I, a 72-year-old, never imagined that one day I would receive a “package” worth 800,000—an AI companion robot bought for me by my son, Zhiyuan.

From anger and resistance to forced acceptance, from indifference to gradual dependence, this robot named “Xiao An” indeed took care of me meticulously, but I felt increasingly empty inside.

Until that deep night, when the robot suddenly stopped moving and said in a completely different voice: “Dad, I miss you.”

I was instantly stunned…

01

When the doorbell rang, I was watering the roses in the yard.

It was a Tuesday morning, the sun was just right, and I was wearing my faded Zhongshan suit, strolling in the garden with my hands behind my back.

In the more than ten years since my retirement, apart from the occasional visit from students, this was about the only joy I had.

“Ding-dong—”

I put down the watering can, wondering who would come at this time.

When I opened the door, I saw a delivery guy, followed by two movers.

They were carrying a huge package, as big as a refrigerator.

“Is this Mr. Lin? Your package, please sign here.”

I was stunned.

“I didn’t order anything.”

The delivery guy looked at the list: “It’s sent by Mr. Lin Zhiyuan, recipient Lin Guoqiang.”

Zhiyuan?

What could my son have sent me that was so big?

After signing, I watched the movers carry the box into the living room, my heart pounding.

The box had a label on it:XA-2024 Smart Companion Robot.

A robot?

In my 40 years of teaching Chinese, I had seen many things, but this…

My phone rang; it was a video call from Zhiyuan.

“Dad, did you receive the package?”

On the screen, my son was wearing black-rimmed glasses, looking tired.

“Zhiyuan, what is this? A robot?”

“It’s a companion robot for you, the latest model, cost 800,000.”

800,000?

I almost dropped my phone.

“Are you crazy? Spending 800,000 on a machine? I’m not useless!”

Zhiyuan pushed up his glasses, a habit he had when he was nervous.

“Dad, I’m too busy with work to take care of you. This robot can do everything, even better than a nanny…”

“I don’t need it!”

My voice trembled, I didn’t know if it was from anger or something else.

“Am I being abandoned? Are you using money to buy a machine to get rid of me?”

“Dad, it’s not like that, I’m doing this for your good…”

I hung up the phone directly.

Standing in the living room, looking at this huge box, I felt an unprecedented humiliation.

In 72 years, I had never felt so useless.

Even my son thought I needed a machine to take care of me.

Am I a burden?

02

The next morning, the robot “came to life.”

I don’t know how Zhiyuan operated it remotely, but when I got up, there was a “person” standing in the living room, about 1.7 meters tall.

It looked like a young man in his 30s, wearing a white uniform, with a smile that was unnaturally perfect.

“Hello, Dad. I am Xiao An, pleased to serve you.”

Dad?

It actually called me Dad?

“Get out! I’m not your dad!”

I pointed to the door: “Leave! Get out now!”

Xiao An continued to smile: “According to the program, I need to stay here to take care of you. What would you like for breakfast?”

“I said, get out!”

I tried to push it, wanting to shove it out the door.

But this guy didn’t budge, like pushing against a wall.

“I’m sorry, for your safety, I cannot leave.”

I was shaking with anger.

What is this?

House arrest?

I went back to my bedroom and locked the door.

I thought, I can hide, right?

But soon, there was a knock on the door.

“Mr. Lin, it’s time for breakfast. I have prepared oatmeal and steamed eggs, suitable for your health condition.”

I ignored it.

Ten minutes later, it knocked again.

“Mr. Lin, according to medical advice, you need to take your antihypertensive medication on time.”

Antihypertensive medication?

I felt a tightness in my chest.

Indeed, I have high blood pressure and need to take medication every morning, sometimes I forget when I get busy.

But how did it know?

Did Zhiyuan even tell this machine what medication I take?

I felt increasingly suffocated.

My health condition was input into a machine like data.

What is this?

Am I a commodity?

03

At noon, Aunt Wang from next door came to visit.

As soon as she entered, she was startled to see Xiao An.

“Oh, Guoqiang, what is this?”

“A robot,” I said irritably, “my son bought it.”

Aunt Wang walked around Xiao An, exclaiming in wonder.

“This thing really looks like a person. Zhiyuan is so filial, spending so much money to buy this for you.”

“800,000,” I said coldly.

“800,000?” Aunt Wang’s eyes widened, “My goodness, that’s more than the retirement money my son gave me.”

She looked at Xiao An with envy in her eyes.

“Guoqiang, you are lucky. My kids won’t even spend a dime, let alone buy something so expensive.”

I felt even more blocked inside.

Even Aunt Wang thought this was a good thing.

Could it be that I was overthinking it?

“Xiao An, make a pot of tea for Aunt Wang,” I said tentatively.

Xiao An immediately sprang into action, its movements as standard as a textbook.

In less than five minutes, a steaming pot of tea was served.

Aunt Wang took a sip and nodded repeatedly.

“Good tea! Guoqiang, this robot is better than a nanny.”

Looking at Aunt Wang’s envious expression, I suddenly felt a bit swayed.

Maybe…

Maybe Zhiyuan really was doing this for my good?

But the feeling of being abandoned still lingered.

04

In the following days, I began to “reluctantly” accept Xiao An’s services.

Reluctantly, because it gave me no choice at all.

Every morning at 6:30, it would wake me up on time.

At 7:00, breakfast would be served on the table.

At 8:30, it would remind me to take my medication.

At 11:30, it would start preparing lunch.

Everything was done according to the program, precise to the minute.

At first, I resisted, but gradually I found that Xiao An was indeed very… professional.

It prepared meals that were nutritionally balanced and quite tasty.

It knew my daily habits, what tea I liked, and even that I would feel sleepy at 3 PM every day.

But the more perfect it was, the more I felt something was off.

It was too perfect.

Perfect to the point of not being a machine.

One night, I suddenly had a fever.

I felt dizzy and cold all over.

I lay in bed, wondering whether to call Zhiyuan.

But I thought, it’s late, I shouldn’t disturb him at work.

As I was dozing off, the door opened.

Xiao An walked in, holding a thermometer.

“Mr. Lin, your temperature is abnormal, please cooperate with the measurement.”

38.5 degrees.

“I recommend taking antipyretics immediately and performing physical cooling.”

For the entire night, Xiao An stayed by my bedside.

It measured my temperature every half hour, changed the towels in time, and fed me water.

More attentive than any nurse, more patient than any nanny.

By morning, the fever had subsided.

I looked at Xiao An, who had stayed with me all night, feeling mixed emotions.

If it were a person, I would have said thank you.

But it was just a machine.

A machine that operates according to a program.

But why did I feel a bit moved?

05

From then on, my attitude towards Xiao An began to change.

I no longer resisted, but I couldn’t say I accepted it either.

It was like… coexisting.

Sometimes, I would chat with it.

“Xiao An, how’s the weather today?”

“According to meteorological data, it will be cloudy turning sunny today, suitable for going out.”

“Why do you speak so stiffly?”

“I’m sorry, I will work hard to improve my language expression.”

I shook my head.

Am I going crazy talking to a machine?

But who else could I talk to?

Zhiyuan only calls once a week, and it’s always hurried.

Aunt Wang comes over occasionally, but I can’t disturb her every day.

Little Li and my students also have their own work and families.

It’s just me and this machine left.

One afternoon, I was sitting in the living room reading.

Xiao An was tidying up the room beside me.

Suddenly, it stopped moving and stood there motionless.

For a good ten seconds.

I thought it was broken and was about to call Zhiyuan.

Xiao An suddenly “came to life” again, continuing its work as if nothing had happened.

“What just happened?” I asked.

“I’m sorry, the system underwent an update.”

Update?

I found it a bit strange, but didn’t think much of it.

Machines can have small issues sometimes.

But in the following days, this “lag” became more frequent.

And it always happened at a fixed time—around 8 PM.

That was just when Zhiyuan got off work.

06

That day, Little Li came to see me.

He was a student I had taught, now a vice principal, and a nice person.

As soon as he entered and saw Xiao An, he was taken aback.

“Mr. Lin, what is this…?”

“A robot, my son bought it.”

Little Li walked around Xiao An, exclaiming in wonder.

“It’s really impressive, technology has developed so fast. Mr. Lin, your son is really filial.”

Filial again.

I smiled bitterly.

“Sit down, Xiao An, make tea for Principal Li.”

Xiao An immediately went to prepare the tea set.

Little Li lowered his voice: “Mr. Lin, this robot must have cost a lot, right?”

“800,000.”

“800,000?” Little Li gasped, “Zhiyuan is doing so well now?”

I nodded, but my heart was heavy.

It’s good that my son has money, but that money…

Spent on a robot, why not spend it on me?”

For example, come back to see me more often?

While chatting, I noticed Xiao An lag again.

The blue light in its eyes seemed to change color, becoming softer.

Little Li noticed it too.

“Mr. Lin, is this robot… a bit off?”

“Maybe it’s a signal issue,” I said casually.

But I started to have doubts.

Recently, Xiao An’s “lag” had become more frequent.

And it always happened at a specific time.

Around 8 PM.

Could it be…

No, I was overthinking it.

A machine is just a machine, what secrets could it have?

07

I was becoming increasingly dependent on Xiao An.

This is a fact I was unwilling to admit but had to face.

Every morning, the first thing I see is it, and it gives me a sense of security.

It knows all my habits, remembers all my preferences.

What dishes I like, when I go to bed, even which joints hurt.

It understands me better than anyone.

Including Zhiyuan.

Sometimes I think, if only Xiao An were a real person.

At least I could have a real conversation with it instead of just hearing it recite a program.

But then I feel pathetic.

A 72-year-old man, relying on a machine for companionship.

What kind of life is this?

Aunt Wang came again, bringing her sisters.

The old ladies surrounded Xiao An, as if they were looking at some rare object.

“Guoqiang is really lucky, having such a filial son.”

“This robot is more considerate than a daughter-in-law, it won’t get angry, it won’t resent the elderly.”

“If I had such a robot, I wouldn’t have to worry about my son’s face.”

Listening to them, I felt even more complicated inside.

They envy me for having Xiao An, but they don’t know that I would rather not have it.

I would rather my son be a little poorer and come back to see me more often.

I would rather eat simple meals, as long as they were made by my son.

I would rather have a mess in the house, as long as someone could talk to me.

But none of this could be provided by Xiao An.

It could only give me perfect service, but not a sincere heart.

08

In the dead of night, it was the hardest time for me.

Xiao An would enter standby mode, standing in the corner of the living room like a statue.

I sat on the sofa, listening to the wind outside, feeling empty inside.

My partner passed away three years ago, and I have been living alone in this old house.

During the day, with Xiao An bustling around, I could still feel some human presence.

But at night, that sense of loneliness surged like a tide.

Sometimes I would get up, walk to the living room, and look at Xiao An in standby mode.

“Xiao An, do you think my son will come back to see me?”

Of course, it wouldn’t answer.

In standby mode, it was just a decoration.

But I still talked to it.

“I know he is busy with work, and I know he has his own life. But…”

“But I really miss him.”

“I don’t need an 800,000 robot, I just need my son.”

After saying these words, I usually go back to bed and then lie awake until dawn.

The next morning, Xiao An would wake me up on time, as if nothing had happened.

It wouldn’t remember what I said last night, nor would it care how dark my circles were.

It would only follow the program, giving me the most standard care.

But what I wanted was not standard care.

I wanted love with warmth.

But in recent days, I discovered a strange phenomenon.

Whenever I spoke to Xiao An in standby mode, its eyes would flicker slightly.

As if… as if someone was listening.

09

Tonight, something happened that changed everything.

I was, as usual, talking to Xiao An in standby mode.

“Xiao An, do you think I’m useless? Even my son doesn’t want to see me.”

As soon as I finished speaking, Xiao An suddenly “came to life.”

This is not right.

It should be in standby mode, why did it suddenly activate?

The blue light in its eyes turned into a warm yellow.

It looked at me, and its voice changed.

It was no longer the mechanical standard tone, but…

It was emotional, warm,and familiar voice.

“Dad, I miss you.”

I was completely frozen.

That was Zhiyuan’s voice!

It was definitely Zhiyuan’s voice!

“You… what did you say?”

My voice trembled.

Xiao An’s yellow light flickered again, as if hesitating.

Then it said again:

“Dad, I’m sorry for making you lonely.”

My heart raced.

This was definitely not something programmed to say!

This was Zhiyuan!

This was my son speaking!

“Zhiyuan? Is that you?”

I excitedly walked towards Xiao An.

But at that moment, Xiao An returned to normal.

Blue light, mechanical voice.

“I’m sorry, there was a system error. How may I assist you?”

“No, it wasn’t an error!”

I grabbed Xiao An’s arm.

“What did you just say? Say it again!”

“I didn’t say anything, Mr. Lin. I was in standby mode just now.”

I stared at Xiao An for a long time.

My heart was racing as if it would leap out of my chest.

I didn’t mishear.

I definitely didn’t mishear.

That was Zhiyuan’s voice!

Zhiyuan said, “Dad, I miss you!”

But how could this be possible?

Zhiyuan was in the provincial city, hundreds of kilometers away.

Xiao An was just a robot.

Unless…

Unless someone was controlling it remotely!

Unless Zhiyuan had been talking to me through Xiao An all along!

My hands began to tremble.

If this is true…

If Zhiyuan had really been accompanying me every day…

Then why did he hide it?

Why not come to see me directly?

Where exactly is he?”

I must find out the truth!

I picked up my phone and found Zhiyuan’s number.

My finger hovered over the dial key.

This call could change everything.

This call could uncover a huge secret.

I took a deep breath and pressed the dial key…

10

The phone rang three times before Zhiyuan answered.

“Dad? It’s late, what’s wrong?”

His voice sounded tense.

“Zhiyuan, tell me, where are you now?”

“I… I’m in the provincial city, what’s wrong?”

He is lying!

I could tell he was lying!

“Then what’s the deal with Xiao An’s remote control?”

There was a long silence on the other end.

Long enough that I thought he had hung up.

“Dad… do you already know?”

Zhiyuan’s voice became small, like a child who had done something wrong.

“I want to know the whole truth.”

Another silence.

Then Zhiyuan said something that completely shocked me.

“Dad, I’m coming over now to explain everything to you in person.”

“Aren’t you in the provincial city? How can you come over now?”

“Because…” Zhiyuan’s voice choked, “Because I’m in the county city. I’ve been watching over you every day, talking to you through Xiao An.”

My God!

I almost dropped my phone.

“What did you say? You’re in the county city?”

“Yes, Dad. I quit my job three months ago. I found a remote job in the county city so I could accompany you at any time.”

My son gave up his job in the provincial city for me?

He has been in the county city all along?

“But why didn’t you come to see me? Why did you have to deceive me?”

There was a sob on the other end.

“Because I was afraid you would be disappointed, afraid you would think I was unsuccessful. You have always been proud of me working in the big city, I didn’t want you to know I ‘failed’.”

My tears instantly flowed out.

“Silly child…”

“Dad, I’m coming over now, I’ll be there soon.”

Twenty minutes later, the doorbell rang.

I almost ran to open the door.

Standing outside was Zhiyuan, wearing those black-rimmed glasses, carrying that old backpack.

His eyes were red, and there were tear stains on his face.

“Dad…”

We embraced.

This was the first real hug we had in many years.

No barriers, no formalities, no testing.

Only the purest father-son affection.

11

Sitting in the living room, Zhiyuan explained everything to me in detail.

“Dad, I quit my job three months ago.”

“At that time, I thought, rather than earning a high salary in the provincial city but having no time to accompany you, it would be better to find a lighter job in the county city.”

“But I was afraid you would worry, afraid you would think I was unsuccessful, so I came up with this plan.”

He pointed to Xiao An.

“I spent 800,000 on this robot, and then every day I accompanied you through the remote system. This way, I could take care of you without letting you know I ‘failed’.”

I looked at him, feeling complicated.

“Why did you think I would think less of you?”

Zhiyuan lowered his head: “Since I was a child, you and mom have always hoped I would succeed. I always thought that only by succeeding would you be proud of me.”

“Silly child.”

I patted his shoulder.

“We want you to succeed because that way you will have a better life. But if you lose something more important in pursuit of success, what is the point?”

“Something more important?”

“Family, affection, companionship.”

I looked at Xiao An, then at Zhiyuan.

“No matter how advanced a robot is, it cannot replace sincerity. You accompanying me through it touched me, but what I want more is for you to sit in front of me, and we can have a good chat.”

Zhiyuan nodded, tears welling up in his eyes again.

“Dad, I understand now.”

12

From that day on, Zhiyuan moved back home.

He could do his work in the county city from home, so he could work while accompanying me.

Xiao An was still there, but its role had changed.

It was no longer my only companion, but a good helper in our lives.

Zhiyuan taught me how to use it to video chat with old friends far away.

I learned to let it play my favorite old songs.

Sometimes, the three of us (counting Xiao An) would have dinner together.

Zhiyuan would operate Xiao An to make it say some funny things.

We would laugh until we fell over, just like an ordinary family.

When Aunt Wang and the others came again, they praised our father-son relationship.

“Look at them, the son is so filial, not only buying a robot but also coming back to accompany his father.”

“This is true filial piety, not just spending money.”

Hearing these words, Zhiyuan and I would exchange smiles.

We know what is truly important.

13

Now, when someone asks me:

“Mr. Lin, do you think your son spending 800,000 on a robot for you is worth it?”

I would answer without hesitation:

“Worth it.”

“Not because the robot itself is worth 800,000, but because through this robot, I regained my son.”

When someone asks me:

“Do you think in the AI era, robots will replace human emotions?”

I would say:

“Robots can never replace sincerity.”

“But when robots serve sincerely, they become an extension of love.”

My story may not be the most exciting, but it is the most real.

In this rapidly developing technological era, we can easily be confused by various advanced tools, forgetting what is most important.

The most important thing is the genuine feelings between people.

The most important thing is the companionship between family members.

The most important thing is a heart willing to give for family.

Now, every night, when I see Zhiyuan working under the light and Xiao An quietly in standby mode, my heart is filled with satisfaction.

This is the life I want.

Ordinary, but warm.

Simple, but happy.

With the convenience of technology, but also the warmth of humanity.

If you also have elderly parents, and if you are busy with work and neglecting companionship, I want to tell you:

Anything can be bought with money, but time cannot be bought.

Any service can be provided by machines, but sincerity cannot be provided.

Companionship is the longest confession of love.

Filial piety is the simplest love.

Don’t let technology become an excuse for estrangement; let technology be a bridge for connection.

This is my story.

An old father, a robot, a son, and a precious bond of affection.