Jiang Ning took out pen and paper from the drawer and began writing the day’s schedule.
“Wake up at six, clean up, and make a loving children’s breakfast.”
“At seven, wake up Mengmeng, wash up, and eat breakfast.”
“At eight, take Mengmeng outdoors for exercise.”
“At nine, return home and play puzzles and games with Mengmeng.”
“At nine-thirty, make snacks.”
“At ten, teach Mengmeng how to draw.”
…
Jiang Ning carefully thought it through, crossing things out and making corrections, trying his best to perfect the daily schedule. He felt like he had never planned his studies this seriously in school, nor arranged his work this thoroughly on the job. But when it came to Mengmeng, he was especially focused and sincere.
Maybe it was because Mengmeng came from an orphanage. At this moment, all he wanted was to do well in his role as a super stay-at-home dad.
As for salary or compensation, maybe he would’ve cared before. But after meeting this adorable and sensible girl, he didn’t bother bringing it up with Su Meng. Since it was his college friend Su Che who introduced the job, he didn’t mind anymore.
He had only played with Mengmeng for one morning, yet he was already enjoying it far more than he expected. Was it possible that he was naturally suited for a profession involving children? A preschool teacher? A stay-at-home dad? Was that the kind of work he was meant to do?
Or was it just because Mengmeng was so lovable and sensible? Or maybe because of her poor background that made him feel sympathy?
If he had such a sweet and well-behaved daughter of his own… how wonderful would that be?
Jiang Ning sighed.
He walked into the playroom and looked at the toys scattered all over the floor. He started picking them up and organizing them, placing them properly or storing them in cabinets.
Five minutes later—
[Ding! Congratulations to the host, 100 cubic meters of system space acquired.]
“System space?” Jiang Ning murmured in confusion.
[Yes, host. As long as your intention is clear and you touch any object within the 100-cubic-meter limit, you can store it in the system space—living things excluded.]
Hearing the explanation, Jiang Ning touched the wooden puzzle he had given Mengmeng earlier. “Store.”
Whoosh
The wooden puzzle vanished from his hand.
“That’s amazing!”
With a thought, the wooden puzzle reappeared in his palm.
If he had this back when he was unemployed, being a mover or deliveryman would’ve been perfect.
Jiang Ning was delighted. He hadn’t expected the system to be this fun and even include such features.
He continued to clean the playroom with care—organizing everything, putting toys into categories, adjusting even the ones slightly off balance.
Ten minutes passed. Then thirty minutes. Then an hour.
Still no system prompt.
“System, why hasn’t the system space leveled up?” Jiang Ning asked, confused.
[Host, cleaning the playroom can only increase the space once per day.]
“What? Why didn’t you say so earlier? I spent so much time organizing everything so carefully!” Jiang Ning complained.
[Host, you didn’t ask.]
Jiang Ning sighed, “Ugh, I thought it was the same as cooking. Damn.”
Still, after an hour of tidying, the playroom looked exceptionally neat and pleasing. Every toy was placed so well that one would want to play with them but didn’t dare to mess anything up.
“Wuuu… wuuu…”
Just then, Mengmeng’s cries came from her bedroom.
Jiang Ning immediately ran out of the playroom and rushed into her room.
“What’s wrong? Mengmeng, why are you crying?”
Seeing him, Mengmeng sobbed, “Uncle Jiang, I dreamed that no one wanted me anymore… Su Meng Mama didn’t want me, and you didn’t cook for me… You also left me… wuuu…”
Jiang Ning’s heart ached as he heard this and hurried over. “There, there, Mengmeng, don’t cry. Uncle Jiang would never abandon you. I’ll always be here for you.”
Mengmeng blinked and asked, “Really?”
“Of course it’s true,” Jiang Ning said, gently tapping her nose.
“Uncle Jiang, I want to watch cartoons,” Mengmeng said weakly.
“Alright, but children shouldn’t watch TV too long, or their eyes will go bad.”
“Don’t worry, Uncle Jiang. I’ll only watch a tiny bit,” Mengmeng pleaded.
“Okay then. Uncle Jiang will watch with you for half an hour, and after that, I’ll teach you to draw. How’s that?”
“Yay, great! Let’s go, Uncle Jiang! Hurry, let’s watch cartoons!”
Jiang Ning helped Mengmeng get dressed.
They held hands and walked to the living room on the first floor. He turned on the TV.
“Uncle Jiang, I want to watch ‘Pandas Aren’t Just Bamboo Eaters.’ The panda in it is so cool!” Mengmeng clapped excitedly.
“Alright, Uncle Jiang will find it for you.”
Soon, the cartoon ‘Pandas Aren’t Just Bamboo Eaters’ started playing on the screen.
Mengmeng sat on the couch, completely focused.
Jiang Ning sat beside her, watching along, but also keeping an eye on the time. He didn’t dare get too absorbed—he didn’t want Mengmeng watching too long. It wouldn’t be good for her eyesight.
Five minutes later—
[Ding! Congratulations to the host, Beginner-level Martial Arts proficiency acquired.]
Suddenly, Jiang Ning felt a change in his body. His physique grew stronger, and muscles bulged on his arms.
He touched the hard muscles on his arm, then felt his lower abdomen—eight-pack abs had appeared. His face also seemed to have undergone subtle changes.
He clearly felt stronger. A large amount of knowledge about martial arts and combat techniques rushed into his memory.
“No way, really? Just watching martial arts in cartoons with Mengmeng upgraded my martial arts?”
At that moment, Jiang Ning felt like a martial arts master who had lived in seclusion for years.
He felt like he could take down ten people easily.
After all, what boy hasn’t dreamed of being a martial arts hero?
“System, when can I reach Divine-level in martial arts? Once I reach that level, will I be able to fly?” Jiang Ning asked, full of excitement.
[Host, upgrading to Intermediate-level requires 10 hours. Advanced-level, 20 hours. Top-tier level, 30 hours. Master-level, 50 hours. Grandmaster-level, 80 hours. Divine-level, 200 hours. Reaching Divine-level allows flight.]
Jiang Ning quickly did the math.
If he watched cartoons with Mengmeng for 30 minutes a day, it would take 400 days—more than a year—to reach Divine-level.
He felt a little disappointed. Four hundred days… and that didn’t even account for times Mengmeng might get sick. Plus, he was only going to care for her for three months.
He couldn’t possibly make Mengmeng watch cartoons 24/7 just to fulfill his martial arts dream.
If he tried, Su Meng would probably kick him out in two days.
“Sigh… looks like flying is just a dream in this lifetime,” Jiang Ning said helplessly, shaking his head.
“System, if I take care of other kids in the future, will I still receive system rewards?” Jiang Ning asked hopefully.
[No.]
It was over.
The worst part was, the system gave him hope, only to crush it right after.
“Fine… if there’s no reward, so be it. At least I’ve reached Beginner-level martial arts. That’s enough to handle a few people,” Jiang Ning consoled himself.