Chapter 2: Just Make Sure She Eats Her Fill

Seeing her child in tears, Jiang Wanyi immediately set down her chopsticks and scooped the little one into her arms.

“Don’t cry, Millet. Mommy’s here.”

But her attempts at comfort had no effect; worry creased her face. This was a public place, after all, and a child crying nonstop would easily disturb the other diners.

“Mommy’s here, Mommy’s here…”

Watching Jiang Wanyi’s anxious efforts and her methods of soothing the baby, Chen Yuan was a little puzzled. The child was over eight months old by now; she shouldn’t be a novice mother anymore. Why was she still so flustered?

The child’s wailing only grew more intense, showing no sign of stopping. Tiny hands reached out to Chen Yuan, as if longing to be held by him.

Jiang Wanyi noticed this as well.

“Uncle can’t hold you, Millet. Be good.”

“Um…” Chen Yuan ventured, “Shall I try?”

“That would be too much trouble for you, wouldn’t it?”

In Jiang Wanyi’s eyes, Chen Yuan was just a young man. Though she was a new mother herself, she surely had more experience than he did. Handing the child to him, she felt just a hint of unease. Besides, if he did take the child, it would be imposing further on him, which made her uncomfortable.

“It’s no problem.”

“Waaah… babble babble… ooh ooh…”

The little one stretched out her hands eagerly, desperate to be in Chen Yuan’s arms.

Seeing her daughter’s state, Jiang Wanyi gave in and passed the child to Chen Yuan. She noticed his posture was impeccable, just like the childcare worker she’d previously hired.

Jiang Wanyi hesitated—his experience seemed greater than hers, not at all like some clueless young man.

Most important of all, as soon as her daughter was in his arms, her crying lessened significantly.

Chen Yuan held the baby, his entire attention focused on this tiny human. The feeling was strange and wonderful, something he couldn’t quite describe.

He wanted to get closer.

What a strange uncle he was.

He gently stroked the baby’s back. The crying subsided, though not completely.

Tentatively, he pressed his face to the child’s cheek—her temperature was normal.

He checked her diaper; it was dry, no sign of wetness or soiling.

With these reasons ruled out, there was only one possibility left: she must be hungry.

“When did the baby last eat?” he asked.

Jiang Wanyi thought for a moment and glanced at her watch. “Over three hours ago.”

“She’s probably hungry. Where’s her bottle?”

“So soon?” Jiang Wanyi was surprised.

“Little ones are like that—hungry quickly, need feeding several times a day. Just get the bottle out and give her a little.”

“I… I didn’t bring one…” Jiang Wanyi began to panic.

“Then you feed her. As long as she’s full, she’ll be fine.”

At this point, Jiang Wanyi understood his meaning. With no formula on hand, she would have to nurse her child.

She took her daughter back, but the crying only intensified. The baby squirmed in her arms, trying to return to Chen Yuan.

“Let me take her again. Let’s find somewhere private.”

“Sorry for the trouble. Let’s go back to the car.”

Chen Yuan nodded, holding the baby with one arm and picking up her large bag of purchases with the other.

Jiang Wanyi paused, surprised by this young man’s sense of responsibility.

But now wasn’t the time for such thoughts—they needed to settle the child first; everything else could wait.

Pushing the stroller, they left the noodle shop and took the escalator down to the second basement level.

Jiang Wanyi’s car was an Audi Q5. With the proliferation of new energy vehicles, this model was no longer particularly expensive.

She opened the door, about to get in, when Chen Yuan said, “Sit in the back. It’ll be easier.”

Eager to feed her baby, Jiang Wanyi realized the significance—she’d opened the passenger door, but nursing there risked exposure. Sitting in the back seat was much more discreet.

She took the child, and Chen Yuan turned away out of respect. The stroller and shopping bags were beside him, and with the trunk inaccessible, he’d have to wait until she was done.

He considered switching places with the mother to help, but that wasn’t possible. His task had been to soothe the child; he’d tried, and it had worked to some extent, but the true cause was hunger, which only the mother could address.

Whether the mission could be deemed a success, he didn’t know. All he could do was wait.

Minutes ticked by with no notification of success. Instead, he heard her crying again, along with the sound of the car door opening.

“She’s still crying. Is she catching a cold?”

In moments of panic, especially for mothers, it was hard to remain rational or calm. In her anxiety, Jiang Wanyi turned to Chen Yuan for help—a stranger. Normally, she would never have done so.

“Let me see.”

Chen Yuan placed his hand on the child’s forehead. As he’d guessed, her temperature was normal.

If she was still crying after being fed, and illness was ruled out, there was likely only one explanation…

“Is it possible she didn’t get enough to eat?”

This delicate question was left at that. They were both adults; there was no need to spell it out.

Jiang Wanyi flushed with embarrassment.

“It’s possible…”

She glanced down unwittingly. Her size was certainly ample—calling it a D-cup would have been modest—yet she still couldn’t satisfy her baby. Perhaps there was truth to the saying: size doesn’t always mean abundance.

Just as with men: being big doesn’t guarantee endurance.

To all the gym enthusiasts out there, no offense intended—don’t take it personally.

“The only solution is to buy some formula and a bottle, then find somewhere with hot water…”

It was a hassle and would waste time, but Chen Yuan saw no other way.

“My home isn’t far—just a few minutes’ drive. I have everything there.”

“Alright, then drive home.”

At this point, the task should be nearly complete. He couldn’t very well follow them home.

Jiang Wanyi was desperate; making formula at home was a good idea, but with her child in this state, she couldn’t drive safely, and the baby didn’t seem willing to leave Chen Yuan’s side.

“Could you do me a favor?”

“You want me to hold the baby and come with you?”

“I really have no other choice. Could you help? Or you could drive for me.”

“I don’t have a license yet, but I can hold the baby.”

Chen Yuan was more than willing. It would take a bit more time, but if he completed the task, he’d earn two hundred yuan—a nice boost for his monthly expenses.

“Could you open the trunk? I’ll load these things.”

She popped the trunk, and with one arm holding the child and the other carrying the bags, Chen Yuan easily packed everything away.

Jiang Wanyi tried to help, but realized these small tasks were effortless for Chen Yuan; she wasn’t needed at all.

Seeing his calm and relaxed manner, her own anxiety eased; she was no longer flustered.

Chen Yuan sat in the passenger seat, while Jiang Wanyi fastened her seatbelt, her figure accentuated, the curves full, embodying the sensuality of a young mother.

On the drive, Chen Yuan kept the baby entertained. Her mood fluctuated, but hunger was a primal urge—even his affinity couldn’t fully override it. All he could do was comfort her as best he could.

Jiang Wanyi drove, observing the interaction between Chen Yuan and her daughter.

This young man clearly had a talent for caring for children—at least, more than she did.

As a mother, she couldn’t help but feel ashamed that this young man was better with her child than she was herself.

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