In a Famine Year, There’s a Special Shop: The “Wicked” Mother-in-Law Leads the Whole Village to Prosperity

Yue Jiuyue, a modern woman, finds herself reborn into the body of a wicked grandmother named Yue Jiuyue during a severe three-year famine. The original owner was known as the most cruel mother-in-law in the region, having cast out her widowed daughter-in-law, Liu, and mistreated her three sons after her husband's death. Now trapped in this malnourished, dark-skinned body, Yue Jiuyue faces immediate hostility from her family. Her eldest daughter-in-law, Liu, begs desperately not to sell their two-year-old granddaughter, Xiao Man, while the three sons—Lin Chaodong, Lin Chaonan, and Lin Chaobei—appear filial but are terrified of their mother's volatile temper. The family is on the brink of starvation, surviving only on thin wild vegetable broth and water carried from distant mountains.

Initially, Yue Jiuyue struggles to adapt to her new reality, haunted by the memory of dying from an arrow wound in her previous life. She discovers she has a "System 2023" that is slowly booting up, offering a potential escape from her dire circumstances. Realizing she cannot survive by waiting, she ventures into the mountains behind her home and accidentally activates the system. It identifies common weeds as valuable medicinal herbs, providing her with real-time market prices. Overjoyed by the prospect of earning money, she begins digging up Polygala, Pinellia, and other herbs, quickly accumulating wealth through the system's marketplace. Her actions draw the attention of the village, with rumors spreading that she has gone mad with hunger.

As Yue Jiuyue continues to harvest herbs, she encounters various challenges, including Liu's constant weeping and the gossip of villagers who view her as a disgrace. Despite these obstacles, she remains focused on her goal: accumulating enough resources to survive the famine and eventually flee to the capital. She discovers that the local medical clinic in Huandong Town is willing to buy certain herbs, providing a legitimate source of income. With the help of her third son, Lin Chaonan, she establishes a connection with Doctor Li, who agrees to purchase their herbs and even offers to teach Lin Chaonan how to process them properly.

The family's fortunes begin to change as they start earning significant income from selling medicinal herbs. Yue Jiuyue uses the system to improve her living conditions, purchasing a bathtub, clean water, and better bedding. She also acquires two baby rabbits, planning to breed them for a steady supply of meat. Her relationship with her family improves slightly, though she maintains a strict and authoritative demeanor to preserve her reputation. The clan leader and his wife, Wang, become allies, helping to organize the village's herb-digging efforts and ensuring that the profits are distributed fairly among the households.

As the story progresses, Yue Jiuyue faces new challenges, including the need to manage the village's herb resources and prevent conflicts over pricing and distribution. She works closely with the clan leader to establish rules for selling herbs to the clinic, ensuring that the entire village benefits from her discovery. Meanwhile, she continues to explore the possibilities offered by the System 2023, looking for ways to further improve her family's situation and prepare for the eventual famine escape. The narrative highlights her determination to survive and thrive in a harsh environment, using her modern knowledge and the system's advantages to turn her family's fortunes around.

Yue Jiuyue's journey is marked by her struggle to balance her modern sensibilities with the expectations of her ancient role. She must navigate complex family dynamics, village politics, and the constant threat of starvation. Despite the hardships, she remains resilient and resourceful, using her wits and the system's help to secure a better future for herself and her family. The story sets the stage for further adventures as she continues to build her wealth and influence, ultimately aiming to lead her family to safety in the capital.