Chapter 57: The People of Taolin Village Come to Present Gifts

[How do you know?] In his previous life, Dabao had to memorize his lines every day, then study English words, grammar, and even physics and chemistry formulas. Just thinking about it made his head ache. Thankfully, he passed away in his first year of high school.

If he had lived a few more years, who knew how much more he would have had to memorize.

[Don’t try to trap me, no one likes studying.]

3224 was almost dying from anxiety and blurted out, “Just because you don’t like studying doesn’t mean Erbao doesn’t like it. Maybe he’s one of those extraordinary people.”

If that weren’t the case, it wouldn’t have forcefully activated the binding system back then.

Now that it had bound a host, after five years of nagging in its ear and watching the chaotic data fly through his mind, but never seeing him actually do anything, 3224’s heart ached.

The system office had a rule that a host who was forcibly bound wouldn’t face punishment if they didn’t complete tasks.

So for the past five years, it had practically worn its throat out shouting at him, but dared not do anything to him. It just hoped that one day this big shot would kindly complete its small tasks while on the path of learning.

Back then, the host was being chased and accidentally collided with Qiu Yinuo’s car, causing a three-car crash.

If it weren’t for its quick thinking, pulling them into a small world to escape, they might have been reduced to ash by now.

The lifesaver was right in front of it, yet it couldn’t use its gratitude as leverage. That was probably the saddest thing in the world.

Secretly glancing at Erbao, 3224 sniffled, feeling wronged. Was there any system as dignified as it was?

Dabao was frowning hard, clearly very angry.

[You can praise my little brother, but you can’t look down on me.]

If he had grown up under the protection of his parents in his past life, without worrying about daily meals, and could focus on studying in peace, he definitely wouldn’t be any worse than anyone else.

“…” Who’s looking down on him? It’s just that he’s not as smart as Erbao! “I’m not looking down on you. Just pick a system to bind. Pick one for yourself… just pick one…”

[Hmph, I’m in a bad mood today. I’m not picking.]

Dabao took Erbao’s little hand and rushed out of the space so quickly that 3224 couldn’t stop them in time.

3224 wanted to cry but had no tears. “Is it really impossible to pick one that doesn’t require thinking?”

What kind of troublesome hosts had it ended up with?

Dabao was roaring inwardly: He hated that annoying, sweet-sounding system so much.

Qiu Yinuo had just stepped into the room when she saw Dabao and Erbao suddenly appear while playing. Startled, she immediately looked over her shoulder to make sure no one was around before she let out a sigh of relief.

She gave his little butt a light pat and scolded softly, “How can you be so bold? Sneaking into the space in broad daylight, aren’t you afraid of scaring your grandma or Aunt Qing?”

But going in at night wasn’t safe either. Their grandma, trying to save firewood, had them all sleep together with their Aunt Qing.

There were no phones or entertainment here, and no one could even understand him. That was probably why he kept sneaking into the space to tease the panda.

Who would have thought that instead of playing with the panda, he had ended up feeling looked down upon?

Dabao pouted, looking like a little pitiful thing.

Qiu Yinuo asked with amusement, “What’s wrong? Did someone bully you?”

He opened his mouth, wanting to ask, If I weren’t a smart kid, would you still like me? But his language skills hadn’t fully developed yet, so all that came out were garbled sounds.

Qiu Yinuo held him and tried to enter the space, but the little guy grabbed onto her.

He didn’t want to see Menghua now. That panda wasn’t friendly to him.

She cautiously asked, “Did Dabao have a fight with Menghua…?”

Dabao blinked, and immediately his eyes turned red. He pursed his lips and almost started crying.

Well, her big son was amazing—he was having a falling out with a panda. “Did he force you to pick a system again?”

Dabao didn’t respond but buried his face in Qiu Yinuo’s arms.

His little body heaved with sobs, showing just how much he felt wronged.

Qiu Yinuo gently patted his back, “If the system binding is bothering you, then you don’t have to choose one. We’ve both lived through hardships, and happiness is the most important thing.”

Dabao nodded seriously. His mom made a lot of sense.

There were so many people in the world who weren’t that smart—what difference did one more make?

…

Qiu Yinuo planned to go back home after the New Year, and while she was at it, she wanted to stop by the local public security bureau to ask about her mother-in-law’s whereabouts.

Now that she had his husband’s superior, Zhou Anbang’s endorsement, they were bound to take the matter more seriously.

Thinking of Zhou Anbang, Qiu Yinuo felt like smacking her own forehead. Pregnancy really does make you stupid for three years.

It was the New Year, and she hadn’t even called to wish anyone a happy holiday. Looks like she would have to wait until the next trip to the town to do that.

“This year’s hazelnuts are really good,” said Cheng Hongying, grabbing a handful of dried hazelnuts and throwing them into the water. “It’s strange, hazelnuts grow really well in our Ping’an Village.”

“Mom, did we keep a lot for ourselves?”

“We kept quite a bit. Why do you ask?”

“I’m planning to go to the town in a few days. I want to send some to my husband’s superior.”

Cheng Hongying clenched her teeth, “Fine, you can take this bag with you. Don’t let the relationship fade. When Dabao and Erbao grow up, maybe he’ll be able to help them a bit in return, considering their father’s connections.”

It had to be said, her mom really knew how to maintain relationships.

“You don’t need to send so much. It’s just a gesture for the New Year. Sending too much might actually make people feel burdened.”

“You’re right. Oh, and I picked some wild hazelnuts in the mountains this autumn. Send some of those to him too. These are good things, and they can’t buy them in the city.”

“Okay!”

As the mother and daughter were talking, there was a knock at the door.

“Is Comrade Qiu at home?”

They stepped outside and were surprised to see the same villager who had invited her to Taolin Village the other day.

“Uncle, is something the matter?” asked Jinzi as he opened the door.

The man was holding two large bags full of gifts—alcohol, meat, all kinds of pastries, and two bags of powdered milk.

Seeing all that, Cheng Hongying’s eyes nearly popped out of her head.

Along the way, he’d attracted plenty of attention from idle villagers curious to gossip.

When they heard he was going to the Qiu family to deliver gifts, they all followed along to see what the fuss was about.

“Comrade Qiu,” the man said, “Village Head Lin wanted to invite you to stay for a meal yesterday. But since you had to leave early, these gifts didn’t get handed over. He made sure I brought them to you today.”

The crowd burst into noise—what on earth had she done to deserve such lavish gifts?

Qiu Yinuo was taken aback. Village Head Lin really was a decent person.

Cheng Hongying, of course, immediately understood. It had to be because her daughter had repaired the tractor in Taolin Village.

She shot a glance at Jinzi, who instantly caught on.

He eagerly invited the man inside, shutting the door behind him to block the nosy neighbors. “Uncle, come on in and have a seat.”

Someone outside, still full of curiosity, asked, “Jinzi, why’s Taolin Village giving your family gifts?”

Jinzi suddenly lifted his chin proudly, practically flaring his nostrils. He couldn’t look more pleased with himself. “Why else? My sister fixed their tractor. They’re here to thank her.”

“What?”

“Qiu Yinuo fixed a tractor?”

“Are you kidding? I’m a man, and I can’t even fix that big thing. How could a woman do it?”

The crowd around them immediately began buzzing with excitement.