*40*

“Lastly, although you’ll soon earn the 3 million points required to regain your freedom and start a new life, our parenting system will always stay with you. Any points earned beyond 3 million can be exchanged for beauty and luck bonuses!

The more time you spend with children, the more beautiful and lucky you’ll become. However, as Little Wen grows older each day, earning more points will require interacting with more kids.”

Zhu Jia’s eyes lit up. “By the way, System, I remember you mentioned that extra points could be converted into cash. What’s the exchange rate for that?”

The system paused for a moment. “Host, with such a wealthy husband, why bother with worldly possessions like cash? Having dreams is what matters most.”

Zhu Jia frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean? Alright then, let me ask you: how much would 2.5 million points convert to?”

System: “Ahem, about… 250 yuan.”

Zhu Jia: “…This feels like a scam!”

System: “Hey, we’re a parenting system, not a luxury lifestyle. Unlike you, a wealthy wife with a monthly allowance of a million yuan and a 400-million-yuan pink diamond…”

Zhu Jia: “You can stop talking now!”

Ignoring the increasingly unreliable system, Zhu Jia turned her attention to Little Wen, who was playing with sound cards, and fell into deep thought.

Having lived in this world for nearly a year, she was finally about to escape her previously doomed fate and take control of her future.

But now, she was feeling lost, unsure of her next steps. Over the past year with Little Wen, she realized she truly enjoyed being around children and was deeply interested in all aspects of their growth.

The question was, could this interest sustain her in making it her future career? After all, she was just a mother with some basic parenting experience, without any professional knowledge of early childhood education or business acumen.

Propping her chin on her hands, Zhu Jia decided that these challenges weren’t insurmountable. With no other immediate plans or ideas, why not follow the system’s suggestion? It wouldn’t hurt to try.

Once her mind was made up, Zhu Jia got to work. Over the next few days, she researched early childhood education and discovered that the country’s top program for early and preschool education was at City University—the alma mater of Mo Yichen.

At dinner, Zhu Jia and Mo Yichen sat across from each other at the oval marble dining table, with Little Wen beside Mo Yichen.

“You want to attend City University?” Mo Yichen raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, I want to learn about early childhood education properly. All the knowledge I have now comes from books and the internet, but it feels insufficient. I want a systematic education.”

Zhu Jia fiddled with her chopsticks, her thoughts wandering.

Mo Yichen remained silent, calmly feeding Little Wen, who was seated in his high chair.

Little Wen had progressed from pureed food to soft chunks and was now eating tender rice and chopped vegetables, with his chewing and digestion improving daily.

“Why aren’t you feeding him the fish? I’ve already deboned it for him,” Zhu Jia asked, frowning as she examined the dishes on Little Wen’s tray. Half of the minced beef and broccoli had been eaten, but the fish remained untouched.

“He doesn’t like fish,” Mo Yichen replied.

“Kids shouldn’t be picky eaters,” Zhu Jia set down her chopsticks, her expression serious. “If you keep accommodating his preferences, he’ll grow up even fussier.”

“And it’s time for him to start feeding himself. Hand him the spoon.”

“He won’t eat enough on his own,” Mo Yichen said, putting another spoonful of rice into Little Wen’s mouth.

“You’re spoiling him. Now he doesn’t even listen to me.”

Little Wen babbled, seemingly understanding the exchange, and made a playful noise.

Under Zhu Jia’s stern gaze, Little Wen reluctantly picked up his spoon and attempted to feed himself, spilling food all over his clothes and the floor. Some pieces fell deliberately, as if to spite them.

Soon, the floor under the table was a mess of greasy rice and food bits, making Zhu Jia hesitant to step down in her slippers.

When half a bowl of rice remained in Little Wen’s bowl, Mo Yichen sighed and picked it up again. “Forget it, he’s still too young for self-feeding. We’ll revisit this later.”

Zhu Jia nodded sheepishly. Why did this “self-feeding” thing feel even more exhausting than chasing him around with a spoon?

After dinner, Zhu Jia bathed Little Wen, who was covered in food. With the cooler weather, she turned on the room heater before wrapping him in a towel and carrying him to the bedroom.

Just as she laid him on the bed, the system’s cheerful BGM and enthusiastic narration rang in her mind:

“Congratulations! You’ve earned 3 million system points! You’ve successfully avoided your premature death, passing on love and taking control of your future!”

Although she’d anticipated this moment, Zhu Jia still felt a wave of joy and relief hearing the announcement.

Looking at Little Wen, who was wrapped in a white towel, Zhu Jia’s heart swelled with affection. Little Wen was her lucky star, the key to her new life.

Unable to resist, she showered him with kisses and hugs. Little Wen giggled, his tiny teeth showing as he squirmed from the ticklish affection.

The next evening, after putting Little Wen to bed, Zhu Jia heard a knock on her door.

Opening it, she found Mo Yichen, dressed in a sleek silver-gray suit.

“Is he asleep?” he asked, gesturing toward the crib.

Zhu Jia lowered her voice, “Yes.”

“Let’s talk upstairs.”

Throwing on a light jacket, Zhu Jia followed Mo Yichen to the third floor.

He handed her an ID-sized card. “This is for you.”

Zhu Jia took the card in confusion. The white card with an orange border read, “City University,” with her ID photo printed below.

“What’s this?”

“A student card. It grants you access to audit classes at the university,” Mo Yichen replied, glancing at her. “I’ve already arranged everything with the school today.”

Zhu Jia stared at the card in disbelief. “Is this even allowed?”

“It’s fine. You’re only auditing,” Mo Yichen said calmly. “Back in our day, there were plenty of auditors in our classes. Professors are used to it. Having a student card just makes it more convenient to come and go.”

“So, I can start attending anytime?”

“Yes, but since the semester is already halfway through, you won’t be able to start from the beginning.”

Zhu Jia nodded enthusiastically. “Thank you, Mo Yichen.”

Mo Yichen looked into her bright, sparkling eyes. “I’m free tomorrow morning. I can take you and the baby to tour the campus.”