"Yo yo yo! The busy bee actually called?" Tian Rao's voice was cheerful, with a crackling sound in the background. "I'm frying spring rolls."
"I need your help with something," Jiang Ye said.
"I knew it! Spill it?"
"I'll send you an app. From the homepage, you can find Jiang Senlin's paintings. Click in and go to the comments section. Help me blast the negative reviews," Jiang Ye said. "The buzz has already started, and this job needs a lot of people. You should have quite a few employees, right?"
"More than quite a few? A whole army!" Tian Rao said with full vigor.
"Stop bragging."
"A division!" Tian Rao relented slightly.
"Still bragging."
"Two reinforced battalions. We really have that many people. I thought it was something big, but it's just a troll army. This is too easy. Don't worry, I've got it covered... It's burning! The spring rolls are burning! Oh my god!"
Tian Rao hung up abruptly, likely rushing to rescue the spring rolls.
Jiang Ye put down his phone with a sigh. This girl was always so boisterous, but she should be able to handle this small matter.
As expected, about ten minutes later, a large army flooded the comment section of Jiang Senlin's paintings, pouncing on negative and suspected negative reviews and unleashing a barrage of attacks. Their combat effectiveness was astonishing. Before Cen Yemeng could even finish copying and pasting her insults, a long string of firepower had already been deployed.
The couple exchanged a knowing glance and smiled.
The fleet flew over a salt lake. The water was very shallow and undisturbed, reflecting the sky like a mirror. Jiang Senlin clapped his hands, and the captain immediately understood, issuing landing orders to the entire fleet.
The plane landed steadily. As soon as the cabin door opened, Jiang Senlin eagerly jumped out and ran in the shallow water.
"The water isn't drinkable," Cen Yemeng quickly cautioned.
Several other planes were already busy unloading drawing boards and art supplies. Whenever Jiang Senlin landed to see a landscape, he would sketch something, either for reference material or to complete a painting. Several female pilots ran over to play with Jiang Senlin, the scene resembling palace maids frolicking with a young prince.
Jiang Ye and Cen Yemeng walked behind them slowly, hands in their pockets. The air had a strange, not unpleasant smell, and the cool breeze was very comfortable.
His phone rang again. Jiang Ye took it out to look; it was Tian Rao.
"I've already mobilized all my company employees," Tian Rao said. "We have enough manpower for now."
"Thank you so much. I thank you on behalf of Jiang Senlin," Jiang Ye said.
"Recently, there have been many couples giving birth on Jiang Ye Star. I'm going into the children's wear business! I've already signed cooperation agreements with several alien children's wear companies," Tian Rao said cheerfully. "What are Jiang Senlin's measurements? I'll make a few beautiful outfits and send them over."
"Jiang Senlin's measurements? I really don't know. Mengmeng knows. Let her tell you," Jiang Ye handed the phone to Cen Yemeng.
Cen Yemeng took the phone with a smile and chatted with Tian Rao for a few minutes, providing the detailed measurements. Listening to the string of numbers, Jiang Ye deeply felt that a father's understanding of a child's needs was no match for a mother's.
The call ended. As soon as the phone was returned to Jiang Ye, it vibrated and rang again.
Jiang Ye was startled. So many calls. He looked at the screen; it was Li Nannan.
"Commander?"
"I have good news for you. The results of the terrestrial review have been submitted," Li Nannan said. "I can't see the specific review report, but you should know soon."
"How will I know?" Jiang Ye asked nervously.
"The resident observer on your planet will contact you. That's the person who has been observing and recording your planet since its early development. I don't know how they will get in touch, but you should be able to contact the observer within this week," Li Nannan said. "Just ask them directly then. The observer's mission is complete, and they should tell you without any reservations."
"Then what kind of reception should I prepare for the observer?" Jiang Ye asked.
"Theoretically, once the observer completes their long-term observation of your planet and submits their report, they revert to civilian status. You can treat them like any ordinary person," Li Nannan said. "Alright, I have something to do, so I won't chat with you any longer. When you contact the observer, send me their information. I'm also very curious about what kind of person they will be."
...
After playing for more than four days, they finally circled the planet and returned home.
While sightseeing outdoors, physical exhaustion could be sustained by excitement. However, once they were back in their familiar home, Cen Yemeng and Jiang Senlin's fatigue set in. After showering, they went straight to bed.
Jiang Ye didn't rest; he still had a lot of official business to attend to. He went straight to the study and tapped away at his desk.
"Are you home or not?" Tian Rao's message lit up the phone screen.
"Replying, I'm home," Jiang Ye said, too lazy to pick up his phone and type.
The phone unlocked automatically and sent "I'm home."
"The clothes I made for Jiang Senlin have arrived, over twenty pieces. Should I deliver them?" Tian Rao asked.
"The child is very tired and sleeping. Come over tonight. I'll make something delicious to entertain you," Jiang Ye replied.
"Seven in the evening?" Tian Rao asked.
"Okay."
Jiang Ye sat in his study all day, his backside almost melting into the chair, finally clearing most of the backlog of affairs. As the planet's scale expanded, more and more things required his attention. The occasional overtime was starting to feel like burnout.
Cen Yemeng and Jiang Senlin slept from morning until afternoon and finally woke up.
Jiang Senlin ate some fruit after waking up and went straight to the art studio to listen to online classes and do his homework.
Cen Yemeng went to the study to spend some time with her husband. Knowing Tian Rao was coming in the evening, she went to the kitchen to prepare dinner. After all, they had a guest, so the meal should be a bit more lavish.
Seven o'clock.
A small red female spaceship landed in the manor. Tian Rao jumped out with a large plastic box and placed it on the head of a robotic dog.
The robotic dog immediately went to a nearby water channel, washed the grass clippings off its paws, and then carried the box into the house.
Tian Rao walked in with a smile, her hands in her pockets.
Cen Yemeng carried Jiang Senlin out of the art studio.
"Sister Tian!" Jiang Senlin waved when he saw her.
"How can you call me sister? You call Auntie Isabelle Auntie!" Tian Rao widened her eyes. "Call me Auntie Tian."
"You're younger and prettier than Auntie Isabelle," Jiang Senlin whispered. "Sister Tian, don't tell Auntie."
Tian Rao's face lit up with joy. She went over and pinched Jiang Senlin's cheek. "This child is so fun! I won't tell Isabelle!"
Jiang Ye was dumbfounded again. Where did this child learn all this?
"The kitchen is almost done. You go ahead, I'll try the clothes on the child," Cen Yemeng directed her husband.
"Alright," Jiang Ye turned and headed for the kitchen.
Tian Rao and Cen Yemeng sat on the sofa, taking turns holding Jiang Senlin and dressing him in various children's clothes. Jiang Senlin was very well-behaved throughout, cooperating like a doll.
The box of clothes was quickly tried on, and they all fit perfectly. Cen Yemeng was overjoyed.
Jiang Senlin, however, remained calm. He had no particular requirements for his attire, quietly resting on Tian Rao's lap like a pillow. He quite liked this sister; she had a pleasant floral scent, likely from her clothes.
Jiang Ye had already set the table full. "Let's eat, let's eat!"
Everyone sat down at the table.
After taking just a couple of bites, Tian Rao suddenly said something.
That one sentence almost made Jiang Ye choke to death.