Chapter 25: Whoever Doesn't Call the Police is a Coward (Seeking Collections and Monthly Votes)

Jiang Wanyi carried a small backpack, and Chen Yuan pushed the stroller as they both headed downstairs.

Just as they reached the ground floor, a task notification appeared.

[System Task: As a "nanny," this is your first time taking the child for outdoor activities. You must ensure the child's safety at all times. Reward: 1,200 yuan in cash and professional-grade knowledge of human infant care.]

The rewards for child-related tasks were quite good.

If any attractive young mothers or housewives are in need of these services, please feel free to contact me.

The task itself was not difficult—just go for a walk and return safely. As long as he didn't get distracted, it shouldn't be a problem.

The residential complex was quite large with well-maintained greenery. Because it was located near a school district, many families with children chose to buy homes here. As they strolled along, children of all ages could be seen everywhere.

They took a leisurely walk until they reached the area outside the complex. Jiang Wanyi bought some fruit and then stopped at a convenience store to pick up some seasonings. When she came out, she saw Chen Yuan standing in front of a fish stall.

"Are you buying fish?"

"I'll buy a few crucian carp to make soup for you later."

"There are exactly three left; they're perfect for soup."

The stall owner was a middle-aged woman who beamed at Chen Yuan. "There aren't many men who know how to cook these days."

Jiang Wanyi stood nearby, wanting to clarify, but the woman hadn't explicitly called Chen Yuan her husband; clarifying it now would only make it seem like she was protesting too much.

The stall owner worked efficiently, cleaning and preparing the fish in no time.

"How old is the baby?"

"Over eight months," Jiang Wanyi replied.

"They say girls take after their fathers, and it's really true, especially the eyes. They look so much alike."

"He's my younger brother," Jiang Wanyi said, feeling embarrassed. Her ears turned red, and the flush was spreading at a visible rate...

"Your brother?" The stall owner smiled awkwardly. "Well, they still look alike. They’re related by blood, after all."

That was some top-tier recovery skill.

After buying the fish, the two headed back.

"Is there anything else you need to buy?" Jiang Wanyi asked.

"No."

"Then let's head back."

"Okay."

They retraced their steps, but when they arrived back at their building, they didn't go inside immediately. The sun was setting, sinking toward the horizon and melting the clouds into a tapestry of golden-red and deep purple fireworks.

Other children were playing soccer, and little Mili watched them motionlessly, full of curiosity about everything in this world.

The two sat together on the edge of a flower bed, with Chen Yuan resting his foot against the wheel of the stroller to keep it from rolling away. Jiang Wanyi enjoyed this moment, but her attention was focused entirely on Chen Yuan and the child.

Suddenly, she had the illusion that Chen Yuan's appearance was a compensation from heaven for her and her child. Unconsciously, Jiang Wanyi frowned slightly, feeling an unusual sensation in her chest.

Ever since he had massaged her three times, it felt as if her potential had truly been unlocked. It hadn't been long, yet she could feel that swelling sensation again.

"You stay here with the baby for a bit; I’m going back up to the apartment and will be right back down."

"Okay."

Jiang Wanyi stood up, took the groceries, and returned to their home. Little Mili remained focused, watching the scene without moving.

There was a message on his phone from the Cultural Committee regarding the "Campus Top Ten Singers" contest, but no one in their class had signed up. Li Yingying had some talent, but she only knew how to dance, not sing.

Li Yingying: "Is there really no one signing up for the Top Ten Singers?"
Li Yingying: "If no one signs up, our class will have to forfeit this activity."

Then, the class monitor, Zheng Wenkai, spoke up.

Zheng Wenkai: "This is an important event. Our class must put someone forward for the sake of class honor."
Zheng Wenkai: "@Li Yingying, why don't you recommend someone?"
Li Yingying: "@Chen Yuan, why don't you give it a try?"

How did she know he was looking at the group chat? He decided to pretend he didn't see it.

Then, the committee member spoke up.

Zhou Qingye: "Chen Yuan isn't a good singer either. If there’s really no other choice, I’ll do it. We can’t have absolutely no one signed up."
Li Yingying: "Since everyone’s singing is mediocre, we might as well pick someone handsome. We can't pick someone who is both ugly and a bad singer."
Li Yingying: "@Chen Yuan."

Why wouldn't she stop tagging him?

Chen Yuan: "I plan on preparing for the postgraduate entrance exam, so I don't have time for these kinds of activities."

Chen Yuan was truly impressed by Zheng Wenkai, a guy who would insist on picking the most difficult path even if it meant eating excrement. He actually insisted on sending someone, as if they were choosing a sacrificial lamb.

"Woof, woof..."

Just then, Chen Yuan heard a dog barking. He saw a brown Teddy dog running toward little Mili, completely unleashed.

Chen Yuan stood up immediately and scooped little Mili into his arms. The brown Teddy dog began clawing at his pant leg.

"Get lost," Chen Yuan cursed.

"Waaah, waaah!"

Little Mili had never seen such a scene and started crying in fear. Chen Yuan gently stroked her back, trying to calm her down. There were plenty of idiots these days, and people walking dogs without leashes were everywhere.

The anger in his chest was surging from his heels to the top of his head, but Chen Yuan held back. He figured that if the owner just apologized and took the dog away, he would let it go.

"Don't be afraid, our Qiuqiu doesn't bite," a middle-aged woman said as she walked over slowly.

Huh?
I’m waiting for an apology, and you’re telling me your dog doesn't bite?

"It doesn't bite your mother! Walking a dog without a leash—are you an idiot? Get lost!"

Chen Yuan kicked out, striking the dog and sending it flying several meters away.

"Yelp! Yelp! Woo-woo-woo..."

"Qiuqiu!"

Chen Yuan's kick had been powerful, and the middle-aged woman let out a loud shriek, as if she were the one who had been kicked.

"What are you doing! Do you have no conscience? My Qiuqiu doesn't bite! You pay for my dog!"

"Pay for your head! Walking a dog without a leash, who do you think you are?"

The woman was stunned by the outburst and simply lay down on the ground to play the victim. Just then, Jiang Wanyi came out of the building and hurried over to Chen Yuan's side.

"What happened?"

"Walking a dog without a leash, it came right at the baby."

Jiang Wanyi's expression turned cold. Adults could handle a fright, but scaring a child was a completely different matter. However, seeing the other party lying on the ground acting like a hooligan, it was hard to say anything further.

"What are you doing!"

A man in a tank top ran over to the middle-aged woman's side. "Mom, what happened?"

"He kicked our dog! Look at poor Qiuqiu, he's shaking!"

The man in the tank top was furious, his face turning red with rage. "My mother has a heart condition. If you don't give me an explanation, I won't let this go."

Chen Yuan handed the baby to Jiang Wanyi and beckoned to the man. "Come on, let's see how you won't let this go."

"It's alright, let's go back. Don't lower yourself to their level."

Jiang Wanyi was stunned by this other side of Chen Yuan. She hadn't expected this clean-cut, gentle young man to have such a side—it was very masculine. But as a woman, she knew she couldn't add fuel to the fire; she had to keep him calm, or else she would be doing him a disservice.

"Don't worry about it, let's see if he dares to come over."

Chen Yuan shielded Jiang Wanyi behind him. In that instant, an indescribable sense of security enveloped her, and her mind went blank for a moment...

Seeing that Chen Yuan wouldn't budge, the man in the tank top backed down.

"You just wait, I’m calling the police right now."

"Go ahead, call them. Whoever doesn't call is a coward."