Ye Lianhua sat cross-legged on the woven mat, arms folded, staring at the invisible system screen floating in her mind. Her eyes narrowed.
"System," she muttered, "so I touched the mountain soil like you said. Where's the miracle? The blooming flowers? The instant fertile land?"
The screen blinked. [No further instructions at this time. Survival protocol initiated.]
She blinked. "That's it?"
[Objective: Survive.]
"Oh, that's rich. Very encouraging."
Lianhua let out a long sigh and got to her feet. If the system wasn't going to help her plant anything yet, maybe she could scavenge something useful from the surrounding areas.
She picked up the bamboo basket by the door, still half-filled with wild radish tops. "All I've got is this basket of bitterness and a farming system that doubles as a therapist."
She decided to head to the Huai Valley, a nearby floodplain she vaguely remembered from the original owner's memories. That valley was known for having multiple mountains—some barren like her own, but others lush and full of wild herbs or mushrooms. If she got lucky, she might gather something useful.
While rummaging for supplies in the storeroom—what little of it existed—she muttered, "Dig anywhere, it says. In a world like this, digging land you don't own is the fastest route to jail."
She paused. "Wait. What do they call prison here?"
The system didn't answer. Predictably.
Just as she tucked a dried gourd flask into her side pouch, a familiar, too-sweet voice rang out from behind her.
"Hua Hua, are you going somewhere?"
She turned, and there stood Bai Xuexin, the village's resident white lotus. Clad in pale blue robes with a peach-pink sash, she looked like she'd stepped out of a painting as always—delicate, concerned, and totally irritating- damn i hate those words, sounds novel like she muttered to herself.
"How are you feeling?" Bai Xuexin asked softly, voice dripping like honey over rice porridge. "You shouldn't walk around so soon. What if you faint?"
Before Lianhua could answer, a few villagers passing by saw the scene and stopped to gawk.
"Aiyo, poor Miss Bai," one muttered. "So kind and gentle, yet she's friends with that jinx."
"She must be blind in the heart," another added, shaking his head.
Still, none of them lingered. Life in Ping Village wasn't luxurious. Most of them had mouths to feed, crops to water, or debts to chase. Pity was a luxury they couldn't afford for long.
Lianhua forced a smile. "I'm fine, Bai Xuexin. Just taking a stroll."
Xuexin's smile faltered. "Are you sure? I can come with you. I'll protect you."
"Thanks, but no thanks." Lianhua's voice was polite but firm. "I need some quiet time alone."
In truth, Lianhua felt she'd be killed faster if the delicate flower tagged along. If danger ever struck, Bai Xuexin would probably faint dramatically into her arms, weighing her down like a wet scroll.
With her supplies packed and basket slung across her back, Lianhua returned home to speak to Grandma.
"You're going to the next village alone?" the old woman asked, brows furrowed with worry.
"Not far," Lianhua reassured. "Just to look for wild herbs. Maybe catch a rabbit or two."
Grandma's lips thinned. "Be careful. The Huai Valley floods easily this time of year. And if anything happens, don't push yourself."
"I'll be fine." She smiled and adjusted the strap on her shoulder. "Besides, I'll be back by nightfall."
Huai Valley wasn't exactly next door, but it wasn't unreachable either. With a horse, she could get there in under an hour. On foot, maybe three hours tops. But since she had neither, she'd walk it like the peasant she now was. Again, she grumbled under her breath, "At least I understand time. Thank the stars for being modern."
The sun was still rising above the misty rooftops as she started her journey. The crisp air bit at her cheeks, and her feet stirred up morning dew from the grassy trail.
Her destination: a stretch of land at the edge of Huai Valley where mushrooms were rumored to grow after the rains. Maybe, just maybe, she'd find something worth trading—or planting.
As she reached the forested edges separating Ping Village from Huai, her system pinged again.
[Quest Update: Scouting Mission - Collect one viable crop or herb from neighboring region. Reward: Seed Packet.]
Her eyebrows rose. "Oh, now you're helping?"
[Motivation detected. Minimal guidance reinstated.]
"Minimal?!" she growled, but kept walking.
Behind her, somewhere far off in the village, she swore she could still hear Bai Xuexin calling out faintly, "Be careful, Hua Hua…"
Lianhua didn't answer. Her eyes were fixed ahead, heart steeled. She might be poor, powerless, and slightly sunburned—but she was on a mission now.
That white lotus sure was a pain in the ass.
Ye Lianhua ground her teeth silently as she trekked the forested edges separating Ping Village from Huai Valley. The air was cooler here, the trees denser, and the silence almost too peaceful if not for the tap-tap sound of an extra pair of footsteps behind her.
"I can't believe she followed me all the way here," she muttered, casting a sideways glance behind her without turning her head. "Shameless."
Still, she ignored the girl and continued walking. The village line ended here. Beyond was Huai Valley—a floodplain known for its seven mountain ranges. Some fertile, some barren, all unexplored by her.
From behind, Bai Xuexin's fingers curled tightly into her palm.
White Lotus POV
What is wrong with this bunkhead?! Bai Xuexin cursed inwardly, teeth grinding as she followed a few steps behind.
Ever since Ye Lianhua woke up, something had shifted. She wasn't acting like the naive girl who used to follow her around like a puppy. No, now she was snarky, distant, and smart—too smart.
She used to be easy to manipulate. Now? She acted like she didn't even see her.
Annoying!
Fine. Let her make a fool of herself in the neighboring village. Let's see if she can survive without me swooping in to save her from embarrassment. Then we'll see.
Her thoughts were interrupted when an elderly woman waved from nearby.
"Xiao Xin!" Grandma Lu, a kind old lady from the village, called out. "Why do you look so sad, child?"
Xuexin quickly masked her irritation and gave a small, pitiful smile. "It's nothing, Grandma Lu… It's just… Jie Jie is angry at me. I don't know what I did wrong…" she whispered, dabbing at a tearless eye with her sleeve.
More villagers nearby turned their heads as they heard her soft voice.
"Aww, don't cry, child."
"That jinx doesn't deserve your tears!"
"You're such a sweet girl, Bai Xuexin. She's just jealous."
The comforting words wrapped around her like silk. She lowered her head demurely and sniffled.
But not far away, an old pair of eyes had seen everything.
Ye Grandmother stood by the broken gate of their yard, her gaze fixed coldly on Bai Xuexin. Without saying a word, she turned and shut the broken door behind her with a quiet but final thud.
Back to Hua Hua
Lianhua ignored the drama behind her and pushed forward. After asking a few passersby for directions to the mountain, she was pointed eastward. Just as she was about to head out alone, she spotted a group of young women walking the same way, baskets balanced on their hips, chatting and laughing.
She decided to trail behind.
They didn't stop her. But they didn't welcome her either. As long as she wasn't causing trouble, they let her be—treating her like an extra shadow in the trees.
Perfect.
As they walked, Lianhua kept her ears open, hoping for anything useful. If she could just find a herb or a crop… the system had promised a seed reward upon finding something.
"Did you hear?" one of the girls whispered excitedly. "Dongling's biggest restaurant is looking for a wine supplier again!"
"Shh, you mean the Jade Moon Pavilion? The one with golden tiles and dancing girls?"
"Yes! They say none of the wine offered by the local merchants passed their taste test. Not even the one from Lanxi Town!"
Another girl sighed, adjusting her basket. "Tch. What can we do? We can't even afford salt, not to talk of brewing wine."
"And we can't read! How can we even apply?"
They all laughed bitterly and kept walking.
Lianhua, however, had stopped.
Wine… I can do that…
She opened her mouth, excitement sparking like firecrackers—until the system's voice butted in.
[Host, may I remind you: You are a traveler who died after collapsing naked in a hotel room with six men. You're not exactly an expert in refined winemaking.]
She turned red from neck to forehead.
"Oh, shut up!"
One of the girls glanced back at her, raising a brow. Lianhua gave her best "I'm-talking-to-myself-because-I'm-eccentric" smile.
Internally, she screamed.
Damn system! Must you drag my past into every moment like it's a family heirloom?!
Still, she couldn't lie. Wine was something she had some experience with—even if her version came with karaoke, VIP lounges, and high heels.
She let the idea brew while trailing behind the group. Maybe if she could find wild grapes, or berries with a high sugar content…
But the system cut in again, dry as ever.
[Unless Host has fermentation barrels, sterilized glass jars, or access to temperature control, this plan will result in fruit vinegar at best, and explosive rot at worst.]
Ugh. Ruining dreams since transmigration.
Despite the sass, she kept her eyes sharp as they entered the first hill of the Huai Valley range. It wasn't as dead as the twin peaks she claimed back in Ping Village. Here, the trees were leafy, shrubs dotted the lower slopes, and the soil actually looked alive.
Her heart beat a little faster.
"Maybe," she muttered, "maybe something here will change everything."
Just then, she spotted something—low to the ground, near a bush.
A faint green glow.
Her eyes narrowed.
Could it be…
[Host has spotted a spiritual herb: Wild Snowroot.]
[Congratulations. Daily Quest: Acquire First Seed — COMPLETE.]
Lianhua grinned.
"Oh hell yes."