Shen Ruoxi directly pushed the door open. Sister-in-law was sitting on the edge of the bed weeping silently, and a small, thin boy just over two years old was sitting on the footstool crying with her. They looked so pitiful.
Shen Ruoxi was a Doctor, possessing a soft heart, and she stepped forward intending to pick up the child and comfort him.
But before she could even touch the child, Xu Lanqing fiercely pushed her away.
Shen Ruoxi was pushed down onto the ground, and a sharp pain immediately shot up her palm; she must have scraped the skin off.
“Don’t give me your insincere kindness! Shen Ruoxi, why won't you marry off? If you married, the whole family would be fine. Look at what our family has become! Haven't you harmed us enough?”
Xu Lanqing pointed at the child with agitated emotion, “You caused your elder brother to disappear without a trace. Kang'er has grown this big and has never met his father. You even caused me to have a premature birth, so Kang'er is underdeveloped and suffers from minor illnesses daily. All of this is your fault! You are a jinx! Why didn't you disappear instead of him!”
Shen Ruoxi slowly got up from the ground, “Sister-in-law, I’m sorry. Please stop crying. Shall we eat first?”
Xu Lanqing pointed toward the room door and roared fiercely, “Who dares eat the food you make? Who knows what you put in it? Get out! Don't make me say it a second time.”
Shen Ruoxi looked at the child, “Then let Kang'er go out to eat?” Xiao Kang'er truly looked too pitiful, so thin and small, seeming like he wouldn't survive.
“No need for your false kindness. Get out.” Xu Lanqing shoved Shen Ruoxi out and then heavily slammed the room door shut.
Shen Ruoxi touched her nose; that was close, she almost hit it.
Sigh, the resentment the surrounding people hold for the Original Owner is too great. It probably won't be resolved in a short while; I’ll take it slow.
This burden is so heavy.
Shen Ruoxi thought for a moment and went to find Shen Ruohan.
She shared a room with her fourth Younger Sister, but even though it was the same room, she had monopolized the bed for years, forcing her Younger Sister to sleep on the floor—quite a heartless person.
Pushing open the room door and walking in, she saw her Younger Sister by the window.
The window faced a vegetable patch where some cabbages and radishes were growing. It was full of vitality and pleasing to the eye.
Shen Ruohan was not yet twelve years old. She sat on the windowsill, a cloth covering her face, her head leaning gently against the window frame. Her frail silhouette was heartbreaking.
Shen Ruoxi tiptoed over, “Little Sister, it’s time to eat.”
Shen Ruohan remained motionless, not even sparing Shen Ruoxi a glance, completely ignoring her.
Shen Ruoxi spoke cautiously, “You can be angry with me, but your body belongs to you. There’s no need to harm yourself, is there?”
As she spoke, her eyes fixed on Shen Ruohan’s face covering. Beneath the cloth, the left side of her face was severely burned, leaving a hideous scar.
When Shen Ruohan was nine years old, during the New Year celebration at home, Shen Ruoxi saw other children playing with fireworks, but she didn't have any. So, she went to light a fire to play, which resulted in a fire breaking out.
However, everyone extinguished the fire in time, so no major losses occurred, but Shen Ruohan’s face was burned.
Shen Ruohan jumped down from the window, moving away from Shen Ruoxi.
Shen Ruoxi: “…”
Alas, if no one eats, then she will eat by herself. She still needs to earn Silver; the task is arduous.
Returning to the Kitchen, she drank a bowl of Snake Soup and then ate half a Steamed Bun.
Fortunately, she was young; otherwise, this small amount of food probably wouldn't have been enough to fill her up.
After eating, Shen Ruoxi walked toward the Barefoot Doctor’s house in the Village. She wanted to treat Shen Da’s illness to raise his Favorability Points, but the Original Owner didn't know medicine, so she first had to "learn" medical skills.
Shen Yan chased her away, “Go, go, go! You menace, what are you doing at my house?”
She was the Barefoot Doctor’s granddaughter and also intensely disliked Shen Ruoxi. It could be said that only one person in the Village didn't dislike Shen Ruoxi—her Best Friend.
However, her Best Friend was visiting her Maternal Grandmother's House and was not currently in the Village.
Shen Ruoxi understood everyone’s feelings and didn't blame her, “Move aside. I’m not here to see you.”
Shen Yan grabbed a stick and made a gesture as if to hit Shen Ruoxi, “It doesn't matter who you’re looking for, hurry up and leave.”
Shen Ruoxi snatched the stick away, “Move aside, or I’ll hit you.”
Shen Yan swallowed her Saliva, fearfully shouted back toward the house, “Grandfather! Father! Shen Ruoxi is hitting people!” As she shouted, she ran inside.
The whole family soon rushed out of the house, glaring angrily.
Being glared at by more than ten people felt terrible. Shen Ruoxi tried hard to ignore it, focusing only on the Barefoot Doctor, “Grand-Uncle, I want to learn medicine from you. Is that possible?”
Everyone was slightly surprised.
The Barefoot Doctor pretended not to hear, “Shen Ruoxi, leave my house immediately.”
Shen Ruoxi displayed her most Sincere side, “Grand-Uncle, I truly came here to take you as my master to learn medicine. Can you teach me?”
The Barefoot Doctor waved his hand dismissively, “Who would dare accept a student like you? Go home. My place isn't big enough for you to cause trouble.”
Shen Yan pushed Shen Ruoxi out of the door and slammed it shut heavily.
In less than half a day, she had been shut out twice. Shen Ruoxi stared at the tightly closed Courtyard Gate and shouted loudly, “Grand-Uncle, I am being Sincere. Please help me, okay?”
Shen Yan put her hands on her hips and cursed, “Shen Ruoxi, get away from my house immediately, or I’ll open the gate and let the dogs out!”
The Barefoot Doctor said coldly, “Shen Ruoxi, I will not teach you medicine. Go.”
Shen Ruoxi was not someone who gave up easily, “Grand-Uncle, I did too many wrong things before, but now I know I was wrong. From now on, I want to try my best to make amends. Can you give me a chance?”
“I know I was very disappointing before, but knowing one's mistakes and correcting them is the greatest virtue. Shouldn't you wait to see my performance before rejecting me, don't you think?”
“Grand-Uncle, I truly want to learn medicine. If you teach me, I will definitely benefit the villagers in the future.”
Shen Zhen rushed over, thinking Shen Ruoxi was about to cause trouble again, “Ruoxi, what are you doing?”
Shen Ruoxi pulled Shen Zhen over, “Grandfather, I want to learn medicine from Grand-Uncle. Please plead my case for me.”
Shen Zhen’s eyes were full of surprise, “You want to learn medicine?”
Shen Ruoxi said with full sincerity, “Yes, Grandfather. Once I learn medicine, I can treat Father and Mother. They are still young; they can’t stay like this forever.”
Shen Zhen was filled with relief, “You’ve truly grown up.” He patted Shen Ruoxi’s shoulder, “Wait a moment, I’ll speak to my elder brother.”
Favorability Points +3.
Shen Ruoxi nodded, feigning great anticipation.
Shen Zhen called out loudly, “Elder Brother, why don't you give Ruoxi a chance? She finally has this intention. What if you disagree, and she impulsively reverts to her old ways?”
The Barefoot Doctor walked to the Courtyard Gate, “It’s not that I won’t give her a chance, but…” He glanced at Shen Ruoxi, “Think about it. Right now, she knows nothing but how to cause trouble. What if she learns medicine and uses medicine to cause trouble? What if someone dies?”
The reason everyone could barely tolerate Shen Ruoxi now was probably because no one had died. If someone had died, Shen Ruoxi wouldn't even have the chance to be married off forcibly; the Village Chief would execute her directly.