With the lawn mower, if Ruan Qiao had done this work herself, it would have taken about half an hour.
With the “help” of the little ones, it took more than twice as long.
But seeing how happy they were, Ruan Qiao still felt it was worth it.
As the sun climbed higher and the children were sweating heavily, Ruan Qiao finally called it a day and brought the little ones back home.
Still full of energy, the kids rushed into the yard straight toward 001, who was still spreading the grass. They circled him, chattering as if they had an endless amount to say.
001, clearly used to being surrounded by them, patiently answered their questions one by one.
A robot and five little cubs somehow managed to have a lively conversation together, looking surprisingly harmonious.
Ruan Qiao watched for a while, smiling, then returned the gathered bamboo baskets and the lawn mower to the storage, and went inside herself to shower and change.
Once she was done, she took out the cherry tomatoes she had bought earlier from the fridge and called the little ones over to eat.
This time, besides buying the hydroponic equipment, she had also purchased some nutrient soil for seedlings. It was the perfect chance to plant the small tomato seeds while she had some free time.
Hearing there was something to eat, the little ones cheered immediately.
They all ran over quickly, obediently washed their paws as instructed, and then sat down on the mats one by one.
Their eyes sparkled as they looked at her, showing no signs of fatigue after the hard work.
On the contrary, they seemed so excited that they could go out and run around for another two hours without a problem.
Ruan Qiao sliced the cherry tomatoes, setting aside the seedy pulp, and handed the rest to the little ones.
The fruits were small, and after removing the inner part with seeds, there wasn’t much left, honestly, not even enough for a single bite for Xiao Wang and Huihui.
Yet the little ones ate with great enjoyment, as if these tiny fruits were rare delicacies in the world.
Watching the children eat was a joyful experience.
Especially when they happily took what you handed them and enjoyed it, it naturally brought a sense of satisfaction.
That was exactly how Ruan Qiao felt at that moment.
She patiently removed the seeds from each cherry tomato and fed the remaining pulp into the little ones’ mouths.
Because she was too focused, she hadn’t even noticed when someone else had entered the room.
She cut another fruit and was about to hand it to Xiao Wang beside her.
That’s when she realized that the boy she had seen that morning was now sitting right next to Xiao Wang.
Startled, she quickly asked, “You’re awake? Are you feeling better? Is anything still hurting?”
The boy was clearly caught off guard by the rapid series of questions. At first, he nodded, then hesitated and shook his head.
After a moment’s thought, he said, “I’m awake. I feel better. Nothing hurts.”
Perhaps from sleeping too long, his voice was slightly hoarse, not as clear and bright as a typical young man’s, carrying an indescribable laziness and subtle fatigue.
Ruan Qiao knew it was because his body hadn’t fully recovered yet, and she gave him a sympathetic glance.
This was also the first time she had clearly seen his face.
He was very handsome, far more beautiful than any idol she had seen on television dramas.
A tiny, palm-sized face, amber-colored eyes, long, curled eyelashes casting a faint shadow along the lower lids in the light.
He was practically a “lash god.”
Ruan Qiao couldn’t help but feel a little envious.
The boy seemed to have just taken a shower; his hair was wet, and a faint mist of water clung to him.
He was wearing a set of men’s pajamas that 001 must have found somewhere. The style was old-fashioned, but it made him look even more youthful.
He looked up and met Ruan Qiao’s gaze, speaking very earnestly: “Thank you for saving me, and thank you for taking me in.”
His eyes were clear and open, straightforward and honest, making Ruan Qiao feel slightly embarrassed under such direct sincerity.
She waved her hand. “No need to thank me. In that situation, anyone would have acted the same way.”
Then she handed him the half-eaten cherry tomato she was holding. “Do you want to eat this?”
After offering it, Ruan Qiao felt a little regretful.
Giving someone a fruit that was already cut and a bit mashed wasn’t exactly proper manners.
But the boy clearly didn’t think that way.
He reached out, took the fruit, and smiled, then said, “Thank you.”
His smile was radiant.
Completely different from the slightly melancholic expression he had before, his eyes curved warmly, and the “under-eye bags” beneath his eyes were strikingly clear, giving his expression a strong emotional depth.
Seeing this, Ruan Qiao couldn’t help but return a small smile, and almost instinctively cut another piece to hand to him.
Xiao Wang had been waiting nearby for quite some time.
Seeing that Ruan Qiao not only gave the fruit that should have been his to the boy, but even cut him an extra piece!
He immediately let out a plaintive “meow.”
Feeling excluded, the little cat was angry!
He huffed forward, placing himself between the boy and Ruan Qiao, swishing his fluffy tail and hitting the boy several times.
Seeing this, Ruan Qiao was speechless.
“Stop that.”
She pretended to scold him, glaring at Xiao Wang: “He’s a guest! You can’t be so rude!”
Then, as a symbolic warning, she tapped the little one lightly on the head with her finger.
Xiao Wang was stunned.
He couldn’t believe that the director he loved so much would actually tap his head!
Feeling aggrieved, he pressed his little furry face against Ruan Qiao, mewing constantly.
It was as if he would never stop unless she petted, hugged, and kissed him.
Even though she knew it was her little one causing trouble, seeing his eyes, so clear and blue, more beautiful than the night sky, full of grievance, Ruan Qiao found that any words of reprimand she had planned couldn’t escape her mouth.
What wrong had the little cat done?
If there was any fault, it was only because he loved her too much.
Thinking this, Ruan Qiao couldn’t help but indulgently slip another piece of fruit into Xiao Wang’s mouth, soothing his agitated mood.
Then she looked at the boy and apologized on his behalf: “He’s young and doesn’t understand. Don’t mind him, I’ll teach him properly.”
The boy quietly watched them the whole time, seemingly very interested in the way they interacted.
Hearing Ruan Qiao’s words, he waved his hands repeatedly to show he didn’t mind.
Since there was now one more to share the fruit with, Ruan Qiao didn’t hold anything back, she divided the entire pound of cherry tomatoes among them.
The little ones ate to their hearts’ content, their faces showing expressions of satisfaction.
After eating, they all nestled close to Ruan Qiao, like little babies who, once comfortable, always seek affection from their mother. One by one, they pressed against her and lay down on the mats.
Sprawled out in the most comfortable positions, they soon started to softly purr.
Surrounded by such a group of little ones, feeling their wholehearted dependence, Ruan Qiao’s heart melted completely.
She didn’t even mind their fur sticking to her; she gently stroked them with her hands, and a smile unknowingly appeared on her lips.
Only after confirming that all the children were sound asleep did Ruan Qiao quietly rise, gesturing to the boy, and walked out of the dormitory with him.
They went to the room next door, the one the boy had stayed in before.
Once inside, Ruan Qiao asked directly, “Do you want us to contact your family for you? Or I can lend you a phone so you can call them yourself?”
The boy fell silent for a moment, then looked up apologetically. “I’m sorry… could I stay here a few more days?”
As he spoke, he rubbed the back of his head and explained, “I may have injured my head. I can’t remember a lot of things… I don’t remember having any other family.”
Ruan Qiao was stunned!
She immediately stood up, went behind him, and, without hesitation, lifted his long hair to check.
When she had treated his wound last night, she had seen that large swelling.
Because it was so raised and bruised at the time, she had even taken close-up photos for Doctor Aisen to examine.
Doctor Aisen had said it was likely caused by hitting a hard object.
Later, 001 told her that there was a sharp rock where the boy had fallen, probably dislodged from high up the mountain.
Hearing this, Ruan Qiao’s heart sank.
After all, the mountain was now under her ownership. If a rock from it injured someone, as the owner, she would be responsible.
She had spent the whole morning worrying about this, fearing the boy might have suffered a concussion or worse.
Just now, seeing him speak and walk without any problems, she had finally felt a bit of relief.
But she never expected—
This guy would just tell her that he had amnesia?!
No, this was too much. A falling rock could really make someone lose their memory?
Where does such a coincidence even exist? She couldn’t believe it, it had to be a joke!
Ruan Qiao gently touched the back of the boy’s head. The swelling, already dark purple from the bruising, looked frightening, and her emotions were conflicted.
No matter what, the boy had collapsed right at the entrance of their orphanage, and the accident was highly likely caused by a rock falling from her mountain. Morally and logically, she bore some responsibility.
But, being hit by a rock and immediately losing one’s memory? Ruan Qiao just couldn’t fully accept that.
Perhaps her touch tickled a little, because the boy shifted uncomfortably.
That movement revealed, through the collar of his shirt, the scars on his back.
Ruan Qiao froze for a moment, instinctively feeling that she might have understood something.
She withdrew her hand and walked back to stand in front of him. “Not being able to remember isn’t a small matter. I think we should go to the hospital for a check-up.”
As she spoke, her gaze swept over his body, cautiously asking, “Besides not remembering your family, do you remember anything else? For example, your name, where you’re from… and your clothes, where did you leave your light brain?”
When the boy had first appeared, he was in his beast form, and there had been nothing around him, no evidence of his identity.
Ruan Qiao already knew that in this world, the light brain was indispensable. It contained a personal chip, essentially serving the same function as an identity card in the previous world.
Without it, one couldn’t prove their identity, wouldn’t have insurance, and couldn’t receive medical treatment.
Hearing her questions, the boy shook his head again. “I don’t remember.”
Ruan Qiao stared at him for a long time, trying to read something from his eyes.
But his gaze was too pure, so clear that it seemed you could see straight through.
There wasn’t the slightest hint of concealment or deception.
With no other choice, Ruan Qiao called Doctor Aisen again via video, explaining the situation to him.
Doctor Aisen was just as surprised.
He had Ruan Qiao hand the phone to the boy and asked him many questions.
But in the end, his advice was simply, observe carefully, be patient, and wait to see if his memory recovers on its own. For now, the swelling doesn’t seem to interfere with daily life.
Hearing this, Ruan Qiao felt even more helpless.
No matter what she thought, she couldn’t tell the boy to leave anytime soon.
Although there was no proof, from the very first moment she saw him, Ruan Qiao had a strong instinct that he wasn’t just passing through, he had come specifically for the orphanage.
What he intended to do, she didn’t know, but most likely he had come seeking refuge.
After all, the injuries on his body weren’t faked.
Ruan Qiao had never insisted that he leave.
Before he transformed into human form, she had even been ready to adopt him.
After all, she ran an orphanage, and taking in abandoned cubs was her job, especially those that had been abused.
But somehow, when she woke up, this one had turned into a human, and a young man at that.
Even if he was young, he was clearly already an adult.
Ruan Qiao was twenty this year.
A young woman adopting a boy barely younger than herself…
The feeling was completely different from adopting a big cat.
Thinking this over, Ruan Qiao couldn’t help asking again: “Do you remember how old you are?”
The boy shook his head once more.
Ruan Qiao took a deep breath, frustrated, and tapped her throbbing head with a clenched fist. Then she got up, went to her room, and brought back a box of nutritional supplements.
She handed it to the boy and said, “You just rest for now. We’ll deal with everything else once you remember.”
With that, she immediately left his room.