CHAPTER 3

Shu Yanyan dismissed the idea of chasing after the woman and looked at the chubby bird hovering above their heads with some concern. She asked, "Can we keep this little bird as a pet?"

The chubby bird flapped its wings and landed on Shu Yanyan's shoulder, reiterating once again, "Ahem, I am not a little bird. I am the esteemed Divine Bird!"

Shu Yanyan became even more surprised. "A bionic robot?"

The chubby bird replied, "...Well, that is indeed the category I belong to." It raised its tail feathers and hopped twice on Shu Yanyan's shoulder, hesitantly continuing, "C-Can you tell me your name?"

Just as Shu Yanyan was about to answer, a stranger emerged from the mall's customer service area. He approached Shu Yanyan and handed her a square piece of paper, saying, "Miss Shu, you forgot to take your receipt."

Shu Yanyan glanced at the name tag on his chest, which read "After-sales Manager - Ke Qiang." She quickly took the receipt, expressing her gratitude, "Thank you so much. I was in a hurry to find someone and forgot about it."

Ke Qiang replied politely, "It's no trouble at all. It's my pleasure to assist you."

He then turned his gaze towards Yunmiao in Shu Yanyan's arms, smiling warmly, "This must be your daughter, right? She looks just like you and is adorable."

What mother can resist compliments about her own child? Shu Yanyan happily gestured towards little Yunmiao, "Yunmiao, say thank you to Uncle."

Yunmiao blinked her big eyes and hugged Shu Yanyan's neck softly, saying, "Thank you, Uncle."

Ke Qiang nodded and gestured for Shu Yanyan to follow him back to the customer service area. "We have a promotion currently going on in our mall. Since your purchase amount exceeds 3000, the mall will give you either a 300 yuan voucher or two free dining vouchers for the buffet restaurant downstairs. May I ask which reward you would like to choose?"

Shu Yanyan thought for a moment and replied, "Give me the voucher."

This way, she could get 300 yuan worth of free merchandise on her next visit to the mall.

Upon hearing her choice, Ke Qiang suggested, "The quality of our buffet restaurant downstairs is excellent, and the combined value of the two dining vouchers is 400 yuan. I would still recommend you choose the dining vouchers."

Shu Yanyan was skilled in cooking herself and didn't enjoy eating out. Politely, she declined, "No, just give me the voucher."

Ke Qiang hesitated for a moment and suddenly said, "How about this? I'll give you the 300 yuan voucher and one dining voucher."

Shu Yanyan was taken aback, "Huh? You're giving me both?"

Ke Qiang nodded, "Children under one meter dine for free. This way, you can take your daughter with you."

Shu Yanyan hesitated, "Doesn't this go against the mall's regulations?"

Ke Qiang pointed to his name tag with a smile, "This is my legitimate authority as the mall manager." He loosened his collar slightly and said, "My shift has just started. After redeeming your prize, we can go down together for a meal."

Shu Yanyan paused in her steps.

So the reason he went through all this trouble was to have a meal with her? However, Shu Yanyan didn't want to dine with a stranger. Despite feeling a bit awkward, she politely refused, "...No, thank you. I have already bought dinner and don't plan to eat out."

Ke Qiang waved his hand, "Please don't misunderstand. I mentioned it because the buffet restaurant downstairs is also the cafeteria for our senior staff. Since you're not interested, how about I give you a 500 yuan voucher instead?"
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Shu Yanyan didn't want to accept the goodwill for no reason, "Really, there's no need... Just give me what I'm supposed to receive."

Ke Qiang looked at her and didn't give up, "It's not easy for you to take care of your daughter alone. I just wanted to help a bit..."

Shu Yanyan furrowed her brows. The other person's words and actions were already making her feel offended. Just then, a mechanical-sounding voice of a girl suddenly rang out, "Help? What kind of help? I think this stinky man is like a toad lusting after swan meat! Take a good look at yourself before judging others!"

Shu Yanyan and Ke Qiang were both stunned, turning their heads towards the source of the voice.

The chubby little bird had already flown back up and confronted Ke Qiang, "She already said she wants the 300 yuan voucher. Are you deaf or just incapable of using your brain? Why are you blabbering so much nonsense? A large mall like this must have comprehensive employee regulations, right? Do you have the customer service rules memorized? Now, immediately hand over the voucher and get lost, or I will lodge a complaint right away!"

Shu Yanyan couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh, even little Yunmiao looked at the chubby bird with admiration.

Although the chubby bird's words were rude, they truly brought a sense of relief to everyone present.

Most of the people around turned their attention to this scene, and Ke Qiang dared not delay any further. He promptly handed over the exclusive voucher for Shu Yanyan.

Before Shu Yanyan left, he couldn't help but speak with a gloomy tone, "Ms. Shu, this highly aggressive simulated robot is likely a substandard product and can be very dangerous. I suggest you don't carry it with you."

The chubby little bird was furious and wanted to peck at his head, "Who are you calling a substandard product, you little loser?!"

Shu Yanyan quickly the chubby little bird from causing any trouble.

She looked at Ke Qiang and, in the end, calmly said, "Manager Ke, please take care of yourself first. I can tell who the dangerous ones are." After speaking, she turned around with little Yunmiao and chubby little bird and left.

In the taxi, Shu Yanyan sincerely said to the little bird, "Thank you. I owe you a lot for what happened just now."

The little bird puffed up its chest and said, "You're welcome. Next time we encounter someone like that, watch me teach him a lesson!" It hopped twice on the seat. "By the way, you haven't told me your name yet."

Shu Yanyan suddenly remembered that the chubby little bird had indeed asked for her name before Ke Qiang appeared. She quickly said, "My name is Shu Yanyan."

"Yanyan~" the little bird flapped its wings. "Sounds really nice!"

It had been a long time since someone called her by her name like that, and Shu Yanyan blushed a bit. "Thank you."

The little bird flew up to a higher spot and made eye contact with Shu Yanyan, stuttering as it spoke, "Y-you're really beautiful! I'm still single, can we be together?"

Shu Yanyan was dumbfounded for a moment.

She snapped out of it and lightly flicked the little bird. "I just got rid of someone with ulterior motives, and now I encounter a little bird like you who just wants to mate?"

The little bird was very dissatisfied. "How can you compare me to that kind of person? I'm serious!"

Little Yunmiao interrupted, saying, "Mommy won't like you. Mommy loves mom, and Yunmiao!"

The little chubby bird raised its tail feathers. "Where is your mom? I-I want to duel her!"

Shu Yanyan felt a bit down at the words, but she quickly composed herself and smiled, saying, "I'll definitely tell her when she comes back."

Poor little chubby bird had no idea what it would face in the future and confidently declared, "Hmph, this noble divine bird will definitely make her know who is truly worthy of being Yanyan's partner!"

As it spoke, it even flapped its wings a few times in the air, as if engaged in a battle with someone.

Shu Yanyan was amused by its antics, but soon remembered the important matter at hand. "You're a bionic robot, and your AI is so advanced... How did your owner end up giving you to Yunmiao?"

Little chubby bird sounded a bit dejected. "I don't know."

Shu Yanyan asked again, "Do you remember your owner's address? Can you fly back on your own?"

Little chubby bird shook its head. "My ownership program is bound to the brat now. I can't go back."

"Ah?" Shu Yanyan frowned. "We don't know your original owner, so we can't accept such a valuable gift without peace of mind. Can you contact your original owner? I need to talk to her."

Little chubby bird looked at her and said, "That I do know. But, but..." It looked worriedly at Shu Yanyan. "My original owner doesn't like to interact with strangers. Contacting her won't be of any use."

Shu Yanyan wasn't deterred. "I still have to give it a try."

Seeing her persistence, the little chubby bird reluctantly flew onto her shoulder and recited a series of numbers. Shu Yanyan dialed the number and waited for a while before someone answered.

In the next moment, a lazy female voice came through the communication device. "Hello?"

Shu Yanyan was stunned on the spot.

Soon, she snapped out of it and nervously replied, "Hello, I'm Shu Yanyan. I'm-I'm sorry for bothering you."

The woman chuckled. "Don't worry."

She asked, "Yanyan? Is there something you need?"

Shu Yanyan bit her lip—

It was too similar!

The voice of the person on the other end sounded remarkably similar to her missing wife. Even the tone used to address her as "Yanyan" was identical.

After two and a half years, hearing this voice again, Shu Yanyan couldn't hold back the tears that welled up in her eyes.

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