I Want to Be a Salted Fish

"Because in this book, she's a winner in life. Only if you live a better, more successful, and more outstanding life than her, and have a more fulfilling and happy life, can our mission be considered successfully completed," the system said.

Xu Xi frowned. "Why didn't you say so in the first place?"

"Wasn't I a system glitch before? I only found out recently because you earned some points and fixed a little bit of it."

Xu Xi stroked his chin. "The mission was successfully completed. What benefits do I get?"

The system seemed both shocked and dissatisfied. "You've already died in the modern world, and now you've been given a second chance at life. Isn't that enough? What other benefits do you want?"

"It's not like I wanted this; you forced it on me." Xu Xi said quite righteously. "If you hadn't bound me to this place, I might have already been reincarnated. In my past life, I at least helped old ladies cross the street; I'd definitely be reborn into a better family. Even if I were reborn as a country girl in modern times, it would be better than being stuck in this godforsaken ancient world, right? No internet, no air conditioning, not even sugary drinks. I'd be better off being reborn as a country girl in modern times than here."

The system was speechless.

It wanted to tell Xu Xi that it didn't practice feudal superstition and that there was no such thing as reincarnation. But Xu Xi had already transmigrated, it seemed unreasonable to say that she couldn't be reincarnated.

"Therefore, if there's no benefit, I won't compete with Zhao Ruyu. I just want to be a lazy bum." Xu Xi said righteously.

"..." Damn it, what the hell is this "salted fish"?

After a pause, the system said, "But my obstacles have only been partially repaired; they're not completely fixed yet. I don't know what rewards I'll receive after the mission is completed. Keep working hard, and once you have more points and my obstacles are fully repaired, you'll naturally find out."

Xu Xi rolled her eyes. "Who are you kidding? There's no benefit in it anyway, so don't make me do any work."

"..."

Seeing that Xu Xi remained silent for a long time, Qingfeng assumed she was discouraged. After thinking for a moment, he comforted her, "Don't worry too much, Miss. The Old Madam and the First Madam like you very much. Now that you've entered the Women's Academy, you're talented, beautiful, from a good family, and so capable. Your future is sure to be bright."

Xu Xi chuckled and patted Qingfeng's shoulder. "Thank you for comforting me, but I'm not sad. Life is what you make it; only you know if it's hot or cold. What's the point of comparing yourself to others? I was quite happy back in Little Banyan Village."

"That's the right way to think, young lady." Qingfeng smiled, pursing her lips.

As the carriage approached the Marquis's residence, Qingfeng suddenly asked, "What does Miss plan to have for dinner?"

"Huh?" Xu Xi looked at her, puzzled.

"The old lady prefers peace and quiet and always eats alone. The three families eat in their own courtyards. The eldest madam says that relationships are built over time, and family members shouldn't be too distant. If lunchtime is inconvenient, at least dinner should be eaten together. So, apart from the concubines, the young masters and ladies of each family eat with the master and madam."

Qingfeng looked up at Xu Xi: "So logically, Miss should go back to the second house to have dinner with the Second Master and Second Madam."

"I'm not going." Xu Xi refused without even thinking.

She would never stoop to the level of being humiliated by Lady Wei.

Not eating properly can affect your health.

Qingfeng was taken aback by her decisive refusal and was momentarily speechless.

Xu Xi instructed Dianjiang, who had come to fetch her, "When we get back to the manor, go to the kitchen and move my rations to the Tea Tasting Residence. From now on, I'll be eating alone."

"This... isn't that inappropriate?" Before Dianjiang could agree, Qingfeng advised, "Not only will the Second Master and Second Madam not agree, but the Old Madam might also be dissatisfied with what you've done. You're a junior, so you can use this meal to ease the tension with the Second Madam, and yesterday's matter will be over. Anyway, you've moved out, so you only need to visit the Second Madam's house once during the meal. It'll only take half an hour; just bear with it."

Xu Xi waved his hand, leaving no room for argument. "Do as I say."

After a meal, the carriage stopped, and Xu Xi got out. He saw that the Marquis's mansion was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, as if a happy occasion was about to be held.

Xu Xi recalled that neither the Old Madam nor the First Madam seemed to have mentioned any happy event in the manor yesterday, so she asked Qingfeng, "Are these red lanterns for the Sixth Miss?"

Qingfeng carefully observed her expression and replied, "Yes."

Xu Xi nodded without saying a word and walked straight inside.

Reaching the main courtyard gate, she stopped, hesitated for a moment, and went in to pay her respects to the old lady. Unexpectedly, Zhao Ruyu was also present, sitting with the old lady and the first lady, drinking tea and eating snacks. Both the old lady and the first lady were radiant, their faces glowing with joy. Zhao Ruyu was even more so, dressed in a bright red gown, adorned with exquisite jewelry on her head and neck, a stark contrast to her ordinary attire yesterday.

Upon seeing Xu Xi, Zhao Ruyu stood up and called out, "Sister."

"Miss Xi, you're back? Come, sit down and have a cup of tea." The First Madam beckoned to Xu Xi when she saw her.

Xu Xi smiled, walked over and sat down, thanked the Daimao who served the tea, and said to Zhao Ruyu, "I heard about it as soon as I got back. Congratulations."

"It was just luck, and it's all thanks to the old lady and the first lady." Zhao Ruyu smiled, her tone humble, but a hint of smugness couldn't help but flash in her eyes.

"It's because you're capable." The old lady's attitude towards Zhao Ruyu was even warmer than yesterday. "How many noble ladies and daughters of officials are there in the capital? Not to mention ordinary wealthy families. The Capital Women's Academy only admits fifty students each year. Those who can get in are all outstanding individuals. Your success makes your aunt and I proud."

The First Madam remained silent, turning to look at Xu Xi and asking with concern, "How did it go when you went to register at the academy today?"

Xu Xi came to pay her respects, not only out of respect for the matriarch but also to say something, "Madam, Aunt, I've secured a bed at the academy. Sometimes when the weather is bad, or something happens at the academy and I can't come back immediately, I won't be caught off guard. I'll also have a place to rest at noon."

Asking for a bed was no big deal, but the old lady was somewhat displeased with Xu Xi's presumptuous decision. She gave a faint "hmm" and said nothing.

The First Madam quickly smiled and said, "That's only right. After all, it's so far away. If anything happens, we'll have a place to stay. The academy is safer than buying a house outside to rest, and we won't be criticized."

She looked at Zhao Ruyu: "The students at the Capital Academy all live at home, right?"

"Yes," Zhao Ruyu said. "Everyone here is from the capital, and their elders don't feel comfortable letting them stay outside, so almost no one requests to stay at the academy. Except for those students sent from the Women's Academy all over the country."