I quickly took Bao Bao back home before grabbing a woven basket and heading straight to the market.
The sun was already sliding down the sky, and the streets were busy — villagers calling out prices, children laughing as they chased each other, and the smell of freshly baked buns drifting past me. It was lively, warm… and for a moment, I just stood there, letting it all sink in.
Shaking myself back to focus, I went from stall to stall. With three taels, I bought seasonings, rice, grain, vegetables, potatoes, and a small packet of seeds. The seeds, I knew, would be worth more in the long run.
I also stopped by a cloth store and bought some bedding. The house had no bedspread; I absolutely didn't want any of the kids to freeze.
I quickly bought some on my way back, my chest tightening a little. This food might last us a short while, but what about after that? I had no income, no savings apart from what I took from the Lu family. Repairs, food, medicine… everything needed money.
I gripped my basket tighter. I'd have to find a way to earn quickly. I couldn't let my children go hungry, not now, not ever again.
---
Meanwhile, back at the Lu residence.
Aunt Lu sat on a stool with a dark look on her face. Her lips were pressed tight, and it seemed like she could snap at anyone who came too close.
Uncle Lu sat beside her, sighing heavily. Their two children, Lu Fong and Lu Fei, were also frowning. None of them were in a good mood after what had happened earlier that day.
"That Lin Xu… she's really changed," Uncle Lu said, shaking his head. "Before, she wouldn't dare raise her voice. Now, she dares to talk back to us in front of everyone."
"How dare she split this family? So what if she doesn't get to eat well, that doesn't mean she should leave like that… that brat!" he complained, smacking his hands on the table.
"Hmph!" Aunt Lu crossed her arms. "She thinks just because she left our house, she's free? I will make sure her life is not easy. She'll regret ever speaking to me that way. She didn't just kill my rooster; she took so many things from our Lu family… it's all your fault, old man!"
She snapped at her husband, "Why the hell did you let your nephew keep his family here? You should have sent her out a long time ago; then we wouldn't have had to bear all this humiliation!"
He sighed, "How was I supposed to know that Mo Tian was going to disappear… it has been eight years now, and he still hasn't returned. I couldn't possibly do anything to her and her children."
Lu Fong snorted. "She's acting like she's some big shot now. Just wait, she won't last long without our help."
Lu Fei rolled her eyes. "I even saw her at the clinic earlier, talking all sweet to Physician Li. Do you think she's planning to remarry?"
Aunt Lu's eyes widened. "What did you just say?"
"I'm serious," Lu Fei said quickly. "She was smiling and talking to him like they were close. Maybe she's trying to get his attention. After all, now she's all on her own… Physician Li is so handsome and his family is rich too. What if she decides to leave the Lu family completely and marry him instead?"
Aunt Lu's face changed instantly. She slammed her palm on the table. "No way! If she marries into a good family, she'll think she's above us, and worse, she'll live better. I can't let that happen."
Uncle Lu frowned. "What do you plan to do? Don't do anything stupid. There's no way any man would want to marry a woman who already has children for another man… not just one but three. Don't think too much."
A slow, cold smile spread across Aunt Lu's face. "Bullshit! Lin Xu is such a vixen… she could charm any man despite being a mother. But don't worry. I have my ways. Lin Xu wants to play smart? I'll make sure she's too busy fighting troubles to even think about getting married again."
Lu Fei leaned in, curious. "What are you going to do, Mother?"
"You'll see," Aunt Lu said firmly. "We'll make her life so hard, she'll come crawling back to us for help."
---
I arrived home as soon as Yan Mei and the kids quickly came out to help me carry the things that I had bought.
Upon entering, I found out that Yan Mei had already cleaned the bedroom.
"Yan Mei? You didn't have to… you already helped me enough, why did yo—"
"Oh please, it's not like I cleaned the whole house… it's just this small room. I know how tired you are, just rest for the night. Don't bother doing too much work so you won't fall sick."
She quickly sat me down as she stepped out and soon came back with a bowl of fish soup.
"You cooked too?" I said, surprised.
"Mama! Aunty Yan Mei didn't just cook, she also brought back some eggs too!" Yiling said happily as I turned to Yan Mei.
"My mother brought all that, and I didn't cook this either — it was brought from my home… so eat your fill."
She said as I just sighed, taking hold of her. "You are really a good friend," I said softly as she blushed slightly.
"I know, I'm the best… that's why Lin Xu loves me a lot, hahahaha. Well, it's already evening, I have to return back home… you all should eat and take good care of yourselves. It might rain tonight, so make sure to cover Bao Bao well so his fever won't come back."
She advised as I nodded and hugged her goodbye.
Later that night,
I turned off all the lamps, only a small candle was lit as I sat on the cold ground staring outside as it rained.
The kids were all asleep. There was no bed so we could only sleep on the floor. Thanks to the bedding that I had bought, the kids were kept warm.
Sleep? My eyes weren't even for a second tired… I'm too busy thinking of ways to make money here in this new world.
I have so many ideas, but I need to plan well or else it wouldn't last long.
Sigh.
"Universe, you sent me to another world and didn't think of giving me a system at least? How heartless of you!"
I shouted, and just then, a beep sound was heard as what appeared before me was a glowing tab floating on the air.
"Congratulations, you have unlocked the SUPERMARKET SYSTEM."
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