Chapter 2: The First Task

Li Wei couldn't stop thinking about the voice. The Ultimate Family System. It was a concept straight out of fantasy novels he used to read, something that felt too surreal for his already complicated life. Yet, here it was—real, unexplainable, and presenting itself as a beacon of hope in his struggle. As they walked back home from the park, Xu Lian held Li Mei's hand while chatting about their daughter's upcoming school projects. But Li Wei's mind was elsewhere.

The talisman had slipped quietly into his pocket after the strange voice vanished, and now, every so often, he could feel it pulsing faintly, as if waiting for him to act. What was this system? How was it going to help him? His thoughts raced as they reached the door of their apartment.

Once inside, Xu Lian began preparing dinner, while Li Mei played with her toys in the living room. Li Wei excused himself and headed to the small bedroom he shared with his wife. He closed the door softly behind him and took out the talisman, its golden glow dim but persistent.

"System," he whispered cautiously, half-expecting nothing to happen.

To his surprise, a translucent screen appeared before his eyes, hovering in midair, visible only to him. The text on the screen was clear and simple, as though the system was waiting for him to engage:

"Welcome to the Ultimate Family System!"

"Your goal: Become the best father and husband by completing tasks and earning rewards."

"Current Level: 0. Beginner."

Underneath the introduction was a single blinking notification:

"First Task: Cook a meal that will make your wife and daughter feel cherished. Reward: Cooking skill upgrade, 1000 yuan."

Li Wei blinked in confusion. Cooking? That was the first task? His gaze shifted toward the kitchen, where Xu Lian was humming softly as she prepared their evening meal. He had never been much of a cook, always leaving that part of their lives to his wife, who seemed to enjoy it. Could he really cook something special? He didn't want to fail his first task, especially when the rewards were so valuable.

Steeling himself, Li Wei tucked the talisman back into his pocket and walked out of the room. He found Xu Lian chopping vegetables at the counter.

"Lian, why don't you take a break?" he said, walking up beside her. "I was thinking I'd make dinner tonight."

Xu Lian's hands froze mid-chop, and she turned to him with wide eyes. "You? Cooking dinner?" she laughed softly. "Wei, you barely know how to boil water."

"I know," Li Wei chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "But I want to try. You've been doing so much for us, I think it's my turn to spoil you and Mei a bit."

Her surprise softened into a warm smile. "That's sweet, but don't stress yourself. I can finish this."

"No, really. Just relax and spend some time with Mei. Let me handle it tonight."

Xu Lian seemed unconvinced, but after a moment's hesitation, she handed him the knife. "Alright, if you're sure. But if you need help, I'm just a shout away."

Li Wei took a deep breath as Xu Lian walked over to the living room to join their daughter. He turned back to the counter, staring at the half-prepared ingredients, feeling like a soldier about to go into battle. Could he really pull this off? He hadn't cooked a meal since college, and even then, it had been nothing more than instant noodles and scrambled eggs.

Suddenly, the system's screen blinked back into view, filling his vision:

"Task Activated: Cook a meal that will make your family feel cherished."

"Activating beginner cooking skills... Complete!"

A strange warmth washed over him, and suddenly, it was as if a door in his mind had opened. His hands moved with newfound confidence, chopping vegetables with precision, seasoning the meat as though he had been trained in gourmet cooking. Every movement felt instinctive, guided by an invisible hand. His doubts evaporated as he worked, the kitchen filling with the rich aroma of spices and sizzling ingredients.

He could hear the soft murmur of Xu Lian and Li Mei chatting in the living room, but he focused entirely on the meal. In under an hour, he had transformed the humble ingredients into a feast: stir-fried vegetables in oyster sauce, braised pork belly, and a hearty soup made from the stock he had quickly prepared. As he set the table, he marveled at what he had accomplished. It looked—dare he say it—delicious.

"Dinner's ready!" he called out, trying to keep the excitement from his voice.

Xu Lian and Li Mei joined him at the table, both of them staring at the dishes with wide eyes. Li Wei could see the doubt on Xu Lian's face, but she picked up her chopsticks and took a tentative bite of the pork belly. Her eyes widened, and she quickly went for another bite.

"This is... really good, Wei! When did you learn to cook like this?" Xu Lian asked, her surprise evident.

Li Wei smiled, feeling a surge of pride. "I guess I've been paying more attention than I thought."

Li Mei, too, was happily devouring the vegetables, a rare sight since she usually complained about eating greens. The joy on their faces, the satisfaction of having provided for them in such a meaningful way, filled Li Wei with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.

"Task Complete!"

"Reward: Cooking skill upgrade. 1000 yuan has been transferred to your account."

The notification blinked in his peripheral vision, but this time, Li Wei wasn't as startled by the system's appearance. Instead, he let the moment wash over him, grateful for the strange yet miraculous gift he had been granted. The extra money would help cover some of the bills, but more than that, he felt like he had taken his first real step toward giving his family the life they deserved.

Later that evening, after Li Mei had gone to bed, Xu Lian approached him as he was cleaning up the kitchen. She wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head on his back.

"You've been full of surprises today," she murmured. "I haven't seen Mei so excited about dinner in a long time. And you... well, I feel spoiled."

Li Wei smiled, his heart swelling with love for her. "You deserve it. You and Mei deserve everything. I'm just trying to make things better."

Xu Lian pulled away slightly, looking up at him with a thoughtful expression. "You don't have to do it all on your own, Wei. I know you've been stressed lately, and I want to help. We're a team, remember?"

Li Wei's chest tightened. He wanted to tell her everything—the system, the tasks, the rewards—but the voice had been clear: this was his burden to bear alone. He kissed her forehead instead, choosing his words carefully.

"I know, Lian. And I appreciate everything you do. But sometimes, I just want to take care of you both."

She smiled up at him, her eyes softening with affection. "And you did. Tonight was perfect."

As Xu Lian left the kitchen to get ready for bed, Li Wei lingered by the sink, his thoughts swirling. This was just the beginning, he realized. If the system could help him with something as simple as cooking, what else could it do? What other tasks awaited him, and what would he have to do to ensure his family's happiness?

The talisman pulsed faintly in his pocket, as though it, too, was waiting for what came next. Whatever challenges lay ahead, Li Wei knew one thing for certain: he would do anything to protect and provide for his family. The system was his tool, his secret weapon, and he was ready to wield it.