Chapter 17: The System Has Issued a New Mission Again (Sincerely Inviting Fellow Readers to Create a New World Together)

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Yi Zhongxiang glanced around quietly and said in a low voice, “While no one’s home, mix the supplies into our family’s food.”
Eating them separately would be too conspicuous.
After a brief pause, he added, “Add only a little each time. Don’t let Sister-in-law Mu—the eldest daughter-in-law—notice.”
“Though she seems careless, that woman is actually very sharp.”
“The milk powder and malted milk—you mix them with water for the three children at home, help them nourish their bodies.”
“As for the milk candies, take them out every couple of days to share with the kids—and you eat some too.”
Liu Guoxiang looked at her husband, wanting to say something, but Yi Zhongxiang sternly stopped her: “Don’t worry about the older ones.”
“They’re already getting the rice and flour Sister is bringing home to help build their strength. You can’t afford to get weak; Sister and the twins are still growing...”
Seeing how tense her younger sister was about their mother’s condition these past days, it was clear that in her dreams, nothing good was happening.
“Understood.”
Liu Guoxiang’s eyes reddened slightly. “I meant, you should eat as well.”
“Don’t be fooled by how much flesh you have. I know all you boys gain weight just by drinking water, but you’re actually quite frail.”
“As a man, I just eat a little fine grain with the kids. No need for those precious things.”
Yi Zhongxiang appreciated his wife’s concern deeply, though his words carried the firm tone of a man. “Enough. Here they come.”
“Just do as I said. Don’t get distracted by other thoughts.”
“I know,” Liu Guoxiang replied.
Though scolded by her husband, her heart felt warm.
People like them from the countryside had little education and didn’t know how to show care except in such ways.
She understood completely.
The couple carried the cogongrass leaves home and, passing by the doorstep of her second brother’s second son’s house, they ran into their nephew Yi Rongchang fetching water early in the morning.
Seeing them, Yi Rongchang hurriedly greeted, “Uncle, Auntie, you’re up so early!”
“Yeah. Rongchang, you’re fetching water this early?”
Yi Zhongxiang replied, “It just rained. Be careful not to slip.”
“Don’t worry, nephew!”
They greeted each other briefly, stepping aside and parting ways quickly.
When Yi Zhongxiang and his wife returned, their eldest daughter-in-law was already up preparing breakfast.
“Dad, Mom, you’re out so early?”

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Mu Decai unexpectedly exclaimed, “It’s barely dawn.”
“Yes, we went to gather some cogongrass leaves. Later we’ll boil it for you to take to the fields.”
Liu Guoxiang set down what she was holding into a bucket and scooped some water to wash it.
Yi Zhongxiang said nothing, passing through the kitchen into the main room. Thinking of the things on the bed, he felt uneasy again, went back, and picked up his little daughter.
Returning to the kitchen, he said to his eldest daughter-in-law, “Your little sister is sleeping soundly. Take her to squeeze in with Shichun and the others.”
“Alright.”
Mu Decai readily agreed, lifting her little sister and politely adding, “Dad, don’t be so polite.”
“Three kids sharing one bed is still spacious.”
Taking advantage of the eldest daughter-in-law carrying the little girl inside, Liu Guoxiang glanced at her husband, who nodded slightly, signaling her to proceed with their plan.
So Liu Guoxiang quickly went to the room to mix some refined rice into the morning porridge.
The couple thought this was well concealed, but during breakfast, Mu Decai muttered, startling them:
“Huh, why is the porridge so thick today?”
“I swear we used the same amount of rice as usual.”
Liu Guoxiang quickly responded, “Thicker is better these days, with everyone working hard. Thick porridge keeps hunger at bay.”
Yi Zhongxiang said, “Listen to your mother and eat.”
With that, the old man picked up his bowl and began eating.
Indeed, the porridge with added refined rice smelled far better than usual.
Sure enough, they weren’t forbidden to eat good things—they simply never had the chance before.
The whole family, rarely enjoying such thick porridge, fell silent, focusing on their meal.
[Oh my, today’s food tastes even better for our ancestors.]
[Of course, the ancestors mixed in refined rice gifted by the little ancestor from the system, so naturally it tastes better.]
[Just can’t wait to trade supplies with the little ancestor someday. Really want to eat that!]
[Who doesn’t? Mouth’s watering. (jpg image)]
...
After breakfast, everyone went about their tasks.
Those who needed to go to school did; those who needed to work in the fields did.
The women staying home cared for the children and tidied the house.

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Taking advantage of this, Liu Guoxiang secretly mixed a small portion of the hidden grain into the family’s stock.
To avoid suspicion from the eldest daughter-in-law, she stirred the mixture thoroughly with great care.
Viewers in the live stream were moved, commenting: [The ancestors truly had it tough. Even with good things in the house, they dared not openly eat them.]
[That’s understandable. I checked historical records from this era—supplies were very scarce; food was generally coarse.]
[Exactly. The stuff the little ancestor got from the system is so precious, taking it out openly would bring trouble.]
[The two ancestors are doing the right thing—wealth shouldn’t be flaunted, that’s the lesson here.]
...
After finishing all this, Liu Guoxiang began tidying the house.
She worked quickly to avoid appearing unfinished when her sisters-in-law arrived, preventing them from asking questions.
“Ah, the host little ancestor has received a new task.”
While the mother was busy, Yi Rongkun was about to take pen and notebook to do homework, when suddenly the system’s voice echoed in his mind again.
Yi Rongkun blinked and asked curiously, “Tongtong, what’s a character?”
System: “...The task is for the little ancestor to write characters. You accept and complete this task—that’s your assignment.”
“I’m writing characters right now.”
Yi Rongkun’s big eyes blinked mischievously. “Tongtong, what reward will I get if I complete the character task?”
System: “...What you’re doing now is your teacher’s homework, not a task assigned by this system.”
“Oh? They’re different?”
“Of course.”
The system hurried to explain, “The basic knowledge you learn in the space is your first task from me, and you haven’t completed it yet.”
“Now the system is about to assign you a second task.”
“Please listen carefully, little ancestor.”
“Okay, I’m listening. Tongtong, say something!”
Yi Rongkun felt Tongtong talked more than his mother and couldn’t help but urge, “If you don’t talk, how can I listen?”
System: “...” Forget it, still just a child; no need to argue.
“Ding. Since the basic knowledge learned in the system space cannot be openly applied, the system will now issue a new task.”