Chapter 137 - 87: An Overwhelming Sense of Shame

Chapter 137: Chapter 87: An Overwhelming Sense of Shame

Chen Yuan glanced around. The people coming and going were all young mothers from the complex; none of them seemed to have anything to do with Jiang Wanyi.

Besides, he’d never heard her mention having any other relatives in the complex. ’Who is she putting on this act for? Who is she hiding from?’

A moment later, Jiang Wanyi lifted her head, her expression relaxing as if she had just dodged a bullet.

"Let’s go. We can walk around the supermarket and buy some groceries."

"Okay, but who were you hiding from just now?"

"A neighbor from the complex. Do you remember? One time, the two of us took the baby downstairs to play and ran into a female neighbor who misunderstood our relationship."

Chen Yuan thought for a moment. He had a vague recollection of it.

"And? What about it?"

"I just saw her."

"So what if you saw her? She’s just a neighbor. Why are you hiding from her?"

"Have you forgotten? The last time we ran into her, she said you were my husband, and I had to explain that you were my younger brother."

"And?"

"Just now, as she was walking over, the baby kept calling you ’Dada,’ and she heard it all. I’m guessing she now suspects we have an improper relationship."

"Who says a baby can’t call her mom’s younger brother ’Dada’? They’re so close-minded."

Jiang Wanyi couldn’t help but laugh. "Just listen to yourself. Does that even make sense?"

"It’s a mix-and-match," Chen Yuan said, holding the baby.

"But still, has she not learned to say ’Mama’ yet?"

"Don’t even start. I teach her to say ’Mama’ every single day, but every time she opens her mouth, it’s ’Dada.’ It’s infuriating," Jiang Wanyi said, looking at Chen Yuan.

"What kind of spell did you cast on her? She’s always so well-behaved the moment she sees you. Anyone who didn’t know better would really think you were her father."

"Maybe we should take her for a DNA test, see if she’s actually related to me."

"You’re getting more and more ridiculous. If she were really related to you, this would be a science fiction novel," Jiang Wanyi said with a laugh.

"But I’ve already tried to stop her from calling me ’Dada.’ It seems she’s just gotten used to it," Chen Yuan said.

"Give it some time, and we’ll be able to correct this habit."

"I don’t really mind her calling you ’Dada.’ It’s just a name, after all. But she still won’t say ’Mama,’ and it’s so unsatisfying. I feel like my presence as a mother is diminishing."

Jiang Wanyi looked at Chen Yuan and said seriously,

"But we agreed last time. No matter what, you have to be on my side. You and I are a team."

"But then she’d be all alone with no one to back her up. How pitiful."

"This isn’t about whether she’s pitiful or not. Our job is to raise her properly and not let her develop bad habits..."

The moment the words left her mouth, Jiang Wanyi realized something was wrong.

’Chen Yuan isn’t my husband, nor is he the baby’s biological father. Raising her has nothing to do with him. Why did I just drag him into it?’

’Have I subconsciously started to think of him as my other half?’

’No, no!’

’I have to break this habit!’

’My mission for the rest of my life is to raise her into an adult by myself. I can’t become dependent on anyone!’

’He has no obligation to help me take care of my child.’

"Isn’t it a bit early to be thinking about discipline? Relax a little, don’t be so tense."

"Mm."

Chen Yuan carried the baby and walked toward the car.

Jiang Wanyi followed behind, pushing the stroller and watching the two of them from the back.

Her daughter was in his arms, batting at a small balloon, looking absolutely delighted.

Reflecting on everything that had happened recently, she sighed to herself. ’It seems I’m becoming more and more dependent on him.’

They opened the car doors and the three of them got in.

The supermarket wasn’t far from home, just a few minutes’ drive away. The old ladies from the complex would have just walked over.

Chen Yuan grabbed a shopping cart, placed Mili in the child seat so she was facing him, and pushed her along in front.

The supermarket was a riot of colors, and Mili’s eyes couldn’t take it all in. She looked everywhere, wanting to grab everything she saw.

Chen Yuan would gently tell her that she wasn’t allowed to do that.

Walking behind them, Jiang Wanyi savored the feeling.

She took out her phone and snapped a photo of the two of them from behind, very pleased with her handiwork.

"Stop fussing over her for a minute. See if there’s anything you want to eat, and we’ll buy some to take back."

"I’m not picky. Anything is fine."

"Are you still eating these?" Jiang Wanyi asked, pointing at the oysters in the seafood section.

"A man over 25 is equivalent to being 60. I’m only 18 this year, so I don’t need to ’replenish’ so frequently."

Jiang Wanyi burst out laughing. "You’re always helping me with the baby, so you don’t sleep well at night. I’m a little worried about your health."

"It’s fine. I’ve tested it. No problems there."

"Hm?"

Jiang Wanyi shot Chen Yuan a look.

"Did you get a girlfriend?"

"Nope."

"Let me tell you, don’t be like other guys, doing all that messy stuff. You need to conduct yourself properly," Jiang Wanyi said sternly.

"Hold on, hold on. I think you’re misunderstanding something."

"You just said it yourself."

"Um... how should I explain this to you?"

Chen Yuan thought for a moment. "Do you know what ’early morning’ means?"

"’Early morning’?"

Jiang Wanyi’s expression froze for a second before realization dawned. After all, she was an experienced woman.

"I was overthinking it."

"You have such a dirty mind..."

"I’m gonna pinch you."

She gave Chen Yuan a light punch with her little fist. "Hurry up and pick something. I’ll make it for you tonight when we get back."

"In that case, let’s get some oysters. The more, the better."

’Young people these days have an endless supply of creative phrases.’

Chen Yuan pushed Mili in the cart, and the three of them began to wander through the supermarket.

On a Friday evening, the supermarket was more crowded than usual.

Many people planned to do their shopping on this day, buying extra groceries to go home and cook a big meal to welcome the weekend.

The supermarket was filled mostly with married couples.

Most of them were walking arm in arm, chatting as they shopped.