Chapter 2 - One: The Wilderness Was Easier

Chapter 2: Chapter One: The Wilderness Was Easier

Lin Yue died while arguing with a goat.

To be fair, the goat had started it.

"Give me back my backpack!"

The goat stared at her.

Lin Yue stared at the goat.

Between them hung a torn strap.

The wilderness vlogger’s expensive survival backpack had survived three years of hiking, two tropical storms, one accidental river crossing, and countless nights sleeping beneath trees.

It had not survived one particularly determined mountain goat.

"You’re not even hungry!"

The goat chewed.

Lin Yue narrowed her eyes.

"You’re doing this because you enjoy making me suffer."

The goat chewed again.

"Fine."

She let go.

The goat immediately ran away with the strap.

Lin Yue sighed.

Her viewers would probably love this.

Unfortunately, she would never get the chance to upload the video.

Because the next moment, the mountainside beneath her feet collapsed.

There was a flash of white.

Then darkness.

When Lin Yue opened her eyes again, the first thing she noticed was the ceiling.

It was made of wood.

The second thing she noticed was the smell.

Dust.

Old wood.

Damp fabric.

And something that had died inside the wall several years ago.

She blinked.

Slowly, she sat up.

A young maid was staring at her.

The girl’s face was pale.

"Miss?"

Lin Yue stared back.

"Where am I?"

The maid’s eyes widened.

"Miss... this servant is frightened."

"That makes two of us."

The maid swallowed.

"You are in the Eastern Courtyard."

Lin Yue looked around.

Broken furniture.

A cracked wooden table.

One bed.

One cabinet.

A leaking roof.

A tiny stove.

The window had no proper paper covering.

She looked toward the courtyard.

Weeds had swallowed most of the ground.

Lin Yue was silent for several seconds.

Then she smiled.

The maid looked alarmed.

"Miss?"

Lin Yue got out of bed.

She walked to the window.

Beyond the broken wooden frame was a surprisingly large piece of land.

The courtyard was neglected.

But it wasn’t useless.

There was sunlight.

There was soil.

There was a drainage ditch.

And at the far end...

Water.

A small spring emerged from beneath a stone wall.

Lin Yue’s eyes brightened.

The maid took a cautious step backward.

"Miss?"

Lin Yue turned.

"What is your name?"

"Qiao’er."

"Qiao’er."

"Yes, Miss."

"Do we have food?"

Qiao’er lowered her head.

"No."

"Money?"

"No."

"Clothes?"

The maid hesitated.

"You have the clothes you’re wearing."

Lin Yue looked down.

The ancient dress was thin enough to make her question whether it had been designed to keep anyone warm.

"Tools?"

"Two broken hoes."

Lin Yue nodded.

"Seeds?"

Qiao’er stared at her.

"No."

Lin Yue thought for a moment.

Then she smiled.

"Excellent."

Qiao’er looked horrified.

"Excellent?"

Lin Yue pointed toward the courtyard.

"We have land."

Then she pointed toward the spring.

"We have water."

She raised one finger.

"And we have me."

Qiao’er blinked.

"What does that mean?"

Lin Yue rolled up her sleeves.

"It means we’re farming."

At that moment, something strange happened.

A translucent panel appeared before her eyes.

[Ding!]

[Welcome, Host.]

[Living Space has been activated.]

Lin Yue froze.

A second message appeared.

[Initial area: 10 square meters.]

[Resources: Spring ×1]

[Soil quality: Excellent]

[Special feature: Growth acceleration — locked]

Lin Yue stared.

Then she whispered:

"Golden finger?"

The panel remained silent.

She waited.

Nothing happened.

"Hello?"

Nothing.

"Can I have seeds?"

A tiny object appeared on the floor.

Lin Yue picked it up.

One seed.

She looked at it.

Then at the panel.

Then back at the seed.

"...One?"

Qiao’er watched as her mistress suddenly laughed.

"Miss?"

Lin Yue wiped her eyes.

"Nothing."

She held the tiny seed between her fingers.

"One seed is still one seed."

She looked at the abandoned courtyard.

For the first time since waking in this strange world, she felt strangely calm.

She had survived forests.

She had slept beneath cliffs.

She had crossed rivers.

She had treated injuries with limited supplies.

She had gone three days with almost nothing but water and determination.

A broken courtyard?

A little inconvenient.

A forgotten daughter?

A little annoying.

No food?

Fine.

No money?

She would earn some.

No one wanted her?

Even better.

She had always hated crowded places.

Lin Yue planted the seed.

Then she smiled.

"Let’s see what we can grow."