"Educated Youth Shen, we'll leave the rest to you."
"Don't worry!"
Shen Nanchu had timed this perfectly.
Under her direction, the villagers fetched buckets of water to dilute the fertilizer that had just been spread. The field bordered an irrigation ditch, so Shen Nanchu had them open the water inlet for this plot as well as the three adjacent fields. This way, the fertilizer concentration would decrease, and the neighboring fields would also benefit.
The whole process took barely ten minutes.
"Educated Youth Shen, is that all?" Wang Jianguo rubbed his eyes, unable to believe it.
Wasn’t this something anyone could do?
Many shared his sentiment, especially Wang Xiumei’s grandparents, who had just been swindled out of 100 yuan.
"Village Chief, even we could’ve handled something this simple."
"Yeah, why should this brat get 50 yuan just for flapping her lips?"
Why?
Shen Nanchu thought for a moment, then replied with utmost sincerity,
"You should’ve said that earlier—might’ve snatched some credit. But..."
Her tone shifted, a mocking smile curling her lips.
"If you’re so capable, why didn’t you tell the village chief how to fix it earlier?"
"Useless in the moment, wise after the fact?"
[Dislike Points +1]
[Dislike Points +1]
[Dislike Points +1]
...
Instantly, the grumbling villagers fell silent.
Wang Xiumei’s grandparents flushed crimson with rage.
This little brat might look young, but her sharp tongue put even a thousand-year-old witch to shame.
"Enough. This matter ends here. Everyone, get back to work."
Wang Jianguo finally stepped in to settle things.
When Wang Xiumei’s grandparents tried to argue, he shut them down with a glare.
"One more word, and I’ll dock your work points for the day."
And so, the commotion fizzled out.
After work,
Shen Nanchu had just picked up her bowl, ready to enjoy a peaceful afternoon, when a piercing scream cut through the air.
The sound clearly came from Wang Xiumei’s house.
Shen Nanchu didn’t need to think hard to guess the reason.
Wang Dazhi had sided with Father Pei instead of his own family earlier—this was just an excuse to vent their anger.
Father Pei, realizing something was wrong at Wang Xiumei’s place, set down his chopsticks and stood.
"I’ll go see if I can help."
"Dad, let me handle this."
Shen Nanchu took charge before he could move.
System: "Host, friendly reminder—Wang Xiumei’s family’s dislike points have been fully drained."
Shen Nanchu: Cough cough cough...
The system paused, then quickly caught on.
"Most magnificent, peerlessly beautiful, and infinitely kind Host, Comrade Wang Xiumei’s household is under siege by dark forces and desperately needs your intervention."
Shen Nanchu: "Prepare my carriage!"
System: ...
This one stumped it.
Maybe borrow from palace dramas?
System: "At once! Your Majesty, watch your step—mind the muddy puddles."
Shen Nanchu was satisfied.
The system was getting smarter. Good.
Her urge to replace it finally subsided.
...
Wang Xiumei’s house.
The entire family was gathered in the yard, standing or sitting.
Wang Xiumei stood like a furious lioness, shielding Sun Fang.
Sun Fang’s hair was disheveled, a swollen red handprint on her cheek.
Wang Dazhi crouched on the ground, clutching his hair in anguish.
"My, what a lively scene!"
"What’s the performance today?"
The moment Shen Nanchu appeared at the gate, Wang Xiumei’s eyes lit up as if spotting a savior.
"Sister Shen!"
Wang Xiumei’s grandparents, however, scowled at the sight of her.
If not for this brat, they wouldn’t have lost 100 yuan today.
"What are you doing here?"
"Our family doesn’t welcome you."
"Get out!"
Unfazed by their hostility, Shen Nanchu smiled.
"Want me to leave? Sure. How about you two demonstrate first? I’ll learn from you."
The old couple choked on their rage.
Even if they could speak, they’d never win against her.
Giving up, they turned to Wang Dazhi.
"This is all your fault—costing us 100 yuan!"
"Either pay it back, or divorce that troublemaker wife of yours!"
Shen Nanchu’s eyes widened in surprise.
How did this involve Sun Fang?
A nosy villager filled her in.
"Sun Fang accidentally used sugar instead of salt while cooking."
"Honestly, it’s her fault for only bearing Xiumei—no son to carry on the family."
"A woman without sons is always looked down upon."
"Oh, and you know why Wang Laowu’s house is so big, even though it’s just him and his wife?"
Shen Nanchu shook her head.
"It’s to spite the village gossips."
"'I have no sons, yet I live in a mansion. You have sons? Still crammed in your hovels.'"
Talk about pride over practicality.
Shen Nanchu finally understood.
As for the grandparents’ tantrum, their goal was obvious—squeeze Wang Dazhi dry until he coughed up that 100 yuan.
She guessed Wang Dazhi would choose to shoulder the debt rather than divorce, letting these parasites suck him dry forever.
Sure enough,
Wang Dazhi made his choice, face ashen.
"I’ll find a way to repay the family 100 yuan."
100 yuan—not 10.
With the whole family pooling resources, how many years would it take to earn that back?
Was he condemning himself to lifelong servitude?
Shen Nanchu didn’t know whether to call him kind or stupid.
"No. I won’t accept this."
Sun Fang gripped Wang Xiumei’s hand, her pale face resolute.
"Wang Dazhi, I’m done with this marriage."
It wasn’t that she didn’t love him—she just couldn’t let him bear this burden.
It would crush not just him, but Wang Xiumei too.
Sun Fang would rather divorce than let those old monsters win.
The grandparents nearly exploded when she spoke up.
They’d almost gotten their money back!
"Since when do women interrupt men’s business?"
"Know your place!"
Wang Daming shot Sun Fang a glare, then turned to Wang Dazhi.
"Third Brother, you said it yourself. Don’t blame me for being harsh—you betrayed family first."
"Pay up, and we’re still brothers."
"Refuse, and you’re dead to me."
...
