Walking all the way from home, Hongdou noticed quite a few sign-in locations along the way. While she was both curious and eager, she also felt somewhat reassured. No matter what she could obtain from these sign-in spots, they represented hope for her survival in this unfamiliar era.
But Yu Hongdou never expected that sign-in locations could cluster together like this.
Earlier, she had been too focused on helping her father out of a tight spot and playing the role of an obedient, innocent girl. It wasn’t until the village chief stood up that Hongdou’s attention shifted toward him.
At a glance, wow, the village chief was practically glowing green! Blinking, she realized it was the row of four round-headed, pointed-tailed icons behind him emitting the green light.
As the saying goes: A spacious main hall wards off disasters; a grand central room nurtures nobility. The Gao family, after all, had some modest heritage, and the furnishings in their home were a cut above those of the Yu Family.
On the wall of the main hall hung a large peony painting, flanked by couplets written in swift, elegant calligraphy. Below the painting stood an Eight Immortals table, adorned with a wooden carving of the Three Star Gods—Fu, Lu, and Shou—crafted from golden wood. To the left and right of the Three Star Gods were a table screen embroidered with a landscape and an openwork incense burner. From the burner, wisps of pale smoke rose, releasing a delicate fragrance.
Good heavens, as expected of the village chief! His home was truly filled with “treasures.” At first, the unsophisticated Yu Hongdou didn’t recognize their value, but the floating green icons in mid-air now clearly indicated the worth of these items.
【Sign-in Location: Xiucai Li Ru’s Painting. Consume 2 sign-in points?】
【Sign-in Location: Carpenter Li Tiedan’s Wood Carving. Consume 2 sign-in points?】
【Sign-in Location: Embroiderer Lian Shi’s Embroidered Screen. Consume 2 sign-in points?】
【Sign-in Location: Zhi Xiang Jiao’s Jialan Incense. Consume 2 sign-in points?】
All of them required 2 points? Yu Hongdou felt both excited and conflicted. She currently had 4 sign-in points left, but she always kept one card up her sleeve. So, even though all four sign-in locations were beckoning to her, she ultimately decided to choose just one.
And so… as her gaze shifted, Hongdou’s eyes settled on the embroidered screen atop the Eight Immortals table and remained fixed there.
“Grandpa Village Chief, Dad, that embroidered painting is so beautiful! Can I take a closer look?” Taking advantage of her youth and thick skin, Yu Hongdou straightforwardly made her request.
What “next time for sure”? Who knew what changes might occur by then? It was entirely possible that these fragile decorative items serving as sign-in locations might not survive until her next visit and could simply be gone.
“Of course, of course! Little Hongdou certainly has an eye for quality. This is the famous Lian Shi Embroidery, a birthday gift from your Hongyang Bo to me.” The village chief was momentarily taken aback by Hongdou’s words. He glanced back at the embroidered screen on the Eight Immortals table, then turned to see the little girl’s eager, admiring gaze, and couldn’t help but boast proudly.
“Uncle Gao, you’re truly blessed. Hongyang is both accomplished and exceptionally filial—unlike us useless brothers, who’ve brought shame upon our father.” Yu Sanlang seized the opportunity to climb the social ladder, flattering the village chief while carrying his wide-eyed daughter toward the Eight Immortals table.
Fortunately, Yu Sanlang knew his limits. While quietly instructing his daughter, he also reassured the village chief: “Hongdou, we’re just looking, alright? No touching. This is a token of your Uncle Hongyang’s heartfelt intentions. Do you understand what that means? It’s the most precious and heartwarming thing in the world.”
Yu Hongdou paid no attention. She directly reached out and tapped at the air.
【Sign-in successful: Obtained Embroidery Skill. Unlocked Skill Teaching Mode.】
Yu Hongdou immediately recalled the fourth item in the system instructions, but she was still astonished by the skill and teaching mode. Could it possibly be the kind of teaching mode she was imagining?
The system panel automatically opened again, displaying an additional line of information.
【Host: Yu Hongdou】
【Sign-in Points: 2 (Automatically +1 after 12 AM daily)】
【Skill: Embroidery Level 1】
【Backpack: 1 Ancient Common Medicine Kit; 2 taels of Silver; 3 jin of White Rice】
Behind the Embroidery Skill was a progress bar marked 0%, followed by a small plus sign.
As Yu Hongdou’s gaze swept over the plus sign, a small pop-up window appeared above it.
【Consume 5 sign-in points to upgrade Embroidery Skill to Level 2?】Below were two options: 【Yes】and 【No】.
Yu Hongdou naturally didn’t have 5 sign-in points, but since there was a 【Yes】option, not clicking it would feel like a missed opportunity.
So she clicked, and the pop-up closed. As Yu Hongdou secretly anticipated, a new pop-up window appeared.
【Insufficient sign-in points for upgrade. Host may choose to gain experience in Skill Teaching Mode. Click “Embroidery” to enter teaching mode.】
…Yu Hongdou was speechless. She was well aware of her current time and location. Although she was dying of curiosity about the so-called teaching mode, she knew it wasn’t the right moment to try it out. Her attention returned to the sign-in location before her.
【Sign-in Location: Embroiderer Lian Shi’s Embroidered Screen. Consume 2 sign-in points? (Already signed in)】
Huh? Why was this different from the previous sign-in location? The sign-in icon and glow on the embroidered screen had turned grayish-white. Yu Hongdou quickly realized this must be a one-time sign-in location.
She looked at the other sign-in locations again, feeling slightly conflicted. They also required 2 sign-in points—would these also grant skills? Should she use her remaining two sign-in points?
【Sign-in Location: Xiucai Li Ru’s Painting. Consume 2 sign-in points?】
【Sign-in Location: Carpenter Li Tiedan’s Wood Carving. Consume 2 sign-in points?】
【Sign-in Location: Zhi Xiang Jiao’s Jialan Incense. Consume 2 sign-in points?】
Before Yu Sanlang thought his daughter had looked long enough and moved her away, Yu Hongdou seized the moment and grabbed at the floating sign-in point for the painting.
【Sign-in successful: Obtained a set of painting supplies, 20 sheets of Xuan paper.】
“…”
With a solemn little face, Yu Hongdou was handed by her father to her mother, who had been waiting outside the door. They left the main hall where men were chatting and moved to the backyard.
“Sister-in-law, you’re here! What happened? I heard Liu Shi brought her brother to steal from our home?” The moment Xu Shi appeared with Hongdou, she was surrounded. The first to rush up and question her was Yu Erlang’s wife, Sun Shi.
“Yes, Liu Yong claimed the family’s chickens and pigs were usually raised by Liu Shi. Now that Liu Shi has returned to her parents’ home for childbirth, he demanded compensation from the Yu Family. Liu Shi packed such a large bundle, saying she feared our Yu Family might covet her dowry…” Xu Shi glanced at her sister-in-law hiding behind the crowd and softly explained to those gathering for news.
“What dowry did Liu Shi bring? I recall she entered the household wearing nothing but tattered clothes, without even a bundle to her name. Could the Liu family have later compensated for it?” In a village where few secrets could be kept, and marriage matters were public knowledge, most present were aware that Liu Shi had arrived empty-handed. Now, with such a large bundle suddenly being claimed as her dowry, the crowd’s gaze instinctively turned to Yu Dalang’s wife, Zhang Shi.