Chapter 124: The Department Store
When they arrived at the entrance of the department store, Ning Xiyue started her check-in.
[Ding! Check-in successful. You have received a sanitary pad mega pack — 20 packs each of daytime, nighttime, panty liners, and extra-long 420mm overnight pads.]
Ning Xiyue was stunned by the gift. This was a tailor-made bundle just for her, with every type she could need. And the fully automatic self-cleaning bathroom she’d just checked in earlier would now be extremely useful.
She glanced at the check-in icon and saw there was a 24-hour cooldown period — which meant she could check in again. That made her even happier. She just hoped the reward wouldn’t change next time.
If she could stockpile more of them, she’d never have to use cloth menstrual pads again. Those things leaked easily and stained her pants, and in the winter they were hard to dry, which could lead to bacterial infections — they were just so inconvenient.
Disposable sanitary pads were far more hygienic and hassle-free.
Seeing his sister smiling so happily at the words “Department Store,” Ning Qingzhi’s heart was filled with joy too.
“Sis, come on, let’s buy plenty today. It’s not every day we come here. I’ve brought money and ration coupons for you.”
Then he leaned close to Ji Yanming’s ear and whispered, “Old Ji, if I don’t have enough, lend me a bit later.”
Ji Yanming was more than happy to help, but kept his face calm and nodded lightly. “Sure, don’t worry.”
Ning Xiyue turned her gaze back to her brother and shook her head.
“Brother, no need. I still have plenty of coupons and money you sent me before — I haven’t had a chance to use them. I should spend them before they expire.”
She really did still have a lot of coupons in her pocket, some of which were about to expire, so she had to use them up today.
As for the money her brother had sent, she’d kept it all — saving it for him. She had enough for herself.
Ning Qingzhi nodded. “Then let’s go inside.”
Ji Yanming felt a small pang of disappointment that he couldn’t lend them money, but then he remembered that some of the money and coupons originally sent were partly from what he’d lent to his comrades. That thought cheered him up again — and he reminded himself he needed to save more for his future wife’s dowry.
The department store truly lived up to its reputation as the best place in the county. It was filled with all kinds of goods, far more than anything in Yongchuan Town.
There were quite a few people browsing inside. Some wore work uniforms, while others were fashionable young women with shiny leather shoes and bright Dacron outfits — they looked very stylish.
When Ning Qingzhi saw the little leather shoes on those girls’ feet, then looked down at his sister’s cloth shoes with layered soles, he felt a pang of dissatisfaction. His sister would look even better in leather shoes.
He grabbed Ning Xiyue’s hand and dragged her toward the shoe section. “Sis, over there — they’re selling pretty leather shoes. Let’s get you a pair. You’d look so much prettier than anyone else in them.”
Ning Xiyue shook her head helplessly but followed along obediently. She didn’t really like leather shoes — they weren’t breathable and weren’t as comfortable as cloth shoes. But if it made her brother happy, buying a pair wasn’t a big deal. Money wasn’t the issue.
Ning Qingzhi was brimming with enthusiasm as he helped her pick.
“Sis, look, there are two styles — one with a buckle and one without. Both look great. Which one should you choose? Old Ji, what do you think?”
Ji Yanming examined both styles carefully before offering his opinion.
“Either would look great on her. But for convenience, the buckle style is better — the shoes won’t slip off, and they’re easier to walk in, especially in the countryside.”
Ning Xiyue looked at him with surprise. She hadn’t expected Comrade Ji to be so good with words — he’d complimented her first and then given a thoughtful opinion, not a casual one.
“Old Ji is right. I think so too. Sis, which one do you want?”
“I’ll go with your suggestion — the buckle style. It’s both pretty and practical.” Ning Xiyue smiled and nodded, then turned to the shop assistant, who was munching on sunflower seeds and chatting.
“Comrade, could you get me a pair of these in size 35.5 and wrap them up, please? How much?”
The saleswoman glanced up and down at the three of them, spat out a seed shell, and said lazily,
“That’s the latest model — expensive. Twenty-one yuan and six mao. Pay over there at the cashier, then bring me the receipt and I’ll pack them for you.”
“Alright.”
It was indeed expensive, but the quality was good.
Ning Xiyue reached into her pocket for money.
But Ning Qingzhi, faster than her, grabbed the money Ji Yanming handed over from behind and went to the cashier to pay. “Wrap the shoes up for us.”
The saleswoman glanced at the freshly issued receipt. It was the first time she’d seen someone pay so quickly and easily. She couldn’t help but envy Ning Xiyue for having such a generous brother.
A single pair of shoes was worth nearly two months of her salary. This girl’s brother paid without hesitation — unlike her own brother, who always pestered her for money. The comparison made her furious.
“Here you go.” The saleswoman’s tone softened considerably as she handed over the wrapped shoes.
“Thank you, comrade.” Ning Xiyue beamed, took the shoes, and slipped the money she’d prepared into Ji Yanming’s hand.
Ji Yanming smiled knowingly as he accepted it.
Ning Qingzhi called out quickly, “Sis, what are you doing? I told you I’d buy them!”
Ning Xiyue turned and waved the shoes in her hand with a bright smile.
“Brother, this is your money. You did buy the shoes.”
“You!” Ning Qingzhi shook his head fondly and took the shoes from her hands to carry them himself.
After buying the shoes, the three of them continued shopping.
Ning Xiyue used up her soon-to-expire coupons, buying pastries, a piece of clothing, and a headscarf.
She had a lot of fabric coupons nearing expiration, so when she saw thermal underwear for winter, she bought two sets for herself to rotate between washes. She even secretly bought two sets for her eldest and second brothers — and lent some coupons to Comrade Ji so he could buy two sets for himself.
When Ning Qingzhi found out, his face was full of distress. He grabbed Ning Xiyue’s hand and tried to drag her back to the sales counter.
“Sis, buying them for me is too expensive. Let’s go return them.”
Ning Xiyue handed the thermal underwear to him with a casual look.
“Big brother, go ahead and return them if you want. But I was planning to buy them for second brother anyway. If he finds out he got some and you didn’t, he’ll definitely show off — and you can’t get mad at him. He’d probably jump for joy knowing he has something you don’t.”
Hearing that, Ning Qingzhi’s resistance melted away. As soon as he saw that Ning Xiyue had indeed bought two sets for Ning Qingyuan, he quickly accepted the sets she’d given him too. He didn’t mention returning them again — instead, his face lit up with a huge grin, and he couldn’t stop smiling.
Meanwhile, Ji Yanming was quietly envious. When would he be able to move from borrowing coupons to openly receiving thermal underwear as a gift?
He’d have to work harder!
