Returning to City G

At dinner, Ming Jiu and Ming Rong settled on names for the two little black balls.

The dog would still be called Black Girl, carrying on her mother's name, while the little black cat would be called Black Rice.

After dinner, Ming Jiu cleaned up the kitchen and washed the dishes, while Ming Rong took her tablet to train Black Girl and Black Rice to recognize their names.

She entered the two little black ones' names into an app and played them in turns. Whoever reacted got a small piece of freeze-dried chicken breast, continuing until she had used up a small handful of treats.

How should she put it? Ming Jiu felt the results were not very impressive. Compared to learning their own names, Black Girl and Black Rice were clearly much more interested in the freeze-dried treats.

The little ones were crafty. They quickly figured out the pattern—whenever a sound played, they just had to move a little. They took turns guessing their way into treats, and neither guarded food from the other. The cat and dog got along remarkably well.

After Ming Jiu finished cleaning the kitchen, wiped the dining table, loaded all the pots, bowls, and utensils into the dishwasher, and started it, she pulled Ming Rong over to discuss tomorrow's plans.

Ming Rong typed excitedly: [We're going home tomorrow?]

Ming Jiu nodded. "Yes. We're going back to see the old house. We'll fly back tomorrow morning and return the afternoon after tomorrow."

Ming Rong: [Okay!]

[I also want to see Mom and Dad. Is that okay?]

"Of course. We'll go to the seaside for a while."

[What about Black Girl and Black Rice?]

Ming Jiu hesitated between boarding them somewhere and leaving them at home, then chose the latter.

They would only be gone for a day and a half. There was an automatic feeder and water dispenser at home, as well as pet cameras they could check anytime.

Black Girl might be a puppy, but Ming Jiu had observed her. She did not have a habit of gobbling food. Whether eating kibble or drinking water, she always took her time, so there was nothing to worry about.

The two little ones had only spent one night in their new home. Sending them off to be boarded again tomorrow would probably make it hard for them to adjust.

Just in case something went wrong—after giving it some thought, Ming Jiu messaged Sister Bai to give her a heads-up. If Black Girl or Black Rice had an emergency, Sister Bai could come over and look after them.

Sister Bai agreed without hesitation.

Ming Jiu: [Sorry to trouble you. I'll place an order with you when I get back.]

She was not making empty promises. She had already bought almost everything she needed. She still had over two million in cash on hand, along with more than five million in bank savings.

The cash could be held onto for now. Prices would soar in the months before the blizzard, but money would still be usable.

There were two ways to deal with her savings—buy gold or buy a house.

At current gold prices, she would not be able to buy much. It would be better to buy a house in Yunjing Scenic Area. Once the safe zone had claimed its territory, she could trade the house directly for gold.

Congratulations to Sister Bai. She would get another order.

Ming Jiu put down her phone and told Ming Rong about her arrangements.

Ming Rong planted a bite-like kiss on her sister's cheek, then turned to pack. A change of underwear and toiletries from the travel-size samples she had received while shopping—that was all they needed. One backpack was enough for both sisters' luggage.

February 2nd, the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. Six days until the blizzard.

Early in the morning, Ming Jiu and Ming Rong took a taxi to the airport and flew to City G.

That morning, the moment they got off the plane, Ming Jiu took Ming Rong straight to the seafood market.

After arriving, Ming Jiu first found the manager and rented a warehouse beside the market, which was leased by the day. She paid the deposit and two days' rent.

With the New Year approaching, the market was packed with people stocking up and purchasing goods. Ming Jiu did not stand out among them.

She bought every kind of freshwater and saltwater seafood, choosing only fresh stock that could be delivered that afternoon. Expensive or cheap, she bought it all, spending more than six hundred thousand in total.

Ming Jiu directly found someone in the market who could watch the warehouse and receive the deliveries. Then she took Ming Rong by taxi to the farmers' market.

She bought all kinds of southern fruits that she and Ming Rong loved, just like with the seafood, choosing only stock that could be delivered immediately.

Once she had finished buying everything, Ming Jiu took her sister back into the city. They got out near their residential complex, went to a familiar teahouse to settle lunch, then headed home.

A nationwide cold wave had swept through the country. The temperature in City G was only a few degrees above zero, and the humidity was high. Even bundled up tightly, the cold wind still found its way through every gap.

The moment they got home, Ming Rong turned on the air conditioner and signed to Ming Jiu: [I think it's colder here.]

Ming Jiu said, "The climate is different. We'll be back tomorrow afternoon to enjoy the heating."

Ming Rong nodded hard.

The house was very empty. When they had left, they had taken everything they could carry with them. Only the large items remained.

Ming Rong checked every room before coming out and asking Ming Jiu: [Are we staying here tonight?]

"We'll stay at a hotel, okay?"

They could not really stay at home anyway. There were mattresses, but all the bedding had been packed away.

Ming Rong nodded.

"Let's go sort through Dad's studio. We'll pack up everything we can take and bring it to the new home. How about that?"

The sisters headed out and went straight to the studio.

Dad Zuo's studio was in the building next door. There were not many personal belongings that belonged to Dad Zuo, but they still packed two large boxes.

After they finished, Ming Rong went out to press the elevator in advance, while Ming Jiu stored the boxes and all the useful furniture and appliances in her space.

After checking into the hotel and putting down their luggage, they did not rest. They immediately took a taxi to the seaside.

They stayed by the sea for more than three hours.

The sea breeze was biting, and there were only a few people around. The sisters sat close together on the beach, staring blankly at the vast sea for a long time.

Not until evening, when the sea was covered in brilliant clouds at sunset, did Ming Jiu turn and realize that her sister's eyes were nearly swollen shut from crying.

She herself did not have many tears left. After so many years, she had long accepted the fact that none of their family remained.

She was still sad, but she had no tears left.

She would live well with her sister.

"All right. Ms. Ming would worry if she saw us like this. Want to go eat seafood?"

Ming Rong pulled tissues from her little bag, wiping her face as she nodded.

Of course she did. The seafood in City B was not as delicious as it was here.

After their seafood feast, Ming Jiu sent her sister back to the hotel and headed to the market alone.

The goods had already been delivered. After checking everything, Ming Jiu paid the person who had helped watch the warehouse.

The system was operating. Ming Jiu stored the seafood in her spatial warehouse, intending to make another trip for the fruit tomorrow morning and return the rental at the same time.

After she finished, she did not return directly to the hotel. Instead, she quietly went home and stored every movable piece of furniture in the house in her space.

This time, she truly would never return.

February 3rd, the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month. Five days until the blizzard.

That morning, after having morning tea with Ming Rong, Ming Jiu sent her back to the hotel and went to the market alone. She cleared out the remaining fruit stock in the warehouse and returned the rental.

On the taxi ride back to the hotel, Ming Jiu spotted a gym that seemed to be running a promotion. It was bustling with people.

A gym!

Ming Jiu hurriedly opened Taobao—treadmills, stationary bikes, power racks, dumbbells of every weight, sandbags...

She set the delivery address as the old factory building.

Then she opened JD and bought everything again. The fastest deliveries could arrive and be installed that evening.

[ Sis System, that was a close call. Why wasn't fitness equipment on your list? ]

Putting aside regular workouts, she would need to maintain a great deal of exercise during the three days she took the genetic potion. Equipment would make it more convenient.

System: [The supply list includes baby crawling mats, which can replace yoga mats. I have already downloaded the most suitable exercise and training videos for the host. If the host needs it, you may also apply to purchase professional combat instruction sessions from the System Mall.]

[However, I recommend that the host learn the martial arts forms passed down through your culture. I have assessed them, and they are very useful.]

Ming Jiu felt reassured. She knew Sis System had not overlooked it. Sis System simply thought she did not need all those flashy extras.

She still had to buy them. Even if she did not use them much, Xiao Rong could.

She did not expect Xiao Rong to fight, but good stamina could be built up slowly. Whether for survival or escaping, it would be immensely useful.

After thinking it over, Ming Jiu asked: [Are combat instruction courses expensive? I want them all.]

System: [Compared to cold weapon instruction courses, I recommend that the host purchase ability application/combat courses after gaining an ability.]

Ming Jiu: [Okay! Love you! (づ￣3￣)づ╭❤~]

Sis System ignored her.