Chapter 7.1

Luo Lan stared at the unfamiliar fabrics displayed by the system, her mind overwhelmed with excitement. The designs were intricate like brocade, and the materials were soft like satin. The chiffon, in particular, caught her eye—it was so smooth that it didn’t wrinkle at all. No matter how much it was crumpled, it would return to its original state the moment you let go.

Luo Lan couldn’t help but imagine how beautiful a dress made from these fabrics would look. However, she quickly dismissed the thought and instead focused on asking the system if there were any self-defense items available.

“Something lightweight, effective, and capable of handling multiple attackers. Oh, and preferably affordable,” she specified.

“You’re quite thrifty,” the system remarked.

“I call it being economical. Just tell me, do you have anything?” she pressed.

“Yes, I do,” the system replied.

Among the various self-defense weapons, Luo Lan chose a cost-effective pepper spray. According to the description, a light spray could instantly incapacitate a strong man.

“What’s in it?” she asked.

“It contains a powerful pepper extract and a sedative compound that can quickly render a person unconscious,” the system explained.

“Impressive,” Luo Lan muttered. This item was considered a prohibited substance in later years due to its potent effects. She purchased a bottle, carefully studying the instructions. While the main troublemakers wouldn’t dare act openly, if they tried anything after their mother’s reputation was ruined, she wouldn’t hesitate to defend herself.

Instead of taking possession of the item right away, the system assured her it would deliver it directly into her hand when needed. This arrangement was convenient, ensuring she could access the weapon anytime, anywhere.

After reviewing her points and enjoying a restful sleep, Luo Lan joined the others in the fields early the next morning for the wheat harvest. Overnight, rumors about the Wang and Xu families spread like wildfire. As they worked, the women couldn’t help but gossip and laugh about the situation.

“Can Old Wang still perform at his age?” one woman asked.

“Maybe his heart is still young, even if his body isn’t,” another joked.

“I heard his wife scolded him all night without taking him to the hospital,” a third commented.

“How pitiful.” Someone said sarcastically.

“What’s there to be pitied about? His third son fell into the water and drowned after being discovered. That’s really bad luck.”

“If the top beam is crooked, the bottom beam will be crooked.”

“That is.”

“I heard that Old Wang is also lying on the bed and can’t move. He might have had a stroke.”

“Let’s see how he spends money this time.”

The women mostly agreed with these sentiments, while the men, not wanting to get into trouble with their own wives, kept quiet.

Luo Lan worked alongside the fourth daughter-in-law of the Wang family. During a break, the daughter-in-law winked at her, saying, “We three daughters-in-law are pushing for a family division. I think it might work this time.”

Luo Lan gave her an encouraging gesture, “Keep at it.”

“Yeah,” the young wife sighed, “I’ve realized that being too soft only gets you taken advantage of.”

People often assume that giving in will earn them leniency from others, but most people aren’t magnanimous enough to respect your boundaries. Instead, they push even further.

The young wife, still soft-spoken, had become tougher inside. As they finished work and headed home, the Wang family’s household was in an uproar over the scandal, with the children crying amidst the shouting.

Luo Lan, following the system’s suggestion, went to see the commotion. As a former member of the Wang family, she had a vested interest in the situation. If the family had split up earlier, she would have had a share. But with the elderly couple’s behavior, they were unlikely to get much now.

Sure enough, during the family division mediated by the village accountant, there was no money—just household items like pots, pans, and bedding. Even then, the three brothers ended up fighting over the meager possessions.

The system, enjoying the spectacle, danced around with excitement. The bigger the melon, the more energy it could absorb.

As the situation escalated and the village officials finally calmed the brothers down, the crowd dispersed. Luo Lan was about to leave when her sister caught up with her.

“Lan’er, wait, I need to talk to you,” her sister said.

“Sister, I didn’t see you just now.” Luo Lan remarked.

“Where there’s drama, there’s you. Is it that interesting?” her sister chided lightly.

“Not bad.”  That’s not the excitement, that’s all money. You know how many points I have now? I can exchange a lot of white flour after the wheat harvest.

“You,” her sister sighed, “The person from the neighboring village will meet with you the day after tomorrow evening. Make sure you dress up nicely.”

“Got it,” Luo Lan replied.

Her sister had come all the way just to deliver this news before hurrying back to prepare dinner for her children. The two sisters parted ways, and Luo Lan returned to her shed to cook her own meal.