The loud noise startled Wen Yifan, making her jerk upright as if she couldn’t believe her ears. She held her breath, listening intently.
When the piercing “beep beep” rang again, her exhausted face broke into a bright smile.
“Hard work pays off—finally, I found it!”
She hurriedly opened her panel and exchanged for some simple digging tools.
From the scorching noon sun to the late afternoon, her hard work finally paid off.
“Thud!”
The moment her shovel hit the soil, it gave a dull thump. She quickly increased her pace, brushing away the dirt that covered it.
In the golden light of dusk, she clearly saw the object buried in the soil—a dusty wooden box.
Buried for many years, the metal fittings had already rusted and corroded. Wen Yifan pried open the lock with ease.
The instant the lock fell, a dazzling golden light nearly blinded her.
The box was packed with gold bars, each engraved with the words “Central Mint Manufacturing.” Years of exposure had blurred the inscriptions, but their value had only increased over time.
Suppressing the joy swelling in her chest, Wen Yifan quickly stored the gold bars in her system space.
Back in her small hut, she carefully counted the gold bars on the kang.
“One, two… seventy-eight!”
Seventy-eight bars, each heavy to lift.
While planning what to do with the gold, the system alert sounded in her ear.
“Congratulations, host! You have gained a large amount of assets! Points greatly increased!”
Seeing her points skyrocket, Wen Yifan’s mind started calculating.
Before, just ten points unlocked a Level 1 Spirit Spring, which could heal ordinary skin wounds. What could she now unlock with such a windfall?
Before she could think further, another system alert sounded:
“Shop level increased! The system shop will refresh with better items at even lower prices!”
Excited, Wen Yifan opened the system shop.
As promised, the shop now offered at least twice as many items as before, and prices were lower.
This was great news for her. Even though her previously accumulated points could already buy many materials, a nationwide drought was expected next year, and this small stash would not be enough.
More importantly, the shop’s medicinal items were nearing the unlock threshold.
Level 1 Spirit Spring could heal minor wounds—higher-level medicinal herbs might have even more miraculous effects.
By collecting herbs to fund her clinic and using Spirit Spring water to make ointments, she was laying the foundation for her business. As funds and reputation grew, she could gradually unlock higher-level herbs, moving step by step toward wealth.
She admitted she had no grand ambition to enlighten the world; she only wanted to change her own previously miserable fate. That alone was enough.
But if she could also help others along the way, it was a bonus—a blessing she was happy to accumulate.
Without hesitation, she got to work.
The next day, she carried a bag of refined flour and knocked on Xu Erniu’s door.
Xu Erniu frowned when he saw her.
“Auntie, what brings you here so early?”
Wen Yifan cut straight to the point: “Nothing much. I bought a piece of land and plan to open a small clinic. I need a favor.”
Xu Erniu was about to refuse, but when his eyes fell on the bag of white flour in her arms, they lit up for a moment.
However, the spark quickly faded.
He lifted his left hand, wrapped in thick bandages, and sighed helplessly:
“Auntie, it’s not that I don’t want to help, but I injured my arm at work recently. I went to the clinic, and they said I need to rest it… and I don’t know for how long!”
A baby began crying from inside the house, adding to Xu Erniu’s helplessness.
“You know my wife just had a child, and the whole family depends on me to provide. If my arm weren’t useless, I’d be happy to help you! I’m truly worried about this!”
Wen Yifan stared at his arm for a moment, then confidently patted her chest and promised: “No problem, I can fix it!”
Xu Erniu raised one eyebrow and lowered the other, making a comical expression. His doubtful eyes said, “You’re serious?”
“Of course!” Wen Yifan held up a finger and said firmly, “In one week—at most one week—your arm will recover most of its strength. And if I fix it…”
“No need to finish, Auntie. If my arm is healed in a week, I’ll work for you for free. I promise!”
“Good! It’s a deal!”
Having persuaded Xu Erniu, Wen Yifan handed over the refined flour and took out a bottle of medicine.
“Apply it to the wound. It’s very effective.”
With her experience treating Qin Yunan before, she had even better control over the Spirit Spring water in the ointment.
After greeting Xu Erniu’s family, Wen Yifan returned to her courtyard and tidied up the mess left by her digging.
Two days later, in the afternoon, she had just finished turning the soil and sowing seeds when a man’s voice called from the front gate.
“Aunt Wen, are you home?”
Recognizing Xu Erniu’s voice, she put down her hoe and went to the door.
Xu Erniu stood there with his wife and child, their faces filled with gratitude.
“Auntie, you’re a miracle worker!”
He raised his arm, flexing it vigorously.
“Look! Just three days, and my arm is almost fully healed! Now I can go back to work! Thanks so much, Auntie Wen!”
“Yes, Auntie Wen. If it weren’t for you… our family of three would’ve starved…”
“Stop with the doom and gloom!”
Wen Yifan interrupted, examining Xu Erniu’s arm carefully. She slowly said, “Rest your arm two more days, and it should be fine. I don’t want anything else—just get the house built for me when it’s done!”
“Ah!”
Xu Erniu, being straightforward, immediately began working for Wen Yifan once his arm recovered. He repaired and built up the small hut.
In less than half a month, the hut took shape nicely.
On the day of completion, Xu Erniu cleaned his tools, wiped sweat from his forehead, and was about to leave when Wen Yifan stopped him.
Without saying a word, she shoved some money and grain into his arms, including two bags of fine white flour.
Xu Erniu was astonished. “Auntie, I can’t take this!”
“Take it! Helping someone and not accepting payment? That’s ridiculous. Imagine what people would say!”
He tried to refuse, but seeing Wen Yifan’s stubborn expression, he could only grin and accept.
Before leaving, he asked the question that had been on his mind for days: “Auntie, my skills are fine, and your abilities are impressive, but this place is so remote. Aren’t you worried no one will come?”
“Don’t worry.”
“Good wine doesn’t fear a deep alley. Just wait and see!”