Xujin had also become engaged; she was a scholar’s daughter, with a refined appearance and gentle demeanor, ready to marry in the coming spring.
With time running out, Lin Ya could only earn more silver, a small portion placed in the system space to guard against returning to ancient times, and a large portion stored in a box for Ren Lin and Ren Zhao.
If Xujin’s father and Zhang passed away one day, having silver in hand would provide them with a sense of security for their futures, whether in marriage or starting a family.
Human hearts are fickle; Xujin currently appeared to be a good uncle, but it was better to be safe than sorry, so Lin Ya could only leave them some money and a few recipes.
Most of the recipes were culinary, along with some minor trinkets and a very precious recipe for making glass in this world. Though holding onto something precious might invite jealousy, it also presented an opportunity.
It all depended on how they would use what he left behind.
Time flew by like a white horse passing a crevice, and soon Xujin was married.
When Lin Ya woke that morning, feeling the familiar heaviness in his chest, he knew the time was near.
He took a breath, dressed in his outer robe, and went through his usual morning routine without any outward sign of distress.
However, during breakfast, he suddenly spat out blood, startling everyone at the table, prompting some to support him while others called for a doctor.
Soon, an elderly doctor, panting heavily and nearly exhausted, was brought over by Xujin. Upon seeing Lin Ya, whose face was as pale as paper and had just coughed up blood, the old doctor’s expression turned grave as he took his pulse. After a long moment, he slowly shook his head at the hopeful eyes around him.
He left behind a final remark: “His illness is beyond cure” and departed without collecting a consultation fee.
Meeting his father’s still gentle gaze, Ren Lin stood frozen in tears, unable to clearly hear what her father was saying through her brother’s gut-wrenching cries that surrounded her.
“…That shop and the soap recipes are left for A Jin… In the future, Lin’er and Zhao’er will need your care.”
Her uncle’s eyes turned red, choking on his words, promising he would look after them well from now on.
Grandfather and grandmother wept, their words incomprehensible…
But father had been fine just yesterday…
It suddenly dawned on her that a few days earlier, her father had given her a locked wooden box, the key hanging from her neck.
He had said: These things are for you and your brother. If one day he is no longer around, these items should not be revealed to anyone, not even to grandfather and grandmother. As for her brother, he would receive them once he married.
He also said: This world is unfair to women, but do not harbor resentment; if you want something, strive for it with all your might…
As the coffin was lowered into the ground, her father’s belongings were gradually collected.
That day, hearing the words of her grandparents, she finally comprehended the truth.
Her father was not her real father.
She took out the key and opened the wooden box, revealing it to be full of silver and handwritten papers. A sudden wave of grief hit her as she realized that the one who had always protected her was no longer there.
Tears streamed down her face, and she sobbed uncontrollably.
She, Ren Lin, would only ever have one father in this life…
He was gone.
No, perhaps he had just returned to the heavens.
Chapter 20: Wasteland of Desolation (Part One)
【Congratulations, Host: Lin Ya has completed the survival task】
【Survival Points +100, Survival Points +1】
The cold mechanical voice repeated twice, bringing Lin Ya gradually back to consciousness. Lying on the bed created by the system space, he opened his eyes and accessed his panel.
Survival System Panel
Host: Lin Ya
Age: 25
Gender: Male
Survival Points: 4
Survival Points: 125
Completed Survival Worlds: Frozen World, Virus Apocalypse, Tornado World, Arid World
【Host has completed the primary level and is about to unlock the advanced survival task. Advanced task rewards will yield random points.】
After resting in the system space for about two days, Lin Ya clicked the button to enter the task world.
An advanced level?
As soon as he entered the task world, Lin Ya had no time to absorb the memories when a cacophony of sounds yelled nearby.
[Damned guy, he actually blocked my signal!] 123 was both wronged and furious; not only was his sound wave blocked, but he also hadn’t secured the right to choose.
[Next world! The next world must be chosen by me!]
“It’s a bit noisy.”
123 quickly knelt and said, [Host! You completed the task in the last world! Check your rewards!]
[Counterattack Host: Lin Ya, successfully completed the counterattack task.]
[Counterattack Points +1000, Points 200, Special reward draw once.]
Host: Lin Ya
Counterattack Points: 1000
Points: 200
Draw: 1 time
Completed Task: “Rebirth Counterattack Path” Supporting Female Character Successfully Counterattacked
“?” Lin Ya was slightly shocked; he couldn’t remember completing any counterattack tasks.
[Hehe, I knew you would be dumbfounded.] 123 took a mosquito’s-eye view of Lin Ya’s shocked face, enjoyed the display of Lin Ya’s awkward expression, then awkwardly hid it in the database.
“What exactly is going on?”
[Do you remember the recipes you left for Ren Lin? Ren Lin used those recipes to enter the palace and became a concubine, then successfully became the Empress Dowager by giving birth to a prince. She reformed many outdated systems, established girls’ schools, and discovered many talents…]
Lin Ya: “……” He felt completely dumbfounded.
“Wait… Was my little butterfly’s fluttering that powerful?”
[Uh… maybe…] 123 paused for a moment, deciding not to tell the host that his adopted daughter thought he was an immortal descending from the heavens and had even erected several temples for him.
123 could only change the subject: [Host, do you want to browse the system mall? You can buy things with your points and draw a lottery once…]
“Give me a moment.” Lin Ya bent down, resting on a mound of earth, closing his eyes. “Let me absorb this body’s memories first.”