Stop Eyeing My Pretty Caretaker - Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Jian Chen never expected that in the time it took for him to pick up the little yellow duck for Dun Dun, carefully wipe it with a damp cloth, and hand it back to the red panda, his livestream would absolutely explode.

Dun Dun had stopped wailing. He slowly pulled the little yellow duck into his embrace, becoming as quiet as a stuffed bear—extremely easy to coax.

Jian Chen browsed the light screen in surprise. The bullet comments were flying in one after another, an overwhelming sight for the naked eye, and the viewer count was skyrocketing.

It seemed Dun Dun’s charm was unstoppable.

As the “parent,” Jian Chen felt very proud. He selectively answered a few questions:

“Yes, he’s a real panda.”

“Mm, I have a partner.”

“There’s no ring because the wedding hasn’t happened yet.”

“Panda poop doesn’t stink, but it’s not exactly a scent you’d want to smell all the time..”

As the comments grew more numerous, Jian Chen was dumbfounded. His original intention for the livestream wasn’t to start a panda Q&A column, nor was it to cooperate with the audience for a census on his marital status—he was just waiting for an expert to give him tips on how to make Little Bamboo Cakes.

orz

After thinking it over, Jian Chen decided to prioritize making the bamboo cakes.

He placed the bamboo leaves he had just washed into the boiling water. Before long, the kitchen was filled with a faint, crisp, and bitter fragrance. Like tea in a classical painting, it was a refreshing scent that gladdened the heart.

The red panda lifted its head, sniffed gently, and let out a small cry.

Jian Chen fished out the bamboo leaves and laid them on a clean cutting board. Holding the knife at a slight angle, he cut the leaves into thin strips about a palm’s length. Subtle juices seeped from the edge of the blade, and the light fragrance seemed to grow even more intense.

–CrazyForMyWife: It smells so good.

–DoPandasKnowHowToAkimbo: Ugh, the immersion is too strong. I’m already sitting in a bamboo forest playing the zither.

–DoPandasActuallyKnowKungFu: I’ve always wanted to raise a panda, but now my wish has changed: I want to become a panda raised by this streamer.

…

“The cut bamboo leaves should be set aside to cool down,” Jian Chen said, narrating the steps to remind himself. “Next, we can knead the dough.”

The glutinous rice flour he had prepared earlier now came in handy. Instead of mixing it with pure water as usual, Jian Chen added a bit of the cub formula he had just boiled. This would make the texture creamier and more fragrant.

The bamboo leaves were ready.

By now, Dun Dun had finished his milk. Following the scent, he crawled toward the cooling bamboo leaves, trying to reach out a paw to grab them.

Fearing he might fall, Jian Chen picked up the “sticky rice ball.” Dun Dun took the opportunity to quickly wrap his two front paws around Jian Chen’s neck and hooked his legs around him.

The entire panda was now hanging off Jian Chen’s shoulder.

Hey! He wouldn’t let go.

Jian Chen worriedly patted the little panda’s bottom, but finding him rock-solid, he gradually gave up on the idea of putting the little guy down.

It seemed a panda’s climbing skills were no joke; even a human shoulder could be perched upon as steadily as Mount Tai.

Jian Chen rubbed the soft fur on top of Dun Dun’s head to soothe him, whispering, “Don’t be in a hurry, it’ll be ready soon.”

In the livestream, exclamations of envy broke out:

–RidingAPandaUpATree: For a moment, I don’t know whether to envy the owner or the panda.

–DoPandasActuallyKnowKungFu: Aaaah, this little dumpling is so clingy to his daddy, so jealous!

–CrazyForMyWife: Ugh, I also want to cling to Wifey’s neck and sniff him, he must have a nice body scent.

–ThePandaIsMySon: Ahem, anyway, warning to the person above: watch out for a ban.

Jian Chen tilted his neck slightly so the little panda could maintain a firmer grip. He placed the bamboo leaves into a grinding bowl and, picking up the stone pestle, began to grind with even pressure.

The dark green of the bamboo leaves gradually bled out, the rich color staining the bottom of the bowl.

…Daddy is crushing my snacks!

Behind Jian Chen’s back, Dun Dun’s round, oblivious eyes flickered with a look of pure shock.

“If it’s for a panda cub, you should add a bit of paste-like agent before steaming the dough. This gives the bamboo cake a texture closer to pudding.”

Jian Chen slowly added the finely ground bamboo leaves into the semi-thick, heated dough and stirred gently. Soon, the light milky scent mixed with the bitter fragrance of the bamboo, emitting a soothing, delicate aroma.

That sense of comfort almost made every sense and cell in the body relax.

The comments section filled with sighs:

So comfortable.

This scent! I finally understand why pandas like eating bamboo.

Looking forward to the final product!!

The bullet comments, which had been like runaway horses earlier, gradually returned to normal. The audience was truly captivated by the food and the atmosphere; the livestream was warmer and more harmonious than ever before.

Jian Chen smiled. “My little one really liked the Little Bamboo Cakes the chef made last time. I wonder if I can satisfy him this time.”

Dun Dun lifted his head, seemingly staring at the fresh bamboo cakes about to come out of the pot, his eyes twinkling.

Once they were officially out, the steaming bamboo cakes were served in a special small bowl.

As the temperature became suitable, Jian Chen hesitated about how to handle the leftovers.

To his surprise, the floating light-ball hovered down rapidly, extended a sterile mechanical hand, scooped up a portion of the cake, and sent it into its central processor.

Jian Chen: “…”

Why the sudden sampling?

Are you sure the audience really wants to eat that?

Unexpectedly, the livestream immediately erupted with passionate taste-test feedback:

–WhoGiveMeSomePandaMemes: This is too delicious!!!

–StealingThePandasDarkCircles: The sweetness isn’t cloying; on the contrary, it’s light and the texture is perfect.

–ChooseBetweenPuddingAndPanda: Ugh, so fragrant. As a pudding fanatic, the pudding in my hand suddenly isn’t tasty anymore.

–RationalPanda: Guys, I just checked. The composition of panda milk powder doesn’t conflict with a human diet; only the nutritional components are different.

–RationalPanda: No investigation, no right to speak.

–RidingAPandaUpATree: Eh? Who was it that said they were going to call the police for drinking panda milk? Don’t you owe the streamer an apology?

…

‘WhoWantsToBeANationalTreasure’ has left the livestream.

Noticing the departure of the viewer who had threatened to call the police, the remaining audience couldn’t stay still:

–ChooseBetweenPuddingAndPanda: ??? That big bro was still here?

–RidingAPandaUpATree: Hahahahaha, he finished watching the whole thing after he was done scolding.

–CrazyForMyWife: Tsk, humanity ultimately cannot escape the ‘True Fragrance’ law.

Jian Chen leaned down, watching Dun Dun stick his butt up while eating the bamboo cake. Unable to help himself, he reached out and scratched the fur on the little guy’s neck.

Dun Dun was never one to protect his food. On the contrary, he was exceptionally focused whenever it came to eating.

With the remaining bamboo leaves, Jian Chen made a simple pot of bamboo leaf tea.

He added honey and goji berries. Once the tea was brewed, he poured himself a cup.

The fragrance of the tea was different from the fullness of solid food; it was faint, thin, a delicate scent that made one want to seek it out.

Afterward, holding the tea as steam slowly rose from it, Jian Chen lay on a lounge chair with the well-fed, sleepy little panda on his chest, lazily soaking up the sun.

The light-ball recorded it all.

What Jian Chen didn’t know was that while he just wanted to record his first time making bamboo cakes, he had accidentally done something huge.

On a weekday morning, office workers stole a moment from their busy schedules to secretly open the livestream channel.

They discovered that the Panda Food section—notoriously quiet and niche—had suddenly shot up to the number one spot in the entire channel’s trending rankings!

Clicking in, a title caught the eye: “Making Little Bamboo Cakes for Dun Dun.” Next to it were three fire icons, indicating its explosive popularity.

And the comments in this livestream were extraordinarily heated:

–StealingThePandasDarkCircles: I’m forming a team to steal the wife and the kid. Anyone in?

–RidingAPandaUpATree: +1

–I’m183: +1

–SleepyButNotSleeping: +10086

–IMakePandasPlantBamboo: +1

–CrazyForMyWife: No teams. He’s mine.

At that moment, Jian Chen happened to open his eyes slightly. Sensing this, the light screen quickly moved to an area where he could see it.

Then, Jian Chen noticed that among the notifications of users entering the room, a “three-nothing” account suddenly appeared—no nickname, no star rating, looking like a new user who had just registered.

Among all the colorful avatars, it stood out.

Because… the avatar was red.

It reminded Jian Chen of a certain someone. But he paused, then quickly shook his head, tossing the absurd thought to the back of his mind.

Yestin didn’t seem like the type of person to click into an entertainment channel like this.

Just as he was about to end the livestream, his finger hanging in mid-air, he suddenly saw this account post its first comment:

Mine.

He is my spouse.

Jian Chen saw these two lines, and his heart skipped a beat. Even though he knew it was unlikely to be Yestin, the image of the man typing those words inexplicably surfaced in his mind.

He opened his mouth, finding that his rehearsed closing remarks had become a bit stuck.

However, the “righteous” netizens were never stuck for words. As soon as that comment appeared, replies followed instantly:

–RidingAPandaUpATree: Where did this dreamer come from?

–CrazyForMyWife: Heh, rival, your wife is already in my bed.

–I’m183: Please get in line.

–NotSleeping: Please get in line.

…

Suddenly, a strange situation occurred in the livestream.

Namely… a lot of people were muted.

Not just muted—some people reported that their accounts were banned just for calling the streamer “Wifey” a few times.

Specifically, that “CrazyForMyWife” was actually banned for fifty years.

Night.

Jian Chen carried Dun Dun back to his pet cabin. Nightfall spread quietly, and a light snow began to fall outside the window.

The little panda, full and content, entered a cozy dreamland.

Jian Chen walked softly to the kitchen.

He practiced the recipe again following the steps from the morning. This time he tasted it and found that adding a bit of lemon juice to remove the raw smell of the milk made the taste even better.

Before Dun Dun got tired of this snack, Jian Chen thought he should research other recipes. Since he was lucky enough to be Dun Dun’s guardian, he couldn’t let the child suffer.

A warm light suddenly flashed outside the floor-to-ceiling window.

It was the kind of light common when a vehicle passes by, reflecting a moving glow across the furniture and floor of the living room.

Jian Chen didn’t pay it any mind, but the beam of light didn’t fade away as expected. Instead, it stopped right below Jian Chen’s window.

Then, the light went out.

Jian Chen yawned and looked at his watch: 9:30 PM.

Time for bed.

He was getting married tomorrow, after all.

At that moment, his watch suddenly rang.

Jian Chen tapped the button and saw “Yestin” displayed on the light screen. He was surprised and a bit flustered.

Why call at this hour?

Oh, maybe to discuss tomorrow’s wedding schedule? After all, they hadn’t had any contact in the two days since that video call.

No matter how you looked at it, marriage was no joke.

Jian Chen quickly accepted the call. “Yestin?”

A familiar voice soon came through the speaker.

Yestin: “Are you asleep?”

Jian Chen rubbed his earlobe, suddenly realizing that no matter when it was, he had no immunity to Yestin’s voice. How could such a cold and intimidating man have a voice that was so… attractive?

“Not yet.” Jian Chen switched the watch to his other ear. “Is there something I can help you with?”

Yestin: “Help you (formal)?”

Jian Chen: Help you (informal).”

Working at the Endangered Species Research Institute, he was used to addressing superiors, so he frequently used honorifics. It seemed he needed to break that habit.

Yestin’s voice came through: “Is it convenient for you to come down for a moment?”

“…?”

Jian Chen was stunned. He checked the time again; the hand was drifting past 9:31 PM.

He asked, “Right now?”

“Yes.”

Yestin said, “I’m downstairs at your house.”

Jian Chen walked out in quite a hurry. Because it was snowing steadily outside, he grabbed a wine-red scarf, threw on his down jacket, and closed the door behind him.

It was much colder outdoors than inside. As soon as Jian Chen stepped out, a faint mist escaped his lips, and a layer of moisture settled on his eyelashes. As the cold wind hit his face, Jian Chen closed his eyes, his cheeks turning slightly pale.

Jian Chen wondered why Yestin had suddenly come to his house.

It didn’t really fit Yestin’s style. If there were urgent business, the man would probably just call and issue an order.

Thinking this, Jian Chen felt a strange urge to laugh.

His internal monologue didn’t last long, because he soon saw the fine snow fluttering across the dark night sky.

There was the long car parked by the side of the street, and leaning against it was the tall, handsome man.

Jian Chen wrapped his scarf tighter, feeling his heart race a little.

Yestin really was handsome.

And his voice was nice. Honestly, putting aside outside factors, a partner like this could be considered a perfect ten?

Jian Chen broke into a light jog for the last thirty meters until he stood before Yestin.

“Yestin, did you need something?”

Yestin lowered his eyes. He saw Jian Chen’s lower jaw tucked into the scarf, his lips turned a deeper red by the biting cold and the falling snow.

“I think,” the man began, pausing for a moment, “it’s not quite right for a couple to have only met once before getting married.”

Jian Chen was a bit surprised but nodded. It indeed wasn’t right.

But, dear Mr. Yestin, the difference between meeting twice and meeting once before marriage seemed not that big?

Jian Chen wanted to laugh and teased him silently in his head, but on the surface, he showed support. “Mhm, it’s definitely not right.”

Yestin didn’t speak. He pulled something out from his inner coat pocket.

Once Jian Chen saw it, he was instantly stunned.

It was a ring box.

Yestin’s slender fingers flipped open the lid, revealing the ring inside.

Against the backdrop of the white snow and the dark night, that small ring shimmered with a subtle, beautiful, and exquisite light.

It was also extremely romantic.

“I don’t know why, but I really wanted to give this to you before the wedding,” Yestin said softly.

His voice was calm, but his next move left Jian Chen completely reeling.

The man dropped to one knee, holding the ring and the open box up toward the stunned Jian Chen.

Snowflakes slowly landed on Yestin’s shoulders.

Behind him was the vast, boundaryless darkness of the night.

It seemed like this gesture didn’t quite suit Yestin, but at this moment, Jian Chen felt that there was perhaps no image in the world more capable of striking one’s heart.

“Jian Chen.”

Yestin said, “Will you marry me?”

Jian Chen suddenly felt that even without vows or flowery words, a proposal could be incredibly romantic.

And, of course, he wouldn’t refuse.

After putting it on, Jian Chen found that the ring wasn’t as icy as he expected; instead, it carried a bit of warmth.

Did Yestin warm the ring in his palm before giving it to him?

Jian Chen actually asked this aloud.

The man looked at him and then said, “The car has air conditioning.”

Jian Chen: “…”

Alright then!

Regardless, Yestin had exceeded his expectations tonight. His fixed impression of the man had been chipped away. If that impression were to suddenly collapse entirely, Jian Chen might not be able to handle it.

The two quickly fell into silence. The air became subtly quiet, as if the proposal just now was merely a warm-up.

Jian Chen said, “Do you want to come up for a bit? Dun Dun is sleeping.”

Yestin: “No need. I have to prepare for the wedding.”

The implication: Very busy, do not disturb.

Jian Chen nodded. He didn’t know if it was because of the grand gesture of the proposal, but Yestin now seemed… a little cute in his eyes.

Cold and cool, handsome and charming, with a great physique, and frequently saying surprising things.

Well, Jian Chen thought he might be going crazy.

He looked up slightly at Yestin, who was wearing an overcoat. Honestly, in this weather, if one didn’t wear a heat-retaining down jacket, wasn’t the man cold?

Jian Chen reached up, unwinding the scarf from his own neck circle by circle.

Then, he helped Yestin put it on. His fingertips were a bit cold, and during the process, he accidentally brushed against the skin of Yestin’s Adam’s apple. His voice was soft and gentle: “Wear this.”

Yestin’s pupils contracted slightly, and his knuckles curled instinctively. The Adam’s apple the youth had touched bobbed hoarsely.

Jian Chen suppressed the urge to shiver.

After all, winter in China was truly freezing. Without a down jacket, no one could stay in this piercing weather for twenty minutes.

If future Dun Dun were here, even his fur probably wouldn’t be able to withstand this biting wind.

He waved to Yestin. “Then I’ll go back first? Drive safely.”

The next time they met would be the wedding. Jian Chen planned to go back early and get a full night’s sleep. Since it would be recorded in full, he couldn’t have dark circles on the most important day of his life.

“Jian Chen.”

As he was walking back, Jian Chen was caught off guard by being called. He turned back, slightly startled.

Yestin let out a soft sigh, his breath heavy with mist. Still expressionless, the man said slowly:

“Let me hold you for a moment.”