Stop Eyeing My Pretty Caretaker - Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Jian Chen thought he had misheard.

The man’s voice was a bit husky, and as his gaze fell upon him, the atmosphere felt frozen and sharp, hinting at exactly what Ye Siting had just said.

Jian Chen swallowed hard, feeling a sudden flush of heat.

His mouth felt dry, as if a bitter winter had abruptly vanished, replaced by clusters of tiny electric sparks crackling and burning within him—a completely foreign, strange sensation.

What was Ye Siting saying?

He had assumed that once most people were caught in their motives, they would try to play it off or be vague. But Ye Siting was different; he didn’t seem to intend to hide it or let it slide. The man was waiting for Jian Chen’s response with a serious, almost stubborn intensity.

As if seeking his opinion, the man asked, “Do you agree?”

“Ag—” Jian Chen found himself stuttering. Because of the sheer shock, he had forgotten how he should react to prevent the atmosphere from becoming so nuanced and ambiguous.

Jian Chen forced himself to finish: “I agree.”

What reason was there to disagree?

Jian Chen’s cheeks were burning fiercely. Ye Siting was his legal spouse; if he wanted to hug or kiss, those were marital rights—it was only natural.

It was just… a bit sudden.

Then, Ye Siting moved.

His tall frame leaned in, and Jian Chen’s breath hitched slightly as he felt a hand wrap around his waist.

In the next second, a broad, warm palm pulled him into an embrace. By the time Jian Chen realized what was happening, his breath and lips were filled with the scent of Ye Siting.

Ye Siting’s body temperature was hot, enough to shut out the frigid air, circling him into a tiny space filled only with the man’s burning warmth and presence.

This was the first time he had been hugged like this by someone else.

The places where he was touched and held felt like they were carrying an electric current. Jian Chen pursed his lips, trembling slightly despite himself, his chin resting on Ye Siting’s broad shoulder. But then, the man holding him slowly tightened his grip—gradual, yet tender.

It left almost no space between them, leaving him nowhere to hide.

With a face flushed crimson, Jian Chen marveled silently.

So it turns out a hug could be this… overwhelming.

Heat rushed to his ears, and his heart felt like it was going to leap out of his chest.

Jian Chen felt his heels go weak; he couldn’t hold out for much longer and had to surrender. He didn’t know how much time had passed, but his senses didn’t fade at all; instead, they intensified.

How pathetic of him.

Looking at the boundless snowy field in the distance, Jian Chen felt his senses expand infinitely and then drift back. He lightly patted the man and whispered, “Um… are you done hugging?”

The man paused for a moment and said expressionlessly:

“No.”

Ye Siting slowly tightened his hold and leaned down, the bridge of his high nose brushing against the side of Jian Chen’s neck.

Watching that small patch of skin turn even redder, accompanied by his partner’s slight shudder, the man’s gray-gold eyelashes darkened. In a low voice, he said:

“It hasn’t even been a minute.”

Jian Chen forgot how he eventually said goodbye to the man.

From the road back to the residence, entering the elevator, opening the door, changing into pajamas, and getting into bed—he couldn’t remember the specific steps of any of it.

Anyway, Jian Chen lay in bed, tucking himself in tightly so he could seal the heat inside and keep the cold air from noticing.

Then he closed his eyes and emptied his head, forcing himself to sleep.

But his heart was beating a bit too fast to calm down.

Jian Chen tossed and turned.

How embarrassing.

It was just a hug! Was all this really necessary?

He was a married man now, a guardian too—couldn’t he handle this little bit of turbulence?

Go to sleep.

Fast.

Being hugged until your legs go weak? Seriously?

Jian Chen was utterly dejected.

Fortunately, when he got up the next morning and checked the mirror, there were no dark circles. His eyes were just a bit misty, as if he hadn’t quite woken up yet.

Today was a big day.

It was the day of his and Ye Siting’s wedding.

Jian Chen hadn’t interfered with the wedding arrangements; Ye Siting had handled everything. Two days ago, a set of clothes had been mailed to the house.

A beautiful bow tie, a white suit—it was gorgeous and exquisite, signed by Ye Siting.

Jian Chen guessed this was the suit for the wedding. Just as he finished changing, he pulled out a bunch of red ribbons he had bought at a gift shop yesterday.

Dundun was sitting on the tea table in the living room, his round body leaning against a teacup, legs crossed, watching his Papa busily run around.

Jian Chen placed a soft pad inside the ribbon, worried about choking Dundun. Then, he wrapped the red band around Dundun’s neck and tied a beautiful bow at the front.

“My Dundun is so beautiful.”

Looking at the exquisite red panda, Jian Chen’s heart fluttered with cuteness as he praised him unreservedly: “Just like a little young master.”

Dundun looked down blankly, his little paw touching the red ribbon, letting out a soft, ambiguous cry.

Jian Chen picked up the red panda, put him in the incubator, and prepared to set off.

The car downstairs was already ready.

The person who came to pick him up wasn’t Ye Siting. Jian Chen figured they were probably following tradition—the couple shouldn’t see each other on the wedding day until they walk down the aisle, seeing each other in full finery and moved to tears.

Jian Chen shook his head. Not happening.

Don’t forget, they were a “no-feelings-involved” contract couple.

When they reached the waiting room, Jian Chen sat down. A man calling himself the Deputy Executive Officer went over the procedures with him one by one, along with precautions for the wedding, the address of the house he and Ye Siting would move into that night, where his things should go, and even Dundun’s room.

Jian Chen nodded as he listened, thinking: We’re moving in together already?

The progress between him and Ye Siting was moving like a rocket.

Jian Chen was still a bit nervous. After all, living with a roommate is called renting, but Ye Siting…

They were people who were about to spend the rest of their lives together.

Jian Chen asked, “I don’t have many things, but I need to go home first. Is it okay after the wedding?”

The Deputy Executive was very polite: “Of course, there’s no rush. If you don’t want to pack yourself, we will send someone to help you pack your luggage and escort you back to the new residence.”

Jian Chen waved his hand and politely declined. Hearing the constant “You,” “Personally,” and “Escort,” he felt like he was being treated like the First Lady.

As expected of Ye Siting’s Deputy Executive, he gave the sense of ceremony a perfect score.

Jian Chen let the stylist tidy his hair. He was suddenly glad he had smoothed down his cowlick this morning; otherwise, it would have been quite embarrassing.

Then, as if remembering something, the Deputy Executive actually pulled a large handful of fruit candies from his military uniform pocket.

He reached into another pocket, and several milk candies appeared in his large hand.

“Mr. Ye Siting asked me to give these to you.”

“Which one would you like?”

Jian Chen: “…”

Was he… being treated like a child??

Moreover, seeing candies being pulled out of the pocket of a serious military officer was quite a visual shock. Jian Chen experienced what the internet called “gap moe.”

But he obediently picked a fruit candy—orange-flavored, just like when he first met Ye Siting.

The Deputy Executive showed a look of relief, seemingly full of affection, and asked, “Is there anything else you need?”

“No, thank you.” Jian Chen bowed slightly.

“Not at all, it’s my duty.”

Then, he watched the tall officer leave.

The spacious room was suddenly left with only Jian Chen.

Jian Chen glanced down at his watch; there were twenty minutes until the wedding started. No rush.

So he stood up and walked slowly around the room. He looked at the walls, the windowsills, the scenery outside, and then back to the floor.

Jian Chen’s fingertips were a bit cold, a sign of his nerves. However, that fruit candy did help ease his tension to some extent.

Marrying Ye Siting did indeed make him nervous.

But logically, they had already registered their marriage, and the wedding was just a formality. This mysterious pressure felt a bit inappropriate.

While Jian Chen was dazed, he suddenly heard a flurry of footsteps outside.

It wasn’t one person, but several it sounded like a group of people.

Jian Chen’s scalp tingled. For no reason, he took a step back. Although the room was spacious, it had no inner room or bathroom; it was just a large, luxurious rectangular hall.

So there was nowhere to hide.

Jian Chen began to panic inexplicably, though even he didn’t understand the reason for wanting to hide.

Finally, he leaned against a massive antique grand piano. While it wasn’t a hiding spot, it could block him to some extent. People entering the room wouldn’t see him at first glance.

Just as he finished this, the door opened.

The owners of the footsteps entered the room. Then, the last person to enter turned around and firmly locked the heavy door with a click.

Jian Chen’s heart tightened; a bad premonition grew stronger.

Looking at the seemingly empty room, the leader laughed, his voice sounding almost gentle:

“As expected of a genius who can predict danger.”

“We haven’t even stated our intentions, and you’ve already started to be on guard.”

Jian Chen froze slightly but remained silent.

Everything was happening too suddenly and inexplicably. What the other party said was also confusing. In short: it was ridiculous.

“Now then, Mr. Jian Chen, won’t you come out?”

Seeing as the other party already knew he hadn’t left the room, Jian Chen sighed and stepped out from behind the piano.

Then, he was surprised to find that the few people in front of him were all wearing guest attire, appearing to be guests attending the wedding.

But their true identities were definitely not guests.

No wonder they had sneaked in so easily.

Jian Chen lamented his own ill-fated luck and asked, “Who are you all? What are you doing at the wedding?”

The leader rubbed his watch with his fingertip, looking elegant and calm. He said flatly, “We aren’t here to attend the wedding, because this wedding will not proceed as scheduled.”

“Mr. Jian, I’ll be blunt.”

“You won’t be able to go through with this marriage.”

Jian Chen’s pupils shrank slightly as he asked in confusion, “Why?”

Another person couldn’t help but say, “You saw the news, right? With your intuition, you should have sensed something was wrong. Why stay here?”

Jian Chen caught a phrase: “Intuition?”

The leader kicked that person’s leg, making him hiss in pain and shut up immediately.

The leader seemed to be the boss. He had long hair and spoke unhurriedly:

“In short, that comet named ‘Leisu’ will hit Earth in three years. Which means, three years from today, Earth will be a living hell—or what you Earthlings call… the end of the world?”

Jian Chen suddenly understood.

They were part of that migration plan.

Jian Chen heard the sense of superiority in those words and said helplessly, “After migrating, have you forgotten that you were once Earthlings too?”

The long-haired man smiled, his gloved finger pointing to his shoulder in a solemn, submissive gesture: “Of course, we are now Tal-stars. Our Supreme Leader of Tal-star is Mr. Jian Yu, and I am deeply proud of that.”

“Mr. Jian Yu has perfectly fused with the Dragon Bloodline; he is the destined monarch.”

Jian Chen understood: “So you were sent by Jian Yu.”

“Correct. Our purpose is to prevent you from getting married.”

He smiled: “And then take you away.”

“Oh, by the way, if you like, you can take that panda with you,” the long-haired man said. “We have a way to steal him from the wedding venue and have you both board the spaceship. Of course, Mr. Jian Yu will provide the best environment, not half a bit worse than what Ye Siting can give you.”

Jian Chen listened to this absurd proposal, feeling a headache coming on: “But whether I get married or not, he has no reason to interfere?”

Long-hair: “He is your younger brother.”

Jian Chen spoke the truth: “We aren’t that close.”

Long-hair sighed: “Don’t say that in front of Mr. Jian Yu when we get to Tal-star… your brother will get angry.”

“Fortunately, we caught you before your wedding. We are relieved; otherwise, you really would have been married.”

Long-hair’s subordinates high-fived and pumped their fists in celebration.

Jian Chen calmly interrupted them, trying to analyze: “Wait, stopping the wedding is useless. Ye Siting and I have already registered.”

“…” “?” “??”

Long-hair frowned: “Registered?”

Jian Chen nodded.

“…”

The subordinates were stunned.

They seemed to fall into a state of speechlessness. Finally, the leader squeezed out a dry sentence: “…That was too fast.”

Long-hair paced around in circles, seemingly thinking or perhaps confused. He asked again, “Wasn’t the policy only released ten days ago?”

Jian Chen nodded: “Yes.”

“We detected Mr. Jian’s intention to marry. We timed it at light speed, and the ship took only three days to return to Earth.”

Jian Chen: “Uh, yeah.”

“We didn’t expect Mr. Jian to not only get married and register, but even have a child?”

Jian Chen whispered in defense: “Strictly speaking, Dundun wasn’t born from me…”

Long-hair interrupted: “Is the next step moving in together?”

Jian Chen felt a bit embarrassed: “We move in tonight.”

The air fell into silence.

After being stuck for a long time, Long-hair blurted out: “You guys… are faster than light speed.”

Jian Chen was embarrassed and looked away: “…”

His ears were visibly red.

Long-hair seemed to fall into a dilemma and turned to his subordinates: “Did you hear that? You, go back and report everything to Mr. Jian Yu.”

The person pointed at immediately bristled, “I’m not going! Aren’t you the boss? You tell the Leader yourself.”

“Exactly.”

Another subordinate said, “I’ve never seen you be this wicked before. You take all the credit, but push the suicide missions on us.”

“Yeah, Mr. Jian Yu will definitely go crazy with rage.”

Jian Chen chimed in: “You don’t have to be so nervous. Jian Yu has a very gentle temper; he usually can’t bear to make things difficult for his subordinates.”

“…”

Why were these people suddenly… all looking at him with such incredibly absurd expressions?

Long-hair seemed to gather his thoughts and faced Jian Chen again:

“It’s like this. The Leader said that no matter the result, the person must be brought back.”

“So, let’s go now.”

Jian Chen pursed his lips, his palms sweating. He felt he should stall for time. If he could just wait another ten minutes, maybe Ye Siting’s Deputy Executive would come looking for him…

Long-hair looked down at his watch: “Not enough time. Just tie him up and take him.”

Jian Chen: “…”

The few of them were highly efficient. The specialized tightening ropes were already prepared. It was said that once tied, every fiber would cling to the skin without leaving marks, but it couldn’t be cut by sharp tools. Even if the knot wasn’t tight, the person themselves couldn’t open it.

As he was restrained and the rope wound around his skin, Jian Chen’s scalp went numb. He opened his mouth, and suddenly, he wanted to call out a name: Ye Siting.

In fact, he actually did shout it.

Immediately after, his mouth was sealed.

Jian Chen made muffled sounds, but realizing it was useless, he fell silent. Suddenly, he felt very sad—disappointment, anxiety, and regret all surged up at once.

He and Ye Siting hadn’t even had their wedding ceremony yet.

The group seemed to have planned ahead. Half of them left through the door they came in to stall for time and avoid suspicion, while the other half took Jian Chen out through the window.

The flier was already prepared, making a soft humming sound as it started up.

However, in the next second, a loud boom suddenly erupted from the door.

The people in the room jumped.

This was a thick, solid wood double-latched door. Even a handgun wouldn’t penetrate that lock. Was someone outside using an anti-tank cannon?

Being this reckless—did they not care about Jian Chen’s life?

Then, a second loud bang followed, and the door was forced open.

The people inside discovered that the person entering hadn’t brought any weapons at all. Opening the door with bare hands—unreal!

Within his obstructed and dark field of vision, Jian Chen’s ears twitched. He heard a man’s voice, cold to the extreme:

“What do you think you are doing?”