Chapter 256 : -30% -50%
“I can’t believe I forgot to buy a power strip yesterday!” Ling Ning grumbled, clearly annoyed.
She was walking down the street with Xiao Dong Xue and Bai Yiyue. Originally, after lunch, the three of them had planned to watch a movie on Bai Yiyue’s brand new IntelliTech GL-666 computer. But after setting it up, they realized there weren’t enough outlets in the room, and Bai Yiyue didn’t have any spare power strips at home. With no other option, Ling Ning had to head out into the blazing sun to buy one.
The electronics shop near Bai Yiyue’s place had closed down unexpectedly. When she’d passed by just a couple of days ago, it was still open, but today there was a “For Lease” sign plastered on the door. She was left with no choice but to walk even farther to a supermarket.
Under the scorching sun, Ling Ning let out a weary sigh. She really didn’t want to walk in this heat; staying at home in air-conditioned bliss was much more appealing.
“Oh, come on, don’t look so down! Just think of it as a little post-lunch stroll. Look at me—I’m out here wearing a mask in this heat, and you don’t hear me complaining,” Bai Yiyue teased cheerfully. To her, being by Ling Ning’s side was heaven, no matter how harsh the weather was.
“I get it, I get it~”
So, the three of them trudged to the farther supermarket. The moment they stepped inside, Ling Ning felt like she’d entered paradise. This was where she belonged—away from the blazing sun, in the cool indoors.
“Ling Ning, it looks like this store has some kind of promotion going on,” Bai Yiyue said, pointing out the sale signs.
Hearing this, Ling Ning’s previously listless eyes lit up with excitement. She glanced around, seeing discounts of “-30%” and “-50%” plastered on products. No wonder the place was so packed! An overwhelming urge to shop struck her.
Although she’d satisfied her shopping cravings yesterday, those items had been for Bai Yiyue’s place. Today was different—today, she could buy for herself. Thinking about her dwindling household supplies, she realized it was time to stock up.
Without hesitation, she grabbed a shopping cart and dove into the aisles, piling items into the cart with ruthless efficiency. Even though her current income allowed her to afford things at full price, she had a thrifty streak. She rarely bought anything unless it was on sale.
“Ling Ning, isn’t that enough? The cart’s already full,” Bai Yiyue said, looking at the overstuffed cart.
Hearing this, Ling Ning nodded in agreement, then turned to Bai Yiyue. “Then you get a cart, too.”
“Huh?”
“No single cart can hold everything we need! If one isn’t enough, we’ll just get another,” Ling Ning said matter-of-factly.
The supermarket had a convenient home delivery service for orders over a certain amount, so she didn’t have to worry about carrying everything herself. Otherwise, no matter how much she wanted to buy, the reality of hauling it all back would hold her back—she was no powerhouse, after all.
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“Next up, let’s check out the raffle!” Ling Ning said, holding her receipt as she turned to Bai Yiyue and Dong Xue.
The raffle was simple: just exchange the receipt for scratch-off tickets with the staff. Despite her hefty spending, she only qualified for six tickets—so even if she didn’t win anything big, she wasn’t too concerned.
She looked at the six tickets, handing two each to Bai Yiyue and Dong Xue.
“Prepare to witness true European luck!” Bai Yiyue declared proudly as she took her tickets, although her confidence was hidden behind her mask.
Without hesitation, she scratched off the first ticket, silently praying for a prize. Unfortunately, her luck didn’t seem to be with her—the first ticket was a “Thanks for Playing.”
“Well… this one’s just a warm-up, like the ones people use in games to practice upgrading equipment,” she muttered.
“You’re really overthinking this. If you’re not going to scratch the next one, I will,” Ling Ning said, clearly impatient.
“Come on, come on, let me win something good!” Bai Yiyue prayed inwardly, but to no avail—another “Thanks for Playing” appeared on the second ticket.
Even the staff member watching nearby seemed surprised. These raffle tickets were given only for larger purchases, and at the very least, most people would win a pack of tissues or a towel. Getting “Thanks for Playing” twice in a row was rare. In a way, it was almost impressive.
Meanwhile, Xiao Dong Xue tugged on Ling Ning’s skirt, holding out her two already-scratched tickets.
Ling Ning took a look and was delighted to see that both were winners! One ticket was for a “Pipi Shrimp” plushie, while the other was a half-off coupon for “Chef’s Delight,” a popular restaurant. This called for a celebratory meal!
“Xiao Xue, you’re amazing!” Ling Ning said, crouching down to give her a kiss on the cheek. Xiao Dong Xue closed her eyes happily, enjoying the praise.
Seeing this, Bai Yiyue watched with envy. She wanted a kiss from Ling Ning, too! Why did she have to be so unlucky?
Ling Ning scratched her own tickets next. One was also a “Thanks for Playing,” which surprised her—she hadn’t expected that.
“Haha, looks like you’re no luckier than me—wait, what?!” Bai Yiyue’s laughter cut off abruptly as she saw the word “First Prize” on Ling Ning’s last ticket.
“Congratulations, miss! You’ve won the First Prize—a ‘Wenwen Bridal Photography Voucher.’ With this, you’re entitled to a free bridal photoshoot at Wenwen Bridal Photography Studio,” the staff member said, beaming.
“Huh?”
Ling Ning stared at the voucher in confusion. A free bridal photoshoot? She wasn’t even engaged! What would she do with a bridal photoshoot? A high-end keyboard or something would have been far more practical.
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Author’s Note:
Another day, another case of writer’s block. Makes me want to set something on fire~