Stop Eyeing My Pretty Caretaker - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The moment Jian Chen’s eyes met those of his matched lover, he suddenly understood.

What exactly did a 100% compatibility score mean?

For instance, without saying a single word, their gazes collided.

Something invisible was winding around them, pulling them tight; he couldn’t even look away if he wanted to. This unfamiliar sensation made Jian Chen’s spine tingle. An overly sharp sixth sense gave him an instantaneous urge to run away.

The man was very tall, his broad shoulders silhouetted against the light; just standing there, he exerted an immense sense of pressure. The contours of his legs were sharp and straight, and further up, he wore a deep ink-colored Western shirt that covered his collarbones, with the second button fastened meticulously.

Cold and ascetic.

But what surprised Jian Chen the most was the man’s face.

He had expected a “foreigner” with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a rolling accent to walk out of the restaurant. In reality, the man’s face… shattered all of Jian Chen’s previous preconceptions and fantasies.

Silvery-gray hair, a high and superior bridge of the nose, and thick, upturned eyelashes almost the same color as his hair. His very light-colored pupils looked at everything with a hint of casual indifference, his thin lips were slightly pursed, and there was no expression on his face.

If he had to say, the man looked of Russian descent?

Jian Chen swallowed, silently picking up the tea that had been neglected for a long time. Suddenly, his throat felt a bit dry.

His matched lover was so damn handsome.

“Do you have any more questions?”

A very faint and lazy tone. It was the man’s voice, chillingly cold. Jian Chen froze for a moment before realizing the man was speaking to the flustered interloper who had tried to strike up a conversation.

Jian Chen took a slow sip of tea, thinking to himself: This god-tier pressure.

“Uh! No, no.” The man’s tongue felt wooden. He waved his hand, a flicker of surprise and wariness appearing on his face. He bowed slightly and stood up to take his leave: “Sorry for disturbing you both.”

The waiter, very observant, turned to guide him out of the private room.

In an instant, the room fell silent.

Within the clean, enclosed space, only Jian Chen and the man remained.

Oh, right and their little panda.

The man sat down at the opposite table. Jian Chen involuntarily tensed his body, hearing his heart thumping, striking his chest beat by beat.

He looked up, meeting the man’s gray-gold eyes.

Jian Chen pursed his lips and spoke first: “Hello, my name is Jian Chen. I am the matched partner who spoke with you on the phone yesterday.”

Even sitting down, the man was still a head taller than Jian Chen. Consequently, when he spoke, his eyes would inevitably droop slightly. His entire being was cold, possessing a natural, commanding aura. He spoke softly: “Ye Siting.”

Ye Siting.

Jian Chen repeated the name silently in his mind. It was a beautiful name, and the sound of it being spoken was so pleasing it felt like his eardrums were being pampered.

It’s just that, paired with this man, those two innocent characters were inexplicably shrouded in a layer of heavy, dark ice-mist.

“…Ye Siting Kerr,” Jian Chen muttered to himself, unconsciously linking them together.

Jian Chen himself likely never realized that his speech was always soft and gentle a habit formed from being around animals. Or perhaps, because the rare species in the research institute often possessed extremely unstable and dangerous traits, his voice, as if by professional instinct, always held a mysterious power capable of soothing wild beasts.

He frequently coaxed and comforted fierce beasts, but what Jian Chen didn’t know was that in front of powerful predators, his tiny frame and coaxing voice would be filtered in their eyes as… a soft, milky scent, similar to a cub acting spoiled.

And that was the situation now.

Jian Chen earnestly recited his name, then asked: “Is that the full name?”

The man’s throat tightened. His long fingertips rested against the flat edge of the table. He still showed no expression, but his gaze never left Jian Chen for a second.

“Yes.”

Jian Chen had never encountered anyone with an appearance or aura like Ye Siting’s before, so the other person felt entirely unfamiliar and mysterious. There was much he needed to learn, but Jian Chen asked his most curious question first:

“Mr. Kerr, are you a foreign national?”

The pale hair, the thick, curled lashes despite how exceptionally superior that exotic face was, his spoken language was perfectly standard. The aura was enough to make one’s legs go soft. Jian Chen was extremely curious if his heritage was as he had guessed.

“No.” Despite being cold and taciturn, he surprisingly answered every question. The man said: “My mother is Russian.”

Aha, he had actually guessed right.

After asking this, Jian Chen’s brain hit a bit of a blank. What was the next step in a blind date? He had never been on one; he had no experience.

Should he ask about his job?

The words reached Jian Chen’s lips but he swallowed them back. He had been the one asking the whole time, like he was conducting a census. All he lacked was pulling out a notebook and saying, Comrade, please cooperate and answer truthfully.

“Do you prefer Chinese people?”

“Hm?” Jian Chen’s thoughts stopped, his brow twitching.

The man’s index finger lightly tapped the edge of the table. His thin lips opened slightly, his voice deep and magnetic: “Compared to mixed-race, do you prefer locals?”

It was an unexpected question. Jian Chen was a bit flustered, and he realized this was the first time the other person had asked a question. This was clearly a life-or-death question! He shook his head and spoke truthfully: “I don’t prefer one over the other.”

Jian Chen thought for a moment and added: “Right now is very good.”

As soon as he said it, his face immediately flushed with embarrassment… he suddenly realized the previous sentence sounded a bit “off”?

He felt the other’s gaze freeze, his brow slightly stilled.

His expression remained unchanged, but the staring gaze inexplicably darkened a few shades.

Jian Chen looked away, his palms gripping the warm cup. His eyelashes trembled slightly, looking damp as they were soaked by the tea’s steam.

“Are you hungry?”

The man spoke again, and that faint, overwhelming sense of pressure hadn’t diminished in the slightest.

“A little.” Jian Chen answered honestly. He blinked and asked tentatively: “Um, Mr. Kerr, shall we order?”

To his surprise, the man didn’t respond. He fell silent for a moment, withdrew his gaze, and then slowly let it fall back onto Jian Chen. His breath was slow and leisurely; a faint, long sigh escaped him. Suddenly his thin lips moved, and words poured out:

“Call me Ye Siting.”

Jian Chen’s fingertips trembled. The voice burrowed into his ear canal unexpectedly, and for a moment, his brain stalled.

Unlike the previous voice, the man’s tone was slow and slightly deep. The cold, indifferent atmosphere had vanished; it was… a voice similar to tenderness. His neck felt tingly, and Jian Chen rubbed his earlobe as if an electric current with sparks was crawling over it.

Who could withstand this voice?

Jian Chen nodded, obediently calling the other’s name: “Ye Siting.”

Only later did Jian Chen learn that this shop was reservation-only, and the dishes were all pre-ordered.

When the waiter had finished serving all the dishes, Jian Chen looked at the small table covered in delicacies, his taste buds eager to start. These had all been ordered by Ye Siting.

Jian Chen silently marveled—this must be the unspoken chemistry of a 100% compatibility!

The entire table was filled with things he loved to eat.

With a full stomach, Jian Chen put down his chopsticks contentedly. The two hadn’t spoken during the meal, and Jian Chen had been too embarrassed to ask for a bowl of rice.

If those rice grains were paired with that meatball sauce, it would have been absolutely divine.

A moment later, the waiter knocked and entered, carrying a tray. He had an apologetic look: “This is the rice you reserved. My apologies, the kitchen missed it.”

 Jian Chen patted his bulging belly, feeling quite regretful in his heart. He smiled at the waiter: “It’s alright.”

Ye Siting’s gaze fixed on Jian Chen’s smile. Unsure of what he was thinking, he fell silent for two seconds. Still without expression, his cold voice suddenly spoke: “Leave after you’ve delivered it.”

Jian Chen: ?

Why did it feel like Ye Siting was suddenly in a… low-pressure mood? He wasn’t like this just now. Could it be that he was throwing a tantrum because he didn’t get to eat the rice?

Afterward, Jian Chen silently scooped a large bowl of rice for Ye Siting. On the last scoop, he even used the rice paddle to press it down.

The waiter didn’t leave immediately. Instead, he picked up another tray and explained: “As an apology, this is a special little bamboo cake made by the head chef for your panda. The texture is quite delicate; it can be eaten by cubs just a few months old. This bowl next to it is milk for the cub to drink.”

Jian Chen thanked him with surprise.

Speaking of which, he hadn’t formally introduced Ye Siting to the panda yet. Was now a good opportunity?

Jian Chen opened the small door of the incubator. Poking his head in, he found that in that short time, the little panda had once again entered dreamland.

Because it was so small, the black and white of its fur were distinct. Its round head rested to the side, and its four limbs were spread out in a “big”  shape.

It seemed to have caught the scent; its nose twitched, and a section of its pink tongue poked out, smacking slightly with the tip.

Jian Chen’s heart was melting. He picked the little guy up.

The little panda, forced to “boot up,” let out a dissatisfied cry, but then its attention was caught by the scent of milk.

Coincidentally, both the bamboo cake and the bowl of milk were placed on Ye Siting’s side.

Jian Chen gently scratched the top of the little guy’s head and chin, introducing him softly: “Um, this is Daddy.”

Obviously, this was meant to encourage the little panda to walk to Daddy’s side on its own.

As he said those last two words, the man’s gaze fell upon Jian Chen, lingering for a long time.

Although a cub’s ability to sense danger is duller than that of an adult beast, the instinct to seek benefit and avoid harm still existed.

It sensed the overly strong aura from the opposite side. Its little legs trembled, appearing to hesitate between the fragrant food and the unknown danger.

Finally, the panda cub lifted a paw pad. Under Jian Chen’s expectant gaze, it stumbled along, its paws pressing onto the tabletop. Although its base was unstable, it finally and gloriously took its first step toward “Daddy.”

Then a second step.

Ye Siting spoke: “Are all pandas this fat?”

A third…

Just as it reached the middle of the table, it didn’t continue marching toward the food. Instead, it flopped over like a ball.

Frightened.

Jian Chen raised his hand to cover his forehead:  Cough.

Blushing for the cub.

After flopping over, the little guy didn’t move. He let himself stay four-paws-up, gloriously revealing his white belly lying down exactly where he fell.

“They aren’t all like this…” Although he knew the little panda couldn’t understand, Jian Chen weighed his words, still being careful to try not to hurt the child’s self-esteem. “…He is round, but Dunden used to drink a lot of milk in the breeding center; the nutrition was well provided.”

“Dunden?”

“Yes, that’s his name.”

Ye Siting slightly raised an eyebrow, revealing a hint of confusion.

Jian Chen explained: “Probably because when he drinks his bowl of milk, it sounds like dundundun. The other little pandas are all very quiet, so I named him Dunden.”

The little panda lay there, resigned to fate, its paws motionless. It looked as if it never wanted to get up again.

Sensing that it was time for them to get up and leave, Jian Chen began to think about the issue of Dunden’s lodging.

This was only the first formal meeting with his matched lover; it would likely be a long time before the official marriage.

In that case, wouldn’t it be inappropriate for the little panda to stay with him the whole time? After all, the man was also getting married for the panda. If Dunden was monopolized by him, even if the man was too embarrassed to say it, Jian Chen shouldn’t be selfish; he should take the initiative to bring it up.

“Um!” Jian Chen decided to ask if they should take turns with the cub one month each.

“Do you have plans for later?”

It was Ye Siting’s voice.

Jian Chen shook his head and put on his coat: “No.” He had taken a few days off from work at the research institute; these few days would be very quiet.

He paused: “Are there any plans?”

“Yes.”

Jian Chen wondered if the man was going to take him on a date to see a movie or something. It still felt magical an hour ago they were strangers, and now they not only had a cub, but they were going on a date at night?

Was the progress a bit fast? Jian Chen bit down on the lollipop the waiter had just given him as a gift, his thoughts wandering randomly.

“Do you have your ID and household register with you?”

Jian Chen was stunned for a moment and answered: “Yes, I needed them when I picked up Dunden earlier.”

“Good.” Ye Siting fastened the button on his sleeve. His fingers were long and slender, and in his deep gray overcoat, the image was very pleasing to the eye.

Jian Chen felt the sweetness of orange spreading in his mouth. He licked it and asked in confusion: “Do you need those to watch a movie?”

“It’s not to watch a movie.”

The man’s gaze fell on Jian Chen. The winter night wind blew the hem of his coat, and his voice was deep and leisurely:

“We’re going to the Civil Affairs Bureau.”

When Jian Chen walked into the hall of the Civil Affairs Bureau with the little panda, his head was still in a daze.

Only a little bit of the fruit candy was left. Jian Chen licked the sugar crystals embedded on the stick; the sugar flavor had faded significantly, but he forgot to spit the stick out.

The staff led them over, their eyes bright with surprise.

Firstly, a pair of partners with such high looks and compatibility was truly rare. Secondly, they were a same-sex couple. Thirdly, was that a national treasure panda they were holding?!!

The procedures were simple. Jian Chen lowered his head to sign his name, stroke by stroke, feeling the surrounding gazes; his face felt inexplicably warm.

He was getting married?

Ye Siting also finished signing.

Jian Chen caught a glimpse and silently marveled the handwriting was so standard, even more beautiful than a local’s.

Dunden woke up while they were signing. Pawing at the little door, his round head arched out, and he let out a soft cry.

The staff’s hearts were about to melt.

Is this something they get to see without buying a ticket?

This night shift was so worth it!

Next was taking the ID photo. Jian Chen took off his outer coat, suddenly glad he was wearing a white shirt; otherwise, he would have had to make a trip home.

Before entering the photography room side-by-side with the man, Dunden, seeing Jian Chen’s receding back, crawled halfway out of his box and propped himself up on the table, his milky voice becoming anxious.

The staff member couldn’t bear it and discussed it with their supervisor.

Over here, the photographer raised the camera click, click.

The photos were instantly projected onto the light screen. The two sat upright, their shoulders very close, their faces like models perfect and pleasing to the eye.

These photos didn’t need any editing at all; with a simple adjustment of the light, they could go straight onto the certificate.

The staff member looked at the photo and sighed: “You two look so well-matched.”

Jian Chen smiled at her: “Thank you.”

Ye Siting didn’t speak. His gaze dropped slightly, falling on Jian Chen’s increasingly reddened earlobes.

At this moment, the staff member came in from outside, holding the four-paws-up little panda in her arms:

“Sir, our supervisor has stated that since this is the first time a marriage involving the panda policy has come to our bureau for procedures, you may take a family photo with the panda.”

Jian Chen was a bit surprised: “Is that allowed?”

“Of course. The panda also needs to be registered for residency; this photo can be placed on its ID card.”

Jian Chen gladly agreed. But when facing the camera on standby and holding Dunden in his arms, he realized things weren’t as simple as they seemed.

Dunden’s body was quite round; if he wanted him to sit upright and proper, he had to hold him with both hands. But once Jian Chen held him with both hands, he found he couldn’t sit upright himself.

Just as Jian Chen was hesitating over what to do, the man’s voice sounded in his ear: “I’ll do it.”

Jian Chen breathed a sigh of relief.

He suddenly realized how important a good husband was.

Ye Siting’s hands were very large; he could hold the little panda with just one.

Then, Jian Chen saw Ye Siting’s long, pale fingers wedge under Dunden’s two front armpits, his index finger pressing in front of Dunden’s neck to prevent his head from drooping.

The entire panda was held upright.

Good grief he’s straight-up throat-locking him.

Jian Chen: “…”

He began to feel a deep, solemn worry for their married life.

When Ye Siting raised a cub, was the standard just “long as it’s alive”?

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