The Host is Clearly A Scumbag (Quick Travel)

After reviewing the entire story, Mingting felt a pang of sympathy for this beautiful, powerful, yet tragic villain.

Song Mingting was originally destined to be a marquis and a prime minister, but he happened to meet the Female Lead.

The Female Lead of this small world, Jiang Meimei, is a 'lucky koi'. She is someone who stumbled upon ginseng in the mountains, caught giant fish in the river, rescued nobles on the road, and dug up gold at home.

But her luck was unnatural, as she gained by draining the fortune of others.

Before the age of three, Jiang Meimei had been the epitome of misfortune. She would trip while walking, choke on water, encounter snakes while gathering firewood, even getting hit by bird droppings.

But after turning three, it was as if the heavens had blessed her, and she became incredibly lucky.

On the contrary, Jiang Xiao'e's family, who had once lived well in the village, was struck by relentless misfortune.

First, Jiang Xiao'e's younger brother drowned. Then, her father, Jiang Xiucai, was so grief-stricken he fell ill, his minor cold worsening until he died.

Then, after Jiang Xiao'e saved the villain, she was swept away by the waterfall and was found dead on a riverbank miles away.

After that, Jiang Xiao'e's husband was mauled to death by wolves while traveling at night and her eldest daughter was sold to a brothel by traffickers. Her mother, overwhelmed by tragedy, lost her mind. Her only surviving son became a eunuch, who offended Song Mingting and died without a whole corpse.

Compared to Jiang Meimei's rising fortunes, Jiang Xiao'e's family became the unlucky counterparts, with their lives spiraling downward.

They were caught by the Female Lead who sucked up their good luck, and used their flesh and blood to achieve her so-called 'good fortune'.

[Boss, my fists are clenched in rage!]

The System was so angry that it gritted its teeth.

'How could someone be so shameless, stealing others' luck like this?'

"Don't rush. First, we need to figure out why she became so unnatural." Mingting smirked, "When it comes to fortune, no one in the three thousand worlds can surpass me!"

While Mingting was taking a bath, Jiang Xiao'e told his tragic past to her mother, He Gu, and the more He Gu listened, the more excited she became.

"Amitabha! Xiao'e, this is the heavens sending you a little brother!"

He Gu was nearly breathless with excitement.

"These days, I've been dreaming of your father. Your father said he was destined to have a son who would become an official, and he asked me to adopt him as his son."

"But I've looked at all the boys in the village, and none of them matched his description."

"This child you brought back today is perfect. He has no parents, no one to rely on, and he is smart. You rescued him, and it is obvious that he has a connection with our family."

"From what you've said, he's also deeply grateful. Such a good boy… this must be the heavens answering our prayers!"

The more He Gu spoke, the more convinced she became.

'Adopting from another family meant the child's birth parents would still be around. And if he ever achieved greatness, he might prioritize them over us instead.'

'But this child Mingting is perfect. He no longer has parents, and his relatives heartlessly sold him. He surely has no affection left for his family.'

'If this child could come to our family and be my son, Old Jiang will have someone to carry on his legacy.'

"Mother…"

Seeing how obsessed He Gu had become with the idea of adopting a son, Jiang Xiao'e felt a headache coming on.

"I can't just demand he become part of our family just because I saved him! How is that any different from coercing gratitude?"

"What 'coercing gratitude'? This old woman doesn't understand such fancy words. All I know is that your father wanted a son, someone to carry on the family line."

As she spoke, He Gu's eyes turned red.

"If your younger brother were still here, why would I be so desperate for someone else's child?"

"I just think he's pitiful. Both his parents are dead, and if we don't take him in, what's to become of a child all alone? Besides, if we raise a boy in our home for no reason, what will people say?"

The System relayed Aunt He and Jiang Xiao'e's conversation to Mingting, who thought adoption sounded like an excellent idea.

The wish of the original owner was to repay his benefactor and protect their family. If he could become Jiang Xiao'e's younger brother, he could stay with them openly.

As for his villainous birth father who bullies the poor and loves the rich, abandons his wife and children, and marries the princess, it doesn't matter if he doesn't have him!

Mingting quickly put on his clothes, and didn't even bother to dry his hair, which dripped water down his back, as he hurried to find Jiang Xiao'e.

When he reached the door, He Gu was still trying to persuade her daughter.

"Mother, stop saying anything. It's wrong to force someone to repay a kindness like this."

Jiang Xiao'e looked up and saw Mingting, then waved to him, "Come in."

Mingting walked over, and Jiang Xiao'e took a dry cloth to wipe his hair, "It's cold outside. If you don't dry your hair properly, you'll catch a chill."

"Thank you, Big Sister!" Mingting sat obediently.

He Gu kept staring at Mingting.

Now that he was clean, his little face was fair and delicate, his phoenix eyes bright and lively, looking like an exceptionally handsome and clever-looking boy. Her heart swelled with longing.

In the entire Xiaohe Village, she has never seen such a good-looking and smart boy!

Before He Gu could open her mouth, Mingting spoke first:

"Big Sister, I heard what you and Auntie were saying. I'm willing to become Uncle and Auntie's son. I want to be Big Sister's younger brother."

Mingting's eyes were dark and bright, and his gaze was filled with determination.

"Big Sister gave me a second chance at life. You're my benefactor."

"Right now, I'm still young and can't repay you properly. But if Big Sister doesn't mind, I'll be the most obedient little brother. I'll study hard, pass the exams, become a high-ranking official, bring honor to our family, earn a noble title for Auntie, and make Sister proud!"

"Oh my, just listen to him!"

He Gu was utterly delighted by Mingting's words.

A noble title? That was something only mentioned in operas! He Gu had never dared dream of such a thing.

"I've said it before, this child is fated to be part of our family. He doesn't even know your father was a scholar, yet he talks about studying and becoming a high-ranking official? This is clearly the fate of our family!"

He Gu was so happy that she couldn't stop smiling. She pulled Mingting into conversation, asking about his birthdate and whether he had studied before.

When she learned Mingting was ten years old, born in the Year of the Tiger, and had two years of early education at home, she was even more pleased.

Especially since Mingting spoke clearly and thoughtfully. Despite his young age, he carried himself with a maturity and decisiveness that set him apart from the wild village boys who ran around the mountains and rivers all day. He Gu's heart swelled with joy.

Without waiting for Jiang Xiao'e to object further, He Gu had already made the decision that she would adopt Mingting.

There was just one problem: Adoptions were typically limited to children from the same clan or relatives, so what identity could they give Mingting?

He Gu fretted over this.

However, the issue was resolved when her son-in-law, Wang Zhi, returned home.