Nan Sheng thought, "Fine, I'll take the spin. Otherwise, this system will just keep nagging."
The familiar roulette wheel began spinning again, turning countless times before the pointer finally came to a stop.
When Nan Sheng saw what she’d won, her eyes immediately lit up.
"Future Tech Knowledge Database?"
That sounded incredibly advanced—way beyond the level of an ordinary encyclopedia.
If she could whip up the latest model of a nuclear bomb right now, wouldn’t it scare the living daylights out of those country bumpkins outside?
With excitement bubbling inside her, Nan Sheng commanded, "Activate the Tech Knowledge Database now!"
Huh?
Why won’t it open?!
The system chimed in, "Host, is it possible that certain conditions need to be met first?"
Nan Sheng snapped, "Like what?!"
If this system dared to say she needed to exchange more spin chances, she’d mute this scammer for good.
"Like... maybe you could praise me?"
"Or promise to visit me every day?"
Other hosts would go out of their way to sweet-talk it, showering it with compliments just to get their hands on rewards. Some even wanted to stick around 24/7.
It hated being ignored. (⸝⸝ʚ̴̶̷̯̆ʚ̴̶̷̆⸝⸝)
Nan Sheng saw right through the system’s little game and found it rather endearing. Something this cute was just begging to be teased.
"Ugh, the activation conditions are too hard. I give up!"
With that, she logged out of the system, leaving it practically depressed. Seriously, what was so difficult about those conditions?!
After getting up, Nan Sheng washed up and brushed her teeth. Breakfast was almost ready—thick porridge with salted duck eggs, and Lin Han had even tossed together a small side of pickled vegetables.
Since there were no steamed buns, the kids wouldn’t have anything to eat for lunch, so Nan Sheng packed them each two pieces of pastry before they left.
"Today, say your goodbyes to your teachers and classmates properly. Tomorrow, your dad and I will go to the school to withdraw you. Don’t be too sad—we can always come back to visit if you miss home!"
Only now did the children realize what leaving with their father truly meant. Though reluctant, they knew they couldn’t hold their parents back.
Lin Han and Nan Sheng had their own tasks for the day—they needed to go to town to transfer their organizational records and pick up their files. Lin Han mentioned that the military had already arranged a job for her.
Thanks to Nan Sheng’s good relationship with Secretary Ma, no one dared to make trouble with her paperwork, so the handover went smoothly.
Mingli, seeing his brother-in-law, didn’t crack a smile for once. Without his sister around to keep him in check, he was afraid he’d get carried away and cause trouble.
"Sis, do you think it’s too late for me to get a divorce?"
Nan Sheng covered her mouth, laughing, while Lin Han raised an eyebrow, mentally calculating how many punches his brother-in-law’s scrawny frame could handle.
"Little bro, military marriages aren’t easy to dissolve. But don’t worry—if he ever upsets me, I’ll just start calling him ‘Big Lang.’"
Calling him "Big Lang"? What kind of punishment was that?
Neither man understood, but Nan Sheng giggled to herself, thoroughly amused.
While Nan Sheng chatted with Secretary Ma, Lin Han borrowed the office phone for a bit. When he came back out, his wife was already surrounded by a small crowd.
By the time they left the town hall, it was nearly noon—and that was after Nan Sheng had politely declined a farewell banquet.
"Sweetheart, let’s buy some things and visit my parents, as well as your grandparents."
They went to the black market to pick up a chicken, some pork, and canned goods. Nan Sheng almost objected, but Lin Han reasoned that they wouldn’t be back for New Year’s, so this could count as their holiday gifts.
When they arrived in Wangshan Village, Nan Jingyu and Zhong Yanyan were just sitting down to eat. The moment they saw their daughter and son-in-law, Zhong Yanyan set down her chopsticks and hurried to the kitchen to fry up two more dishes.
Nan Sheng followed to help, and by the time the food was served, both mother and daughter had tears glistening in their eyes.
Inside, Lin Han explained their plans to Nan Jingyu. Hearing that the military had already secured a job for his daughter eased the older man’s worries.
"Mom, Dad, since Nan Sheng is leaving with me, she won’t be around to help at home. From now on, we’ll send you five yuan a month for your living expenses. Please don’t think it’s too little.
When winter comes, you’re welcome to visit us at the military base anytime—just let us know in advance."
Lin Han had already decided—both sets of parents would be treated equally. Since they couldn’t be there to care for them in person, sending money was the least they could do.
The Nans protested immediately. Nan Jingyu’s voice rose, "That’s not how things work! A married daughter shouldn’t be giving her parents living expenses. Besides, we’re still able-bodied—we don’t need you worrying about us."
Nan Sheng was surprised—Lin Han hadn’t discussed this with her. Then again, maybe they’d just had the same thought.
Her husband wasn’t the best with words, so persuasion was up to her.
"Dad, so what you’re saying is that once I’m married, I’m no longer a Nan? If your son-in-law and I ever need help, you’ll just ignore us and only care about your son?"
Nan Jingyu shot his daughter an exasperated look. Why was she making things harder? Didn’t she worry this might cause fights between her and her husband later?
"That’s not what I meant! Of course I’d help both my daughter and son, but we don’t want your money!"
Nan Sheng nodded. "Fine then. Lin Han, from now on, you’re not allowed to send living expenses to your parents either. If my parents won’t take it, yours can’t either. Got it?"
Lin Han hummed in agreement, secretly amused. His wife sure knew how to argue in reverse.
Sure enough, Nan Jingyu flared up again. "What kind of nonsense is that?! Lin Han’s hardly ever home—it’s only right that he supports his parents. You can’t stop him!"
"No!" Nan Sheng stood firm.
"If his parents get money and mine don’t, I’ll feel unbalanced. And when I’m upset, I get angry—I’ll start yelling and even hitting the kids. In fact, as soon as we get home, I’m going to your parents’ place to take back all the money we’ve given them so far. They’re still young, after all—they should be out there making their own way, not dragging their son down!"
Nan Jingyu was left speechless. He couldn’t bring himself to scold his daughter, and even Zhong Yanyan couldn’t help laughing at their back-and-forth.
"Alright, alright. If our son-in-law wants to be filial, let’s just accept it. No need to upset the kids."
They could always save the money and give it back when the children needed it later.
