Chapter 10 Chapter 12: The whole family lying together, side by side

Don't be fooled by the fact that they were just planted two days ago—the growth is astonishingly quick. The rice has already begun to head, and if all goes well, it can be harvested tomorrow. Such a growth rate is simply unrivaled.

Looking over at the medicinal field, the land has been neatly divided into plots, each cultivating ginseng, polygonum, astragalus, and other medicinal herbs. Say nothing of the rest—just the ginseng and ganoderma alone, once properly cultivated, could fetch a handsome price on the market.

Beyond that, Tian Tian had also carved out a small vegetable patch, growing peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, and other vegetables. Tsk—even relying solely on the space, she would never have to worry about food or money for the rest of her life.

In high spirits, Xu Lin entered the kitchen of the courtyard house and busied herself preparing breakfast. She started by simmering a large pot of porridge; anything left over could be stored in the small kitchen storeroom, which was also protected by a time-freezing array to keep things fresh. Whenever she wanted to eat, she could take it out, and it would still be hot. She then fried more than a dozen pancakes and boiled a few eggs.

Soon, breakfast was ready. After eating her fill and tidying the kitchen, Xu Lin took a bath before finally leaving the space. She was still wearing her old clothes—not because she didn't want to change, but first, she had none, and second, she wanted the Qin family to see the life she led in the Xu household.

For now, Xu Lin had no intention of changing her image. She continued to protect her scrawny, sallow, patch-clad, and utterly unremarkable appearance.

Hearing movement from the rooms, Father Xu and the other two were so excited their hearts leapt into their throats, but before they could see Xu Lin, they were nearly frightened to death.

“Father, Mother, what are you doing standing there?” Xu Kun rubbed his eyes, still half asleep and his mind clouded.

Xu Kun felt even more tired after sleeping, and not just tired but hungry too—so hungry his stomach cramped with pain. Owing to his poor sleep, his mind remained foggy; naturally, he didn't notice how the three elders flinched in fright, nearly shrieking, nor did he see their hands clutching their chests, faces pale and drenched in cold sweat. With his eyes still closed, he asked, “Mother, I’m hungry. What’s for breakfast?”

At that, Mother Xu snapped back to her senses and hurriedly covered her son's mouth, pushing him toward the main hall without another word.

This foolish child had no sense at all—if he kept questioning, they’d be exposed. As for breakfast, Mother Xu herself had no idea; she hadn’t cooked a thing. Forget it—better to wake up Xu Nuan, send the children out for breakfast, and get them off to school right after. Perfect.

Hearing the footsteps of Mother Xu and Xu Kun departing, Xu Lin mischievously approached the door, startling Old Lady Xu and her son so much their eyes rounded in alarm.

Old Lady Xu raised her hand, ready to scatter knockout powder, but before she could act, she heard Xu Lin mutter, “Oh dear, I forgot to take the money.”

As the words fell, footsteps sounded within the room. Listening to the noises inside, Old Lady Xu motioned for Father Xu to call for help.

The little wretch was about to come out. The two of them alone weren't enough—they needed the daughter-in-law's help. Father Xu, anxious, tiptoed off to summon her. With Xu Lin’s combat prowess, one misstep could spell disaster.

Soon, two sets of footsteps halted at the door. Xu Lin curled her lips into a sly smile, striding quickly to the door and, without hesitation, flung it open. Instantly, a cloud of knockout powder was scattered through the doorway.

Xu Lin scoffed. Was that the best they could do?

If this was all they had, they were in for a sorry morning beating—rather pitiful, really.

Old Lady Xu poked her head inside, locking eyes with Xu Lin’s narrowed, sly look. A chill ran through her heart, and she muttered inwardly that things had gone awry.

“Spray!” Old Lady Xu immediately pulled back and shouted at Mother Xu, who, following orders, began spraying wildly into the room with an aerosol can, too frightened to show her face and stretching an arm out blindly to unleash the spray.

Though Xu Lin didn't know what they were spraying, she stepped back, collected a bit of mist on her hand, and brought it to her nose. The odor was pungent, but it didn't harm the skin. What was this?

Xu Lin sniffed again, even tasted a bit with the tip of her tongue, and her expression quickly changed. The spray might not harm the skin, but it was highly neurotoxic—if inhaled in excess, it could cripple or kill.

She hurriedly drank a few sips of spiritual spring water to neutralize the effects, and when she looked toward the door again, her gaze had turned icy.

“Did it hit her? Did it?” Mother Xu, after spraying, was too scared to look and signaled for Old Lady Xu to check.

Old Lady Xu rolled her eyes. With a drug that could turn someone into an imbecile, did they really expect her to be so foolish as to check herself? Not only did she refuse, she also pulled her son back from approaching.

Thus, when Xu Lin emerged from the room, face dark, the three of them were still exchanging nervous glances.

Soon, the courtyard echoed with the sound of fists meeting flesh.

After so many beatings, if they still had the energy to cause trouble, it only meant that Xu Lin had been too merciful before. This time, her blows landed heavier.

Much heavier—she targeted their vital organs. She didn’t shatter them, but it was enough to teach them a lesson.

After dealing with the three of them, Xu Lin entered the main hall and gave Xu Kun and Xu Nuan, who had been too frightened to show their faces, a beating as well.

The whole family lay sprawled together—a perfect picture.

Lying in the courtyard, Old Lady Xu silently shed tears, one hand reaching for the pocket at her chest, where a few talismans were hidden—her secret weapons against Xu Lin. But she never even got the chance to use them before she was nearly beaten to death.

Ah, what to do now?

No, this wouldn’t do. As Xu Lin, refreshed and at ease, returned to her room to continue cultivating—not sleeping, but cultivating—the five Xu family members clung to their heads and wept. Life was truly unbearable.

They couldn’t win in a fight, nor could they poison her successfully—what were they to do?

Once they caught their breath, they immediately packed up and left together. Having been beaten into psychological trauma, they no longer wished to share the same sky with Xu Lin. Even if they needed to plot against her, they wouldn’t dare discuss it at home. It was safer to find another place.

Xu Lin did not leave the house that morning, but remained cultivating her abilities. Her current strength was sufficient against ordinary people, but she would struggle against a true expert. If it came to bullets, her life would be at risk. The most urgent task was to improve her powers and enhance her combat capability.

She didn’t believe Father Xu would endure the beatings forever. If he couldn’t come up with a better solution, he would surely resort to more vicious means.

There was no rush—she would simply wait for their next move.

And that spray—she wondered where the Xu family had acquired such a harmful substance. It certainly didn't come from a hospital. Its origins must be illicit, perhaps even leftover poison gas from the invaders. If she could trace this lead...

Xu Lin’s eyes flashed with a sly smile. If she could uncover the source, it would be a great deed.

Ever since traveling through thousands of worlds with the system, Xu Lin had come to believe that virtue is always rewarded—though sometimes, the reward might only come after death.

So, if there was an opportunity to earn merit, Xu Lin would never miss it. This time, not only would she report Father Xu as a spy, she would also expose the dealer behind the poison gas.