Farming Games are All About Grinding

April 7th Log

Clink Clink (Sound of coins dropping)

Income... 2233 Gold Coins (Golden Carp)

Farming Experience +3511

Foraging Experience +795

Fishing Experience +0

Combat Experience +2846

Mining Experience +3541

Character Favorability Change:

None

Current Money: 54,824 Gold Coins

Total Income: 631,516 Gold Coins

[Congratulations, your Farming Skill has leveled up to Level 6]

[Farming Specialization +1]

[Your calculation ability has improved]

[You've gained the ability to purchase seeds for other seasons at the seed shop]

"Moo Moo Moo"

Listening to the calls of the Kui Niu, Han Qiwu slowly opened his eyes, glanced at the clock, and lazily got up to wash up.

This morning, there's no need to fuss over breakfast separately. Even with the fishing tournament, there's plenty of time.

Looking back at the log, Han Qiwu was pleasantly surprised to find that his Farming Skill had finally leveled up again.

However, this time, the improvement was in a way he hadn't expected—his calculation ability.

Oh well, improvement is always a good thing.

Continuing to read on, he discovered that there were no new blueprints obtained this time after leveling up. Instead, he gained the ability to purchase seeds for other seasons.

Thinking about it briefly, he felt that this reward wasn't particularly useful for now. It could only satisfy his curiosity—perhaps he'd discover what seeds could be grown later.

After all, the seeds purchased before were bound by seasonal restrictions. Even if he bought seeds in advance, they might not be plantable, which would just waste funds.

Unless he could find a way to plant them regardless of the season.

Something to research later.

For today, the priority is to deal with the fishing tournament.

Walking to the kitchen, he lifted the lid of the rice cooker.

Just as he cracked it open slightly, the rich aroma of millet filled the kitchen, making him gulp instinctively.

He remembered how, as a child, he had a weak stomach, and his mom would often cook millet porridge for him. Once he grew up, though, he barely had it anymore.

Looking down, the golden millet porridge, simmered over time, had become extraordinarily fine, with a thick layer of millet oil and skins forming on the surface.

Seeing this, Han Qiwu's eyes lit up. He quickly scooped off the millet skins and started eating them in small bites.

The tender millet skins were even smoother than cold noodles but lacked elasticity. A gentle lick would cause them to disintegrate, releasing a concentrated millet aroma.

Nourishing!

When he was a child, Mrs. Han would deliberately scoop out millet skins enriched with oil for Han Qiwu to eat first, saying it helped protect the stomach lining.

"Next time I visit home, I'll bring some for Mom so they can have a taste and drink it occasionally too," Han Qiwu thought after finishing a bowl.

To be honest, it had been a long time since he'd had such authentic millet porridge. Perhaps it was due to his cultivation methods; the millet bought outside never seemed fragrant enough.

After two bowls of plain porridge, he found some cane sugar and made himself a sweet bowl of millet porridge, savoring it at a leisurely pace.

While Han Qiwu was having breakfast, the Tang family gate was already bustling.

"Let's go, let's go! I've packed everything: sunshade umbrella, sunglasses, mosquito patches, cash, tent, and even the barbecue grill!" Mrs. Tang urged while seated in the car.

"Coming, coming! Don't rush. Xiao Guo probably isn't there yet," Mr. Tang replied helplessly, jogging over to the passenger seat. "Are we really not telling Qingying about this? Isn't it a bit wrong for us to go see Xiao Han without informing her?"

To be honest, Mrs. Tang's idea was all thanks to Guo Fugui.

Guo Fugui, whose hobbies are diverse—including fishing—had made inquiries about whether Han Qiwu was participating in the fishing tournament, which was being held in Water Buffalo Town. He specifically asked Old Huang's son.

Even though, to most people, Han Qiwu was a mystery guest in the finals, Old Huang wasn't about to hide stuff from his own son.

Upon learning that Han Qiwu would be competing, Guo Fugui eagerly reported the news to Mrs. Tang.

Mrs. Tang, who had been struggling to find a proper chance to see her son-in-law, was overjoyed. She started packing in the middle of the night and was up early to load the car, excited to witness Han Qiwu's fishing prowess.

"What's wrong with it? He's my son-in-law; this has nothing to do with her. Besides, didn't we ask last night? They're really busy now. Let's not disturb her work. We haven't visited Water Buffalo Town in ages anyway; just treat it as a spring outing." Mrs. Tang said impatiently, stepping on the gas pedal and zooming off.

Mr. Tang muttered under his breath, "Spring outing? More like going to the beach, call it wave-hopping and it'd make more sense."

"Say that again!"

"No, no, spring outing is great."

In Water Buffalo Town, after finishing his meal and collecting eggs, Han Qiwu decided to keep a low profile by opting for his electric scooter instead of horseback riding to the fishing tournament venue.

Of course, considering it'd be crowded, he had already donned his fishing gear: a fisherman's hat and cape, which conveniently provided some shade.

Upon arriving at the seaside, he saw the place was already bustling. There were spectators, participants eliminated in the preliminary rounds, and villagers or family members just coming to enjoy the event. There was even a small shopping street selling snacks, swimsuits, rental swimming gear, and tents—truly lively.

"Old Huang must've already recouped the costs just selling booth space." Han Qiwu smirked, slung Golden Sun over his shoulder, and headed toward a brightly marked contestant passage.

At the entrance to the contestant passage, Old Huang, wearing a tracksuit, appeared eager and was craning his neck to survey the area while nervously rubbing his hands.

He'd already been waiting here for over half an hour.

"The kid isn't coming, is he? Son, if he doesn't show up, you'll have to take his place as the mysterious expert in the finals," Old Huang reminded his nearby son.

Old Huang's son immediately protested, shaking his head. "No way. You know I'm not good at fishing. Going up there would be embarrassing for sure."

"Better you embarrass yourself than let your dad lose face!" Old Huang retorted. Just as he finished yelling, he spotted Han Qiwu wearing the cape.

Excited, Old Huang ran up to grab Han Qiwu's hand, shook it vigorously, and said, "Xiao Han, you're finally here! The finals start in ten minutes."

Han Qiwu smiled and asked curiously, "Mr. Huang, what's the prize this time? Can you tell me about it?"

"Don't worry, I'll give a full explanation in a bit. Here's your number plate, 001—I saved it especially for you. Wait here for a moment while I go host." Old Huang beamed as he personally attached the number plate to Han Qiwu's chest and dashed off to the stage, grabbing a microphone.

Before he could say anything, a man barely reaching 160cm in height stepped slowly into the contestant passage, carrying his fishing box. His deliberate pace exuded an air of confidence, drawing the attention of many spectators along his path. The crowd murmured amongst themselves.