Is this the legendary golden finger?
But Jiang Yingying wasn’t entirely satisfied. “Why a Green Tea System?”
Although she enjoyed speaking in a coy, manipulative manner, that didn’t mean she wanted to be a “green tea” girl, did she?
The system’s voice sounded somewhat resigned. “Host, the system is bound based on attributes. After detection, your attribute is confirmed as ‘green tea’!”
Who even conducted this assessment?
Jiang Yingying retorted indignantly, “Then what other systems are there?”
“Saint System, Psycho System, Violence System, Academic Overlord System…”
“Host, none of these systems are suitable for you.”
Jiang Yingying was quite intrigued by the Academic Overlord System and asked further, “But I’ve always been a good student! Top three in my class—doesn’t that count as an academic overlord?”
The system’s voice became flat and emotionless. “The Academic Overlord System has a strict requirement: the host’s IQ must be above 180. You do not meet this condition.”
Jiang Yingying, “…”
Fine, she shouldn’t have asked.
“How much luck value do I have now?”
She had been quite talkative earlier.
A number popped up at the bottom of the system screen: three points of luck value.
“Only three points?”
Jiang Yingying pouted and clicked open the system mall, only to find it filled with a dazzling array of items.
Food Luck Value.
Health Luck Value.
Wealth Luck Value.
Curse Luck Value.
…
The luck value accumulated in reality could be exchanged for equivalent luck value in the system.
For example, ten points of Food Luck Value meant she could obtain food worth ten yuan. Similarly, Wealth Luck Value would generate the same amount of money…
But even the cheapest item required five points of luck value. Right now, she was as poor as a church mouse and couldn’t afford anything.
“System, you’re so wonderful. You’re the one I rely on the most now!”
“Host, this system has no emotions and does not respond to flattery. Additionally, I must remind you that only manipulative words that achieve their intended purpose will earn you points.”
Jiang Yingying, “Alright, you can shut up now.”
From the yard came the clucking of chickens and Shen Xiaoyun’s frustrated scolding, “These chickens only know how to eat all day and have only laid two eggs! What a waste—all they do is eat without working!”
Clearly, she was making indirect digs!
Jiang Yingying didn’t mind this. The original host was the youngest in her maiden family, and her family’s financial situation was better than the Shen family’s. So, besides clothes and quilts, her dowry even included fifty yuan.
In the countryside, this was considered a small fortune, especially since a pound of pork cost only a few dimes at the time.
Taking out a package of pastries, Jiang Yingying planned to give it to Li Xuelian. She had already figured out that in this family, the gentle and kind-hearted Li Xuelian held the most influence and was the easiest to win over.
With Li Xuelian backing her, whether it was the cold-faced, black-hearted Shen Yao or the sarcastic Shen Xiaoyun, neither would be able to do anything to her…
Changing into a floral-print blouse, she tucked it into her waistband and stepped out of the room.
Her father-in-law, Shen Qinghong, was sitting in the yard weaving baskets, with two children helping nearby.
Jiang Yingying casually praised, “Dad, your hands are so skillful! And these two kids are so well-behaved.”
As she spoke, she took out some pastries from the paper package. “These were brought by my aunt. Would you like to try some?”
Shen Qinghong was a man of few words, but he managed a slight smile for his daughter-in-law. “You brought these from your maiden home—keep them for yourself!”
The two children stared longingly at the pastries but didn’t dare to speak or move.
Jiang Yingying was amused by them and turned to Shen Qinghong. “Dad, I’m a bit upset by what you said. What’s all this about my parents’ home and my in-laws’ home? Aren’t they both my home? I really like these two kids at first sight. Don’t listen to your grandpa—come have some pastries!”
Seeing that she was sincere, Shen Qinghong thought to himself that the rumors outside must be mistaken. Everyone said his daughter-in-law was troublesome and had ill intentions, but now it seemed she was actually a good girl. Perhaps those gossipmongers were just jealous of her beauty and spreading nonsense.
Thinking this, his smile became more genuine. “Hurry up and take them. When you grow up, you must be filial to your aunt, understand?”
The two children’s eyes lit up, and they quickly took the pastries, nodding emphatically.
A soft chime sounded in her mind as the system announced, “Congratulations, host. Luck points increased by one.”
Jiang Yingying raised an eyebrow. That easy?
Feeling encouraged, she went to the kitchen to find Li Xuelian. Seeing her boiling water, she quickly offered, “Mom, let me handle this chore. You should rest and have some pastries.”
Li Xuelian turned and saw her daughter-in-law standing gracefully at the door, fair and delicate, a stark contrast to the dim, sooty kitchen. She hastily wiped her hands and shooed her out. “The household chores are taken care of by me and your sister-in-law, and the fieldwork is handled by Shen Yao. You just need to help him deliver meals.”
This girl clearly hadn’t done much heavy work in her own home. Although the reason she married into their family wasn’t exactly honorable, she had undoubtedly lived a comfortable life before…
Just then, Shen Xiaoyun, who had finished feeding the chickens and was about to do the laundry, stormed into the kitchen. “Mom, you’re being so unfair! Why does she get to do nothing?”
Before Li Xuelian could sigh and respond, Jiang Yingying picked up a pastry and placed it in her hand. “Little sister, you’re so capable, unlike me—I can’t do anything. This pastry is something I brought. Give it a try.”
It was like punching a cushion. Shen Xiaoyun stared at the pastry in her palm, speechless.
Li Xuelian shot her a disapproving look. “Look at your sister-in-law—she thinks of you in everything. And here you are, nitpicking over chores! Before your sister-in-law came, weren’t you the one doing these tasks? Now that someone else cares for you, you’re still not satisfied!”
The pastry in her hand emitted a rich, sweet aroma.
Shen Xiaoyun swallowed but stubbornly handed it back. “I won’t eat it! It’s not like it’s anything special!”
Jiang Yingying smiled, picked up a piece with her fingers, and fed it to Li Xuelian. “Mom, try it. Is it good?”
Farmers rarely ate pastries, and given the Jiang family’s poverty, having enough to eat was already an achievement. This pastry had a sweet date filling, a crispy crust, and was generously made with oil and flour. Just the smell alone was enough to know it was delicious.
Tears welled up in Li Xuelian’s eyes as she ate and replied, “Good, good! What a wonderful daughter!”
Regardless of what kind of person this daughter-in-law had been before, her actions today showed she had a caring heart!
Nearby, Shen Xiaoyun glanced at her father and two nephews enjoying pastries in the yard, then at her moved mother, feeling even more aggrieved.
Jiang Yingying looked at her gently. “Little sister, why don’t you try one? I promise it’s delicious!”
Shen Xiaoyun, after all, was only sixteen. She swallowed and lifted her chin proudly. “Fine, for my brother’s sake, I’ll have one!”
With that, she grabbed a pastry, took a big bite, and closed her eyes in satisfaction.
It really was delicious.
Beside them, Li Xuelian pinched her daughter in annoyance. “You naughty girl, what did I teach you? If you keep speaking to your sister-in-law so disrespectfully, you won’t get any lunch!”
“Mother!”
Shen Xiaoyun, chewing on a piece of pastry, shot a glare at Jiang Yingying but didn’t dare say another word.
Jiang Yingying sympathetically took her hand. “Mother, Xiaoyun is straightforward and delightfully cheerful—I adore girls with her temperament! I’ve always wished for a younger sister since I was little, and now that I truly have one, I couldn’t be happier!”
She then affectionately tidied the stray hairs by Shen Xiaoyun’s ear. “What a beauty our little sister is!”