For some reason, Renz suddenly found Erina Nakiri to be much more beautiful. His heart stirred. The moment he learned Erina was pregnant, his mindset began to shift. With the conception of this child, he realized that whether he admitted it or denied it, Erina, in this future, was his wife—a wife who had already borne him children. No matter how difficult Erina's personality might be, she was still his wife.
Yes, Renz and Erina had no emotional connection, no extra intertwining or understanding. They had only known each other for about a week. But Erina's identity in this future alone was enough for Renz to cherish her.
Divorce? Get lost! My wife is the best in the world! Erina-saiko! Regardless of whether he could return to ten years ago, in this timeline, Renz had to help his future self. And his future self clearly had a very good relationship with Erina. Could he really divorce himself? No way!
Erina, meanwhile, was still processing the bewildering news.
"What are your thoughts?" Renz sat cross-legged, his expression much more serious, losing its previous relaxed demeanor.
"I don't know," Erina's body felt weak and limp. The shock of the news left her completely disoriented. With this happening to her, she truly didn't know what to do. Was she taking the fall for her future self? Should she abort the child, or keep it?
"Erina, the decision on this matter is yours. If you want to have it, I'll be there as the expectant father. If you want to abort it, I'll accompany you to the hospital," Renz said at a calm pace. "I've already stated my preference, but it's just for your reference."
The air, as before, fell silent again. Renz also wanted to act like a typical man, but in such matters, the woman's wishes were far more important than the man's. These words seemed to freeze time once more. Erina furrowed her brow, making her decision in her heart. To have it or not to have it—leaving it to her to decide now felt like an intractable knot, incredibly difficult to untie.
One minute. Three minutes. It felt like an agonizing eternity. Renz, however, had no choice but to await her answer.
"Can you take care of me?" Erina's eyes fixed on Renz, flickering with a complex gRenz. This question set the tone for the matter. Renz, however, dared not let his guard down.
"I don't know what would be best to say at this moment. To say 'I'll try my best' would make me seem dismissive, and to say 'I'll give my all' feels unworthy of your trust in me."
"Words are often pale. I just want to use actions to achieve everything you desire."
"I'm sorry, I'm not very good with words," Renz admitted the fact that he wasn't articulate.
"I'll have the child. Then, for the next year, I'm counting on you," Erina made her final decision.
"Thank you for the trouble," Renz said with a deeply apologetic expression. "Later, I'll talk to your grandfather about this. Are you still going to participate in the Food Soul Competition?" Letting Erina go and tell him would likely lead to more awkward situations. He would take the fall for these things.
"It depends," Erina said with a bitter smile. "But for the child's health, I might have to withdraw."
"It might affect the production team's arrangements," Erina added.
"It's fine, I can take the blame for that," Renz said calmly. "Anything you find inconvenient to handle, just leave it to me."
"For now, I'll go take your grandfather's scolding first." Renz pulled open the room door with a whoosh. He could already picture Senzaemon Nakiri wanting to physically assault him.
What a headache. First, he had to endure a barrage of information, startling himself, and then he had to relay that information, becoming the biggest scapegoat. This truly was his future self's mess. Renz couldn't avoid taking the blame.
In a short time, Renz had more or less pieced together the entire timeline. He likely met Erina while studying abroad in Japan ten years ago. Within three years, their relationship progressed to the point of marriage, and then Rina and Haruna were born. This time... it seemed the pregnancy occurred within the last two months. When he and Erina arrived in this timeline, Erina was already pregnant.
Lost in thought, Renz suddenly noticed Erina following him.
"Why did you come along?" Renz's gRenz met Erina's.
"Don't make it seem like you're the only one at fault," Erina said, annoyed. "With such a grim expression."
A superficial marriage required both of them to maintain the facade. And a married couple was inherently one unit; it couldn't flourish if one was missing. Renz choosing to bear the pressure alone struck Erina as strange.
"Hey, do you have a hidden 'husband-pampering' attribute?" Renz glanced at Erina.
"What nonsense are you talking about? Of course not! How can that be related to pampering a husband? I just think, wouldn't it be too heavy for you to bear all this alone?"
"The child belongs to both of us, not just you," Erina's words were a bit incoherent. "And what era are we in now, that you're still advocating for this kind of personal heroism?"
"So it's not a husband-pampering attribute, then," Renz mused.
"Of course not!" Erina said with certainty. "You're the only one who'd have such strange preferences!"
"Hmm," Renz nodded. "I have a wife-pampering attribute, what about it?"
"My wife won't let me pamper her?" Erina didn't react immediately. "Then why haven't I felt it?"
As she said this, her face instantly flushed. Didn't those words just admit that she was Renz's wife?
"When you asked me to do things, when did I ever not help you? You asked me to bring mineral water, and I rushed right over," Renz reminded her.
"That doesn't count! And when others were bullying you, I spoke up for you too. What's wrong with you bringing me mineral water?" Erina said, looking indignant.
"I also cook for you at home sometimes," Erina seemed to be tallying points now.
"Okay, I admit you're relatively good to me," Renz nodded.
"Then don't call housekeeping services anymore. I'll do your laundry and clean," Renz waved his hand. "Also, aren't you being childish?"
"Why are we suddenly arguing about who's better to whom?" Renz asked.
"You started it! Who would have such a strange 'husband-pampering' attribute?!" Erina said, parting her pink lips.
At this moment, Renz's lips curved into a slight smile. Erina thought about it, then realized she had said the wrong thing again. Damn it, he tricked me! Erina felt a little dizzy.
--------More Bonus Chapters!!!!
Every 300 power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter