Volume One, Chapter Six: The Madness of a Fortuitous Gain-Década de 70: Ela foi para as montanhas, tornou-se a rainha da caçada e levou a família inteira a comer carne.(A pena e a tinta florescem.)

"Your father and I have lived upright and honorable lives; we have never done such embarrassing things!"

"She has started this, and I fear there will be another time!"

"If I don't discipline her and make her remember this lesson, I don't know what more outrageous things she might do in the future!"

Song Qiuran was originally washing clothes in the woodshed when she heard the commotion outside and hurried out. As soon as she opened the door, she saw the back of Shen Lingshuang, who was running away with her clothes wrapped loosely around her.

She glanced at Shen Aodong and caught his anxious gaze. In it, there seemed to be a hint of a plea for help.

Song Qiuran was stunned. For the first time in this household, she felt that she was needed.

Song Qiuran immediately said to Li Lanfang, "Mom, don't worry, I'll go after Lingshuang!" With that, she ran off, still wearing her large apron.

Shen Lingshuang, up ahead, heard Song Qiuran calling from behind and quickly stopped.

"Sister-in-law, you don't need to worry about me! I'm just going out for a stroll and will be back in a little while!"

Song Qiuran quickened her pace and grabbed her arm. "No! It's such a cold day; what decent person would be wandering around outside?"

Shen Lingshuang wasn't actually holding a grudge against her family; both the acting out and the running away were meant to provoke her brother. Just then, she caught a glimpse of Shen Aodong walking out of the courtyard gate with a sack of sweet potatoes on his back, so she quickly pulled Song Qiuran aside.

At that moment, Afu suddenly appeared:

[Congratulations, Master! You have received gratitude from Song Qiuran and gained 100 points of merit!]

Shen Lingshuang was still holding Song Qiuran's wrist. Upon hearing this, the way she looked at her changed instantly.

"Sister-in-law, when you were in the city, did you ever do anything earth-shattering?"

"Xiaoshuang, you're pinching me..." Song Qiuran gently freed her hand from Shen Lingshuang's grip and looked at her with some embarrassment. "Why are you asking so suddenly? Do I look like the type of person who would be so showy?"

Shen Lingshuang frowned and shook her head. "You don't look like it, but..."

But every time you stir your heart or thoughts, I get merit rewards! If this had nothing to do with Song Qiuran herself, she wouldn't believe it either.

Afu: [Master, saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda! As long as Song Qiuran does not seek to end her life, you will continue to gain vast merit!]

Shen Lingshuang: "!"

So, the great lucky star was Song Qiuran! At this rate, she wouldn't need to work hard at all in this life; just by relying on Song Qiuran, she could live a life of luxury! And if she were to be a bit more diligent, hardworking, and perhaps a little cunning...

She would easily become a winner in life! Thinking of this, the corners of Shen Lingshuang’s mouth curled up toward her ears.

"Xiaoshuang." Song Qiuran shook her slightly, her face filled with worry. "Why are you giggling? And what did you mean by that 'but' just now?"

Shen Lingshuang came back to her senses and seriously tried to smooth things over. "I just think that since you survived such a disaster, you must have great fortune ahead!"

Song Qiuran blushed slightly. "If only your brother hadn't saved me that day..."

"Oh! He was just out borrowing grain and happened to run into you. My brother is a hero! Seeing an injustice and drawing a sword to help is just what he should do!"

Shen Lingshuang affectionately took Song Qiuran's hand and casually asked, "By the way, sister-in-law, why were you wandering alone by the lake on such a cold day?"

Song Qiuran’s brow furrowed slightly. "That’s right, why did I go to the lake that day..."

Shen Lingshuang was startled. "Sister-in-law, you... forgot?"

Song Qiuran pursed her lips and nodded hesitantly. "I only know that after I was rescued, I had a fever and was sick for several days. I don't remember anything that happened on the day I fell into the water. It was only after I heard the other educated youths talking about it that I learned your brother had saved me..."

Shen Lingshuang narrowed her eyes. Her intuition told her that there was something fishy about this. Otherwise, why would Song Qiuran be wandering alone by the river in the dead of winter, when the north wind was blowing hard enough to freeze someone to death? She would find a chance to ask her brother later and see if she could uncover any clues.

Thinking of this, Shen Lingshuang remembered how the female educated youths had spoken so disrespectfully when she went to fetch Song Qiuran yesterday. She immediately tightened her grip on Song Qiuran's hand. "Sister-in-law, don't worry. Once our family makes a name for itself, I will definitely infuriate those educated youth friends of yours!"

Song Qiuran laughed instantly. Her clear, water-like eyes curved like two crescent moons when she smiled. The more Shen Lingshuang looked at her, the more beautiful she found her.

"Sister-in-law, you really are a fairy descending to earth!" Shen Lingshuang remarked sincerely. "You are so beautiful; I'm sure people are jealous of you wherever you go! My brother really hit the jackpot..."

[Congratulations, Master! You have received joy from Song Qiuran and gained 100 points of merit!]

Shen Lingshuang: "!"

Perfect! No more suffering from now on! She just needed to find ways to keep her sister-in-law happy every day, and that would be it!

Calculating that enough time had passed, Shen Lingshuang couldn't bear for Song Qiuran to keep freezing outside with her, so she took the initiative to suggest going home. "Sister-in-law, I'm thirsty, let's go back."

Song Qiuran replied happily, "Okay!"

As soon as they entered the courtyard, they saw Shen Aodong talking to Li Lanfang. Beside his feet sat the bag of sweet potatoes of unknown origin.

Seeing Shen Lingshuang, Li Lanfang immediately scolded, "Shen Lingshuang! It's one thing to steal, but why won't you tell the truth? Whose sweet potatoes are these?"

Shen Lingshuang was like a little firecracker, exploding at the slightest touch. "I'm not lying! I got them from Gu Xianglin!"

Shen Aodong’s face darkened, and he glared at her. "I just went to the Gu family with the bag! Gu Xianglin said that the sweet potatoes the few of them dug up yesterday don't even add up to thirty pounds! And before he went home yesterday, he had already divided the sweet potatoes among the children... Lingshuang, where did the sweet potatoes really come from?!"

Shen Lingshuang pursed her lips and didn't answer. Her palms were almost pierced by her own fingernails. But she truly couldn't squeeze out any tears! It wasn't her fault; she was used to being independent and tough in her previous life, so crying wasn't exactly easy!

At this moment, having finally managed to force a set of tears into her eyes, she clenched her little fists and shouted, "Brother! You believe whatever he says? He was just looking at how pathetic our family is, and how pathetic I am. He didn't claim the sweet potatoes just to save my face! Hmph... I, Shen Lingshuang, don't want to owe him anything! I will definitely pay back these sweet potatoes!"

After saying this, she rushed into the house like a stubborn ox. Song Qiuran followed after her to comfort her.

Left in the courtyard, Li Lanfang and Shen Aodong looked at each other.

"It looks like it might really be as Lingshuang said," Li Lanfang sighed. "Gu Xianglin's father was in the same militia squad as your father. The Gu family is loyal and righteous..."

Hearing this, Shen Aodong said nothing, but his mind was in turmoil. Lingshuang had become a thief to help support the family. The Gu family refused to claim the sweet potatoes to protect them. Even outsiders were trying their best to help. Yet he, as the only male of the second branch of the Shen family, had been avoiding the responsibilities he should be fulfilling!

If he were willing to take up his father's old job and become a mountain guard, would the burden on his mother and Lingshuang's shoulders be lighter? An elder brother is like a father; if he were a righteous and upright brother, could Lingshuang slowly learn to be better?

Shen Aodong's heart suddenly sank. "Mom! I'm going to the captain's house!"

"Aodong, what are you doing? Aodong! Aodong!" Li Lanfang chased him to the courtyard gate but couldn't stop him, so she just wrung her hands and walked back.

By the window, Shen Lingshuang pulled back the cotton curtain, crouched down, and peeked outside. Seeing the look in her brother's eyes before he left, her heart warmed. "It worked!"