Raise an Octopus

A pet-raising game mysteriously appeared on my phone. Inside, a little pink octopus, dressed in a suit, went about its day diligently, incredibly adorable. But the little octopus had a problem: it was secretly in love with a little rabbit, but the rabbit was terrified of it and planned to move elsewhere for work.

Seeing my sad little octopus son, my heart ached. I threw him into the dressing room, changed his unchanging suit for a handsome casual outfit. Go charm that little rabbit, my good son.

The next day, my cold superior didn't wear his usual black suit. Instead, he wore a casual outfit completely at odds with his usual demeanor, making him even more terrifying. After work, I opened the game. The poor little octopus lay dejectedly on the floor, looking even sadder.

A friend sent me a cyber incense-burning app. Although I didnt believe in it, I went along with the trend and made a wish: Let me know what my boss, Alistair Vance, is thinking. At least, so I dont get a failing grade from him.

My current profession is a comfort therapist assistant. Ever since I was rescued by an octopus beastman from the insectoids ten years ago, Ive dreamed of becoming a comfort therapist, helping the warriors who suffer from mental pollution after fighting the insectoids.

Alistair Vance is the only Level 1 Comfort Therapist in Sector C. We, freshly graduated interns, should have been scrambling to be assistants to a Level 1 Comfort Therapist. But Alistair was humorless, radiating a chill wherever he went. Rumor had it he was a terrifying serpentine beastman, and he had a notorious record of giving two consecutive interns failing grades, making him a dreaded figure among all interns.

So, his assistant position was decided by lot, and I was the unlucky one.

Im a rabbit beastman, and my fear of snakes is written in my genes. The first time I met Alistair, shaking his hand and feeling his cold body temperature, coupled with his snake-like impassive face, my intuition told me the rumors were true. He had to be a serpentine beastman. It was terrifying.

Every day, I worked on edge, not daring to say an extra word to him. I decided that in six months, when I could apply for a transfer to another sector, I would immediately do so.

Nothing happened after my cyber incense wish. I still couldnt discern Alistairs emotions from his impassive face; in fact, I didnt even dare to look at his face.

A pet-raising game appeared on my phone. It was normal for my phone to mysteriously download apps. Just before I instinctively uninstalled it, I saw the cute pink octopus on the icon and hesitated. Ever since being saved by an octopus, Id developed a fondness for these soft little creatures with eight tentacles.

I clicked on the game. In a tidy apartment lived a little pink octopus. The apartments furniture was very simple, clearly designed to make players spend money on decorationsa common gaming trick. The little octopus, wearing a white shirt, was impassively frying fish. Even though it was a 2D game, this little octopus was incredibly cute, with big eyes, pink skin, and even its impassive expression looked exceptionally adorable.

I wanted to pet the little octopus, but the game prompted me that I needed to level up to unlock interaction. Leveling up required observing the little octopuss life and getting to know it. While I wouldnt get tired of watching this little octopus all day, would others really like a game with no interaction at first? No wonder they bought promotions and forced it as junkware.

The little octopus ate, washed the dishes, and then went to work out. In the bathroom, the little octopus took off all its clothes, and then mosaics appeared, covering its little bottom. To the sound of the shower, I let out a helpless sigh. Was there any need to censor a 2D little octopuss pink bottom? Actually, I wasnt that keen on seeing it anyway.

After showering, the little octopus lay in bed, solemnly taking out a book and reading it. I zoomed in on the screen; the cover read Laws of Love. I sighed again. So serious, and here I thought it was reading something profound. I felt sleepiness creeping in with the sound of the little octopuss breathing. What a regular little octopus, so cute.

The next day, I woke up early for a change. While eating breakfast, I watched the little octopus open its wardrobe. It contained a row of black suits. He took one out and put it on. Although I hadnt found the "purchase" button yet, I knew this was surely a hint for me to spend money on outfits for the little octopus later; the suit was the default attire.

The little octopus in its black suit was also exceptionally cute. My cold superior, Alistair Vance, also wore black suits every day, but it only made him seem terrifying. Id been Alistairs assistant for almost six months, and I still couldnt get used to working long-term next to a snake.

Days passed like this. I was finally close to leveling up and unlocking the interaction mode, where I could buy cute new clothes for the little octopus. Not even working next to a snake could dampen my good mood that day. I secretly opened the official websitethe cursed website only accessible through the work network. Feeling incredibly stealthy, I downloaded the application form.

After completing everything, I found Alistair standing not far behind me. It scared me to death. He couldnt have seen it, could he? Would he be enraged and give me a failing performance review? But his expression hadnt changed at all, and he left quickly. He seemed to have just glanced over. I remembered that snakes generally have poor eyesight, so he probably wouldnt have seen it. Octopuses, on the other hand, have excellent vision.

Fortunately, Alistair, besides seeming a bit colder, showed no other abnormalities. For now, I was safe. After work, I opened my pet-raising game. The little octopus, however, was inexplicably in a foul mood, slumped on the apartment floor. He didnt make dinner; instead, he took out alcohol from the fridge, drinking glass after glass.

The game had already reached level two. I quickly unlocked the interaction options. I still couldnt touch the little octopus or let him know I existed, but more information about him was now available.

[The little octopus secretly loves his subordinate, Mr. Little Rabbit, but Mr. Little Rabbit has always been very afraid of him. Besides work, he doesn't dare to approach Mr. Little Rabbit, fearing he'll scare him away. He's found out Mr. Little Rabbit wants to work elsewhere, and he can't stop him.]

No wonder the little octopus read "Laws of Love" before bed. He had a secret crush after all. How could any rabbit be afraid of a cute little octopus? What poor taste. Seeing my sad octopus son, I decided to help him. He couldnt keep wearing that suit all day.

I opened the newly unlocked dressing room, threw the little octopus in, stripped off his black suit that seemed glued to him, and changed him into a fresher T-shirt and jeans. I also swapped his shoes for sneakers and gave him a new haircut. What a fresh, young-man octopus! So cute. Go charm that little rabbit.

[A new memory appeared in the little octopuss mind. He went to the barbershop for a new haircut and bought a new outfit. Perhaps a different style would make the little rabbit less afraid of him.]

The next day, the little octopus stared wide-eyed in the mirror, seemingly unused to his new haircut. In his wardrobe, amidst several black suits, other colors had appeared. He instinctively reached for a black suit, but hesitated for a moment, ultimately choosing the outfit I had selected for him.

However, my good mood vanished the moment I saw Alistair. Like the little octopus, he also had a new haircut and wore a casual outfit. The little octopuss impassive face was cute, looking like a youthful college student. But Alistairs impassive face radiated a terrifying coldness. He looked completely unsuited to this new attire. Perhaps it was just my imagination, but I felt he was even more frightening.

Aside from assisting him in the therapy room with patients, he rarely interacted with me, always maintaining a certain distance. But today, for some reason, he kept appearing near me, staring. Being stared at like that by a snake made me want to bolt. This day felt interminably long.

As soon as work hours ended, I clocked out without a moments hesitation. Even after getting home, the nervous fear hadnt completely subsided. I opened my phone, wanting to see my cute little octopus. But I found the little octopus lying dejectedly on the apartment floor, looking utterly miserable. His mood index was even lower than yesterday, almost at zero.

[Even with a new style, Mr. Little Rabbit not only didnt like it but became even more afraid of the little octopus. The little octopuss heart is almost broken. He wants Mr. Little Rabbit not to be afraid of him, not to leave.]

So, there are rabbits who are as afraid of little octopuses as they are of snakes? What should I do? Luckily, Im a rabbit beastman; I know how to win a rabbits heart. Give a rabbit delicious food. Half of a rabbits happiness in life comes from good food.

I clicked on the TV in the apartment. Soon, advertisements for rabbits favorite foods began playing. The sudden sound of the TV startled the despairing little octopus, who looked as if he were dead. He looked at the content on the TV, his eyes lighting up.

The next day, Alistair finally wasnt as strange as yesterday. Although it was understandable for a snake to sometimes act irrationally when facing a rabbit, it seemed he had regained his composure today. At lunchtime, the delivery person brought lunch. He actually ordered takeout instead of eating in the cafeteria, a first in six months.

But Alistair actually brought that clearly expensive lunchbox over to me. What was he doing? Was he going to show me his spicy rabbit stew? Although a rabbit is a rabbit, and a rabbit beastman is a rabbit beastman, seeing such a thing would still be terrifying.

Under my horrified gaze, he opened the lunchbox. To my surprise, it contained expensive vegetables and fruits that I usually couldnt bear to buy for myself.

Scarlett, youve done very well these past six months. Please, have lunch on me. I hope you like it.

Ah, so he was actually pleased with me? But he had given two previous interns failing grades; he was a frequent resident of the danger zone. Yet, thinking back over the past six months, although he appeared cold, his movements were very gentle when using mental energy to comfort patients. And he never held anything back. As his assistant, I had learned a lot from him. And he had never once yelled at me. A boss who doesn't yell is a rare gem among bosses!

Could there have been some misunderstanding? Was he not some cold-blooded monster?

Finally, I mustered my courage. Mr. Vance, why were your two previous interns given failing grades?

He paused. So, thats what it was about? He lowered his eyes.

The first intern was late fifteen times in one month. He also accidentally scheduled all of a weeks patient appointments on the same day, causing agitated patients to start fighting in the waiting area, and he refused to apologize.

There were such unreliable people? Mentally polluted patients are very irritable; how could he let them congregate like that?

The second intern repeatedly mixed up patient medications, causing more than one patients mental pollution to worsen.

My goodness, how could someone who had studied comfort therapy for eight years make such basic mistakes?

Later, I found out he had studied a different major before, and only studied comfort therapy for four years.

How could such people have the nerve to post online and slander Mr. Vance?

Mr. Vance, Im sorry. Because you always seem so serious, and there were rumors about you failing interns, I completely misunderstood you.

Because I seem serious? He tried to force a smile, which looked a little comical. How about this? Is this better?

Why was he like this? Mr. Vance wasnt the serious, terrifying type; he was the adorable, awkward type!

Just be yourself, like before. It was my preconceived notion.

He continued, You are a very competent comfort therapist assistant. I wont give you a failing grade. I hope we can continue to work together in the future. His tone, however, grew more subdued. Of course, if you want to work for another comfort therapist, Ill write you a letter of recommendation.

So, he had seen my application form after all. Was he trying to keep me?

But he was a snake. No rabbit would dare work under a snake. I remained silent for a long time. Mr. Vance didnt press.

You take your time with lunch. Ill be out for a bit.

Aside from appearing cold, Mr. Vance was a gentle person at heart. Whether I left or stayed, those two who slandered Mr. Vance deserved to be ruined.

I posted on the forum under my real name, detailing the entire story online. Alistairs two former assistants were quickly lambasted. At first, they tried to refute and accuse Mr. Vance in the comments, but as the digging continued, their various irresponsible deeds were quickly unearthed. It turned out these two had behaved similarly during internships elsewhere. Now, one had been fired, and the other had moved on to a different industry.

Meanwhile, Mr. Vance had an excellent reputation among patients, always known as a gentle, considerate, and skilled comfort therapist. My post stated that Mr. Vance never yelled at his assistants; he just looked a bit intimidating because of his impassive expression, but was actually very kind-hearted, and paid very well. Many people now wanted to intern under Mr. Vance.

In just a few hours, Mr. Vance went from someone everyone avoided to a highly sought-after boss. In that case, even if I left, more suitable people would come to intern with him, right?

As closing time approached, Mr. Vances phone screen displayed the trending forum post.

Scarlett, did you write this?

Ahhhhh! Having something you posted online seen by your bosswhat a mortifying social death!

Thank you.

For the first time, I saw a smile in his eyes. It was very handsome. Alistair was actually very good-looking; it was just his serious demeanor that kept people at a distance.

Actually, its just that Mr. Vance has taken such good care of me these past six months. I was simply speaking from the heart. Did Mr. Vance already know they were slandering you on the forum? Why didnt you expose them?!

I did give them failing grades. They were just recent graduates. Perhaps after a setback, they would change?

Unfortunately, they didnt.

It wasn't until I was on the subway that I realized: I hadn't been afraid of Mr. Vance today. Even if he was a snake, he was a gentle and kind snake. Perhaps I shouldnt judge him with preconceived notions. Maybe I should spend more time with him, and reconsider?