Chapter 10: The Island of No One (Please Support and Vote)

Ring, ring, ring—

The ringing of the phone interrupted Jiang Wanyi’s train of thought. It was her mother.

"Mom?"

"How is the baby? Have you two eaten dinner?"

"We've eaten. I’m taking her for a stroll downstairs."

"Going out for a walk is fine; you can't just stay cooped up at home all the time," her mother said. "Ever since the baby was born, you’ve never really taken care of a child properly. If you can’t handle it, should I send your father over?"

"Dad isn't in good health, don't have him come. I can barely manage to look after her; I’ll hold up."

Jiang Wanyi knew very well that the only reason she had survived the day was because of Chen Yuan. Without him, she wouldn't have known how to get through it.

"Then just stay home and look after the baby; experience what it’s like."

"Taking care of a baby really isn't a good job. In your generation, you had several children—I’m curious how you all managed to raise them," Jiang Wanyi said.

"Times were different then. Back then, if a child died, nobody thought much of it. It’s not like today, where every child is treated like a treasure," her mother said with a sigh. "You take care of her for a while. Once I’ve recovered, I’ll come over to help you. I’m hanging up now, I need to go cook for your father."

"Mom, wait."

"What else is it?"

"Have you been keeping an eye out for a lactation consultant for me?"

"I’ve already asked around my neighborhood, but there isn't anyone good."

"Do you know of any male lactation consultants?"

"A man? I’ve heard of them," her mother replied. "A neighbor downstairs told me her daughter-in-law hired a male consultant, and the results were quite good. I’ve also heard that men are actually more effective than women at this, but for a man to do this kind of work..."

Both mother and daughter shared the same apprehension. In theory, they felt there was nothing wrong with it, but when it came to actually putting it into practice, they felt a bit embarrassed.

"The neighbor downstairs said the same thing to me just now. I feel a bit awkward about it, too."

"Let's see how things go. If there’s really someone with good technique, hiring a man is fine. Being able to breastfeed is more important than anything else. Besides, aren't there male doctors for gynecological exams? You young people need to be more open-minded. As long as it works, that’s all that matters."

"It’s easy for you to say, but it’s precisely because I’m young that I feel awkward."

"You young people—why is your thinking less progressive than mine, an old lady?"

"It’s because you’re old that you don’t care anymore."

Jiang Wanyi recalled the time she took her mother for a breast nodule exam. Before they had even fully entered the room or closed the door, her mother had already lifted her shirt. She had even managed to make the male doctor nervous.

***

"It’s mainly for the baby’s sake; breast milk is beneficial for her health. You nursed until you were two, and you’ve hardly had a cold your whole life."

"Alright, I understand."

After hanging up, Jiang Wanyi’s mind was filled with thoughts of Chen Yuan. If he were a man of her own age, she might truly find it unacceptable. But she was so much older than him that she looked at him more like a child; surely that wouldn't be a big problem, would it?

She checked the time.

I’ll give him a call tomorrow...

***

After leaving Jiang Wanyi’s home, Chen Yuan departed, taking a bus slowly back to campus.

"Cuihu No. 1, city center, luxury mansion, 340 square meters..."

The phone was getting a bit too extravagant with its recommendations. Fearing that it might suddenly start pushing more high-end content, Chen Yuan closed the app and checked his balance.

Excluding his own living expenses, he had earned 1,500 today—a huge sum. He still had the task related to Jiang Wanyi. Although it wasn't easy to complete, there would eventually be a day when he succeeded, which would bring his total to 2,100.

Chen Yuan thought of an excuse, telling himself he’d tell his parents he’d earned some money working during the long break and wanted to send them 1,000. But upon second thought, if he gave the money to them, he wouldn't be able to visit another attraction. Never mind, he decided to splurge on himself for once.

He had planned to buy a better keyboard, or maybe grit his teeth and get an HHKB, but after thinking it over, it still felt too luxurious. If there were more tasks later, he could save up to enroll in driving school so he wouldn't have to ask them for money anymore.

After getting off the bus, he went to a small supermarket near the university town and bought half a watermelon to avoid being overcharged. It was a bit pricey, but at least it was sold by weight. You can sell things for a high price, but you can't treat me like an idiot.

Buzz, buzz, buzz—

His phone rang. It was a message from Wang Chuyue.

Wang Chuyue: "It’s the National Day holiday. How many people are left in your dorm?"

Chen Yuan: "Just one roommate with a disability but a strong spirit."

Chen Yuan: "Looking to grab a meal?"

Having only been in school for a month, the enthusiasm of the freshmen had not yet faded. At this stage, everyone was keen on joining various clubs and meeting people from their hometowns. If they could meet students of the opposite sex from other departments, it was time to start planning dorm mixers.

***

Wang Chuyue: "Smart. Want to get together for a meal? Bring your roommate."

Chen Yuan: "My roommate suffered a minor injury and can't get out of bed."

Wang Chuyue: "Sprained ankle? Or a fracture?"

Too narrow-minded.

Chen Yuan: "He had a 'revealing' surgery; he can't move for now, just resting in bed."

Wang Chuyue: "Is your roommate handsome? Both Mengmeng and I are single."

Chen Yuan: "Not as handsome as me. [Smug.jpg]"

Wang Chuyue: "Haha, no way, no way. You need a bit of self-awareness."

Wang Chuyue: "I think you and Niannian are quite a match. Apart from being a bit timid, she doesn't seem to have any flaws."

Wang Chuyue: "But in the eyes of boys, being timid doesn't seem like a flaw at all. It just depends on whether you have the guts to pursue her."

Pursuing Song Jianian...

Pursuing a girl, falling in love—Chen Yuan had indeed thought about such things. At his age, if he didn't have those impulses, there would be something physiologically wrong with him. But that was just a thought. If you asked him when he would actually do it, he wouldn't know.

Just then, a new task appeared.

[System Task: Your 210-month-old baby is now two years old. Do a small thing that makes her happy. Reward: 700 yuan cash, 5% physical fitness increase.]

[Note: She really likes small animals.]

Just as he had guessed. The first task was equivalent to birth, the second to one year old, and this third one to two years old. There was a timeline attached to her.

Interesting.

"Huh?"

Just then, Chen Yuan saw a familiar figure.

That familiar figure was none other than Song Jianian, walking out of a hotel while carrying a light blue bag.

He glanced at the hotel next to her: Lanting Hotel.

This was the most luxurious hotel near the university town, a four-star establishment that average students would shy away from, though some rich kids often frequented it.

Song Jianian’s pace was quick, her head slightly lowered. Her whole demeanor seemed out of place with the colorful neon lights around her, like an island that no one had ever reached...