Chapter 14: “For Mommy, Flower”

The tiny consciousness was still very weak, appearing for just a fleeting moment before disappearing. Yet, Tao Xiu felt an immense sense of happiness well up in his heart.

He gently placed his hand on his abdomen, responding to that fleeting consciousness in a soft and tender voice: ” I really, really like you too.”

After calming himself in the bathroom, Tao Xiu came out to the living room.

Qiao Zhi’an had already disinfected and bandaged Zhu’s arm.

Either still adapting to being awake after slumber or genuinely tired, Zhu was sprawled on the rug in front of the sofa, fast asleep.

Seeing Tao Xiu emerge, Qiao Zhi’an pointed at the sleeping figure on the floor, raised an eyebrow, and asked, “Another one of your kind?”

Tao Xiu nodded.

Qiao Zhi’an: “…” I knew it.

Otherwise, no normal person would wear a wig and colored contacts in the middle of the night, want to sleep, and then take over the dog’s spot!

It was a good thing for Tao Xiu to have more of his kind around.

Thinking this, Qiao Zhi’an smiled and asked, “How do you plan to settle him?”

Tao Xiu: “Tomorrow, I’ll take him to the botanical garden to get him familiarized.”

There were so many worms where Zhu had been sleeping; he definitely couldn’t let him go back. And if he stayed here, his experience in guiding his kind to adapt to human society would be: first, don’t keep them at home, or else they might wander off and easily fall for being male escorts.

Qiao Zhi’an nodded: “That works.”

Then he packed up his medical kit, stood up, and said, “I’ll get going then. That guy on the floor needs his dressing changed every two days. It’s hard for him to go to the hospital without an ID, so bring him to my hospital, and I’ll arrange it for him.”

He added, “And your body, if anything comes up, make sure to contact me promptly.”

Tao Xiu’s eyes curved: “I’ve troubled you.”

He paused, a little embarrassed, and rubbed the tip of his nose: “Besides this, for so many other things, thank you, really.”

Qiao Zhi’an stopped at his words, patted Tao Xiu’s shoulder, and grinned playfully: “Leaving aside that we’re friends, this is just what friends do.”

He continued, “Compared to you saving my life ten years ago, what I’m doing now is nothing.”

He finished, “Tao Xiu, I’m really happy to know you and be your friend.”

Tao Xiu was startled, but Qiao Zhi’an didn’t seem to notice.

He casually waved at Tao Xiu, “You should get some rest. I’m off now.”

Only after the door softly closed did Tao Xiu come back to himself.

His face showed a gentle, faint smile: it was truly good to have grown up in this world.

He stretched, then turned towards the bathroom, planning to break his habit of constantly scrolling on his phone for his little one, and go straight to sleep after washing up.

…

Tao Xiu slept soundly, without dreams.

The next day, he took a bewildered Zhu to brave the morning rush hour commute, and as expected, Zhu was treated as a cosplayer and gawked at the entire way.

The good news was that it unexpectedly brought more visitors to his botanical garden.

In the office, Zhu, who couldn’t understand human language at all, was a bit anxious: “Th-that, excuse me, did those cute little ants dislike me? QAQ”

Otherwise, why would they point those glowing rectangular things at him?

Were those weapons? QAQ

Tao Xiu had already generally understood Zhu’s language barrier on the way.

Hearing that term, he still couldn’t help but twitch his lips.

He corrected him: “First, they are all humans, not ants.”

Then he shrugged: “Second, they took pictures of you because they like you.”

Just like the little sisters who wanted to take photos with him after visiting the botanical garden, they had no ill intentions.

Zhu understood only bits and pieces, but he was happy to learn that they liked him: “Ah, I really like those ants called humans too!”

Ever since coming here, he felt he was definitely going to become an ant-lover!

Tao Xiu: “…”

He knew that guiding the other to adapt to society wouldn’t happen overnight, so he didn’t correct the term again.

He said, “Anyway, you can freely explore my botanical garden. You can do whatever you want.”

He added, “But only one thing,” Tao Xiu gently looked at the human guests who had already entered the garden outside the window: “You must get along well with them. You absolutely cannot harm them or scare them, understand?”

Zhu agreed repeatedly and then strode out of the office, running super happily towards his beloved “ant pile.”

…

Tao Xiu chuckled softly, watching the exaggerated figure, then began his day’s work.

Time quickly passed, and it was noon.

Tao Xiu stretched and started his lunch break. He had planned to order two hamburger steak bento for himself and Zhu today, but was surprised to find that the shop he usually visited was now closed.

He had met the owner and his wife ten years ago, and the shop had opened not long after he met them.

The couple were from out of town and had always worked incredibly hard to establish themselves in A City.

For ten years, they had rarely closed for a break.

After so many years of hard work, the shop was now thriving.

Even though their business was so good now, and they were living comfortably, the couple rarely rested.

They always said they wanted to save more money so that Zhao Cancan could receive a better education in the future.

Furthermore, they valued their customers and always posted a notice on a small blackboard outside the shop a day or two before closing for a break.

But when he went last night, he hadn’t seen any notice.

Perhaps they forgot to announce it this time?

Or perhaps the shop was too busy for takeout orders at the moment?

Also, Zhao Cancan said she had school today and would start boarding this week.

The couple loved their daughter very much, so they might have gone to see her off to school.

Tao Xiu didn’t dwell on it. He thought he would take Zhu out to eat today.

He decided to gradually reduce his use of electronic devices for the sake of his little one.

He had barely looked at his phone all morning and didn’t want to bring it out now.

So, he tossed his phone into a drawer and took out his rarely used wallet.

…

Eating out for lunch was a rare treat, and Zhu seemed to enjoy crowds, so Tao Xiu took him to a highly rated Cantonese restaurant nearby.

Most of the dishes at this restaurant had a light flavor, were delicious and nutritious, and were actually quite suitable for him now.

Perhaps he should adjust his future diet in this direction.

Zhu sat across from them, eating the food made by the “ants” with curiosity and great enjoyment.

Hearing Tao Xiu’s suggestion, he suddenly lifted his head: “Boss,”—he had learned this term after hearing the botanical garden guests call Tao Xiu that and had started using it himself—”I’ve almost figured out how to make these ant foods. As long as I have the ingredients, I’ll make them for you!”

He added, “Actually, perhaps making these foods for you is the meaning and duty of my awakening!”

Tao Xiu almost choked on the mouthful of soup he was drinking.

Zhu curiously tasted the orange juice beside him, then pointed at himself a little self-consciously and said, “Hehe, unlike other very powerful beings of our kind, I’m pretty useless. Only my nose and tongue are especially good.”

He continued, “The boss told me to help you, but now you’re taking care of me instead. I felt really bad about it, but luckily, I still have my tongue and nose to help you. And I really love the amazing food the little ants make!”

Tao Xiu was startled, then his eyes curved as he said, “If you like it, you can try anytime. I’ll buy the ingredients for you.”

Zhu’s eyes lit up: “I’ll work super hard to make food you love!”

He was about to say something else when he suddenly paused, then swiftly got up and bowed deeply to Tao Xiu, exaggeratedly, his head almost hitting the table.

He stammered loudly, “You’re really, really, really, really welcome!!! This is all my duty!!!”

The entire restaurant fell silent for a moment, then everyone simultaneously looked towards Tao Xiu’s table: Is there drama?!

What was that silver-haired cosplayer bowing to a handsome man and saying?!

This scene was truly pleasing to the eye, but what the cosplayer said didn’t sound like any language!

Tao Xiu was also stunned, at a loss: “???” What was going on?

Zhu raised his head, blinked, and suddenly didn’t know how to express himself, so he just said inexplicably, “He, He just thanked me for taking care of you…”

The little master’s consciousness was still very weak. He didn’t speak, but he just received it. He expressed gratitude to him. He didn’t know how the other managed it!

Tao Xiu didn’t even care about being stared at in embarrassment.

He just blinked blankly: “Who—”

Before he could finish, he sensed something, and his face turned pale.

He forced a smile, no longer bothering to ask, and just said, “Excuse me, I need to use the restroom.”

With that, he strode towards the restroom without waiting for a reply.

…

In the restroom, Tao Xiu splashed water on his face: his cheeks in the mirror were slightly pale, but his moss-green eyes still looked energetic.

Tao Xiu gently exhaled and wiped his face dry with a clean handkerchief he carried with him. He hadn’t thrown up just now, nor had he dry heaved, only felt a sudden slight nausea.

It was a slightly stronger reaction than the morning sickness he had experienced recently. But it wasn’t to the point of being too uncomfortable—his little one was really well-behaved, always so well-behaved.

Thinking this, Tao Xiu checked his appearance in the mirror, then suddenly paused, realizing something: Could it be that the one “conversing” with Zhu just now was…

His fair, soft hand instinctively covered his abdomen.

Through his shirt, his palm felt the warm heat of his abdomen: his little one, right there…

Was it him (her)?

His voice was light and gentle: “Is it you?”

But he received no response. Perhaps he was mistaken?

Tao Xiu helplessly curved his eyes. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly felt an itch in the palm of his other hand.

His pupils constricted, and he slowly raised his hand to his eye level: A small, delicate, white flower was in his fair palm. It was so soft, fragile, and lovely.

A weak consciousness, as light and lovely as a bubble, bloomed in his mind:

“Made Mommy, uncomfortable, giving you, flower.”