NOVEL NEXT Chapter 242: Return
Chapter 242
Qi Huan had long since become immune to the system's fancy requests for integration points. She generously awarded it 100,000 points and asked the question she was most concerned about.
"What are the level seven functions?"
"Please wait a moment, host. Let this system upgrade first." The system raised its volume to express its excitement.
Qi Huan covered her ears, no longer engaging with it, silently waiting for its "beep" sound.
"Beep—My dear host, the level seven 'Do a Good Deed Every Day System' Big Handsome Big Smart is now at your service."
Qi Huan raised her eyebrows in surprise: "Weren't you called Little Handsome Little Smart before? Why did you suddenly change your name?"
Mentioning this, the system became even more excited, its voice rising higher: "The maximum level is twelve, and we're already past halfway!"
"So, this system is no longer small, and from now on will be renamed Big Handsome Big Smart!"
"...After reaching the maximum level, you won't be called Old Handsome Old Smart, will you?"
System: ...
Suddenly feeling less inclined to talk to the host...
It quietly lowered its volume and began to report on official matters: "Host, the function unlocked at level seven is that the windshield has become transparent! After entering the space, you can completely see the outside scenery!"
Previously, one could only hear sounds, but now high-definition uncensored visuals have been added...
Before, it had to be worn by a person to listen through their senses. But now, the necklace can use this function no matter where it's thrown.
Qi Huan pondered for a moment, thinking that according to this, she should become a spy!
"Host, can you please have some noble career aspirations?"
"Oh, I want to be a rich lady."
The system couldn't help but reply: "...I want to be kept by a rich lady."
"You already are. However, the poor rich lady now only has 7,000 integration points left."
The system paused for a long while before consoling: "7,000 points is not a small amount, at least it can be exchanged for 14,000 lollipops..."
Qi Huan wasn't interested in candy. What she was interested in was what else was in the express delivery warehouse?
However, she could only specify searches and couldn't preview everything.
Usually, redeeming express deliveries was like opening mystery boxes.
It had been a long time since she'd opened one, and her heart was itching to do so.
After returning to the Song Mansion, she dove straight into her room.
"System, redeem 1,000 points worth of express deliveries."
"Certainly, host."
Whoosh whoosh—
Eight express parcels dropped.
Qi Huan started opening from the smallest package.
The first item was a phone case.
She didn't even have a phone to use, what use was a phone case?
"Return it."
The second item was a bucket hat.
Although it could shade from the sun and provide physical sun protection, she didn't want to be too avant-garde or oddly dressed.
Moreover, when she went out, she either rode in a horse carriage or crawled through tunnels, spending very little time outdoors, so it wouldn't be of much use for now.
So—
"Return it."
The third item was an early pregnancy test.
...Shu was always very cautious, using protection skillfully, never letting a single fish slip through the net.
She believed that for a long time, the test wouldn't be of any use.
Rather than taking up space in her inventory, it was better to...
"Return it."
As the integration points returned, the system jubilantly said: "It seems the host's luck isn't good today! You're not going to return everything, are you?"
That would be too good to be true!
The system secretly waited for Qi Huan's next "return it."
Qi Huan sat cross-legged on the cardboard, picked up a small knife, and continued to open the fourth express box.
As soon as the box was opened, the product's packaging was revealed.
Clearly, it was a keyboard.
"Ret—"
"Wait, host!" The system hurriedly interrupted her, enthusiastically suggesting: "You don't need to return this one, you can make Li Shuchen kneel on it."
Qi Huan: ?
"System, promise me you'll stop reading these kinds of jokes online."
"...Shu's love for me is to be cherished, not to be abused."
"If Shu is always good to me, why would I make him kneel on a keyboard?"
"If he really made a principled mistake, why would I even give him the chance to kneel on a keyboard?"
"...Return it."
With that, she began to open the fifth parcel.
This was a box of bagged milk tea toppings combination set, including red beans, pearls, sago, taro balls, and so on.
Quickly, the idea of opening a small milk tea shop resurfaced in Qi Huan's mind.
She excitedly put this box of express delivery temporarily into her space, planning to try making some later and discuss selling milk tea with Xiu Yuan.
The sixth parcel contained mosquito coils and floral water.
It was almost April now, and these could be used in a few months, so she didn't return them and put them into her space as well.
The seventh parcel was a box of konjac jelly snacks, which were incredibly delicious to eat.
The spicy, numbing, and chewy texture was truly addictive.
Qi Huan ate several packets in a row, her lips turning a bright, alluring red from the spice.
After satisfying her craving, she opened the last parcel, which was also the largest.
Inside was actually an old-style sewing machine!
Compared to the exquisite embroidery skills of ancient seamstresses, the sewing machine excelled in speed!
Besides the printing factories gradually expanding to various places, perhaps clothing factories could also be established now!
Just as she was feeling ambitious, the system poured cold water on her enthusiasm.
"Host, although the clothes made by your clothing factory would have lower costs, in the current environment, the rich wouldn't want them, and the poor couldn't afford them."
"The wealthy prefer custom-made clothes by seamstresses, while the poor, to save on labor costs, mostly buy fabric and sew clothes themselves."
"Although there are people who need to buy ready-made clothes, they are few and far between. The factory's efficiency is high and output is large. You might end up with a batch of unsold clothes and lose everything..."
Qi Huan pondered for a moment, then replied: "I can supply to academies, and also to the army, as well as martial arts schools, and even the maids and servants of noble houses."
"Certain specific groups need uniform clothing. Not only is the quantity large and the style uniform, but it's also relatively easier to make."
"Additionally, for the workers in the clothing factory, I plan to use an employment system."
Only she had sewing machines, and even if the technology leaked out, it didn't matter because others couldn't produce sewing machines.
The clothing factory would still be registered under Li Shuchen's name, so other nobles wouldn't dare to plunder it.
Based on these two reasons, she wanted to share some money-making opportunities with the common people, rather than selfishly relying on modern machines to gather all the wealth into her own hands.
She wanted to recruit and assess a group of reliable workers through interviews and evaluations, leading them to get rich together and achieve moderate prosperity!
Besides developing agriculture, some preliminary industries could also be gradually established. She hoped for Li Country to become rich and its people to become strong!
"...Host, I suddenly feel that it's okay for you to open a clothing factory. ...Because it will increase integration points."
"For each commoner the host helps to obtain work and supplement their family income, one integration point can be added."
Worried that she might complain about the small point increase, the system quickly added: "Don't neglect small acts of kindness."
Qi Huan nodded while reading the sewing machine's instruction manual.
Opening a clothing factory had many benefits: first, it could reduce military expenses; second, it could earn money and integration points; and third, it could help ordinary people.
Even if there were difficulties, she was willing to solve them.
After looking at the diagrams for a while, she sighed softly.
"I'd better show this to Shu. He's heaven's favorite child, understanding everything he sees and mastering everything he learns. Unlike me, the more I look, the more confused I get."
"Host, there's no need to belittle yourself. With this system, you are heaven's favorite daughter! ...Li Shuchen is at most heaven's son-in-law."
Qi Huan giggled at its joke. After tidying up the express deliveries and packaging, she listened as it continued:
"Host, why don't you wait until Li Shuchen is in power, and then have serious criminals operate the sewing machines for rehabilitation? It could also save on wages."
"They don't deserve it."