Chapter 3: A Glimpse of Trouble

The following morning, Li Wei awoke to the gentle sound of birds chirping outside his window. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the bedroom. He turned to see Xu Lian still peacefully asleep beside him, her hair cascading over the pillow like a dark waterfall. A wave of affection washed over him; he cherished these quiet moments before the chaos of the day began.

He slipped out of bed quietly, careful not to disturb her. After a quick shower, he headed to the kitchen, where he was determined to make breakfast—an extension of the joy he felt from cooking the previous night.

As he began preparing scrambled eggs and toast, the system chimed in his mind, reminding him of its presence.

"New Task Available!"

"Make a breakfast that will energize your family for the day. Reward: 1000 yuan and a breakfast skill upgrade."

Li Wei raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the idea of a breakfast skill upgrade. Energizing his family sounded simple enough. He glanced around the kitchen and decided to incorporate some nutritious ingredients. He quickly diced vegetables and whisked them into the eggs, adding herbs and spices to elevate the flavor.

He plated the food and made a fresh pot of coffee, the rich aroma filling the air. Just as he set the table, he heard the soft padding of feet approaching.

"Good morning, Daddy!" Li Mei's cheerful voice echoed through the apartment as she bounded into the kitchen, her hair tousled and her eyes bright with excitement.

"Good morning, Mei! How about a special breakfast today?" Li Wei grinned, gesturing to the table.

Li Mei's eyes widened as she climbed onto a chair, her face lighting up with joy. "Yay! You made breakfast! It smells amazing!"

Xu Lian joined them moments later, her eyes widening in surprise at the sight of the spread. "Wow, you've been busy this morning!"

"I just wanted to give you both a good start to the day," Li Wei replied, feeling proud.

As they dug into the breakfast, laughter and chatter filled the air, a stark contrast to the anxiety that had accompanied them the day before. Li Wei savored every moment, taking in the joy on their faces as they praised his culinary efforts.

"This is so good, Daddy! Can you make breakfast every day?" Li Mei asked, her mouth full of scrambled eggs.

Li Wei chuckled, feeling the warmth of his family's happiness. "I'll try my best, Mei."

After breakfast, Xu Lian prepared for her work at the family's real estate business while Li Wei took Li Mei to her school. The morning was bright and cheerful, and he couldn't shake the feeling that the system had shifted something within him. He felt empowered, confident that he could continue to make his family happy.

However, as he walked his daughter to school, he spotted a familiar face lurking by the entrance—Xu Chen, Xu Lian's brother. He was tall, with sharp features and an air of arrogance that seemed to draw attention. Li Wei had always found him intimidating, especially given his connections in the business world.

"Li Wei," Xu Chen called out, his voice dripping with condescension. "Taking care of the little one today, I see? How noble of you."

Li Wei's stomach knotted. "Good morning, Xu Chen. Yes, just dropping Mei off for school."

Xu Chen smirked, leaning casually against the school gate. "You know, you could do more for your family. It must be tough being the underdog in the family. I'm surprised you haven't tried to cash in on Lian's connections."

"Lian has worked hard for what she has," Li Wei replied, keeping his tone steady. "I'm proud of her."

Xu Chen laughed lightly, an infuriating sound. "Proud? How cute. But it wouldn't hurt to have a little ambition yourself. What do you have to offer besides cooking? A man's worth is measured by his ability to provide."

Li Wei felt his blood boil, but he forced himself to remain calm. He was Li Mei's father, and he couldn't let Xu Chen's taunts affect him. "I'm doing my best for my family, and that's what matters."

Xu Chen rolled his eyes, unimpressed. "Keep telling yourself that. Just remember, the world doesn't reward mediocrity. You'll always be a step behind."

With that, Xu Chen turned and walked away, leaving Li Wei seething with frustration. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to push aside the encounter as he ushered Li Mei through the school gates.

"Daddy, who was that man?" she asked, tilting her head in curiosity.

"That's your uncle Xu Chen," Li Wei replied, forcing a smile. "He's just... a little different."

Li Mei frowned. "Is he mean?"

"Sometimes," Li Wei admitted. "But don't worry about it. Let's focus on your school day, okay?"

Li Mei nodded, though her innocent eyes seemed to see more than he was letting on. He watched her walk into the school, her small frame disappearing behind the door, and felt a mix of pride and concern. He wanted to shield her from negativity, to cultivate an environment of love and support.

Once home, Li Wei reflected on the encounter with Xu Chen. The man was right about one thing: ambition was important. He knew he needed to do more to secure a brighter future for his family. The system had offered him an avenue to explore, and he intended to leverage it fully.

Back in the apartment, he sat down at the kitchen table, pulling out the talisman.

"System, what's next?" he asked, feeling a mixture of excitement and anxiety.

"Next Task Available!"

"Strengthen your relationship with your wife by planning a surprise date night. Reward: 2000 yuan and a relationship skill upgrade."

A surge of inspiration hit him. A date night! It had been too long since he and Xu Lian had spent quality time together without the stress of daily life creeping in. They often focused on their daughter, neglecting the importance of nurturing their own relationship. This was the perfect opportunity to rekindle that connection.

"What should I do?" he mused aloud.

The screen flashed with suggestions:

"Task Options:

Dinner at a fancy restaurant.A surprise picnic in the park.A movie night at home with her favorite films and snacks."

Li Wei's mind raced with possibilities. A dinner out sounded nice, but with their financial situation, he didn't want to spend too much. The picnic could be romantic and intimate, but it felt too casual. The movie night seemed perfect—it was comfortable and allowed for a cozy atmosphere.

"Let's go with the movie night," he decided, feeling a sense of clarity. He could make her favorite snacks, set up the living room with blankets and pillows, and create a memorable experience right at home.

"Task Accepted. Preparing for Date Night."

Li Wei grinned, a sense of determination bubbling within him. He could plan this surprise perfectly. He would need to find a way to keep Xu Lian busy until the evening, perhaps by enlisting Li Mei's help.

As he brainstormed ideas, his phone buzzed, breaking his train of thought. It was a message from Xu Lian:

Xu Lian: Hey, can you pick up some groceries on your way home? I made a list. Thanks, love!

"Of course," Li Wei replied, eager to show his wife that he could handle more than just cooking. He grabbed his keys and headed out.

As he walked through the grocery store, he carefully selected items from Xu Lian's list but also grabbed a few extra items: popcorn, chocolate, and her favorite soda. He wanted everything to be perfect.

When he returned home, he began preparing for the evening. After setting everything up in the living room, he took a moment to admire his work. The pillows were fluffed, the blanket was spread out, and the snacks were arranged neatly. It felt inviting and cozy—a perfect atmosphere for their movie night.

As the sun began to set, he heard the sound of the front door opening. Xu Lian walked in, her face lighting up as she caught sight of the living room.

"Wow, what's all this?" she asked, clearly surprised.

"Just a little something I put together for us tonight," he said, trying to hide his excitement. "A movie night—just the two of us."

Xu Lian's eyes sparkled with joy. "You did all this? Wei, this is amazing!"

He smiled, feeling a rush of accomplishment as they settled onto the blanket together. He turned on the movie and reached for the popcorn, stealing glances at her as the film played.

"This is really nice," Xu Lian said, leaning into him. "Thank you for making time for us."

As they laughed and enjoyed the film, Li Wei felt a sense of peace settle over him. He realized that, with every small step he took toward strengthening their bond, he was fulfilling his role as a husband and father. The system was guiding him, but he was the one making the choices.

When the credits rolled, Xu Lian turned to him, her expression warm and affectionate. "I really needed this, Wei. You have no idea how much it means to me."

Li Wei's heart swelled with pride and love. "I want to keep making time for us. You deserve it."

"Task Complete!"

"Reward: 2000 yuan and relationship skill upgrade."

The system's notification appeared in his mind, but he was too lost in the moment to care. They spent the rest of the evening talking and laughing, creating memories that would linger long after the night had ended.

As Li Wei prepared for bed later, he couldn't shake the feeling that they were moving in the right direction. He had a long way to go, and challenges still awaited him, especially with Xu Chen lurking in the shadows. But for tonight, he was content. He was ready for whatever the system had in store, and most importantly, he was committed to protecting his family and nurturing the love they shared.