The system forced me to blow up the female lead's fishpond.

Shen Zhizhi's mind raced as she tried to find an excuse to get through the situation, but in her panic, none of them were quite satisfactory.

never mind!

Take a gamble and you might turn a bicycle into a motorcycle; fight your way from the bottom to the top.

She gritted her teeth and forced herself to explain, "That day in the Imperial Garden wasn't my first encounter with him. When the results of the imperial examinations were announced, Lord Zhang's name was on the list, and he was paraded through the streets to celebrate. I remembered Lord Zhang from that day on."

Zhang Jiali's gaze sharpened as he met her eyes.

Shen Zhizhi clenched her fists tightly under her sleeves. Surely, in this book, the top scholar wouldn't be paraded through the streets to celebrate his achievement?

After a long silence, he chuckled softly, his voice gentle.

"Thank you for remembering it so well, Miss Shen."

Shen Zhizhi sniffed and breathed a sigh of relief.

He looked up at the moonlight, picked up the glass lamp, stood up, and smiled warmly as he looked down. "Miss Shen, it's late, so please rest early. I'll accept this glass lamp."

"Okay, goodnight," Shen Zhizhi replied subconsciously.

"?"

Only when he looked puzzled did she quickly explain, "It means wishing you a good night's sleep."

Zhang Jiali narrowed his eyes, a smile suddenly spreading across them. "Yes, Miss Shen, goodnight."

He turned around with a flick of his sleeve, his voice as melodious and pleasant as a stream flowing through a valley.

Shen Zhizhi stared at his tall, straight back, her cheeks burning hot.

Damn it! How can there be such a seductive man?!

[Host, stop being so lustful, go to sleep. He's a man you can't have.]

Shut up, you damn system! You deserve to be single; I curse you to never have a girlfriend.

[Host, please refrain from launching a body-binding attack.]

……

"She got away! You bitch!"

Frustrated by her failed attempt, Shen Qinshou sat in the carriage, gritting her teeth in anger.

Thinking about how her abdomen was still aching from the kick she had received earlier, she felt an urge to find Shen Zhizhi and tear her to pieces.

"Miss, we've arrived," the coachman called out.

Interrupted from her thoughts, Shen Qinshou frowned and lifted the curtain.

The coachman knelt on the ground, his forehead almost touching the ground, and Shen Qinshou stepped on the coachman's back and slowly got off the carriage.

As she looked up, the two people standing outside the mansion immediately caught her eye.

Shen Chao had noticed the carriage earlier and naturally saw Shen Qinshou stepping off the coachman's back.

Having been away on campaign for a long time in harsh conditions, even though he was a general, he slept on the ground with his soldiers for several years, eating wild vegetables that were hard to swallow.

Over time, for him, there was no longer any distinction between superiors and subordinates, whether they were soldiers or military cooks.

Seeing how the sons of prominent families in the capital treat their servants, I can't help but feel disgusted.

"Big brother!"

Shen Qinshou's eyes curved into a smile after recognizing the person, and her soft, sweet voice stirred the heart.

"Brother, you're back from the frontier? That's wonderful!"

Shen Chao glanced at Shen Qinshou, nodded indifferently, and said, "Yes, you're back."

Being treated with such cold words, Shen Qinshou felt embarrassed and ashamed.

Her older brother has always been reserved and aloof. She has tried to get close to him countless times since she was a child, but he has always ignored her.

Suppressing her resentment, Shen Qinshou put on a smiling face and asked with concern, "Has eldest brother seen father? Father will be happy to know that eldest brother has returned."

"It's getting late today, let's talk about it tomorrow."

Shen Chao glanced at her and saw that she was pressing her stomach. Out of brotherly affection, he asked, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"Ah, it's nothing, I just ate too much." Shen Qinshou smiled faintly, her eyes lowering subtly, a ruthless glint flashing in them.

That bitch Shen Zhizhi, she definitely won't let this kick her away today.

"Where is Third Sister? Didn't she come back with you?" Shen Chao nodded, his gaze falling on the carriage that hadn't moved for a while, and couldn't help but ask.

"what?"

This unexpected greeting startled Shen Qinshou slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

Why would my elder brother, who is usually oblivious to everything else, ask about that bitch Shen Zhizhi?

“She didn’t go out with me.” Shen Qinshou tried hard to maintain a smile, but it looked somewhat stiff. “Why did you suddenly ask about her, brother?”

"It was just a casual question," Shen Chao said, withdrawing his gaze.

Shen Qinshou twitched the corners of her mouth and said with feigned ease, "Third Sister always leaves early and returns late. Sometimes we can't find her even in the middle of the night. Father often gets angry about this."

Upon hearing this, Shen Chao frowned slightly, a nameless worry rising in his heart.

Although he had little contact with his third sister, she had been timid since childhood, so why would she stay out all night? Her frequent outings must mean she had something difficult to tell him.

Shen Chao didn't ask any further questions, but simply nodded slightly and instructed Shi Ling beside him, "Go out and look for the Third Miss. It's late at night, so we hope nothing bad happens."

"Yes," Shi Ling replied.

A look of surprise flashed across Shen Qinshou's eyes. She bit her lip, as if she wanted to say something, "Brother, there's no need to worry, she—"

Before Shen Qinshou could finish speaking, Shen Chao interrupted her.

"Okay, you should get some rest too."

Shen Chao left after uttering those words.

Watching his departing figure, Shen Qinshou could no longer maintain her smile, which was replaced by jealousy and resentment.

Why is my elder brother so concerned about Shen Zhizhi's affairs when he has only recently returned to the city?

Seeing that everything was about to spiral out of control, Shen Qinshou's eyes were filled with malice, and her desire to get rid of Shen Zhizhi reached its peak.

Shen Zhizhi, who was once again harboring resentment, slept with him for a night, and it was incredibly comfortable.

As soon as it was light, I heard noises coming from inside the yard after I had just finished washing up.

Curious, she pushed open the wooden door and saw Zhang Jiali walking out of the kitchen, carrying two bowls of porridge, with several dishes on the stone table.

The aroma was irresistible, making her mouth water.

Hearing the noise, Zhang Jiali turned around, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Miss Shen is awake? Did you sleep well last night?"

Shen Zhizhi smiled and walked over. "Hmm, Lord Zhang's place is so quiet and peaceful. I haven't had such a good night's sleep in a long time."

Zhang Jiali placed the porridge on the table, bowed his head and smiled slightly, "Miss Shen is too kind. The warm bedding and fanned pillows in the Prime Minister's residence cannot compare to my humble abode."

Shen Zhizhi's lips twitched violently as she thought of the dilapidated bed in her room, which was so worn out it was about to collapse, and she let out a long sigh.

Forget about warm quilts and fanning pillows; back at the Prime Minister's residence, she didn't even have a place to sleep.

As if sensing something, Zhang Jiali pursed his lips and stopped asking questions. He simply moved the porridge in front of her and said, "Miss Shen, eat it while it's hot."

"Thank you."

[Host, please complete the mission—accompany Zhang Jiali to provide disaster relief and distribute porridge.]

Shen Zhizhi's hand trembled, and she almost spat out the porridge she was holding in her mouth.

What does this porridge distribution have to do with me?

[Chu Chouchi will also be visiting the soup kitchen today. Don't forget your mission to save the villains, host!]

Ya Dan's flirtatious reply gave Shen Zhizhi goosebumps.

However, it's worth noting that the two people originally distributing porridge in the story were Shen Qinshou and Zhang Jiali. It's unclear whether the plot will change if Chu Chouchi is replaced.

For safety's sake, she should go with her to avoid any arguments between them.