Lin Lao’er looked thoroughly dejected.
“I admit I haven’t treated you kids well before, but that’s because…”
He trailed off, abandoning the explanation and changing the topic.
“I know your family is capable. Li Shi acted wrongly, and I apologize on her behalf.”
“I’m not asking for forgiveness either. Let’s both back down—just don’t trouble us in the future.”
Lin Sisi couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Second Uncle, this is the last time I’ll call you that. Did you ever think about ‘backing down’ when you and Li Shi teamed up to snatch our food and almost sold my little sister?”
Lin Lao’er grew flustered. “But you’ve already gotten double what was taken back… that food…”
“That was me taking it back myself,” Lin Sisi’s expression darkened. “If I hadn’t, would you have voluntarily returned it?”
“I’ve taken back what I should. From now on, I won’t harm you actively, but you come looking for trouble, and you’ll see I won’t hold back like tonight.”
With that, she turned and left Lin Lao’er standing there, a mix of regret and anger on his face. He muttered, “Really like your worthless father… soft and hard don’t work!”
Back at their donkey cart, Lin Sisi met her brother’s worried gaze. She comforted him, “It’s all settled. Don’t worry.”
“That’s a relief,” Lin Zheng exhaled. “I was worried about the night being unsafe and couldn’t leave Nian Nian with you. You’ve worked hard.”
“It’s nothing,” Lin Sisi smiled, scanning the surroundings. “I need to go into the space real quick. You keep an eye out.”
Lin Zheng immediately understood. “Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.”
Reassured, Lin Sisi entered the space.
Previously, planting had been rushed, with no proper planning. Now, with so many new seeds, she intended to properly organize the space.
Planting zones needed to be separated, the chicken area isolated, and a section reserved for storing items.
The space had roughly eighty square meters. Storage wouldn’t need much—about thirty square meters was enough.
She looked for a way to section off the storage area, and noticed the white mist slowly forming, seemingly responsive to her intentions.
Her eyes lit up with surprise. The mist had a purpose beyond mere decoration.
She also created a small, enclosed chicken area with the mist, preventing it from messing with her crops again.
The remaining forty square meters, centered around the spiritual spring, would be devoted entirely to planting.
Previously planted wheat occupied about twenty square meters. Lin Sisi sowed the new seeds she had just collected.
Lin Lao’er had given her a bag of seeds she didn’t recognize; she decided to plant them anyway.
After finishing, she withdrew her consciousness from the space.
Before drifting to sleep, she thought drowsily: she needed a rooster to hatch chicks—she really wanted some meat.
The next morning, Lin Sisi’s first task was to check on the refugees.
“Strange… they’re all gone,” she murmured.
Lin Zheng, returning from fetching water from the still-flowing river, replied with a smile, “Yeah, the village chief said it’s safe now. We can move on.”
“Still, it doesn’t feel safe,” Lin Sisi frowned.
Previously, the refugees followed their caravan—some for food, others because of their numbers. The more people traveling together, the less likely they’d encounter danger. The refugees might benefit from their protection.
Now, only a few stragglers remained. Would they really leave so easily?
Lin Sisi added a bit of spiritual spring water to the boiling pot and said, “Better to be cautious. When traveling, it never hurts to stay alert.”
Lin Zheng nodded, noticing the dark circles under her eyes, sighing.
“I’ve reminded the village chief. You should rest properly too. You can’t keep taking care of everyone alone.”
Lin Nian Nian rubbed her eyes and crawled into Lin Sisi’s arms.
“You haven’t slept with me for days, sister! Today, no sugar for you!”
Feeling the warmth of her family’s care, Lin Sisi smiled, hugging Nian Nian, “Alright, the sugar’s all yours.”
The family shared a moment of joy, while another household continued shouting curses.
“You little thief! You feed others while betraying your own family!”
“Did I raise you all these years just so you could steal food for men?”
“You won’t stay long anyway. Might as well end you now!”
Li Shi’s eyes were red. Before her stood Lin Qingqing.
Lin Qingqing dodged a few times but couldn’t escape, finally pleading, “Mother, just this once. I swear I won’t do it again.”
“Mr. Gu isn’t well, I just wanted to—”
Li Shi fumed, “What nonsense are you thinking? Gu Qinglin has nothing to do with you!”
“You ran to serve someone while he carries the marriage arrangements with Lin Sisi. Are you a fool?”
Lin Qingqing wore a submissive expression outwardly, but inwardly she disdained her parents.
In her previous life, she watched Gu Qinglin marry Lin Sisi and rise to power, while she married an abusive wealthy merchant.
After surviving her abusive husband’s death, she finally made it to the capital, only to witness Gu Qinglin and Lin Sisi’s grand wedding.
Gu Qinglin had already been an official in the new dynasty, publicly devoted to Lin Sisi.
Though the same age as her, Lin Sisi remained radiant and prosperous, adorned in gold and jewelry.
Lin Qingqing, in her thirties, looked aged and worn—almost like Lin Sisi’s elder.
Lin Sisi’s prior fortunate life had stemmed entirely from the early match arranged by her parents with Gu Qinglin.
If her own parents had cared more, she wouldn’t have suffered such a miserable fate.
Thinking this, Lin Qingqing’s resentment toward her parents deepened.
Reborn, she vowed never to let Lin Sisi shine in front of her again.