Chapter 5 — The Siblings of the Bai Household
Bai Xia looked at her two younger siblings.
Bai Yang, her twelve-year-old brother, stood by the doorway — Despite his young age, his features were already strikingly handsome — clear eyes like morning dew, a straight little nose, and lips curved in a natural pout of innocence.
He wore oversized shorts, tattered and faded from years of hand-me-downs. His bare chest, though thin, hinted at the strength of a growing boy accustomed to hardship. The fabric around his waist was frayed, and one of the pockets hung by a thread, fluttering with every step he took.
Bai Xia's gaze softened. Her heart clenched painfully as memories from her past life surged up like a storm. In that life, Bai Yang had died at the tender age of fifteen, after a day of laughter and play by the river.
She remembered the sound of his laughter, the brightness of his smile… and then the sudden silence that followed.
But Bai Xia knew the truth. It wasn't an accident. It was Bai Diang and Bai Xiangtin who had pushed him into the river — cruel, mocking laughter echoing behind him as his small body was swallowed by the current.
She could still remember Madam Bai's cold expression as she covered up the incident, pretending it had been a tragic accident.
Her throat tightened. Looking now at his handsome and youthful face, so full of innocence and life, Bai Xia felt tears sting her eyes.
Bai Yang, seeing his sister's trembling shoulders, thought she was still in pain. He moved closer, his tiny fingers gently brushing away her tears with surprising tenderness. "Don't cry, jiejie (big sister)," he whispered. "Yangyang will protect you."
Bai Xia's lips quivered into a soft smile.
Then her gaze fell upon her younger sister, Bai Xin.
In her past life, Bai Xin had been sold to an old man under the pretense of becoming an apprentice. She was only thirteen then, too young to even understand betrayal.
Now, in this life, Bai Xin stood there — at least two heads shorter than Bai Yang — a small, delicate girl of nine. She had short, uneven hair with messy bangs that framed her large, watery eyes, bright and adorable even through the dirt smudges on her cheeks.
Her clothes hung loosely on her tiny frame — ripped at the seams, stained with mud and age. She looked like a fragile doll discarded by fate, yet her smile carried warmth enough to melt the coldest heart.
The siblings worked together to help Bai Xia back into the small wooden room, its air filled with the faint scent of herbs and smoke. Bai Yang immediately went out to boil water for her wounds, carefully setting up firewood as he had watched adults do countless times.
As the flames flickered, Bai Xia turned her gaze back to Bai Xin, who was staring at her with teary eyes. The little girl's lips trembled, as if on the verge of crying.
Bai Xia patted her head gently, whispering softly, "Xin Xin, quickly go to the farm and call Mom and sister."
Bai Xin hesitated, worry glimmering in her big eyes.
"I'll be fine," Bai Xia reassured her. "Bai Yang is here with me."
After a moment of persuasion, Bai Xin finally nodded and ran off toward the fields — her tiny figure vanishing down the dusty road. It would take thirty minutes to reach the farm, and another thirty to return.
Bai Yang remained outside, tending to the firewood, waiting for the water to boil.
Inside the room, Bai Xia leaned weakly against the bedpost, her breath uneven. She had been hearing faint "ding" sounds earlier — first at the market, then again when she got home — but she hadn't had time to check. Now, finally alone, she whispered, "System."
"Yes, host."
"Status."
At once, a light blue screen appeared before her eyes, glowing faintly in the dim room.
---
[STATUS]
Host: Bai Xia
Height: 5'5
Stamina: 0
Strength: 2
Intelligence: 10
Charisma: 10
Beauty: 13
Skills: Business Tycoon, Frost Tears, Reaper Tears
EXP Points: 70
Mission Points: 35
---
[MISSIONS]
Enter Space
Reward: Daily Reward Multiplied ×10
---
[NOTIFICATIONS]
Congratulations on completing mission: Use Business Tycoon Skill
→ EXP +10 | Mission Points +5
Congratulations on completing mission: Sell Flowers
→ EXP +10 | Mission Points +5
Congratulations on obtaining Frost Eyes
→ EXP +10 | Mission Points +5
Congratulations on leveling up Frost Eyes!
→ New Skill Unlocked: Reaper Tears
→ EXP +20 | Mission Points +10
Congratulations on completing mission: Use Reaper Tears
→ EXP +10 | Mission Points +5
Congratulations on completing five missions!
→ Eden Space Obtained!
---
Bai Xia stared at the glowing panel, utterly speechless. Then, the sudden sound of distant screams pierced the silence outside. Her expression hardened — she knew it must be Bai Ai. Of course, Madam Bai wouldn't let her off so easily.
"System," Bai Xia whispered, "explain these skills — Frost Eyes, Reaper Tears, and Eden Space."
"Host," the system responded smoothly, "Frost Eyes grants you the power to intimidate those you gaze upon. When you looked at your aunt after being slapped, this skill activated."
"As for Reaper Tears, it is the upgraded version of Frost Eyes. When activated, it allows your tears to evoke sympathy and sorrow from anyone who witnesses them. You unconsciously activated this when your tears touched the hearts of the villagers."
"As for Eden Space," it continued, "it is a mythical paradise, capable of storing treasures beyond imagination."
Bai Xia's eyes widened, her lips curling into an almost foolish smile. A system... and a space? The heavens are truly smiling upon me this time.
"System, how do I enter the space?"
"You only need to think about it, Host."
She closed her eyes, her body trembling slightly. "System, what's the time difference between the real world and the space?"
"When you enter, time in the outside world freezes — unless you manually start it. One minute in the space equals three minutes in the real world."
Bai Xia's eyes brightened. "Such good conditions…"
She rose from the bed with effort, her wounds aching. After checking that no one was back yet, she closed her eyes and focused.
And then — the air around her shifted.