Chapter 346: Chapter 346
Han Qiwu quickly ran over and discovered that the sapling of the osmanthus tree had completely transformed into another type of plant.
This plant had sparse stems growing in clusters, with few branches, entirely hairless, and about one meter tall. Its leaves resembled willow leaves but were much bigger, and at the very top was a small white flower that had already bloomed, standing elegantly.
It looked somewhat familiar.
Han Qiwu stepped closer and reached out to touch the large willow-like leaf, checking its attributes.
[Giant Willow-Leaved Catchfly]
[Remark: It possesses the miraculous effects of clearing heat and dampness, promoting blood circulation, and detoxifying.]
It really is an ancient plant?
"Willow-Leaved Catchfly?" Han Qiwu lowered his head and took out his phone to look it up, and suddenly understood.
Previously, scientists in Russia had successfully cultivated it from 30,000-year-old seeds extracted from Siberian permafrost. He had seen pictures of it before.
Regarding the smaller parent plant version, he had also spotted it on the mountain in the past. This plant is currently difficult to cultivate artificially, with more found in the wild.
No wonder it looked so familiar—if you scaled up the smaller Willow-Leaved Catchfly by three to five times, it would turn into this thing.
"Since its size has increased, its medicinal efficacy must have improved as well." Han Qiwu chuckled. The catchfly is also known as Silver Bupleurum or Native Balloon Flower; its medicinal properties are excellent.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t ripe yet, meaning it would likely take some time before it could be used as medicine.
Thinking about the situation in the mine cave, Han Qiwu walked over and gave it a bit of water for encouragement.
Maybe it could be usable after a few days.
After watering it, he leisurely retrieved three boiled hot spring eggs and ate them.
The moon hung high in the sky, and the courtyard seemed draped in a layer of silvery gauze.
Han Qiwu collected the handmade goods from his workshop, refilling it with fresh raw materials.
"The furnace capacity seems inadequate now," Han Qiwu muttered. Counting his supplies of copper and iron ore, he decided he had enough materials at home and immediately increased the number of furnaces to ten.
Efficiency was greatly improved.
Once the furnaces were set up, he used the existing copper and iron ingots at home to craft 10 sprinklers, skillfully arranging them in the vegetable plot.
"Just a few more days of work; this batch of crops should be able to get matched up with all the sprinklers. Then I can upgrade my watering can," Han Qiwu said with a smile.
After finishing that work, he was hungry again.
Looking at the freshly acquired flour from today, he decided to try making a strawberry layer cake.
However, before beginning the process, he crafted three jars out of the wood that Little Prince brought back today.
He needed to start producing strawberry jam.
If he didn’t, he’d soon be running out of money at home.
Unlike pickled items, strawberry jam only required two strawberries for production.
[In Progress; Estimated Completion Time: 72 hours]
"Slowly stocking up on jars," Han Qiwu sighed resignedly. With so many strawberries at home, he needed to make more jars.
Moreover, mulberries would need jars if they were to be made into jam as well.
After placing the jars aside, Han Qiwu entered the kitchen, retrieved flour, strawberries, sugar, and milk, and began clumsily making the cake.
It was his first time making such a dessert.
The preparation of the strawberry layer cake was based on a Chinese style, somewhat akin to decorative steamed buns, but with slightly more intricate steps.
Following his memory, Han Qiwu spent over an hour to complete one strawberry layer cake.
"Making desserts is so exhausting."
The tricky thing about baking desserts compared to cooking was that the appearance had to be attractive.
This strawberry layer cake was hefty, measuring about one meter in length, 30 centimeters in width, and 15 centimeters in height, looking like a small mountain.
The layers of dough wrapped around strawberries in three different forms: whole large strawberries on top, crushed strawberries in the middle, and sliced strawberry pieces on the outside. It exuded a fragrant aroma and dazzled with vibrant colors.
Han Qiwu sliced a piece from the side and took a bite.
The soft dough carried a rich milky flavor, perfectly complementing the fresh sweetness of the strawberries.
Through a special treatment, the natural fruit acids of the strawberries were overpowered by their sweetness, creating a candied feel but without the heaviness of candied products.
Han Qiwu devoured half of the layer cake in one go, then stared at the remaining half in a daze.
"This strawberry layer cake is too good; should I send some to Mr. Tang? Last time she visited, I didn’t have any flour on hand, so I couldn’t make it for her."
The weather was still mild; with an ice pack, he shouldn’t have any issue delivering it to Mr. Tang.
After thinking it over, Han Qiwu decided to ask Mr. Tang first.
Just in case she didn’t want it.
Though that possibility was extremely slim.
Pulling out his phone, he hadn’t yet sent a message when he spotted an earlier text from Mr. Tang that afternoon.
"Been busy these past two days and not checking my phone. If you want to send me food, use this address—the gate guard will notify me."
Han Qiwu chuckled, seemingly Mr. Tang had already thought this through.
No need for consultation then—just send it.
Perfect to boost her nutrition.
He packed up the strawberry layer cake, cycled into town, found a Big Wind Express courier service, and only paid after watching them carefully wrap the package.
The courier promised to deliver it by tomorrow morning, just in time for Mr. Tang’s breakfast.
Back home, Han Qiwu strapped on his weighted sandbags and continued trying to break through "The Era Calls."
After an hour of training, he took a bath, sprawled onto his bed, read some "Little Pig’s Clumsy Adventures," and fell asleep.
Planting Experience +299
Foraging Experience +2641
Fishing Experience +364
Combat Experience +1201
Mining Experience +1985
Character Affection Changes:
Current Money: 2997 gold
Total Earnings: 303,367 gold
The morning sunlight filtered through the window and onto the foot of Han Qiwu’s bed.
Rubbing his eyes, Han Qiwu got up, completed his washing up, and headed to the courtyard to water his crops, kick-starting another busy day.
Meanwhile, several hundred kilometers away at the Rong City Agricultural Research Institute’s gates, a Big Wind Express courier on a black tricycle delivered a large package to the gate guard.
The guard on duty was an elderly woman. After receiving the package, she put on her reading glasses, wiped them, and slowly began reciting, "Tang Qingying recipient? Han Qiwu sender?"
Recognizing the names, she placed the package down and quickly walked to the office to call out Tang Qingying.
Tang Qingying had just arrived at the office and didn’t even have time to change. Following the elderly woman in confusion, she thought to herself, I didn’t order anything—where did the package come from?
At the gate, spotting the sender on the delivery label, Tang Qingying understood and involuntarily chuckled.
Perfect timing—she hadn’t eaten breakfast yet!
A passing female colleague saw the smile on Tang Qingying’s face and paused, surprised, asking, "Qingying, what’s making you so happy?"
She had been here for some time but had never seen Tang Qingying smile .
"My friend sent me breakfast," Tang Qingying replied straightforwardly, pulling out a small knife from her pocket to quickly open the package and reveal the beautifully crafted strawberry layer cake.
The cake’s visual appeal instantly drew the attention of everyone around.
"Such a beautiful cake?"
"I want this for breakfast too!"
"Qingying, where did you buy this?"
Under the envious gazes of the crowd, Tang Qingying tore off a large piece of the layer cake and began savoring it with delight.