Chapter 171

Lillian, eyes wide, tugged at Stacey’s pants. “Mommy, who’s he?” she asked, pointing at the baby Jeremy, nestled in Stacey’s arms. Kevin echoed the question, “Yeah, Mommy, where’d you find him?”

Stacey’s lips curved into a slight smile. Where did I find him? Right outside our door, she thought, glancing at the still-crying Jeremy. She carefully placed him on the couch as they entered the living room.

Lillian and Kevin instantly swarmed Jeremy, their faces alight with curiosity. He felt a blush creep up his neck. How embarrassing! he thought, quickly wiping his tears. Before he could fully compose himself, Kevin gasped, “You’re Jeremy!”

Jeremy froze. His secret was out. He frantically scribbled on his tablet: [I’m not.]

Kevin frowned at the tablet. Lillian, however, remembered something. “I know! You are Jeremy!” she exclaimed.

Double the embarrassment! Jeremy groaned internally. He scribbled furiously: [I’m not Jeremy. I’m Jeremy 1.0!]

Stacey, pouring water, spotted the writing and blinked. Jeremy 1.0? What does that mean?

Jeremy, noticing Stacey's gaze, felt his ears burn. He quickly drew again, explaining that "Becky" was Jeremy 3.0, the upgraded version; he was 1.0, the original, and a bit… less refined. He hastily corrected himself, "Three years old should be 3.0," he added, erasing and redrawing with a determined frown.

Lillian and Kevin exchanged bewildered glances. Stacey, after handing Jeremy the water, mused, System upgrades? How adorable! She suppressed a chuckle. “More water?” she asked, smiling.

Jeremy nodded, gulping down several sips. “Hungry?” she asked. Just then, his stomach rumbled loudly. Lillian and Kevin stared, fascinated. Jeremy blushed, covering his stomach. “Well, I’m hungry,” Stacey said, laughing softly. “Let’s cook something delicious later.”

Jeremy looked at Stacey, surprised. He quickly wrote: [Have the housekeeper cook.]

Stacey chuckled, straightening his collar. “Grace, can you help me make dinner?” she asked the housekeeper. Stacey, though able to cook, wanted to make something her entire family would love.

Jeremy’s stomach growled again. Stacey washed and peeled an apple, handing it to him. Lillian and Kevin immediately demanded apples too. Stacey quickly prepared sliced apples for them, knowing whole apples were a choking hazard for the younger children.

"Jeremy, can you keep Lillian and Kevin entertained for a bit?" Stacey asked, smiling. Jeremy nodded, writing [Okay.] As the children headed to play, Stacey's phone rang—Hayden. She answered with a smile.