Chapter 207: Second Brother, You Were Just a Cover
Ning Xiyue’s little solo outing had come to an end.
Her family was a little stunned when they saw the radio and large electric fan she brought back — then they looked around at all the other things she had brought home over the past three days.
Yun Xiulan felt a pang of heartache for her daughter’s wallet as she looked at the room full of new items. Holding Ning Xiyue’s hand, she said,
“Daughter, you should keep the money for yourself. Why spend it on those two stinky boys? All this nice stuff must have cost a fortune. Don’t tell me you spent all your money on them!”
As she spoke, Yun Xiulan pulled some money from her pocket and tried to give it to her daughter, glaring at the two brothers as she did.
“Here, take this. As long as we’re here, you don’t need to be the one spending money on things. Save it for yourself and stop being so soft-hearted — don’t use all your money on those two brats. You shouldn’t shortchange yourself.”
“Mom, take it back. I have plenty of money. I can’t even spend everything I have,” Ning Xiyue said as she pushed the money back into her mother’s hands and shoved them into her pocket.
She had thought her mother was going to ask how she managed to get all these things — especially that out-of-season electric fan — but instead, she was just worried about her running out of money.
It seemed her family really did trust her.
So much so that she swallowed the excuse she’d prepared and instead said,
“Dad, Mom — you and Big Brother are always sending me money and ration coupons. Second Brother often buys me things too. And now, I’m technically earning two salaries myself. Plus, I get work points for grain in the countryside. If you add it all up, I might actually be the richest person in the family. Buying a few things for you isn’t a big deal — it’s only right.”
She hadn’t realized it before, but saying it out loud was startling.
Her expenses in the countryside were low — most of them were things from the system’s sign-ins — but she had many sources of income. Just from what she’d mentioned, she was already a “little rich lady.”
The biggest source was the pharmaceutical bonus from the army. Even if you only counted her military salary and benefits, she could already live as a wealthy woman by 1970s standards — among the rich elite of the era.
And if she converted the system’s ginseng sales points into cash, she could practically reach the heavens. If all her money were converted into one-cent bills, it could circle their house several times over.
So her mother’s fear of her spending all her money was simply impossible.
And even without counting the free sign-in items, she still wouldn’t be able to spend everything she earned.
Ning Xiyue kept pressing down on Yun Xiulan’s hand, refusing to let her pull the money out.
“You child…” Yun Xiulan sighed as her hand was firmly pinned down. She shot her daughter a mock glare and lightly patted her hand, deciding not to insist.
She planned to secretly send money to her daughter later anyway.
“Little sister, you already gave me my birthday present early — and it was a bicycle. Why are you giving me another birthday gift today? I was only joking the other day; I don’t really need a radio. Let’s return it tomorrow — it must have cost a lot.”
Ning Qingyuan was actually very happy with the radio, but since he’d already received a gift from his sister, he didn’t want her to spend more money on him.
After he spoke, Ning Qingzhi chimed in too.
After all, his little sister had already prepared a full wedding bedding set for him — and now she’d bought him a fan too. It was far too expensive, and he felt unworthy.
“Come on, Big Brother’s getting married and Second Brother’s having a birthday — those are important days. Buying gifts is just my way of showing love. We’re family — and if you act like this, it’s like you don’t see me as part of the family. Hmph! Now I’m mad!”
Ning Xiyue crossed her arms and turned her head away dramatically, pretending to be angry and refusing to speak to them.
“Alright, alright,” Ning Hai stepped in as the father and made the final call.
“Our daughter worked hard and earned this money herself. It’s our blessing that she wants to buy things for the family. Just accept it — and treat your sister well. And after you get married, don’t forget your family.”
The two brothers stopped protesting, happily accepted the gifts, and thanked Ning Xiyue.
Ning Xiyue still pouted and ignored them. Hmph, she was still “mad.”
Ning Hai turned to her and coaxed gently, “My daughter is amazing — she thrives wherever she goes. Dad is proud of you.”
Ning Xiyue hugged her father and whispered in his ear, “Dad, you’re the best. I can make my own money now — I’ll give you a red envelope for New Year’s.”
Ning Hai smiled warmly and hugged her back.
“Good. My Yueyue is the best daughter in the whole world.”
The two brothers also came over to cheer her up.
In the end, Ning Xiyue completely flipped the situation — not only did the family accept all the gifts, but they were now trying to cheer her up.
With the mood just right, Ning Xiyue took the chance to tell them that she had already rented a place and suggested they pack up and move first thing tomorrow morning.
Her plan was to say it was a rental for now, then reveal later that she’d actually bought the place — but not for another two years, so as not to shock her family.
“Dad, Mom, the place I found is really nice and close by. Let’s move tomorrow. Staying at the guesthouse is just too inconvenient.”
This time, Yun Xiulan didn’t hesitate and nodded in agreement.
“Alright, we’ll move tomorrow.”
And just like that, the decision was made.
The Ning parents continued discussing wedding details with Ning Qingzhi, while Ning Qingyuan pulled Ning Xiyue over to fiddle with the radio — he’d been curious about one for a long time.
Ning Xiyue was curious too. She had never used a radio before and didn’t know what kind of programs people listened to in this era.
While her brother tinkered with it, she crouched beside him to watch.
Just watching him fiddle with the device was fun. Then, suddenly, a deep voice came from the radio — it sounded like a storytelling program.
It had been so long since she’d enjoyed any entertainment from an electronic device that she quickly grabbed her second brother’s hand to stop him from fiddling further.
“Hey, this one’s good! Brother, let’s listen to the storytelling.”
“Alright! I’ll go get our teacups — we can sip health tea and listen to the program.” Ning Qingyuan said excitedly, running off to fetch them.
Hearing the voice from the radio, Ning Hai got interested too. He called out to his son:
“Qingyuan, bring mine too!”
“Got it!”
So Ning Qingyuan prepared tea for all five of them.
It was rare for the whole family to sit together and relax. Since this was their only entertainment, they all sat and listened intently to the storytelling, deciding that wedding plans could wait.
Once the station was tuned in, the scene in the room was idyllic — everyone holding a cup of tea, with a bag of peanut brittle and a box of mung bean cakes on the table, sitting comfortably as they listened to the story. When something funny came up, they burst into laughter.
One radio and one storytelling program brought a joyful evening to every member of the Ning family.
As she watched the scene, Ning Xiyue suddenly felt that bringing the radio home had been absolutely the right decision. Sitting together as a family and listening to stories was truly meaningful.
The radio’s charm was irresistible — they listened to every broadcast they could find until there was nothing left to tune into, then finally turned it off and went to rest, still wanting more.
And from that moment on, the radio — which Ning Qingyuan had barely had time to enjoy — officially changed ownership. It now belonged to Father Ning.
Ning Qingyuan looked at Ning Xiyue with tearful eyes, utterly heartbroken.
“Sis…”
Catching her father’s satisfied gaze, Ning Xiyue deliberately avoided her second brother’s eyes and mercilessly said, “Don’t look at me. That radio was actually for Dad. You were just the cover, Second Brother.”
With that, she quickly fled their parents’ room and went back to her own to rest, leaving behind a delighted, triumphant Father Ning — and an even more miserable, gloomy Ning Qingyuan.
