“Shen Li, are you looking for death?”
Meat was rare these days. He only got to eat it once every few days, yet Shen Li had ruined it. Shen Mingtang slammed the table and stood up in anger.
Eighteen years old, living off Shen Li’s family, he had grown to a height of 1.8 meters.
Standing before Shen Li, he tried to use the height difference to suppress her.
“I think what Shen Mingtang needs to grow isn’t his body, but his brain. Brain atrophy—no basic manners or morals.”
Shen Mingtang glared furiously and raised his hand. But Shen Li moved faster. With a sharp smack, his face was knocked to the side.
“You dare hit me?!”
“Shen Li, are you crazy? How can you hit your younger brother? Mingtang is the only male heir of your Shen family. He’ll be your support in the future!”
Zhong Shuhua carefully checked Shen Mingtang’s face, heart aching. She wished she could tear Shen Li apart.
Shen Li blew lightly on her palm before lifting her gaze. “He eats my food and lives in my house. Even a dog would at least wag its tail at me. And him? I was sick and he didn’t even ask a word. He couldn’t wait a moment before eating. I want something light to eat, and he dares to raise his hand at me. If that’s what you call ‘support,’ you can keep that blessing.”
“Mingtang just can’t stand waste.”
“If he hates waste so much, why didn’t he clear the dishes when I told him to? Besides, even if it’s waste, it’s mine. What in this house wasn’t bought with my money?”
“Luckily I know Uncle has never coveted my things. Uncle values old ties. He surely hasn’t forgotten how he once had to eat tree roots in poverty, relying entirely on my father’s support. He even said this household should put me first in everything. Uncle, look at them—their thinking hasn’t caught up.”
Shen Liren had intended to scold her, but she had just placed a flattering “high hat” on him. He couldn’t say anything now.
The Shen family hadn’t originally been wealthy. If Shen Li’s father hadn’t married the eldest daughter of the Li family and received their support, Shen Liren’s days would’ve been miserable.
But who wanted to remember those fallen days? He had long erased them from his mind.
Now Shen Li’s words felt like a slap to his face.
“From now on, no spicy food in this house.”
“Mingtang, apologize to Li Li.”
Zhong Shuhua wanted to protest but was silenced by Shen Liren’s glare. He blamed her in his heart—if she had been more diligent, the earlier humiliation wouldn’t have happened.
Zhong Shuhua usually cooked according to their family’s taste. Shen Li had always tolerated it. Who knew this wretched girl would act so abnormally today, making her precious son suffer? But thinking of Shen Li’s future miserable fate soothed her somewhat.
Under his father’s pressure, Shen Mingtang reluctantly apologized.
【Congratulations, Host. The Shan Hai Jing Space has been activated.】
“What did you just say?”
Who was speaking in her ear?
Shen Mingtang’s heart skipped a beat. He had been cursing Shen Li in his mind—had she somehow heard him?
“Li Li, what’s wrong?”
Zhong Shuhua had gone to the kitchen to cook again. No one was provoking her now. Shen Liren assumed Shen Li was starting trouble again.
He believed this was her venting frustration because he hadn’t returned her dowry.
Shen Li had always been someone who couldn’t hide her emotions. Shen Liren liked that about her—stupid enough.
If she hadn’t thrown a tantrum and had acted as usual, indulging them, he would have found it strange.
Shen Li suppressed her emotions and pouted. “Hmph. He must be cursing me in his heart. I won’t eat with him. I’ll eat in my room. Bring it upstairs when it’s done.”
The burning sensation in her pocket urged her to move quickly.
Back in her room, after locking the door, she took out the object that had been heating up in her pocket.
It was a multicolored pearl. She had discovered it while changing clothes earlier and had meant to ask about its origin downstairs.
But she had been too angry and forgotten.
The pearl was stained with her blood—likely from when she scraped her hand flipping the table.
Now it was absorbing her blood and glowing.
【Binding successful. Host may enter the Shan Hai Jing Space at any time.】
When she had been a wandering soul in her dream, she had seen people read novels about spiritual spring spaces. Shen Li closed her eyes and focused on the thought of entering the space.
A fresh breeze greeted her.
When she opened her eyes, she saw fertile spiritual soil, towering mountains, and clear flowing streams.
She noticed the words Beginner’s Guide and tapped it.
Everything in the space was now labeled.
The fields could grow wheat and rice. These crops provided a +10 stamina bonus. With each harvest, her skill proficiency would increase. The more proficient she became, the faster crops would grow. This skill could even transfer into reality—plants and animals she handled would flourish and taste exceptionally good.
The space was vast.
There were medicinal fields for herbs, fish could be raised in the waters, fruit trees planted on the mountains, and livestock raised at the mountain’s base.
Everything was available.
And she didn’t even need to farm personally. Once upgraded, the space would automatically plant, breed, and harvest.
But what if she didn’t know how to process the finished goods?
Soon she found the Product Exchange Area.
There were countless categories—food, clothing, housing, transportation.
As long as she had sufficient materials, she could select what she wanted and click “generate.”
There were tens of thousands of options. She couldn’t even finish browsing.
Shen Li felt tired and decided to explore more later.
With this space, even famine years wouldn’t scare her.
Once she located the treasures Shen Liren had hidden, she could throw them all into the space.
She wandered around once more to check for anything she missed.
Then she found a gray button labeled: Daily Check-In.
She tapped it several times, but it showed as not yet activated.
Forget it. Reclaiming her family fortune was the priority.
A knock sounded at the door.
Shen Li quickly exited the space.
Zhong Shuhua entered with a tray of food.
This time she didn’t dare be careless. The dishes were acceptable.
“Put it over there,” Shen Li said, pointing to the table.
Her slender jade-like hands were even more captivating than precious stone. As Zhong Shuhua set down the food, she caught sight of her own hands—dark, wrinkled, calloused.
Jealousy flared in her heart.
Once we swindle Shen Li’s property and send her into exile, her hands will look a hundred times worse than mine.
Just wait, you little wretch.
“Aunt, do you think Gu Xu is worth marrying?”
Zhong Shuhua hadn’t expected Shen Li to ask her opinion. But recalling her husband’s earlier words, she figured Shen Li had only thrown a tantrum because her husband hadn’t indulged her.
After all, she was just a young girl.
“Li Li, let Aunt speak honestly. With your class background and your age, finding someone better than Xiao Xu will be difficult.”
Shen Li was twenty-three. In this era, that already made her an old maid.
“Then I’ll test him a bit more.”
“There isn’t much time left. Don’t wait until the settlement comes. Once you’re sent away, it’ll be too late for regret.”
“I understand. Aunt, remember to keep this secret for me.”
“Of course. Who would Aunt help if not you?”
Zhong Shuhua would definitely tell Shen Liren and Gu Xu. Then no matter how Shen Li made things difficult for Gu Xu, she could claim it was just a test.
After Zhong Shuhua left, Shen Li suddenly felt her heart grow uncomfortable, struggling even to breathe.