"Don't worry, Mom will be fine."
When Xu Xiu saw the two people charging at her with hoes, she swiftly dodged.
Then, raising the rattan whip she had snatched from Old Lady Liu earlier, she lashed it fiercely at the two.
Following up with a spinning kick, she effortlessly knocked both to the ground with her right foot.
"Aiyooooooo..."
As the two were scrambling to get up and resume fighting, the Village Chief, Zhang Wenyuan walked in from outside, followed by Sister-in-Law Fang.
"What are you all doing in broad daylight?" Zhang Wenyuan demanded, surveying the chaotic courtyard.
Seeing the village chief's arrival, Old Lady Liu immediately crawled up and limped over to him:
"Chief, you came just in time. Tell me - since when does any daughter-in-law dare raise hands against her Mom-in-law?"
Zhang Wenyuan was genuinely shocked when he saw the wounds on Old Lady Liu.
All these years, he'd only ever known Old Lady Liu beating Xu Xiu - never heard of Xu Xiu fighting back.
"Grandpa Chief, Granny's lying! She hit Mom first! If Mom hadn't fought back, she'd have been beaten to death!" Before Xu Xiu could speak, LiuTou already spoke up for her.
Xu Xiu thought to herself: That "Mom" of yours had already been beaten to death.
"Old Zhang, I have to say - in the entire Zhang Village, only your household keeps causing trouble. Can't you have one peaceful day?"
"Chief, that's unfair. The Fourth Branch has more mouths to feed but fewer working hands. Look at Zixuan alone - his monthly medicine costs..."
Thud!
Before she could finish, a loud crash came from inside.
"It's Dad! Dad must have fallen off the bed again!" LiuTou cried anxiously, already dashing towards the Fourth Branch's dimly lit room.
Seeing this, Village Chief Zhang Wenyuan naturally followed.
Upon entering the room, Zhang Wenyuan's brows immediately furrowed.
"Old Zhang, didn't the physician say when Zhang Zixuan first fell from the cliff that he shouldn't recuperate in such a damp, dark room? Did you ignore the doctor's words?"
"Chief, how can you say that? Our compound is only this big. If he doesn't stay here, where else? We'd give him better quarters if we had them!"
"You could swap rooms temporarily until he recovers. Look at him - he's skin and bones now!"
Hearing this, Xu Xiu immediately realized this village chief was reasonable.
Knowing future interactions would require his mediation, she stepped forward:
"Uncle Chief, you should know - when Zixuan worked for the security bureau, all his earnings went to the ordinary purse. Our Fourth Branch didn't keep a single coin. But now that he's like this, Dad and Mom completely neglect him. Not just poor lodging and food - they haven't even called a physician for a whole year! Keeping him in this room - isn't this deliberately trying to kill him?"
As she spoke, Xu Xiu began wailing theatrically.
Her pitiful appearance could move anyone to sympathy.
Initially, Xu Xiu was just acting, but somehow her fake tears turned real.
Remembering how well Zhang Zixuan had treated her - though knowing the dangers of security work, he never shrank back, wanting only to provide better for their family.
An honest, simple man who shouldn't suffer like this, yet heaven seemed blind to his plight.
Thankfully, she had transmigrated here, otherwise this misery would have no end.
Xu Xiu understood: the only way to change their family's fate was household division.
Only by separating could they truly escape the Zhang family's control and thrive independently.
In her previous life, she'd had no family or friends - nowhere was home.
Now that she'd transmigrated, adopting the mindset of "since I'm here, I'll settle well", she vowed to build a vibrant life here.
With three such loyal children protecting her, staying here was perfect. Why not?
As these thoughts surfaced, a "ding-dong" sound suddenly echoed in her mind.
"Master, master! I'm Koko! Congratulations on successful system activation!"
"What? What system?" Xu Xiu asked confusedly.
This sudden outburst immediately drew everyone's attention.
Realizing her mistake, Xu Xiu quickly resumed her grieving actions.
"Master, you can communicate with me through consciousness. No need to speak aloud. I'm your system - I can hear your thoughts."
"Consciousness? Like this?"
"Exactly! Just think about what you want to tell me. I can hear it."
"Then tell me - what does this system offer?"
"Essentially, it's a supermarket with everything you need."
Hearing this, Xu Xiu grew excited.
"Really? Do you have medicine to cure Zhang Zixuan?"
"Of course!"
"You do? Then give me the medicine now!"
Knowing medicine existed, Xu Xiu relaxed considerably.
"Can't give it yet," Koko stated bluntly.
"Can't? What do you mean? You can't retrieve it? Explain clearly..."
Xu Xiu mentally bombarded Koko.
"Not that. The system hasn't been upgraded yet. Freshly activated systems need upgrading before becoming useful."
"How to upgrade then?"
"Not entirely sure. But collecting fresh plants and herbs - basically any fresh flora, fauna, or novel items-earns points."
"Can points be exchanged for money to buy supermarket items?"
"Essentially yes. But first, the supermarket needs upgrading. Higher levels unlock more goods."
"How do I know which plants the system needs?"
"Don't worry. If nearby items qualify, I'll remind you to collect them," Koko patiently explained.
Understanding now, Xu Xiu felt heaven hadn't abandoned her - providing this supermarket system.
But the immediate priority remained household division.
With this system and her apocalypse survival experience, she felt confident about leading her family to prosperity.
After all, here she had three fiercely protective children - what better reason to stay?