Chapter 57
The Main System was indeed very powerful.
Or rather, the item it possessed was very powerful. But this powerful item also had its limitations. Using all its strength and the help of the item, it could only seal Qiu Chi’s memories for ten years. After ten years, Qiu Chi would regain them.
And even that had nearly caused a backlash.
This left the Main System feeling quite defeated. “Throw her into a period drama world, into a family that has favored sons over daughters since she was little. I refuse to believe we still can’t abuse her!”
【Okay!】
Unfortunately, even as a little girl, even without her memories, and even in a family that favored sons, Qiu Chi could not be abused.
“Erxi, what are you squatting here for? Your little brother is still crying inside. Hurry up and soothe him, or you’ll get a beating when your granny gets back.”
What kind of stupid name was Erxi?! She was not called Erxi!
Although her memories indicated she was Erxi, she was certain she wasn’t.
And that annoyingly loud brat—she was in no mood to comfort him.
As for a beating? She was always the one beating others!
Qiu Chi squatted on the ground, questioning her existence.
Seeing her silence, the person called out a few more times, “Erxi, Erxi? You’re a young girl, there’s nothing wrong with your ears. Why are you pretending to be deaf?”
The person’s loud voice made Qiu Chi’s ears hurt. She looked up and said, “My name isn’t Erxi.”
The speaker was Auntie Wang from next door. Hearing Qiu Chi’s words, she burst out laughing. “You silly girl, if your name isn’t Erxi, what is it? Now get inside and soothe your brother.”
Qiu Chi covered her ears in frustration. “I don’t have a brother.”
“Hey, you little girl…”
Auntie Wang was about to say more when an old woman rushed over, aiming to strike Qiu Chi’s back.
Even though Qiu Chi had been squatting, she managed to quickly jump to a safe distance. She glared at the newcomer, her lips pressed into a tight, displeased line.
The old woman was the “granny” Auntie Wang had mentioned. Seeing Qiu Chi dare to dodge, she immediately grabbed a broom. “You damn girl, you dare to dodge? I’ll beat you to death today!”
Auntie Wang quickly tried to mediate. “Hey, now, your precious darling is still crying! Hurry and get inside to soothe him. Don’t let him cry himself sick.”
Auntie Wang’s words served as a reminder to the old woman. She shot Qiu Chi a vicious glare. “I’ll settle the score with you, you money-losing goods, later.”
With that, she hurried into the house.
Qiu Chi frowned, feeling that everything, everywhere, was a problem.
Auntie Wang said, “What’s gotten into you today, you strange girl? You’ll still get a beating after you soothe your brother. Sigh.”
Qiu Chi’s little face was tense. She said to Auntie Wang, “Thank you.”
Auntie Wang gave Qiu Chi a curious look, then shook her head and went home.
It was the autumn of 1969. Erxi was eight years old, with an older sister and a younger brother.
The Zhou family was relatively small. In an era where having many children was the norm, Old Woman Zhou had only given birth to Father Zhou before her body was damaged and she couldn’t have more.
Father Zhou, listening to his mother, married Mother Zhou, who first had two daughters before finally having a son.
This hard-won grandson was naturally doted on by Old Woman Zhou. He was already three but was as spoiled as could be.
In a time when just getting enough to eat was difficult, San Fu was raised to be plump.
Old Woman Zhou had come back to cook. Erxi could cook, but the old woman treasured her grandson too much and was afraid Erxi would steal food, so she did it herself.
Now that she had soothed her precious grandson, she picked up the broom and went after Qiu Chi.
Qiu Chi simply bolted.
She was afraid that if she fought back against such an old woman, she might accidentally kill her, which wouldn’t be good.
Old Woman Zhou couldn’t just leave her precious grandson alone to chase after someone, so she could only spit in the direction Qiu Chi had run and curse viciously, “You damn girl, you money-losing goods! If you have the guts, don’t come back! Starve to death, you money-losing goods!”
Hearing Old Woman Zhou’s words from afar, Qiu Chi stopped and looked up at the sky.
Thinking about the food in her memories, she felt she wasn’t particularly hungry anyway.
If she really wanted to eat… Qiu Chi’s gaze shifted to the mountains.
But she wasn’t hungry now, so she found a rock by the river and sat down to continue pondering.
Who was she, really? What was her name?
Why was she here? Why did she have amnesia?
Damn it, just let her find out who was behind this. When she did, she’d beat them half to death!
The leisurely Main System sneezed.
The accomplice system negotiated with the Main System: 【C-c-can I, can I apply for a transfer? She’s too scary. She always mutes me and won’t let me talk. I’m afraid one day she’ll drag me out and beat me, boohoohoo…】
【I can’t control her either. She doesn’t listen when I talk. Boohoo, why don’t you handle her personally? You’re not busy anyway.】
The Main System scolded the system, disappointed. “As my capable assistant, how can you be so spineless! You’re a virtual entity right now, how could she possibly catch you? Stop overthinking it. If she doesn’t listen, you still have me, don’t you?”
Although he might not have the ability to make her listen, he had someone backing him up.
If he really got caught, he’d just bring out his backer. He could always escape.
Qiu Chi sat by the small river until the sky was completely dark before preparing to return to the Zhou house.
Although the road back was pitch-black, she could still see clearly, which further convinced her that she was not Erxi.
She also heard some indescribable sounds coming from a nearby haystack, but she ignored the sordid affair and returned with a straight face.
The Zhou family had already finished dinner and was preparing for bed.
After all, it was dark, and they were reluctant to light the kerosene lamp. Plus, they had to work the next day, so they needed a good night’s sleep.
When Qiu Chi pushed the door, she found it had been barred from the inside.
Qiu Chi’s face darkened. She kicked the door, sending the door panel crashing down.
The sound of the falling door panel alerted them. A small light appeared in the pitch-black night.
When Old Woman Zhou saw Qiu Chi and then the fallen door, she flew into a rage, immediately grabbing a broom and charging at Qiu Chi.
Grandfather Zhou and Father Zhou were also furious looking at the door. Mother Zhou and the older sister wanted to intervene, but they were both afraid of Old Woman Zhou and could only shrink their shoulders and remain silent.
Of course, Qiu Chi wasn’t going to just stand there and get hit. But to strike an old woman—she felt it was beneath her, so she could only lead Old Woman Zhou on a chase.
In an instant, the Zhou house descended into chaos. The neighbors who were getting ready for bed all came out to watch the commotion.
Someone complained, “Old Woman Zhou, what are you doing? It’s the middle of the night, are you trying to keep people from sleeping?”
Someone else, speaking from a position of comfort, said, “Erxi, you’re really something else. Just let your granny hit you to let off some steam. Instead, you’re making her chase you all over. So thoughtless.”
The speaker was a girl who looked about seventeen or eighteen. She had disliked the two Zhou girls for a long time.
Qiu Chi didn’t waste words. She ran straight towards the girl and, catching her off guard, used her as a shield, making her take the full force of Old Woman Zhou’s broom.
A shriek instantly echoed through the small village: “Ah—”
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