Chapter 7: It Is Useless Even If You Hold Me Down to Death

He checked the time. The message had been sent three minutes ago; it wasn't too late yet.

Chen Yuan: "Sure, what's up?"

Before long, a video call request came in from Jiang Wanyi.

Chen Yuan put on his slippers and stepped out to the quiet stairwell to answer the call. Jiang Wanyi had changed into a black camisole dress and was cradling her baby.

"She just woke up. I'm worried she'll be hungry soon, but I don't know how to burp her. I wanted to ask if the right way is to hold her upright against my chest and pat her back?"

"Your posture is wrong. You need to let her head rest on your shoulder. And don't use your palm flat; keep your fingers together, slightly cupped, so your palm is hollow..."

Following Chen Yuan’s instructions, Jiang Wanyi tried a few times, looking flustered and clumsy.

"That’s not quite right. Hold her higher so her head rests on your shoulder."

Jiang Wanyi tried to lift the baby higher, but she couldn't quite get the infant's head to rest against her shoulder. Just then, the baby spotted Chen Yuan on the screen, immediately squinted her eyes, and began to giggle, making little cooing sounds.

Jiang Wanyi noticed that her daughter seemed to really like Chen Yuan; it had been that way since the first time they met.

Chen Yuan teased the baby a little and said to Jiang Wanyi, "Try adjusting the angle again. Burping is very important. She’s only eight months old, and it’s dangerous if she chokes."

"I’ve read a lot of news stories about that, which is why I’m so scared. I really didn’t want to bother you, but I watched so many videos and still couldn't figure it out." Jiang Wanyi looked apologetic, but at this moment, she didn't know who else to turn to besides Chen Yuan.

"It’s fine, I’ll teach you slowly. Just follow my lead."

"Okay."

Over the next ten minutes, Chen Yuan tried various ways to teach Jiang Wanyi how to burp the baby, but she just couldn't get the hang of it. Chen Yuan suddenly understood the frustration of high school teachers. You are the worst-performing mother I have ever taught.

"Stop trying for now. I’ll come over and show you."

"Are you sure it won't be a bother?"

"Not at all. I have nothing to do on my break anyway; staying in the dorm just means sleeping."

"I'll send you the address."

"Got it."

After hanging up, Chen Yuan returned to his dorm, put on his clothes and shoes, and prepared to head out. Just as he reached the door, Sun Pengnan called out to him with a strange expression on his face.

"Boss, I have a weird feeling about this."

"What feels weird?"

"I’ve reached the part where Xiao Yan and Yun Yun meet, but the way the plot is developing feels a bit off."

"You're misreading it. Trust me, just keep reading—the good part is coming up soon."

With that, Chen Yuan left.

"What the hell!"

As soon as he stepped out, a howl of agony echoed from the dorm. What kind of 4D novel was this, where he could actually feel pain?

After leaving the school gates, he took a bus to the entrance of Jiang Wanyi’s apartment complex. Following the address she provided, he found her home quickly.

"Come on in."

She was still wearing the same black dress, but it was slightly different from the video; she was now wearing a camisole underneath. In terms of physique, Jiang Wanyi was distinctly different from Song Jianian—one was voluptuous and mature, the other youthful and vibrant; the impression they gave was completely different.

"Eee... yaa..."

Seeing Chen Yuan walk in, Little Millet immediately made a sound. She was holding a small rattle, shaking it and giggling at Chen Yuan.

Chen Yuan walked over with a smile and touched her little cheek. Soft and pillowy. He wanted to kiss her. That was a creepy thought.

"It’s been three hours since she last slept, right?"

"I was just afraid she’d be hungry, but since I couldn't burp her, I didn't dare feed her." Jiang Wanyi rubbed her forehead in exhaustion, looking completely drained. "I’m at my wit's end. I’ve been asking friends to help me find a suitable nanny, but I haven't had any luck."

"Let me tell you, a good maternity matron is like a good job—they rarely hit the open market. Most of the ones you can find easily aren't very good."

"That’s exactly what I'm worried about. I can barely handle the feeding, and she gets hungry so fast."

"That’s just how babies are. Plus, she’s on formula, so it's normal for her to get hungry quickly." Subconsciously, Chen Yuan glanced at Jiang Wanyi and asked, "When did you start giving her formula?"

"After her first month, I started supplementing with a little bit..."

That was quite a bit of incompetence.

"She’s eight months old now; you can start introducing solid foods."

"Eight months? Isn't that a bit early?"

"Not early. A little bit is fine. Since she isn't breastfeeding, it’s time to start. Look at her teeth—only a tiny bit is showing. That might have something to do with her diet."

"Sigh, I actually wanted to breastfeed, but I only have a little bit every day. I’ve tried every method, but nothing works." Jiang Wanyi sighed repeatedly. It was clear that her vanity wasn't the issue; she just wanted to give her child the best.

"Um..." Chen Yuan asked tentatively, "Have you tried a lactation consultant?"

"Don't even mention it. I've already tried three. I've also tried every dietary supplement method there is, but nothing worked. I’ve given up." Jiang Wanyi looked at her child. "Sometimes when I look at her, I feel like I've failed her."

"Because you didn't give her the best?"

"Yes. The doctor said breast milk is the best, no matter how good the formula is. I haven't been able to give her much of it."

[System Task: Attempt to help Jiang Wanyi feed the baby herself. Reward: 600 Yuan, Complete Guide to Infant Solid Foods.]

Looking at the new task, it wasn't exactly hard, but it wasn't simple either. The professional lactation techniques rewarded by the system should be effective, but getting her—a "large but incompetent" player—to feed the child on her own in such a short time was going to be difficult. Plus, being a man, this was a delicate situation, but the task was there, so he had to find a way to complete it.

"I’ll teach you some methods. They should work." Chen Yuan pointed to his own chest. "Press here."

"You even know this? Aren't you just doing a part-time job in housekeeping?" Jiang Wanyi asked, surprised.

"Hey, it’s just something I picked up. The mannequins don't complain about me being a creep."

"Giggle..."

Jiang Wanyi was so amused that her waist swayed, and her chest rose and fell with her laughter.

"Let me try."

"Do as I say, press here." Chen Yuan pointed to his chest again.

"Press?"

Jiang Wanyi was confused. She reached out a finger and tentatively pressed against Chen Yuan's chest. "Like this...?"

Emmm...

Chen Yuan didn't speak; the atmosphere became slightly awkward.

"I’m a man. Even if you press me until I'm dead, there won't be any milk..."