Adopting a Big Cat to Raise a Cub Together [Interstellar]

Ruan Qiao, a young woman with a background in agricultural science, finds herself transported to Planet 0813 after a car accident. Upon arrival, she is informed by a law firm that she has inherited the Starlight Orphanage from a distant aunt named Ella. The orphanage is located in a desolate, impoverished area on a planet that was once prosperous but was devastated by a zerg invasion a century ago. The land remains polluted, and the planet is considered the poorest in its star system, relying heavily on recycling waste from advanced worlds. Ruan Qiao arrives at the orphanage, a large but dilapidated compound, where she is greeted by a small, round robot named Service Unit 001. The robot expresses unusual joy at her arrival, hinting at a deep connection to the previous owner.

Initially, Ruan Qiao believes she is to care for human children, but she soon discovers that the orphans are actually a group of sentient animals: a large Maine Coon cat, a lop-eared rabbit, a golden-red squirrel, a hedgehog, and a golden eagle disguised as a quail. These creatures exhibit human-like intelligence and emotions. A video message from the dying Ella reveals that these animals are transformed humans who underwent a primary transformation due to the planet's polluted environment. Ella pleads with Ruan Qiao to care for them well, emphasizing the importance of their upcoming secondary transformations, which are critical for their survival and potential return to human form. The orphanage is in severe financial distress, with a looming food tax of five thousand star coins due in December, while their bank account holds barely over seven thousand star coins.

Ruan Qiao, utilizing her agricultural expertise, realizes that the orphanage's vast mountain land, though polluted, can be cultivated. She discovers that fresh fruits and vegetables from her original world are extremely valuable on Planet 0813, where most people survive on tasteless nutritional liquids. Selling her initial stock of strawberries, peaches, and oyster mushrooms provides a crucial influx of income. She negotiates with local buyers, aided by the intelligent squirrel who helps her avoid being underpaid. With the earned money, Ruan Qiao purchases farming equipment, high-quality food for the animals, and nutritional supplements recommended by Doctor Aisen, the local veterinarian who treats the transformed children.

As Ruan Qiao settles into her new role, she begins to overcome her fear of fur, a phobia stemming from childhood trauma, through her interactions with the animals. She establishes a routine of caring for the orphans, ensuring they receive adequate nutrition and exercise to prepare for their secondary transformations. The story highlights the stark contrast between the luxurious but impractical produce in the city and the desperate need for real food on the planet. Ruan Qiao's journey is one of adaptation and responsibility, as she navigates the challenges of running an orphanage for transformed beings on a backward, polluted planet while striving to secure a future for her new family.