The eastern sky was paling, and the first light of dawn was just appearing.
The high mountains were shrouded in clouds and mist. On a plain, several Huoyan Birds wandered about, while a Blueclear Rabbit carried water to irrigate the fields, going back and forth without tiring.
A young girl lay leisurely sunbathing in a bamboo chair, with three small, plump rabbits sprawled across her.
The girl looked about fourteen or fifteen. She had clear, bright eyes, gently arched willow brows, and long, curling lashes that trembled faintly. Her fair, flawless skin gleamed dazzlingly beneath the sunlight.
Even at such a young age, her future beauty was already apparent, while her cool, aloof bearing was utterly extraordinary.
Yet the moment she opened her mouth, she completely ruined the atmosphere, simply because she was Yuan Wu.
“The bunnies are so cute. What a shame they can’t be eaten. Their mother really is a good employee of mine.” Yuan Wu stroked the obedient, adorable little rabbits, her eyes filled with regret.
🟢It’s time to collect the eggs. Oh, right—the Black Snake you encountered before has been lingering around the Farm for several days. I have no idea what it wants.🟩 the System reminded her.
“The Black Snake? The one that looks so ugly?” Yuan Wu narrowed her eyes as she recalled it.
🟢Yes, that one. Last night, it even sneaked into the Farm and stole some Chicken Feed from the Huoyan Birds.🟩
“........This snake really isn’t picky.” Yuan Wu’s mouth twitched. She had completely forgotten who had first fed the snake Chicken Feed.
🟢What do you plan to do with it?🟩
“Tsk, of course I’ll catch it and educate it. Stealing isn’t a good habit. Come to my Farm for some reform. It can help Da Bai look after the Spirit Field, too. After all, Da Bai is a mother who needs to take care of her little bunnies.”
Yuan Wu revealed a frightening smile. She raised her hand, lifted the little rabbits off her body, and placed them on the ground, then sprang upright like a carp leaping from the water.
She twisted her neck and stretched before asking, “Xiao Ba, where is that ugly little snake?”
🟢It’s hiding behind the fence near the Chicken Coop. It’s still sleeping.🟩
“Understood.” Yuan Wu clasped her hands behind her back and pretended to stroll around, glancing toward the spot indicated by the System.
Behind the fence was a clump of shrubs bearing yellow berries. The Huoyan Birds liked to eat them whenever they had nothing else to do.
The Black Snake was hiding inside the bushes. Its black scales blended perfectly with the shadows among the grass, making it impossible to notice without looking carefully. However, the purple mushroom on its head stood out conspicuously among the yellow berries.
Yuan Wu avoided the poisonous mushroom on its head and reached out to pinch it up. It was considerably heavier than last time, with a round, bulging belly.
Yuan Wu looked thoughtful, then raised her eyes toward the winnowing basket in front of the Chicken Coop. More than half of the Chicken Feed inside was gone.
Well, would you look at that. No wonder the Huoyan Birds had been extremely dissatisfied with their meals lately. She had thought they were simply tired of eating Chicken Feed.
The Black Snake had awakened the moment Yuan Wu picked it up. It obediently lowered its head, while its tail slowly coiled around Yuan Wu’s arm. It was cold and cool to the touch, yet surprisingly comfortable.
Hiss, hiss, hiss.
🟢It says it didn’t do it on purpose. It just wanted to come see you and fill its stomach while it was here.🟩
“While you were here? You certainly did that part well. Don’t do it again next time.” Yuan Wu carried the noticeably fatter Black Snake, playing with its little tail.
“Taking something without asking is stealing. Since you stole something from my Farm, you’ll have to pay the price. Stay here and work to repay your debt.” Yuan Wu carried it back to the Farm and pointed toward the carrot patch and the Chicken Coop as she spoke to the Black Snake.
“Water the vegetables, collect the bird eggs, and put them in the basket. Three meals a day are included. Any questions, Da Hei?”
The Black Snake had inexplicably received a name, and it was rather pleased. After sensing the rich spiritual energy earlier, it had been eager to enter the Farm. Now that it had been given the opportunity, with food and lodging included, how could it possibly refuse?
Forget watering the fields or collecting eggs—even having it spread manure would be fine..........
Yuan Wu: Don’t rush. You’ll get the chance later.
The Black Snake immediately demonstrated its usefulness to Yuan Wu. It raised its body, opened its mouth, and sprayed water over the vegetable patch, precisely irrigating each carrot.
Who would have thought it was a water-element spirit beast? Yuan Wu was slightly surprised. After all, when they had fought before, the creature had not used any water-element Spells.
See? Specialization really does make all the difference. This efficiency is incredible!
Yuan Wu applauded and cheered without holding back. “Good, keep it up! Nicely done—keep working hard!”
Da Bai, who was nearby, felt that her position was being threatened. She hopped tearfully over to Yuan Wu’s feet.
Yuan Wu stroked her head and comforted her. “Don’t worry, Da Bai. You’re our Farm’s veteran employee. Not just anyone can shake your position. Now that Da Hei is helping you look after the fields, you can focus on teaching the little ones. I remember that you’re very sensitive to spirit grass, right? Go out and look for some whenever you have nothing to do, then bring it back. I’ll reward you appropriately for each stalk of spirit grass, depending on its grade.”
Da Bai’s intelligence was no longer comparable to that of ordinary spirit beasts. After nearly a month in the Farm, not only had her strength increased, but her mind had grown sharper as well.
She understood most of what Yuan Wu said. Knowing that her position as the Farm’s number-one employee had not been shaken, she happily hopped away. When she passed Da Hei, she even disdainfully rolled her eyes.
After returning to the rocking chair to lie down, Yuan Wu began chatting with the System again.
🟢Taking something without asking is stealing? That’s not what you said when you snatched Da Bai’s carrots before.🟩
“You said I snatched them. How is that the same as stealing? I’m an open and aboveboard bandit.” Yuan Wu was famously hypocritical.
🟢Hehe. You’ve been lazing around like this for half a month, lying around at home every day. Could you show a little ambition?🟩
“There are no missions and no rewards. How am I supposed to strive with you? It’s just that my spirit stones are dwindling, and I’m feeling sad.” Yuan Wu spread her hands and shook her head.
🟢Who do you think is to blame for your dwindling spirit stones? You spend every day on fried chicken and barbecue, and you don’t provide the ingredients. Each order costs more than a dozen or even twenty spirit stones. With this much still left in your pocket, you should be celebrating.🟩 the System said speechlessly.
“Hey, I don’t know how to cook. What else can I do? Still, I need to find a way to earn some spirit stones.” Yuan Wu stroked her chin thoughtfully.
Her thoughts turned to the System.
“Xiao Ba, the food produced by the System is so delicious and even contains spiritual energy. What if we sell it outside.......” Yuan Wu coaxed.
🟢No.🟩 The System refused crisply.
Unwilling to give up, Yuan Wu said, “Then I’ll take eighty percent of the profits, and you take twenty.”
🟢No.🟩
“Seventy-thirty.”
🟢No..... Sigh, it isn’t easy for me either, Xiao Wu.🟩
“Forget it. Whether I earn spirit stones or not isn’t important. After all, I’m the eldest daughter of the Yuan Family. My family has money. If worse comes to worst, I’ll ask my parents for some and become a parasite.” Yuan Wu knew the System was trying to take advantage of the situation, so she could only speak regretfully.
“Sigh, unlike certain Systems that work themselves to death all year long yet barely receive any wages. I really want to help it, but even as a System, it can’t be this greedy. Seventy-thirty is only because of our many days of friendship. It’s just a matter of passing things along—basically effortless profit—and it still refuses, trying to take advantage of me. Truly, a System’s heart is impossible to fathom.”
Those words struck the System like an arrow, leaving it utterly battered and ashamed. Yuan Wu had made it feel so guilty. It was truly awful, sobbing inwardly. How could it be so greedy?
But it still wanted to save money to buy a body.
“Sigh~ Certain Systems should really think this over. Once this opportunity is gone, it won’t come again.” Yuan Wu was about to continue, but the System interrupted her.
🟢Deal. Seventy-thirty, but you have to provide the ingredients yourself.🟩
In the end, the System lost to Yuan Wu’s silver tongue.
Yuan Wu curled her lips into a triumphant smile.
Hah, you thought you could get the better of me?