Chapter 001: A Mother's Plea for Help

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Midsummer, October 1st.

Chen Yuan stepped out of the mall, glancing at a message from his mother on his phone.

Comrade Old Li: “Your uncle in the countryside found a temp job for your dad and me. Don't bother coming home during the National Day holiday.”

Comrade Old Li Senior: “Study well at school, don't worry about money.”

Chen Yuan: “Okay.”

Looking at the messages on his phone, Chen Yuan felt a tumult of emotions. He had much to say, but in the end, he typed only a single word: “Okay.”

He knew very well what this so-called temp job was about.

Being away from home, unable to return mid-way, working for six or seven days straight, staying in hotels or inns at night, eating whatever was available locally—mainly local specialties, depending on one's mood.

The main workplaces were major scenic spots around the country. The work consisted primarily of checking in and taking photos—a rather exhausting job.

The greatest dignity of adulthood is seeing through things without exposing them.

Chen Yuan didn't feel lonely about not being able to go home for the holiday.

He took a few stops on the bus to a mall near the university town to buy some necessities, got a haircut while he was at it, and felt much more refreshed. The tan he’d gotten from military training had finally faded.

After finishing his errands, he found a noodle shop on the first floor of the mall and sat by the entrance, ordering a bowl of spicy oil noodles—planning to eat and then head back.

He fanned himself with a free paper fan from the university district and scrolled through his phone while waiting for his noodles.

Just then, he noticed a woman with long hair pushing a foldable stroller, inside which sat a fair-skinned little girl, appearing at the entrance of the shop.

The woman looked to be in her thirties, her long hair casually pinned up, with a few loose strands falling across her forehead. Her face, though a bit weary, couldn’t hide its gentle beauty, but what drew attention most was her figure.

She wore jeans that outlined her shapely, long legs and rounded hips—her curves apparent even under a loose T-shirt.

But there was a small step at the entrance, which meant to get in, the stroller's front wheels had to be lifted. The woman seemed to struggle a bit, especially since her other hand was holding a shopping bag.

Chen Yuan quietly stood up to help, lifting the stroller so they could enter smoothly.

The woman brushed aside the hair from her forehead and said, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Seeing there was an empty seat beside Chen Yuan, she pushed the stroller over.

Both seats were single tables, with just enough space in between for the stroller.

The child seemed quite young, probably under a year old, but she was fair and clean, with big, adorable eyes—taking after her mother.

“Boss, one bowl of beef noodles.”

“Coming right up.”

After placing her order, Chen Yuan looked at the little girl beside him.

She was truly cute. He waved at her, making her giggle gleefully.

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At that moment, lines of text suddenly appeared in Chen Yuan’s mind.

[Super Dad System initializing...]

[Future Database loading...]

[At 22, you marry. At 23, you become the father of twins. The following month, the children's mother passes away from illness...]

[You raise the two children alone. Your eldest son marries at 27, and at 29, has a child, making you a grandfather...]

[Your daughter marries at 29, and at 30, gives birth to a girl, making you a maternal grandfather...]

[After your granddaughter’s hundred-day banquet, you take sleeping pills at home and end your life, holding your children’s birthday photos and pictures with your grandson and granddaughter...]

[You have accumulated a wealth of parenting experience, which will become a powerful tool on your journey through life.]

[System Task: Make the baby in front of you laugh for five seconds. Reward: 100 yuan cash, 100% affinity with human infants.]

Before Chen Yuan could react to the barrage of text, an immense amount of parenting knowledge was forcibly instilled in his mind.

What the heck.

I’m not Hu Bao, there’s no need to hit me with the Infinite Emptiness Technique.

But the information was intriguing—it actually peered into his future.

Would he really marry right after college? And his wife die after he became a father? He’d raise two children, see them start families, and eventually end his own life? Was this out of grief? Such devotion—would he really never get over the mother of his children, even after all those years?

And about this task...

The reward wasn’t much—just 100 yuan. But every little bit counts, and making a baby laugh for five seconds shouldn’t be difficult.

Focusing on the child, Chen Yuan forgot his noodles for a moment and made a funny face at her.

“Gigglegiggle—”

The child burst out laughing, her eyes squinting with delight, a tiny milk tooth already showing.

[Task complete: Reward 100 yuan cash, 100% affinity with human infants.]

His phone vibrated in his pocket. Checking it, he saw a 100-yuan deposit notification.

As for the so-called 100% affinity reward, he didn’t feel anything obvious.

No matter, he thought. I’m really not Hu Bao—don’t hit me with that again.

“Yayayaya...”

The baby babbled, even reaching out her tiny arms as if asking Chen Yuan to hold her.

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Could it be that the 100% affinity was working?

Sitting beside them, Jiang Wanyi was a bit surprised to see her daughter reaching out to a stranger like this.

Most of the time, even when she wanted to hug her own child, she didn’t get such a response.

Instinctively, Jiang Wanyi’s gaze fell on Chen Yuan.

He was a clean-cut young man; from his mannerisms, he seemed well-raised. The little fan in his hand bore the name of an agricultural university—he must be a student.

Chen Yuan didn’t notice Jiang Wanyi’s scrutiny; his attention was entirely on the little human cub before him.

Though she was quite young, it was proof enough that he was likable.

Still, he didn’t pick up the child. Boundaries, after all, were important.

Even as she babbled, he only extended a single finger for her to grasp.

Seeing this, a gentle smile appeared on Jiang Wanyi’s face.

She had worried before coming that her daughter might cry and disrupt others during the meal; she hadn’t expected a strange young man to amuse her so well.

Soon, Jiang Wanyi’s noodles arrived. She was about to eat when she saw her daughter still clutching Chen Yuan’s finger.

“Mili, let go of uncle’s hand. Uncle needs to eat.”

The little one acted as if she hadn’t heard, still gripping his finger.

Just eight months old—understanding words at this age would be quite the feat.

“How old is she?” Chen Yuan asked casually.

“A little over eight months.”

He glanced at the child’s teeth. According to the system’s knowledge, her teething was a little late—not a big issue, but suggestive of some dietary factors.

“Wahhhh—”

Suddenly, the baby began to cry.

Chen Yuan watched the little one. I have 100% affinity and she’s still crying?

Come on, System—where did you allocate those points?

[System task: Try to soothe the crying baby. Reward: 200 yuan cash, professional-level burping technique.]

An extra 100 yuan and a new skill—not bad.

...

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