[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-bound-to-the-sign-in-system-i-took-off":3,"chapter-bound-to-the-sign-in-system-i-took-off-bound-to-the-sign-in-system-i-took-off-chapter-166":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Bound to the Sign-In System, I Took Off",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2336220,4567,"Chapter 166: One Day, Two Visits: Eating, Drinking, and Taking Things (Part 1)","bound-to-the-sign-in-system-i-took-off-chapter-166",166,"\u003Cp>After placing the wood, Qin Yun remembered he had no tools, and he’d need a decorative wooden box for whatever he carved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he stepped out of the budget hotel again and headed to Jüqi Antique City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he returned to the antique city, he found the spot where he’d bought the wood in chaos—people wailing and crying bitterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Curious, Qin Yun moved closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after hearing just a few words, he pulled his hat brim down and slipped into the main building, as if afraid of being recognized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tsk tsk, Old Song is probably not going to sleep tonight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He sold top-grade wood certified by Professor Gu for five thousand yuan—anyone would cry over that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Crying won’t help. Even if the buyer stood right in front of Old Song now, he couldn’t demand it back—it’s not how things work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s true, but who wouldn’t be heartbroken? Five million turned into five thousand—it’s like blood dripping from the heart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank goodness Old Song’s in good health, or he’d have dropped dead from rage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha, stop talking like that—you’ll make Old Song cry himself to death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Yun entered the main building, where the atmosphere was utterly unlike the bustling open-air stalls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first floor housed fixed shops selling stones, jade, emeralds, and miscellaneous artifacts—quiet compared to the noise outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were plenty of people, but haggling voices were low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many merchants huddled together, gleefully gossiping about the commotion outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Yun was here for tools and boxes, so he didn’t wander—he went straight to his target, picked a suitable set of tools and a few small boxes, and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Song’s crying had stopped; the stall was empty, the old man gone, everything swept away—he’d clearly returned home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Yun felt no guilt whatsoever—this was how the trade worked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who knows if that log wasn’t just something the seller dug up randomly? Five thousand was still profit. It’s just human nature—once you learn something was snatched up, it feels like your flesh is being cut away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s understandable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even if he understood, Qin Yun would never return it—or buy it back for five million. He wasn’t an idiot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back at the hotel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing the log under the light, Qin Yun grabbed a saw and cut firmly along the edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the uneven outer layer was sliced off, the wood’s full grain and color emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, the color—not a plain yellow-brown, but with a jet-black metallic sheen; under the light, it resembled ink jade soaked in oil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jet-black, ink-green, yellow-brown—three tones blending gradually. The pale green he’d glimpsed earlier at the antique market was just the outer edge’s stain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The grain wasn’t the smooth landscape pattern anymore—this was jin-si nan yinchen wood. Yinchen wood is timber buried underground, compressed by geological pressure, and carbonized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So naturally, the grain was different. The pattern before him was twisted, interwoven water ripples, with fine golden cat’s-eye effects in places—visually exquisite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No cracks or impurities inside; the texture was dense, the cut surface smooth and fine—exactly as he’d suspected: top-grade jin-si nan yinchen wood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Touching it, there was no dryness—only a warm, jade-like smoothness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to underground compression, this piece was much heavier than ordinary jin-si nan wood of the same size.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then there was the scent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instant he cut it, a crisp, rich nan wood fragrance surged forth—not the light aroma of fresh wood, but a deeper, lingering scent mingled with earth and ancient vegetation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha, excellent!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With such a large piece, even after giving away seven small pendants, Qin Yun would still have plenty left—store it away, might come in handy later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He measured it mentally, quickly visualized the wood needed for the seven pendants, then cut cleanly and decisively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, the knife never stopped meeting the wood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When sunlight crept through the curtain Feng  and peeked in, Qin Yun was still asleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The result of his all-night work lay on the windowsill: seven finished wood carvings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four square plaques, three round hollow pendants—all peace charms, each inscribed with blessings like “peace,” “smooth sailing,” “good fortune,” “health.” Their styles varied: some solemn, some lively, some gentle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At market price, each plaque was already expensive—not counting Qin Yun’s labor, just by weight alone, each was worth over twenty to thirty thousand yuan—not exactly stingy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Yun wasn’t being reckless—he’d been influenced by Xia Xiaoxing and Han Wei’s tips during livestreams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Wei needed no mention—every livestream she was a major spender, tossing money like water, never hesitating. Xia Xiaoxing wasn’t as extreme, but she’d sent gifts worth fifty to sixty thousand yuan—giving a few wooden pendants was nothing to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the material cost only five thousand yuan—the value was in his craftsmanship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under his master-level carving, the zodiac figures on the plaques looked profoundly warm, glowing faintly with jet-black luster under sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each piece was polished to perfect smoothness, with not a single sharp edge—even under magnification, every incision flowed seamlessly, no breaks, no flaws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, Qin Yun designed the shapes following the yinchen wood’s natural grain, making them even more refined and lifelike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He woke up at ten in the morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After washing up, he carefully placed each of the seven plaques into its own brocade box, then tossed them into his backpack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he went downstairs, he saw Xia Xiaoxing already there, sitting alone on the lobby sofa, idly scrolling on her phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When did you get here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Yun asked, surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Xiaoxing looked up, jumped to her feet, and bounced over: “Big Brother Qin, you’re finally here—I’ve been waiting two hours!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You could’ve called me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Xiaoxing grinned: “I didn’t want to disturb your sleep.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she glanced at the bag in Qin Yun’s hand: “Big Brother Qin, what’s in the bag? Not a gift, right? You don’t need to bring anything—we’re the ones hosting you today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Yun smiled: “This isn’t a gift—the gift’s in my backpack. Since you’re here, let’s go—take me to try Shanghai breakfast. I remember the rice balls there are delicious—I used to eat them often in Zhoushan as a kid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shanghai Ziyuan · Yunyu · No. 12.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A top chef, specially invited, was already busy with his team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Baichuan and Cai Xuan were conflicted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you think the gift’s too light?” Cai Xuan stared at the motorcycle key in the box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Baichuan shook his head: “It’s the thought that counts. The gesture matters—even if the bike’s only worth two or three hundred thousand, what matters is our sincerity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I still feel giving just a motorcycle is too little for saving our daughter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough. Don’t overthink it—you’ve seen the kid’s videos. He’s clearly a grounded guy. He won’t care.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Xuan rolled her eyes and ignored him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearby, Xia Xiaochuan watched his parents debate gifts all morning, utterly speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dad, Mom, Big Brother Qin won’t care. Don’t worry—he’s not short on cash. One livestream earns him millions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn’t react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few million per livestream sounded like a lot, but to them, it was just noise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the clock neared eleven, the doorbell rang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ding dong!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Yun didn’t dress formally for the visit—just casual clothes. But his innate aura made even ordinary attire strike a striking visual impression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just open the door—why ring the bell?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe, I want Mom and Dad to come down and greet him themselves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door opened, revealing three figures before Qin Yun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was Xia Xiaochuan; the other two, obviously older, were Xia Xiaoxing’s parents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uncle, Auntie.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come in, come in, Xiao Qin—you came, no need to bring gifts!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Xuan snatched the bag without hesitation—and dropped it on the floor. The Shiduo -kilogram weight caught her off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh my! Xiao Qin, what’s so heavy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Yun quickly picked it up, smiling awkwardly—Xia Xiaoxing’s mother moved too fast: “Auntie, let me carry it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They ushered him inside, entered the main hall, sat on the sofas, and began casual conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the initial awkwardness faded, the atmosphere warmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiao Qin’s job’s still dangerous—I was terrified when I first watched your video, heart nearly stopped.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah,” Xia Baichuan agreed, “I nearly fainted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Yun laughed, then pulled four brocade boxes from his backpack and handed them out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uncle, Auntie, Xiaochuan, Xiaoxing—small gifts, hope you like them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re too kind, Xiao Qin,” Cai Xuan said, eyes bright, taking the boxes but not opening them yet. “We invited you over mainly to thank you for saving Xiaoxing and Xiaochuan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she opened the box—and was instantly captivated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow, beautiful wooden plaques!” Cai Xuan knew her stuff—not some pampered rich lady. She recognized these as freshly carved, and the zodiac matched hers perfectly—clearly chosen with care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiao Qin, this wood looks like jin-si nan yinchen, right?” Xia Baichuan opened his box, sniffed, and saw a coiled dragon carved on his plaque. “And the carving skill is exceptional—I’ve seen only two others with this level of craftsmanship.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Yun smiled: “I found this jin-si nan wood myself yesterday at Jüqi Antique City. As for the carving, Uncle, you flatter me—I still have much to learn.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Xuan gasped: “What? Xiao Qin, you carved these yourself? You can carve?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her shock wasn’t feigned—it was genuine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Yun looked so young—how could he have such master-level carving skill? With this talent, he could earn fortunes even without livestreaming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just a little,” Qin Yun demurred. “My skill’s decent—I hope you like them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Xiaoxing played with her plaque—she was born in the Year of the Rooster, so it was a cute little chicken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big Brother Qin, this wood feels so smooth—wasn’t it expensive?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her words instantly jolted Cai Xuan and Xia Baichuan awake; they exchanged a glance and immediately dismissed the gift they had prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Baichuan placed the wooden plaque back into the brocade box: “Young Qin, this gift isn’t just expensive—it’s truly priceless. This is top-grade golden silk nanmu sinker wood; just the raw material is worth tens of thousands, let alone the craftsmanship involved—it’s worth at least two hundred thousand on the market.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn, he just handed out four items without even blinking—an almost million-yuan gift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could this kid be after Little Xing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A father who dotes on his daughter acts exactly like this: one moment he thinks the guy is perfect, the next he suspects Qin Yun is after Xia Xiaoxing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My daughter may be short, but everything else about her is top-tier—how many families in Shanghai would kill to marry into ours? They don’t even get a chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could this kid think that saving Little Xing gives him the right to demand something in return?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more he thought about it, the stranger his gaze became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This made Qin Yun, who had been watching them closely, feel baffled, but he didn’t dwell on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha, Uncle, Auntie, I made this myself, and I bought the wood for five thousand yuan—it’s not nearly as valuable as you think.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The logic made sense, but the value wasn’t calculated that way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, they still accepted it, but they knew their own gift was now useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they’d given a motorcycle worth over two hundred thousand, they’d have lost all face in Shanghai.\u003C\u002Fp>",1861,"2026-06-20T21:37:28.858Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","83af3ee9bfceac0d3972113f1f40f45550844547ae6e71d0355e69b031ecf9bc","bound-to-the-sign-in-system-i-took-off-chapter-167","bound-to-the-sign-in-system-i-took-off-chapter-165",329,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbound-to-the-sign-in-system-i-took-off-cover.jpg"]