A Stardew Valley farmer came to Gensokyo.

The box clearly contained over a hundred pounds of stuff, but holding it in my arms, it felt no different from an empty wooden box.

"Just as I expected." Xia Xun's eyes flashed with excitement. "The box, once filled with things, won't increase in weight!"

He had discovered this characteristic when he made the first wooden box, but at that time there were not many things and he did not feel it deeply. Now that it is filled with so much cargo, the experience is particularly obvious.

"This is amazing." Xia Xun took a few steps with the box in her arms, then gently put it down. "I wonder how much the people in the human realm would be willing to pay for this kind of 'magical storage box'?"

Xia Xun, when he made the first wooden box, wanted to sell this magical item to make a fortune.

Even if it's just a small quantity, it can be sold to merchants who need to splurge on heavy items, pharmacists who need to store special materials, or wealthy people who simply like novelties.

"Hehehe!" Xia Xun couldn't help but laugh out loud. "I'm going to get rich."

With money, you can buy more and better seeds, build irrigation systems, upgrade tools, and construct processing equipment.

Only then can his Stardew Valley farm truly take off and enter the fast lane of development.

Chapter Twenty-Four: Xia Xun Opens a New Page in the Book

In the human world, East District.

The Hideaki Residence, with its blue tiles and white walls, has a solemn and respectful entrance.

Xia Xun, carrying the wooden box, stopped at the door, his gaze sweeping over the rustic family patterns on the lintel before turning to the two guards standing at the door.

"Hello, please inform them," he nodded slightly, his tone calm, "Xia Xun, who has recently arrived from outside, wishes to visit Ms. Hieda Akyuu."

Upon hearing this, one of the tall guards looked at Xia Xun and sized him up.

The young man was neatly dressed and had a calm expression. The guard remembered that the head of the family had indeed given instructions a couple of days ago that if a visitor named Xia Xun came to visit, he should be notified immediately.

He nodded, his voice steady: "Wait a moment, I'll go and report it right away."

The guard turned around, pushed open the heavy gate, and disappeared into the depths of the courtyard behind it.

Before long, the sound of footsteps grew louder as they approached.

The door opened again, and the guard stepped aside, revealing a petite figure.

A purple-haired girl in a light purple kimono stepped over the threshold, the morning light shining on her delicate face. The moment Hieda Akyuu saw Natsumi, his eyes lit up slightly, and a gentle smile naturally appeared on his lips.

“Long time no see, Mr. Xia Xun.” Her voice was clear and gentle. Her gaze lingered briefly on Xia Xun, noticing that he looked well and was dressed neatly. “It seems that your life in the human world is going very well.”

"Excuse me, are you here today to fulfill our promise?" Hieda Akyuu tilted his head slightly, a hint of expectation in his eyes.

"Long time no see, Miss Hieda," Xia Xun replied with a smile, her tone genuinely warm and friendly. "Things have gone very smoothly. Not only have the crops yielded a harvest, but I've also made many new friends."

He paused, his gaze falling on the wooden box in his arms, then looked up at A-Qiu: "Today I've come to give you some return gifts, and also to fulfill our promise."

“That’s wonderful.” Upon hearing this, Hieda Akyuu’s smile deepened slightly on her delicate face. She turned to the side and gestured for them to come in and discuss the matter further.

Xia Xun nodded, carrying the wooden box, and followed the girl into the mansion.

Passing through a simple yet elegant porch, Hieda Akyuu led Natsumi to a reception room by the window.

The room was small but simply and comfortably furnished, with several cushions placed next to a low table, and a meticulously maintained dry landscape garden visible through the window.

"Please sit down." Aqiu gestured for Xia Xun to sit on the futon beside the low table.

Xia Xun gently placed the wooden box beside her and sat down as instructed.

Hieda Akyuu then turned and walked to the tea cabinet by the wall, skillfully taking out a set of simple and elegant tea utensils.

She knelt opposite Xia Xun and began to brew tea.

The girl's posture was elegant and fluid, every movement seemed to have been honed a thousand times. Her fair fingers complemented the plain porcelain, the sound of flowing water was subtle and even, and steam rose gently, carrying the mellow aroma of black tea throughout the room.

Xia Xun didn't make a sound to disturb them, but quietly enjoyed the scene.

The girl's focused expression and fluid movements are themselves a delightful art form.

He recalled Alice's composure while brewing tea and Hieda Akyuu's tranquility at this moment; though their styles differed, each possessed its own beauty.

A moment later, a cup of bright red, fragrant black tea was gently pushed in front of Xia Xun.

"Please have some tea," A-Qiu said softly.

Xia Xun thanked him, picked up his teacup, and sipped his tea.

Although he was a little surprised that the green tea was not what he expected, the black tea was also quite good.

Xia Xun ranked Hieda Akyuu second on her list of the most delicious black teas.

First place, naturally, goes to Alice's Black Tea.

"It's delicious." Xia Xun put down his teacup, his voice trembling with delight.

"You flatter me." A-Qiu lowered his head slightly, his ears turning a faint pink, as if he were a little embarrassed.

After exchanging pleasantries, Xia Xun straightened up, her gaze falling on the wooden box beside her, ready to get down to business.

“As I mentioned in the announcement, I am here today mainly to thank Ms. Hieda for her previous help.” He sat up straight and spoke solemnly, “When I first arrived, I was able to settle in smoothly thanks to your guidance and care. I will always remember this kindness.”

As he spoke, Xia Xun bowed respectfully to the girl in front of him.

Seeing this, Hieda Akyuu quickly reached out to help her up, a hint of panic and shyness appearing on her small face: "Mr. Natsumi, there's no need to be so polite. This is just a courtesy that everyone who comes to the Human Village receives; it's what we should do. You really don't need to take it too seriously."

“But help is help.” Xia Xun straightened up and smiled at her. “Besides, the return gift I brought is nothing particularly valuable, just some crops that I grew and harvested myself, just a small token of my appreciation.”

Upon hearing this, Hieda Akyuu tilted his head slightly, a clear question mark appearing in his amethyst-like eyes.

Crops grown and harvested by oneself?

She clearly remembered that Mr. Natsumi had just arrived in Gensokyo a few days ago and registered his residence in the Human Village.

Even if we start planting immediately, it usually takes at least one or two months for crops to grow from sowing to harvest, right?

Puzzled, she watched as Xia Xun bent down and opened the wooden box beside him, which didn't look very big.

Then, the girl's eyes widened slightly in surprise.

Xia Xun then took out one by one various vegetables from the seemingly limited wooden box, a quantity far exceeding the box's volume.

Fist-sized potatoes with smooth skin; emerald green and upright scallions with jade-like white stalks; white and firm cauliflower, like solidified cream; uniquely shaped yet vibrant and lively radishes; and bright red strawberries exuding a sweet aroma...

The vegetables were arranged in categories on the open ground next to the low table, each category piled into a small heap, so fresh that they looked as if they had just been pulled from the soil and still carried the scent of morning dew.

But that's not all.

Xia Xun bent down again and took out the second batch from the wooden box.

This crop is completely different in appearance from the previous ones. The potatoes are larger and more uniform in shape; the strawberries are as red as jewels, with a surface that looks like it's coated with a layer of frosting sugar, and the aroma is more intense and enticing; the cauliflower is pure white, and the tightly packed flower heads are like sculpted jade...

Just by placing it there, a rich aroma, a blend of earthy fragrance and the sweet scent of plants, fills the room, even overpowering the mellow aroma of black tea.

The maids and guards on duty outside the door seemed to be attracted by the unusual fragrance, and they secretly glanced into the room with curious eyes.

"These... are all vegetables grown by Mr. Xia Xun?" Hieda Akyuu couldn't help but ask softly, his voice filled with disbelief and surprise.

She looked at the dazzling array of high-quality crops on the ground, then at the seemingly ordinary wooden box beside Xia Xun that appeared to hold a secret, her purple eyes gleaming with intense curiosity and a thirst for knowledge.

As the son of the ninth generation of Miori, who compiled "The Origin of Gensokyo", Hieda Akyuu has an almost instinctive sensitivity to and desire to record all the abnormal and special things in Gensokyo.

The man in front of us, Mr. Xia Xun, is clearly not an ordinary visitor or a newly arrived farmer.

They are able to harvest so many high-quality crops in such a short time, and they also have such amazing storage devices.

The girl's heart beat slightly faster, and her fingertips unconsciously curled up.

With the beginning of Gensokyo, there's new and noteworthy content to write about!

Mr. Natsumi is clearly a person with special abilities, destined to leave a unique story in Gensokyo.

Chapter Twenty-Five: The Origins of Gensokyo - Xia Xun

"Mr. Xia Xun, can you tell me about your situation?"

Hieda Akyuu leaned forward slightly, his eyes gleaming with barely suppressed excitement.

"Me?" Xia Xun was taken aback, not expecting the topic to suddenly turn to her.

"Mmm-hmm." Hieda Akyuu nodded vigorously, his purple hair swaying slightly with the movement. "Mr. Natsumi also possesses special abilities, right? The vegetables you grow, and this wooden box!"

Her gaze fell on the seemingly ordinary wooden box beside Xia Xun. "These are all very magical tools. To harvest so many high-quality crops in just a few days is something that ordinary farmers could never do."

The girl took a deep breath, her voice becoming even more solemn: "As the ninth generation son of the Hieda family, I have always been responsible for recording the history of Gensokyo and compiling 'The Origin of Gensokyo'."

"Humans like you, with your special abilities and ability to leave unique footprints in Gensokyo, are destined to be recorded."

She paused, her eyes gleaming with pure academic enthusiasm: "Not only your story, but also your abilities and the changes you have brought about will become a page worth writing in the history of Gensokyo. So please make sure I get to know you."

Xia Xun did not give a direct answer upon hearing this.

He lowered his eyes, his fingers unconsciously tracing the rim of his teacup, lost in brief contemplation.

His ability, to put it bluntly, is simply farming, and there doesn't seem to be any need to deliberately keep it a secret.

Moreover, he himself did not intend to conceal his special abilities.

After all, Gensokyo is a bizarre and extraordinary place that defies common sense, where demons, monsters, gods, and fairies can be seen everywhere.

Here, what is unusual to the outside world is often the common sense here.

Besides, he had already planned to use Hieda Akyuu's connections and knowledge to find a suitable buyer for his wooden box and sell it for a good price.

Since we're going to cooperate, it's better to be frank and open.

Thinking of this, Xia Xun raised her head and met Hieda Akyuu's expectant and earnest eyes.

He nodded, his tone calm: "Although my story isn't particularly interesting, I certainly won't hide it from you if Miss Hieda is willing to listen."

Upon hearing this, Hieda Akyuu's delicate face immediately broke into a joyful smile.

She immediately stood up, walked quickly to the sandalwood cabinet next to her, bent down and pulled out a blank plain scroll and a wolf-hair brush from the bottom shelf. She then took a small inkstone and quickly ground the ink.

After preparing everything, she sat down opposite Xia Xun again, carefully spread the scroll on the low table, dipped her brush in ink, and adopted an extremely serious posture.

Her purple eyes were fixed intently on Xia Xun, as if to say, "I'm ready, please begin."

Seeing this, Xia Xun felt a little cute and touched by the attention he received. He cleared his throat, recalled briefly, and then began to slowly recount the story.

She recounted her childhood, from her family's circumstances and the hardships her parents endured working away from home, to her time living in the countryside with her grandfather.

Then, during my teenage years, my parents encountered an accident in a foreign land, and the sudden bad news left me feeling lost and sad.

His grandfather endured his grief and raised him to adulthood, but the long-term longing and depression eventually took a toll on the old man's health. Several years later, he bid farewell at his sickbed, and from then on, there were no more blood relatives in the world.

After completing their studies and entering the workforce, they drifted in unfamiliar cities, mechanically repeating the nine-to-nine routine, feeling confused and exhausted about the future.

Then, on an ordinary day, a strange time travel occurred, and when I opened my eyes, I found myself in this wondrous place called Gensokyo.

“After arriving here,” Xia Xun’s voice became calm again, even with a hint of relief, “perhaps because I remembered the simple joy I had with my grandfather in the fields when I was a child, or perhaps because this land itself has a special power, I awakened a kind of ‘ability’.”

Instead of describing the overly gamified concept of the "Stardew Valley system" in detail, he summarized it in a way that is more in line with our understanding of the world: "an ability closely related to the land and to farming."

"I can sense the condition of plants and promote their growth more quickly, resulting in crops of exceptional quality. This wooden box is also a creation that facilitates cultivation, derived from this ability."

Xia Xun's narration is plain and concise, without excessive emotional embellishment, but simply and clearly outlines the trajectory of her past life.

As he spoke, Hieda Akyuu's brush moved smoothly across the scroll, producing delicate and neat ink marks.

She quickly extracted and summarized Xia Xun's words, transforming them into an objective account resembling a historical record:

[Mr. Xia Xun, an outsider, came from a poor family. His parents worked far away, and he was raised by his grandfather in the countryside. His parents died in an accident when he was young, and several years later, his grandfather, suffering from depression, also passed away, leaving him without relatives. After completing his studies, he wandered in foreign lands for several years. One day, he entered Gensokyo (the Land of Fantasy), and remembering the joys of his childhood in the fields, he awakened a special power. Its current effects include: the ability to quickly grow crops, and the resulting quality is often excellent; it can also be used to create special tools (such as storage boxes). Its future effects are unknown and should be continuously observed and recorded.]

With a final, gentle pause, the pen completes the sentence with a perfect period.

Hieda Akyuu put down his brush and looked at the note about Natsumi that he had just finished writing.

Her initial excitement at discovering a "new subject" was now replaced by a faint sadness.

Mr. Xia Xun's past was not one filled with laughter and happiness, but rather one marked by separation, loss, and wandering.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Natsumi.” Hieda Akyuu raised his head, his purple eyes filled with genuine sorrow, “Because of my willful request, you have been forced to recall and recount these sad past events once again.”

“No, Miss Akyuu.” Xia Xun shook her head gently, a calm smile on her face. “These past events, whether sad or not, are part of me, and they are indeed in the past.”

His tone became serious: "On the contrary, I am very grateful to you for listening so attentively and taking notes."

"You transformed my past into words, allowing others to know and read these experiences. Isn't this another way to let these 'past' continue to exist and be passed down in another form?"

"For me, being able to say it so frankly and have it solemnly recorded is like completing a formal farewell. I can let go of the past with more peace of mind and then embrace my new life in Gensokyo with a more relaxed attitude."

“Mr. Natsumi…” Hieda Akyuu gazed at Natsumi’s composed face. Suddenly, she understood something. She clasped her hands together in front of her and offered her blessing with the most powerful breath: “Then, please allow me to wish you—that this new life you begin in Gensokyo will be peaceful, fulfilling, and filled with happiness that will satisfy you.”