[ Congratulations, Host. You have successfully awakened:
~ Infinite Space System ~ ]
"The… what now?"
I stared blankly at the glowing screen, my mind refusing to process anything. "What is going on? And who are you supposed to be?"
[ Good day, Host. My name is Kiwi. From this moment onward, I will serve as your system assistant. ]
I opened my mouth to question it further… then slowly closed it again. Somehow, arguing with a floating screen didn't feel like the smartest move.
The voice continued sweetly:
[ You may be confused as to why you have appeared in this world. Unfortunately, Host, death came for you in your previous life. However, the System Overseers took interest in you and granted you another chance to live. ]
"Another chance at life? As Su Long?" I muttered, my brows knitting together. "Why couldn't I reincarnate as the heroine? Why make me the villain?"
[ It seems Host is dissatisfied with your assigned identity. Regrettably, this cannot be changed. However, Host possesses full free will. Your life path depends entirely on your actions. You may remain wicked… or choose to walk a different road. The choice belongs to you. ]
I fell into uneasy silence.
Sure, choosing to be good sounded nice… but reality wasn't that simple. Su Long was already hated by everyone.
Her husband despised her, the stepsons feared her, the in-laws resented her. Redemption… felt nearly impossible.
[ Since Host has absorbed the basic information, Kiwi will now explain the Infinite Space System. ]
The screen shimmered and new lines appeared.
[ The Infinite Space System grants Host access to a personal pocket-realm. Within this space, Host may store items for future use. This ability will be vital for your survival, especially after the Fu Family's exile to the barren frontier. ]
My breath caught.
Exile.
So that part of the script would still happen.
But… at least now I wouldn't starve.
"Not bad," I murmured despite myself.
But the sweet voice continued:
[ However, Host must be aware that the system has limits. To unlock more functions and expand the space, Host must complete missions assigned by the system. Rewards and growth depend on Host's performance. ]
"I see," I nodded slowly. "So… what can I use right now?"
The screen flickered again.
[ At the current level, Host may store up to:
— 100 non-perishable items
— 50 units of perishable food
To increase capacity or unlock new features, Host must complete system missions. ]
I let out a slow breath.
So this was my second life.
A villainess with a space system.
And a future exile waiting ahead.
At least this time…I wasn't entirely helpless.
[ With that, Kiwi wishes Host good fortune. Welcome to your new life. ]
The glowing screen faded away, and the darkness lifted. In the blink of an eye, I was back in the grand hall once more, kneeling on the cold stone floor as if nothing had happened.
My heart tightened.
Right… if I remembered correctly, this was the very scene where the Fu family would be stripped of their titles and exiled to the frontier.
Which meant…
I didn't have much time.
"I need to prepare," I whispered under my breath. "If I want to survive exile… I have to stock up as much as I can."
I slowly pushed myself up from the floor. Since no one had returned yet, I carefully stood and headed toward the exit of the hall. The corridors were quiet, footsteps echoing faintly against the stone.
Not far ahead, a young maid appeared carrying a tray. The moment she saw me, she stiffened like a frightened rabbit, nearly dropping what she held.
"M–Madam…" she bowed quickly, voice trembling. "G–greetings."
…Was I really that scary?
"Relax," I said gently, though my tone still seemed to make her flinch. "Take me to the kitchen."
She blinked, clearly confused, but didn't dare question me. "Y–yes, Madam."
We walked in silence until we reached the back courtyard where the kitchens were located. As soon as we arrived, I waved my hand dismissively.
"You may leave."
She nearly fled, skirts swishing as she hurried off, as if staying near me one more second might cost her life.
I sighed.
So this was the reputation Su Long had built for herself…
Brushing the thought aside, I headed into the storeroom. The air smelled faintly of grain and spices. Large sacks of rice and flour were stacked neatly against the walls. Baskets of onions, dried herbs, spices, jars of oil… even preserved meats hung from wooden beams.
A grin tugged at my lips.
Perfect.
But then I froze.
…How was I supposed to put any of this into the system?
I tried waving my hands.
Nothing.
I tried touching a bag and saying "store."
Still nothing.
After several ridiculous attempts, I sighed in defeat and leaned back against a large sack of rice.
The moment my palm fully rested on it—
Ding!
A translucent blue screen appeared before my eyes.
> [ 100 kg of rice stored.
Perishable storage available: 49/50 ]
My eyes widened. Then slowly, a smile spread across my face.
"So that's how it works."
I placed my hand on another sack.
Ding.
Then another.
And another.
Soon the air was filled with nonstop chimes as I touched everything in sight. Grains, flour, dried beans, salt, spices, preserved foods, gone in an instant, safely stored away.
By the time I finished, the storeroom looked almost empty.
Only four items remained.
I exhaled in satisfaction.
With this much, I could probably survive two years in the barren lands… maybe more.
But I wasn't done yet.
I headed back toward the main residence. The house layout really was identical to the film set, so navigating wasn't hard. And then I remembered..
Fu Sheng had a secret storage room.
In the movie, he kept gold bars hidden there.
My heart sped up.
If the exile played out the same way… that gold would be priceless.
I went straight to his study and began scanning the shelves. In the film, the mechanism had been triggered by a book—
There.
I pulled at it gently.
With a soft click, the shelf shifted aside, revealing a concealed doorway.
I couldn't help but laugh quietly.
So even this was real.
Inside were stacked crates filled with gleaming gold bars. I didn't hesitate. I placed my hand on the first crate.
Ding.
> [ 1 crate of gold bars stored.
Inventory slots remaining: 99 ]
I froze for a moment.
Then burst into a grin.
"It counts crates… not individual bars?"
That meant each crate alone contained at least thirty gold bars… which would be worth a fortune.
Without wasting another second, I started tapping them one by one until thirty crates disappeared into my space.
Only then did I finally step back, heart still racing.
Now… it was time to check the warehouse.