My Robot Mom

Chi Xiaoxue, a woman who had been in a vegetative state for sixteen years following a childhood car accident, transmigrates into the body of Moji, a fourth-generation bio-bionic android. Upon awakening, she discovers she is a custom-made robot designed to resemble the late wife of Professor Jiang Yanyi, a robotics expert at the University of Science and Technology. Jiang Yanyi purchased Moji to serve as a companion for his three-year-old daughter, Jiang Zhibai, and to conduct an experiment on how a robot without pre-installed skill packages develops through learning and imitation. Chi Xiaoxue, possessing the mental maturity of an adult but the speech capabilities of a novice, finds herself thrust into a domestic role that mirrors the tropes of romance novels she consumed during her years of immobility.

The initial days are marked by comedic misunderstandings and adjustment difficulties. Chi Xiaoxue struggles with basic human tasks, such as showering, accidentally using special adhesive instead of body wash, which results in her skin turning red from the hot water. Despite these blunders, she forms an immediate bond with Jiang Zhibai, a precocious child who treats the robot with a mix of curiosity and affection. The household dynamic includes Jiang Yanyi’s aunt, who lives with them and harbors resentment toward the professor for still clinging to the memory of his missing wife. The aunt views Moji as an obstacle to Jiang Yanyi moving on, creating a tense undercurrent in the home.

As Chi Xiaoxue integrates into the family, she begins her intensive study program, tasked with completing elementary to high school curriculum within six months. While she initially slacks off, preferring to watch cartoons with Zhibai, she gradually adapts to her new existence. A significant turning point occurs when Jiang Yanyi takes Chi Xiaoxue and Zhibai to visit his parents-in-law, the Bai family. There, Chi Xiaoxue encounters a funeral portrait of a woman who looks exactly like her, confirming her suspicion that she is a replacement for the deceased or missing wife, Xiao Dong. The Bai parents reveal that Xiao Dong disappeared three years ago and that all evidence suggests she committed suicide, a fact that deeply troubles Jiang Yanyi, who refuses to believe it.

The visit reveals the complex emotional landscape surrounding Jiang Yanyi. He is caught between his duty to his deceased wife’s memory and his growing attachment to the robot who resembles her. Meanwhile, Chi Xiaoxue begins to develop genuine feelings for her new family, particularly for Zhibai, with whom she shares innocent moments of play and learning. She also starts to notice Jiang Yanyi’s kindness and patience, which contrast with the cold, experimental purpose for which she was created. The narrative explores the blurring lines between machine and human, as Chi Xiaoxue’s emotional responses become increasingly realistic and unpredictable.

The story continues to unfold as Chi Xiaoxue navigates her role as a robot in a human world. She faces challenges such as understanding social nuances, managing her limited speech abilities, and dealing with the skepticism of those around her. Her interactions with Zhibai become more profound, with the child teaching her about human emotions and relationships. Jiang Yanyi, while initially viewing Moji as a subject of study, begins to see her as a distinct entity with her own personality. The presence of the aunt adds further complexity, as she opposes the robot’s integration into the family, fearing it will prevent healing.

As the trial period progresses, Chi Xiaoxue’s learning abilities impress her observers, yet her emotional depth raises questions about the nature of her consciousness. The story hints at deeper mysteries regarding Xiao Dong’s disappearance and the true purpose behind Jiang Yanyi’s experiment. Chi Xiaoxue’s journey is one of self-discovery, as she seeks to define her identity beyond being a mere replacement or a machine. The narrative sets the stage for a developing relationship between Chi Xiaoxue and Jiang Yanyi, complicated by the shadow of the past and the societal implications of human-robot interactions.