Neither of them had the slightest experience with housework, but at least their attitude was earnest. After helping Lu Youqing fill the basin with water, Qin Ke decided he wasn't going to let her go wash clothes by the river—not yet.
They hadn't eaten pork, sure, but they'd at least seen pigs. One could easily imagine how rural women gathered at the river would gossip. When the original owner brought Lu Youqing home, someone from the village saw it and rumors had already spread. No need to fuel the fire any further.
Once everything was arranged, Qin Ke grabbed a hoe and headed off to inspect the few acres of land given to him during the family division. He had already expected the land wouldn't be anything good, but upon seeing the barren fields at the foot of the mountain, he still felt the task was daunting.
Back when the family split, the original owner's grandfather had worn a righteous expression, claiming that the wasteland beneath the mountain was conveniently close to the original owner's hut. He had even generously allocated five acres to him, earning himself the reputation of being fair and magnanimous. But in truth, the land was useless: poor soil, never cultivated, and now wildly overgrown with weeds.
"Even high-quality seeds won't yield much in soil like this, right?"
Qin Ke, who had never farmed a day in his life, felt completely unsure.
"After system analysis, the host's land is categorized as inferior soil—commonly known as lower-grade fields. To achieve expected yields, the host may spend points to improve soil quality."
The next moment, an option appeared on the system panel: Soil Improvement – 3 points.
Qin Ke let out a laugh—not of humor, but disbelief.
"Three points just to improve the soil? I only have ten left! You really know how to run a business, don't you?"
"For reference: in this era, traditional rice varieties produce only 200 kilograms per mu. Using system-enhanced rice seeds after soil improvement, expected yield is 600 kilograms per mu. The host may evaluate at his discretion."
The system's emotionless voice echoed in his mind.
The tactic was unmistakably familiar—persuading with numbers, no dramatics needed. It worked every time.
And yes, Qin Ke was tempted. For thousands of years, the reason the common people of ancient times lived on the brink of starvation—aside from oppression by the upper class—was low agricultural yield. After paying taxes, farmers barely had enough leftover to survive.
If he could achieve the yield the system promised, he could pay the taxes and still save enough rice for himself and Lu Youqing to eat for a year. The surplus could be sold for silver.
But no one in history had ever grown wealthy solely by farming. Qin Ke could only take things one step at a time. Farming's real purpose was gaining system points. For now, survival came first—food in their stomachs, improving their living environment, and adapting to this ancient life.
Qin Ke pulled weeds, turned soil, and worked tirelessly through the entire morning, managing to clear just over one mu. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he realized the sun was already high above. His stomach growled loudly.
Since spring planting was still a little ways off, there was no need to rush. The house had nothing—they needed to go on a major shopping trip, or they wouldn't even have food for today.
Yesterday he had searched all the original owner's pockets and even dug through the bedroom corners. All of the original owner's savings amounted to 850 copper coins—the leftover money from selling his mother's jewelry.
After buying essential goods, there wouldn't be much left. Carrying the hoe on his shoulder, Qin Ke worried the whole way home, trying to figure out how to earn enough money to last until harvest.
When he arrived, Lu Youqing had already finished the laundry—though judging from the puddles all over the yard, it clearly hadn't gone smoothly.
"I cleared about one mu today. A few more days and I should finish the fields."
Qin Ke washed his hands. "You must be hungry. We've got nothing at home. Let's go into town and buy a few things."
"You can go alone. I… don't want to go out."
Lu Youqing turned her head away, hiding the injured side of her face. Her voice trembled faintly.
Qin Ke pressed his lips together. He understood her thoughts completely. Anyone disfigured would need tremendous mental strength to face the stares of others.
Thinking for a moment, he stepped inside and found a rectangular piece of fabric.
"Wear this as a face covering. That way no one will see anything. Besides, it's good to learn the way into town. You can't stay inside the courtyard for the rest of your life."
Lu Youqing glanced at him in surprise. He was… far too considerate.
Neither of them had eaten that morning. In this era, rural families typically only ate two meals a day unless it was the busy farming season.
They walked together toward town. Passing villagers stared in shock at the sight of the two of them together. Even after they passed by, Qin Ke could still hear the muttering behind them.
The road to town had been built a few years ago by several nearby villages working together. It was relatively smooth, and villagers always used this route when heading to town. It was far, though—an hour's walk before Qin Ke and Lu Youqing finally reached it.
There were more people here. Although Lu Youqing was wrapped up tightly, no one found it strange. She felt a bit relieved.
Since both of them were effectively first-timers in town and there were many people around, Qin Ke worried they might get separated. So he instinctively held her wrist.
Starving for so long, Qin Ke wanted to eat first. Inns and restaurants were far beyond their budget. Then he spotted something a little ahead—his eyes lit up—and he pulled Lu Youqing toward a roadside wonton stall.
"Boss, two bowls of wontons, please."
It was past mealtime now, and the stall was empty. Qin Ke chose a spot hidden from sight and motioned for Lu Youqing to sit inside.
"Sir, your wontons!"
Soon the vendor brought two steaming bowls. There were no extra toppings, of course, but the portion size was generous. Qin Ke didn't dare expect luxury—this wasn't the modern world of abundance.
"Go ahead, eat. Don't worry, no one out there can see you from here."
He handed her the chopsticks with a small smile.
Lu Youqing glanced around. Seeing no one paying attention to this corner, she loosened the cloth covering her face.
Qin Ke tasted a spoonful. It lacked seasoning, but after eating nothing but a few sweet potatoes since yesterday, anything tasted heavenly.
By the time he finished his bowl, Lu Youqing had only eaten two wontons. With nothing else to do, Qin Ke watched the bustling street—the people were mostly villagers like themselves, in coarse linen clothes, carrying baskets or bundles, moving with urgent purpose.
Finally bored, he turned back toward her.
She sat straight-backed, slender hands lifting her chopsticks with refined grace—every movement elegant, poised.
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Advance chapters at Ko-Fi (Currently at Chapter 48)
https:// ko-fi.com/rabi08