Earlier that morning…
Su Long woke to a clear, unfamiliar chime inside her head.
> Ding!
A translucent screen appeared before her eyes.
> [ System Notification:
Congratulations, Host. You have completed your first mission.
Reward granted: 20 Medical Items added to your space.]
Su Long froze for a second… then slowly sat up.
"Medical items?" she murmured.
Before she could even think further, the screen flashed again.
> [ Ding! New feature unlocked.
Daily Check-In Rewards activated.
Host may check in once per day to receive random survival items. ]
Her eyes brightened.
"…So this thing actually wants me to survive."
She didn't hesitate.
"Daily check-in," she said softly.
The screen shimmered, then new lines appeared.
>[ Check-in successful.
Reward obtained:
– 12 bottles of insect-repellent cream (wards off mosquitoes and crawling pests)
– 1 packet of repellent powder (can be sprinkled around resting areas to keep away snakes and harmful insects)
– 1 compass ]
Su Long stared.
Then she smiled slowly.
"Insect repellent… medical supplies… and a compass."
Perfect.
She closed the system screen and lay back down, calm and satisfied.
So that was why, hours later, while everyone else was being eaten alive by mosquitoes…
Her skin remained untouched.Su Long only smiled when they asked.
"It's something you apply to your skin so mosquitoes won't bite you," she explained simply.
Fu Teng looked confused. "I've never heard of anything like that before."
Fu Tong nodded. "Me neither. Does such a thing really exist?"
I laughed softly. "It's not common here. It's very expensive. My parents always got me the best things."
Behind us, Bai Ming let out a quiet scoff.
"She talks as if she's some royal princess," Bai Ming muttered, unable to hide the jealousy in her voice.
I didn't even turn around. I simply smiled wider.
I reached into my sleeve calmly and brought out a few small containers of the repellent cream.
Without hesitation, I handed them out one by one.
Master Fu received one first.
Madame Fu next.
Then Fu Teng.
Then Fu Tong.
Then Fu Fei.
They all looked surprised but grateful, quickly applying it to their arms and necks.
"Thank you, sister-in-law," Fu Fei said softly, relief clear on her face as the itching eased.
Fu Teng nodded. "This really works."
Fu Tong grinned. "Amazing."
Fu Li, who had been watching closely, immediately stretched out her hand too, palm open, waiting.
I looked at her.
Then I calmly moved on.
I didn't give her anything.
Her hand stayed hanging in the air.
Slowly, she realized.
Her expression stiffened. "Y-you… what about mine?"
I tilted my head slightly, my voice calm.
"You'll manage."
The atmosphere shifted.
Madame Fu glanced between us, surprised. Fu Fei looked uneasy. Fu Teng frowned slightly. Even Fu Sheng's gaze moved toward me but he didn't say anything.
Fu Li's face flushed, part from the bites, part from embarrassment.
"Why?" she asked quietly.
I held her gaze steadily. "Because not everyone deserves the same treatment... Most especially those set of people who don't know how to be respectful."
I said turning around and facing Fu Jin and Fu Jun.. they were both holding the hands of Fu sheng who stared at me quietly, watching my every move slowly.
I crouched in front of the twins with the small bottle of cream in my hand, softening my voice.
"Come here, Jin. Jun. It won't hurt."
Fu Jin held tightly to Fu Sheng's sleeve, his sharp little eyes watching me with caution. Fu Jun, usually louder, hid half behind his brother, shaking his head.
"No…" Fu Jun whispered. "Smells strange."
Fu Jin didn't speak, but he took a small step back too.
For a brief moment, something in my chest tightened.
I straightened slowly, I expected such reach from the two of them. The original Su Long really tortured them, forget physical.. mentality and emotionally.
They just wanted someone who could show them motherly love but after etheur experience with Su Long I'm sure they aren't so hungry for motherly love anymore.
Not far away, a low, unpleasant chuckle drifted over.
Bai Ming's voice carried clearly. "Of course they'd be scared. After all the things she's done… who wouldn't be?"
Fu Jia covered her mouth with mock concern, eyes gleaming. "Maybe they think she'll poison them next."
Grandma Fu added coolly, "If a child fears someone, there's always a reason."
Their words were coated in honey, but every syllable dripped with malice.
I didn't argue with them or try defend myself.
I simply let out a quiet breath, they weren't worth it.
I stood up, walked to Fu Sheng, and placed two unopened bottles into his hand.
"Apply it for them," I said calmly. "And use one for yourself too."
Fu Sheng looked down at the bottles, then back at me. Something unreadable passed through his eyes.
"…Alright," he said at last.
He turned to the boys, voice gentler than before. "It's fine. Father will do it."
Fu Jin hesitated, then nodded slowly.
Fu Jun sniffed once, then gave in as well.
As Fu Sheng began applying the cream to their arms, I stepped back, creating distance.
From behind me, Bai Ming scoffed again, clearly dissatisfied.
But this time, I didn't even spare her a glance.
Let them talk.
The road ahead was long.. everyone will a taste of what I have to offer.
Grandma Fu marched toward me with sharp steps, her face already twisted in displeasure.
"Su Long," she said loudly, drawing everyone's attention. "Where is the repellent for the rest of the family? You can't possibly care only for your own branch and forget your uncle, aunt, and grandparents."
Her voice carried the familiar tone of complaint, heavy with blame.
I didn't even blink.
"I'm out of it," I replied calmly. "I can't help you."
Her eyes widened. "Out of it?" she repeated, as if I had just insulted her. "You selfish girl—"
Grandpa Fu sighed beside her, shaking his head slightly, clearly tired of her endless drama. But I didn't soften.
"You've made it clear many times that I'm not welcome among you," I said coolly. "So don't come to me when you suddenly need something."
That only fueled her anger.
Just then, Aunt Guan An hurried over, dragging Fu Qin and Fu Lin with her. The two kids looked miserable, their small arms covered in bites.
"Look at the children!" Guan An cried. "They're just kids. Surely you won't be so cruel as to let them suffer?"
Grandma Fu immediately turned her fury toward Master Fu and Madame Fu. "And you two!" she snapped. "You just stand there watching while your nephew's children suffer? You can't even ask your daughter-in-law for help?"
Madame Fu looked startled. "Mother, it's not ours to decide—"
Grandma Fu's face darkened. "How dare you talk back to me!"
She raised her hand.
Before it could land, a strong hand caught her wrist mid-air.
Gasps rang out.
Fu Sheng stood there, his grip firm, his expression cold.
He pushed her hand away gently but decisively. Grandma Fu stumbled back a step, nearly losing her balance.
The entire group froze.
Fu Sheng's voice was low, but every word carried weight.
"You have absolutely no right to lay a finger on my mother or anyone in my family whatsoever," he said. "If Su Long doesn't want to hand over 'her' repellent Cream then mo one can force her to."
A heavy silence fell.
He looked at Grandma Fu, then at Uncle Fu and Aunt Fu, his gaze sharp.
"If any of you dare lay a finger on them again," he continued evenly, "I will personally make sure you regret it. Deeply."
A chill ran through the crowd.
Even Guan An went quiet. Fu Tian avoided his gaze. Bai Ming swallowed hard.
At that moment, footsteps approached.
The Head Guard returned with his men, frowning as he took in the tense scene. "What's going on here?"
I stepped forward calmly and held out a small bottle of repellent cream.
"For you," I said simply. "It keeps the mosquitoes away. Your men could use it too."
He looked surprised but accepted it with a nod. "Good."
Pleasing the head guard would benefit me alot... If I can make him side with me and my own family, then the rest of them were cooked.
Before he could say more, Fu Jia suddenly pointed at me, her voice sharp with accusation.
"Head Guard! She's lying! She said she ran out, but she clearly still has more!"
Several eyes turned toward me again.
I met the Head Guard's gaze without fear.
"Yes," I said calmly. "I do have more. But who I choose to give it to is my decision."
The forest fell silent.
The Head Guard slowly turned his sharp gaze toward Fu Jia. His expression darkened.
"Enough," he said coldly.
Fu Jia stiffened.
"This woman is under exile like the rest of you, but she is still a person," the Head Guard continued. "She is not your servant. She is not obligated to share her belongings with anyone."
Fu Jia opened her mouth. "But—"
"But one more word," the Head Guard cut in, voice rising slightly, "and I'll have you gagged for disrupting order."
Her face drained of color instantly. She lowered her head and said nothing more.
A faint ripple of shock passed through the crowd.
I didn't miss the way my in-laws looked at me differently now.
I turned back to the Head Guard, my voice calm but clear.
"Head Guard," I asked, "what is the punishment for someone who tries to strike another person during exile?"
He studied me for a moment, as if weighing something.
"Public punishment," he answered. "Usually ten lashes. If the victim is injured, it becomes twenty. Repeated offenses earn heavier consequences."
A soft, tense hush followed his words.
I nodded slowly, then glanced toward Grandma Fu, who had gone completely stiff.
"Good," I said simply.
The meaning was clear.. I'll make sure to reach every single one of them an harsh lesson.