Chapter 13: The Wishing Tree

Of course, Su Tang had no other intentions—she only wanted to earn money.

The next day, as Su Tang had predicted, the likes of Sichuan pepper and chili were no longer sold out in the market, and her cries rang out with renewed clarity. Along with Li Qing’s robust voice, the only thing wafting through the streets was the lingering aroma of spicy hotpot.

“Last two days of special offers—don’t miss your chance!”

Some neighbors who had seen the village chief talking to the young wife in the courtyard yesterday now discussed among themselves, not knowing exactly what was said, but clearly it had something to do with the stall. The curious asked Su Tang a few questions, but she replied vaguely.

“The village chief is really a good man.”

Without need for further explanation, the neighbors immediately added another twenty copper coins to their usual share, asking for more. Soon, a long line formed in front of the spicy hotpot stall, making it the most bustling day since its opening.

Su Tang was so busy her hands and feet nearly tangled, and as the coins in her pouch began to jingle with abundance, the smile on her lips nearly stretched to her ears.

Just then, a crisp “ding-dong” echoed in her mind.

“One thousand bowls of spicy hotpot completed. Upgrade available.”

*******

It was as though a light veil, or perhaps misty clouds, shrouded her vision. A tree took root, and beneath it the words: “Culinary Skill Tree.”

From the thick roots, five branches stretched upward. Each bore a label: “Skills,” “Cooking,” “Seasoning,” “Innovation,” and “Daily Life.”

From “Skills” extended a twig: “Basic Ingredient Handling.”

From “Seasoning,” another: “Basic Seasoning.”

“Innovation” and “Daily Life” remained empty.

From “Cooking” branched: “Spicy Hotpot Preparation,” which now shimmered with light. Beneath it, three small words appeared: “Upgrade Available.”

…

Using exhaustion as an excuse, Su Tang sat on a stone bench behind the largest phoenix tree in Ping’an Town, eating pastries bought from the market, her mind wholly absorbed by her system’s skill tree.

Eight days ago, upon arriving here, she had opened her eyes to find not only her young husband, but also a system skill tree, with basic skills already unlocked.

She had once been utterly unskilled, unable to distinguish even basic grains, but now, she knew how to clean vegetables and meat, how to cut them, and even how to pickle simple dishes. As for the spicy hotpot recipe, it went without saying. She could never forget the look on Sister Li’s face when she tasted Su Tang’s first homemade hotpot—astonishment, amazement, disbelief.

At first, Su Tang had thought perhaps Sister Li hadn’t eaten anything truly delicious before, but after tasting it herself, she swore it was genuinely good. Especially when she saw the words: “Make one thousand bowls of spicy hotpot to upgrade.” She had been eagerly anticipating this moment.

The reason she so willingly sold the secret recipe was because she was already at “eight hundred and ninety-two bowls.”

Now, at last, she could upgrade!

With the secret recipe sold, she was now anxiously awaiting new recipes and new skills.

…She just didn’t know if there would be thunderclaps or the world bursting into bloom when the system upgraded.

Around her, children laughed and played, and elderly folks basked in the sun on the stone benches. Nearby, a few stalls sold sundries, pastries, and maltose candy.

At this moment, the sky was high and the clouds were wide, the world full of life.

No one paid her any attention.

The blessing of a transmigrator!

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Pray for good fortune!

Su Tang felt as if her mind were a mouse pointer, clicking “confirm” on the words “Upgrade Available.”

As the gleaming branch flickered rapidly, the words slowly changed—“Grant three wishes for those nearest to you. 0/3.”

Hmm~

Huh?

What???

Su Tang sat like a statue.

A gentle breeze lifted the stray hairs at her temples.

Nothing changed around her… No thunderbolts from a clear sky, no universal revival… Nothing at all…

So, what was this? What!?

After tensing up for so long, Su Tang nearly wanted to curse. All this anticipation, and this is what she got? She’d practically rolled up her sleeves for this?

#$@#$@!!

Culinary skill tree? It was more like a wishing tree!

She clenched her molars to keep from swearing aloud.

“Big sister?”

Suddenly, a childish voice piped up.

A little girl of about five or six stood before her, hair tied in two uneven tufts, her face not very clean, clutching a stick of maltose candy and staring at Su Tang as she licked it.

Realizing her own expression might have been fierce a moment ago, Su Tang quickly forced her features into what she hoped was a friendly smile. “Little sister, are you here playing by yourself?”

The little girl shook her head.

“Who are you here with?” Su Tang asked.

The girl glanced toward the street corner, where a man selling bamboo baskets grinned sheepishly at her. Judging by their similar features, they were clearly father and daughter.

Su Tang smiled with relief.

As long as she hadn’t run off alone.

She patted the little girl’s head and was about to leave, when she paused.

The little girl kept watching her as she ate.

Su Tang’s smile grew warmer. “What’s your name?”

“Na-na,” the girl answered.

“Na-na, what do you want most?” Su Tang asked.

Na-na tilted her head, seemingly puzzled.

Su Tang explained, “Big sister was just lost in thought. Thanks to Na-na for waking me up—I want to thank you. Is there anything you want? Maybe big sister can make it happen~”

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Na-na understood. She stopped eating her candy, and with both small arms, gestured a grand size.

A sense of foreboding swept over Su Tang.

Sure enough, the next moment, Na-na declared, “I want a big house.”

What?

Su Tang gently pinched Na-na’s little cheek. “…You’ll have one when you grow up.”

That wish was too big for her to grant.

She bought Na-na another piece of maltose candy and left.

***

“Don’t push, line up.”

“I want one serving, extra meat. Sixty coins.”

…

The crowd pressed forward before the spicy hotpot stall. Despite the cool breeze, sweat beaded on Li Qing’s forehead.

Su Tang hurried to stand by Li Qing, beaming.

“Not just extra meat—add more vegetables too, that’s best.”

…

Almost instantly, Li Qing’s tension eased.

Soon, the rush passed.

While there was a lull, Su Tang asked Li Qing, “Sister Li, do you have any wishes?”

“Wishes?” Li Qing was taken aback, then understood. Her eyes reddened slightly. “That those villains get what they deserve, and that you can return home safe and sound.”

Su Tang struggled to keep her expression in check, forcing a smile. “I meant, any wishes lately?”

“Lately?” Li Qing smiled. “As long as you’re happy, that’s enough.”

Su Tang smiled. “Of course I’m happy.”

As she finished speaking, a crisp “ding-dong” rang in her mind.

“Grant three wishes for those nearest to you. 1/3.”

…

A carrier pigeon flew overhead, the noise from outside the courtyard drifting in, gradually fading with the wind.

Sunlight streamed through the papered window, casting a glow on the young gentleman’s eyelids. His long lashes trembled, eyes lowered, and on the paper in his hand were a few sparse words.

“The Grand Preceptor’s granddaughter, orphaned, her home usurped.”

So, she was Grand Preceptor Su’s granddaughter…

The young gentleman glanced outside. Through the slightly open window, he could see the tightly shut gate. From the other side came lively laughter and shouted greetings.

Grand Preceptor Su, a man of vast learning—arguably the most learned in the entire Great Qian. Yet his granddaughter… seemed most concerned with those two thousand four hundred taels of silver~

Creak.

The courtyard gate opened.