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“?”
Song Anning was dumbfounded. A semi-transparent screen appeared before her eyes, with the large characters 【Song Anning】 written at the top, followed by a line of smaller text, resembling a profile:
【Level】: Zero-level novice
【Wealth】: 0 wen (external debt 4070 wen)
【Unlocked Species】: 1
【Mall】: Not opened
【Backpack】: Not opened
【Functions】: None
【Map】: Centered on the host, radius 5 meters
“!”
Below that was a circular map centered on Song Anning, with dense red dots flashing continuously around her.
Having read many novels, Song Anning began to realize what this was. Could it be the legendary system?
Such a good thing had actually happened to her!
Heavens, did you pity me for leaving my mother at such a young age and being in debt, so you gave me a system?
To verify her thoughts, Song Anning followed the map’s markers and pulled down a dozen or so wild grasses from the courtyard gate. Sure enough, the system’s voice sounded again.
“Beep, unpolluted plantain, a type of Chinese herb. Sweet in taste, cold in nature; it has the functions of clearing heat, promoting urination, cooling blood, and detoxifying.
One catty for two wen, do you wish to sell?”
“Yes!”
“Beep, the system has recovered the item, and the money has been credited to your account. The host can use their mind to store and withdraw at will, convenient and quick.”
Her hands were empty, but on the screen, the 【Wealth】 column had changed to 2 wen.
“Host, just use your mind to withdraw it. See, isn’t the system super considerate?”
Following the system’s instructions, Song Anning moved her mind, and two copper coins appeared in her hand.
With tears still on her face, she nodded vigorously. “Yes, yes! The system is super considerate.”
“Ahaha, I’m happy when the host praises me. Just use your mind to talk to me. Feel free to use the screen in front of you; others can’t see it.”
“Then, system, can I return to my original world?”
“…”
After asking with her mind, the system fell into a brief silence. “You can’t go back. The you from that world has been cremated, and grass is already growing on your grave.”
“Don’t be sad, host. Work hard, and with 10,000 taels of silver, the system can upgrade to level five, unlocking 【Cross-temporal Communication】, allowing you to contact your loved ones.”
“Ahhh, I love you, system!”
10,000 taels of silver was an astronomical amount, something she might never earn in her lifetime.
But it was hope.
“I love the host too, I super love…”
The system continued to chatter, while Song Anning looked at the distant mountains, her mind calculating rapidly.
Banyue Village was surrounded by mountains on all sides, and according to the village elders, beyond the mountains lay the sea. The mountains were rich in resources, and even the five or six-year-old children in the village could recognize some wild vegetables and medicinal herbs. With the system’s help, it would be easy to repay the money within a year.
In her previous life, she enjoyed watching short videos on a certain app about mountain foraging and sea treasure hunting, as well as washing carpets and trimming donkey hooves. It felt very relaxing, and now it was her turn.
She was determined to strip the mountains bare, earn money, upgrade the system, contact her mother, and improve her current home!
Actions speak louder than words. Before it got dark, Song Anning went back into the house, found some rags, and tied up the loose parts of her pants and sleeves. She gently patted the heads of Song Zeyuan and Song Anyue, her voice much softer.
“I’m going up the mountain for a walk. You two stay at home and wait for Big Sis to come back.”
When Song Anning left the courtyard with a basket on her back and a sickle in her hand, the two little ones finally snapped out of their daze.
“Big Sis said she’s going up the mountain? Did I hear that wrong?”
“No, you heard right, but she doesn’t even recognize wild vegetables…”
Song Zeyuan furrowed his brow and, seeing her disappear in the distance, took his sister’s hand and followed.
Hearing the footsteps behind her, Song Anning’s lips curled into a smile.
These two little ones, mimicking everything, were the original owner’s loyal little followers. With proper education, they could become good kids.
The mountain path wound its way through the landscape, with wildflowers swaying in the breeze and countless plants sprouting new buds. Song Anning walked leisurely, her heart gradually calming down.
She activated the map, and whenever she saw a red dot marked on the map, she put it into her basket. This entire mountain was filled with potential silver!
When Song Zeyuan and Song Anyue caught up with her, they saw Song Anning frantically digging up wild grass. Her pretty face was scrunched up in concentration.
“Big Sis, this stuff is bitter and astringent, it’s not edible, it’s used to feed chickens and ducks.”
“Big Sis, you should go home and rest. Let me and Brother go dig for wild vegetables.”
The mountain wind was a bit chilly, and when Song Anning looked up, she saw the two children shivering in their thin clothes.
Without explaining, she took the small iron shovel from Song Zeyuan’s hand and tightened their collars. “You two go home and wait for Big Sis. Mom is still at home. Keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn’t wander off. Also, clean the table. I’ll make something delicious for you tonight.”
“But…”
“Be obedient!”
Song Zeyuan wanted to say something more, but in the end, he nodded silently and led his sister down the mountain, looking back every few steps.
The spring breeze carried their whispering voices back to Song Anning. “Big Sis doesn’t want us to follow her and says she’ll make something delicious. Is she going to steal again?”
“Big Sis is acting strange. What if she becomes crazy like Mom…”
“No, let’s just be obedient and wait at home. But don’t expect any delicious food. We’ll have some wild vegetables for dinner.”
“…”
Song Anning smiled to herself. Original owner, just how unreliable were you that this is what your younger siblings think of you?
Feeling a mix of emotions, she kept her hands busy. With the small iron shovel, her efficiency doubled, and she quickly filled half a basket.
Since no one was around, Song Anning used her mind to activate the system panel and sold two and a half catties of plantain, earning five wen. The joy of picking up money was something only she could understand!
“Isn’t that the Song family girl? Am I seeing things? Why aren’t you at home sleeping and instead on the mountain?”
A few women coming down the mountain screamed as if they had seen a ghost when they saw Song Anning with a bamboo basket.
“Oh my, are you digging up plantain to eat at home? Is that even food for humans?”
“It’s a good time, just came to take a walk in the mountains.” Song Anning gave a half-hearted smile and continued walking without looking up. These women were known gossips in the village, capable of turning black into white, and they were quite annoying.
“Haha, did you hear that? The lazy girl is going to take a walk in the mountains. What a joke!”
“Exactly, maybe she couldn’t steal anything in the village and thought about stealing the squirrels’ food on the mountain?”
“Hahahaha…”
“Alright, stop talking. Song family girl’s face is turning cold. Be careful, she might poop in your well…”
“…”
“What the hell, stealing squirrels’ food…”
Song Anning didn’t care at all. Her reputation was already ruined, so she didn’t mind what others said.
Given the current situation at home, having a bad reputation was better than being a soft target for others to bully. Even the most formidable shrews in the village only dared to talk about her.
“Beep, detecting pure natural and unpolluted bracken.”
“Bracken, a type of Chinese herb. Neutral in nature, slightly astringent in taste. It clears heat, detoxifies, calms the nerves, and is rich in various minerals.”
“Price, one catty for three wen…”
The deeper she went into the mountain, the more varieties of wild vegetables and Chinese herbs there were. After the system finished its announcements, Song Anning noticed a problem.