CHAPTER 29: CHAPTER 29: ITEM CARDS

Luckily, the uncle happened to have some change with him, enough to give them five bucks back.

Then the uncle, still quite confused, carried his load and ran off.

This stretch of road had no earthen walls to block the sunlight, which was quite strong, and the three of them squinted from the glare. Yu Xia squinted and looked around, took out a tissue to wipe sweat, and made an effort to chat with Gang Ruannuan, trying not to neglect the NPC.

Wei Yaoyao wilted somewhat from the sun, holding her clothes to cover the loquats while chatting with Yu Xia and the others, all the while watching intently as Xie Qingci picked up two plump loquats.

Xie Qingci didn’t join their conversation, but lowered his eyelids and started peeling the loquats.

His slender fingers skillfully kneaded the flesh and peeled off the outer yellow skin, extending his hand with the loquat towards Yu Xia.

His hand reached out past Wei Yaoyao, whose eyes stared fixedly at the golden fruit until Yu Xia took it from him.

"Thanks, little brother." Yu Xia just took it as a normal gesture of respect from a junior to a senior, accepting it calmly and taking a bite.

Well, to be fair, it was pretty sweet.

A loquat peeled by a charming person is indeed more delicious than usual.

Xie Qingci withdrew his hand, peeled the second one, and this time handed it to Wei Yaoyao.

The third was given to Gang Ruannuan, and only then did he have one for himself.

After going around this cycle, nobody felt there was anything amiss, assuming Xie Qingci was being polite and considerate to everyone.

[Little brother is really great, so courteous, observes ladies first, and even peels for them]

[I want to eat loquats peeled by Xie Qingci too, sob sob sob sob]

[Wow, was that Wei Yaoyao’s abs just now? Curly haired sweet pea actually has abs?!]

[This little brother knows how to bargain; he bought half a pound of loquats for five bucks instead of the usual twenty bucks a pound. I must love this frugal brother! Alright, I’ll yield to your wishes, Cuifen.jpg]

[NPC is completely dumbfounded, hahaha]

[These loquats look delicious, but that’s your bride price, Xie Zhiqing!]

[Bride price my foot, hahaha, Yu Xia is such an evil mother-in-law, hahaha]

[Acting tough without paying, what if they later need that ten bucks? He’ll cough it up again?]

[Speechless, is Xie Qingci really that annoying? He’s been told the ten bucks will be useful, yet insists on loquats that aren’t even for sale]

[Which family’s dog is out biting your dad now? Yu Xia already agreed to buy, none of the three opposed, and here you are blabbering]

The people in front of the camera were unaware of the bickering in the comments.

Yu Xia was still immersed in the juicy sweetness of the loquat.

Walking on this country road, with the sun shining and a gentle breeze blowing, plus the little brother peeling loquats, her mouth and heart were filled with sweetness, truly delightful.

She squinted her eyes, radiating a sense of joy all over.

Xie Qingci kept peeling loquats, and whenever Yu Xia’s hands were empty, he promptly handed another one over.

Wei Yaoyao had her share as well, even Gang Ruannuan got a few unpeeled ones, while Xie Qingci ended up eating the least.

Peeling until the end, Yu Xia said that’s enough, and he stopped.

Yu Xia handed him a tissue, and he naturally accepted it, all the "transactions" happening right under Wei Yaoyao’s nose without any concern, all very natural, with Wei Yaoyao never suspecting, even asking for a tissue himself.

Xie Qingci said, "Thanks, sister Yu Xia."

Then he spread the tissue in his palm, lazily wiping his fingers as if the sun made him even lazier.

Passing this stretch, they found a display cabinet under two pine trees.

It looked like the glass cabinet selling cigarettes in the village, exhibiting several artistically designed cards with a sign on the cabinet saying "prop cards."

"Prop cards? Can’t you buy something like this?" Yu Xia perked up, ran over for a look.

The glass cabinet was locked, inside were cards with different patterns and designs, flipped over, backs facing up, the specific purposes were not visible.

Behind the cabinet stood an NPC fanning themselves, not proactive even as they approached, languidly saying:

"Buying prop cards, huh? Pick one subtract points, and it’s yours. Each card has different value and purpose, choose wisely."

Wei Yaoyao asked, "Are these prop cards beneficial to our current game?"

"Of course!" The NPC paused, fanning stopped, and continued: "But prop cards vary, some good some bad, depends on your luck."

"There’s bad ones too?" Spending points only to draw an unlucky card might delay the game, not worth it.

Yu Xia pondered, turning to Xie Qingci: "It’s like a blind box, are you lucky?"

"Not really."

Saying so, but his expression was normal, seemingly not worried.

Xie Qingci didn’t scrutinize the differences in the prop cards first, but asked the NPC: "The points for each card aren’t clear, what if I can’t afford it, won’t it be a waste of time? Is there some hidden fee involved?"

The NPC’s actions paused, revealing a meaningful expression.

The proverbial sneaky merchant smile.

"Isn’t it a coincidence? We’re currently holding an anniversary celebration with some discount projects available, slashed prices, you know."

Yu Xia: "There’s even an anniversary event? How many years?"

NPC: "First year."

"..." She was speechless, "Then what’s the discount? How big is the promotional effort?"

The NPC pulled out a poster, unfurling it quickly. Words like "shocking price" and "getting it is earning it" dazzled, along with his enthusiastic hawking, Yu Xia suddenly felt like she had walked into a Double Eleven clothing store.

"Massive price drop! Previously priced at 666, today only one point to reveal prop card value! Previously priced at 999, today only two points to reveal prop card name! Once a year, don’t miss it if you’re passing by!"

The loud voice making Yu Xia rub her ears.

Wei Yaoyao said, "You really offer a steep discount."

She added: "Steep isn’t enough to describe it, this is tearing up and only earning one point."

Xie Qingci chuckled, tapping his fingers on the glass cabinet: "Let’s go for one point first."

"Got it!"

The NPC pulled out a huge key from their pocket, unlocking a big shiny lock below the glass cabinet, then pressed something, causing numbers to suddenly appear below each prop card.

Yu Xia’s gaze was still fixed on that huge lock, muttering speechlessly: "You make it look like a safe, afraid nobody knows this lock was bought online for nine bucks, with the gold paint peeling off."

Complaining finished, attentively looked at each card’s value, then pointed towards the one with two points in the middle: "This one’s cheap, why not go for it?"

The others cost nine points or seven, looking expensive and giving a sense of entrapment.

Wei Yaoyao clicked her tongue: "I bet the one worth nine points is probably something good. The show crew’s too unethical, luring us to spend a point, only to miss that card."