Jiang Li didn't want to cause a fuss, so she decided to give this coveted iron rice bowl (job) to her little brother, who had graduated from high school with her the previous year. In this day and age, it was a stable job that many aspired to have.
Jiang Li didn't want to consider whether her two older brothers, who were still farming at home, would be upset by this decision. She had already planned to help them out in the future if she could.
As Jiang Li turned to head back to her bedroom, a robotic voice suddenly rang out in her head. Before she could react, the "Raising children " System had bound itself to her.
However, Jiang Li merely furrowed her brow slightly, showing no other reaction.
She stood in the middle of the room, gazing at the white mosquito net hanging above the kang, and then at the tallboy cupboard on one side of the room. Her eyes fell upon the army-green thermos and enamel cup with the words "Study Hard, Make Progress Every Day " written on it.
Although these items were a mix of new and old, they had all been specially purchased for the original owner. The larger pieces, like the tallboy cupboard, had been custom-made by a local carpenter when the original owner was seven or eight years old.
Honestly, the way the house was decorated and the memories left behind by the original owner, along with the concerned looks from the family members Jiang Li had just met in the main hall, made her feel that everyone in this family truly cared for the original owner.
Even the newlywed sisters-in-laws showed no signs of disdain.
Jiang Li, herself, was quite charming and beautiful, eliciting gasps of admiration from others. They couldn't help but feel a sense of fondness for her and wanted to give her their best.
Jiang Li didn't find this strange at all. After all, everyone loved beauty, and who could resist a pretty young girl who was also sweet and charming, like a fairy?
However, there were no absolutes. For instance, those with strong jealousy and low self-esteem might make negative comments about the original owner's looks and the doting family.
"Host, why aren't you paying attention to me?"
The robotic voice in Jiang Li's head suddenly transformed into a soft and cute child's voice, undoubtedly the System. It had thought that its sudden appearance would either intrigue the host or instill fear. But to its surprise, the host it had bound didn't react at all.
The System was confused!
This was its first mission, and if it couldn't complete it successfully, there would be no promotion. Instead, it might face destruction and rebuilding.
And it wouldn't be rebuilt as the same system—no, that was not an option.
So, as soon as it arrived in this world and detected its host, it had taken action without seeking permission. Additionally, it had listened to a senior from the system realm and set its voice to that of a cold and domineering CEO to intimidate its host into compliance. But the host's reaction revealed that this advice from the senior was not very reliable!
With no other choice, the System reverted to its original voice—a soft and cute baby voice.
It hoped that its host was a lover of cuteness—no, no, that was too much to ask. It lowered its expectations and simply hoped that its host didn't hate children.
"Are you being too casual? To put it bluntly, you're being unreasonable. To put it nicely, you're being stupid. Which one do you think you are?"
Jiang Li's expression remained unchanged as she lay on her side on the kang, her back facing the door. Her fox-like eyes were slightly closed.
"Huh?" the System asked, sounding confused. "Host, why are you calling me unreasonable and stupid?"
"You've gotten my permission?" Jiang Li asked evenly.
"I... I'm sorry, Host. I'm truly sorry," the System said pitifully. "I'm a newbie, and this is my first time doing a mission. I was too nervous, so I forgot to ask for your permission."
Jiang Li remained silent, offering no response.
"Host, please forgive me just this once, okay? Let me tell you, as long as you complete the tasks I give you, you'll earn happiness points and rewards. And the tasks I give you will be very simple.
After you accumulate happiness points, not only will it extend your life, but you can also exchange them for ten times their value in credits to shop in the System's market...
Oh, and the rewards you receive will be super generous! I'm not lying to you, Host. Working with me is the best choice you can make. Host, please say something."
Jiang Li was like an old monk in meditation, maintaining her silence.
Give me tasks? I've always been the one managing others!
It seemed that this foolish System was a bit too ambitious.
"Host, after the System's examination, it has been determined that there are innate defects in your body. If you don't take care of them, your lifespan will be significantly reduced...
But if you can complete the tasks properly, you can use the points to purchase health pills or genetic repair solutions to increase your lifespan!
Host, 100,000 points can buy you a body-strengthening pill or a genetic repair solution."
The System wanted to cry, but it was afraid that its dear host would dislike a "whining monster," so it held back its tears and continued to persuade her.
Host, this is a "Raising children" System. The missions are all very simple. For example, you can teach the little ones to become pillars of the nation, contributing to the country by being civilized and beautiful. You can also do small chores like weeding, wiping windows, sweeping the floor, cooking, and washing clothes. Teaching the children will earn you happiness points, and doing chores will earn you points...
"Stop nagging," Jiang Li interrupted.
Didn't this System understand that she only wanted to live a quiet life as a salted fish?
Host, if you refuse to cooperate, I... I'll punish you!
The System tried to scare her with its little voice, but it didn't know that Jiang Li, having lived a full life in her previous incarnation, found its threats amusing. However, she maintained her composure, as she had been quite a character in her past life.
"Whatever," Jiang Li responded nonchalantly.
It was a life she had picked up off the streets. If it wanted to punish her, so be it. If it sent her back to the afterlife, then so be it.
"Host, electric shocks are very painful. Tong-er doesn't want you to suffer... Wahh... Tong-er is a new player. If I can't complete this task, I'll be destroyed~"
Jiang Li felt a twinge of sympathy for the System. Even though she only wanted to be a salted fish in this life, that didn't mean she wanted to be a smelly fish.
Being a salted fish meant taking care of her daily needs and creating a comfortable and pleasant living environment for herself.
For instance: a salted fish needed to eat, needed clothes, needed a clean and healthy living space, and a living environment filled with flowers and greenery.
In short, she wanted to be a salted fish who enjoyed life, not one who lived in mess and disarray.
Besides, there were already many dolls in her home, and once she went to the beicheng, three little rascals would be waiting for her to raise them. Being bound to the "Raising Children" System wasn't much of a problem in this context.
"Stop nagging and stay put. You as the system can calculate the happiness points on your own. I'll call you when you're needed."
(End of chapter)