Chapter 125: Sign, Sign, Sign
After that, while wandering around the department store, Ning Xiyue didn’t go into “buy buy buy” mode anymore — the constant reminders ringing in her ears forced her to enter “sign sign sign” mode instead.
Fortunately, because sign-in opportunities don’t activate until they’re about to expire, she was able to sign in multiple times today.
At the winter clothing counter, the system chimed:
[Ding, sign-in location discovered: Winter Clothing Counter. Would the host like to sign in?]
“Sign in.”
[Sign-in successful. You have received a Winter Survival Gift Pack: two thick cotton-padded coats, two pairs of padded pants, two pairs of cotton gloves, and two pairs of thick cotton boots — capable of resisting cold temperatures as low as -40°C.]
Seeing this gift pack, Ning Xiyue felt secure — she’d already begun stockpiling supplies for winter.
Passing by the grocery section, she signed in again and received a snack gift pack, a mix of past and present: old-time treats like egg cakes and Golden Rooster biscuits alongside modern snacks like chips, spicy strips, braised delicacies, and nuts.
The sight of Little Prince spicy strips instantly triggered her cravings — her mouth began to water. It had been so long since she’d had spicy strips, and they looked incredibly tempting.
Hmm, she made a note — this was a sign-in spot worth revisiting repeatedly.
Later, at the grains and oils counter, she signed in again and got a large barrel of rapeseed oil, peanut oil, and sesame oil.
Then, when she reached the yarn counter, the system rang again:
[Ding, sign-in location discovered: Yarn Sales Counter. Would the host like to sign in?]
“Sign in.”
[Sign-in successful. You have received a Wool Yarn Gift Pack: 5 jin each of blue, military green, black, and gray cashmere yarn, plus a full set of knitting tools.]
What?! Signing in at the cotton yarn counter rewarded her with cashmere yarn. Sure, yarn is yarn — but the difference in quality was huge. Still, she loved it.
Ning Xiyue remembered how, back in university, she had supported herself by knitting custom scarves for classmates who wanted to gift their boyfriends or girlfriends something handmade for winter.
Now, with so much yarn and winter approaching, she had to knit a scarf for each family member.
Happily accepting her sign-in items, she also bought a little cotton yarn before leaving.
Behind her, acting as the porter, Ning Qingzhi checked the time on Ji Yanming’s watch and reminded her, “Sis, it’s getting late — let’s go eat at the state-run restaurant.”
Ning Xiyue turned around to glance at the bags they were carrying and the sign-in items in her backpack. Satisfied, she nodded. “Alright, let’s go eat.”
She still had three sign-in chances left — all usable anytime, anywhere — but she didn’t plan to use them now. What she had gotten today was already more than enough. This city trip had been so worth it.
The three of them arrived at the state-run restaurant just as the lunch rush was peaking. Despite the high prices, it was still fairly busy.
Ning Xiyue went to look for seats while Ji Yanming queued up to order food. Ning Qingzhi took all the bags from him to carry together.
Seated, Ning Xiyue pulled a folded sack out of her bag and spread it open. “Brother, put everything in here. One sack — done.”
“Alright.” Ning Qingzhi smiled good-naturedly and put all the bags inside. “You always think ahead.”
Once everything was inside, Ning Xiyue hoisted the sack onto her shoulder to test it — light and easy to carry.
Ning Qingzhi hovered nervously beside her, afraid she’d strain her back. “Alright, alright, sis — put it down. Sit. I’ll go check what dishes they have. Anything you feel like eating?”
Ning Xiyue set the sack by her feet and looked up at the chalkboard listing the day’s menu.
Staples: steamed buns, dumplings, baozi, and white rice.
Meat dishes: braised pork belly, cabbage stewed with pork, red-braised pork, braised fish.
Stir-fries: shredded potatoes, and more.
Everything sounded good.
“Brother, they all look great. I’ll have rice, red-braised pork, and braised pork belly. You two pick the rest. Since you’ve been shopping with me all afternoon, lunch is on me.”
She pulled out some money and ration tickets, handing them to him. Afraid he might refuse, she added, “I promised to treat Comrade Ji as thanks for his help before, but never had the chance. Let’s do it today. Next time it’s just the two of us, you’re paying.”
“Alright, you’re paying this time.” Ning Qingzhi grinned, holding the money. “I’m off then.”
Ning Xiyue added, “And get a few big meat buns to take home. Since we rarely come to the city, let’s bring some back for Second Brother.”
“You’re always thinking about that kid,” Ning Qingzhi muttered jealously under his breath.
Ning Xiyue didn’t respond — she just gave him a goofy grin. “Just buy them.”
Those meat buns would serve a very specific purpose.
“Fine. Sit tight — it’s almost our turn.”
As her brother hurried off, Ning Xiyue was already planning in her head: once they got home, she’d swap the meat buns in her backpack, give her eldest brother one of the special ones, and boost his health early.
While she was lost in thought, Ji Yanming and Ning Qingzhi returned with the food.
The state-run restaurant served generous portions — four dishes for three people was more than enough.
The chef here had great skills too — the red-braised pork was much tastier than the one made by the chef back home.
The shaobai was soft and tender, with delicious pickled vegetables underneath — perfect with rice.
After hours of walking around the department store, they’d worked up an appetite. Ning Xiyue, starving, polished off two big bowls of rice thanks to the ration tickets in her pocket.
Ji Yanming put down his chopsticks and, smiling, watched Ning Xiyue eat like a little squirrel — her cheeks puffed out adorably with mouthfuls of rice.
Beside them, Ning Qingzhi — unaware of his comrade’s thoughts — was busy mopping up the last bit of sauce from his bowl. After his final bite, he sighed with satisfaction, “That was amazing. I haven’t had red-braised pork this good in ages.”
Ning Xiyue swallowed her bite and nodded eagerly. “Mm, me too — the chef’s cooking is so delicious!”
Seeing that they had both finished, Ji Yanming took two tissues from his pocket and handed one to each of them.
“Thank you, Comrade Ji.” Ning Xiyue tore hers in half and passed one piece to Ning Qingzhi.
Ning Qingzhi slipped the tissue into his pocket as if by habit.
Watching the siblings’ synchronized actions — especially how naturally Ning Qingzhi pocketed the tissue — Ji Yanming couldn’t help but laugh internally. Who knew how many times they’d practiced that routine?
“No need to thank me. I should be thanking you for treating me today. Next time it’s my turn. If there’s a chance, I’ll take you to eat roast duck — the roast duck from my hometown is delicious.”
Hearing that, Ning Xiyue beamed. “Deal! When the chance comes, you must treat me to roast duck. I want to eat the most authentic roast duck in the whole capital!”
“Alright.” Ji Yanming’s eyes crinkled with a smile — he was in a very good mood.
Ning Qingzhi glanced left at his smiling sister and right at his cheerful comrade, feeling a bit sour inside. He inserted himself into the conversation: “And me! If you’re taking my sister for roast duck, you have to bring me too.”
“Sure, you won’t be left out,” Ji said aloud — though privately, he thought: No way am I bringing you.
Satisfied, Ning Qingzhi hoisted the sack from the ground. “That’s better. Let’s go.”
After leaving the state-run restaurant, Ning Xiyue led them straight to the post office to send her parents a jar of mushroom sauce along with a handwritten letter reminding them to eat it themselves every day — not to save it or share it with others.
She knew that no matter how unappetizing it might be, her parents would finish everything she sent and never give it away — but still, the reminder was necessary. The contents were precious and impossible to reproduce.
She only mailed one jar for now, saving the other to deliver personally when she returned home for New Year.
She also mailed back her newly received certificate to make them proud. As for the prize money — she’d save that to bring home and hand over in person, especially the pocket money she promised her father. Giving it face-to-face would make it feel much more ceremonial.
