Chapter 76: Chapter 076: Dark Heart System (First Update) Chapter 76: Chapter 076: Dark Heart System (First Update) Zhuang Qingning feels that the only reward from completing the task of picking up lost property is the reward of 30 diligent points.
What best system, it’s all just self-boasting, it’s so black-hearted…
[Host, you can’t say that. After all, the system was affected last time because of a bug. It was something I couldn’t help.]
[But…]
[I’m a bit curious, why didn’t the host accept the other person’s gratitude when she returned the item just now?]
Huh? So you’re saying that it’s okay to accept gratitude from others?
But isn’t this a task of returning lost items and not taking rewards?
[Yes, but picking up lost property and not keeping it for yourself is the task. The gratitude is not something you’re greedily taking from others, it’s a proper thanks from them!]
[It seems that I have picked a host with noble character, who doesn’t want any rewards for the good deeds done!]
[Host, I believe that with your character, you will definitely accomplish great things in the future.]
[As the saying goes, before doing things well, first become a good person…]
Noble my foot!
Zhuang Qingning feels a sense of distress that almost brought her to tears.
It’s not that she doesn’t want the rewards, she just simply didn’t know she could receive them. She thought that if she accepted rewards, her task would fail…
So, why didn’t you tell me earlier?
[Ahem, host, you didn’t ask…]
Black-hearted system!
For your future tasks, goodbye. It’s not a loss not to do them, just that you won’t be able to gain extra items, but it’s not a big loss either.
After all, if I can’t grow rich, then neither can you fulfill your personal achievements.
I don’t care at all!
[Considering the host’s noble character this time, the system will reward the host with 50 diligence points.]
Eighty!
[Sixty!]
Ninety!
[Deal!]
[The system is very kind-hearted…] (grumbling)
Alright, alright. If we rise and fall together, then I won’t say much more. After all, you’re not the one losing, right?
Zhuang Qingning returned to her stall with a smile.
Feeling a little helpless, the system sighed and chose to disappear.
“So, was it the person you thought it was?” Zhuang Qingsui hurriedly asked Zhuang Qingning when she returned.
“Yes, it’s exactly as you described, there should be no mistake.” Zhuang Qingning nodded in reply.
“Well, that’s good.” Zhuang Qingsui grinned, showing a row of white teeth. She took out the sesame candy and shortbread she bought earlier. “Sister, come and taste it. I think it’s even more delicious than before.”
“You haven’t eaten it in a while, you’re just craving for it.” Zhuang Qingning put a few shortbreads into Mrs. Liu’s mouth. “Madam, eat these. They are crispy and won’t tire your teeth.”
They were used to reciprocating favors, so Mrs. Liu didn’t refuse. But she only took one shortbread to eat slowly.
“You are so kindhearted, the girl who lost her purse must be very happy.” Mrs. Liu said.
“Probably.” Zhuang Qingning squinted her eyes.
The girl named Chunlan did correctly guess what was in the purse, so it must belong to her.
But somehow, she felt that Chunlan didn’t seem happy when she saw her purse. It didn’t seem like a cherished item to her, but rather more like a hot potato.
It’s really strange…
Anyway, all of this is other people’s business and has nothing to do with her. She has already completed her task and that’s what matters.
Zhuang Qingning didn’t think about this matter any further and put a piece of sesame candy in her mouth.
Crispy and delicious. Delicious!
—-
Chunlan, in the carriage, held her purse in her hand without saying a word. Her lips were a bit pale from being bit.
“Sister Chunlan, you just said that you kept your hair from when you were eight years old in this purse. And your mother had a fortune-teller look at it?”
Xia He tilted her head: “But I remember you telling me before that your mother died from a difficult childbirth when you were born. Your father married a stepmother afterwards to take care of you. But your stepmother was so mean to you that you were sold to a trafficker when you were seven or eight years old…”
Chunlan shook her head and smiled awkwardly: “That was a lie I told to that little girl.”
“Ah? So this…” Xia He covered her mouth: “This purse is not yours?”
“No, it’s not.” Chunlan quickly explained: “This purse is indeed mine, but the story I made up on the spot to explain the hair…”
It’s hair tied with a red string.
The color red usually symbolizes warding off evil spirits or celebration.
Seeing that Chunlan was reluctant to explain it, Xia He burst out laughing: “It is said that women have many thoughts. It seems that Sister Chunlan has someone in her heart.”
So she took some hair and tied it together, symbolizing a marriage bond.
“Shh, don’t tell others.” Chunlan shyly dropped her gaze: “This matter is uncertain, it’s just wishful thinking. Keeping this is a way to have some expectations.”
“I know, Sister Chunlan, don’t worry, I promise I won’t tell.” Xia He nodded enthusiastically while laughing.
The carriage slowly moved forward, and Xia He started talking to Chunlan about the various foods she had bought in town today, full of excitement.
Chunlan responded indifferently, the light in her eyes gradually dimming.
—-
As it approached noon, the last piece of Mrs. Liu’s fried chop rice cake was sold.
“Finally sold out.” Standing up, Mrs. Liu let out a long sigh of relief and smiled: “There are so many people in big markets that the extra fried rice cakes I made were all sold out.”
“Mrs. Liu, you should take a good rest tomorrow. You worked all day today and sound a bit stuffy. You should take a break.” Zhuang Qingning said as she helped pack up.
“Yes, I won’t come tomorrow. You and Qingsui can handle things here.”
Mrs. Liu rubbed her aching forehead, gathered her things, and left first.
Zhuang Qingning also started packing up, ready to go buy some cloth.
Summer was approaching, so it would be good to make some more summer clothes for a change. There was a big market today and some of our homemade cloth was sold at a low price on the market.
“Do you have any tofu left?” An old woman, shaky with age, walked to Zhuang Qingning with a bamboo basket. When she put down the basket, she raised her hand to beat her humpback.
It was the same old woman who came too late to buy tofu yesterday.
“I’m sorry, we’re sold out.” Zhuang Qingning looked apologetic, “You came too late. Come earlier tomorrow.”
“Okay then.” The old woman smiled, “My memory is not so good because of my old age. I was chatting with others and forgot to come buy tofu.”
“I also said I wanted to buy some potatoes yesterday, but I only remembered it today. These potatoes are really good, they are large and have no pits. When I go home, I will stir-fry some potato shreds, it should taste good.”
“But I should add less vinegar, it won’t taste good if it’s too sour…”
The old woman chatted endlessly, took a long time before picking up her bamboo basket and left slowly.
Her thin, frail figure made Zhuang Qingning look a few more times and she sighed softly.