Stop Eyeing My Pretty Caretaker - Chapter 23

Chapter 23

The long-haired man and his companions immediately jolted, scrambling out of the cage and bowing deeply toward Jian Yu: “We apologize, Mr. Jian Yu.”

In terms of age, Jian Yu was younger than all of them, but they knew all too well the consequences of infuriating this teenager.

First, the failed mission to snatch Jian Chen at the wedding was an unforgivable sin. Crucially… they had even managed to lose the White Tiger gene. Whether someone else had injected it or the serum had expired and lost its potency, they no longer had the face to see their Leader again.

Mr. Jian Yu could have easily taken his brother and returned to Thar Star without looking back.

Yet, here was the Leader, seemingly having stormed the Military’s First District for their sake?

What kind of god-like Leader was this?!

Their fear transformed into a surge of unwavering determination. If their Leader was willing to risk his life for them, they would naturally go through fire and water, even sacrifice their lives, for Mr. Jian Yu.

Unexpectedly, Jian Yu wiped his hands and picked up Jian Chen: “My starship navigation is broken. You lead the way.”

“…”

The subordinates thought: So we are the GPS!

They had almost forgotten the fact that Mr. Jian Yu had a poor sense of direction.

In reality, given the flight speed of Mr. Jian Yu’s Black Dragon form, he could have flown from the research institute to the Military First District three times over in an hour since arriving on Earth. But judging by the time, the Leader must have arrived… last night?

“…”

It seemed the Leader might have spent another night getting lost.

The subordinates looked at each other, following Jian Yu without daring to make a sound.

Moreover, it looked like Mr. Jian Chen was unconscious?

They imagined a grand family drama: the Leader reached the institute, saw his brother, and proposed returning to Thar Star together. Jian Chen refused to the death, and Mr. Jian Yu, in a fit of rage, knocked his brother out to take him away… They silently lit a candle for Jian Chen.

Upon reaching the basement level, Jian Yu transformed into his dragon form.

His prism-shaped wings smashed through the stone and earth, kicking up a thick, suffocating cloud of dust. Amidst the blurred vision, a golden-red heatwave pierced through the dust, staining the sky.

The subordinates, having lost their flight pods, climbed onto the dragon’s back to escape the heavily guarded First District with their Leader.

Naturally, the subsequent gunfire and shelling posed no threat to the Black Dragon, whose scales were like armor.

Seeing victory in sight, the subordinates raised their fists and high-fived, celebrating the successful mission—the Leader was mighty!

However, the Black Dragon suddenly stopped.

The subordinates: “?”

The air gradually grew silent.

The dust that had been kicked up slowly settled back to the ground, as if that unstoppable opening sequence had been nothing but an illusion.

All that remained was the wild grass not yet consumed by fire, the lingering smoke, and the piercing glow of firelight.

The subordinates were dumbfounded. What happened?

They soon understood.

Because, from behind the smoke, a figure walked out slowly.

…

It was a tall military officer.

On his shoulders were the insignias symbolizing the highest rank. He wore a crisp black military uniform, straight trousers, and black military boots. With broad shoulders and long legs, his stride was steady and powerful.

He was followed by no officers or soldiers, nor did he use any flight equipment. He acted as if he didn’t fear them running away, like a powerful and intimidating hunter hidden in the depths. His golden pupils shone intensely, and a chilling, cold light followed his every move.

The man stepped through the flames, walking toward them step by step.

Though alone, he exuded an unignorable aura of suppression that almost made them unable to stand.

“…”

Who else could it be but Ye Siting?!!

Clearly, this man had already cast a shadow over the subordinates.

The Black Dragon’s gaze darkened, its blue pupils narrowing and then widening. It stared at the man approaching and said slowly: “So, it was you who injected the gene.”

Jian Yu seemed truly angry; even the last trace of a smile vanished from his voice: “No wonder there was no scent of a beast on my brother.”

Ye Siting stopped.

He saw the unconscious Jian Chen. The air currents from the burning fire blew the young man’s hair, and a spot of blood stained the white lab coat on his shoulder. The man pursed his lips, his expression suddenly freezing into a coldness that chilled to the bone.

“Thar Star’s Jian Yu.”

Ye Siting’s breathing was heavy and deep, his voice chillingly ominous: “Let him go.”

The subordinates shivered at that tone.

Who could withstand that?

They thought: Boss, why don’t we let go of his wife? Look at Ye Siting’s anti-human personality; it’s not easy for him to have a wife.

“No.”

Jian Yu reverted from the giant dragon to human form and handed Jian Chen to his subordinates. He lowered his eyes, hidden behind a black mask, his tone lazy yet firm: “Since I dared to raid the First District alone, I have the confidence to retreat unscathed.”

“Even if my brother’s lifespan is short, I will not leave him here to wait for death.”

Vice Chief Yu heard their conversation, suppressing the deep excitement in his heart.

Their intelligence was correct!

Thar Star, although the first planet discovered in centuries suitable for human habitation, and the immigration plan six years ago seemed very successful, also had a fatal flaw.

That was—Thar Star had severe radiation!

Lacking a natural protective barrier, Thar Star was not the most suitable planet for humans compared to Earth. Experts had speculated that the average lifespan of humans living there was only…

Forty years.

This might be why the Director had never insisted on conquering Thar Star.

And the “waiting for death” Jian Yu referred to was likely the comet collision with Earth three years later.

Furthermore, the source of that White Tiger gene could be traced.

Divine beast genes could be grafted and fused with human physiology to strengthen their abilities. Those injected with the gene could withstand the radiation of Thar Star!

So, at the wedding where Jian Yu first tried to take Jian Chen, he already had the intention of injecting Jian Chen with the gene to grant his brother a long life on Thar Star.

“…”

Vice Chief Yu was deeply shocked by the ruthlessness and decisiveness of this Thar Star native.

Vice Chief Yu stepped forward, gathering courage from somewhere, and shouted: “Jian Yu! What if Mr. Jian Chen couldn’t fuse with the White Tiger gene you provided on the wedding day? The success rate for ordinary people is only 14%. Did you plan to let your brother die like that?!”

Jian Yu was silent for a moment. He pursed his lips, his cold gaze sinking:

“He is Jian Chen. He won’t die easily.”

“My brother is not an ordinary person.” The boy’s eyes were lazy yet sharp, stating a steadfast fact: “He will be that 14%.”

Vice Chief Yu suddenly had nothing to say.

Regardless, this Thar Star native believed Jian Chen could fuse with the gene and gain longevity or immortality on Thar Star, but it was all built on the foundation of “betting Jian Chen’s life.”

Perhaps, this was the fundamental difference between Jian Yu and the Director.

When it involved Jian Chen, Ye Siting dared not gamble.

He couldn’t afford to lose.

Seeing Jian Yu’s position remained firm, Ye Siting said no more.

The murderous intent erupting from the man’s eyes made Jian Yu’s expression slightly tighten.

Jian Yu stepped back, the color of his flowing blood visible through his skin, accompanied by golden-red sparks. The blue pupils beneath his mask shone brilliantly.

In the next second, Jian Yu’s body erupted with intense sounds and changes. In an instant, he transformed into his Black Dragon form. He spread his wings and unleashed a muffled, majestic roar.

The airflow from his throat even turned into a strong hurricane, rushing toward Ye Siting. The massive wave generated by the airflow even knocked over several soldiers standing in the front row!

And Ye Siting did not move.

The man stood against the light and shadow; the officers could not see the Director’s expression.

Vice Chief Yu was worried.

Dragon and White Tiger—the strength gap sounded massive. Moreover, he, as Vice Chief, had never seen the Director’s beast form; it was clear that the man had little, if any, experience transforming into a White Tiger.

Whereas Jian Yu was already adept at shifting between human and beast forms.

Furthermore, since it was Jian Yu who brought the gene serum, he might have deliberately lowered its power. Even for a serum prepared for his own brother, it couldn’t possibly be more powerful than the dragon blood gene he injected into himself.

So, could the Director… really have a chance of winning?

Vice Chief Yu inevitably felt deep anxiety.

Ye Siting’s gray-gold eyes held a burning light.

The next moment, light-colored electricity erupted from the man’s body. His hair was blown upward by his own rising wind. In the blink of an eye, Ye Siting’s body underwent a powerful transformation.

Everyone held their breath, realizing the Leader seemed to be… undergoing the same massive transformation as the Thar Star native, Jian Yu.

They were not wrong.

The muffled, chilling roar of a ferocious beast, like a sky-shattering thunder, followed instantly. It was as if the instinctual suppression inscribed in the DNA of the King of Beasts had been triggered; the roar made one’s legs go weak and their entire body shudder with fear.

This was the White Tiger form of the Director that no one—including all the subordinates in the First District—had ever seen!

From afar, it was a massive beast with a chilling aura.

It was a familiar species, yet something was different. With heavy paws and sharp claws, this beast had white and beautiful fur, with pure black stripes crisscrossing.

Surprisingly, cold blue fire erupted from its body, clinging to the pale gray fur like a shadow, yet it did not burn the creature itself. Looking closer, at the base of the White Tiger’s front limbs, there was actually a pair of gray-white, stripe-less wings.

Adding wings to a tiger.

Everyone thought of this idiom at the same time.

In the situation before them, despite it being scientifically unexplainable, Ye Siting had turned that idiom into reality.

The White Tiger’s eyes revealed a dazzling gold, just like the aura of the original man—cold and intimidating. Sensing the aura of Ye Siting’s original self, the White Tiger slightly arched its body, the posture of a predator about to attack and kill its prey.

The officers finally realized.

The giant form the Director took after fusing with the White Tiger gene… it was actually more like the White Tiger of mythology!

Was this the original intention of the Thar Star native, Jian Yu?

…Was that initial serum actually the gene of the White Tiger from mythology!?

The Black Dragon flapped its wings in the distance, its movements slightly hesitant, a hint of shock visible in its blue pupils.

Jian Yu did not seem to have anticipated this either.

The White Tiger’s paws shook the ground with a muffled sound. It leaped forward, and in the next second, its wings unfurled. With the dual acceleration of speed and power, it flew toward the giant dragon with a swift whistling wind!

The Black Dragon instinctively lifted its neck to dodge upward, but before it could fly five meters, its shoulder was hooked by sharp claws. The White Tiger was one step ahead, using massive force to overturn the Black Dragon and press it heavily back to the ground.

The two entangled mythical beasts shook the ground with a deafening impact, dust filling the air.

The Black Dragon, unwilling to concede, flapped its wings and sprayed scorching flames toward the White Tiger’s rear shoulder!

Ye Siting seemed oblivious to the pain, maneuvering his body in coordination with his wings, pouncing with an agility that seemed unlike a giant beast.

It bit down hard on the giant dragon’s scales, claws hooking into Jian Yu’s wings—tearing, shredding.

This was a battle intended to leave the other dead.

By the end of the fight, the onlookers could not help but be terrified.

…

No one knew how much time had passed.

The White Tiger’s heavy paws stepped across the ground, walking toward Jian Chen step by step.

Jian Yu’s subordinates were stunned.

The White Tiger gene they agreed upon wasn’t supposed to be like this, right? Wasn’t it supposed to be an ordinary, swift, and beautiful little white tiger?

How did it transform Ye Siting into a mythical beast?!

Watching the giant beast, which looked like a demon from hell, walking step by step toward them, the situation was already lost. They knew it was time to end the battle and take their Leader back for treatment.

Therefore, they cleared a path and pointed the way with their forearms:

“Your wife is here.”

“Right here.”

“Your wife is right here; we didn’t touch him at all.”

White Tiger: “…”

Then, the White Tiger extended a paw and swatted the subordinates to the side, as if they were obstacles.

The ground vibrated slightly as the White Tiger stopped in front of the area where the young man was lying. It crouched down, using its nose to nuzzle Jian Chen’s palms and cheeks.

The young man did not respond.

But his breathing seemed normal.

The White Tiger stared at the young man for a while. Slowly, its massive body laid down beside Jian Chen.

Like a high wall, on one side were the Black Dragon and his subordinates, and on this side of its body was the unconscious Jian Chen.

The White Tiger lowered its head, licking the fur on its paw, its golden eyes staring nonchalantly at the movements of the giant dragon’s side, then turning back to look at Jian Chen.

The Black Dragon seemed unwilling to give up, dragging its injured wings into the air, wanting to swoop down toward Jian Chen.

The White Tiger narrowed its eyes, a muffled hissing sound erupting from its throat. One paw pressed into the ground, as if ready to bite and tear the intruder apart at any moment.

Long Hair shouted anxiously: “Leader, let’s go back to Thar Star! You cannot fight anymore!”

Several subordinates followed with urgent cries: “Leader, there’s always another time!!”

“If you keep fighting, not only will we not take Mr. Jian Chen, but we will all die here!”

Vice Chief Yu saw his chance, signaled to his subordinates, and the well-trained soldiers immediately raised their weapons, spraying the flying Black Dragon with gunfire.

It seemed they had no intention of letting these Thar Star intruders leave alive.

Because of the wounds on the dragon’s body, the bullets that were previously useless finally had an effect. Accompanied by burning sparks, the bullets pierced through the flesh where scales were missing, causing substantial damage to Jian Yu.

“Roar—”

The massive black dragon erupted with a long, agonizing roar. It paused in the air, unwilling, and seconds later, it finally turned direction.

Flying low against the ground, the subordinates ran alongside it, waiting for the right moment to leap onto the dragon’s back, grabbing onto the hard, tough spikes as handrails.

The Black Dragon lifted its neck and flew toward the sky.

The bullets followed like a shadow.

When Jian Chen woke up, he felt the surrounding environment… very warm.

At the same time, his chest felt somewhat heavy.

No, there seemed to be four support points pressed firmly onto Jian Chen’s chest.

Jian Chen felt a bit breathless.

Thus, the heavy sleepiness was forced to gradually recede, his eyelids slowly opened, and his vision gradually cleared—

Dundun was standing on Jian Chen’s chest with all four paws. The little panda’s four limbs were straight, its round eyes serious and dazed as it lowered its head, staring at him.

Jian Chen: “…”

So, the source of this suffocating weight was his own little ancestor.

Jian Chen believed that if Dundun weren’t a red panda, he would definitely reach out a paw to check his breathing and see if Little Papa was still alive.

Jian Chen didn’t hesitate, reaching out to hold the little panda’s paw and kissing it.

Dundun froze, straightened his four legs, and collapsed instantly, seemingly startled that Little Papa had suddenly “powered on.”

Jian Chen couldn’t help but smile and wanted to pick the little fellow up, but felt his palms go weak. It really wasn’t his imagination—he seemed to have lost quite a bit of strength.

Just as he was about to struggle to sit up, suddenly, a hand covered his eyes.

The hand was large.

It covered his eyes perfectly, the fingertips feeling slightly cool.

The man’s voice came from above: “You have strength now?”

Jian Chen was a bit dazed because the touch against the back of his head was somewhat firm yet possessed the softness of human muscle tissue. He only then realized that he was, at this very moment, seemingly… resting on Ye Siting’s lap?

Looking carefully around, he wasn’t at the research institute, but lying on the sofa at home.

It felt a bit like the domestic bliss of a wife and child.

“?!?”

Memories came flooding back. Jian Chen sat up in surprise, feeling dizzy, but was steadied by the man.

Jian Chen asked: “Jian Yu?”

At the mention of the name, the man’s brows seemed to furrow slightly, whether out of disgust for the name or annoyance that the first thing the young man said upon waking was Jian Yu.

But he still answered: “Returned to Thar Star.”

Jian Chen’s eyes widened. So it wasn’t his imagination—that dragon really was Jian Yu!!

Jian Chen had too many questions in his heart, not knowing where to start, so he nervously threw out the first one: “Did you… fight?”

“…”

Ye Siting was silent for a moment, then denied: “A peaceful negotiation.”

Bennett: “…”

If I hadn’t just treated the wound on your back, I would have almost believed that.

Jian Chen nodded, half-believing, but continued to ask: “Jian Yu… why did he want to take me? Was it really because the comet is going to hit Earth? Is that true?”

Ye Siting said: “It is.”

He answered three questions at once.

Jian Chen knew that as Director, Ye Siting’s power and access to information were highly reliable. In three years, that devastating disaster seemed unavoidable.

The man was silent for a while, then suddenly said: “I will find a way.”

Jian Chen: “?”

Ye Siting repeated: “Regarding the comet, I will find a way to protect you.”

“So… don’t go with him.”

Don’t leave me and Dundun behind.

When Ye Siting said the last sentence, his voice was muffled, and his gaze was not fixed on Jian Chen.

As if avoiding eye contact, the man was hesitant, and he even said—exaggeratedly—that he was afraid of knowing the reaction or expression Jian Chen would show.

Suddenly, Ye Siting’s pupils tightened slightly.

The man felt he was being hugged.

The young man carried a warm, faint fragrance refreshing, moist pressed against the skin of his neck, slowly lingering on the tip of his nose.

Jian Chen held him, patting Ye Siting’s shoulder soothingly: “It’s alright.”

“If there truly is an apocalypse, since we cannot avoid it, we will just face it together.”

Jian Chen’s voice was warm and soft, yet filled with strength, whispering: “Didn’t the wedding vows say? Whether in sickness or in health, for richer or for poorer, we will be together forever.”

The young man whispered: “I am serious.”

“Aren’t you?”

“…”

Ye Siting was silent for a long time.

Jian Chen even thought his words might have been too overly sentimental and felt a bit embarrassed, when suddenly, he felt his waist being embraced.

Ye Siting stood up, his broad shoulders looming over, hugging the young man back, slowly tightening his hold.

“I am, too.”

After his strength recovered in his limbs, Jian Chen was finally able to walk into the bathroom to check on the little merman he hadn’t seen for a whole day.

He wanted to pretend everything was normal, but as soon as he approached the edge of the bathtub, Javier seemed to sense something unusual.

“?”

Javier swam around the bathtub once, seemingly questioning his intuition.

“???”

The little merman stopped, sniffing with his nose, and then swam around the edge of the tub anxiously twice more.

“!!!”

Jian Chen didn’t know how Javier discovered the abnormality, but for fear of worrying the little merman, he quickly crouched down and placed his hand on the edge of the tub, getting closer to the little guy.

Bennett was worried and followed Jian Chen into the bathroom to prevent his owner from falling due to lack of strength.

Javier flicked his tail and also placed his little hand on the edge of the tub, his exquisite face lost and worried. He straightened his upper body, leaning closer to Jian Chen.

Soon, the little merman found the abnormality he had detected.

He extended his little webbed claw, pointing at Jian Chen’s right shoulder.

Jian Chen was stunned, suddenly remembering that it was the side of his shoulder where he was hit by the anesthetic.

Must say, the little merman was truly sharp.

While admiring and marveling, Jian Chen explained a bit sheepishly: “Ah, this is because of a vaccine.”

The explanation seemed a bit pale, after all, a vaccine wouldn’t drill such a large hole, otherwise, the little merman wouldn’t have smelled the scent of blood.

He just didn’t know if the little merman believed him…

Jian Chen looked up.

He discovered that the little merman was actually crying.

Tears streamed down his fair, exquisite cheeks pitter-patter, and his watery blue eyes were instantly dyed with moisture.

Jian Chen: !!!!

Javier was even more clever, sharp, and physically stronger than other merman cubs of his age, seemingly born beautiful and, at the same time… a little crybaby.

Jian Chen almost forgot that fact.

Having lost his mother at four months, Jian Chen sympathized with Javier more than anyone else. So it didn’t matter if the little merman was fragile or loved to cry—he would just comfort him.

This was his promise to Vians. At the same time, out of personal affection for Javier, he would also protect the little merman well.

Jian Chen tried hard to lift his arm to show the little merman, flexing it and even attempting to squeeze out a muscle:

“Look, baby… it’s really nothing. Just a trivial little needle prick; it will be better in a day or two.”

Javier stopped, looking at Jian Chen in a daze, and sniffed his nose.

The little robot quickly took out a test tube, seemingly anticipating that the little merman would definitely cry. It held the tube with its mechanical hand and extended it toward the little merman.

Jian Chen: “?”

Little Merman: “?”

The little robot’s expression changed to “Embarrassed.jpg,” explaining with some shyness: “The mermaid’s tears can heal wounds; it’s perfect to apply to Mr. Jian Chen. It would be a waste not to.”

Javier understood and immediately nodded.

Next, the little merman and the little robot huddled together as if holding a meeting. Javier pressed the test tube against his cheek, trying to cry a little more.

Bennett the little robot stood by, cheering “Go for it!” for the little merman.

Jian Chen: “…”

The snow outside the window gradually stopped.

The snowflakes accumulated on the window ledge slowly gathered in the winter night, and just like that, amidst the changing seasons, they melted away.

The weather warmed up, and the early spring cherry blossoms fell silently, occupying a corner under the eaves.

Jian Chen changed out of his sweaters, sorted them by color and season, and found some thin shirts and trousers from his wardrobe, immediately feeling that the weight on his whole body had eased significantly.

Spring finally arrived as scheduled.

In the blink of an eye, Dundun was already four months old.

The little red panda’s body size was a full circle larger than before, but compared to the giant pandas people commonly see on the news and on screen, Dundun was still a small one. Although holding him in his arms for a long time would be a bit strenuous, Jian Chen could still easily and firmly pick up the little fellow.

Dundun was also exceptionally happy due to this suddenly warming spring.

Because the little red panda could finally get rid of the incubator, stop wearing Jian Chen’s down jacket, and truly reveal his body and head outdoors.

The small forest in the villa’s backyard was finally unlocked, though he had to play under Little Papa’s supervision.

After all, Dundun was too small, and climbing trees was still a bit difficult.

This time, the baby carrier Little Papa prepared for him was also a size larger, and the little rice-ball-like fellow had no self-awareness at all. After all, in Jian Chen’s eyes, he was always that squeaking panda baby.

Evening.

Jian Chen ended work early.

He took off his white lab coat, brought the little red panda who had just woken up from a nap, took a taxi, made several turns after getting off, and then, a magnificent, solemn, and high-tech building appeared before them.

The young man lowered his head and opened his watch.

He sent a message to someone.

Jian Chen didn’t go in, but found a long white stone staircase leading to a lake park nearby and sat down on the topmost step.

Recently, the man seemed to be a bit busier with work. After all, Ye Siting used to pick him up often, so as a return, Jian Chen would often go to the downstairs of Ye Siting’s office building and wait for the man to finish work with Dundun.

Jian Chen slid his watch, and the light screen instantly appeared before his vision. The forum seemed very lively today.

A popular post stood at the very top of the real-time rankings, eye-catching:

【Is the rumor about the comet hitting Earth true? Come and watch the latest images from the astronomical telescope with Brother Abu】 (hot!!)

Jian Chen clicked into it and found that the main post had placed several observation charts and attached explanations.

The general idea was that the OP used the most advanced astronomical telescope and, through improvements, was able to observe very accurate comet images.

And the OP’s point of view was that this mysterious comet seemed really likely to pose a fatal threat to Earth.

Scrolling down further were the replies from netizens in this thread:

1L: [Wow, is the apocalypse really coming?]

2L: [Thanks, this just solved my mortgage and car loan crisis.]

3L: [A little scared, the official account posted such a prediction last time, could it be true?]

4L: [Don’t worry, if the news is true, no one can run. Maybe in a few thousand years, we’ll become fossils in the eyes of the next species.]

5L: [If you can’t talk nicely, keep your mouth shut…]

…

Along with this news, many popular posts were even derived:

If there were only ten minutes left before a comet hit Earth, what would you do?

Jian Chen did not click on this post.

The young man fell into deep thought for a while. He wondered, if life only had ten minutes left, what would he do?

Jian Chen would probably take off his work clothes, go home, change into his most comfortable pajamas, then set the air conditioning to the most comfortable temperature, turn on the TV, and lie on the sofa.

Of course, holding Dundun in his arms.

Beside… sitting Ye Siting.

Jian Chen imagined that scene and inexplicably felt like laughing.

If Ye Siting faced the apocalypse, he would probably ask him without changing his expression why he thought 24 degrees was the most comfortable temperature.

But if he died like this, for him, it seemed like a very happy ending?

Immersed in his imagination, the message just sent soon received a reply:

——[Coming downstairs]

Short, without extra words, but meticulously answering his own question.

Jian Chen raised the corners of his mouth this familiar Ye Siting style.

Jian Chen checked his watch, estimating that it would take ten minutes for the man to reach this side, so he sat where he was, didn’t move, slid his watch, and entered the game area.

Then he began to focus on playing the game, with a sleeping Dundun on his back.

Jian Chen was only killing time at first, but as he played, he couldn’t help but become immersed in it, not even noticing when the man walked behind him.

“What are you playing?”

It was Ye Siting’s voice.

Jian Chen was stunned, feeling a bit surprised in his heart the man would actually be interested in this?

“Interstellar Zoo.” Jian Chen didn’t turn his head, answering softly: “It’s very popular recently.”

“Hmm.” The man had no expression, but still responded.

“…” Jian Chen’s fingers moved quickly, ensuring that in the process of feeding the animals, he wouldn’t ignore the interaction with the tourists. He seemed to be very good at this kind of game.

“Did you win?”

The man suddenly asked.

Jian Chen paused, seemingly thinking about how to answer the man’s question. He thought for a while and seriously explained: “No, this… is considered a management game, there is no winning or losing.”

The man grunted, saying nothing more.

Jian Chen sliced a piece of meat with fat, paired it with the freshest sea fish, and fed it to the polar bear mother.

Then, the polar bear cub’s round eyes appeared in the center of the screen, pitiful, seemingly waiting for Jian Chen’s food.

Jian Chen controlled his little hand, moved it next to the newly warmed milk, and after some operation, poured it into the bottle without leaking a drop.

After a while, the man’s voice sounded again, as magnetic and deep as ever:

“Time to go home.”

The distance this time seemed a bit closer. Jian Chen shrank his neck a little. On the ear where the man was speaking, it seemed like hot fireworks were spreading, and his earlobe was gradually dyed with a light, thin red.

It wasn’t because of shyness, just a physical instinct.

Jian Chen silently thought that Ye Siting’s voice was still so nice to hear.

Four months after marriage, Jian Chen had become much more familiar with the man.

Rather than saying he was familiar with this person, it was better to say that Jian Chen gradually adapted to the way of getting along with the man. From the initial caution and obedience, now, he would occasionally be a bit bolder and play a small tantrum with the man.

For example, now.

Ye Siting reminded him it was time to go home. Three months ago, Jian Chen would have nodded obediently, quickly turned off the game, and even expressed his apology to the man: “Sorry for keeping you waiting.”

But now.

Jian Chen lowered his eyes, his gaze fixed firmly on the light screen, and without turning his head, he whispered: “Hmm… okay, wait for me for one minute, this level will be cleared immediately.”

“…”

Ye Siting stood behind Jian Chen, watching in silence.

Two minutes later.

Jian Chen saw the game progress bar hit 98%. He was about to clear the level.

Now was the most critical moment. The little polar bear was hiding behind its mother, and although it wanted to drink milk, it was a bit wary of him.

Jian Chen needed to coax the little fellow over.

“Do you know… your back of the neck…”

The man’s voice opened again: “Has a mole?”

This was a completely unrelated topic.

Jian Chen blinked. His attention was clearly not on the conversation, so his thoughts were a bit slow, unable to keep up with the pace. He asked softly: “What’s wrong?”

The man repeated: “Has a mole.”

Jian Chen touched his chin, seemingly thinking about countermeasures on how to outwit the little polar bear cub. He asked again: “Is that so, where?”

A typical non-sequitur.

“……!”

In the next second, Jian Chen’s hand instinctively trembled for a moment.

Because that point seemed to be held.

The touch was very clear, and his face instantly burned red. Jian Chen sat up straight, his palms stiffened, and he subconsciously touched the back of his neck, which was still a bit moist.

As if he hadn’t just done anything earth-shattering, the man had no change in expression, answering:

“Yes, here.”

Only then did Jian Chen remember his game progress. When he looked at the game interface again, he found that the little hand he controlled had slap poured the newly heated milk all over the polar bear cub’s face.

The little polar bear lifted its head, licked its mouth, and stared at him in a daze.

Ye Siting had given Dundun a facial cleanser service once in reality, and in the virtual game, he had also given the little polar bear cub a facial cleanser service.

He was not a qualified zoo director.

“…”

Jian Chen’s face was completely red, stammering: “That… can’t do this in front of Dundun.”

The cherry blossoms were brushed by the cool breeze, shedding several petals, scattering on the stone steps.

“Then let’s go home quickly.”

The man looked at Jian Chen, paused, his voice slightly husky:

“Not in front of him.”