C10 It Was too Embarrassing!

Ann Yan couldn't help feeling a bit downcast. Despite possessing the golden touch of the Dimensional System, it came with numerous restrictions and required leveling up. As a novice, she could only make exchanges once daily, and only after ten such transactions would the system allow her to advance. She was determined not to squander any time or opportunities.

The body's original owner had been skilled in embroidery, a talent Ann Yan felt she had inherited. But without the necessary materials—her room boasted only two needles and some worn cloth strips—she couldn't even stitch a handkerchief to trade with the system.

Entering her room with a burst of enthusiasm, Ann Yan's mood deflated as she opened the door to find two little figures squatting silently by her doorstep, resembling a pair of watchful puppies. The comparison wasn't quite right, but it captured her sentiment perfectly.

The siblings quickly stood up upon seeing her, especially with her less-than-cheerful demeanor. They hung their heads, looking remorseful and forlorn.

"What are you two up to?" Ann Yan asked, setting aside her own disappointment as she approached them with curiosity. The pair stood out from the other children, with their unique, solitary demeanor.

Han Rui remained silent, while Liuya peered up at Ann Yan with a mix of shyness and admiration. After a moment, Han Rui finally pulled out a small cloth bag from his pocket and handed it to Ann Yan before grabbing Liuya's hand and darting away.

Before Ann Yan could call out to the retreating figures, she turned her attention to the faded cloth bag in her hands. Inside were several red wild fruits, resembling plums.

The sight of the shriveled fruits stirred a pang of sadness in her. Considering Han Rui and Liuya's young age and their own evident hunger, these fruits must have been hard-won.

The gesture weighed heavily on her heart. She had expected that befriending the aloof siblings would require effort, but to her surprise, a simple act of sharing food had won their acceptance. It seemed building a connection with them was far easier than she had anticipated.

Ann Yan reflected on her past life and realized that she could relate to the siblings, Han Rui and Liuya. Her own family had struggled financially, and while her situation wasn't as dire as theirs, her parents had been too preoccupied with making ends meet to give her much attention. She had to fend for herself, so she deeply appreciated any kindness shown to her.

Han Rui and Liuya had grown up craving love and care. Raised in a harsh environment, they treasured even the slightest gesture of warmth from others.

Despite her usual penchant for cleanliness, Ann Yan didn't hesitate to eat the wild fruits they offered. She simply wiped them and took a bite, finding them pleasantly tart and sweet.

After giving Ann Yan the fruits, Han Rui and Liuya didn't stray far. They circled around and stealthily watched her from behind. Seeing that she enjoyed their gift, their faces lit up with joy. Han Rui had been concerned that their stepmother might scorn their humble offering, as she had shown disdain for them before. But these fruits, hard-earned as they were, were all he could provide.

"Big brother, mother likes the fruits you picked," Liuya said, her smile radiating genuine happiness. She wasn't unattractive; her thin frame and shyness, often keeping her head down, just made her seem less approachable.

"Little sister, do you think mother seems different?" Han Rui asked, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Ann Yan. He had no one else to confide in but his sister.

Liuya, who was thought to be too young to understand, nodded earnestly. "Mother has changed for the better. She didn't like us before, but now she does. I... I like mother too."

Children shouldn't be underestimated; they are incredibly perceptive and can intuitively sense kindness or malice. Liuya might not grasp the changes in Ann Yan, but she could feel the goodness emanating from her.

"If only mother could always be like this," they wished.

Han Rui, being somewhat older than Liuya, tended to ponder more deeply. He expressed his feelings with a touch of melancholy and hope, leaving unsaid his fondness for this type of mother.

Ann Yan was oblivious to Han Rui's internal struggle, but inspired by the antics of the two youngsters, a spark of inspiration struck her. She might have just stumbled upon a solution to her predicament.

The old adage went, "Live off the land when near the mountains, and off the water when near the sea." In many novels, the farming heroine would effortlessly forage in the mountains and return with a bounty, marking the first step towards wealth. With mountains surrounding their area, perhaps Ann Yan should take a stroll up there herself?

The protagonist in the book also hailed from this village and wasn't well-off. How did she manage to prosper? Ann Yan had read the book so long ago that the details eluded her. Had she known she'd face this situation, she would have paid closer attention and spared herself the current headache.

She vaguely recalled the protagonist finding treasures in the mountains, including a century-old wild ginseng. But the specifics of when and where escaped her. Reluctantly abandoning the idea of a quick fix, Ann Yan grabbed a basket with a heavy heart, informed Old Madam Han she was off to forage for wild greens, and headed up the mountain.

Han Rui and Liuya stayed home but kept a watchful eye on Ann Yan. Seeing her set out, they discreetly trailed behind her.

"Brother, isn't mother supposed to be digging for wild vegetables? Why is she wandering all over? There aren't any wild greens around here," Liuya asked, her face etched with confusion as she observed Ann Yan meandering through the village.

Han Rui, although unsure of Ann Yan's aimless wandering, was a clever boy. After some thought, he ventured a guess, "Mother has never ventured out before; could it be she's lost?"

Indeed, Han Rui had hit the nail on the head. Ann Yan had only walked a short distance before realizing she was unfamiliar with the paths. The original owner had scorned the Han Family and the villagers alike, shunning fieldwork and rarely leaving home except for occasional trips to the city. Consequently, she didn't know her way around.

She intended to ask someone for directions, but as luck would have it, there was no one in sight. It was midday, a time when most retreated home for a meal and a rest before resuming their labor. Only Ann Yan, indulging in her privilege to avoid fieldwork, had ventured out at this hour.

What a miscalculation. Ann Yan couldn't bear the thought of returning to the Han Family to ask for directions, not after coming this far. The very idea was too humiliating; she couldn't swallow her pride like that.