Nan Sheng excitedly opened the system and saw that the available chapters had been updated to Chapter Five, which meant each increase in affection points would unlock a new chapter. However, the system was quite stingy, only dispensing rewards at increments of five!
She eagerly clicked into the book, but after reading two chapters, her expression turned as if she’d eaten something vile. These chapters described how the original owner of her body had saved up 900 yuan and couldn’t wait to return to her parents' home—specifically, to give the money to the male lead, Yu Sheng.
Yu Sheng, Yu Sheng… why not just call him a beast?
The original owner didn’t know that Yu Sheng was even more of a simp than she was. He was infatuated with Su Jinyan, a female educated youth who had been sent down to the countryside alongside him. He handed over his own savings of 500 yuan, plus the 900 yuan he’d swindled from the original owner, to Su Jinyan—only to be scorned as useless.
Shamelessly, Su Jinyan demanded that Yu Sheng use his charms to seduce Nan Sheng, as she still needed 600 yuan to buy her way back to the city. Yu Sheng agreed, but his so-called "seduction" amounted to nothing more than holding Nan Sheng’s hand in a rundown shack. The original owner was so smitten she didn’t even get a kiss, yet she was over the moon.
Lying on the kang, Nan Sheng pondered how she could humiliate that despicable pair when she returned to her parents' home in a few days…
Just as she was about to close the system, a lottery wheel suddenly popped up—a reward for finally increasing her affection points. Nan Sheng casually gave it a spin, and the wheel whirled frantically before landing on the words "Portable Space."
Holy crap! Nan Sheng couldn’t contain her excitement. Was her luck really this incredible?
But after binding with it, she discovered the portable space was only three cubic meters in size and could only be used for storage. Well… at least it was somewhat useful, she consoled herself.
When Nan Sheng woke up again, Sizhe had already collected eggs from the chicken coop and heated the pot, waiting for her to decide what to cook for breakfast.
As usual, Nan Sheng steamed buns and boiled corn porridge, then sent her son out to pick ripe tomatoes—both kids loved scrambled eggs with tomatoes.
Sizhe sat by the stove, tending the fire like his younger sister. Watching his stepmother steam ten more buns, he hesitated before speaking up.
"Is there enough food at home? I don’t need to bring lunch. Everyone else manages without it."
It was already kind of his stepmother to make sure he didn’t go hungry. He was the one who ate the most in the household, and the thought filled him with guilt.
Nan Sheng, distracted while working, replied offhandedly, "If we run out, we’ll buy more. Your father’s stipend is enough to feed the three of us. In a few days, when the salted duck eggs are ready, I’ll pack one for you every day to eat with your buns."
Sizhe sighed. That would be way too flashy. Wouldn’t he get beaten up by his classmates for showing off like that?
For breakfast, Sizhe ate three large buns and two bowls of porridge. Before he left, his stepmother packed him two more buns and a piece of milk candy.
In his heart, he thought, This much food could last Stepmother and Siqi an entire day.
Nan Sheng didn’t notice her son’s unease. She planned to clear out the vegetable garden today, then sun-dry some shredded beans and chili peppers tomorrow. As for the root cellar, it would be reserved for cabbage and potatoes.
Counting on her fingers, she nearly fainted—there was no end to farm work.
When Siqi woke up and found the house empty, she went straight to the garden to find her stepmother. "Mom, I’ll come help after breakfast!"
Nan Sheng didn’t discourage her. If a child didn’t learn diligence early, how could she suddenly become hardworking as an adult?
"Alright, the porridge and buns are warming on the stove. Be careful when you lift the lid—don’t let the steam burn you."
"Got it, Mom!" Siqi skipped back inside, remembering to wash her face on her own.
After school, Sizhe didn’t go home. Instead, he headed to the riverbank where he often gathered duck eggs.
He checked several spots and collected over thirty eggs. Then he went to check the fish traps he’d set, hoping for a good haul.
Last time, the crucian carp he caught had been cooked by his stepmother in a savory bean paste sauce, and he’d found it delicious.
The fish trap had been in the water for days and was now packed full—shrimp, crayfish, two crucian carp, and even a big carp.
Afraid of being seen by villagers, he waited until dark before running home.
By then, Nan Sheng had already prepared dinner and was waiting at the door with Siqi. If her son didn’t return soon, she’d have to ask the neighbors for help searching.
"Mom! Brother’s back!"
Siqi spotted a shadowy figure and dashed outside. Nan Sheng hurried after her. "Is that you, Sizhe?"
"Yeah!"
Sizhe’s voice was quiet. While fish and shrimp weren’t rare in the village, duck eggs were precious, and he didn’t want anyone asking questions.
Back inside, Sizhe couldn’t hide his excitement as he dumped the duck eggs into a basin and emptied the fish and shrimp.
"I haven’t gathered eggs in days, so there were a lot. The river’s full of fat fish and shrimp too. If you like them, I can catch more often."
He ate a lot, so he had to find ways to contribute.
Sizhe expected his stepmother to be pleased—last time, she’d even praised the size of the catch. But instead, Nan Sheng slapped him hard across the face, leaving him stunned.
"Sizhe, have you lost your mind? Running off after school instead of coming home? What if something happened to you in the dark? Where would I even look for you, you reckless brat!"
She scolded him harshly, leaving Sizhe bewildered. Was it wrong to bring food home?
For dinner, Nan Sheng and Siqi ate without him. Sizhe was sent to reflect on his actions. Too upset to deal with the fish and shrimp, she left them in water for now. As for the duck eggs, she salted them in jars, just like before.
This was the second batch, and she marked each egg with a number to keep track.
Nan Sheng went to bed early, while Sizhe stayed up to do homework by lamplight. Siqi sneaked some food to him in the west room.
"Brother, eat first, then do your homework!"
Sizhe glanced toward the east room and shook his head slowly. His stepmother hadn’t allowed him at the table, and he feared that if he ate this, Siqi might get hit tomorrow.
"I’m not hungry. Take the food back to the kitchen."
Siqi shoved a bun into his hand. "Eat. Even if you get hit, you should be full."
Though young, Siqi was sharp. In the past, she and her brother had often gone hungry after beatings. Now that they could eat their fill, an occasional slap from their stepmother seemed fair.
"Brother, Mom was really worried when you didn’t come back. She was about to ask Uncle and the others to search for you."
Sizhe froze, then slowly chewed the bun—though it tasted like nothing at all.
