Chapter 49: Song Xiaoyu’s Complex Family

Yan Yueqing followed the system’s instructions, her gaze meeting the timid yet beautiful eyes of a young girl.

“Auntie, try our tomatoes. They’re very sweet,” the girl said, crouching by the vegetable stall. Her thin, frail hands held up a plump red tomato. The stark contrast convinced Yan Yueqing—this child’s family must be struggling financially!

For children like this, any help is worthwhile, especially with a special mission involved. She didn’t hesitate: “Confirm binding.”

[Binding successful!]

[Name: Song Xiaoyu

Age: 7

Favorability towards host: 0 points]

[Mission: Cultivate a relationship with Song Xiaoyu. When her favorability towards the host exceeds 90 points, the task is complete.]

[Reward: +10 strength Points and 10 % refund of cultivation funds spent.]

[Special Family Reunification Quest: Find Song Xiaoyu’s biological parents within a month and assist in their reunion.]

[Reward: One selectable basic skill.]

Song Xiaoyu? Yan Yueqing was stunned. She knew this name!

In the book, Qin Youran’s reputation was mixed because of Song Xiaoyu, but eventually, public opinion unified in her favor, making her immensely popular.

Considering the timing… yes, this indeed was from the fifth episode.

Qin Youran, accompanied by Tian Tian, approached with a gentle smile. “Little sister, did you grow these tomatoes yourself? They look delicious! Tian Tian, do you like these? Shall we make some tomato fish soup?”

Tian Tian nodded.

Joining them was Xu Li, a well-known culinary streamer. During the previous segment, she had been too engrossed in catching fish to appear much on camera.

Now, seeing the fresh produce, Xu Li couldn’t resist stepping forward. She picked up a tomato and turned to the camera: “Look, everyone! This is the sandy-fleshed tomato I mentioned before! Most tomatoes on the market are artificially ripened; it’s rare to find naturally ripened ones. It’s a pity you can’t smell it through the screen. The moment I walked over, I was captivated by its rich aroma!”

[Hahaha, Xu Li is so cute, treating this like her own live stream!]

[How come I didn’t notice her during the fish-catching scene? Was she busy catching fishing?]^[1]T/N: the pun comment: 「How come I didn’t notice her during the fish-catching scene? Was she busy catching fish?」 This is a play on the phrase “摸鱼” (mō yú). Here’s … Continue reading

[Take points off for the pun!]

[These tomatoes might be small, but they’re really tasty! Rural kids would understand—pick one fresh from the field, walk along the ridge while eating, and it’s both sweet and tangy. Ah, that’s my lost childhood…]

[As a city kid, I’m envious and curious about what they taste like!]

[It’s definitely not like the ones in supermarkets—those look nice but taste bland. This variety has such a strong aroma when ripe.]

Xu Li felt in her element: “Tonight, I’m planning to use these tomatoes to make a delicious sweet and sour fish soup, perfect for anyone who loses their appetite in summer!”

She then crouched down, meeting Song Xiaoyu’s eyes kindly. “Little sister, how much are these tomatoes per catty?”

Facing the camera, Song Xiaoyu shyly replied, “Pretty auntie, they’re thirty cents per catty.”

“Thirty cents?” Xu Li was surprised. Were they really this cheap here?

Song Xiaoyu, thinking Xu Li found them expensive, quickly waved her hands. “These are just from our own garden. If auntie thinks it’s too much, we can… we can negotiate…”

“No, no,” Qin Youran stepped in to explain. “Auntie Xu just thinks you’re selling them too cheaply and worries you might lose out.”

Only then did Song Xiaoyu relax, her cheeks flushing. “Everyone sells them at this price around here…”

“I’ll take one jin,” Xu Li said. She had initially planned to buy them all but noticed Yan Yueqing’s group approaching and assumed they might want some too.

Tang Tang ran ahead, exclaiming, “Wow, the tomatoes this little sister grew are so red and fragrant!” She turned to ask, “Sister Yueqing, can we have these for dinner?”

“Sure,” Yan Yueqing replied without asking the price. “Little sister, please weigh two catties for me.”

Surrounded by so many people for the first time, Song Xiaoyu’s face turned crimson.

Selling these tomatoes felt like stepping into a wonderland—there were beautiful ladies, a pretty little girl, and two even more handsome but cold-looking boys… Her hands trembled slightly as she weighed the tomatoes.

After packing the tomatoes for the customers, Song Xiaoyu shyly handed them over. The sight of her thin, dry wrists made Yan Wang unconsciously frown.

Jun Yan, who had been looking straight ahead, suddenly turned back as if reading his brother’s mind. “Why do you look upset? Do you think she’s too skinny, just like you?”

Yan Wang lowered his lashes, completely uninterested in engaging.

Qin Youran wasn’t pleased to see Yan Yueqing everywhere but maintained a warm smile for the cameras.

She knelt down in front of Song Xiaoyu, ready to enact the scenario from her past life.

“Little sister, what’s your name?”

“Pretty auntie, I’m Song Xiaoyu.”

“Xiaoyu? What a lovely name~ My cousin is also named Xiaoyu; such a coincidence.”

“Really?” Song Xiaoyu’s eyes sparkled.

Qin Youran glanced at her hands, yellowed and worn from hard work: “It’s amazing that you’re so young but already helping out your family.”

Song Xiaoyu shyly responded, “Thank you, auntie.”

“Auntie needs your help with something!” Qin Youran said, getting to her point. “We three are here in Neijia Town for a show and need a place to stay. Do you know of any available rooms? Don’t worry, we’ll pay.”

“Pay?” At this, Song Xiaoyu looked up. “Uncle Zhu, the village chief, has a big house, and so does Grandma Wang on Second Street. Their children are working away, so the places should be empty. And…”

She hesitated shyly, “My house also has two spare rooms… but they’re a bit small… I don’t know if aunties will find them comfortable… But I clean them every day, so they’re really tidy!”

Her family urgently needed money, and Song Xiaoyu didn’t want to miss any chance to earn some.

Qin Youran had been waiting for this: “Great! Can you take us to see your house? I’ll buy all these tomatoes!”

Song Xiaoyu was thrilled, almost to the point of bowing: “I-I-I’ll take you there right now!”

Yan Yueqing didn’t miss the calculating glint in Qin Youran’s eyes.

Strange, did she already know about Xiaoyu?

In the book, Song Xiaoyu was a pitiful child.

She had two siblings: her elder sister, Song Xiaohua, had leukemia, and her younger brother, Song Xiaoye, was just a year old. As the middle child, Song Xiaoyu rarely received much affection.

For Song Xiaohua’s treatment, the entire family was tested for compatibility, but only Song Xiaoyu matched.

Her parents treated her lovingly for a while, but the overwhelming medical bills became too much. Song Xiaoyu had to look after both her older sister and younger brother while managing farm work and enduring her parents’ frustration over the hospital costs.

Then, just before the surgery, she suddenly changed her mind and refused to donate.

This led to constant fights at home!

Qin Youran seized this opportunity, successfully resolving the family conflict and convincing Xiaoyu to agree to the surgery.

…