Chapter 195: Chapter 195: The Performance of a Certain Quintuple

Translator: 549690339

These blistering days, when it’s too unbearable to withstand the sweltering heat and endure the mosquitoes’ bites, are quite distressing.

The freshly harvested mugwort that has arrived can alleviate the problem somewhat, allowing for a peaceful night’s sleep.

However, though mugwort is effective, its effects are not particularly significant. If a cheap, mosquito repellent herbal pack could be made, that would be perfect.

[If the host needs a mosquito repellent herbal pack, the system could help out.]

[Just by completing a task, you can obtain the secret recipe for a mosquito repellent herbal pack. The unlocked mosquito repellent powder added into it can have an excellent deterrent effect on mosquitoes, surpassing even modern mosquito repellents.]

This sounds appealing, but here comes the crux of the matter, the task must be completed.

So this task…

Will it be hard?

Previously, she stumbled upon different tasks by encountering problems or doing something, and would then receive corresponding recipe rewards. But this time an entity seems to be enticing her with the task reward beforehand.

Zhuang Qingning felt that this task was certainly not simple.

[This task isn’t hard, it’s just helping someone out, hehehe…]

The more you portray it as being simple, the more complicated it becomes.

But if I remember correctly, after you announce the task, the host can choose whether or not to do it, right?

[Correct, host. Your memory serves you well.]

Flattering me now…

Zhuang Qingning increasingly felt this was a highly intricate matter.

Still, complexities aside, if the cost of the task is too high and she deems it not worth exchanging for a mosquito repellent herbal pack recipe, she can very well choose not to do it.

She can always have the final say and won’t lose out.

Therefore, how about considering this when the time comes?

[Alright, we can decide when the time comes. But, this task really isn’t complicated. It’s just helping someone…]

No matter how you embellish the task, I’m an old hunter – I won’t strike without seeing the rabbit. Wait until the task is activated before I’ll decide. And stop chattering in my ear about it.

[Okay…]

The entity quietly retreated.

But moments later, it popped up again.

[Host, it really isn’t a difficult task. If you accept the task now, you can get an extra reward.]

What reward?

[A recipe for corn ribs soup.]

???

I just made this dish tonight, and now you’re giving me the recipe for it?

[So, I saw that the host likes this soup, so I specifically offered it.]

[Moreover, the more recipes the host accumulates, the more advantageous it will be for the host to open a restaurant in the future.]

Zhuang Qingning pondered a moment…

You first tell me about the task.

With this recipe in hand, I could listen.

[The task is…to help someone drive away a ghost…]

Um…

Just the other day, Mrs. Cao was worried that, because she intervened to stop Feng Ershu and Mrs. Bai’s scheme by slaying little ghosts, she might be regarded as a witch doctor by others, with people seeking her out for fortune telling, ghost expulsion and Feng Shui consultation.

Now, before people reach out, this entity has its eyes on her.

Who do I need to help drive away a ghost for, and why?

[I can only see that it’s a task to help someone drive away a ghost. I don’t know anything else.]

[The only certainty is that the tasks assigned by the system: First, do not violate laws or ethics, second, do not do harm to one’s conscience, third, do not help the wicked. The host can rest assured.]

Alright then…

I’ll undertake it!

Zhuang Qingning made this decision on the spot.

Since she would be helping a good person, and it wouldn’t break the law or morality, it’s just a bit of effort and perhaps some embarrassment at most. But she could get two recipes for it, and Zhuang Qingning felt it was worth it.

[Good, host.]

The uncontainable joy in the entity’s voice made Zhuang Qingning involuntarily frown.

She felt a little cheated…

Why are you so insistent on me accepting this task?

[Cough, recently the host has triggered too few tasks, and the performance is not good, so I want the host to accept the task in advance, so it can count towards this time’s task quantity…]

[Well, I’m not so selfish as to only care about my own performance. Host, I took your situation into consideration and even added an extra recipe for you. By any calculation, this deal won’t be a loss for you.]

[Host, it’s time for you to enjoy your dinner, so I won’t bother you anymore, bye-]

Before the words fell, the entity vanished thoroughly.

Wait-

So there’s a performance assessment in the system world as well?

Well, if that’s so, should I take slight advantage of it in the future?

Zhuang Qingning chuckled and momentarily brushed aside her cunning, or rather, astute thought, and then went to have dinner with Zhuang Qingsui.

“The ribs you made are truly delicious, sister. I saw you eating them just now, completely entranced by your own work. It’s the first time I’ve seen someone bewitched by their own skills.” Zhuang Qingsui sipped the ribs soup and chuckled.

Of course, she wasn’t entranced because her culinary skills were too good; she was just arguing with the entity.

It seemed that she had to be more cautious. Communicating freely with the entity in front of Zhuang Qingsui, sooner or later the beans would be spilled. Zhuang Qingning cleared her throat and casually fabricated an excuse: “It’s not really because the ribs are delicious. It’s just that I thought of matters concerning the tofu shop and got distracted.”

“Hmm.” Zhuang Qingsui picked up her chopsticks, offered a sparerib to Zhuang Qingning, her eyes filled with concern.

Her sister bears such a heavy burden that she can’t even enjoy her meals without thinking of ways to make money. Her sister is truly diligent.

Zhuang Qingsui added another piece to Zhuang Qingning’s bowl: “Eat more, sister.”

“Thank you, Qingsui.” Zhuang Qingning gave a grin.

Zhuang Qingsui gave a light smile: “Speaking of which, earlier when I went to aunt’s place, I heard about something.”

“What happened?”

“I heard from aunt that our great-aunt has sought a matchmaker and intends to arrange a marriage for Zhuang Qinghe.”

“Oh?” Zhuang Qingning was astonished. “By rights, it should be done in the order of seniority. Our elder cousin hasn’t even been arranged for marriage, so why is Zhuang Qinghe being arranged first?”

“I found it strange too, so I asked aunt. But aunt said that it’s not certain, there have been times when younger siblings have been arranged for marriage before their older siblings. As long as the wedding ceremonies follow the order of seniority, it’s fine.” Zhuang Qingsui explained.

“I see.” Zhuang Qingning nodded.

Arranging a marriage also takes time, and there are numerous traditions to follow even after the agreement among the families. By adding up all the time, it usually takes about one or two years..