What was that sound?
It was electronic, devoid of any emotion, just like an AI…
Wait!
Shen Ning's eyes lit up in an instant.
She knew it, she knew it, she knew it!
As a member of the great transmigration army, how could she not have a golden finger!
She screamed frantically in her mind: System, system, system!
Sure enough, in the next second, a semi-transparent panel appeared before her eyes. Written on it in large characters were the words: Favorability Points Mall.
Below that was her information.
User Name: Shen Ning, Favorability: 1, Redeemable Points: 1
Source of Favorability: Li Xiaohua +1
In that moment, the well-read Shen Ning understood.
She was supposed to gain favorability from these little ones, which would then be converted into points that she could use to exchange for items in this so-called Points Mall!
Yes!
She was simply too clever!
However, just in case, she didn't open the Points Mall in front of the children. What if it produced some kind of special effect, or what if she, a living person, vanished into thin air? That would scare the living daylights out of them.
It was better to wait until she was alone to study it in secret.
Li Jianguo, who was standing in front of her, froze for a moment. Had this vicious stepmother gone mad?
Her movements had suddenly paused, and a foolish grin appeared on her face. It gave off the impression that she was up to no good!
Could this vicious stepmother be plotting something wicked?
His second aunt had said that stepmothers were no good and would never treat the previous wife's children like human beings. Now that their father was dead, there was no telling how she would torture the three of them!
The most important one was Xiaohua. She had never liked Xiaohua and might sell her off to be a child bride.
Who knew what this vicious woman would do? As the eldest brother, he had to protect his younger brother and sister. He would absolutely not let this woman succeed!
Shen Ning paid no mind to the hostility in young Jianguo's eyes. After all, this wasn't something that could be changed in a short time.
She curved her lips, trying her best to look harmless. With a sincere and gentle expression, she explained, "Before, your dad was here to hold up the sky, so I did some foolish things. But now that he's gone, I will support this family and take good care of you all."
Evidently, Li Jianguo didn't believe her.
Li Jianjun wasn't very convinced either.
Li Xiaohua blinked her big eyes. Having just cried, they were washed sparklingly bright, as clear as two black obsidian stones.
Her gaze towards Shen Ning was innocent, yet tinged with a hint of joy.
It was the only kind, innocent gaze.
‘Stepmom is so gentle today. She didn't scold us!’
[Ding, Li Xiaohua's favorability +1]
The mechanical notification that suddenly sounded in her mind made Shen Ning subconsciously raise her gaze and cast it toward the tiny Li Xiaohua.
Her heart warmed instantly.
Little girls were the best. Little girls were kind. What an adorable little sweetheart!
She smiled gently at her.
[Ding, Li Xiaohua's favorability +1]
[Ding, Li Xiaohua's favorability +1]
In just that one moment, Xiaohua had given her three favorability points. She was so cute that Shen Ning's heart was about to melt.
Oh~ This world simply cannot exist without adorable little girls~
Perhaps sensing where her gaze lingered, Li Jianjun subconsciously shielded his younger sister behind him, while Li Jianguo took a step forward, blocking both his younger siblings.
This evil woman was looking at his brother and sister again. She was definitely up to no good!
Shen Ning pouted, her eyes tinged with grievance.
This brat.
It was bad enough that he wouldn't give her any favorability points, but now he wouldn't even let her look at his sister. Really!
"Alright, you all watch the house. I'm going to fetch a bucket of water."
Their family's water vat was about to hit bottom. According to her memories, the original owner never bothered with household chores, to the point that the three children had to shoulder the work.
They were just little kids. She had truly been cruel.
With the two older boys' skinny arms and legs, it took both of them to carry one bucket of water, and even then they would stumble along. It was a wonder she could use that water with a clear conscience.
When the three children heard her say she was going to fetch water, their eyes widened in disbelief.
Everyone knew she was a notoriously lazy woman. Ever since she married their father, they had never seen her do any work. She wouldn't even right a fallen soy sauce bottle.
Had the sun risen from the west today?
While they were pondering this, Shen Ning had already found the somewhat dusty carrying pole from behind the door and was about to head out with two wooden buckets.
"Oh, right."
She turned back to look at them. "Sweep the courtyard."
A pile of leaves had fallen into the courtyard from who-knows-where. Coupled with the light rain last night, the leaves were quite slippery to step on.
Without waiting for their reply, she left.
Behind her, the two Li brothers exchanged a look. The eldest, Li Jianguo, pressed his lips together and said nothing.
The second eldest, Li Jianjun, swallowed. Being younger, he asked with some curiosity, "Brother, do you think she's telling the truth?"
Li Jianguo snorted heavily through his nose. "Who knows. It's just like Goudan's mom said, we don't know what trick she has up her sleeve. You two must not believe this woman, you hear me?!"
The second brother, who always did as his older brother said, nodded hastily.
"Yeah, Brother, we'll listen to you!"
As for Xiaohua, the two of them automatically ignored the little girl's thoughts and simply instructed her.
"Little sister, remember, don't get too close to that woman, and don't believe what she says. Otherwise, she'll take you to the Big Bad Wolf, who will eat you in one bite!"
The mention of the Big Bad Wolf immediately scared the little girl so much that tears welled up in her eyes.
She nodded quickly. "Xiaohua, Xiaohua doesn't want to be eaten!"
Seeing that they had achieved their goal, the two boys breathed a sigh of relief and comforted their sister a little more.
Meanwhile, Shen Ning had no idea that in the instant she had turned and left, she had become the Big Bad Wolf.
There were two wells in the village, both quite far away. There was a small stream that was closest to them, and many people would also fetch water from there.
However, the stream flowed through several fields, and she didn't dare use its water.
Who knew if the E. coli levels were off the charts?
On her way to the nearest well, she stopped behind a row of bamboo. She called the system again, opened the semi-transparent panel, and clicked on the Points Mall with some excitement.
There were no magical special effects like she had imagined. After opening it, the Points Mall looked just like a food delivery app. On the far right was a vertical column of categories, and on the left were various products.
It had everything from firewood, rice, oil, and salt to soy sauce, vinegar, and tea.
Unfortunately, she only had four points.
Ahhh, she had a mountain of delicacies, but alas, she could only look and not eat!
What could she get for four points?
The moment this thought arose, the Points Mall automatically displayed the corresponding items.
It was very user-friendly. Among all the products, she very cautiously used her four points to redeem four eggs, one point per egg.
She had no choice. Filling their stomachs was the most important thing.
"Third Son's wife, what are you doing here?"
A voice that suddenly appeared from behind her made Shen Ning jump in fright, and the eggs in her hand nearly smashed onto the ground…