After the matter was resolved, the system immediately notified Lin Baiyu that the mission had been completed.
“Mission complete, Host. The system is currently Level 1. Energy collection progress: 80%.”
“Victory is within sight. Please keep up the good work. Once the system reaches Level 2, you will gain access to additional functions.”
As always, the system did not forget to paint an enticing picture of future rewards to motivate Lin Baiyu.
It looked like the system would soon advance to Level 2. Judging by the timeline, the female lead’s rebirth should not be far away either.
Compared to the upcoming upgrade, however, there was something else Lin Baiyu was more curious about.
After confirming that her memory was correct, she asked the system, “Xiao Bai, isn’t the plot developing incorrectly?”
“I clearly remember that in the novel, Gao Lanying succeeded in carrying out her scheme. Why has there been such a huge change?”
“The system’s current level is too low. Query permission denied.”
“What I can tell you is that because flaws have appeared in the original novel world, many uncertain variables now exist. As a result, the direction of the plot may deviate from its original trajectory.”
“Many things are not set in stone. For example, the original ‘Lin Baiyu’ should no longer exist at this point, yet your arrival has already changed the predetermined fate of the Lin family.”
After saying this, the system once again fell silent.
Lin Baiyu pondered the system’s words. It seemed that both Zheng Peizhen’s and Gao Lanying’s destinies had already begun to shift away from their original paths.
Suddenly, a figure flashed through her mind.
Xie Qingyuan!
That was right. He had never existed in the original novel, yet traces of his influence could be found throughout these events. He was the variable.
What she did not know was whether this variable would ultimately be a blessing or a disaster for everyone else.
As a result, Lin Baiyu became even more interested in Xie Qingyuan.
Naturally, she had no idea that Xie Qingyuan had been the one who unintentionally ruined Gao Lanying’s plan. In fact, even Gao Lanying herself believed that he had only accidentally interfered and unknowingly helped her.
After the villagers dispersed, the meeting at the Team Two Educated Youths’ Residence continued.
Before leaving, Team Leader Lin had specifically pulled Sister Ma aside, criticizing the behavior of the two women and instructing her to properly educate them.
What else could Sister Ma do? She could only agree despite her reluctance.
She understood that although these veteran Educated Youths had lived in the village for years and could practically be considered half-villagers themselves, this was still Lin’an Village.
Wang Dahua and Wang Baocai were locals born and raised here. If one traced their family lines back a few generations, they might even be related to Team Leader Lin.
Although Wang Baocai had spread nonsense and caused a huge commotion, no actual harm had come of it.
Having spent so many years in Lin’an Village, Sister Ma knew very well what Wang Dahua was like. Her sharp tongue and fierce protectiveness toward her son were well known.
What Sister Ma had never expected was that Wang Baocai, who usually appeared spoiled, lazy, and fond of good food under his mother’s indulgence, would harbor such ugly thoughts. No wonder he had been capable of cheating during the examination.
She naturally looked down on the actions of both mother and son.
However, when all was said and done, the incident had still originated because of Gao Lanying.
Although Wang Dahua’s words had been harsh, they had nonetheless planted a thorn in many people’s hearts. Quite a few villagers now viewed Gao Lanying as a troublemaker.
Sister Ma was perceptive enough to understand this.
She still wanted to guide Gao Lanying back onto the right path, but there was little she could do.
The Educated Youths felt that if Gao Lanying’s reputation had worsened, it was the result of her own choices.
Ever since this batch of newcomers had arrived, they had stirred up one conflict after another. Deep down, most people were dissatisfied with her behavior.
That was why, when Team Leader Lin had come to investigate the matter earlier, they had maintained a relatively neutral attitude toward Gao Lanying. Their goal had been to prevent the Educated Youths from leaving an even worse impression on the villagers and to protect the reputation of the Educated Youths as a whole.
Although none of them had stepped forward to speak on Gao Lanying’s behalf, that level of support was already the limit of what they were willing to offer.
It was an unspoken understanding forged through years of living together. As outsiders, they had to safeguard the collective interests of the Educated Youths’ Residence.
Gao Lanying herself understood that her relationships with the others were only average.
What she had not expected, however, was that only Zheng Peizhen and Sister Ma had spoken up for her. Xu Guangyao, who had always seemed somewhat interested in her, had not shown the slightest sign of support.
Turning toward Xu Guangyao, she saw him sitting with his head lowered, lost in thought. His attitude toward her was colder than it had ever been.
She knew that although it often appeared that Xu Guangyao was pursuing her, in reality she had been the one making more effort to please him. Neither of them had ever openly acknowledged the feelings between them.
Gao Lanying had thought there was at least some affection between them.
Now she realized it had been nothing more than wishful thinking on her part.
After seeing how indifferent Xu Guangyao remained while she was facing such a situation, she found it difficult to accept.
Having gradually recovered from the disappointment of her examination failure, Zheng Peizhen had returned to her former bright and proud self.
Previously, she had not bothered paying attention to Gao Lanying, but now, looking back, she had also noticed that something about Gao Lanying’s behavior had been off.
Deep down, she felt as though things should not have unfolded this way.
In the past, she would certainly have made a huge scene and refused to let Gao Lanying off the hook. Yet for some reason, she now felt much calmer.
As a result, although she still did not think highly of Gao Lanying, no actual harm had occurred. Whatever Gao Lanying’s intentions had been, this incident had clearly taught her a lesson.
“Gao Lanying, I don’t care what you were really planning, but you’d better stop entertaining crooked thoughts. Otherwise you’ll only end up harming both others and yourself.”
In front of everyone, Zheng Peizhen issued her warning directly.
“Thank you for speaking up for me earlier. I’m sorry for dragging you into this. I apologize.”
Gao Lanying understood exactly what Zheng Peizhen meant.
Because of her own dark intentions, she did not directly respond to the warning. Instead, she offered an apology.
She knew that at this point she had no choice but to deny everything to the end. Those thoughts and actions would remain her secret forever.
Her apology was sincere as well.
After all, they lived under the same roof and had no deep-seated hatred between them.
Even if it had been partly to protect the reputation of the Educated Youths’ Residence, Zheng Peizhen had still spoken honestly about what she had seen and heard. Besides, she herself had been thoroughly disgusted by the behavior of Wang Dahua and Wang Baocai.
“You don’t need to thank me. We’re not that close.”
“I only stated the facts as I heard and saw them. Besides, the two of them really went too far.”
“You’d better understand that your own behavior was the problem. Pay more attention to it in the future.”
Zheng Peizhen added one final reminder.
She was somewhat surprised that Gao Lanying had actually lowered herself to apologize, but she did not particularly care whether Gao Lanying admitted fault or not. As long as she stopped causing trouble and dragging others into it, that was enough.
After the repeated lectures from Team Leader Lin and Sister Ma, Zheng Peizhen understood that both of them were nearing the limits of their patience.
The thought of being scolded repeatedly in the future because of Gao Lanying’s actions alone was enough to make her feel irritated.
Seeing signs that the two women might finally be reconciling because of this incident, Sister Ma let out a long sigh of relief.
At this point, merely looking at them gave her a headache. She felt as though she must have had terrible luck to end up responsible for these two little ancestors.
“My expectations for you aren’t high,” Sister Ma said to them. “Just go to work on time, come back on time, and stop causing trouble. I don’t want to manage anything else. Can you simply behave yourselves?”
Seeing that the two women finally seemed to be listening, Sister Ma could not be bothered to say any more.
Everyone assumed she was simply disappointed in Zheng Peizhen and Gao Lanying beyond words.
In reality, she had already adopted a different attitude entirely. If things really became unmanageable, then so be it. A few more hard lessons would probably solve the problem eventually.
Although Xie Qingyuan’s presence could be found throughout these incidents, everything he had done was simply according to his own conscience.
To be more precise, he merely wanted to avoid endless disturbances at the Team Two Educated Youths’ Residence because he found them troublesome.
Like Lin Baiyu, after watching the entire spectacle unfold, he felt that things would probably quiet down for a while after this incident.
It seemed he needed to find a way to move out as soon as possible. Living alone would be much better.
What Xie Qingyuan did not know was that the opportunity would arrive very soon.