The Cubs Can’t Possibly Be This Well-Behaved! – CH11

Chapter 11

With someone to help finish the food he disliked, Su Ci felt rather pleased. He glanced at the child across from him and, after a moment’s thought, asked, “You’re Number One, right?”

The boy froze mid-drink, then slowly lifted his gaze to meet Su Ci’s warm, clear black eyes. Finally, he gave a tiny nod.

Su Ci acknowledged the response with a soft hum and shifted his attention back to his breakfast. Remembering 4586’s remark about the importance of breakfast, he decided to eat his fill.

However, after consuming four cans of beef, Su Ci began to feel thirsty. Just as he reached for another nutrient pack to mix a drink, his gaze landed on the discarded wrappers scattered across the counter.

He paused, his hand still.

When it came to food, Su Ci’s memory was impeccable.

Yesterday, he had consumed eight portions of nutrient solution. Today, he’d already downed five, plus two mixed vegetable drinks for the boy—a total of fifteen portions.

That left him with only six servings of nutrient powder.

As for the beef cans, though his spatial storage still held over twenty boxes, his current consumption rate would deplete them alarmingly fast.

For once, Su Ci felt a hint of melancholy.

Across from him, Number One was sipping his nutrient drink in tiny, careful gulps.

Though Su Ci hadn’t said anything, the boy understood this was his last portion. Cherishing it, he refrained from guzzling it down as he had the night before.

He noticed Su Ci’s pause and followed his gaze to the nutrient wrappers. Seeing the faint trace of worry on the caretaker’s face, Number One blinked, then hesitantly pushed his glass toward Su Ci. He quickly withdrew his hands, hiding them beneath the table.

Noticing the movement, Su Ci looked up and met the boy’s black-red eyes. Although the irises carried an uncanny, eerie hue, the gaze itself was pure and innocent.

Su Ci glanced at the half-full glass, then gently pushed it back toward the boy.

“I still have mine,” he said.

And truthfully, he wasn’t particularly fond of the mixed vegetable flavor. If he could avoid it, he would.

Number One studied his expression and, reassured by his sincerity, reached out to retrieve the glass. Smiling with relief, he resumed drinking happily.

Meanwhile, Su Ci tossed the empty wrappers into the trash. Remembering Gu Qingchen’s explanation about using points to exchange for fertilizer, he reasoned that points could likely be used to obtain more nutrient powder as well.

It seemed he needed to visit the logistics department today.

Restraining his appetite due to the food shortage, Su Ci washed the glass, drank two cups of water to fill his stomach, and prepared to head out.

The metal door slid open automatically.

Su Ci stepped into the corridor but hadn’t gone far when he noticed a small shadow following him.

Turning around, he spotted the boy trailing close behind.

Unlike yesterday, when the child had kept a cautious distance, today he stayed just a step away, practically glued to Su Ci’s heels.

The boy, thin and tiny—barely reaching Su Ci’s knees—moved hesitantly, like a soft, timid puppy. When Su Ci suddenly stopped and looked back, the child didn’t dare to ask why. He simply stood still, clutching his hands together and gazing up with an innocent, pitiful expression.

Su Ci had no intention of sending him back. His eyes swept over the boy, taking in his appearance.

The child wore only an oversized pale blue T-shirt, far too large for his frame. It hung down to his calves, exposing his scarred feet and frail, twig-like ankles that looked as though they might snap at the slightest touch.

Su Ci frowned slightly at the sight, then turned and continued walking toward the elevator.

Seeing that he wasn’t being shooed away, Number One’s eyes brightened. Hastily, he ran to catch up, his short legs carrying him into the elevator.

Inside, Su Ci waited for the boy to settle beside him before releasing the panel and selecting a floor.

Number One stood quietly at Su Ci’s side, tilting his head to steal glances at him. Gradually, he inched closer, shuffling toward Su Ci’s legs while he wasn’t looking.

Although they stood side by side, the elevator’s mirrored walls reflected only Su Ci’s slender figure.

Before long, the elevator arrived on the first floor.

In the corridor leading to the kitchen, Su Ci spotted 4586, the nanny robot, pushing a small cart.

“Su Su, you’re late!”

Upon seeing him, 4586 immediately expressed its dissatisfaction with Su Ci’s tardiness. “Your delay this morning has been recorded. This will impact your evaluation score.”

Its soft, cute voice sounded anything but intimidating, even when scolding.

Su Ci nodded and shifted the topic, his gaze falling on the meal boxes in the cart. “Have the cubs eaten breakfast?”

“Yes,” 4586 replied. “Since no caretakers or other nanny robots were available to assist, the cubs had to eat in their rooms.”

If another incident like yesterday occurred, it would be too much for 4586 to handle alone.

Su Ci gave a soft hum of acknowledgment and then asked if the fostering center had spare children’s clothing.

Standing behind him, Number One perked up. Previously, he had kept his head low, knowing 4586 couldn’t see him. Now, he raised his gaze, his black-red eyes faintly shining.

Children’s clothing? Was that… for him?

“Yes, we do,” 4586 replied. “Let me deliver the meal boxes to the kitchen first, and then I’ll take you there.”

After pushing the cart to the kitchen and placing the meal boxes into an automated washer, 4586 set the cleaning program before leading Su Ci to a storage room adjacent to the kitchen.

The storage room door was nearly seamless with the metal wall, making it hard to notice without guidance from 4586.

“Su Su, this is the fostering center’s storage room. Please stand at the entrance for identity verification.”

Following a process similar to registering his dormitory access yesterday, Su Ci gained authorization to use the storage room—a standard privilege for caretakers.

In the fostering center, caretakers held higher authority than nanny robots, even during the probation period.

Thus, when Su Ci asked about children’s clothing earlier, 4586 didn’t question his intent. The robot’s duty was to care for fosterlings and assist caretakers in their work.

Inside, the storage room was meticulously organized. Most items were daily necessities for fosterlings, with several boxes dedicated to children’s clothing—a high-wear item that required frequent replacement.

In contrast, caretakers only received two uniforms, and replacements had to be purchased with points.

Su Ci glanced at the boxes of children’s clothes. “Give me two sets in the smallest size.”

“Would you prefer skirts or pants, Su Su?”

“Pants.”

Taking the clothes handed to him by 4586, Su Ci recalled the sight of Number One walking barefoot. “Add a few pairs of socks and a pair of shoes, also in the smallest size.”

“Um… How many socks count as a few?” 4586 asked, tilting its mechanical arm.

Su Ci glanced at the box full of neatly packed socks. “Five pairs should do.”

“Understood,” 4586 replied. It grabbed a package containing five pairs of socks and placed it alongside the clothes and shoes, handing the bundle to Su Ci.

After accepting the items, Su Ci said, “I’ll head back to the dormitory.”

“Alright, Su Su. Don’t forget to come to the activity room later!” 4586 called after him, reminding him as he exited the storage room.

Without looking back, Su Ci waved to indicate he’d heard.

*

Back in Room 303, Su Ci placed the items on the dining table and unfolded one of the children’s outfits for a closer look. Then he turned toward the doorway.

Number One stood there, his wide eyes filled with anticipation and nervousness as he looked at Su Ci. It was clear he had already guessed what was about to happen but didn’t dare believe it.

Only when Su Ci beckoned him over did his eyes brighten. He trotted over on his short legs, the soft patter of his footsteps echoing through the room.

“Do you know how to put this on?” Su Ci held up the child’s outfit for him to see.

Number One instinctively shook his head, then hesitated and nodded. While he’d never worn such clothing himself, he’d watched the nanny robots dress other cubs and felt it didn’t seem too hard.

“Alright, put it on.” Su Ci handed him the outfit.

Clutching the clean, dry, and tidy clothes in his arms, Number One’s face lit up with a wide, adorable smile as he realized these were meant for him.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but no meaningful words came out.

Lowering his head in disappointment, he carried the outfit to the living room, carefully placing it on the sofa. Then, he tugged off the oversized T-shirt he’d been wearing.

One by one, the pieces of clothing on the sofa disappeared until only the adult-sized shirt remained.

After some effort, Number One finally dressed himself in the outfit. He tugged at the fabric, smoothing out the wrinkles with his small hands.

The smallest size of the children’s clothing was still a bit loose on him. However, the waistband and cuffs were made of a special material that could automatically adjust within a certain range to fit snugly against the skin without being too tight, making it extremely comfortable.

Looking at his new outfit, Number One was absolutely delighted.

Then his gaze shifted to the adult-sized shirt left on the sofa. Mimicking what he had seen the nanny robots do before, he clumsily folded the shirt and carefully smoothed out the creases.

With the shirt neatly folded, he hugged it to his chest and ran over to hand it to Su Ci.

Su Ci had been watching him the entire time. Seeing that the boy had managed to dress himself, he nodded approvingly.

Taking the folded shirt, Su Ci placed it on the table and then led the boy by the hand into the bathroom. He instructed him to wash his feet clean and dried off the water droplets before handing him socks and shoes.

Number One fumbled a little as he pulled on the socks and then slipped into the shoes.

The soft, warm sensation enveloping his feet was unlike anything he had felt before. It was as if he were walking on clouds, leaving him feeling a bit lightheaded with happiness.

Su Ci looked the boy over. Now dressed in proper clothing, shoes, and socks, he was still small and thin, but he appeared much more presentable and neat.

Patting the boy’s head, Su Ci handed him the spare outfit and the remaining four pairs of socks. “Put these in the bottom drawer of the wardrobe. When you need to change, you can take them out yourself.”

Still marveling at the novelty of his shoes, Number One froze at Su Ci’s words.

“When you need to change, you can take them out yourself…” Did that mean he could stay here in this room? Was this his home now?