Chapter 17: Rising (Please Support and Vote)

Sometimes, when it comes to the complexities of adult social interactions, it’s hard to tell what’s sincere and what’s not. In any case, they all praised Jiang Wanyi for looking young.

And indeed, she was youthful. If she changed her clothes, it would be impossible to guess her real age.

“That really is my brother…”

Jiang Wanyi felt a bit guilty at the remark. It was clear he was usually an honest person, so telling such harmless little lies was somewhat unfamiliar to him.

But what truly embarrassed Jiang Wanyi was what Chen Yuan had done.

He wasn’t her husband or her brother, yet he had actually massaged her...

Given their identities, the female neighbor wisely dropped the topic of lactation and shifted the conversation to the child.

When they reached the first floor, the neighbor greeted them briefly and left. The two then went down to the basement level.

Chen Yuan held the baby while Jiang Wanyi drove, giving the impression of a family of three going out together.

Driving, Jiang Wanyi glanced through the rearview mirror at Chen Yuan, who was playfully engaging the baby.

Unconsciously, she recalled the neighbor’s words in the elevator.

If she really found a husband like that, her life would probably be very happy—at least someone would help share the burden.

She sighed silently. Given the current situation, all she could say was that she had been unlucky with people and had poor judgment in choosing men.

Arriving at a nearby shopping mall, they went to a mother-and-baby store, where Chen Yuan took charge of the shopping.

They bought some milk storage bags, which came with small funnels.

In addition, they purchased baby powder, calamine lotion, and other essentials.

Jiang Wanyi followed Chen Yuan the whole time, feeling somewhat useless.

“How long have we been using the bottles and nipples?”

“I think we haven’t changed them since birth.”

“Let’s just replace them with new ones.”

“Okay, I’ll trust you.”

Chen Yuan selected items quickly and had everything bought within half an hour.

“Wait a moment,” Jiang Wanyi said as they were about to check out and went to the other side. Chen Yuan saw her buying two sets of nursing bras.

The styles were quite old-fashioned, with buttons on the cups for convenient breastfeeding.

After paying, they left the mother-and-baby store and planned to pick up some food on the basement level.

But before they even entered the supermarket, Jiang Wanyi furrowed her brows slightly, mixed with a trace of happiness.

“Let’s go downstairs first,” she whispered to Chen Yuan.

“What’s wrong?”

“I feel a bit full.”

After Chen Yuan had massaged her at noon, Jiang Wanyi no longer felt shy talking about it.

“Let’s go to the car first. She’ll probably be hungry soon.”

“Okay.”

They quickened their pace and returned to the car. Jiang Wanyi held the baby in the back seat while Chen Yuan stood outside.

A few minutes later, a notification appeared.

[Task complete: Reward 600 yuan cash, Nutrition Guide]

Fed the baby? The method of rewards from the system was truly remarkable. Just one time and such results.

With the reward credited, relevant knowledge filled her mind.

The nutrition guide was a general term, divided into three parts: milk stimulation, replenishing qi and blood, and baby complementary foods—quite comprehensive.

Click—

The car door opened slightly.

“Brother…”

“What is it?”

Holding the baby, Jiang Wanyi whispered, “Where did you put the things we just bought?”

“In the trunk. Why?”

Thinking for a moment, Jiang Wanyi said, “Can you take out one of the nursing bras I bought?”

“You bought two. Which one do you want?”

“They’re the same. Either one is fine.”

Chen Yuan opened the trunk, took out one nursing bra, and handed it to Jiang Wanyi.

Taking the bra, Jiang Wanyi passed the baby to Chen Yuan.

About five or six minutes later, Jiang Wanyi emerged, her face glowing with joy she could no longer conceal.

“I really have to give you a thumbs up. You’re amazing.”

“Is it because it worked?”

Jiang Wanyi nodded. “You know, it’s not that I stopped feeding her earlier, it was that she wouldn’t eat. Now I think feeding her a full amount once should be fine.”

“Maybe she just wasn’t that hungry and ate less, but it’s definitely better than before.”

“Much better. We’ve only been out for a short while, and there are still 100 milliliters at home. I never dreamed it would work this well.”

“Well then, let’s keep it up.”

“Mm.”

They returned to the supermarket in the mall. The baby was in the stroller; Jiang Wanyi pushed it while Chen Yuan pushed the shopping cart as they picked out items.

This time, they shopped with clear purpose, following the nutrition guide.

“Let’s buy a health pot.”

“Sure, I can make you something to drink.”

“I don’t need that. I can make you something to replenish qi and blood.”

“You know about these things?” Jiang Wanyi asked in surprise.

“I’ve learned a little bit of everything. I’m just too versatile.”

Jiang Wanyi smiled warmly. “I’ll follow your lead.”

Watching Chen Yuan expertly select items, Jiang Wanyi felt she could truly be a fool by his side.

She didn’t have to worry about anything; he could handle everything for her.

Before earning her doctorate, this feeling existed—her father was there, and she didn’t have to manage anything. If there was a problem, she just called him, and he solved it like a superhero.

But as she grew older, started her own family, and her parents aged, it became her turn to shield them from hardship. That feeling disappeared.

Especially after her divorce, with a job and a child to care for, and concern for her parents’ health, she hadn’t felt this way in years.

What nonsense was she thinking about?

He could never be like her father…

“Almost done? The fridge at home should have space, right?” Chen Yuan’s voice brought her back to reality.

“Yes, just enough.”

“Then let’s buy these.”

After finishing their shopping, noticing the time was late, they grabbed a bite in the mall to settle dinner before heading home.

Chen Yuan carried the baby out of the car, opened the trunk, and took out the purchases and the stroller.

Jiang Wanyi locked the car and held something in her hand. Upon closer look, it was her nursing bra—the one she had just changed out of.

Noticing Chen Yuan’s gaze, she felt a little embarrassed and hurriedly put the bra into the shopping bag.

“Let’s go.”

Chen Yuan held the baby in one arm and carried the items with the other. Jiang Wanyi pushed the stroller, and together they entered the elevator.

Chen Yuan’s eyes glanced, intentionally or not, at the nursing bra, then quickly realized what had happened.

It must have gotten wet during feeding and couldn’t be worn again.

No need to say anything more—the system had truly done a great service.