As soon as the Gossip System finished speaking, Liu Yunyun, who was lying on the ground, began convulsing uncontrollably as if possessed. Her eyes rolled back, white foam foamed at her mouth, and faint, barely perceptible purplish-black electric currents flickered across her body.
“Ah…”
Mother Liu, who had reached out to help her, screamed in fright and instantly pulled her hand back, collapsing weakly to the ground.
Seeing Liu Yunyun in this state, everyone took a step back.
Liu Guiyun quickly pulled Xie Qingtao to the back of the crowd, stuffed the money into her pocket, crossed her arms, and watched the spectacle unfold.
Someone who had seen epileptic patients before kindly reminded her, “Lianhua, could your daughter be having a seizure?”
Unexpectedly, Mother Liu lost her composure. She stood up and retorted, “What illness? My daughter isn’t sick!”
Even if she were sick, she’d have to marry off and earn the bride price first before falling ill. This was not the time to let anything affect the price of the bride price.
After scolding, Mother Liu didn’t forget to warn everyone, “Go back, go back! What are you all doing here watching the show? If any of you dare breathe a word of this, I’ll come to your house and tear your mouth apart, then demand bride price money from you!”
With her hands on her hips, Mother Liu acted like a shrew, throwing a tantrum and cursing on the spot.
Liu Guiyun watched coldly as Liu Yunyun continued convulsing, her fate uncertain, then pulled Xie Qingtao back home.
When they returned home, Xie Qingxiao was already waiting inside, holding a red bean popsicle in his hand.
Xie Qingtao’s eyes lit up, and a bright smile spread across her face. “Wow! It’s a red bean popsicle! Thank you, brother. You must have worked hard for this. Did you have to wait in line for a long time? You should take the first bite.”
Red bean popsicles had always been a bestseller at the supply and marketing cooperative. They were expensive, and each shipment was limited. Getting one required both luck and patience.
Xie Qingtao’s words were filled with appreciation, and Xie Qingxiao’s handsome face gradually broke into a smile. He looked at her with affectionate eyes, took a small bite of the red bean popsicle, and said, “Alright, now sit in the shade and eat it. This popsicle melts quickly.”
Xie Qingtao obediently sat down and quietly enjoyed her popsicle.
“Mom, is everything settled?” Xie Qingxiao was more concerned about tarnishing the Liu family’s reputation.
The thought of Liu Yunyun’s resentful and bitter expression filled Xie Qingxiao with disgust and irritation.
Liu Guiyun took out the money and placed it by the window to let the sun disinfect it and remove the odor. “With me handling it, it was settled in no time. The apology and compensation are all here. It’s just that old man Liu Tiezhu is so unhygienic—he hid the money in his clothes, and it’s all stinky now.”
As she spoke, Liu Guiyun’s face twisted with disgust, and she ran outside to wash her hands.
Xie Qingxiao narrowed his eyes slightly, lost in thought as he gazed in the direction of the Liu family. He was pondering Liu Yunyun’s motive for wanting to ruin his sister’s reputation.
Just then, Xie Qingtao leaned her head closer and said in a soft, sweet voice, “Brother, Liu Yunyun suddenly started convulsing and foaming at the mouth for no reason.”
She had also seen the faint purplish-black electric currents on Liu Yunyun’s body.
Goodness! So electric shocks were this terrifying.
Xie Qingtao shuddered and quickly urged the Gossip System in her mind, [System, do you have any electric shock punishments for failing tasks?]
Hearing Xie Qingtao question its origins, the Gossip System immediately grew displeased and retorted, [Host, I am a legitimate system produced by a reputable manufacturer with official backing. I don’t engage in such heartless punishments. Liu Yunyun’s system comes from an unknown manufacturer that uses harmful punishments like that.]
Xie Qingtao responded with lingering fear:
[That’s good!]
The Gossip System snorted proudly:
【Host, don’t you dare compare me to that knockoff Liu Yunyun—she’s not worthy!
As long as you complete gossip tasks, you’ll receive rewards.
See? The reward for gossiping about Xiao Lianhua and Zhao Dazhu just arrived.】
[Wow! System, you’re amazing!]
Xie Qingtao caught sight of a sleek, white, high-tech package appearing on the system interface, her eyes sparkling.
The Gossip System, feeling a bit bashful from the praise, fell silent for a moment before replying awkwardly:
【Oh, it’s nothing!】
Xie Qingtao chatted animatedly with the Gossip System, all while enjoying her red bean popsicle without interruption.
Sweet and creamy, rich with milk fragrance.
Ah! A heavenly delight.
Having a red bean popsicle in the summer makes all the heat vanish instantly.
Meanwhile, Xie Qingxiao looked up, raising an eyebrow:
“Oh! Convulsions and foaming at the mouth—that does resemble a seizure.”
Wasn’t Liu Yunyun supposed to be as resilient as a cockroach?
How could she suddenly start convulsing and foaming at the mouth?
The more Xie Qingxiao thought about it, the stranger it seemed, though he couldn’t pinpoint exactly why.
His intuition told him there was something fishy going on.
He tapped the table lightly with his long, pale fingers, a thoughtful expression on his face.
Xie Qingtao opened the reward from the Gossip System in her mind, and her eyes grew even brighter when she saw what it was.
The Gossip System happily announced:
【Reward: Half a pound each of gold melon seeds and silver melon seeds.
Reward: One pound of five-spice sunflower seeds—the essential tool for gossip.
Reward: Five Strength Pills and five Painless Meridian-Cleansing Pills each. With these pills, the host can gossip more effectively anywhere.
Reward: Two pounds of white flour. Since the host is bound as a control group, her living standards must not fall below Liu Yunyun’s.
Reward: One time-limited Transformation Item, capable of transforming into anything.
Reward: 10 Gossip Points. Gossip Points can be used to purchase anything from the mall once the system upgrades to Level 2.】
Xie Qingtao looked at the items, beaming with joy, her large almond-shaped eyes curving into crescents.
Xie Qingxiao seemed infected by her happiness, his lips unconsciously curling into a smile:
“What’s got Taotao so happy?”
Xie Qingtao finished the last bite of her red bean popsicle, blinked playfully, and grinned slyly:
“It’s a secret! I’m not telling you!”
With that, Xie Qingtao dashed off, skipping lightly back to her room.
Her retreating figure resembled a cheerful little fox in the forest, leaping about with its big tail held high.
Xie Qingxiao’s eyes were filled with tenderness and indulgence.
Quite different from how he appeared outside.
Back in her room, Xie Qingtao thought about the gossip involving Zhao Dazhu, smacking her lips, and didn’t forget to remind the Gossip System:
[System, let me know if there are any updates on that Zhao Dazhu gossip.]
【Sure thing, Host!】
The Gossip System was also eager to know how things would unfold between Zhao Dazhu and Xiao Lianhua, so it agreed enthusiastically.
In the evening, when Xie Jianguo returned home and saw the braised pork on the table, his eyes gleamed, and he broke into a smile:
“Wow~ This is way too lavish! We owe tonight’s meat feast to our dear Taotao.”
He then clasped his hands in a playful salute toward Xie Qingtao, looking up and winking at her mischievously.
Xie Qingtao tilted her chin up, glancing upward proudly:
“No need to thank…”
Her proud demeanor didn’t last long before she burst into laughter, her eyes brimming with charm and liveliness.
Seeing this, Xie Jianguo roared with laughter.
Even Xie Qingxiao smiled, his handsome brows and eyes curving, a youthful aura washing over him.
Xie Qingping wanted to laugh, but a glare from Xie Qingtao forced the smile back, his handsome face flushing bright red.
“Dad, you keep making me laugh!”
Xie Qingtao went to hit Xie Jianguo, her cheeks like ripe apples, flushed red.
Xie Jianguo pleaded for mercy repeatedly, and only then did Xie Qingtao let him off.
During the meal, Xie Jianguo brought up the matter of Xie Qingping’s partner.
Xie Qingping’s expression turned somewhat odd.