Stop Eyeing My Pretty Caretaker - Chapter 14

Chapter 14

“Dudu, this little friend is going to stay at our house for a few days.”

Still holding the little merman and in urgent need of getting it into the bathtub, Jian Chen faced the huffing little bear. He managed to free one hand to gently stroke the soft belly of the red panda, which had stood up on its hind legs.

The young man whispered, “Wait a moment for Papa.”

Then, he bypassed the standing little bear and walked directly toward the first-floor bathroom.

Dudu: “!”

The little bear watched his “Little Papa’s” retreating back. Shocked, it slowly lowered its posture and returned to its cabin.

It was as if it were moving in slow motion.

Little Papa didn’t even hug him when he walked in today.

He didn’t kiss him either!

Usually, the moment he entered the house, even if the little robot hadn’t appeared yet, Jian Chen would impatiently hurry toward the red panda’s spot. He would pick up the “tangyuan” (glutinous rice ball) bundle and rub his cheek against its white belly, using it like a power bank for his soul.

The red panda covered its face with its paws and flopped down, burying itself.

The little robot looked left and right, its expression shifting to “troubled.jpg.”

It didn’t know whether it should comfort the red panda or help its master take care of the new blond little merman.

Jian Chen placed Javier on a small tiled step nearby.

He began filling the bathtub with water.

The water didn’t need to be too hot; cool salt seawater was the best habitat for merfolk.

Jian Chen dug out his suitcase, which happened to contain a bag of simulated seawater salt. He estimated the volume of the bathtub, found a measuring container, and carefully mixed the ratio according to his research data. This way, when the little merman entered, it wouldn’t be uncomfortable from too much salt nor lose strength from the water being too fresh.

A corner of the bath towel on the little merman’s shoulder slowly slipped down. Its eyelashes fluttered, and it slowly opened its eyes.

The young man’s profile came into view.

His eyes were cast down as he adjusted the water-salt concentration. Perhaps because the outdoor temperature was too low, the water on Jian Chen’s palms had met the cold air while he was carrying the merman in the wet towel, causing his fingertips to freeze bright red. They still hadn’t recovered.

But the young man didn’t seem to notice.

While he was watching him, Jian Chen seemed to sense a gaze and turned his head to look at the merman.

The little merman shivered instantly and withdrew its gaze, its fingertips gripping the slipping towel, trembling slightly.

The next second, Jian Chen’s voice drew closer:

“I’m sorry, did the towel fall?”

“You don’t need to wear it anymore. I’ve adjusted the water to theoretical seawater levels; it might be uncomfortable if it’s not right.”

“If you’re uncomfortable, jump out. I’ll catch you, okay?”

Jian Chen knew the little merman might be too young to understand human language, let alone converse with humans like Vianne.

Therefore, his voice was warm and gentle. The content wasn’t important; what mattered was making the little guy relax.

To help him temporarily forget the unbearable shock and pain… even if it was just for a moment of respite.

Unsure if Javier understood his words, Jian Chen slowly leaned down and picked him up. Fortunately, there were no signs of drying on the little guy’s body.

Then, Jian Chen slowly placed the little merman into the bathtub.

Javier had been neither crying nor making a fuss, being incredibly well-behaved. However, the moment its fish tail touched the water, fear flashed in its eyes, and it began to struggle slightly.

Caught off guard, Jian Chen felt his neck being hugged.

The little merman was hiding in his arms.

Jian Chen felt his heart melting, while a sharp pang of sorrow rose within him.

He hugged the little merman back gently, his warm palm stroking Javier’s hair.

After weighing the situation, the little robot led the red panda and its square cabin into the bathroom.

This way, it could look after both sides. The robot’s face changed to “witty.jpg,” feeling gratified for making the optimal judgment.

Then, it and the red panda, which was gripping the edge of its cabin, entered the bathroom together.

Before them were the man and the merman, hugging each other.

“!!!”

Dudu couldn’t stand up this time.

Because the bear was practically fuming with rage on the spot.

Before Jian Chen left home, he had been holding Dudu.

The red panda turned into a “ying-ying” monster. The moment Jian Chen hugged it, it buried its little head in Jian Chen’s chest, and it couldn’t be pulled away.

Jian Chen looked down at the time. Half an hour had passed since Yu Lili said the military department was coming.

He needed to return to the research institute.

As the professor in charge of the new species area, the simultaneous disappearance of the merman and the professor would surely cause the military department to grow suspicious and launch an investigation.

The little robot was temporarily looking after things in the bathroom.

As for Dudu…

Well, it seemed he hadn’t been coaxed successfully yet.

It looked like the little red panda was truly angry.

Jian Chen found it funny but also felt a bit bad for him. He rubbed the round nape of Dudu’s neck and whispered, “Papa will take you out to play, okay?”

Dudu paused for a moment and then lifted its head.

Jian Chen: “Just you.”

The little head resting on Jian Chen’s shoulder perked up. The panda cub’s round eyes lit up, and it let out a chirp.

Jian Chen rushed to the research institute.

He carried the red panda on his chest. Dudu’s soft limbs were pressed against Jian Chen, but because it was fast asleep, its little head was lolling about, making tiny snoring sounds.

Jian Chen kissed the red panda and pulled his down coat a bit tighter.

To be honest, he hadn’t figured out how to deal with the leaders of the Second Military District.

Most of the professors and staff in the institute interacted with animals more than humans on a daily basis.

So the situation at hand was quite tricky.

Normally, the conditions of these endangered and new species—including temperature, heart rate, nutritional status, and vital signs—were all recorded. The Academy of Sciences often requested permission from superiors to review their daily records.

In other words, these people knew everything about every animal.

Therefore, the death of Vianne and the disappearance of the little merman within a single day would be something the generals of the Second Military District would never easily accept.

A shadow of heaviness crossed Jian Chen’s eyes, and he fell into an unprecedented state of confusion.

Regardless, he would protect the little merman, Javier, no matter what method he had to use.

He had promised Vianne.

At that moment, his watch suddenly rang.

Jian Chen looked and saw it was a call from Yu Lili.

He quickly tapped to answer, and Yu Lili’s anxious, lowered voice came through: “Professor Jian… don’t come to the research institute yet.”

Jian Chen was startled and silently turned up the volume on his earpiece: “What happened?”

“The military people think we’ve hidden the merman in the institute. They are checking the surveillance.”

Jian Chen’s heart skipped a beat.

“I think they… they will definitely find out within today,” Yu Lili said frantically. “I destroyed the surveillance system, but they went to find maintenance staff. The maintenance people will arrive this afternoon.”

Jian Chen felt his palms go cold.

He asked, “How long before they find out?”

“At least, at least until tomorrow.”

Yu Lili scratched her hair and sighed. “Our surveillance system is very advanced. I don’t think it can be repaired in a short time, but it’s only a matter of time…”

It felt like they had walked into a dead end.

Even the last bit of light, the last shred of hope, was vanishing in an instant.

Yu Lili was silent for a while and then suddenly said, “Professor, actually, there is one more way.”

Jian Chen was stunned. “What?”

Yu Lili hesitated before saying, “My brother told me that although the Second Military District holds supreme power, they aren’t without oversight. They also have an absolute superior they fear.”

Jian Chen: “An absolute superior?”

“Yes,” Yu Lili said slowly. “As far as I know, the Second Military District is under the control of the First Military District. To put it bluntly, the First Military District is their boss.”

“If we want to turn this around, we just need a high-ranking officer from the First Military District to step in.”

The First Military District.

It was a relatively unfamiliar name.

Jian Chen realized that the research institute had indeed never had any dealings with the First Military District. Even their director had never interacted with anyone from there.

Jian Chen thought about it and decided to make a trip himself.

If he talked to the director first, the director would certainly not risk offending the Second Military District just to save a little merman.

It would only waste precious time.

If he truly wanted to solve the problem, Jian Chen figured he should go find the highest leader of the First Military District.

The highest leader should be the legendary.

‘Chief of Staff’?

Jian Chen fell into deep worry. He was a pure, ordinary citizen. Could he really meet such a high-ranking figure at the absolute center of power without an appointment?

“…”

After a few minutes, Jian Chen felt he had no choice.

Regardless of whether he could succeed, he couldn’t live with himself if he didn’t even try.

So, making a decisive choice, Jian Chen took the red panda and resolutely headed toward the First Military District Headquarters.

When he arrived at the Headquarters lobby.

The guide on the first floor told Jian Chen that unless he had a prior appointment or the Chief’s personal number, he wouldn’t be able to meet him—he wouldn’t even be allowed to pass on a message.

Jian Chen held the red panda, falling into total confusion.

The guide felt a bit sympathetic and explained, “It’s not that we’re being harsh, but the Chief is the sole leader of the entire headquarters’ military districts. His personal safety affects the entire military. We are very cautious about the guests he meets every day.”

Jian Chen thought worriedly,

Should I contact Austin?

He vaguely remembered the scene in the video call. Austin should also be in the military; perhaps he could help contact the Chief but Jian Chen didn’t even know which military district Austin belonged to or what his position was.

But there was no other way. Jian Chen decided to make one last gamble.

He looked down and dialed Austin’s number.

As the call was connecting, Dudu suddenly let out a chirp.

Perhaps it was because he had been sleeping too soundly.

The little guy woke up suddenly and even startled himself, letting out a cry. Then it gave a lazy yawn, revealing its pink tongue.

Jian Chen patted the fur on Dudu’s head.

At the same time, Jian Chen noticed that the lobby had suddenly gone quiet.

It didn’t seem like his imagination.

Everyone’s eyes were looking over.

Their gazes all fell on Jian Chen, who was holding the panda cub.

Jian Chen: “…”

Being watched made him a bit nervous. Jian Chen was hesitating whether he should leave for a bit.

At that moment, a group of young officers passing by Jian Chen also stopped.

They wore neat black military uniforms. Some wore military caps while others had taken them off, revealing handsome foreheads. Black military boots encased their long, straight legs. They had been walking past, chatting and laughing.

It seemed they had also stopped because they heard Dudu’s chirp.

However, when their eyes fell on Jian Chen’s face, they seemed even more surprised.

Or rather mesmerized.

The officer in the middle, who looked the most cheerful, was the first to walk over. He spoke with a smile: “Little beauty, are you waiting for a family member?”

“Watch your words, Li Kai.” Another officer nudged him with his arm and also walked over, looking friendly. “Little sir, our military has never had a panda, so everyone is acting this way. Is there something you need? Who are you looking for?”

Jian Chen was stunned.

These officers were much taller than him; he had to look up to speak to them.

And Jian Chen’s voice sounded soft and gentle compared to the group of young officers: “I want to find the Chief of the First Military District. Is there a way to see him?”

“The Chief?” One officer was startled.

Another said, “Isn’t that our captain?”

“That’s easy, we’ll help you contact him,” the friendly officer said. “He’s the Chief now, but he used to be our captain. We often took on dangerous missions together and were once comrades-in-arms. He’ll give us some face.”

“But, what are you looking for him for?” the officer who first called Jian Chen “little beauty” poked his head in to ask.

Before Jian Chen could speak, he couldn’t help but ask again, “And little beauty, what is your name?”

Jian Chen considered the two questions and chose to answer the second: “My name is Jian Chen.”

“Jian Chen?”

The air suddenly went still.

One of the officers asked slowly, “You are Jian Chen?”

Jian Chen felt a bit overwhelmed by the atmosphere and nodded.

He wanted to leave this crowded situation, but these people said they could take him to the Chief. For Javier’s sake, he couldn’t bear to give up this chance.

“Are you the little sister-in-law?” the officer who hadn’t spoken suddenly blurted out.

Jian Chen: …?

Little sister-in-law?

Why would they call him that?

Before he could speak, the group of young officers seemed to suddenly realize something and stood up straight in unison.

“Hello, Little Sister-in-law!”

“Hello, Little Sister-in-law!”

“Welcome, Little Sister-in-law!”

The young officer at the back cleared his throat, his face flushing slightly, and he even seemed a bit afraid to look at Jian Chen. “The little sister-in-law is so beautiful.”

Jian Chen: “???”

Though he didn’t understand what was happening, being surrounded and teased by a group of young, tall officers, Jian Chen’s eyelashes fluttered, and his ears turned visibly red.

The little sister-in-law is so cute.

The officers all thought in unison.

At that moment, the red panda suddenly let out a chirp.

This chirp was a bit abrupt.

Jian Chen was startled. Usually, Dudu’s chirps were different, and Jian Chen could distinguish this one. It wasn’t the spoiled chirp Dudu made when he just woke up, but…

The chirp he made when he saw his father.

Dudu’s father… meaning Austin?

Jian Chen’s eyes widened slightly as he turned around following Dudu’s gaze.

Austin had actually appeared not far away.

He was in a sharp military uniform with indifferent light grey short hair. On his shoulder was the epaulet representing the highest rank in the military department.

He had the same high nose bridge as always, dense eyelashes that matched his hair color, and casual, thin lips that were slightly pursed.

Looking down, Jian Chen saw the glowing watch on the man’s wrist and the communication earpiece tucked into one ear.

“…”

Jian Chen only then realized,

The call he had placed to Austin before talking to those young officers…

He had actually forgotten to hang up!!