Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Han Sen, browsing the aisles of the supermarket, held Baoâer in his arms. He had spent so much time in the sanctuary, returning to the conveniences of civilization made for a nice change of pace.
Baoâer and Han Sen each had an ice cream, and they were delicious.
âTeacher Qu, Lanxi?â Han Sen caught sight of two people who were familiar to him.
One of them was a very elegant woman. Her full name was Qu Wange, and she was a lecturer at Saint Paul college. The other woman was Qu Lanxi, who Han Sen had met in the Third Godâs Sanctuary.
âHan Sen?â They were both quite surprised.
Han Sen was also surprised, especially at seeing them both together. They seemed rather close with each other.
âYou two are good friends?â Han Sen guessed, unsure of the exact nature of their relationship.
âLanxi is my big sister; I didnât realize that you knew her.â Qu Wange smiled.
âWhen I first came to the Third Godâs Sanctuary, Lanxi helped me out a lot. I just didnât expect you both to be sisters.â Han Sen smiled.
Qu Lanxi blushed and said, âAre you sure it was I who helped you? It was thanks to you that Chu Ming and I were able to return here.â
Qu Wange chimed in to say, âDidnât you tell me it was San Mu who helped you?â
âI am San Mu.â Han Sen smiled.
âCome to my home for dinner tonight, then. Our parents would really like to meet, greet, and thank the person who saved my sister,â Qu Wange said.
âThere is no need for that,â Han Sen said.
âI have wanted to do this for a long time; so, if you really arenât busy, I would much appreciate it if we could have a get-together,â Qu Lanxi pleaded.
âAll right, then.â They had endured many hardships together, so Han Sen wasnât entirely against joining her for a night.
âIs that your daughter, by the way? Sheâs cute,â Qu Wange asked.
âBaoâer? No, sheâs just a humanoid pet beast soul. I treat her as if she was my daughter, though.â Han Sen had started to use that as an explanation for what Baoâer was, masking her true, enigmatic identity.
If it became known that Baoâer was a creature of sorts, one that could actually come to the Alliance, people would undoubtedly freak out. A ruckus would ensue, all with Han Sen back in the limelight again.
If there were other creatures that could come to the Alliance, things would be far more dangerous for humans.
And whatâs more, he feared Baoâer might be taken away by the government if her nature was exposed. As such, he kept it a secret.
âThat must be quite rare.â They looked at Baoâer with much surprise.
Baoâer reached out and said, âBeautiful aunties... hug me.â
Immediately, they were both smitten with Baoâer. They did not mind that it was a pet beast soul, as they had been told, and were keen to treat it like any ordinary baby.
While Baoâer could be sweet and had the naivety of an actual child, after the time he had spent with her in the sanctuary, Han Sen had come to know that Baoâer had an evil streak within her. She wasnât entirely innocent.
Baoâer could even command Moment Queen to do things for her.
After Baoâerâs introduction to Qu Lanxi and Qu Wange, the baby was able to obtain many things Han Sen usually forbade. She had put on a front of being as adorable as possible, getting the two she referred to as aunties to buy her many things. Much of this stuff was just junk food.
Han Sen thought it was a waste, buying her such food. He believed it would be useless for her development.
Furthermore, Han Sen didnât like spending too much, either. And with Baoâerâs belly being like a black hole, she could eat and eat and never be satisfied. He couldnât risk spoiling her.
But on this day, those two girls greatly enjoyed feeding Baoâer whatever she requested.
âHave you been abusing her? Why is she so hungry?â Qu Wange stared at Han Sen with trepidation.
Han Sen shrugged and thought to himself, âItâs all fun, lollipops, and kisses for now. If only you had to take care of her for a few days, youâd understand how difficult she is to take care of.â
After their time shopping was over, Qu Wange drove Han Sen and Baoâer to their house.
Their parents greeted Han Sen very passionately. They were so grateful Han Sen had been able to deliver Qu Lanxi back to the Alliance without harm, after her many-year absence.
While Han Sen was in deep discussion with her parents, Qu Lanxi took Baoâer up to her room.
âBaoâer, does this dress look good on me?â Qu Lanxi asked, after placing Baoâer on her bed.
âNo. Youâre too old,â Baoâer said, with squinted eyes.
Qu Lanxi froze, utterly dazed from the response she had received from a baby. Her attitude was most certainly different than when she was around Han Sen. It was as if her cuteness had entirely evaporated.
âYou are so old. And to wear such old-fashioned clothes, itâs no wonder you havenât married yet. Youâll never wed anyone if you carry on like this.â Baoâer spoke with a deep, serious, and rough tone, all while she sucked her dummy.
Qu Lanxi had not expected a pet baby to insult her this way.
Baoâer placed her little hands below her jaw and said, âYeah, I donât think youâll ever get married. Of course, if you arenât against the concept, I can get my daddy to be your husband for a temporary period of time. Youâll just have to buy me good stuff for the duration.â
Qu Lanxi was still frozen, with her wide eyes staring at Baoâer.
Baoâer seemed to be adding something up with her fingers, and eventually, she said, âDaddy is popular, so this is going to cost you at least two hundred ice creams.â
When Han Sen was ready to leave, the sisters looked at him strangely. They avoided eye contact and didnât even bid him goodbye.
But before they left, Qu Lanxi gave a lot of food to Baoâer.
âBaoâer, did you do something to offend your two aunties?â Han Sen asked.
âI behaved,â Baoâer said, as she munched on jelly.
Han Sen went home to rest for the next two days, but Lin Weiwei sent him a message. It told him that a person had come to the shelter and that he would like to meet Han Sen in the virtual community.