Perhaps because they’d grown a bit closer, the little one—who just a few days ago had been able to fall asleep on his own—began acting spoiled and clinging to him, demanding to be rocked to sleep.
“Qi Youyu, stop pretending to be asleep.”
Yan Xingli lowered his brows, calmly eyeing the child who was clutching his shirt and pretending to sleep.
“I just saw your eyelids twitch five times and your mouth move twice.”
“That’s not true, Uncle.” Youyu’s mouth was quicker than his brain. “My eyelids only twitched three times, and my mouth didn’t move at all.”
Yan Xingli laughed, pinching the child’s chubby cheeks and giving them a gentle shake. “Oh, you have a good memory. Not faking sleep anymore?”
“……” Qi Youyu reluctantly opened his eyes, let go of the fabric on Yan Xingli’s chest, and sighed deeply. “Uncle, I regret it.”
Now that she’d come out of bed, Yan Xingli gloated, “You’ve learned your lesson. Let’s see if you dare to run off on your own again.”
Qi Youyu shot him a look. “I regret sharing my smarts with you.”
Yan Xingli pressed down on the child’s head with a blank expression, ruffling her hair into a bird’s nest. “Go back to sleep.”
The heartless old man sent Yu Yu back to the guest room and walked away with a flourish.
After settling the child, Yan Xingli felt a weight lift off his shoulders. He curled up under the covers and played video games for half the night; as usual, he should have slept until late morning.
However, his sleep was restless, and he kept feeling as though someone were watching him.
Tap, tap, tap.
Three steady knocks on the door.
The young man in bed blinked sleepily, casually slipped off his eye mask, rolled out of bed, and walked barefoot to the bedroom door.
As the door opened, a figure resembling a giant teddy bear came into view.
Yan Xingli looked up.
Broad-shouldered and stocky, wearing a fisherman’s hat, the little flower with bright green eyes gave him a mysterious smile.
Yan Xingli’s yawn died on his lips: “What do you want? How come you’ve grown taller again?”
Little Flower: “Good morning, Brother Xing. Did you see the sunlight outside? It’s so warm.”
“What does that have to do with me?” Yan Xingli waved his hand impatiently. “Don’t bother me unless it’s urgent.”
“According to a study on ancient human physiology, ancient humans shouldn’t sleep more than eight hours a day,” Little Flower replied. “From last night until now, you’ve slept for over eight hours and five minutes. That’s extremely unhealthy.”
Yan Xingli, who had stayed up until the wee hours of the morning, winced.
“Do you live by the ocean or something? You sure are nosy.”
Yan Xingli didn’t want to waste any more words on this metal lump. He grabbed the doorknob, ready to shut the door.
“No, I live on Cang’ai Planet. I’m Little Science Fish’s personal playmate.” Xiao Hua’s ping-pong-ball-sized hands spread wide. “Question answered. Now it’s time to deal with you.”
Yan Xingli felt a chill run down his spine as two icy mechanical hands hoisted him up and carried him straight toward the bathroom.
The 6-foot-1 northern giant, Yan Xingli, was like a little chick grabbed by the scruff of its neck—no matter how he struggled, he couldn’t break free from the grip.
Yan Xingli clenched his buttocks.
“I don’t need you to brush my teeth!”
“!! Don’t touch my face—that’s my livelihood!”
The screams from the bathroom gradually faded, giving way to a high-pitched, ecstatic wail: “Aaaahhh~~.”
Qi Youyu, still half-asleep, emerged from her room and asked dazedly, “Uncle, Xiao Hua, what are you guys playing?”
Yan Xingli lay sprawled on the folding bed like a giant turtle, his back slick with moisturizing essential oil. His four mechanical arms moved back and forth busily, kneading him like dough, working their way down from his neck and back all the way to his thighs and the soles of his feet.
Yan Xingli clenched his jaw, his face flushed crimson as he forced a smile that looked worse than a cry.
“Can’t you tell? Fat Potato is giving me a massage.”
“Her technique is decent, but she’s a bit too rough.”
Xiao Hua nodded. “The reaction in the kidney meridian is stronger than in the liver meridian, indicating more serious kidney issues. Ancient texts record that Liuwei Dihuang Pill is an effective remedy for nourishing yin and tonifying the kidneys. I’ll add Liuwei Dihuang Pill to the shopping cart now.”
Yan Xingli was livid, his embarrassment turning to rage: “Nonsense! You don’t know a damn thing.”
Qi Youyu stared with wide eyes: “Uncle, you’re swearing.”
Yan Xingli felt awkward and made a “shh” gesture with his hand: “Don’t copy me.”
As soon as Qi Youyu arrived, Xiao Hua immediately stepped aside: “Good morning, lovely and kind Lord Youyu.”
The moment Xiao Hua’s cold, mechanical hand touched Qi Youyu, it suddenly transformed into a pair of soft, fair hands.
Her slender jade-like fingers were delicate and boneless, looking exactly like a human woman’s hands.
Yan Xingli rubbed his eyes repeatedly.
The hands were still there.
They were gently helping Yu Yu brush her teeth, wash her face, and comb her hair.
“It…”
“Why did its hands change?”
Qi Youyu: “Because Xiao Hua switched to the ‘Cub Companion Mode.’”
The child closed his eyes in bliss. “Xiao Hua’s hands were designed by Mom. They’re just as soft and sweet-smelling as Mom’s.”
Yan Xingli slipped on his shoes. “Does it have to switch to ‘Cub Companion Mode’ to turn into these hands?”
“No,” Yu Yu opened his eyes and looked at him. “Xiao Hua can change whenever it wants. It’s a free Xiao Hua.”
……So what was that just now, when he was frozen solid?
Those cold, jagged mechanical hands nearly crushed his bones.
Yan Xingli rubbed his poor armpit, his heart filled with condemnation for the double-standard, fat potato who treated him differently.
A wonderful day had begun.
Woken by Xiao Hua, the big and the little sat at the dining table, surrounded by the aroma of a steaming hot breakfast.
“Uncle, this taro milk is so delicious.” Qi Youyu sipped the taro milk with delight, “Thank you, thank you so much.”
Yan Xingli’s lips curved slightly: “No need to thank me. If you like it, I’ll buy a few more cases—”
“Thank you, Big Milk Cow~” The little one was completely absorbed in the taro milk. “Big Milk Cow, you’ve worked so hard.”
“……”
Drinking milk without forgetting the Big Milk Cow—what a grateful little one.
Yan Xingli’s irritation faded a bit.
As the discomfort of his aching back and stiff muscles faded, replaced by a feeling of being reborn and refreshed, his irritation vanished completely.
Yan Xingli was usually too busy with work to visit a massage parlor, but today, his stiff joints had been thoroughly loosened by Xiao Hua’s rough handling.
It worked, and he saved money too.
Chubby Xiao Hua was actually pretty cute after all.
Yan Xingli munched on boiled corn, feeling quite pleased with himself, when a WeChat message from Li Zhi popped up on his phone.
The production team had agreed to have Qi Youyu as his special guest. In three days, the crew would come to his home to install cameras and film the teaser episode; tomorrow, he’d have to go to the company to shoot promotional posters.
Yan Xingli replied to the message while eating, then looked up at Qi Youyu and said:
“Yuyu, the variety show will be filmed over the course of a month, and there will be lots of cameras installed at home. Remember, during this time, you must not let Xiao Yu out, and you must not reveal your secret that you’re from another planet.”
As for Xiao Hua’s presence, Yan Xingli wasn’t worried at all.
Although Xiao Hua had many skills, he’d read some foreign media reports stating that many wealthy individuals already owned android butlers.
These androids look almost exactly like humans; they can read books and newspapers, chat and confide in people, and when dressed, are virtually indistinguishable from humans from a distance.
He was certain that a simple robot like Xiao Hua wouldn’t attract much attention.
Having eaten her fill, Qi Youyu crawled back into the spaceship, busy with who knows what.
Yan Xingli stood outside the cabin door, peeking in hesitantly, unsure whether to enter. Just as he was wavering, his phone in his pocket began to buzz.
Yan Xingli answered the call with caution. He furrowed his brow as he listened for a moment, then retorted with displeasure:
“Who said that? I’ve been very busy lately.”
The woman’s voice on the other end was calm yet cold, carrying an air of unquestionable authority:
“Aren’t you on vacation, filming that lifestyle reality show?”
No need to travel all over the country, no need to join a film crew—just record your daily life at home and get paid.
You couldn’t find a more laid-back job than that.
Yan Xingli choked on his words, then snapped angrily, “Yan Shanyi, so you really have been spying on me.”
Yan Shanyi’s tone was icy. “You’re trending every other day. It’s hard not to know what’s going on with you.”
The small flame of anger that had just flared up in Yan Xingli died down.
He touched the tip of his nose. “Mom and Dad didn’t see that, did they?”
“What do you think?”
Yan Xingli: “Isn’t that just how it is in our line of work? You should tell Mom and Dad to be more open-minded.”
“Yan Xingli.”
Yan Shanyi called him by his full name, and Yan Xingli fell silent immediately.
Yan Shanyi was three years older than Yan Xingli. Yan Xingli feared nothing under the sun—except her.
Before graduating from college, Yan Xingli had obeyed Yan Shanyi’s every word, a dutiful and well-behaved son of the family.
But who would have thought that as soon as he graduated, this “son of the family” would let loose? When asked to intern at the family conglomerate, he made every excuse under the sun—claiming headaches, fevers, or backaches.
Instead, he was lured into the entertainment industry by a small company and signed a contract that left him with no way out.
While other minor celebrities at his level were already raking in a million a month with ease, he was still stuck with fourth- or fifth-tier pay.
Yan Shanyi was frustrated that he wasn’t living up to his potential, but the contract was signed, and Yan Xingli had developed a rebellious streak, insisting on breaking into the entertainment industry. Even if she were willing to step in and handle the situation, there was no guarantee he wouldn’t screw up again.
His older sister, Yan Shanyi, is a ruthless and decisive CEO and heiress who masterfully orchestrates everything from behind the scenes.
Her younger brother, Yan Xingli, is a sharp-faced but dim-witted fool—someone who appears cunning but actually can’t figure things out.
Stuck with a brother like this, Yan Shanyi chose to let him be, waiting for him to get beaten up enough out there before he’d come home on his own.
“The young lady is on her way. Get ready to welcome her.”
Yan Xingli’s eyelid twitched. “Isn’t the young lady at school? Why are you dumping her on me?”
“School’s out.”
Yan Xingli: “Dumping her on me just because school’s out? You’re such an irresponsible mother.”
“Do you think you’re hot stuff? Do you even know who you’re talking to?”
Yan Xingli dropped to his knees in a slide: “Queen, I’m sorry.”
Yan Shanyi: “The young lady had a dream last night that she wanted to see her uncle.”
To come up with such a ridiculous excuse—did Yan Shanyi really think he was stupid?
“Besides, you’re her uncle. Isn’t it only natural for an uncle to look after his niece?”
Yan Xingli muttered, “You know I’m her uncle, but I’m not some kind of beast.”
“I’ve transferred the money to you.”
Yan Xingli perked up.
He’d been resentful of being treated like an errand boy day in and day out, but the moment he saw the five zeros after the number, his expression changed faster than the flip of a page, and he instantly broke into a broad smile.
One monkey is a burden; two monkeys are still a burden.
Working for Yan Shanyi might be a bit of a drag, but the pay was truly generous.
A call came in from Yan Shanyi’s end. She gave a brief instruction: “Judging by the time, they should be arriving soon. Get ready to welcome them.”
“Now?!!”
Beep-beep-beep—
The airport had already sent a dedicated driver to drop the young master and young lady off at the entrance of the residential complex. Yan Xingli didn’t have time to complain; he quickly got dressed and went downstairs to meet them.
Yan Xingli returned pushing two suitcases. Qi Youyu, who had been waiting in the living room, heard the noise and ran out, staring blankly at the large and small suitcases.
As soon as Yan Xingli entered the house, he took off his coat and beckoned to Qi Youyu: “Come here, let me introduce you.”
He bent down to open the suitcase, drawing out his words with exaggerated formality: “Princess, please step out.”
He waited two seconds.
“Meow~”
An impossibly cute, round face peeked out from inside. Its round, sparkling eyes were clearer and more luminous than jewels, utterly adorable.
Then, a sturdy, round little cat rolled out.
The plump, round silver-graded cat shook itself, its fluffy, lustrous fur shimmering with a magnificent sheen. From its coat and build, it was clear at a glance that it had been well cared for.
Qi Youyu froze.
The chubby kitty strode over with an elegant, haughty catwalk and stopped at Yan Xingli’s feet. It looked up at him and meowed, then, like Empress Xi returning to the palace to survey the grounds, it found the spot with the highest vantage point and lazily sprawled out, refusing to move.
Yan Xingli tapped the silent, large crate again: “It’s your turn. Come on out.”
There was no response from inside the crate.
Yan Xingli cleared his throat: “Woof woof woof woof, dinner’s ready.”
“Woof woof woof.”
A flash of movement.
It seemed something had darted out of the crate.
Its four paws tapped the marble floor with a crisp sound. The white French Bulldog scampered a few steps and sat down.
The greedy little dog gazed at Yan Xingli with deep affection.
Qi Youyu took in the entire scene. She covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes wide with astonishment, letting out a series of “Ah!” cries.
Yan Xingli’s heart skipped a beat. Was this child afraid of dogs?
Yan Shanyi’s message had come so suddenly that Yan Xingli had been in such a fluster he’d forgotten to ask the child if she was afraid of dogs.
He set Big Glutton aside and bent down, speaking gently: “Yuyu, this is a puppy. His name is E’lemo. If you—”
“Dog!”
Qi Youyu stared wide-eyed, her little finger pointing at E-le-mo, then at the white cat stroller: “Cat!”
“It’s alive!”
Yan Xingli: “Ah, that’s right, it’s alive.”
Seeing that she didn’t look scared, but rather delighted, Yan Xingli asked, “Yuyu, does your family not allow you to keep cats or dogs?”
He wasn’t really surprised.
Many families with children don’t keep pets, and pets acquired before marriage are often abandoned—there are just too many irresponsible people.
Qi Youyu was so excited she didn’t know what to say. She ran in circles, babbling incoherently: “Mom and Dad like them too, but we can’t keep them at home because they’re all in the museum!”
“Huh?”
“Uncle! Uncle!”
Qi Youyu burst into his arms like a little firecracker. Cang Ying rubbed his hands together and pleaded earnestly:
“Can I pet them? I promise I’ll be gentle, very careful, just for a second. Please, Uncle, I’m begging you.”
The Earth’s destruction was sudden. During the emergency evacuation, humans prioritized bringing important seeds, chickens, ducks, fish, and other food supplies. A small number of cats and dogs followed their owners to the planet Cang’ai, but because they couldn’t adapt to the new environment, they passed away shortly after, leaving no descendants.
The remains of these cats and dogs became specimens of extinct species displayed in museums.
Ever since she was little, Qi Youyu had heard her grandparents ramble on about how smart and lively the big yellow dog and the little tabby cat they’d raised in their youth had been, and how soft their fur felt to the touch.
Although this little dog looked strange—old yet small—it wasn’t like the majestic big yellow dog her grandparents had described.
But this was a living puppy, not a robotic one!
Unaware of the reason behind it, Yan Xingli agreed readily: “Go ahead and pet it. Pet it all you want.”
“Though Qianjin has a temper, so she might not let you pet her.”
Emo is a French Bulldog, and Qianjin is a short-haired silver tabby cat. Both are Yan Shanyi’s precious treasures, and she’d packed them up and sent them all over to him.
With a child, a cat, and a dog, Yan Xingli’s home daycare was up and running in no time.