Chapter 4

Tang Jin paused for a moment. Seeing no reward from the System, she realized Chu Lingyue truly had no memory of the past—and no sign of it returning anytime soon.

She couldn’t help but furrow her brow in worry.

That meant until Chu Lingyue recovered her memories, she’d have to carry this penniless woman along, relying on the System for their food and shelter.

It wasn’t that she minded sharing—it just felt insecure.

Sure, the System could fill their bellies if they ate enough, but to live well, they couldn’t be without money!

Making money from money required seed capital first, and right now, she didn’t have a single coin to her name.

By the time Chu Lingyue finished washing the dishes and returned, Tang Jin asked, “Wife, do you really have no spare money left? If you trust me, lend me some for now. I promise I’ll pay you back.”

Under Tang Jin’s expectant gaze, Chu Lingyue clenched her fingertips. “There’s truly no spare money at home.”

【Ding! Reward: One bowl of Fried Sauce Noodles】

Tang Jin rolled her eyes inwardly. Fine, whatever.

She had no right to blame her, anyway. The original host had been such a disaster—who would trust her easily?

This path was a dead end.

Tang Jin glanced at the freshly rewarded bowl of Fried Sauce Noodles, her mind stirring. “Wife, what are the odds if I borrow some silver from Grandmother?”

She didn’t want to chat much with Chu Lingyue, but in this home of just the two of them, who else could she talk to?

They had to discuss it together. She couldn’t very well play the mute.

After all, they were legally married wives on paper. Until they separated, one prospered and both thrived; one starved and both went hungry.

Chu Lingyue lowered her eyes slightly. “Grandmother has always treated you with her whole heart, holding nothing back. You should have about a fifty percent chance.”

That was true enough. Old Madam Tang truly cared for her granddaughter, the original host.

As for why that unwavering care only translated to fifty percent odds, Tang Jin knew without Chu Lingyue needing to explain.

The original host had been a hopeless spendthrift—a lazy layabout who never lifted a finger.

Even her Scholar title had come only under Old Madam Tang’s strict rod of discipline.

The original host despised farmwork, fancied herself above it all yet never put in the effort. Old Madam Tang had worn herself out worrying, doling out beatings after beatings, each one making the girl buckle down for a few days.

Once the original host passed the Scholar exam, married, and split off from the family, those rods lost their power.

Grandmother and granddaughter—one exhausted in body and soul, yearning for the girl to amount to something.

The other convinced she was tormented, preferring death to further study.

For a moment, Tang Jin didn’t know whom to pity first.

“Then I’ll go ask Grandmother.” The original host feared Old Madam Tang, but Tang Jin did not. She understood the old woman’s good intentions and respected her character.

No harm in trying, right?

Maybe she’d get the startup funds. As for turning it into more money, she already had some ideas brewing.

Hearing this, Chu Lingyue offered thoughtfully, “I’ll come too. I can help plead your case with Grandmother.”

Tang Jin chuckled inwardly. She strongly suspected the woman just wanted to watch the show—or perhaps snag a cut for herself.

After all, Chu Lingyue hadn’t asked what the money was for, nor did she believe Tang Jin would repay it.

She must be bored out of her mind to offer help like that.

Unexpectedly, they hadn’t even reached the front gate when someone blocked their way.

“Tang Jin, we’re like sisters—you have to help me out…”

The newcomer was a girl around twenty. She latched onto Tang Jin’s arm and wailed dryly—crocodile tears, all thunder and no rain, just like Chu Lingyue’s earlier performance.

Tang Jin’s scalp tingled at the sound. She knew this was the original host’s closest friend in the village: Tang Laidi, a Constable at the County Yamen.

She had no choice but to invite her inside first.

“Lai Di, what’s wrong?”

Tang Laidi fumed. “I’m never going back to that house again! I’m homeless now, Tang Jin. You have to help me.”

Tang Jin reflexively asked, “How?”

Tang Laidi looked pitiful. “Can I stay here for a few days? Once I collect my wages from the County Yamen and find a place, I’ll move out.”

She had come to Tang Jin precisely because of their deep friendship.

Truth be told, for all her laziness and flaws, the original host had been good to her friends—especially Tang Laidi. They were as close as blood sisters.

Tang Jin paused, glancing at Chu Lingyue.

By the original host’s nature, she never would have refused a plea from her dear friend.

But this house had only one bedroom. How would three of them manage?

Realizing that, Tang Jin felt even more inclined to take Tang Laidi in. She didn’t want to share a bed alone with Chu Lingyue—not when they barely knew each other. How awkward!

A third person would make it less strained.

Of course, if Chu Lingyue objected, she wouldn’t force it.

Seeing this, Chu Lingyue lowered her gaze. “A-Jin, you decide.”

No reaction from the System meant Chu Lingyue truly didn’t mind sheltering Tang Laidi. Tang Jin breathed a sigh of relief and pressed, “Lai Di, what exactly happened?”

From the original host’s memories, the Tang family had it decent—parents alive, and a younger brother just a year behind her. Their father had been an old Constable at the County Yamen, so the siblings had pulled strings to both become Little Constables there.

What could have left her suddenly homeless?

Tang Laidi’s face fell. “You remember that theft case a while back? We Constables were run ragged, working a full month without cracking it. No decent sleep for days.”

Tang Jin nodded. The original host had gone hungry for so long without hitting up her best friend because this dutiful Constable was always tied up on duty, impossible to track down.

Tang Laidi continued, “Yesterday, I found a major lead. Today, we finally closed the case.”

“And then?”

“Then they fired me from the Yamen.”

Tang Jin blinked in confusion. “Why?”

That didn’t connect at all…

“Because my dear little brother claimed my credit. I wouldn’t stand for it, so I went to the bosses. But my parents backed his lies—said I was jealous and trying to steal his glory. Father even pulled strings to get me dismissed outright.” Here, Tang Laidi slammed the table, seething. “I still wouldn’t take it lying down. I went home and made a scene, so they kicked me out. I never want to go back to that house.”

Tang Jin’s heart soured at the story. Women’s status in this era wasn’t rock bottom, but favoring sons over daughters was far worse than in the modern world.

Take this sister, for example: named Tang Laidi, while her brother was Tang Yaozu. Their names said it all about the family hierarchy.

Before Tang Jin could respond, Tang Laidi pleaded with wide eyes. “Tang Jin, do you have any food at home? Leftover rice is fine.”

After arguing at the Yamen and then at home all day, she hadn’t eaten a bite.

Tang Jin fell silent. Leftovers?

This house didn’t have a single grain of rice—where would leftovers come from?