It took Lin Xiaohe several days of transit through the Zelani Star before she finally arrived at the number 7 Wasteland Star.
She hadn’t told anyone about her trip. Pulling her suitcase, she boarded the familiar public hover-bus and returned to Hengshan Village.
All the Stardust Wheat in the fields had been harvested, and the soil was turned into neat ridges, ready for the next planting season.
Trucks emblazoned with the [Starlight Life] logo were lined up in the village square.
Ge Cheng, holding a megaphone, shouted impatiently, “Uniform purchase price: 4 star coins per jin for F-grade Stardust Wheat, 6 star coins per jin for E-grade. Line up, no pushing.”
The village chief, his face etched with worry, offered Ge Cheng an e-cigarette. “Brother Cheng, shouldn’t the purchase price for F-grade wheat be 5 star coins?”
The villagers relied on the meager income from this wheat to live. Reducing the price by one star coin per jin would have a huge impact.
Ge Cheng took a deep drag of the e-cigarette; it was strawberry-flavored.
Because the Insect God was hugely popular in the Sixth Star Ring, pink had become the trendiest color this year. Even e-cigarettes in pink, strawberry flavor sold better.
“This price is set by the company. Complaining to me won’t help.”
The villagers looked distressed. Someone with sharp eyes spotted Lin Xiaohe and, as if seeing a savior, waved to her. “Xiaohe, you’re back!”
Lin Xiaohe strolled over slowly and fixed her gaze on Ge Cheng.
She’d almost forgotten – he was the one who had abducted her second sister and sold her to the Grand Theater.
The moment Ge Cheng saw Lin Xiaohe, he instantly became nervous.
He took the e-cigarette from his mouth, his eyes filled with apprehension, unease, nervousness, and a hint of shyness as he looked at Xiaohe.
Shyness?!
Fidgeting, he said, “Xiaohe, let bygones be bygones. But if you really can’t let it go, then…”
He whipped off his shirt, revealing eight pack abdominal muscles, closed his eyes, and with cheeks flushed red, declared, “Then just come at me. I won’t resist.”
“Whoa.” The underlings exchanged glances, inexplicably feeling a certain… titillating excitement.
Lin Xiaohe’s face cycled through shades of shock and anger. Ge Cheng was definitely provoking her!
In that case, she wouldn’t hold back.
All scores, old and new, would be settled today.
She set down her mecha case, placed her hands on the platform, and with a light push, leaped onto it, her movements as agile as a cat.
She did a few warm-up exercises, then suddenly lifted her leg, delivering a sideways kick straight to Ge Cheng’s chest.
In an instant, Ge Cheng was sent flying dozens of meters away. He landed heavily on the ground, face down, and vomited a large mouthful of blood before completely passing out.
The underlings rushed over to check on him. “Ge Cheng has six broken ribs!”
Hiss!
Ge Cheng’s ribs were modified, made from the same alloy as the hover-cars.
Lin Xiaohe broke all his ribs with just one light kick?!
Wasn’t there an online rumor that Lin Xiaohe’s physique was extremely garbage?!
Based on that kick alone, one could judge Lin Xiaohe’s physique – at the very least, it was S-rank.
The crowd looked at Lin Xiaohe with astonishment and fear. The villagers all took a step back, afraid to stand near her.
To be honest, even Lin Xiaohe herself hadn’t expected that kick to have such a powerful effect.
After several days of “exploiting” the alien plant zone, her mental strength had reached 80 points, and her physique 58 points.
So this is what a physique of 58 points felt like – this powerful!
Lin Xiaohe was internally jumping for joy, but outwardly she remained perfectly calm and composed.
Hands in her pockets, she looked down at everyone with a haughty expression. “Tell Ge Cheng this isn’t over. And tell the Grand Theater, if they know what’s good for them, they’ll come and apologize properly.”
The underlings stole a glance at the white mecha case on the ground. Not daring to utter a single word, they picked up Ge Cheng and fled as fast as their legs could carry them.
The village chief walked over and sighed. “Xiaohe, that was too impulsive. Your family still has to live here. You’ve made enemies of Ge Cheng and the Grand Theater so thoroughly. Once you leave for school, what will your family do?”
Because of Lin Xiaohe’s status as a Central Military Academy student, they wouldn’t kill the Lin family. But they could cause trouble in daily life, create small obstacles, making life miserable and hard to complain about.
Lin Xiaohe waved her hand. “Mm, I know what I’m doing. Thanks, Chief. I’m going home now.”
The closer she got to home, the faster Lin Xiaohe’s steps became.
When she saw the familiar house, Lin Xiaohe broke into a run. “Dad, Mom, Grandpa, Grandma, Big Brother, Second Sister! I’m home!”
The door burst open with a bang, and Lin Chiyang rushed out like a whirlwind, scooping Lin Xiaohe up and spinning her around. “Little Sis, you’re finally back!”
Lin Jingqiu leaned against the doorway, her eyes curved into a smile.
Clattering sounds came from inside the house as the Lin family busied themselves welcoming Lin Xiaohe.
“Xiaohe, sit down and rest. Are you hungry?”
“My poor little darling, you must have been exhausted these days. Look at these two little leaves, they haven’t grown much at all.” Grandma Lin took Xiaohe’s satchel, carefully brought out Xinbao and the others, and placed them on the dining table.
Lin Chiyang set Lin Xiaohe down and praised Doudou enthusiastically. “Doudou, we all saw your fighting videos. You’re the best fighter among all the plants! Without you, what would Xiaohe do, huh?”
Doudou chuckled to himself. He loved Big Brother’s way with words – his praise was so satisfying.
Xinbao’s little leaves lay limply on Grandma Lin’s palm, causing her heart to ache terribly. She quickly went to the kitchen to get some purified water for it.
Lin Jingqiu gently touched the well-behaved Tiantian and gave it a thumbs up.
Tiantian felt shy from the touch, its corn kernels gradually turning red. Then, with a pop, it burst into a table full of caramel popcorn, drawing exclamations of surprise from the Lin family.
Father Lin’s sharp eyes noticed a new family member.
He pointed at the mutated tomato and asked, “Xiaohe, is this your new partner? What’s its name?”
Lin Xiaohe was enjoying Grandpa Lin’s attentive care. Hearing the question, she glanced up at the out-of-place mutated tomato and said without thinking, “Ignore it. It’s called Fanfan. Annoying Fan.”
[Affection with Mutated Tomato -5. Host, please note. Affection with Mutated Tomato is -40, approaching the critical point.]
Lin Xiaohe snorted and ignored Fanfan.
What to do when a kid is picky? Just let them go hungry for a few meals.
Although Father Lin didn’t quite agree with Lin Xiaohe’s educational method, he still respected her choice.
The family sat around the dining table, turned on the TV, and drank their nutrient solutions together.
Everyone focused intently as Lin Xiaohe spun her tales.
“You guys didn’t see it, those prisoners of war totally admired me. They all wanted to come with me.”
Applause! Scatter flowers!
After finishing her account of the assessment process, Lin Xiaohe took a sip of nutrient solution to moisten her throat. “In one month, I have to go to the Fifth Star Ring for the second assessment. Dad, sell everything we can from the house. We’re all going to the Fifth Star Ring together.”
“What? We’re going too?” The Lin family exchanged glances, stunned.
Lin Xiaohe’s eyes widened, and she questioned them incredulously, “You don’t plan to go with me? Are you really okay with me going that far alone? I’m still just a young girl!”
Father Lin guiltily rubbed his nose. “Xiaohe, isn’t it a bit… much, taking the whole family along for your exam?”
Lin Xiaohe lifted her chin high. “What’s this? Wait until I get into the Central Military Academy, then I’ll take you all to the First Star Ring too!”
Grandma Lin’s eyes welled up with tears. Her beloved little granddaughter was so filial, she even wanted to bring her family along when she went to school.
Lin Chiyang’s heart was stirred with longing, but the travel expenses to the Fifth Star Ring were really, truly expensive.
Lin Xiaohe waved her hand magnanimously. “Don’t you worry about money. I’ve got it covered!”
