Standing behind him was a child who looked only three or four years old!

The child was only as tall as Qi Huan’s thigh, wrapped in a tattered blanket. His little face was pale, like a frightened little deer, staring at him with beautiful light green eyes, both wary and scared.

“You, you don’t come over, or I’ll have my little uncle hit you!” The little fellow tried to sound fierce, but his voice trembled at the end.

Qi Huan was taken aback, lowering the empty drawer he had raised. These eyes seemed a bit familiar. They looked especially like the haughty little cat that had been staying at his place. Wait, where was the cat?

The cushion where the cat used to sleep was now empty, leaving only a small dent. Looking at the child’s gray-black hair, the white jade token around his neck, and the blanket that was originally piled at the corner of the empty bed, Qi Huan’s mind went blank for a moment. Absurd, the cat actually turned into a human?

It wasn’t until he saw the small, curled-up alien mark on the boy’s neck that Qi Huan realized the reason, “Are you… a beastman?”

The little fellow pouted his pink lips and nodded pitifully.

“But, aren’t beastmen only supposed to transform partially?” Qi Huan was a bit confused. The beastmen he had seen seemed to be partially beast-like, like Quan Hai’s arm, the leopard man’s head and claws…

“Who said that? Many beast tribes can fully transform when they’re young.” The child furrowed his brows, half aggrieved and half disdainful. Clearly, he was an adult, yet so clueless.

Qi Huan: …

No wonder this little cat was so smart and could understand speech; turns out it was a beastman.

“Where do you live? I’ll take you home.” Qi Huan rubbed his forehead and sighed. A child this young going missing would surely make his family anxious.

“Do you have a starship?” The little fellow looked at Qi Huan in confusion.

“Of course not.” Not to mention owning one, he had only seen one once, and it was for transporting garbage. Qi Huan was speechless, feeling like he was on a completely different wavelength from this child, “Why do you need a starship?”

“How do you plan to take me home without a starship?” The little dumpling’s face turned serious.

Qi Huan: …

Qi Huan’s mind spun a couple of times, finally catching up with the little fellow’s logic, “Are you saying your home requires a starship to get back?”

Isn’t that obvious? The little fellow pouted.

His eyebrows were very light, his eyelashes long and dense, reflecting a beautiful light golden glow under the warm yellow light. His round eyes still retained some of the clarity and cuteness from his beast form. His skin was as smooth as silk, and his plump cheeks were as tender as a glutinous rice dumpling, looking soft and easy to bully.

To make him relax a bit, Qi Huan simply sat on the floor, looking into his eyes, “Then can you tell me where your home is?”

“Ninefold Star Domain.” The child blinked twice, his gaze somewhat evasive.

“Where? Are you sure it’s not Wine Cup Street?” Qi Huan pretended to clean his ear with a towel. This kid’s words were clearly unreliable, and now he understood why the notices he posted about finding the owner had disappeared. It must have been him deliberately getting rid of them.

He doesn’t want to go home? Running away from home at such a young age, isn’t it too early for a rebellious phase?

The little fellow sighed heavily, turning his back in a huff.

“Don’t be mad, don’t be mad, I’m just confirming.” Qi Huan quickly grabbed his arm to coax him, “How about I make you something delicious tomorrow?”

The child was about to shake off his hand but lost his strength. Qi Huan chuckled secretly, seems like food still works, “What’s your name?”

The little fellow was silent for a few seconds, then mumbled a word, “Tuan Tuan.”

“Just Tuan Tuan, no last name?” Qi Huan grabbed the towel hanging on his shoulder and roughly wiped his hair. It sounded like a nickname or a fake name!

“You can call me Tuan Tuan.” The little fellow spoke as if granting him a great favor.

“Alright, nice to formally meet you, I’m Qi Huan.” Qi Huan extended his hand in a friendly manner. The little fellow hesitated for a few seconds before reluctantly extending his cold little hand to shake his.

“Why so reluctant? I’m a future interstellar tycoon, the third best chef in the universe. Knowing me, you won’t lose out.” In the interstellar era, identities are self-proclaimed. Qi Huan joked, trying to ease the child’s tension.

“You do make delicious food.” The little dumpling nodded.

“Can’t say your last name?”

The child’s mouth was tightly shut.

“Why so cautious, does your family have a throne to inherit?” Qi Huan continued to tease him.

A hint of surprise flashed in Tuan Tuan’s eyes, then he shook his head like a rattle, repeatedly denying, “No.”

Qi Huan couldn’t help but laugh, casually wiping a few drops of water off his face, “Don’t worry, even if there is, I won’t take it from you.”

“You?” The little fellow looked Qi Huan up and down, seriously shook his head, “You can’t beat my little uncle.”

“What’s your little uncle’s name?” Qi Huan decided to change his approach, trying to get information through the little uncle.

The little dumpling showed a troubled expression, finally squeezing out two words, “…A Han.”

“I thought it would be called Yuan Yuan,” Qi Huan quickly joked, “If your original form is a giant panda, it would be perfect to have Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan.”

“Giant panda?” Tuan Tuan looked puzzled.

“No, I was just talking nonsense, don’t take it seriously.” Qi Huan waved his hand helplessly, “Can you tell me how old your little uncle is?”

The little fellow looked around with a serious face, then pressed his forehead against Qi Huan’s for two seconds, and then solemnly shook his head, “Don’t even think about it, even though you look okay, you’re too weak. My little uncle won’t marry you.”

“Who wants to marry him, I have a bunch of beautiful wives.” Qi Huan propped his chin with one hand, rolling his eyes in defiance. Half a month ago, he was a golden bachelor, okay?

“A bunch? Where?” Tuan Tuan blinked his big eyes in confusion, looking at the empty attic.

“In another home.” The cabinet is full. Not only beautiful wives but also handsome husbands! Whatever you want! Thinking of those limited edition figures at home, Qi Huan felt heartache. He worked hard to collect them all his life, and in the end, he didn’t know who benefited from them!

“Which star domain is your other home in?”

Qi Huan was stumped, not knowing how to answer for a moment.

“Blowing hot air.” The little fellow looked at him with disdain.

“You’re the one blowing hot air, you said you live in the Ninefold Star Domain, if you have the guts, give me the exact address.”

The little fellow glanced at him, his mouth clamping shut like a clam.

“Forget it, it’s too late, let’s go take a bath and sleep.” Qi Huan said helplessly.

The child, acting like a little adult, was very guarded, clearly knowing where his home was but refusing to say it. Most likely, he ran away from home, so it seems he needs to find a way to gain his trust first. Also, tomorrow he should inquire if any beast tribe children have gone missing nearby. If not, he’ll have to go to the Command Hall at the base.

The little fellow, whether shy or afraid of strangers, refused to let Qi Huan into the bathroom to help. Coupled with tidying up the bed and finding old clothes from the original owner for the little fellow to wear, it took until midnight to finish everything.

It wasn’t until he lay in bed that Qi Huan remembered the lost beast core.

Forget it, if worse comes to worst, he’ll just accept the loss and pay for it. After all, with so many debts, one more doesn’t matter. Exhausted, Qi Huan had no extra energy, closing his heavy eyelids in resignation.

On Wednesday, Qi Huan originally planned to take Tuan Tuan to Quan Yu’s house for her to look after. She did sewing work, and apart from picking up fabric and delivering goods, she was mostly at home.

Unfortunately, Tuan Tuan seemed particularly afraid of strangers and refused to go downstairs. Qi Huan had no choice but to prepare lunch and let him stay at home. Thinking about it, he had been home alone for the past few days, mostly sleeping, so it should be fine.

As for the money, besides the 3,500 owed to Wan Shu, Qi Huan hesitated for a long time about whether to deposit it in the Command Hall account or keep it at home. Considering the unreliable state of the star network and the possibility of it being directly ‘offset’ if deposited, he finally moved the money to the kitchen and hid it in an ‘iron soccer ball.’

Thinking about being able to settle the debt with the food store today, Qi Huan’s steps were much lighter. When he entered the store, the Wan brothers were arranging newly arrived vegetables and fruits in the refrigerator.

“You didn’t do anything against the base rules, did you?” Wan Shu was very surprised to see the pile of silver coins, not taking the money, frowning and looking at him seriously, “If you’re caught, you’ll be kicked out of the base.”

“No, Wan Shu, what are you thinking,” Qi Huan said with a laugh, “I just went garbage picking with someone yesterday morning and happened to earn a bit.”

Only then did Wan Shu’s expression soften, and he began counting the money.

“Are you still going to help in the backyard?” Wan Lao Er was concerned about something else. Over the past few days, he and Lao Wu felt that although this kid’s hand was injured, he was willing to work hard, careful in his work, and didn’t slack off, which was pretty good.

“Yes, until I can open the store normally, I still need to earn some living expenses.” Qi Huan cheerfully waved his arm in a cast.

Wan Lao Er was relieved, and Wan Lao Da counted out thirty-eight silver coins and handed them to Qi Huan, “You gave too much, your total debt is still 3,462.”

“It’s late, the extra is interest, I’m tight on cash now, please don’t mind.” Qi Huan pushed his hand back. The base management fee charges late fees for delayed payments, and if he wants to run the Human World Restaurant well in the future, he needs to maintain a good relationship with Wan Shu.

Wan Lao Da wanted to say something more, but Qi Huan, like showing off a treasure, patted the tin food box he had just placed on the counter, changing the subject, “This is the long noodle beast head meat I made, Wan Da Shu, Wan Er Shu, want to try it?”

“You really made it? Is it as good as the sugar-coated red fruit?” Wan Lao Er was a bit surprised. He didn’t know about the beast foot before, but the sugar-coated red fruit Qi Huan brought yesterday was really quite good. Wan Lao Da, who was diverted from the topic, shook his head and didn’t mention the money again.

“It’s a different kind of delicious.” Qi Huan eagerly opened the food box, displaying the beast meat and pepper salt. Before leaving, he had specially heated it, and since his home wasn’t far from here, it was still warm, just right for eating.

Wan Lao Er picked up a piece, dipped it in some pepper salt as Qi Huan suggested, and after eating, he regretfully slapped his thigh, “Oh, such delicious food, it was wasted before!”

Wan Lao Da was even more surprised after tasting it. Did this kid’s culinary skills finally open up? How come it tastes better than what Lin Sen makes?

“Lao Wu, come and try it.” Wan Lao Er loudly called to the backyard, while Wan Lao Da took a few pieces directly to his wife.

Everyone praised it after tasting, and Qi Huan, receiving positive feedback, was relieved. It seems that the plain water beast head can be added to the menu.

During lunch break, Qi Huan wanted to check if there were any announcements about missing children at the base, but the signal was too weak to load anything. He also asked Wan Lao Er and Lao Wu about which beast tribes had forms resembling cats. Wan Lao Er told him that the Tata tribe and the Chika tribe were quite similar. The family running the cleaning station on the next street was from the Tata tribe and had a four or five-year-old child. The Chika tribe family made metal tools, lived further away in East City, and didn’t have children.

Qi Huan greeted Wan Lao Er and specifically went to the store on the next street to take a look, only to find that the child in their family was sitting at the door playing with sand. Moreover, the alien mark on their necks was different from Tuan Tuan’s, so it was a wasted trip.

When he returned to the food store’s back alley, Wan Lao Er was trying to stop an airship that was about to leave.

The two people on the airship seemed to think the Wan family’s unloading site was too small and were planning to switch to another one.

The person in the driver’s seat had green hair, lazily leaning against the seat back, yawning, looking like he hadn’t woken up. The person in the back seat was burly, waving his hand to refuse Wan Lao Er.

Seeing Qi Huan turning the corner of the alley, the person in the driver’s seat suddenly sat up straight, “Little Star Chef?”