Side Story: You Wen’s Zoo
1: The Horse
One day, Fu Mingchuan returned home to find a horse casually strolling in his garden, occupying the peacock’s usual spot. The peacock was pacing in the corner, visibly annoyed, while the horse mischievously snorted at it.
Fu Mingchuan stood watching for a while, his feelings complicated, unsure how to react to the situation.
When he entered the living room, You Wen ran out from the kitchen to hug him, rattling off a list of his favorite dishes: “It’ll be ready soon, just wait a bit!” He tried to pull Fu Mingchuan to the dining room.
Fu Mingchuan let himself be pulled along. “Did you the one make it?”
Though he tried to hide his skepticism, You Wen caught it but remained confident: “Of course! Just wait and see.”
Fu Mingchuan remained doubtful. “Let me help you.”
You Wen pushed him into a chair: “No need, I can handle it.”
Fu Mingchuan mentally prepared himself to not be surprised by whatever food appeared. He was about to ask about the horse in the yard when You Wen quickly kissed his lips: “Wait for me, honey!” Then ran off.
Fu Mingchuan could only sit and watch the kitchen. Soon, You Wen brought out a plate of stir-fried meat. Looking at the dish, Fu Mingchuan understood: “Didn’t you say you made it yourself?”
You Wen: “I did make it! I did the plating work and the serving work—how is that not me making it?”
Fu Mingchuan’s lips twitched: “That’s some twisted logic.”
You Wen ignored him and ran to bring more dishes. They ended up with eight dishes, one soup, and two desserts all laid out on the table. Fu Mingchuan searched his memory for any special occasion today but came up empty. “Is today some kind of holiday?”
You Wen looked surprisingly startled: “What holiday?”
Fu Mingchuan realized the horse was here to stay, otherwise You Wen wouldn’t look so guilty. After a pause, he decided not to spoil You Wen’s mood: “Let’s eat.”
You Wen explained: “A kid in my class had a birthday today. I went to his party for lunch, but got called back to school halfway through. What we’re eating now is the other half.”
Fu Mingchuan asked which student, and You Wen gave a name. Fu Mingchuan asked, “The one who always wears sailor suits?”
You Wen smiled: “You remember him?”
Fu Mingchuan gave his assessment: “Mischievous.” He remembered every student’s name and characteristics in You Wen’s class.
You Wen couldn’t help sharing: “Today he spent five whole minutes on stage wishing himself happy birthday.”
Fu Mingchuan hummed meaningfully: “The student has surpassed the master.”
You Wen glared at him and ignored the comment.
Fu Mingchuan poked his dimple and served him some food.
Half a minute later, You Wen started talking about another little student, chattering non-stop for over ten minutes. Fu Mingchuan listened attentively, discussing with You Wen just how cute the kids were.
That night in bed, Fu Mingchuan kept hearing various animal sounds from the garden. Thanks to good landscaping maintenance, they even had several squirrels living there now. The horse must have been bothered by something, occasionally making noises he could clearly hear.
You Wen pretended to be asleep, not mentioning the horse at all, but Fu Mingchuan noticed him secretly playing with his phone every now and then.
“Tomorrow evening I’ll pick you up from school, and we’ll visit Ganxi Road. Mom misses you,” Fu Mingchuan said when You Wen put down his phone.
You Wen turned over, resting his chin on Fu Mingchuan’s chest: “Honey, the little horse belongs to Zhou Hui. He originally arranged for it to stay at a private stable, but the horse was returned a month late, and they couldn’t take it anymore.”
Fu Mingchuan raised an eyebrow, staying silent and waiting for You Wen to continue, mentally calculating whether they should get a house in the suburbs with a bigger garden.
Besides, the horse was actually a head taller than You Wen—hardly “little,” but You Wen liked adding diminutive prefixes to everything: little cat, little dog, little horse.
You Wen said in a wheedling tone: “He said it would only stay at our place for a week before he takes it away.” Then explained, “His dad won’t let him keep it at home and even hit him.”
Fu Mingchuan accepted this answer in just a second, pretending to be concerned: “Won’t the horse hurt the peacocks in the yard?”
You Wen looked troubled: “Then I’ll ask Zhou Hui to take the horse away quickly.”
On the third day, when Zhou Hui’s father learned that the horse he’d kicked out was staying at Fu Mingchuan’s house, he didn’t waste a minute before taking it back home, repeatedly assuring Fu Mingchuan that they could definitely keep it at their place.
Fu Mingchuan politely saw him off: “Have Zhou Hui send Naonao some photos later, he really likes this horse.”
Zhou’s father just kept saying “certainly, certainly.” Not long after he left, Zhou Hui sent a thank-you message: Your husband really knows how to handle things, thank him for me.
You Wen replied with a smiley emoji, knowing that Fu Mingchuan had come up with this solution because he was worried Zhou’s father would get rid of the horse and Zhou Hui would send it back to their house again.
However, after some time, Fu Mingchuan suddenly asked him: “Would you like to keep a small pony? I think our place is big enough.”
You Wen wrestled with the idea for several days before refusing, feeling he couldn’t take advantage of Fu Mingchuan by bringing everything home.
2: The Kitten
The next day, You Wen had Fu Mingchuan pick him up at home instead of school.
Through the car window, Fu Mingchuan watched You Wen carrying a cat that wore a defiant expression and even growled at him. Fu Mingchuan said nothing, just coldly stared at the cat. Within seconds, the cat’s voice turned docile.
After getting in the car, Fu Mingchuan reached out to pat the cat’s head. The cat sweetly nuzzled his hand as You Wen explained his troubles: “Cherry and Tiao Tiao have been fighting lately. Every time Tiao Tiao comes back from playing with other dogs outside, Cherry beats him up. We need to separate them.”
Cherry was the name You Wen gave the cat—when curled up, it was a round ball with just one ear showing, resembling the silhouette of the cherry You Wen was eating at the time, hence the name.
The silly dog Tiao Tiao wouldn’t fight back against his sister, just took the beating every time, then would come home whining “awoo awoo” to complain.
Even after You Wen dealt with their conflicts, Tiao Tiao would still just take the beating next time.
Fu Mingchuan suggested: “How about letting the cat stay at Ganxi Road for a few days?”
Cherry seemed to understand, raising its round head to stare at You Wen, who immediately refused: “No way! If we leave Cherry there alone, she’ll feel abandoned. Many cats become aggressive because they’ve been abandoned or abused.”
He couldn’t let his cat suffer such injustice.
While driving, Fu Mingchuan patted You Wen’s head, leaving him to worry about it himself.
At Ganxi Road, as soon as You Wen released Cherry, she raced upstairs to her cat room to play. She particularly loved that room and could play there all day by herself.
Chen Jiyu was delighted to have You Wen home and personally cooked dinner that evening. She chatted with You Wen all night, revealing all of Fu Mingchuan’s childhood stories. Just as they were really getting into it, they heard Fu Tu calling.
After spending time with Fu Tu, You Wen realized Fu Mingchuan’s personality came entirely from his father, though Fu Tu had become somewhat childlike in his old age. After losing several chess games, he refused to play with Fu Mingchuan anymore: “Naonao, come play a few rounds.”
You Wen didn’t refuse and sat down directly. Fu Mingchuan stood behind him watching the game but, being a good sport, wouldn’t give You Wen any hints.
You Wen fumbled through two games, repeatedly kicking Fu Mingchuan’s foot under the table, but was completely ignored. When You Wen secretly glared at him, Fu Tu caught him in the act, leaving You Wen mortified.
Fu Tu had seen all their eye contact and gestures but knew his son’s principles well: “Chess is a process of strategy and thinking. The more anxious you get, the faster you’ll lose.”
He couldn’t help but praise his son, “Mingchuan never shows favoritism in any competition because it would affect his judgment.” This had always made him proud.
You Wen blushed at this and honestly admitted: “Dad, I can’t beat you.”
“The game’s not half over, how can you give up? Think harder.” Fu Tu wasn’t trying to bully You Wen, just habitually lecturing. He didn’t like lecturing others, worried his words might be misinterpreted, and Fu Mingchuan didn’t need lecturing, so You Wen became his only student.
You Wen thought hard but couldn’t see the bigger picture, only taking it one move at a time.
Looking at Fu Mingchuan, he was focused on his phone, showing no intention of secretly helping.
After a few more moves, with few pieces left on the board, You Wen saw no path to victory.
While hesitating about moving his horse, You Wen suddenly felt something on his leg. Looking down, he saw Fu Mingchuan had used his phone to calculate their next moves—all You Wen had to do was follow the AI’s guidance.
You Wen quickly changed from moving his horse to his bishop, trying hard not to smile, not wanting Fu Tu to know his recently praised son was so unprincipled.
As the game progressed, Fu Tu’s expression grew increasingly serious. Finally, he abandoned the game: “Mingchuan, go see what your mother’s doing, why’s she taking so long?”
You Wen stood up: “Dad, I’ll go!”
He quickly slipped away before Fu Tu could stop him, hearing Fu Tu lecturing Fu Mingchuan: “Mingchuan, I’ve told you many times, one must have proper principles, when doing things…”
You Wen had run far but tiptoed back. He couldn’t hear Fu Tu anymore, only Fu Mingchuan saying: “He played that himself. Naonao has always been clever, he was just letting you win before to make you happy.”
You Wen almost believed it himself, but Fu Tu clearly didn’t, soon shouting: “Bullshit!”
You Wen stifled his laughter and tiptoed away again.
When Fu Mingchuan finally finished his chess session with Fu Tu and returned to their room to find You Wen missing, he went to the cat room. Sure enough, both person and cat were inside, with You Wen playing with Cherry using the big cat ears Chen Jiyu had bought.
Fu Mingchuan watched for a while, then suddenly called Cherry’s name. After some hesitation, Cherry walked to Fu Mingchuan’s feet, meowing to be picked up.
Fu Mingchuan picked up the cat and walked toward the door. You Wen, kneeling in the bunk bed-sized double-layer wooden cat house, watched Fu Mingchuan: “What are you doing?”
Fu Mingchuan tossed Cherry out and closed the door, then surveyed the room before walking to one wall. Under You Wen’s questioning gaze, he took down a decorative soft, fluffy tail and said: “Playing with the cat.”
The cat room was specially chosen by Chen Jiyu for its high ceiling of five or six meters. It had over ten levels of cat climbing frames, and the cat house was built with upper and lower levels, not much different from human living spaces. There was even a slide between the two floors.
You Wen, kneeling on the lower level, looked particularly obedient as he puzzled: “The cat’s outside.”
Fu Mingchuan approached him and stroked his ear: “Then what’s this?”
You Wen softly exclaimed: “Ah, I forgot to take them off.”
He was about to remove the cat ears, but Fu Mingchuan caught his hand: “Leave them, they’re cute.” He then lifted his hand to grip You Wen’s chin, his fingers brushing You Wen’s lips. When You Wen opened his mouth, he slipped his fingers in to tease his tongue.
You Wen, dazed by Fu Mingchuan’s actions, only asked: “What are you going to do?” His voice was pure and innocent, as if he couldn’t imagine what Fu Mingchuan might do in the cat room.
Fu Mingchuan pushed him down, his attractive voice sounding by You Wen’s ear: “Didn’t I just say we’re playing with the cat?”
“Naonao, let me see how cats usually play here?” Fu Mingchuan pushed You Wen toward the upper level, but they were tightly connected below, so You Wen could only crawl forward bit by bit. He found it too embarrassing and tearfully turned back to hug Fu Mingchuan, who lowered his head to kiss him, comforting: “We won’t go up, don’t be scared.”
You Wen pushed his luck: “I want to go back to the bedroom.” It felt too awkward in someone else’s—no, some other cat’s territory.
Fu Mingchuan initially intended to take him back, but looking down at You Wen’s direct expression, he smiled: “I’ll take you back in a bit.”
Despite saying “in a bit,” You Wen waited at least an hour without being able to return. Finally, it was only when Cherry kept making a fuss scratching at the door that Fu Mingchuan wrapped You Wen up and carried him back to their room.
The next day, You Wen wouldn’t respond to any of Fu Mingchuan’s coaxing. Finally fed up, he turned and called Fu Mingchuan a pervert, and after that, he never brought Cherry back to Ganxi Road again, even repeatedly hinting to Chen Jiyu to dismantle the cat room.
How adorably petty.
3: The Bird
The finches You Wen kept were thriving and multiplying in the garden. Lately, besides their daily chirping, they’d learned to express emotions, which was becoming quite a headache.
Especially that “silly bird” that Fu Mingchuan complained about—the one that loved pecking at windows—wasn’t silly at all and was particularly fond of staying close to You Wen.
When You Wen was in the kitchen, it would perch on the windowsill. When he was on the balcony, it would land on the table. Sometimes it would even nap on You Wen’s shoulder or leg.
Moreover, Ben Ben (Silly) especially listened to You Wen. When told not to peck at windows while You Wen was sleeping, it wouldn’t. However, if You Wen woke up first, Ben Ben would deliberately peck at the windows to wake Fu Mingchuan. Even then, You Wen didn’t believe a bird could act deliberately—until one day when Fu Mingchuan called You Wen to the garden with a dark expression.
You Wen had a bad feeling. Seeing Fu Mingchuan’s serious face, he frowned too, though his voice was uncertain: “What’s wrong? Why so unhappy early in the morning?”
Fu Mingchuan waved to the driver still in the underground garage, gesturing him to bring out the car. “See for yourself.”
Then You Wen saw it clearly—the car was covered in bird droppings. The driver stood awkwardly aside explaining: “It was clean when I parked it in the garage yesterday.” His tone was full of anxiety, afraid he’d be blamed.
Now You Wen was embarrassed too: “It must have been unintentional, right? Birds don’t think that much.”
You Wen’s face clearly said “it’s just a little bird,” which made Fu Mingchuan laugh in exasperation. He countered: “Unintentionally gathered a group of friends to specifically target a car in the garage?”
You Wen looked around nervously before accusing Fu Mingchuan: “It’s your fault for scolding me in the garden yesterday. Of course my friends would help me get revenge.”
Fu Mingchuan pinched his cheeks until You Wen yelped: “Have you no conscience? Was I scolding you? Who was running around outside while sick and refusing to take medicine?”
You Wen batted at his hands: “Ben Ben saw that, it’s about to peck you, quick, let go!”
Fu Mingchuan pressed his lips together: “You think I’m afraid of a bird?”
As soon as he finished speaking, Ben Ben’s droppings landed on his arm, staining his freshly changed clothes. His movement and expression froze simultaneously, hardly believing he was being bullied repeatedly by a bird.
You Wen quickly pulled Fu Mingchuan back inside, saying “It definitely wasn’t on purpose.” while avoiding eye contact.
In the dressing room, You Wen eagerly helped Fu Mingchuan pick out several outfits and even helped him with his tie, chattering non-stop with praise: “My husband is so handsome, looks good in everything. I don’t think Ben Ben hates you, maybe it has a crush on you. You know how boys like to play pranks to get attention from someone they like…”
Before You Wen could finish, Fu Mingchuan pinched his mouth shut, making him go “mmm.” Fu Mingchuan said: “Puppy, aren’t you getting better and better at twisting logic?”
You Wen kept shaking his head. As they were fooling around, there came a “thunk thunk thunk” from the window—the little supervisor was on duty again, monitoring whether Fu Mingchuan was bullying You Wen.
When Fu Mingchuan turned his head, besides the silly bird, he saw the cat and dog crouched on the window ledge, all wearing matching “we need to talk” expressions. He looked away and released You Wen’s mouth: “Stay home and behave. I’m going to work.”
You Wen let out a long “oh.” He wanted to go to work too, but Fu Mingchuan wouldn’t allow it, insisting he take his medicine three times a day and send video proof.
After Fu Mingchuan left, You Wen immersed himself in the joy of his cats and dogs. He put Ben Ben on the windowsill and lectured: “No pecking windows, no pecking people, no pooping on people, understand?”
The little bird hopped around on the windowsill chirping “tweet tweet tweet,” unclear if it understood but certainly happy.
Fu Mingchuan watched this menagerie seriously through the video call, until You Wen told Ben Ben “don’t bully the big dog”—only then did he realize something was off.
When he got home that evening, sure enough, he saw You Wen had changed his contact name to “Big Dog.”
And at that moment, the little puppy was calling his big dog from the bathroom: “Honey, I need a dry towel, help me get one, okay?” Still a puppy who used cute particles when talking to the big dog.
But whenever the big dog heard the little puppy speak, he felt inexplicably at peace. He didn’t ask for much—just for every day after to be just like this.
