Looking at her third son, Mother Xu couldn’t hide the joy brimming in her eyes. “you didn’t tell me beforehand that you was coming back, but the family will prepare some food for you later.”
By now, dinner was long over.
Even as she said that, she turned around and shot a glare at her daughter. Her heart ached, tangled in a mix of worry and frustration. “Why did you come home so late again? Your father and I were worried sick.”
They had almost rushed out to search for her.
Their youngest son had just returned in time as well. The whole family had been about to head out together—had they not shown up when they did, people would start gossiping. And once gossip spread, her daughter’s reputation would be in tatters. A girl who stayed out all night? That wouldn’t sit well with anyone.
“Where’s the car?” Mother Xu asked, puzzled.
“Mom, I rented a house in the county today. From now on, I’ll be living there,” Xu Ying said calmly. “The days are getting colder and shorter. By the time I get off work, it’s already dark. Riding back and forth on a bicycle is inconvenient—and honestly, dangerous. My hands freeze on the handlebars. That’s why I decided to rent a place nearby.”
As soon as Xu Ying finished speaking, Mother Xu felt a dull ache in her heart.
She had known this day would come eventually—that her daughter would one day leave their nest to live independently. But she hadn’t expected it to come so soon. If she had known earlier, she might never have agreed to send her to that labor-class job. Now, her daughter would be far away. No longer could she see her every day. And who knew when the next visit would be?
Sensing her mother’s sadness, Xu Ying reassured her, “I’ll come home every half month.”
She had four days off each month—two to rest and two to return home. It was perfectly balanced.
Hearing this, Mother Xu felt slightly better, but her reluctance still weighed heavy on her chest. Her precious daughter had always been right by her side. And now, just like that, she was leaving. Her eyes turned red with emotion.
Father Xu, seeing his wife like this, was utterly confused. “Why are you so upset? Our son just came back, shouldn’t we be celebrating?”
Mother Xu replied glumly, “Our third son’s back, yes—but our daughter is moving out.”
“What?!” Father Xu’s voice rose in surprise. “Why is she moving out all of a sudden?”
He had hoped that his daughter would stay at home longer—maybe even until she got married. And now she was leaving quietly, without much warning?
“Is my little sister renting a house?” Sister-in-law Xu asked, intrigued.
Mother Xu nodded, clearly disheartened.
Father Xu thought for a moment. He couldn’t argue with her reasoning—commuting during winter was a hassle. Though he wasn’t happy, he knew he couldn’t stop her either.
Not long ago, they had been overjoyed when Xu Ying landed this job. But now that it meant she’d be away from home, the excitement had completely faded. Thinking about only seeing her twice a month filled them with sorrow.
Luckily, Third Brother Xu had already eaten outside. Otherwise, with Mother Xu feeling so down, she might not have had the energy to cook.
—
Early the next morning, Xu Shengwu drove Xu Ying and their mother to the county in his car. First, they dropped Xu Ying off at the restaurant.
Then, Xu Shengwu accompanied their mother to the rental house Xu Ying had found.
As soon as they stepped into the courtyard, Mother Xu was stunned. The yard was spacious, almost as large as their own back home. The surroundings were neat and pleasant—far better than she’d expected.
The two of them busied themselves organizing the space. They laid out the bedding, folded and stored her clothes, cleaned every corner until it shone. By the time they finished, the sun was already high in the sky.
Just then, Xu Ying arrived with her iron lunch box in hand. “Mom, third brother, you must be starving.”
“Oh, little sister, you got here just in time. I’m absolutely starving!” Xu Shengwu slumped into a chair in the courtyard, clearly exhausted. Setting up a house was no easy task.
Mother Xu, too, was tired, though she managed a smile when she saw her daughter. Her face glistened with sweat, but her eyes were full of warmth. “Just in time indeed. Your third brother and I cleaned the place from top to bottom. When the weather gets colder, I’ll ask your eldest brother to bring you a stove. That way, it’ll be warmer.”
Xu Ying clutched her mother’s arm with a bright smile. “Thank you, Mom. Let’s eat.”
Watching the affectionate exchange between mother and daughter, Xu Shengwu suddenly realized something—his little sister had truly grown up.
“Wow, it smells amazing. You’ve gotten even better at cooking, little sister,” he praised between bites. “It’s a pity I have to go back to work soon. I won’t get to enjoy your food often.”
“I’ll cook for you next time you come home,” Xu Ying replied warmly.
“Deal.” And with that, he happily dug in, not bothering with manners.
—
【Ding! Congratulations to the host for unlocking a new recipe. You have unlocked 30% of the space.
Reward: Level-3 Recipe Yellow River Giant Carp, along with newly unlocked dishes Home-style Braised Noodles, Hot Dry Noodles, Snail Noodles, Rice Rolls, Lion’s Head Meatballs, and a random selection of items: one air conditioner, one refrigerator, and a box of daily necessities from the department store.
Next unlock requires 1000 favorability points.】
Xu Ying blinked. “System, can I use the air conditioner in the space?”
She hadn’t yet inspected the wiring since her rebirth. Back in the apocalypse, someone with electrical abilities had helped modify the space’s circuit board. It had worked perfectly then—but now, with only 30% of the space unlocked, she wasn’t sure.
Would electricity work?
【Yes.】
That single word from the system made Xu Ying’s heart soar.
If she could use the air conditioner, then surely the refrigerator and her massage chair could work too.
The possibilities filled her with energy and motivation for the future.
She had to keep pushing forward.
—
Riding her bicycle toward the restaurant, Xu Ying was in high spirits—until someone suddenly darted out in front of her. She braked hard, narrowly avoiding a collision.
Her expression turned icy. “Do you have a death wish? Trying to get hit on purpose?”
Of all the places to walk, why stop right in front of her?
The young man in front of her—Dong Wenjie—was equally startled. He’d only just won an argument with his elder brother for the chance to chase after Xu Ying, and now he’d nearly messed it all up.
“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it,” he blurted out, then brightened as he recognized her. “Aren’t you my sister’s friend? Where are you going? I’ll take you.”
He thought he was playing it cool.
But Xu Ying’s face turned cold, her gaze sharp as frost. Her eyes glittered like cold stars, her dark braids lay over her chest, and a few loose strands of hair clung to her porcelain skin, making her look even paler.
Dong Wenjie stared, utterly mesmerized.
Feeling uneasy under his gaze, Xu Ying stepped forward and tried to push her bicycle past him.
“Miss Xu Ying, let me escort you,” Dong Wenjie persisted, stepping into her path.
“Move,” she said icily, her tone brimming with warning.
“I’ll go with you. You look familiar, like my neighbor’s sister,” he said, brushing his hair back in what he thought was a charming gesture.
After all, he’d always been popular back in the village.
Like his brother Dong Wenzhong, he had fair skin and decent features—just enough to make some girls swoon.
Xu Ying, however, looked like she was about to vomit.
“I have three brothers. I don’t need you,” she said, her eyes burning with fury. “Now move, or else—”
“Or else what?” Dong Wenjie leaned in.
Too close!
Before he could blink, Xu Ying’s fist flew at him like a bolt of lightning.
Crack! His glasses shattered, shards of glass slicing into the skin near his eye. Blood seeped out instantly.
“Ahhh! Xu Ying! You wicked woman!” Dong Wenjie howled, clutching his face in pain.