The village chief hesitated. “Lin girl, although it’s true your Second Uncle was in the wrong, isn’t severing ties a bit too impulsive? Besides, you’re just a young girl…”
“When our parents were alive, we tolerated Second Uncle so much, yet he was never satisfied. Now he only stops when he wants to take our lives. Even so, should we still have to be associated with them?”
Lin Sisi didn’t mention Lin Qingqing. Today, her goal was to completely sever all ties with Lin Cang’s family. Once that was done, she could settle accounts with Lin Qingqing later.
The village chief wanted to say more, but Lin Zheng stepped forward.
“Village Head Uncle, I’m now the only male in the family. I agree with Sisi.”
“Lin Cang’s family took our rations while I was away, causing my own younger sister—”
Lin Zheng’s expression flickered with resentment. “In short, what she said is exactly what I wanted to say. Our family will have nothing more to do with them.”
Seeing her brother’s expression, Lin Sisi felt a pang.
His younger sister? Could he have seen through something?
But now was not the time for speculation. She steadied herself. “Village Head Uncle, my brother has spoken. You should agree, right?”
Lin Zheng added softly, “Please write a certificate. From now on, my father Lin Hai and Lin Cang’s family will have no relations whatsoever.”
“Let this be compensation for my sister… for all the suffering she endured.”
Lin Cang’s face darkened, but he had no words to argue.
The village chief sighed and wrote three copies of the severing-of-ties document, acting as mediator.
Once both parties signed, Lin Sisi’s family and Lin Cang’s family were completely estranged.
The next day required travel, and with nothing left to watch, the villagers dispersed.
Back at her donkey cart, Lin Sisi hesitated. “Brother… you—”
Lin Zheng didn’t answer. He stared into the dark sky, lost in thought.
“Are you a wandering spirit of the underworld, or some kind of monster?”
This morning, when he opened his eyes, he had seen his sister appear out of nowhere, feeding him a sip of sweet water.
That water was magical—it had wrested his life back from the grasp of Yama himself.
Even on the cart, Nian Nian had told him many things about his departure.
He knew his sister should already be dead.
Dead at a time he hadn’t returned in time.
“I’m not a wandering spirit, nor a ghost. I’m just someone who wants to live.”
“I have no parents, no siblings. When I woke up, I already considered Lin Sisi’s family my own family.”
“I will help Lin Sisi get revenge, and I will protect you all.”
Lin Sisi’s expression was serious.
“I’m telling you this only to remind you.”
Lin Zheng came back to himself and gave a helpless smile.
“The road is dangerous with so many wandering eyes. If you need… it’s better to let me watch your surroundings.”
“I can tell you truly see us as family. Sisi’s death isn’t your fault. I accept you as my sister.”
“Brother, since you say that, then find a way to get me a chicken,” Lin Sisi said, more relaxed now that she had someone she could share secrets with.
“You want meat?”
“No, no,” Lin Sisi smiled mysteriously. “I want a live chicken. If my guess is right, we might be able to eat meat every day.”
The villagers did bring hens on their journey, so getting one wouldn’t be too hard.
Lin Zheng stroked his chin, intrigued by his sister’s idea. “Then wait. I’ll get one for you first thing tomorrow.”
Early the next morning, Lin Sisi was still half-asleep when Lin Zheng pulled her quietly into the forest.
“On the road, I don’t want our family to stand out. I bought a chicken from the neighboring village and hid it here. You grab it from under the bushes, and I’ll watch over you.”
Lin Sisi nodded. Pushing aside the foliage, she saw a barely-living chicken lying there.
Touching it, she focused her mind—and just like that, the chicken disappeared!
Her consciousness entered the space, and its form shifted.
Before, thick white mist had filled the space, with only a one-square-foot area around the spring walkable. But after placing the chicken in, the mist cleared about ten meters.
Could this mean that as she adds new species to the space, its capacity grows?
Before she could think further, the chicken, now fully revived, laid an egg!
It seemed the space wasn’t only suitable for planting—it was perfect for livestock too.
Excited, Lin Sisi checked on the cabbage seeds she had accidentally planted yesterday.
The cabbage from yesterday afternoon was growing rapidly—it should fully mature in two days.
She had thought just having the magical spring in the space was enough. Now, with these discoveries, Lin Sisi was ecstatic.
Her confidence grew.
Not only could she protect her brother and Nian Nian on the journey, but she also had hope of finding her mother and father!
Just as she exited the space to share the news with her brother, she saw Lin Qingqing standing beside him, seemingly talking.
Lin Qingqing didn’t notice Lin Sisi. Seeing her emerge from the bushes, she was startled.
“Sister… you’re up so early?”
“Yes,” Lin Sisi said with a half-smile. “Me being up early is no surprise. You—why are you up? Don’t tell me you came to harm me again?”
Lin Qingqing seemed to have expected this. She showed no shock, only lowering her head to wipe her eyes.
“I… I just know that because of my parents… it’s normal for you to be upset with me. I’m just a worthless daughter; my parents never listen to me. Otherwise, I would have spoken up for you.”
“But now, I can’t even protect myself, so I came to you for help… sob, sob…”
Lin Sisi didn’t believe her.
Just because she hadn’t lent her a donkey and had teased her a little, this girl would go so far as to send people to steal food in the middle of the night? Impossible.
But Lin Qingqing didn’t seem to be targeting her. Before finishing, she turned to Lin Zheng and cried, “I know my cousin is kind and good. Sister misunderstood me. I don’t ask for her forgiveness—just please lend me some grain. I will return it one day!”
If this had been her former self, Lin Zheng might have intervened.
But this girl clearly had big plans. She had even handled the two sly adults from the second branch. Since Lin Sisi couldn’t stand Lin Qingqing, there was a reason.
“I’d like to help you, but Qing, you know my current condition relies on Sisi. I really can’t do much—sorry.”
Unknowingly, Lin Zheng had gone further down the path of being a devoted brother.
Lin Qingqing bit her lip and thought she had subtly glared at Lin Sisi.
Ha, she thought she could borrow grain from them?
If not for…
Lin Sisi, you’ll regret this sooner or later!