When there was nothing to do, Zhao Shuyan neatly laid out all the lottery tickets on the ground. At a glance, the whole floor was filled with lottery tickets. The sight was quite spectacular.
When the lottery results were announced, Shen Yi didn't feel much excitement. He dutifully wrote down the numbers, and then looked down at the lottery tickets on the ground. His nerves tightened.
When he never won before, he never had any extravagant hopes. But the last time he won 500 yuan, which gave Shen Yi a glimmer of hope for the lottery.
"The blue ball number is 8."
Shen Yi and Zhao Shuyan had a clear - cut division of labor. Zhao Shuyan quickly picked out the corresponding lottery tickets. At a rough count, there were quite a few, probably more than twenty.
Seeing there were so many chances, Shen Nanyi on the sofa thought she was sure to win.
In the Republic of China era, she had bought many kinds of lottery tickets. Although they were a bit different from modern ones, the principle was the same. However, the system of modern lottery tickets was more perfect.
Take the Welfare Double - Color Ball for example. As long as you match one blue - ball number, you can win 5 yuan.
First prize: All 7 numbers match exactly (6 red balls and 1 blue ball), with a maximum bonus of 10 million yuan;
Second prize: 6 red - ball numbers match, with a floating bonus;
Third prize: 5 red balls and 1 blue ball match, with a fixed bonus of 3000 yuan per winning ticket;
Fourth prize: 5 red balls or 4 red balls and 1 blue ball match, with a fixed bonus of 200 yuan per winning ticket;
Fifth prize: 4 red balls or 3 red balls plus 1 blue ball match, with a fixed bonus of 10 yuan per winning ticket;
Sixth prize: Only 1 blue - ball number matches (it doesn't matter whether the red - ball numbers match or not), with a fixed bonus of 5 yuan per winning ticket.
Even if these more than twenty tickets only matched the blue - ball number, it would add up to nearly 100 yuan. It wasn't a big loss. Moreover, she had confidence in herself.
"The second number is 3."
When Shen Yi said this, his voice was trembling. For some inexplicable reason, he had the illusion that a fortune was about to fall from the sky.
The first few numbers went very smoothly. After three numbers were announced, the number of lottery tickets in Zhao Shuyan's hand basically remained the same, which gave the couple more confidence.
"The next one is 7."
When it came to the fourth number, Shen Yi looked at Zhao Shuyan. As long as the fourth number was matched, each winning ticket would be worth 200 yuan, and they wouldn't lose money.
"What?"
Zhao Shuyan quickly flipped through the lottery tickets in her hand. She thought she had misheard.
Shen Nanyi on the sofa turned her head and looked at Zhao Shuyan. Was she getting so worked - up just for 200 yuan? How would she react later?
"7."
Shen Yi repeated the number again. He couldn't wait to come to Zhao Shuyan's side and helped her check carefully.
The two of them checked several times together. Their expressions were a bit strange. Even Shen Nanyi got nervous. She craned her neck, trying hard to see clearly.
"None of them match?"
Zhao Shuyan repeated as if she couldn't believe it. It was impossible not to be disappointed after things had gone so smoothly before.
"It's okay, it's okay. At least more than twenty tickets have won 5 yuan each. It's not a big loss."
Shen Yi smiled. He took it quite calmly. If one got too picky about everything, they would be exhausted. Moreover, buying lottery tickets was just for fun. If everyone could win the grand prize, the lottery would go bankrupt.
Zhao Shuyan also calmed down and smiled. She had been a bit over - excited just now. She hoped she hadn't scared Shen Nanyi.
The couple turned to look at Shen Nanyi. The expression on Shen Nanyi's face froze. Her eyes were watery, as if she was about to cry.
Zhao Shuyan quickly went over and picked up Shen Nanyi. The moment she picked her up, Shen Nanyi burst into tears, crying heart - rendingly.
At this moment, she really wanted to cry.
Affected by the lottery incident, Shen Nanyi was in a bad state for a long time. But this time, she firmly remembered to eat.
Although she was sad, she still had to eat.
A month passed in a flash, but Shen Nanyi's task progress bar didn't move at all, and the money spent on lottery tickets wasn't counted either.
Shen Nanyi had figured it out. The meaning of spending money on her referred to the things she used. Although she asked for the lottery tickets, they had no real use for her, so they weren't counted.
This realization drove Shen Nanyi crazy. Her task had become even more difficult.
A month passed quickly, and Shen Nanyi's full - moon celebration was coming soon.
Both Zhao Shuyan and Shen Yi were senior intellectuals. They didn't have many friends. Originally, they didn't plan to hold a big full - moon banquet for their child. But seeing Shen Nanyi growing more and more adorable, the couple couldn't help but want to organize it well.
They booked ten full tables of banquets in a three - star hotel. They sent invitations to all their acquaintances.
Shen Nanyi was woken up early by Zhao Shuyan and put on a little pink dress. The more Zhao Shuyan looked at her daughter, the more satisfied she was.
According to custom, relatives and friends would come to see the baby before going to the hotel.
The Shen couple specially held a small lot - drawing event for Shen Nanyi. Why was it called small? Because according to the normal custom, a child would draw lots on their first - birthday.
Shen Yi's explanation for this arrangement was that they should let Shen Nanyi practice first so that she wouldn't be flustered on her first - birthday. Since the parents had said so, the guests naturally wouldn't say anything.
Shen Nanyi had lived three lifetimes and drawn lots three times. This was the first time she had experienced such an under - stated lot - drawing event.
Although there seemed to be all the things on the ground, the variety was there, but the quality couldn't be compared.
The paper for lot - drawing in her previous lot - drawing events was Dongba paper handmade in Yunnan, the abacus was made of white jade, and even the books were Song - dynasty books.
The adults around were more excited than Shen Nanyi. They kept giving her advice, but Shen Nanyi in Zhao Shuyan's arms was quite calm.
She wasn't really a naive child. She was already thinking about what to pick to make her family happy.
Taking a quick look at the things on the ground, Shen Nanyi wasn't very interested. There were just the same few things back and forth. There was nothing new.
Suddenly, Shen Nanyi looked at a certain corner. A blackish - brown writing brush in the corner caught her attention.
If she wasn't mistaken, she had seen that brush before. Shen Nanyi got excited at once. She waved her little chubby hands, eager to start.
"The baby is so small. How can she draw lots?"
"The parents dote on her. They must have a way. Why do we worry?"
People had seen many lot - drawing events, but they had never seen one for a just - full - moon baby. They were full of curiosity.
What others could think of, Shen Yi had naturally thought of too. A plastic sheet was spread on the ground, and all the items for lot - drawing were fixed on it. Two friends held two corners of it, making it look like a simple lot - drawing wall.
Even if Shen Nanyi was being held, as long as she stretched out her hand, she could easily touch the things beside her. There was no need to worry about not being able to reach them.
The crowd really didn't expect such an arrangement. Some people were even tempted and thought they would hold one like this if they had a chance in the future.
On the full - moon day, thanks to Shen Yi's ingenious lot - drawing design, Shen Nanyi really stole the show.
All eyes were on Shen Nanyi, eager to see what she would pick in the end.