Chapter 104: The Control Group for the Farm Family’s Lucky Baby – 14

Bai Shengxuan thanked her politely and then explained once more that he had no money. Zhang Qingmei acted sensibly, saying, “It’s quite alright. Being able to help is meaningful enough for me. Besides, the fact that you are safe, Young Master Bai, is due to your own great fortune. I only ran a few errands; it hardly qualifies as saving your life…”

Book Spirit Number One: “Host, I think you’re going to go home empty-handed.”

That absolutely would not do.

Ren Xin spoke up, interrupting her. “Zhang Qingmei didn’t really do much, but I’m a different story. I guarded you at the risk of being devoured by wild beasts. That’s a massive debt of gratitude—the price has to go up!”

Bai Shengxuan had been feeling a bit weary of the conversation, but seeing Ren Xin’s money-grubbing, petty appearance, he couldn’t help but chuckle.

What was he laughing at? Did her proposal seem that ridiculous?

Zhang Qingmei hated Ren Xin to the core. She had intended to establish a noble and selfless persona, but now she had been backed into a corner where she could neither advance nor retreat.

If she asked for things now, she would be slapping her own face after what she just said. But if she didn’t, she would miss out on a reward, which she desperately wanted. After all, her life was currently quite destitute.

Most importantly, her sixth sense told her that she had to hold onto this man. He was her ladder to a better life, yet the opportunity was being ruined again.

Ren Xin, you annoying brat… do I have a personal grudge with you or something?

Bingo—she was here specifically for the payout.

Zhang Qingmei still refused to leave, lingering at Ren Xin’s house. Mother Ren had no choice; even though she didn’t like the girl, she had to prepare for her to eat.

Zhang Qingmei said shyly, “This is so embarrassing…”

“Mother, Zhang Qingmei said she’s not eating!” Ren Xin announced with sharp intuition.

Zhang Qingmei: “…” When did she ever say that?

Mother Ren reacted quickly, saying, “This child is just too polite. Have you already eaten at home? Then Auntie won’t try to persuade you further.”

Zhang Qingmei: “…” Actually, you could try persuading me a bit more.

When Bai Shengxuan was about to leave with the Village Head, he gave Ren Xin a solemn promise that the reward would definitely arrive after the New Year, telling her not to worry.

Until the silver was in her own hands, she would never be “not worried.”

Once the visitors left, Zhang Qingmei stopped pretending. She didn’t even ask about her embroidery issues anymore; she simply huffed and turned to leave.

Father Ren and the Eldest Brother were bewildered. What did that girl even come here for?

Mother Ren and the Second Brother sneered. She wasn’t hiding her little schemes at all!

Ren Xin, meanwhile, continued her grand mission of gnawing on a bone.

“Daughter, in the future when you ask for silver, could you try to be a bit more subtle?”

Ren Xin shook her head in refusal. “What if the other person plays dumb? We have to defeat the enemy in one move. Mention it directly and leave them no room to maneuver.”

Was that how it worked?

The Second Brother looked at Ren Xin with a smile. “Actually, Little Sister’s request is reasonable. I can see that Young Master Bai is also willing to use silver to settle the debt of gratitude. This way, there are no lingering entanglements. He gains peace of mind, and we get practical benefits. Little Sister did nothing wrong.”

That night, the wind was high and the night was dark¹. There wasn’t a single cloud in the sky…

Book Spirit Number One: “It’s nighttime, of course there are no clouds!”

“Who asked for your commentary? What’s wrong with me using a bit of flowery language? You’re a total mood killer.”

Book Spirit Number One: “…”

Ren Xin began rummaging through her pockets. She remembered that when she was decluttering earlier, she found a Golden Bell Shield². Where did it go?

Found it!

Away you go!

A massive halo of light flew into the sky and then descended, enveloping the entire village. The halo gradually faded until it looked as if it had never existed.

Book Spirit Number One asked out of ignorance, “What does this thing do?”

“This thing can be controlled by my consciousness. If an outsider intrudes, it will alert me and provide autonomous protection by firing high-voltage electric shocks. You can think of it as 360-degree blind-spot-free surveillance, equipped with energy cannons!”

“High-end!”

“Shen Shen never plays in the low-end brackets.”

Translator’s Notes