When Xuan Mu passed by a few Hosts, they barely gave him a second glance. To them, he was just another part of the everyday scenery of the HQ, soone so ordinary that he was almost invisible.
This anonymity was precisely what Xuan Mu needed. It gave him the advantage of seeing without being seen, of knowing without being known.
Xuan Mu made his way to the marketplace where hosts could trade among themselves, take on tasks, or purchase necessities.
The first thing to notice was the holographic displays hovering above each stall, showcasing the items for sale in stunning 3D visuals. These displays were not just static images but interactive interfaces where hosts could browse items, check prices, and even see reviews left by other hosts.
While there existed an online version of the market, people also had the option to examine and purchase items directly on the spot.
The currency in this market was not traditional money but life points that could be used to purchase amnesty from certain obligations or missions assigned by the HQ.
Xuan Mu examined the kibble Ru Quan had asked for before initiating the interaction for the purchase, since the hosts had an option for negotiation.
The screen ca to life, displaying the seller in a manner that preserved their anonymity, "How may I help you?"
"This looks fine, but I’m sure we can agree on a better price," said Xuan Mu, a gesture more about fitting in than the actual need for a better deal.
The seller, perhaps sensing Xuan Mu’s enthusiasm for haggling, was quick to offer a small discount.
As soone for whom life points held little real value, Xuan Mu accepted the seller’s final offer after a few more modest reductions.
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Xuan Mu repeated the process in a few other dinsions before he finally made his way back to his space which was both a ho and a sanctuary, away from the intricacies of his other responsibilities.
Soap water was everywhere, creating a slippery, bubbly ss that covered the floor. It seed like the dishwasher had not just malfunctioned, but had done so with a dramatic flair, generously flooding the kitchen with an ocean of soap and water.
Stinky Bun shook his head as his small hands gripped the leg of the kitchen table with all his might, "Daddy, daddy, help!" he trashed around, pretending to be adrift in a tumultuous ocean, with the table leg as his only lifeline. His voice bubbled with the energy of a child who saw the entire world as a playground.
"..." Xuan Mu quickly dressed Stinky Bun in working trousers, getting them both ready for so hoschooling.
Behind the scenes, a dedicated research team worked diligently to create a personalized education plan tailored for Stinky Bun and his daddy. The program analyzed various aspects of their growth, from cognitive and emotional developnt to physical and social skills.
Using this data, Lu Kai developed a curriculum and a set of activities designed to stimulate and challenge both him and his son in a balanced way. Yes, he had to make it sohow entertaining for himself too.
Despite Xuan Mu’s many talents and responsibilities, he found the task of being a single parent overwhelming. Knowing himself, he would probably traumatize the little guy if there wasn’t soone like his wife to restrain him.
If not for those analyses that also dissected Xuan Mu’s behavior and shortcomings, he would have probably gone crazy while dealing with Stinky Bun. He would have ended in a deathmatch with his son every single day.
Leaving a toddler alone and letting him create a ss in his dad’s house? Sure. After all, Xuan Mu was a ssy man in more ways than one, and he firmly believed in passing on the family legacy. So, if his son was destined to follow in his footsteps, Stinky Bun needed to master not just the art of creating chaos but also the noble skill of cleaning it up.
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Xuan Mu and Stinky Bun arrived before the Jelly Farm. The father and son matching outfits, complete with sturdy boots and wide-brimd hats, made them look like a miniature team of farrs.
They were here to care for the animals, a task Lu Kai had included as part of their routine. They started with the farm animals section, where they helped feed so mutated ’goaties’, ’sheepies’, and ’bunnies’.
(This family’s heirloom only contained formidable creatures with enough strength to withstand Stinky Bun’s powerful aura daily.)
Stinky Bun, with his tiny hands, carefully held out food as the huge animals gently nibbled from his palm, "PuPu?" Is PuPu sick again?
Xuan Mu nodded, thinking about his other son who grew up too much and too fast, "He is."
· · ─────── · ⊱❈⊰· ─────── · ·
Xuan Mu and Stinky Bun approached the enclosure of a magnificent, furry wolfie. With brushes in hand, they began to gently brush the wolfie’s thick coat.
Xuan Mu seized this mont to introduce so basic math concepts to his son. "Help daddy count the strokes as we brush," he suggested, turning a simple task into a fun counting exercise.
With each stroke, they counted out loud, "One, two, three..." Stinky Bun’s fingers went up in sequence, visually marking each number.
Xuan Mu also added simple arithtic, such as adding the number of brush strokes or dividing them into smaller groups.
As they continued their tasks, Xuan Mu seamlessly integrated a variety of other subjects into their day such as physics, biology, languages, art, and physical education.
For Xuan Mu, this activity was more than just a hoschooling day with his son; it was a form of rehabilitation, a way to ground himself and find peace with his pets.
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As the afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the farm, Stinky Bun clutched a small bouquet of flowers for mommy, and Xuan Mu carried a fruit basket.
"Mommy, mommy," Mommy will like Stinky Bun’s flowers more. The little boy suddenly declared, his small fra radiating confidence and pride.
"..." Xuan Mu held up the basket filled with the ripe strawberries, "I bet Mommy will think these strawberries are the winner."
Stinky Bun clutched his bouquet a little tighter. He eyed both the flowers and the strawberries, as if conducting a ntal analysis of which gift would triumph, "Mommy, mommy!" Mommy said Stinky Bun’s flowers are the best!
The father and son decided to pick a gift for mommy, and it turned into a whole competition of who could find the best one!
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