Upon seeing Zhang Yuxi, Lin Feng was equally shocked. He never expected that after a two-year separation, they would meet again like this.
"Ms. Zhang, are you all right?" the class monitor sitting in the front row asked kindly.
Zhang Yuxi hurriedly picked up the class roster, pretending as if nothing had happened. "I... I'm fine. Let's continue with the roll call!"
Throughout the class, it was clear that Zhang Yuxi was completely out of it. Every time she saw Lin Feng sitting among the students, she would start to stutter. The lecture was supposed to be on classical Chinese studies, but she somehow managed to veer off into a retelling of *Journey to the West*.
However, the students below didn't complain. Because in this day and age, beauty is justice! As long as you were attractive, people would listen to whatever you said.
But Lin Feng remained indifferent, still sound asleep. He was simply too tired. After class, he had to get back to his food delivery job. It couldn't be helped; his family was poor, so he had to rely on himself to pay for college.
Besides, the incident had happened two years ago. She must have forgotten about it by now, right?
Soon, the bell rang, signaling the end of class. Lin Feng yawned, grabbed his backpack, and prepared to start his food delivery shift. As Lin Feng left, Zhang Yuxi raised her hand slightly, looking as though she wanted to say something, but ultimately, she let it drop.
「On the other side.」
Lin Feng rode his electric scooter to a residential complex near the university to make a delivery.
KNOCK, KNOCK!
Lin Feng knocked on the apartment door. "Hello, your takeout has arrived!"
The words had barely left his mouth when the door opened to reveal Zhang Yuxi, dressed in pajamas.
Seeing each other, they both exclaimed in unison, "What are you doing here?"
"Uh, I have a part-time job delivering takeout."
"Oh... come on in!"
Zhang Yuxi invited him in. Lin Feng placed the takeout bag on the dining table and began to look around the room. The apartment was filled with books and stationery, aside from the usual daily necessities. However, a few items stood out, looking jarringly out of place. On the coffee table sat several cans of formula and four baby bottles. On the balcony were two strollers and several used diapers.
Seeing these things, Lin Feng felt as if he'd been struck by lightning, freezing on the spot.
"Ms... Ms. Zhang, are you married?" Lin Feng's lips trembled as he asked the question with great difficulty.
"Mm... sort of," Zhang Yuxi replied softly, her expression complicated as she looked at him.
Hearing this, Lin Feng felt he finally understood. Then again, it had been almost two years since that incident. Zhang Yuxi was beautiful and a highly educated goddess; she must have had countless suitors. It was only normal for her to be married.
Still, Lin Feng remembered everything from that night as if it had happened only yesterday.
At this thought, a bitter smile crossed his face. He forced a cheerful tone and said, "Well, congratulations, Ms. Zhang. To think that two years ago you were heartbroken over love, and now you've already found your Mr. Right so quickly!"
"Lin Feng, if that's all, you should probably head back. I need to feed the baby soon." Seeing the bitter look on Lin Feng's face, Zhang Yuxi actually showed a hint of smug satisfaction.
Despite his dejection, Lin Feng nodded. "All right, then." He turned to leave.
He had only taken two steps when a strange voice echoed in his mind.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, you've activated the Fatherly Love as Mountain System!]
[Activation progress 99%...]
He stopped, thinking he was just hearing things. But a moment later, the mechanical voice sounded in his mind again.
[Emotional fluctuation detected in Host. The System now presents two choices!]
[Option 1: Help Zhang Yuxi feed the baby. The System will be 100% activated, rewarding you with the 'Feeding Mastery' Skill and the 'Novice Dad' title!]
[Option 2: Leave and ignore Zhang Yuxi, passing through a field of a thousand flowers without a single petal clinging to you. Reward: 'Playboy' title!]
[...]
Lin Feng's mouth twitched.
Damn it! Is this even a choice? Any idiot would pick Option 1! If I just leave, I lose the System. How am I supposed to make a comeback and be awesome then? Can I eat the 'Playboy' title?
Without a second thought, Lin Feng turned around and said to Zhang Yuxi, "Ms. Zhang, where's the baby? Let me help you with the feeding!"
"Ah? You want to help me?" Zhang Yuxi's cheeks flushed, slightly embarrassed.
"Well... I'm free right now," Lin Feng said gently. "Besides, you're all alone, juggling teaching and taking care of a baby. It must be exhausting."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yuxi looked at Lin Feng with eyes full of affection. "Thank you, Lin Feng."
She quickly prepared a bottle of formula and led him into the bedroom. Upon entering, Lin Feng was stunned to find not one, but four babies! Two boys and two girls. Quadruplets!
Holy crap! Ms. Zhang is incredible! To think she could give birth to a lineup like this! I wonder who the father is. He must be quite something, too!
Just then, the four babies saw Lin Feng and burst into tears. WAAAH! WAAAH! The sound rose and fell in waves, throwing Lin Feng into a panic.
Zhang Yuxi hurried over, patting their backs and comforting them. "There, there, don't cry, little ones. Uncle is going to feed you now, okay?"
As she spoke, she turned to Lin Feng. "Do you know how to feed a baby?"
Lin Feng shook his head. "No."
"All right, then. I'll show you."
Under Zhang Yuxi's guidance, Lin Feng shook the bottle and then gently placed the nipple in the baby's mouth. He was painstaking throughout the entire process, terrified of making the baby cry. After what felt like an eternity, the baby finally finished the formula and drifted off to sleep.
Lin Feng was drenched in a cold sweat, as if he'd just run a marathon.
"Fourth Treasure needs to be fed, too…" Zhang Yuxi said.
Hearing this, Lin Feng gave a helpless smile. He prepared another bottle and carefully began feeding the fourth baby. Just then, an older woman walked in from outside.
"I'm so sorry, Ms. Zhang! The traffic was terrible. I'm late."
Zhang Yuxi welcomed the woman in, shaking her head. "Don't worry, it's not your fault." Then she introduced her to Lin Feng. "This is Nanny Wang, our maternity nurse."
Lin Feng nodded in greeting. With Nanny Wang's help, they finally finished feeding all four babies. Having completed the task, Lin Feng felt a strong sense of accomplishment.
At that moment, the System's voice rang out as promised.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for completing Option 1!]
[Reward: Fatherly Love as Mountain System!]
[Reward: 'Feeding Mastery' Skill!]
[Reward: 'Novice Dad' Title!]
[Friendly Reminder: Host, when raising your own baby, be sure to shower it with all your love!]
My own baby? What the hell is that supposed to mean?