It was a sweltering October 1st.
Chen Yuan walked out of the mall. He had a message from his mom on his phone.
Comrade Li: "Your uncle found some odd jobs for me and your dad back in the countryside. Don’t come home for the October 1st long holiday."
Comrade Li: "Just focus on your studies at school. Don’t worry about money."
Chen Yuan: "Okay."
Staring at the messages on his phone, Chen Yuan had mixed feelings. There was so much he wanted to say, but in the end, he only managed to type that single word, "Okay."
He knew what this so-called "odd job" was really about.
It meant being away from home for six or seven days, with no chance to come back in between. They would be staying in hotels or inns. For food, they’d eat whatever local specialties were available, focusing on signature dishes based on what they felt like.
The main work sites were the country’s major famous tourist attractions, and the work itself consisted of checking in and taking pictures. It was a pretty tough job.
The greatest dignity an adult can have is to see the truth and not expose it.
Chen Yuan didn’t feel particularly lonely about not being able to go home for the long holiday.
He took the bus a few stops to a mall near University City to buy some daily necessities and get a haircut. He felt much more refreshed afterward. The tan he’d gotten during military training had also faded back to his normal skin tone.
Once he was done with his errands, he found a noodle shop on the first floor of the mall, sat down near the entrance, and ordered a bowl of oil-splashed noodles, planning to head back after he ate.
He fanned himself with a small, free paper fan from somewhere near University City while scrolling through his phone, waiting for his noodles to arrive.
Just then, Chen Yuan saw a long-haired woman appear at the shop’s entrance, pushing a foldable stroller with a fair-skinned little girl sitting inside.
The woman looked to be in her thirties. Her long hair was casually tied in a bun at the back of her head, with a few stray strands falling across her forehead.
Her slightly weary face couldn’t hide her gentle beauty, but what drew the most attention was her figure.
She was wearing jeans that showcased her full, well-proportioned legs—long and straight. Her round butt was perfectly outlined by the denim. Her impressive bust was hard to conceal, even under a loose-fitting T-shirt.
However, there was a small threshold at the entrance. To get in, she had to tilt the stroller back to lift the front wheels, which seemed a bit difficult for her since she was also holding a shopping bag in her other hand.
Without a word, Chen Yuan got up to help, lifting the stroller slightly so they could get in smoothly.
The woman tucked the stray bangs on her forehead back. "Thank you."
"You’re welcome."
Seeing an empty seat next to Chen Yuan, the woman pushed the stroller over.
They were both at single-person tables, and the gap between them was just wide enough for the stroller.
The baby didn’t seem very old, probably less than a year, but she was fair-skinned with a pair of adorable big eyes, just like her mom.
"Boss, a bowl of beef noodles, please."
"Coming right up."
After the woman ordered, Chen Yuan looked at the little girl next to him.
The little girl was very cute. He waved at her, making the baby giggle happily.
Just then, lines of text appeared in Chen Yuan’s mind.
[Super Dad System activating...]
[Future Database activating...]
[You will marry at 22 and be blessed with fraternal twins at 23. The following month, the children’s mother will pass away from an illness brought on by depression...]
[You will raise the two children alone. Your son will marry at 27 and have a son at 29, making you a grandfather...]
[Your daughter will marry at 29 and have a daughter at 30, making you a maternal grandfather...]
[After your granddaughter’s 100-day celebration, you will commit suicide at home by taking sleeping pills. In your hands will be the annual birthday photos of your two children, along with a group photo of your grandson and granddaughter...]
[You have accumulated a vast amount of parenting experience. This will become a sharp tool on your life’s journey.]
[System Mission: Make the baby in front of you laugh for five seconds. Reward: 100 yuan in cash, 100% Affinity with Human Cubs.]
Seeing the block of text in his mind, before Chen Yuan had a chance to react, a massive amount of parenting knowledge was forcibly poured into his brain.
’Damn it.’
’I’m not Jogo, no need to hit me with Unlimited Void.’
’But the information is pretty interesting. It actually gave me a glimpse of my future self.’
’I get married right after graduating from university?’
’The kids’ mom dies right after I become a dad?’
’And I kill myself after both my children have started their own families and had kids of their own?’
’This is clearly dying for love. Am I really that devoted?’
’Just what kind of goddess is the kids’ mom for me to still miss her so much after all those years?’
’And then there’s this mission... ’
’The reward isn’t much, just 100 yuan, but every little bit counts. Just making a baby laugh for five seconds shouldn’t be too hard.’
Chen Yuan looked at the baby, forgetting about his noodles, and made a funny face at her.
"GIGGLE GIGGLE GIGGLE—"
The baby laughed so hard her eyes crinkled into slits. He could see that one of her milk teeth had already started to peek through.
[Mission Complete. Reward: 100 yuan in cash, 100% Affinity with Human Cubs.]
His phone vibrated in his pocket. He took it out and saw a notification for a 100-yuan deposit.
But he didn’t feel any obvious effect from the so-called "100% Affinity" reward.
’Good that there’s no feeling. I’m really not Jogo, so don’t hit me with that again.’
"Ah, yah, yah..."
The baby started cooing and gurgling, even stretching out her little hands as if asking Chen Yuan to hold her.
’Could it be that the 100% Affinity is working after all?’
Sitting to the side and watching her cooing daughter, Jiang Wanyi was a little surprised. Her own daughter was actually opening her arms to a complete stranger!
Often, she didn’t even get this kind of reaction when she wanted to hold her.
Subconsciously, Jiang Wanyi’s gaze fell upon Chen Yuan.
’He’s a clean-cut young man,’ she thought. ’And judging by his actions, he seems to have been raised well.’
’The little fan has the name of the Agricultural University printed on it, so he must be a student.’
Chen Yuan didn’t notice Jiang Wanyi looking at him. His attention was entirely on the "human cub" in front of him.
’She might be a little young, but it proves I’m popular, right?’
However, Chen Yuan didn’t try to pick up the baby. He knew there were boundaries that should be respected.
Even though she was cooing at him, he simply offered a single finger, which the little human cub grasped tightly.
Seeing this, a gentle smile appeared on Jiang Wanyi’s face.
Before coming, she had been a little worried that her daughter might cry and disturb the other diners. She never expected a strange young man to be able to cheer her up so much.
Soon, the noodles Jiang Wanyi had ordered arrived. Just as she was about to take a bite, she saw that her daughter was still holding onto Chen Yuan’s hand.
"Mili, let go of the nice man’s hand. He needs to eat."
The human cub acted as if she hadn’t heard a thing, still clutching Chen Yuan’s finger.
’She’s only eight months old. It’d be strange if she actually understood.’
"How old is she?" Chen Yuan asked casually.
"A little over eight months."
Chen Yuan glanced at the baby’s tooth. According to the experience the system had poured into him, she was teething just a tiny bit late. While it wasn’t a big problem, it could indicate some dietary issues.
"WAAH WAAH WAAH—"
All of a sudden, the baby started crying.
’I have 100% affinity, and she’s still crying?’
’System, where did you even put my stat points?’
[System Mission: Attempt to soothe the crying child. Reward: 200 yuan in cash, Professional-Grade Burping Technique.]
’Another 100 yuan and a new skill. Not bad.’
...
A new book from a veteran author, please add to your collection and vote with your monthly tickets~~