Promotion Sequence, Dad's a Captain?

Chen Yan was busy complaining about the system in his mind.

Over there, Ruan Caibai had already packed her things and spoke to Du Qionghua:

"My Lady, your recovery is going quite well."

"If you have the energy now, I shall teach you how to perform the The Four National Health Exercises of the East Continent for the baby."

Here it comes!

Chen Yan's eyes lit up.

No need to teach my mother; just teach me directly!

"Very well."

Du Qionghua readily agreed, carefully laying Chen Yan flat on the soft bed.

Chen Yan felt like a doll being handled by others; his limbs were limp and soft, leaving him without a shred of resistance.

Ruan Caibai knelt by the bedside, explaining the movements while using Chen Yan's body as a demonstration.

"The first section, stretching exercises; you must gently stretch the baby's limbs..."

"The second section, chest expansion, to help with the baby's lung development..."

She guided Du Qionghua through the entire set of exercises from start to finish.

The moment the final movement was completed, a crisp notification sound from the system rang out in Chen Yan's mind.

[Congratulations to the Host for acquiring a new skill--The Four National Health Exercises of the East Continent!]

[Progress for Vigorous as a Dragon and Tiger increased; current progress 1/30]

[Train diligently to increase the progress of the National Health Exercises. Once progress reaches its maximum value, you may advance to the next sequence.

(Advancement Sequence: National Health Exercises - Qi Nurturing Foundation Art - Skeleton Forging Art - Indestructible Scripture...)]

Skills... an advancement sequence?

As a hardcore gamer in his past life, Chen Yan understood the meaning of these terms in an instant.

To put it bluntly, it was grinding for proficiency!

Once the progress bar was filled, the skill could be upgraded!

With a thought, he attempted to open the skill details.

Deep within his consciousness, text emerged clearly upon the ghostly blue panel.

[National Health Exercises]: Created by a Grandmaster of the East Continent to promote child growth and development and enhance immunity!

[Qi Nurturing Foundation Art]: A top-tier foundational technique of the universe, suitable for all races, laying a perfect foundation for subsequent body tempering!

[Skeleton Forging Art]: A superior body-tempering technique that works from the skin, flesh, tendons, and bones, moving from the outside in to penetrate the level of the internal organs.

[Indestructible Scripture]: One of the supreme methods for self-cultivation; those who achieve mastery possess an immortal physical body and can be reborn from a single drop of blood.

Amazing!

Chen Yan's little heart hammered against his chest.

Mother, I want to learn this!

The path to martial divinity is within reach!

The movement flow of these National Health Exercises was not complex.

Du Qionghua was sharp and intelligent; she had memorized everything after watching it just once.

After Ruan Caibai gave a few more reminders regarding precautions, she exited the ward.

"Baby, Mommy will take you through it one more time."

Du Qionghua was full of enthusiasm, looking at her fair and tender son on the bed, unable to keep her hands off him.

"Sister Xiao Ruan said it is best to do these exercises ten times a day."

"They say this was jointly developed by the East Continent's top martial arts masters and childcare experts, and it is the health exercise most suited to the constitution of our East Continent babies."

Du Qionghua's gentle voice rang in his ears; although her movements were not as practiced as the nurse's, they were even more tender.

As she moved, a notification popped up in Chen Yan's mind once again.

[You have practiced the National Health Exercises once; skill progress +1, current progress: 2/1000.]

Ten times a day?

That's the amount for an ordinary infant!

I am a man with a system!

Mother, do not spare this delicate flower; bring it on!

In his excitement, Chen Yan opened his mouth and let out a series of "goo-goo ga-ga" sounds.

His little hands and feet kicked about randomly, making him appear full of vitality.

"Oh my, our little Yan is so spirited; do you like doing exercises this much?"

Du Qionghua was amused by her son's reaction, the smile on her face growing even more radiant.

"The baby is just too cute!"

Night fell.

In his mother's warm embrace, Chen Yan contentedly finished his last meal of the day.

An infant's body was just like that; once full, sleepiness would follow.

The second before his consciousness sank into darkness, the system's notification chime arrived right on cue.

[Self-Disciplined Baby Boy progress increased, current progress 1/30]

When he woke up again, Chen Yan felt something was off.

The arms holding him were no longer that embrace radiating a faint, fragrant scent.

Instead, it was a broad, sturdy chest carrying a mix of tobacco and sunlight.

He struggled to lift his head, and what came into view was an unfamiliar, handsome face.

The man had sharp contours, deep-set eyes, and a high bridge of the nose, though a trace of lingering fatigue remained beneath his eyes.

There were quite a few people standing in the hospital room; several in white coats appeared to be hospital leadership.

At this moment, they were bowing and scraping before the man holding him, their words and actions filled with deference.

So many people...

Chen Yan's little head couldn't quite process it.

"Little Yan, Daddy is here to see you."

The man's deep voice resonated above him.

He looked down at Chen Yan, his eyes filled with a hint of apology.

"Sorry, the team was too busy yesterday, and I couldn't make it over right away."

Daddy?

Chen Yan blinked. So, this was his father in this lifetime.

"Kefa, work comes first. Both the baby and I understand."

Du Qionghua's gentle voice came from the side.

She was already able to walk around, and her complexion had improved significantly.

"You haven't slept all night, have you? Sit down and rest."

"It's fine, I'm not tired."

Despite his words, the man sat down on the edge of the bed as instructed.

From the snippets of conversation among those in the room, Chen Yan quickly pieced together information about his father.

Chen Kefa, captain of the Jiang City Public Security Bureau's "Special Investigation Team," or SIT for short.

No wonder he was so busy and carried such a heavy aura of Sha Qi.

After a few more pleasantries, Chen Kefa dismissed the hospital leaders.

Finally, only the family of three remained in the room.

Du Qionghua took their son from her husband's arms and spoke with concern:

"Kefa, this child eats so much; I feel like my breast milk might not be enough."

"Look, should we go buy some Beast Milk?"

"Hm? Little Yan is such a big eater?"

Hearing this, Chen Kefa leaned in curiously, extending his thumb to tease Chen Yan's tiny hand.

Chen Yan was still pondering what "Beast Milk" was, and subconsciously, he gripped that finger tightly.

"Hey!" Chen Kefa raised an eyebrow. "This kid has quite a bit of strength."

Du Qionghua's eyes lit up instantly:

"Really? Yesterday, Xiao Ruan also said he might be a martial arts prodigy. You should take a closer look."

Her own martial arts talent wasn't high, and she was terrified the child would inherit it.

"He's only two days old, what could you possibly tell?"

Chen Kefa chuckled and shook his head.

"Martial arts talent is something that can only be detected with specialized equipment once a child reaches six years old and their physical constitution has basically set."

"Hmph, and you call yourself a professional martial artist, yet you don't even have that much insight."

Du Qionghua feigned dissatisfaction and rolled her eyes at him.

"Oh, honey, even if I became a Martial Arts Grandmaster, wouldn't I still have to listen to you..."

Chen Kefa immediately begged for mercy, then reached over to take Chen Yan from Du Qionghua's arms and placed him in the crib.

Chen Yan found the sight of those two lovebirds so cloying he couldn't bear to look.

He lay on the soft baby bed, deciding to ignore the couple who were flaunting their affection as if no one else existed, and began to attempt the great undertaking of his life.

He recalled the set of National Health Exercises that Ruan Caibai had taught him, trying to control his own limp, soft limbs.

Stretching exercises...

Step one, raise your arms.

He focused all his mental energy, but his little arm wobbled in the air for ages before he could barely lift it an inch.

Chest expansion exercises...

This was even harder.

He turned his face beet-red, his whole body wriggling like a fish out of water.

As a result, because an infant's spine was not yet fully developed and core strength was non-existent, the movement was completely distorted.

After all that tossing and turning, Chen Yan was exhausted.

Yet, there was not a single stir in his mind.

It seemed the movements had to be perfectly standardized to increase his proficiency.

Chen Yan was not discouraged; at the very least, he had managed to figure out a few rules.

However, after such a commotion, the energy within his body had been depleted once again, and a fierce sense of hunger struck him anew.

He turned his little head to look at his parents, who were still billing and cooing, and used every ounce of his strength to issue a protest.

"Yi-ya-ya, hungry!"

Although the voice was childish, the syllable for "hungry" was exceptionally clear.

The two people by the hospital bed fell silent instantly.

Du Qionghua and Chen Kefa exchanged a glance, both seeing astonishment in the other's eyes.

"Did he... did he just call out that he was hungry?"

Du Qionghua asked, unsure.

Chen Kefa also wore a look of surprise: "It seems so..."

"Our baby is so smart!"

Du Qionghua immediately cast her husband to the back of her mind, joyfully picking up her son.

"Come, Mommy will feed you."