Chapter 556: Chapter 556

Back home, Han Qiwu quickly found the barren patch of land.

Since creeping-strawberry isn’t a system crop, Han Qiwu only planted ten seedlings this time and carefully tilled, sowed, and watered the soil.

After finishing up, he grabbed the rubber and set out to find Aunt Guo to make a pair of boots—less mess when heading to the polluted area later.

All for the Iridium Sprinkler!

Before heading to Aunt Guo’s house, Han Qiwu deliberately brought a large basket of milk and eggs.

The three elderly folks were quite old, and last time they came to help him early in the morning.

He had to properly express his thanks.

Arriving at Aunt Guo’s house, Han Qiwu deliberately circled halfway through the yard, placed the eggs and milk in the kitchen, and then walked in smiling to greet her.

"Good afternoon! What brings you over here today?" Aunt Guo set down the work in her hands and stood up, smiling.

Han Qiwu scratched his head and grinned, "Well, I came to ask for your help again. I’ve got some rubber here—could you help me make a pair of rubber boots? Makes going out a bit more convenient."

To his surprise, Aunt Guo looked at him with a startled expression after hearing his request, brushed off the crumbs on her apron, and smiled, "You sure have good timing, kid! Just a few days ago, I made a pair of water boots from leftover buffalo leather in the storehouse. Why don’t you try them on? If they fit, take them—they’re just sitting here unused."

"Ah, how could I... where are they? I’ll grab them myself, no need to trouble you," Han Qiwu replied with a grin.

Aunt Guo chuckled and grabbed a pair of tan water boots from the nearby shoe rack, handing them to Han Qiwu, "I’ve already tested these—completely waterproof."

"Thank you, Aunt Guo." Han Qiwu accepted the buffalo leather boots with two hands. Unlike other shoes, these lacked the system glow.

Still, thanks to the oil treatment, they looked shiny and were exactly the height Han Qiwu had hoped for—up to the knees.

He sat down to try them on. They felt a bit big; he’d have to pad them with insoles later.

Better big than too small—tight shoes were way too uncomfortable.

"Not bad, a bit large. I’ll pad them with insoles later, that’ll do," Han Qiwu said after walking around in them.

"I’ve got insoles here, hang on! Aunt Guo will get them for you." With practiced ease, Aunt Guo stood up and quickly fetched a pair of cotton insoles, handing them to Han Qiwu.

Han Qiwu didn’t hesitate to take them and padded the boots before trying them on again.

After a bit more chit-chat, Han Qiwu took off the water boots and helped Aunt Guo fill up a water tank, chopped some firewood, and said his goodbyes. Standing at the door, he yelled, "Aunt Guo, I left three portions of milk and eggs in the kitchen. Please let Grandpa Chen and the others know later!"

After shouting, Han Qiwu turned and bolted, Aunt Guo’s laughter and playful scolding following him: "You little rascal! Don’t bring me stuff next time, you hear me!"

Finished scolding, Aunt Guo cheerfully headed to the kitchen to check on the eggs, her steps noticeably lighter.

Ten minutes later, Han Qiwu arrived at the polluted land, swapped on his buffalo leather boots, and dove right in to start working.

Four hours later, an exhausted Han Qiwu glanced at the stars and hazy moon above, sighed, and tore open a scroll to teleport home.

Another Iridium Sprinkler in hand!

But seriously, when will the next moonless night come?

Little Prince has almost gotten tired of his camphorwood axe.

With a flash of light, he was home.

Under the moonlight, the emerald-green asparagus swayed gently in the spring breeze, fresh and tender.

"The asparagus is ready! Perfect timing—I’ll make asparagus noodles tonight—something simple."

Han Qiwu first took a bath, then came out to pick the asparagus.

Asparagus has to be eaten fresh—leave it sitting for a few hours and the outer layer starts to harden, making it inedible.

The texture and its concentrated freshness are what you savor.

After a quick rinse, Han Qiwu separated the tough bottoms from the rest, tied them into bundles, and tossed them into boiling water.

In the neighboring pot, he started boiling noodles.

Once the asparagus began changing color, Han Qiwu scooped out the tender parts, plunged them into cold water to maintain their crispness and sweetness.

As for the tough ends, he left them in to stew into asparagus broth.

Five minutes later, with the broth done, Han Qiwu placed the cooked noodles into the strained broth, added a pinch of salt, and topped them with the crisp asparagus.

Asparagus noodles complete!

The tender asparagus practically melted in his mouth, and each bite seemed to encapsulate the essence of spring, compelling him to savor one after another. The emerald-green broth carried a sweet aftertaste and a slightly richer aroma—especially soothing to the stomach.

Finishing the bowl in no time, Han Qiwu felt his entire fatigued body revitalized.

So satisfying. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn N0velFire.ɴet

Home-grown food really tastes the best.

Though the noodles fell a bit short—he’d have to grind his own flour to improve them.

Now, how could he grow summer wheat?

After a brief rest, he continued chopping trees in the miniature Forest of Ten Thousand Woods, tossed his stockpile of strawberry jam and mayonnaise into the shipping bin, and tidied up his storage chest.

He suddenly recalled the items he’d acquired during the fishing tournament hadn’t been sold yet.

Since there were crowds back then, he couldn’t take them directly—they’d been delivered by the organizers to his doorstep.

Considering there weren’t any particularly rare fish, he decided to toss them all into the shipping bin for easy selling.

By the time everything was done, Han Qiwu collapsed onto his bed, chatted with Tang Qingying for a while on his phone, then dozed off, head lolling to the side.

Clink-clink-clink (sound of Gold Coins pouring)

Income......1080 Gold (Golden Carp)

Income......47520 Gold (Strawberry Jam)

Income......25400 Gold (Mayonnaise)

Income......10220 Gold (Fish)

Character Affinity Changes:

Current Money: 90,000 Gold

Total Lifetime Earnings: 816,692 Gold

[Congratulations! Your Farming skill has leveled up to Level 7]

[Farming Specialization +1]

[Your stamina has improved]

[You’ve learned how to craft a Loom]

[Congratulations! Your Foraging skill has leveled up to Level 7]

[Foraging Specialization +1]

[Your reaction speed has improved once again]

[You’ve learned how to craft a Resin Collector]

Listening to the ducks quacking nearby, Han Qiwu rubbed his eyes and dashed to the bathroom.

Tea is definitely something you shouldn’t drink too much of.

Looking back at the journal log.

The strawberry jam earnings were shockingly good!

Add the accumulated mayonnaise profits, and it totaled over 80,000 for one sale.

Time to unlock another genetic upgrade.

Also, lifetime earnings had surpassed 800,000; only 200,000 away from the next big reward.

So excited—what could the reward be?

As for skills, after saving up for so long, both Farming and Foraging skills leveled up, and he unlocked two new crafting blueprints.