Saving System: Calm Down, My Fleeing Host!-Chapter 27: Good Idea

And what’s up with this girl? She didn’t even see me off, not a single word of courtesy, just walked away like that. Isn’t she afraid I’ll empty her house?

Though there’s not much worth eyeing there, is this how you treat a guest?

If Xiaoxiao were here, she’d definitely snap back, "Didn’t you sneak in over the wall? How you came is how you should leave! No need to be seen off."

Frustrated, Han Er leapt over the wall and left swiftly, thinking he’ll never run an errand for Miss Cheng again. As a personal guard, he’s always treated with utmost courtesy wherever he goes, but here at Miss Cheng’s, he’s treated like thin air.

At this moment, Han Er didn’t know that there wouldn’t be a ’next time’, only countless ’next times’...

Meanwhile, Xiaoxiao tested slicing wood and bamboo, and sure enough, it was extraordinary—just a little effort could make a big cut.

In Xiaoxiao’s mind, the system teased: Is that all? The System Mall has much better stuff.

Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but roll her eyes, "Everything’s so expensive in the System Mall. How many tasks do I have to complete before I can buy them? It’s all just nonsense right now."

"Host, keep up with the tasks, and you’ll soon get it."

"Haha! Since when did 77 learn to make empty promises?"

She rarely pays attention to this thing. Her golden finger is a useless one, which tarnishes the reputation of a transmigrator.

Early the next day, Cheng Jia discovered a large box hidden in his room, feeling puzzled. Xiaoxiao came in, right on schedule, and explained the reason, asking Brother Jia to keep it a secret as it would be of great use in a few days.

The box was locked, and Xiaoxiao didn’t open it for Cheng Jia, but she cautiously instructed, "You and I are the only ones who know about this; no one else. Can our Brother Jia keep a secret?"

Cheng Jia patted his small chest, solemnly declaring he’d keep the secret. This was a little secret just between him and his sister, and he would keep it tight-lipped.

Having settled things with her little brother, Xiaoxiao tidied herself up. Today was market day on the 26th, and she planned to stock up on some food and daily necessities. There was a lot to buy, so she needed to stash them in a compressed warehouse. If she went alone, her dad and Erya probably wouldn’t agree.

She decided to find her second brother for help, packed up her things, and secretly glanced at Erya, Dalan, and Xiaolan, who were drying herbs in the backyard. All were working diligently, and no one noticed her, so she seized the opportunity and slipped away...

She found Cheng Hao at her uncle’s house, just about to leave for town to resume his classes at the academy.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Xiaoxiao expressed that she needed to go to town to buy some things for girls. Her uncle didn’t think much of it, just reminded her to be mindful of time and not miss the ox cart.

Xiaoxiao nodded, pulled Cheng Hao along, and upon leaving, told her uncle to inform her dad that she’d return soon. She walked quickly, afraid some unexpected situation might arise.

Behind them, Cheng Qiang shook his head, watching Xiaoxiao handle things smartly and energetically. He thought to himself that she was still a vigorous young girl at heart. She must usually be pretending.

Once she was on the ox cart, Xiaoxiao finally breathed a sigh of relief. It was not easy to step out.

"Aren’t you usually quite eloquent? Who are you afraid will chase you now?" Cheng Hao smirked and teased Xiaoxiao.

Xiaoxiao, feeling a bit awkward, replied, "Second Brother doesn’t know how troublesome Erya can be. Plus, my dad basically doesn’t let me out alone."

"They’re just doing it for your own good." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"I know! That’s why it’s hard to say anything. I’m a grown person; I’m not going to go missing."

"Haven’t you gone missing before?" Cheng Hao couldn’t resist teasing.

Xiaoxiao, speechless, responded, "That was ages ago. Can’t we just move on from it?"

Cheng Hao chuckled, "Alright, alright, if you say move on, we move on. How’s it going with the Three Character Classic and Thousand Character Classic you took earlier? Once I go back to the academy, I can only return home on rest days. Mark the parts you don’t understand, and when I come back, I’ll explain them to you."

"Thank you, Second Brother. I’ve pretty much mastered the Thousand Character Classic. The Three Character Classic still needs some work, but even without you overseeing, I’ll work hard." Thinking about how she’s nearly forty if you count both her lives, learning the Three Character Classic is a bit embarrassing.

"Hmm, Second Brother believes in you." Looking at the bright girl, Cheng Hao felt a bit dazed. The old Daya would never have asked to study or write, nor would she have processed medicinal herbs. Her excuses might fool the family, but he didn’t believe them at all.

Seeing her recent actions, all for the family’s sake, trying to improve their lives and helping everyone in the village earn money, Cheng Hao’s intention to expose her vanished.

He guessed his poor sister might have perished the moment she fell into the water. Could she be a ghost?

His thoughts were many and varied for a moment...

No matter if she’s a demon or a wandering spirit, as long as she doesn’t harm the family and continues playing her role as Cheng Daya, he’s willing to let her off once. The premise is she continues that way.

He really doesn’t want to see his second uncle lose another dear family member after sending off his second aunt and Cheng Yao. So be it! Up until last night, he hadn’t made up his mind yet, but now he felt at ease...

People have their virtues and vices, ghosts have their own paths, gods and Buddhas protect the world, and all things have their own spirit. Perhaps that’s just how it is!

Upon arriving in town, it was still bustling and crowded. Cheng Hao wasn’t worried about Xiaoxiao getting lost, just advised, "Avoid getting into trouble with influential people. The thing girls most fear on their own is encountering some spoiled young master; they’re unreasonable. Once you’ve finished shopping, head back soon. Got it?"

"Okay, okay..." Xiaoxiao nodded vigorously. Since when did Second Brother get so naggy?

Seeing Xiaoxiao’s expression, Cheng Hao knew she wasn’t really listening, her indifference was too obvious. Never mind, he thought. She’s capable enough, she’ll likely be able to extricate herself if anything happens.

Unaware that her cover had slipped, Xiaoxiao only knew her commendable performance had saved her a brush with disaster.

Letting herself go, Xiaoxiao looked at the bustling street, ready to spring into action. She took out her little notebook, densely filled with items she needed to purchase.

First, Xiaoxiao found the donkey and horse market, spent ten coins of silver, and rented a covered donkey cart. Under the system’s guidance, she headed to the grocery section, leading the donkey, which proved tricky.

She hadn’t led one before, "This way, this way... Why isn’t it listening? Where’s it stretching its neck to? Lower it, quick, I’m about to lose the rope... Stop dawdling and hurry up! This is so frustrating."

The system secretly laughed; the host was hilarious...

In order to tame this stubborn donkey, Xiaoxiao broke out a sweat but finally grasped some techniques.

"Oh my! This is too tormenting." Xiaoxiao had no clue why a donkey was giving her such a hard time.

Just as Xiaoxiao exited the chaotic alleyway, she almost ran into someone, but thankfully she dodged swiftly. On the main street, she noticed many riders and pedestrians heading east of town, "77, scan and see what these people are up to? Are they leaving town?"

After scanning, the system indeed found that these people were leaving the town, but not through the gate they entered—instead, through the opposite East Gate, "Host, perhaps you should ask what’s happening today? I see many wealthy people driving carriages toward the East Gate."

Xiaoxiao casually stopped a vendor and learned that there was a temple fair today. Outside the East Gate, on Yanhua Mountain, stands the Anping Temple, which has a thriving incense trade. Today was the tri-monthly prayer fair, where a great master would hold a sermon.