Perhaps because habits built over many years could not be changed overnight, Lin Baiyu discovered that she simply could not sit idle.
Back in her previous life, her goal as a workaholic had been simple: earn promotions, make more money, save enough for retirement, and eventually enjoy a life where she could freely control her own time.
Yet now that such a life had actually arrived, she found herself unable to adapt.
As a result, the restless Lin Baiyu decided to focus on the most important undertaking of her life:
Making money.
She spent the entire morning immersed in organizing the original owner’s manuscripts.
Carefully recalling the original Lin Baiyu’s writing style, she conducted a thorough analysis and took detailed notes. Since her future livelihood would depend on writing, she approached the task with utmost seriousness and attention.
Only when her stomach reminded her it was time for lunch did she finally stop.
After eating, she was just about to resume work when a knock sounded at the front door.
Lin Baiyu found it rather strange.
Her house was located in a relatively isolated area, with no immediate neighbors nearby. Who could it be?
Puzzled, she went to answer the door.
Standing outside was a postal worker beside his bicycle.
When he saw her open the door, he asked, “Hello, is this Lin Guangfu’s residence?”
Lin Guangfu?
A trace of confusion flashed across Lin Baiyu’s face before she suddenly realized that was Grandpa Lin’s full name.
“Yes, Lin Guangfu is my grandfather.”
Once she recovered from her surprise, she quickly replied.
“I have a package for him. Please sign for it.”
The postal worker removed the package from his bicycle and handed it to her.
After signing her name, Lin Baiyu took the package and was about to return inside when the postal worker suddenly called out again.
“Wait a moment. Are you Lin Baiyu? Have you submitted manuscripts to newspapers before?”
“Hm? Yes, I’m Lin Baiyu. I have submitted articles to newspaper offices. Is there a reply for me?”
As she answered, she guessed that her manuscript payment had probably arrived.
The moment she finished speaking, the postal worker’s previously expressionless face became noticeably friendlier.
“That’s right. These two letters are replies from newspaper offices. Your payment is included inside. Please sign for them as well.”
With that, he handed over two envelopes addressed to Lin Baiyu and had her sign for them.
Before leaving, the postal worker even praised her several times, calling her talented and promising at such a young age.
After politely thanking him, Lin Baiyu pointed him toward the next household on his route.
Once everything had been brought inside, she placed Grandpa Lin’s package in the main room for Grandma Lin to deal with when she returned home.
Back in her room, she immediately examined the letters from the newspaper offices.
One envelope had come from Hongguang Newspaper, while the other was from Qingchun Newspaper.
Considering factors such as postage costs, writing styles, and long term cooperation opportunities, the original Lin Baiyu had submitted almost exclusively to these two newspapers over the past year.
Both editors expressed strong appreciation for her work and stated their desire to continue working with her. Better yet, both publications were willing to increase her manuscript fees.
The most obvious evidence was the amount of money enclosed this time.
It was significantly higher than before.
Although Lin Baiyu had submitted two lengthy articles to Hongguang Newspaper and had been continuously providing a serialized children’s story to Qingchun Newspaper, the combined payment still exceeded her expectations.
The total manuscript fee came to 150 yuan.
It was considerably more than she had estimated during her analysis.
Though puzzled, Lin Baiyu decided not to dwell on it.
After all, more money was hardly a bad thing.
Instead, she planned to surprise Grandma Lin with the news later.
Looking at the stack of money, which would be considered a small fortune by many families, Lin Baiyu suddenly found herself wondering where she should store it.
Then she thought of the system’s storage function.
“Xiao Bai, since items can be taken out of the inventory, can I store my own belongings there too?”
The system replied, “Yes. Physical items can be stored in inventory slots and retrieved at any time. Money cannot.”
Lin Baiyu had been about to ask whether she could store the cash in the system when she heard the second half of the answer.
“Why not? Didn’t the beginner gift package include one hundred yuan that appeared in the inventory?”
She did not understand.
“Other than special items such as the Strengthening Pill and Clear Spirit Water that the host consumed directly, the remaining items, including the one hundred yuan, were merely symbolic icons used to help the host understand what rewards had been obtained.”
“The host may choose to activate them manually, or the system may distribute them when suitable circumstances arise. Once an item has been distributed, its icon will either change or disappear from the inventory.”
“The actual item will appear through a reasonable method. Only then can the host freely use and store it.”
Hearing this, Lin Baiyu finally understood.
“So it’s the same situation as the watch and fountain pen that haven’t appeared yet.”
“Yes, Host.”
“Then if I want the system to safeguard my money, is there any way to make that happen?”
Given the intelligence the system had already displayed, she refused to believe it lacked such a simple function.
“There is. The host may apply to unlock the Savings Interface. Thereafter, the host’s Melon-Eating Points and personal savings will be displayed in real time.”
“The system will safeguard the host’s savings, which may be withdrawn and used at any time without concern for loss.”
“Apply to unlock the Savings Interface? There must be a requirement for that, right?”
Lin Baiyu immediately sensed a catch.
“The host is correct. Unlocking the Savings Interface requires ten Melon-Eating Points.”
“Ten Melon-Eating Points? I haven’t even earned any points yet, and you’re already asking me to go into debt?”
Lin Baiyu was not someone who accepted losses easily.
“Xiao Bai, considering how difficult my situation is, can’t you at least offer a discount? Don’t beginners usually get fifty percent off?”
After a lengthy round of bargaining, the final agreement was that Lin Baiyu would owe the system six Melon-Eating Points.
At the same time, she gained a deeper understanding of the system’s rules and realized that those rules were not entirely inflexible.
In the blink of an eye, evening arrived.
Lin Baiyu told Grandma Lin about receiving her manuscript payment and handed her fifty yuan to use for household expenses.
Understanding her granddaughter’s filial intentions, Grandma Lin accepted the money without refusing.
After putting it away, she invited Lin Baiyu to open the package together.
Puzzled, Lin Baiyu asked, “Grandma, isn’t Grandpa coming home tomorrow? Shouldn’t we wait until he gets back before opening it?”
“No need. This package is from your brother. We can open it now. Since good news has arrived today, perhaps your brother has sent you something delicious again so we can celebrate.”
After checking the sender’s address, Grandma Lin had already guessed that the package had come from her eldest grandson serving in the military.
As expected, the package contained fruit preserves, canned pork, a tin of milk powder, and roughly five jin of milk candies.
What nobody expected was that buried inside an inconspicuous bundle wrapped in several layers was a ladies’ wristwatch and a brand-new fountain pen.
There was also a letter.
In it, Lin Bai’an greeted both grandparents and briefly described his life in the military. Most importantly, he devoted considerable space to asking about his younger sister Lin Baiyu’s health.
He explained that everything in the package had been purchased using money and ration coupons he had personally saved.
The watch and fountain pen were intended as gifts for Lin Baiyu’s eighteenth birthday.
He also mentioned that he would be leaving on a mission over the coming months and would be unable to send letters home during that time.
Inside the envelope were two fifty-yuan money orders.
One was for Lin Baiyu’s personal expenses, while the other was intended for household use by Grandma Lin.
Once again, Lin Baiyu was overwhelmed by the love and care shown to her by the Lin family.
Warmth spread throughout her heart.
For someone who was rarely moved by outside influences, her emotions had once again been thoroughly shaken.
However, that emotional moment lasted only briefly before she became utterly astonished by the quantity and variety of items before her.
Using the excuse of going to the bathroom, she opened the system inventory.
Sure enough, all of the items from the gift package had disappeared.
Lin Baiyu could not help exclaiming inwardly:
Good grief!
The milk candies, milk powder, watch, fountain pen, the extra fifty yuan in manuscript fees, and the fifty-yuan money order from her brother…
The system’s gift package had truly appeared in an incredibly reasonable manner.
After helping Grandma Lin put everything away, the grandmother and granddaughter enjoyed a lavish dinner together.
Seeing how happy Lin Baiyu looked, Grandma Lin officially announced that she would be “released from confinement” the following day.
With one pleasant surprise after another arriving in succession, Lin Baiyu could not have been happier.
Perhaps it was because of the deep bond they shared as family.
That night, every member of the Lin family drifted into sweet dreams without prior agreement, each enjoying a wonderful night’s sleep.