Chapter 9 That Look Is So Ugly

Tang Huaixu noticed that his sister didn’t respond but instead looked at him with teary eyes, and his heart tightened instantly.
“Jie, jie, why are you crying? Did I say something wrong?”

Flustered, he stood up quickly, hurried over to Tang Wanning, and carefully wiped her tears with his handkerchief.

Seeing her younger brother treat her as if she were a fragile porcelain doll, Tang Wanning felt a warm rush in her heart. She sniffled and choked out, “I’m fine.”

Not wanting him to worry, she took his handkerchief, wiped away her tears, and even blew her nose into it.

While he didn’t show much expression when she was wiping her tears, Tang Huaixu’s brows furrowed deeply when he saw her blow her nose with his handkerchief.

“Jie, wait here. I’ll wash this, then we can go out.”

Without waiting for her reply, he dashed off to the courtyard with the handkerchief.

Although it was indeed a little gross, it did successfully divert his attention so he wouldn’t overthink and worry.

Watching her younger brother’s retreating back, Tang Wanning’s resolve grew even stronger.

After Tang Huaixu washed the handkerchief, the siblings carried an empty basket from home and headed up the mountain. With her brother by her side this time, Tang Wanning decided to check out the other side of the mountain.

That side led to the neighboring village—maybe there would be plants and herbs different from what she usually found here. Even if the chances were slim, it was better than staying in the same place.

The two chatted as they walked and soon reached the neighboring village. Watching her sister, eyes curved like crescents as she rushed up the mountain, Tang Huaixu’s lips curved into a smile.

It seemed like ever since brother-in-law’s death, she hadn’t smiled so happily. If he could make her smile like this every day, he would do anything.

Unaware of his thoughts, Tang Wanning eagerly began her foraging as soon as she climbed up the mountain.

Just as she had expected, while there were many of the same wild grasses and herbs she had picked earlier, there were clearly some she hadn’t collected before.

Knowing these wild herbs were valuable, she decided to spend 50 points on a storage space. She’d have to buy it eventually anyway—better now, so she could start stockpiling herbs. Plus, it would come in handy tomorrow when she planned to raid the Xu household.

【Would you like to spend 50 points to purchase a 5-cubic-meter storage space? Confirm/Reject.】

Tang Wanning silently said, “Confirm.”

【Congratulations, Host. You have obtained a 5-cubic-meter storage space. Remaining points: 50.】

With that, she happily picked and stored herbs and wild vegetables, busy as ever. The only drawback was she couldn’t collect big trees—not with Huaixu nearby. If a whole tree suddenly disappeared, she might scare him half to death.

Forget it—gains always come with losses.

Just as she was regretting this, she suddenly spotted two wild rabbits hopping toward her and stopping a short distance away to graze.

Glancing at Huaixu and seeing him absorbed in digging wild vegetables, she quickly raised her hand at the larger rabbit.

【Target scanned successfully. Can be exchanged for 8 points. Confirm/Reject.】

Confirm, confirm! she screamed inwardly. She hadn’t expected she could collect things even from this distance. What a pleasant surprise.

In the clearing, the rabbit suddenly vanished into thin air. The younger one froze, then bolted in terror, only to smack straight into a tree and knock itself out cold.

…

Though she felt a little guilty, Tang Wanning moved quickly before the little rabbit could wake up and escape.

Even though it was small, meat was meat—why waste it?

Noticing his sister’s sudden movement, Tang Huaixu immediately ran over, shouting, “Jie…jie, wait for me! Don’t run so fast!”

Before he could catch up, he saw her standing under a tree against the light, holding up a limp rabbit in her hand.

Honestly, she looked…ugly.

Her skin was sallow, her complexion dark, and her body thin as a stick. There wasn’t the slightest trace of beauty in the scene.

He had originally wanted to flatter her, but the words stuck in his throat. Luckily, as long as he didn’t say anything, she’d never know what he was really thinking.

Beaming, Tang Wanning said happily, “Xiao Xu, look! I found a rabbit that knocked itself out. Tonight we can have spicy rabbit head!”

Seeing her so delighted, Tang Huaixu couldn’t help but laugh as well. “Jie, you’re amazing.”

They tied the rabbit with vines and dropped it into their basket. Looking at the unconscious rabbit, Tang Wanning suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

If she could collect a rabbit from such a distance… did that mean she could also collect birds in the sky?

With this thought, she scanned around and soon spotted a pair of lovebirds perched on a tree.

Seeing Huaixu still focused on digging vegetables, she casually pretended to adjust her hair and aimed her hand at one of the birds.

【Target scanned successfully. Can be exchanged for 10 points. Confirm/Reject.】

Confirm.

Another 10 points in the bag. Wonderful.

But while she rejoiced, the other bird froze as its partner vanished, then began crying loudly. Its frantic calls drew a flock of birds over, and Tang Wanning seized the chance to collect them.

By the end, she had earned 50 points.

Not only had she recouped her 50-point expense, but she now had 31 more than she’d had in the morning. Her balance stood at 131.

The siblings stayed on the mountain until 5 p.m., and by the time they returned, her points had risen to 142—a fruitful day indeed.

Back home, Tang Wanning found Su Meijuan mixing wonton filling in the main room while Tang Houde rolled out wonton wrappers.

Seeing her children return, one carrying a basket and the other a bamboo bucket, Su Meijuan immediately knew they had gone up the mountain again.

Such a greedy little girl—she hadn’t even eaten the wild greens she’d picked in the morning, and now she’d gone to collect more in the afternoon.

Well, better to forage in the mountains than labor in the fields. At least on the mountain, she wasn’t working under the blazing sun.

Smiling dotingly, Su Meijuan said, “Are you tired? Sit down and rest a bit.”

“Not tired, niang.” Tang Wanning smiled, setting her basket aside. “I’ll wash my hands first, then help you wrap wontons.”

“Alright.”

After the siblings washed their hands, Su Meijuan was already busy wrapping wontons while Tang Houde continued rolling wrappers.

Watching her daughter in such good spirits, Su Meijuan asked worriedly, “Ningning, you’ve been coming home a lot these days. Did your mother-in-law say anything?”