little one, if your dad hits all the targets, you can pick any toy for free.”

Yu Dengdeng blinked and looked at the plushies, though none seemed particularly interesting to him. “What’s that one?”

He pointed to a white, square box beside him.

“Smart speaker, also a top prize. It can play music and have conversations. There’s only one of these,” the boss emphasized, holding up a finger.

“Want it?” Seeing Yu Dengdeng examining the box, Yu Ting asked.

“But won’t it be really difficult?” For the first time, Yu Dengdeng felt the inconvenience of not having his tentacles. Otherwise, with one tentacle popping a balloon each, he could definitely win it.

“I’ll give it a try.”

Yu Ting placed Yu Dengdeng on the table, paid the boss, and took the gun from him.

Since it was a replica gun, it was much, much lighter.

The moment Yu Ting held the gun, he felt a bit unaccustomed to it. He instinctively touched the grip, then aimed the gun at the balloons three meters away.

The night market was gradually getting busier, and without realizing it, quite a crowd had gathered to watch the spectacle.

“Dad?” Yu Dengdeng whispered. He had intended to say that the smart speaker wasn’t absolutely necessary, but before he could speak, he saw the young man turn his head toward him, placing a finger to his lips. “Shh, it’s about to start.”

The young man stood with his feet apart, his back straight, his gaze fixed intently on the target. In that moment, the cold aura around him seemed to tighten, and as the bullet was fired, an overwhelming sense of pressure swept through the air.

One

Two

Three

…

Yu Dengdeng stared unblinkingly at Yu Ting before him—or perhaps it was another Yu Ting.

After gasping in surprise, the onlookers began helping Yu Ting count the popped balloons.

The boss hadn’t expected someone so skilled to show up, and the smile on his face grew increasingly stiff.

The sound of balloons popping appeared, disappeared, appeared again… and then vanished for a long while. Only then did Yu Ting slowly lower the gun, still staring blankly at his own fair, slender fingers, which bore faint calluses.

“Dad, you hit all of them!” Yu Dengdeng cheered.

“Hmm?” Hearing the familiar voice, Yu Ting snapped out of his daze and patted Yu Dengdeng’s head.

Suddenly, applause erupted all around.

“That was incredible!”

“Did he serve in the military before? He must be a professional.”

“Let me give it a try.”

“I want to try too.”

Yu Ting calmly pursed his lips. It had indeed been a long time since he had held a gun, and his accuracy had dropped significantly during the first three shots with this one.

“Uncle Boss, can we pick a toy now?” Yu Dengdeng tugged at Yu Ting’s hand and looked at the boss standing nearby.

The boss, whose face had stiffened, hadn’t expected that after Yu Ting’s easy victory, a crowd would rush forward wanting to try their luck.

Not everyone had that kind of accuracy, and he knew he had likely encountered a professional this time. He pointed to the toys and said, “Yes, pick any one you like.”

“Which one do you want?” Yu Ting walked over to the toys laid out on the table and glanced casually at them.

Most were dolls and models meant for children. The white box containing the smart speaker stood out awkwardly among them.

“The smart speaker!” Yu Dengdeng quickly said.

Yu Ting took out the smart speaker, examined it briefly, and handed it to Yu Dengdeng. “Shall we go then?”

Yu Dengdeng hummed in agreement twice and hugged the box tightly.

On the way back, Yu Dengdeng studied the box and then looked at Yu Ting.

The young man’s face had returned to its usual calm and indifferent expression, as if nothing could stir a ripple in his heart.

But the Yu Ting who had stood there earlier seemed like another person entirely—sharp, imposing, and unstoppable.

“Dad, you were seriously so cool just now,” Yu Dengdeng said.

He swore on the name of an octopus!

Yu Ting: “Huh?”

“Seriously so cool—” Yu Dengdeng leaned close to Yu Ting’s ear and shouted, “Did you hear that? Seriously super cool!”

Yu Ting: …

“I heard it this time.”

Support