Chapter 3: Drawing a Special Item

Xiao Ling’er had no choice but to click on the 2 copper coins for exchange. The coins vanished, and her wealth value changed from 2 to 4.

She tried purchasing three tomatoes again — success.

Her wealth now stood at 1.

Xiao Ling’er let out a sigh of relief. Thank goodness, 1 wealth point per tomato isn’t too bad.

She tapped open her system backpack, finding that all the items she had purchased had automatically been stored inside. The first slot now held a shiny, glowing gift pack.

Delighted, she recalled the newbie gift pack she had heard mentioned earlier and eagerly tapped “Use.”

[Ding! You have received a 4×4 plot of land and one spiritual spring.]

The moment she heard the words spiritual spring, Xiao Ling’er’s heart thudded with excitement.
Could it be like in those novels — a miraculous spring that heals wounds and revives the dead?

She quickly tapped to view the spring’s properties — only to feel a little disappointed.

Nope, it wasn’t the legendary kind that could revive the dead or regrow flesh.
Still, regular consumption could enhance the body, improve health, sharpen hearing and sight.

Though let down at first, Xiao Ling’er cheered up. If the three of them regularly drank this spring water, they could build physical strength and boost sensory acuity, which was extremely valuable in times like these.

Then her eyes swept to the second slot in her backpack, and she winced a little.
If I’d known I’d get spring water, I wouldn’t have exchanged for that bottle of mineral water — what a waste of 1 wealth point!

Finally, she used her remaining wealth point to exchange for a single potato, which she planted in her new land.
The system showed: Maturation Time – 2 hours.

At that moment, Xiao Ling’er got truly excited. The growth time of crops in the space was so short!

Unfortunately, the land was just the size of a basin, allowing her to plant only one potato at a time.

But since the growth cycle was fast, she could plant multiple rounds per day.
If I had more land, she thought, I’d grow enough food to never go hungry again.

Her mind began to race with plans:

One section for grains

One for vegetables

Another for fruits

And perhaps even a section for medicinal herbs

The more she thought, the more thrilled she became, her lips curling up into a smile.

What she didn’t know was that, standing off to the side, her younger brother Xiao Yuhao saw her smiling expression and began crying big silent tears of worry.

Still immersed in excitement, Xiao Ling’er suddenly thought of a fatal issue:

How could she expand her land?

Her current space was tiny — just a panel interface, one small square of land, and a bowl-sized spiritual spring.

The land and spring had been gifted via the newbie pack, and even after searching thoroughly, she couldn’t find any method to expand her territory.

Her excitement popped like a balloon.
Sigh… I’ll figure it out later.

Pulling herself back together, Xiao Ling’er realized her next challenge:
How could she take items out without arousing suspicion?

If only I could choose the spot where the items appear…

The moment the thought crossed her mind:

[Ding! You may now select a location for item placement. Three options available:]

Behind the dry bushes behind the temple

Behind the idol

Beneath the altar
Please choose a drop point.

Xiao Ling’er considered for a few seconds and selected “behind the idol.”

[Ding! Items have been delivered. Please retrieve them yourself.]

Joy flickered across her heart. She turned to find her “cheap” mother and little brother watching her with concern.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, puzzled.

“Ling Ling, don’t be afraid, Mama’s here,” her foolish mother said, comforting her despite her own limited mental capacity.

“A-jie… did you… become like Mama too?” Xiao Yuhao asked, as tears fell harder.

Xiao Ling’er was touched… and also choked up a little.
What do you mean “like Mama”?! I’m perfectly normal!

To deflect, she quickly changed the subject.
“Do you smell something?” she asked, sniffing the air intently.

Upon hearing her question, Xiao Yuhao sniffed the air as well, then quickly stepped behind the statue.

Soon, his voice came—suppressed but excited:
“A-jie! A-niang! Come quick!”

Xiao Ling’er’s eyes flickered with a knowing glint. She obediently lifted her feet and walked toward the back of the statue.

Mu Xiya, still clutching Xiao Ling’er’s sleeve, followed behind as well.

As they approached, they found Xiao Yuhao holding a bright red fruit. Mu Xiya’s eyes lit up and she cried out in delight:
“Food! Ling Ling, Hao Hao, food!”

“Shhh! A-niang, lower your voice!” Xiao Yuhao immediately hushed her, glancing around nervously.

Mu Xiya nodded rapidly and covered her mouth with her hand, signaling she wouldn’t make another sound.

Xiao Ling’er then pretended to be surprised and happily stepped forward. Her eyes went straight for the bottle of mineral water, which she grabbed and gulped down.

“Ah! A-jie—” Xiao Yuhao reached out too late to stop her.

“What’s wrong?” Xiao Ling’er paused after drinking a third of the bottle and looked at him innocently.

“A-jie, are you okay? Are you feeling unwell?” he asked in concern.

“I’m fine, I feel great.” Xiao Ling’er smiled and handed the bottle to Mu Xiya.

Mu Xiya eagerly took it and mimicked Xiao Ling’er’s drinking, gulping down several mouthfuls before stopping.

“Hao Hao, drink, yummy!” she said, handing the bottle to Xiao Yuhao.

Xiao Ling’er was moved. Even though her mother isn’t mentally well, her love for her children is so real and unwavering.

Xiao Yuhao took the bottle, but after just two sips, he forced himself to stop and didn’t dare drink more.

“It’s okay, drink more. We’ll find more later,” Xiao Ling’er urged, seeing his cracked lips.

“No need, A-jie, I’m good.” Xiao Yuhao said as he tucked the water bottle back into her bundle.

Xiao Ling’er’s eyes gleamed as she looked at the tomatoes.
“These are all edible?” she asked, licking her lips with anticipation.

She truly hadn’t expected the tomatoes to be so big, red, and juicy. At one wealth point per tomato, it was a steal.

“A-jie, we’ve never seen these before… we don’t know if they’re safe to eat.” Xiao Yuhao hesitated, though his mouth was practically watering.

Without a word, Xiao Ling’er picked up a tomato and took a big bite.

“A-jie?!” Xiao Yuhao panicked. He hadn’t even figured out if it was safe yet!

Next to them, Mu Xiya had also grabbed one and bit into it. Her eyes squinted into a blissful expression, and she quickly urged,
“Hao Hao, eat, it’s yummy!”

Seeing that both his sister and mother were already eating, Xiao Yuhao swallowed hard and took a big bite as well.

Sweet. Juicy. Delicious.
He squinted his eyes in bliss just like his mother.

At that moment, Xiao Yuhao felt that even if he were to die right then and there, it would be worth it.

The three of them finished their tomatoes, and since they hadn’t eaten properly in so long, their stomachs actually felt a little bloated from fullness.

Then Xiao Yuhao opened a small wooden box and discovered something that made Xiao Ling’er’s heart skip a beat.

“A-jie, what are these? They don’t look like food.”

Xiao Ling’er paused and then put on a puzzled expression.
“Hao Hao, how do you think all these things got here?”

Xiao Yuhao’s face turned serious.
“A-jie, this is really strange. With the drought, there’s no way any kind of fruit could appear. Even if there was no drought, our Biyun Continent has never had anything this delicious.”

“There’s only one explanation: they’re gifts from the heavens. The gods must’ve taken pity on us and blessed us!”

His tone was solemn and sincere.

Xiao Ling’er nearly gave her dear little brother a heart gesture on the spot.
What a thoughtful little guy — he even came up with the perfect excuse for her!