Chapter 339: Chapter 339

Han Qiwu carefully took out a glass jar he had gotten from the mayonnaise machine and cautiously opened the lid of the clay wine jar.

As soon as the lid was opened, a strong aroma of rice wine wafted out. The milky-white rice grains floated up and down in the clear liquid, making it incredibly tempting to take a sip.

Although Han Qiwu was already full, he still decided to try a little.

Delicious indulgence, why not.

The refreshingly cold rice wine carried a hint of sweetness.

Unable to resist, Han Qiwu took sip after sip until he finished the entire bottle of rice wine.

"So good." Han Qiwu exclaimed with satisfaction, adding more ingredients into the jar to continue brewing rice wine.

After eating and drinking to his heart’s content, Han Qiwu walked into the cultivation cave to check on the ice mushrooms while digesting his meal.

Based on the timing, the ice mushrooms should have matured today.

Unfortunately, mist mushrooms couldn’t be cultivated; otherwise, they’d have increased in quantity as well.

Han Qiwu glanced at the nearby mist mushrooms, which were emitting life mist that seemed to be working well. Numerous delicate buds had sprouted on the adjacent tree branches.

Entering the cultivation cave, Han Qiwu walked to the innermost rocky protrusion and picked up a crystal-clear ice mushroom to inspect it.

The ice mushrooms cultivated this time seemed much more refined than before. Underneath the translucent mushroom caps, thin, ice-like fissures formed patterns that were incredibly aesthetically pleasing.

[Cultivated Ice Mushroom]

[Usage: Food/Material]

[Special Effect - Freezing: Can be used in potions to add or enhance freezing effects]

[Note: Cultivated ice mushrooms possess an intense cold attribute]

Its stats didn’t differ much from other cultivated mushrooms. The unique properties mainly manifested in potions.

Might as well set it aside until the potions were made.

Storing the cultivated ice mushrooms away, Han Qiwu walked to the storage box, tidied up the compartments, grabbed the necessary mining supplies and miner’s lollipops, and headed straight to the animal farm on his bike.

After checking on the rabbit pens, it would be time to head to the mine.

At the entrance of the farm, Han Qiwu took out a bag of mulberries, intending to give some to Xiao Shu if he happened to see him.

Thank goodness for the five mulberry trees; otherwise, if there were only a handful of mulberries, he wouldn’t even have the face to take them out.

The things were just too small.

Entering the farm, Han Qiwu greeted the old gatekeeper and confidently made his way inside.

Just as he entered, he heard Yang Yangyang scolding Xiao Shu, "Xiao Shu, why didn’t you finish your homework again yesterday? If you don’t study, you’ll be stuck in one place forever! What, do you want to open a farm here for the rest of your life?"

"Why not! Then I can raise a bunch of big, fat pigs and sell them for a good profit!" Xiao Shu retorted confidently. "I’ve already planned it out—fun farming! I’ll take them up the mountain to play, let them listen to music, play games with them! Develop their pig brains!"

"And then?" Yang Yangyang, clearly not hearing this for the first time, asked with a mix of frustration and amusement.

"And then roasted pig brain will taste amazing! It’ll definitely sell for a high price!" Xiao Shu said earnestly.

Outside the door, Han Qiwu: "...."

So all your elaborate plans amount to wanting some roasted pig brain, huh, Xiao Shu?

"Xiao Shu, I brought you some mulberries." Han Qiwu called out from the doorway.

As soon as Xiao Shu heard Han Qiwu’s voice, he immediately leapt off the bed and sprinted over.

Halfway there, Xiao Shu seemed to remember something. He abruptly turned around and dashed into the kitchen.

A few seconds later, he came back carrying his baby bowl, panting as he said, "Brother, put them here. I’ll wash them myself."

"Good boy, take it slow—don’t drop the mulberries while running," Han Qiwu said, patting Xiao Shu’s head and placing the mulberries into the bowl.

Xiao Shu nodded quickly and scampered into the kitchen, holding his baby bowl tightly as he started washing the mulberries.

"This kid is a handful when it comes to education. Say one thing, and he has ten arguments waiting for you." Yang Yangyang sighed. "He doesn’t like school at all; he’s obsessed with this pig-raising dream. Ah, what can you do?"

Han Qiwu comforted him, saying, "There are 360 careers—every one of them can make an expert." After that, he bent down to pick up a drawing Xiao Shu had made, intending to praise him.

But when he looked down, what he saw wasn’t a picture of fat pigs.

It was a plate of braised pork.

With garnished scallions on top.

The details were impeccable.

"Help me find a way to reason with Xiao Shu later. I’m not looking for him to ace exams, just that he learns something at least." Yang Yangyang said helplessly.

"Yang Yangyang has issued you a quest: Persuade Xiao Shu."

[Quest Name: Persuasion]

[Quest Objective: Convince Xiao Shu to complete his homework on time for three consecutive days]

[Quest Reward: One-time opportunity to halve costs for purchasing or upgrading building materials, and two animal cubs of your choice]

"Consider it done!" Han Qiwu’s eyes lit up as he eagerly nodded.

The quest was easy enough.

Convincing a kid to do homework properly? Piece of cake.

As for the quest rewards, they were just what he needed to upgrade his mid-tier chicken coop.

And he’d choose two bunny cubs.

After the conversation, Xiao Shu returned with his baby bowl, now filled with freshly washed, glistening mulberries.

"Xiao Shu, are they tasty?" Han Qiwu asked with a smile.

Xiao Shu nodded. "They’re delicious! But brother, how did you know I secretly tried one?"

"Look at yourself in the mirror and stick your tongue out," Han Qiwu chuckled.

Xiao Shu put down the baby bowl and ran to the bathroom to check in the mirror. He immediately let out a startled yell.

"Brother, isn’t this poisonous? I’m still young—I’m just a kid! Spare me!"

In an instant, tears welled in Xiao Shu’s eyes, and he clung to Han Qiwu’s leg.

"Calm down, calm down. It’s just pigment from the mulberries—completely harmless," Han Qiwu quickly explained, turning to Yang Yangyang. "Could it be Xiao Shu has never eaten mulberries before?"

Yang Yangyang waved his hand helplessly. "Oh, he’s eaten them, but I’ve never had him check a mirror afterward."

"What’s pigment?" Xiao Shu was reassured now and sat to the side, nibbling on another mulberry while asking questions.

Han Qiwu patiently explained, then concluded, "See, that’s why learning is important. It helps you better understand the world and reduces your fears."

Xiao Shu nodded, half understanding.

Taking advantage of the moment, Han Qiwu pressed on. "These mulberries taste good, don’t they?"

"Yep! Way sweeter than the ones Dad bought!" Xiao Shu replied cheerfully.

Soon, he finished all the mulberries and gazed expectantly at Han Qiwu.

"If they’re so tasty, wouldn’t you like to eat them every day?"

"Then here’s the deal: the first step in learning is doing homework. For the next three days, finish your homework on time, have your dad check it, and call me. I’ll bring you mulberries each day. The better you write, the more you’ll get," Han Qiwu coaxed.

After thinking for a moment, Xiao Shu glanced at the mulberry stems, nodded firmly, and held out his hand. "Alright, let’s pinky swear on it."

"Sure, pinky swear and hang it high, never change for a hundred years."