Chapter 24: Filled to the Brim with Dog Food

“Are you free tomorrow? Let me treat you to dinner!”
That was a message from Yang Bing.
Yu Zhile typed back: “What’s going on? Don’t tell me you’re already getting promoted and a raise today?”
The chat box showed Yang Bing was typing, then his reply popped up: “Not yet, but today I followed your advice and pointed out some issues with the voting segment to the director, along with suggestions for improvement. After hearing me out, he suddenly said he’d give me three days to draft a new program proposal for him.”
Yu Zhile replied: “Nice! Tomorrow’s National Day, so I’ve got the evening free. My mom’s coming over to see her granddaughter, so how about we meet at seven?”
Yang Bing sent over a restaurant address: “Sounds good. Let’s meet at this place tomorrow night. I’ll book a bigger private room—why not bring your family along for dinner?”
“No need to be so formal. My wife’s identity makes going out a bit tricky if she’s recognized, plus she and my mom both need to stay home with the baby. I’ll just come alone tomorrow.”
“True. All right then, it’s settled. I won’t keep you.”
“Okay.”
…
Yu Zhile put his phone away. Qin Haiyu was playing with the baby and asked, “Honey, who are you chatting with?”
“A classmate from school.”
Yu Zhile explained, “I need to go out for dinner tomorrow night—a bit of socializing.”
Qin Haiyu immediately inquired, “Is this classmate a guy or a girl?”
Yu Zhile laughed: “Don’t worry, it’s a guy! With a sexy, gentle, beautiful, charming wife like you, how could I possibly be interested in any other woman?”
“Such a smooth talker!”
Qin Haiyu laughed at the compliment. She trusted her husband utterly; her question was simply a reflex, the kind any woman might ask.
Yu Zhile reached out, pinched her chin gently, turning her face toward him. “Smooth talker or not—you’ll have to taste and see!”
“Stop it, the baby’s watching!”
Qin Haiyu said with mock annoyance, “We’re an old married couple, and you’re still pretending to be so unserious!”
“It’s because my wife is so gorgeous! Makes it hard for me to behave properly!”
Yu Zhile gave her a quick peck, then obediently got up. “I’ll go make some formula for the baby.”
“Thank you, darling!”
Qin Haiyu cuddled the baby, lowering her voice playfully, asking as if to a little girl, “Daddy’s so good, isn’t he, silly baby?”
“Nana~”
The little one reached for her mommy’s face, giggling gleefully, showing off two tiny new teeth that were irresistibly adorable.

…

The next morning, Qin Haiyu was up early again, tending to the baby without waking Yu Zhile.
She’d kept her promise last night, giving her husband a mysterious reward that drove him wild—he’d delivered a month’s worth of energy in a single night.
As a result, Yu Zhile slept in until noon, finally giving Qin Haiyu a chance to nap and catch up on sleep.
By evening, Yu’s mother arrived.
She taught language arts to young students at an elementary school. After finishing her last class before the National Day break, she packed up and came over to help care for her granddaughter.
When Yu Zhile saw his mom come in, he asked, “Dad didn’t come?”
His mom replied, exasperated, “He went with his gang of friends to the capital to watch the flag-raising ceremony!”
“Of course…”
That was just like his dad!
Yu Zhile suddenly felt a surge of warmth—stronger than ever since he’d crossed into this world.
Qin Haiyu came out holding the baby, cheerful: “Look, baby, Grandma’s here!”
“Oh, isn’t this my precious granddaughter! Come, let Grandma hold you!”
His mom ignored him and went straight for the baby. Yu Zhile shook his head, helpless: “The family hierarchy is crystal clear! Never mind, I’ll get changed and head out to meet my classmate for dinner.”
Cradling her granddaughter, his mom rubbed noses with the little one, then sternly commanded, “Dinner with a classmate is fine! But don’t drink, and don’t stay out too late!”
“Got it, just a meal and some conversation. I’ll be home soon.”
Yu Zhile went to change, grabbed his car keys, played with the baby for a moment, and said, “Honey, I’m heading out!”
Qin Haiyu reminded him, “Drive carefully—it’s rush hour.”
“Will do!”
With his mom around as a third wheel, Yu Zhile skipped the usual goodbye kiss with his wife.
He drove out, factoring in rush hour traffic and giving himself extra time. After his mom arrived, he left a full hour and a half early.
Yu Zhile was the type who preferred being early to ever being late. When he finally navigated the rush hour traffic and arrived at the restaurant Yang Bing had booked, he was a full forty minutes early for their seven o’clock meeting.
That was fortunate; it gave him time to stroll the city streets and observe how the capital had changed in this parallel world in 2025.
But he found little had changed—people still favored mobile payments for shopping and travel, much as they had in 2020.
He checked in, video-called his wife to share his location and reassure her. The time was 6:45 p.m.

Just about time to head over. He walked toward the restaurant—Yang Bing had come straight after work at six, so unless something came up, he’d already be there.
When Yu Zhile went up to the small private dining room on the second floor, he found Yang Bing smoking.
“You’re here early!” Yu Zhile laughed.
“Just sat down and lit a cigarette,” Yang Bing replied, offering the pack.
Yu Zhile shook his head: “I don’t smoke, but thanks.”
Yang Bing put the pack away, snuffed out his half-smoked cigarette, and said, “With a wife and kid, I really need to quit! The roast goose here is fantastic—I’ve already ordered it. Take a look and pick whatever else you’d like; don’t be shy, or I’ll feel awkward asking for your advice later.”
“We’re old classmates. If I’m going to be polite with anyone, it won’t be you!”
Yu Zhile took the restaurant’s tablet menu—it was all digital now, much more convenient.
Each dish came with pictures, even videos. Yu Zhile scrolled through, momentarily overwhelmed by the choices.
Finally, he added two popular main dishes from the best-sellers list and asked, “If we’re driving, we shouldn’t drink, right?”
Yang Bing nodded: “Let’s toast with tea instead. The millet tea here is fragrant and delicious.”
Yu Zhile finished ordering and handed the tablet back. Yang Bing saw he’d just picked two mains and three cold appetizers, finalized the order, paid by scanning a QR code with his phone, and waited for the server.
Watching this process, Yu Zhile felt a clear disconnect from this world, though adapting wasn’t hard; daily life hadn’t changed much, except for the increased use of technology everywhere.
Soon the server brought two place settings, three cold dishes, and a pot of millet tea.
Yang Bing thoughtfully rinsed the utensils, poured tea for Yu Zhile, and got right to the point: “By the way, your wife probably told you about the failed challenge, right?”
Yu Zhile nodded: “She did. She also said Mr. Wu suggested the production team add a voting resurrection segment.”
Yang Bing set the teacup before Yu Zhile: “Exactly. That’s why, after filming yesterday, the director suddenly called a meeting and asked if we should add a resurrection segment. I supported it, then brought up some issues with the voting system—just like you suggested. The director ended up asking me to draft a new program proposal for him.”
Yu Zhile sampled a peanut and said, “This is a rare opportunity! You need to seize it. If you become the station’s star planner, and you’re confident, you could try creating and directing your own show.”
Yang Bing gave a wry smile: “It’s too early to talk about that! I’ll take it one step at a time. Tonight, I wanted to thank you for your advice and talk through some of my ideas, get your feedback and see if there are any issues.”
“Go ahead, I’m listening.”
Yu Zhile paused, realizing something, and raised his hand: “Wait, let me video-call my wife first—so she doesn’t suspect I’m meeting a female classmate!”
…
Yang Bing’s smile was more bitter than melon. “Food’s not even here yet, and I’m already stuffed with dog food!”