Stop Eyeing My Pretty Caretaker - Chapter 25

Chapter 25

A morning without Yesting.

As usual, Jian Chen got up, washed his face, brushed his teeth, and then lay back in bed to sleep a little longer.

Without having to fulfill marital duties, Jian Chen slept exceptionally peacefully at night. Therefore, getting up early wasn’t an issue; he even woke up half an hour early just to catch some extra shut-eye.

The little robot walked into the bedroom holding clean laundry.

Jian Chen turned his head, patted Bennett’s head, reached out from under the covers to take the clothes, and changed quickly.

Havier had been sent back to the research institute two and a half years ago. The professors had reached a consensus that the little merman’s habitat was too small, which would lead to poor bone development in his tail and eventual atrophy.

Thus, despite the little merman’s extreme reluctance, Jian Chen steeled his heart and sent the little guy back to the institute’s reservoir.

The day they sent the little merman away, Dunden was so happy he rolled around the house with his belly up, performing “parkour.”

Jian Chen: “…”

Interspecies friendship was truly superficial.

When Jian Chen came downstairs from the second floor, he noticed the little robot was gone, and so was Dunden.

He didn’t even need to look around the first floor to know these two little guys had definitely gone to the backyard.

The giant panda was three years old this year.

In another year or two, Dunden would be close to the age of an adult panda. However, what Jian Chen found rather bizarre was that Dunden… was still the same size he was two and a half years ago.

To put it simply, Dunden… was still a cub.

Normally, a panda’s size changes significantly during growth. When Dunden was one year old, Jian Chen had happened to pick him up and weigh him, realizing something was slightly wrong.

By all rights, shouldn’t a one-year-old panda be quite heavy to lift?

Why did he still weigh the same as when he was three or four months old??

Later, Jian Chen took Dunden to an authoritative veterinary specialist. The specialist stroked Dunden’s head and praised repeatedly: “This panda cub is so beautiful.”

“…”

Jian Chen explained the facts with some embarrassment: “Doctor, he is already a year and a half old.”

Expert: “?”

Finally, after a full physical examination showed all of the panda’s indicators were completely normal, the experts’ consultation hit a stalemate.

Jian Chen carried Dunden home and began to recall: when did Dunden stop growing?

It seemed to be…

Jian Chen sat up straight. It started when he began waiting for Yesting to get off work and frequently took Dunden to the research institute.

Could it be related to the institute?

Coincidentally, the cubs within the research institute had also begun to show the same phenomenon as Dunden.

There was nothing wrong with their bodies, but their aging cycles… seemed to have lengthened.

Jian Chen calculated that not only Dunden, but also the orcs, the black-shelled insects, Rejia, and the little merman… might eventually outlive him.

Jian Chen, suddenly realizing he might not live to see his cubs grow up: “…”

Why did he suddenly feel a bit of heartache?

Clearly, he had been afraid of them growing up too fast before.

The contradictory psychology of a parent and guardian was felt vividly at this moment.

As for the cause of this phenomenon, after joint research by the Academy of Sciences and the institute’s professors, it was discovered that a special power seemed to exist beneath the institute, leading to the introduction of the “Earth Core” concept.

This explained why Dunden was affected and stopped growing in size.

However, once he reached a certain age, instinct drove the little bear to feel the urge to climb trees.

But the little bear’s abilities were very limited. He often fell into a stalemate where he couldn’t climb up, or he struggled to get up only to realize he didn’t know how to get down.

After long consideration, Jian Chen decided to plant a small tree in the backyard.

It was about two and a half meters high, allowing Dunden to show off his skills—enough for the little bear to stretch his legs and nap, while satisfying a bit of his primitive wildness.

But just like on TV, once the little bear got up the tree, there were times he was unwilling to come down.

For instance, right now, Bennett was holding a milk bowl along with small bamboo shoots and leaves, trying to pique Dunden’s appetite and coax the panda down.

Dunden looked down at the little robot, stretched out a chubby leg, and acted as though he had transcended worldly desires, loving no one.

Little Robot: “…”

Caring for a cub was an extremely physically and mentally draining task. Being in a flurry was common; it even frequently had to go charge itself. It wondered how Mr. Jian Chen always managed to do it so well.

Speaking of Mr. Jian Chen… the little robot looked up and noticed Jian Chen coming out of the house, walking toward the backyard.

Jian Chen didn’t have a bowl of milk or Dunden’s favorite snacks in his hand, but as he walked under the tree, he first patted Bennett’s head to offer comfort.

Then, he looked up at the little panda on the low tree and said softly, “Dunden, Daddy has to go.”

To everyone’s surprise, in the next second, Dunden jolted, shaking off a leaf, and then the little puffball scrambled down the trunk in a flurry of movement.

Bennett: “…” This is bullying a robot.

Jian Chen plucked the little panda hanging from the trunk from behind, tucked him into his arms, and went inside with the little robot.

After a busy day at the institute, Jian Chen opened the door with his fingerprint, took off his coat, and leaned on the sofa to rest.

When Yesting wasn’t around, the place indeed felt a bit empty and quiet.

Jian Chen, having this thought, also found himself strange—the man didn’t speak much even when he was home.

But… something was just different.

The little robot didn’t push Dunden down, proving Dunden was still asleep. Jian Chen put his feet up on the sofa, found a blanket, curled into a ball, and looked up at the stars, the moon, and the… military base in the sky.

A place visible at a glance, yet actually very far away; that was where Yesting was living now.

Leaning against a throw pillow, Jian Chen missed Yesting a little.

“…”

Then, in Jian Chen’s view of the night sky, a streak of red light suddenly slid past, looking like a fireball.

It was similar to a meteor, but very fast—it was impossible to tell what it was.

Outside on the street, many pedestrians stopped one after another, pointing toward the sky to watch the rare sight.

Jian Chen’s gaze froze for a second, then suddenly snapped tight.

He stood up, the blanket sliding off the sofa, and Jian Chen shouted anxiously: “Bennett! Bring Dunden down!!”

Ten seconds later, a booming sound came from the ground.

Everything happened too suddenly.

Jian Chen knew the comet was coming because experts had given a detailed prediction of every fragment’s landing site; this was something the whole world knew.

But why… would it spread here so quickly?

Immediately following, the ground began to tremble. Furniture and lights swayed violently. Jian Chen grabbed the railing, even suspecting this was the most fierce earthquake in a hundred years.

Glass shattered everywhere. Before Jian Chen could climb upstairs, he was struck on the back of the head by a falling brick.

In a daze, he lost consciousness.

“General, report! The enemy’s main mothership hatch is open. Scans show fifteen starships heading toward Earth! This is their first attack in fifteen days!!”

“General, all super-soldiers in Sector One are on standby. Shall we engage now?”

At the same time another officer finished reporting the comet fragment strike on the headquarters city, another soldier rushed into the room, bringing the latest battle report to the several men whose faces had turned pale.

Why did everything happen at once?

Their homes were on fire, the lives of the loved ones they wanted to protect were uncertain, and they still had to face the enemy—under these conditions, how could the soldiers focus on the fight?

Deputy Yu knew that the military’s soldiers came from all over the world, with different languages and hair colors, but many of them had families in the headquarters city. Speaking of which…

The General’s family was also in the city that had just been hit by the comet.

Yesting’s eyes darkened. He walked straight out from the round table, his footsteps sounding like they were treading on cold metal.

“Engage,” he said.

Deputy Yu took a cold breath and followed behind the General. Yesting handed his watch and communication devices to the Deputy Executive to prevent intelligence from being captured by the enemy if the battle failed.

As he passed the young officer from earlier, Yesting’s voice carried no detectable emotion: “Until the battle is over, do not release the latest news about the comet to the soldiers.”

If soldiers from this city heard the news and worried about their families, how could they possibly have the heart to fight?

The officer saluted immediately: “Understood.”

When Jian Chen regained consciousness, he felt a weight in his palm.

He wiggled his fingers and touched a ball of fluffy cub.

“Yee-woo-woo-yee.”

Seeing Jian Chen wake up, the little panda moved its belly away from Jian Chen’s palm, leaned down, and licked Jian Chen’s finger.

Jian Chen opened his eyes.

Dunden and the little robot were right beside him. His current position seemed to be the living room on the first floor?

…The comet.

Jian Chen’s eyes widened. The comet!!

He sat up and looked out the window. The street and trees that were beautiful and orderly just moments ago were now scarred beyond recognition.

Further in the distance, Jian Chen saw what looked like a static, high sea level.

In reality, it couldn’t be static, and the sea level would never be that high.

Jian Chen realized—that was a tsunami!!

Perhaps this comet’s diameter wasn’t as large as imagined, otherwise, the city would have been leveled long ago. But this small comet had triggered a powerful earthquake, followed by a tsunami; the power was equally unimaginable.

Jian Chen propped himself against the floor, trying to stand up.

Meanwhile, the little bear looked perfectly fine, only his belly was stained with some blood from Jian Chen’s fingers.

…Blood?

Jian Chen looked at his fingers, then touched his head, finding a streak of blood had already flowed down one side of his forehead. Though it didn’t hurt, it did feel a bit stinging.

Jian Chen looked at the blood, lost in thought.

The little robot asked worriedly: “Mr. Jian Chen?”

Jian Chen snapped out of it and said he was fine.

Then, he told Bennett to carry Dunden and follow him.

Jian Chen felt light-headed, and his sense of direction had weakened; he easily lost his balance after only a few steps. He grabbed the railing and found it difficult to speak, but he still said: “Follow me.”

—Behind the vase, there is a hidden compartment. Push the hidden compartment, and there is a switch on the right side.

The man’s voice seemed to be right in his ear.

Jian Chen closed his eyes, pressed the switch, and the basement door opened.

The little robot followed closely behind, carrying Dunden.

Jian Chen rested for a moment, his breathing slow. He walked to the sleep capsule and reached out his index finger to touch the body of the capsule.

As if it had been waiting for a long time, the hatch opened instantly.

Jian Chen’s voice was still very gentle: “Dunden, come, get in.”

The little panda’s confused eyes looked at Jian Chen, letting out a whimpering cry.

Jian Chen turned his gaze to the little robot: “Bennett, help me put him inside, okay?”

Bennett nodded.

The little robot carried Dunden to the sleep capsule. The panda stretched out his claws toward Jian Chen. Anyone familiar with the little guy knew this meant he wanted Jian Chen to hold him.

Jian Chen gave a soft laugh, his voice sounding strained: “Sorry, Dunden, I… can’t lift you right now.”

Dunden cried out anxiously.

Bennett saw the look in Jian Chen’s eyes and stopped hesitating, placing the little panda into the sleep capsule.

The liquid inside the capsule acted as if it were sentient; sensing a living being’s entry, it immediately surged to surround him. The little panda was scared out of his wits and whimpered at Jian Chen.

Jian Chen comforted him in a low voice: “Endure it, Dunden. It’ll be okay in a moment.”

The little robot bent down, wanting to pick Jian Chen up.

Jian Chen raised his hand and pushed the robot away. He swallowed, tasting a thick metallic tang of blood, and continued: “Bennett, you get in too.”

Little Robot: “?”

Bennett paused: “I don’t need to… I must ensure you enter the sleep capsule.”

“I can’t enter the sleep capsule; I’m injured.” Jian Chen was silent for a moment. Seeing Bennett’s intention to refuse the instruction, his voice darkened slightly as he said: “Bennett, this is an order.”

The little robot glitched for a moment. Upon hearing the word “order,” the red light on its forehead flashed. As if controlled by an ultimate principle, the little robot accepted the instruction and entered the sleep capsule.

Jian Chen reached out and closed the hatch of the sleep capsule.

Leaning against the side of the capsule, Jian Chen had no strength left and wanted to sleep for a while.

Between dreaming and waking, Jian Chen opened his eyes and slowly moved his left hand, operating it gradually.

His watch was functioning normally.

He wanted to make a phone call to Yesting.

He selected the emergency contact and dialed.

The wait for the call to connect became exceptionally long. Jian Chen heard his own breathing, distant and weak.

…

“Hello?”

“Mr. Jian Chen?”

It was an unexpected voice.

Ah… so it was Deputy Executive Yu.

Jian Chen felt that this moment seemed to be the saddest of his life.

The call went through, but the person on the other end wasn’t the one he wanted to see.

In the end, he really wanted to hear Yesting’s voice one more time.

“Hello? Mr. Jian Chen, how are you? Are you safe?” Deputy Yu’s anxious voice came through the receiver: “Have you entered the sleep capsule? …”

Halfway through, Yu’s voice stopped.

Calls couldn’t be made from inside the sleep capsule.

He realized Jian Chen hadn’t made it in.

“Yesting… could you help me pass a message to Yesting, please?”

Yu’s voice stopped for a long time before he responded with difficulty: “…Please say it.”

Jian Chen pursed his lips, his voice very light:

“Tell him… sorry. Even though he warned me, I still accidentally got hurt.”

Jian Chen’s eyelashes fluttered because blood had soaked them: “I can’t get into the sleep capsule anymore. But, I feel like this capsule… must have been hard to get.”

“The way one looks after being drained is too ugly. I’m afraid of scaring Dunden… and Yesting.”

“Tell him not to look for me.”

“Go find Dunden. Dunden is waiting for him.”

Jian Chen felt his strength draining away; it was hard to continue speaking.

He stopped for a very long time. Between unconsciousness and clarity, he used his remaining awareness to say thanks: “That’s all thank you for your hard work, Deputy Yu.”

Deputy Yu choked up, his vision blurring:

“Jian Chen… don’t sleep yet. We’ve already sent a rescue team.”

“Technology is very advanced now; we can stop the tsunami.”

“Try to leave the basement and go to higher ground, okay?”

“…”

A moment later.

There was no longer any sound from the other end of the phone.

During the enemy’s first surprise attack, the General led the super-soldiers of Sector One to engage. All forty-two starship pilots were wiped out.

It was said that the General piloted a starship, pursuing the last enemy vessel attempting to retreat. He avoided layers of attacks and crashed into the main mothership before the hatch closed, destroying it in one blow.

This battle was an extreme defense of almost one-for-one, resulting in a total victory.

Yesting stepped off the starship. All the officers and soldiers lined up to welcome him, celebrating the hero’s return.

Deputy Yu stood there, holding Yesting’s watch.

Yesting walked straight toward him, but suddenly, his footsteps stopped.

The man’s fist slowly clenched.

Deputy Yu called out slowly, tremblingly:

“…General.”

Jian Chen felt as if he had slept for a very long time.

Rather than a long time, it was more that just when he thought he would never wake up again, he suddenly regained a trace of consciousness.

The young man felt his skin was a bit cool. His fingertips were under his control, so he moved his fingers.

He slowly opened his eyes.