*
In 2026, fully intelligent, fully bionic humanoid home robots hit the market.
Shu Yan followed the trend and bought one. When it arrived, its materials proved astonishingly lifelike. It had fair skin and stunning looks, a slim waist and long legs, and a face that was refined and gentle, even surpassing the actresses on TV.
The robot had a name of its own: Yuan Qing.
Though she was a home robot, Yuan Qing slacked off every day.
Shu Yan had left instructions to clean and tidy up before heading out that morning, but when she got home, Yuan Qing was sitting elegantly and at ease on the sofa, reading a book.
Shu Yan: "Did you do the laundry and mop the floors?"
Yuan Qing: "Too tiring."
Shu Yan: "Cook and wash the dishes?"
Yuan Qing: "Too dirty."
Shu Yan was so angry she laughed.
Even more infuriating, the robot not only lazed around and went on strike, but also tried to run away.
That day, Shu Yan and Yuan Qing found themselves face-to-face at the entrance to their residential complex.
For once, a hint of awkwardness appeared on Yuan Qing's usually calm, indifferent face.
Shu Yan: "Where are you going?"
Yuan Qing: "Just taking a walk."
Shu Yan didn't believe a word of Yuan Qing's nonsense. She cut off the network connection and kept her locked inside every day.
She never let Yuan Qing out of her sight while bathing, and even when... she left the door wide open.
Yuan Qing did indeed stop trying to escape, but little by little, her expressions became increasingly hard to read.
After night fell, Shu Yan closed her eyes once again, but Yuan Qing approached without warning.
Cool fingertips warmed, soft and tender, so scorching that they left Shu Yan muddled.
"Why don't you ask me?"
"I can do everything it can."
Shu Yan gave her tacit permission. After all, it was just a machine, more or less the same thing.
A few months later, customer service called to inform Shu Yan that this batch of robots had a programming error and the defective units had to be recalled.
Yuan Qing was taken back. Shu Yan felt bereft and could only throw herself into work again.
That is, until someone from headquarters parachuted into the company, and the all-too-familiar face appeared at the head of the conference table.
"Allow me to introduce myself: Executive Director, Yu Yuanqing."
Switch couple
Sharp-tongued office worker supervisor x cold-faced, scheming director
Blurb edited on November 25, 2025.
Theme: Technology changes lives
