Chapter 123: She’s Really Grown Up
Ning Xiyue carefully examined the letter of appointment in her hands. It looked a lot like the graduation certificate she had received from university — except this one officially appointed her as a medical consultant for the military district.
With this letter, she could now receive a monthly salary and openly give her parents pocket money — a new way to earn money: get +1.
Closing the appointment letter and holding it firmly, Ning Xiyue looked seriously at the kind, elderly comrade across from her.
“Comrade Chief, let’s talk about the specific details — my responsibilities, the transport and use of medicinal materials, formulas, and finished products, as well as their potential commercialization. We need to discuss everything thoroughly.”
“Of course. Whatever requirements Comrade Ning has, feel free to bring them up. We can work everything out together.”
Commander Sun had come with a mission. Ning Xiyue’s medicines were of great benefit to the nation and the people. If they could be mass-produced, the implications would be enormous — they could even be exported to earn foreign currency and support national development.
As long as her conditions weren’t outrageous, he was ready to agree to them all — the goal was to secure the cooperation of this talented young comrade.
As for Ning Xiyue, her goals were simple: she wanted to make money, ensure her brother had access to good medicine, but not be tied down by any organization or person.
So the core of their conversation revolved around these points.
“Chief, regarding the medicinal formulas, I want to be clear — I must have independent decision-making rights. I will authorize the army to use the formulas I develop, but the authorization will last two years. If you still need them after that, we can renew the contract.”
This was a non-negotiable term for Ning Xiyue — her rights had to be protected. Once the era of reform and opening up arrived and private businesses were allowed, this clause would become extremely advantageous. She had to plan ahead.
“Oh, young comrade, that’s quite a unique idea. Let’s discuss the specifics of how this authorization would work.”
Commander Sun was intrigued and did not reject her request. He listened carefully to what she had to say.
Ning Xiyue first discussed her personal interests, then her responsibilities and rights, and finally matters related to medicinal ingredients.
Both parties spoke sincerely and straightforwardly — no beating around the bush. They laid everything on the table and quickly reached an agreement:
- Authorization: All medicines and corresponding formulas developed by Ning Xiyue would be authorized for military use. Ownership of the formulas remained hers and would not affect either party’s use. The authorization period would be two years, as she had stipulated.
- Compensation: In addition to the previously agreed 30 yuan monthly salary and 100 yuan authorization fee per formula (essentially a patent fee), there would be additional bonuses.
- For example, if “Ning Xiyue Enhanced Golden Wound Medicine” was put into production — since the ingredients were common and could be mass-produced — she would receive another 100 yuan as a production bonus.
- She would receive this 100 yuan bonus for every medicine that was mass-produced.
- Ning Xiyue was quite satisfied with this. In a planned economy, signing profit-sharing or equity contracts was impossible — everything was state-owned. The fact that they weren’t forcibly seizing her work and were even paying bonuses was already more than enough.
- Work Conditions: Ning Xiyue would continue working as a barefoot doctor in the countryside, with no changes to her current status and no extra tasks. A designated comrade would collect the medicines she developed, and she would only need to coordinate with that person.
This arrangement would make it easier for her to conduct research and stay low-profile. Once the medicines were released, there would inevitably be public attention.
Who would ever guess that the person behind them was just a half-trained barefoot doctor living in a rural village? - Medicinal Materials: Any medicinal ingredients Ning Xiyue required could be requested from her assigned contact, who would supply them for her.
This was the condition she was most satisfied with. As an individual, her power was limited. Without access to herbs from different regions across the country, she wouldn’t be able to unlock new totems or obtain the corresponding formulas. Having someone gather the herbs for her would make things much easier.
The main points of the contract were all favorable to Ning Xiyue.
Once everything was settled, they began drafting the contract on the spot. Both sides signed it, and Ning Xiyue provided handwritten formulas for her Enhanced Golden Wound Medicine, anti-inflammatory ointment, detoxification pills, and sedative drug.
All that remained was for Commander Sun to take the contract back, stamp it, and mail it to her, and it would be officially in effect.
It was only then that Ning Xiyue learned that Commander Sun was actually the top commander of Ji Comrade’s unit.
She was overwhelmed — this was the first time in her life she had met such a high-ranking official, discussed serious matters, signed a contract, and even shaken hands with him.
“Mom, your daughter has made you proud today!”
Ning Xiyue was bursting with excitement inside, but kept a calm and composed expression on her face as she said goodbye to the commander:
“Chief, I won’t take up more of your time. This is my first time in the city — I’d like to go for a walk.”
Commander Sun smiled kindly and nodded. “Of course. Go ahead. Once you’re done, come back here to take the car — we’ll arrange transport to take you back to the village.”
“Thank you, Chief. Goodbye!”
Overjoyed, Ning Xiyue left the office and headed outside — she had a sign-in spot to find.
Of course, she wasn’t going alone. Ning Qingzhi and Ji Yanming had just finished their business and were granted permission to accompany her.
This was Ning Qingzhi’s first time shopping with his sister, and he was excited to suggest, “Sister, let’s go to the department store. After that, we can eat at the nearby state-owned restaurant. How about it?”
“Sounds great. I’ll follow your lead, big brother.” Ning Xiyue raised her hand in high spirits. “Let’s go — straight to the department store!”
“Oh, by the way, I don’t know the way. Do you?” she asked, mostly looking at Comrade Ji — he had been here before, so he should know.
“I’ve never been here either,” Ning Qingzhi admitted. “I’ll go ask.”
Ji Yanming chuckled and walked a few steps ahead. “I know. Follow me.”
With someone leading the way, things were much easier and faster. They headed directly toward the department store.
Unsurprisingly, on the way there, Ning Xiyue found a sign-in point. When they passed by a steel factory, the system chimed:
[Ding! Sign-in location detected: Hongxing Steel Factory. Host must pose with a ‘V’ sign at the entrance. Sign in?]
Hearing the small requirement, Ning Xiyue glanced at the two people beside her, then at the factory gate dozens of meters ahead, and calmly prepared.
When they reached the entrance, she looked up curiously at the gate, casually raising her hand — in reality, she was making a peace sign above her head to block the sun — and exclaimed naturally:
“Wow, the Hongxing Steel Factory is so grand — even the gate is huge!”
Inside, she urged the system: Sign in now.
[Ding! Sign-in successful. Reward: Fully Automatic Integrated Bathroom. Note: Capable of self-decomposing waste. Placed in host’s mustard-seed space.]
Wow — this was great! Her space was now fully equipped for eating, drinking, and sanitation. The self-decomposing waste feature alone was fantastic.
Ning Qingzhi and Ji Yanming, drawn by her comment, also looked at the steel factory.
“Right? I think so too,” Ning Qingzhi said. “It’s even bigger than the one in our county.”
Ji Yanming nodded. “Mm, Hongxing Steel Factory is the largest in the surrounding counties.”
No one suspected anything unusual. After signing in, Ning Xiyue casually lowered her hand.
Thank goodness for her acting skills.
There were no notable buildings on the way to the department store after that, so the system stayed quiet.
“We’re here,” Ji Yanming said, pointing ahead. “See that three-story white building? That’s the department store.”
Ning Xiyue and Ning Qingzhi both gazed ahead with matching curious expressions.
[Ding! Sign-in location detected: Da’an County Department Store. Sign in?]
