It had rained in Xujia Village for a whole week, drenching the earth until the air smelled of wet soil and damp wood. But beneath the sound of raindrops tapping on rooftops, the rain whispered a warning to Xu Ying.
She couldn’t forget the tragic fate that had befallen Xujia Village in her previous life. Thinking of it made her chest tighten. No, she couldn’t wait idly for disaster to strike again—this time, she had to plan ahead.
She still had a year. A year left before it all began. And now, she was already eighty percent certain of what needed to be done.
Xu Ying couldn’t bear to stay cooped up at home. The restless determination inside her pushed her to action. Without a second thought, she turned and headed straight for her third uncle’s house.
The moment Uncle Xu caught sight of his niece approaching, his face drained of color. Terrified, he spun on his heel and bolted for home like his life depended on it. And honestly, he felt it did.
Ever since that day—the day he’d watched with his own two eyes as Xu Ying single-handedly beat a grown man into the dirt—he’d realized the terrifying truth: his sweet-faced niece wasn’t just a delicate girl. No, she was a ruthless little fighter.
Just the memory of her fists made Uncle Xu tremble uncontrollably.
But Xu Ying only called out sweetly from behind him, “Third Uncle! Why are you running? I came here to see you!”
Hearing her voice, Uncle Xu reluctantly turned around, his expression wary. “Yingying… what’s the matter? Your third uncle’s been doing well lately, really! I’ve been working hard around the house, even going to the fields every day.”
Xu Ying smiled, satisfied at his nervous rambling, and followed him into the yard.
When Aunt Xu saw her niece arrive, her whole face lit up with relief. Oh, how much easier life had been these days—thanks entirely to this girl. She’d never thought her troublesome husband could change, but Xu Ying had managed the impossible.
“Aiya, Yingying!” Aunt Xu beamed, walking over warmly. “Have you eaten yet? Come, stay and eat at your third aunt’s house.”
Xu Ying waved her hand politely. “No need, Third Aunt. I just came to have a quick chat with Third Uncle.”
Then she turned toward Uncle Xu, beckoning him over with a smile.
But Uncle Xu, seeing her gesture, felt a chill crawl down his spine. Was… was this how it felt to be summoned by a judge? His niece might look soft and harmless on the outside, but deep down… she was terrifying.
Xu Ying’s round baby face was dusted with a hint of lingering baby fat, making her look sweet and innocent. Her eyes were bright and almond-shaped, her nose straight and delicate, her dimples deepening whenever she smiled. To a stranger, she was the picture of a girl who needed protecting.
But when she wasn’t smiling—when that dimpled softness vanished—her features took on a fierceness that made people hesitate.
“Third Uncle,” Xu Ying said sweetly, her smile returning, “have you been tired from all the work in the fields lately?”
Uncle Xu, instead of feeling comforted, only stiffened further, his guard going up like a soldier facing an ambush. “Yingying… if you’ve got something to say, just say it straight. Your uncle’s ears are open.”
Xu Ying’s eyes glimmered with quiet amusement. “Ah, Third Uncle, don’t be so suspicious. I’ve simply noticed you’ve been working so hard, so I came by to check on you. That’s all.”
As she spoke, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a single white egg, holding it out to him. “Here—this is for you. Eat it.”
Uncle Xu stared at the egg, his suspicion melting into disbelief. She… really came to care for him?
His throat bobbed with emotion. Without hesitation, he reached out to peel the shell and pop it into his mouth.
But Xu Ying stopped him mid-movement with a gentle murmur: “Third Uncle… look at your daughters first.”
Uncle Xu paused. He turned his head—and sure enough, his two little girls were standing nearby, eyes wide and longing, watching the egg like starving kittens.
For years, he’d failed them. Of all the Xu brothers, he’d been the worst. He’d left all the hard work to his wife, dreaming instead of striking it rich without lifting a finger. He gambled and lost, gambled again and lost more. Meanwhile, their meals dwindled to scraps. Forget white rice or eggs—they could barely fill their stomachs with coarse grains.
And now, here was an egg. A rare, precious egg.
Xu Ying watched quietly, her gaze probing. She wanted to see—would her uncle truly snatch this morsel for himself? Was he really a man without a shred of family affection?
Uncle Xu’s Adam’s apple bobbed again. His hand trembled. Finally, with a grunt, he held the egg out toward his daughters. “What are you two staring at? Come on—are you waiting for me to peel it for you?”
The girls hesitated, too timid to take it.
Uncle Xu scowled impatiently. “Go on! Eat it!”
Xu Ying’s smile deepened. “Third Uncle, you’re so fierce. You scared them.”
The words had barely left her lips before the girls’ eyes welled up with tears, lips quivering with suppressed sobs.
Uncle Xu groaned, rubbing his temple. “Ah, don’t cry! Just eat it, will you!”
Immediately, the tears hanging on their lashes froze mid-fall, obediently swallowed back.
Xu Ying stared at the scene with mixed feelings. Honestly, how had her third uncle even become a father? Poor Xuexue and Baibai… being born as Xu Jianshe’s daughters was truly a pity.
“Third Uncle,” Xu Ying said suddenly, “have you ever thought of getting a job? If you want, I can help you find one.”
Uncle Xu raised an eyebrow. “A job?” He chuckled dryly. “Ah, Yingying, you’re joking with your uncle again, aren’t you? You think jobs fall from the sky these days?”
He waved his hand dismissively. “People have to beg and scrape and pull every string to find a decent job. And you—what strings do you have? Don’t tease me.”
Xu Ying tilted her head, a sly smile playing at her lips. “You don’t believe me? Then what if I told you I could become a chef at a state-owned hotel within two months?”
Uncle Xu gaped, teeth showing. “A… a chef? At a state-owned hotel?”
He couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh Yingying, don’t blame your third uncle for laughing. Those are government-run places—everyone dreams of getting in! And chefs? Do you know how hard it is? Every chef there has a pedigree, their ancestors were masters! You think they’ll give a spot to someone like you?”
He shook his head, still chuckling. “No no… jobs don’t come that easy, little girl.”
But Xu Ying wasn’t offended. If anything, his doubt only fueled the fire in her chest. She loved proving people wrong.
“Then let’s bet,” she declared, her eyes shining. “If I can get a chef’s job at a state-owned hotel, you’ll promise to work hard at home for one whole year. You’ll earn at least seven work points a day and do exactly as I say. But if I fail, I’ll give you ten yuan.”
Uncle Xu’s eyes lit up instantly. “Really? Ten yuan?”
Xu Ying nodded firmly.
He clapped his hands, grinning ear to ear. “Alright! Deal! You said it yourself! If you don’t get that job, don’t forget my ten yuan!”
Xu Ying’s lips curled into a confident smirk. “It’s settled.”
She had decided. This was only the first step.
In her past life, Uncle Xu’s family had been dragged down because of her, forced to flee their hometown to escape disaster. But even so, they’d managed to build something from the ashes—eventually becoming the owners of multiple shops, even a small company.
If even Uncle Xu could rise so high in that ruined life, then this time… she’d work harder. She’d build her network, gather smart and loyal people by her side. The road ahead was long—and filled with unknown dangers.
Just like fighting zombies in her past life, the enemies would only grow stronger with each level.
She couldn’t afford to stop. Wouldn’t stop.
Before she left, Xu Ying quietly pulled out a few more eggs from her pocket—like magic—and handed them to the family, letting everyone share a bite.
Then, without looking back, she walked straight toward the door.
The world outside was still wet, still muddied by the rain.
But her steps were steady, her gaze unwavering.
She had a long road ahead of her—and she was ready to fight for every step.