A Stardew Valley farmer came to Gensokyo.

Looking up, Ibuki Suika felt Natsumi's gentle movements. Once her hair was tied up, she jumped off the stool, opened her arms, and shouted, "Hmph, resurrected~!"

Turning back, Suika Ibuki happily showed her big little face to Natsumi, and eagerly grabbed her: "Let's go have breakfast quickly, and then cut down trees to make sap collectors."

"I can't wait to make a big splash."

"Yes, yes~" Xia Xun looked at the cheerful Ibuki Suika with gentle eyes and reached out to pinch her little face: "After all, if we don't start brewing alcohol on a large scale soon, the alcohol at home won't be enough for you to drink, right?"

“I saw at dinner last night that the original ten barrels of potato wine had been reduced to only six in the blink of an eye.”

"I didn't do it all by myself!"

Suika Ibuki looked at Natsumi and quickly raised her little hand in protest: "I secretly took one bucket when I went out yesterday. The remaining three buckets were taken by Murasaki, Miyo, and Reimu."

“Miyo took it to the Minato-tei to promote it, unlike the three of you who secretly drank it.” With a sarcastic remark, Natsumi led Ibuki Suika out of the bedroom.

"However, Zi's hands are indeed not clean. I shouldn't have given her the authority to open the wooden box."

“Yeah, yeah, we shouldn’t have given it to Yukari.” Suika Ibuki nodded her little head in agreement: “Otherwise, Yukari would have secretly drunk it all, and then I wouldn’t have any left to drink.”

"Oh, right, Xia Xun."

Stepping out of the bedroom, Suika Ibuki suddenly remembered something and looked up, saying, "Yesterday, that girl named Fujiwara no Mokou came to the shop looking for you. She said the kappa would be able to finish decorating the house today, and asked you to come over in the next couple of days if you have time."

"Okay, I understand." Nodding, Xia Xun stroked his chin, feeling that he might have to give Mokou a little pushover.

"Ugh~, don't sneak away, we need to finish making the sap collector at home first." Seeing this, Ibuki Suika grabbed Natsumi's hand and said angrily.

"Of course!" Xia Xun said cheerfully. "Don't worry, I'm just thinking about the work arrangements for the future so I can get back to Mei Hong."

"There's a lot going on at the farm, I'll probably be busy for about a week."

"Should I stay home and help out?" Suika Ibuki asked. "Anyway, there's not much going on at the shop lately, and Suzume is here too."

"Don't worry, I won't stand on ceremony with you if I need anything," Xia Xun said with a smile, holding up her finger. "For example, this morning, I asked you to help me collect some trees, just like last time."

Go down to the living room.

Everyone in the family has gradually gotten up, some helping out in the kitchen, others chatting on the sofa.

"Xia Xun, is there anything I can help you with today?" Shen Qi looked at Xia Xun expectantly, her face full of enthusiasm.

"You've already worked so hard yesterday, Shenqi. You should get some rest today." Xia Xun sat down next to Shenqi, shook her head to politely decline Shenqi's offer, and glanced at Alice beside her.

"Ai..." Xia Xun was about to greet her when he saw the girl quickly lower her head and then quietly hide behind Shen Qi.

Even the Shanghai and Penglai flying around her looked the same, as if they were shy and dared not approach.

Looking at Alice's bright red ears peeking out from beneath her golden hair, Xia Xun had no choice but to give up on disturbing the shy girl.

Seeing this, Shinki looked at the two of them with a troubled expression, not knowing what to do. She could only glare angrily at Kazami Yuuka, who was elegantly eating breakfast across from her.

Alice suddenly became so shy yesterday, all after Yuuka took Natsumi to her room.

Alice must have accidentally seen their private affairs through Shanghai's senses.

Damn it, Xia Xun is her own younger brother, and she, as his older sister, has never been even slightly affectionate towards him.

Kazami Yuuka paid no attention to Kagami's resentful gaze, but simply looked at Alice and happily drank a sip of hot soy milk.

After breakfast.

Okunoda Miyo and Kazama Yuka went out to the market to buy the common ingredients needed for today's samurai feast. Kazami Yuuka also went with them, wanting to check out the shop information.

After all, Xia Xun had already planted the flower seeds she had given him, and it was time to prepare for opening a flower shop.

Although Kazami Yuuka didn't plan to keep the shop open all the time, having a shop would give her a reason to come out of the sunflower field to see Natsumi more often.

Xia Xun went to the forging room first and carefully stored away the copper, iron, and gold ingots that Duoduo Liang Xiaosan had smelted overnight through ten furnaces.

In total, I obtained 193 copper ingots, 273 iron ingots, and 48 gold ingots.

This amount of copper and iron ore is far from enough for the upcoming expansion of Stardew Valley.

but!

"Hehehe~, I've struck it rich!"

Looking at the stack of gold ingots, Xia Xun's lips curled into a wide smile; gold was hard currency.

Whether used as currency, a material for technological industries, or for magical research and alchemy, it is an extremely precious metal.

Xia Xun took out eight pieces of paper and immediately made eight seed production machines for Qiu Rangzi to ensure the seed yield.

Of the remaining forty coins, twenty will be used as upgrade materials for the tools. Xia Xun plans to ask the Kappa, Tengu, and Akyu if anyone wants them.

I wonder what the price of gold is like in Gensokyo.

With a happy expression, Xia Xun stroked the gleaming metal and encouraged Tatara Umbrella, telling the little guy to go rest. Then, she went to chop down trees with Ibuki Suika.

Wood is a basic material that will be needed in large quantities in the future, so we need to collect it quickly.

While we're at it, let's also max out Xia Xun's gathering skill, which isn't maxed out yet...

Chapter 233 Reimu and Alice's Battleground

It was evening.

In the neat grove of trees, Xia Xun installed the sap collector in his hand on the oak tree in front of him.

The sounds of installation echoed continuously through the woods.

"Phew, finally done."

Xia Xun let out a soft breath, stood by the river, and looked back at the forest behind her with a smile on her face.

He had a total of 500 sap collectors, and he hung them on 200 oak trees, 200 maple trees, and 100 pine trees.

Xia Xun planned to collect oak and pine sap in several rounds to have enough materials for making things. After that, most of the sap collectors would be used to collect maple syrup and ordinary sap.

He still had more than ten empty sap collectors in his hand, which he then handed over to Aki Shizuha, asking her to help him try out which tree species around the farm could be used to collect ordinary sap.

"Finally finished, Xia Xun, I'm hungry."

Rubbing her shoulders, Reimu Hakurei walked over and leaned against Natsumi with a lazy look.

The intimate way the two looked at each other made Alice, who was following behind, freeze for a moment, staring in astonishment at Reimu Hakurei, who was acting coquettishly.

Is this the same heartless, cold-blooded guy she knew?

But seeing Reimu Hakurei's completely unguarded state, Alice couldn't help but recall the scenes she had witnessed in Shanghai yesterday.

Could it be that Xia Xun and Ling Meng are together now?!

An unbelievable thought flashed through Alice's mind, and she felt dizzy, instantly losing even her shyness towards Xia Xun.

She strode forward, her sapphire-like eyes glaring at Reimu Hakurei, and grabbed Natsumi's other arm with an imposing air.

?

Reimu Hakurei, who had originally intended to ask Natsumi for some gold as her afternoon wages, froze, staring at Alice in bewilderment.

But in this atmosphere, she instinctively hugged Xia Xun's arm tightly and glared back defiantly: "Alice, what are you doing? Xia Xun is my lover."

“Lover, lover.” Alice’s momentum weakened, but she still replied unwillingly, “I, as Xia Xun’s magic teacher, am just worried that he has been deceived by you.”

Then she looked up at Xia Xun, somewhat exasperated, and said, "Xia Xun, isn't that right? Ling Meng only came here today because she saw you selling gold!"

Reimu Hakurei's expression froze. Although Alice's words weren't entirely true, she did indeed have her eye on the gold in Natsumi's hands.

This afternoon she came to the Human Village to handle some matters. After finishing, she planned to come to Stardew Valley to find Xia Xun, but she met Xia Xun on the way who was asking about the price of gold.

Then, she became blinded by the gold.

"No, that's not it." Reimu Hakurei looked up at Natsumi with a slightly weak tone. "We agreed to meet at least once every three days. I came because I missed Natsumi."

In an instant, the two girls' intense gazes converged on Xia Xun, making him feel as if he were sitting on a felt mat.

Is this what they call a battleground?

But looking at Alice, who was holding him tightly, Xia Xun couldn't help but feel happy. Indeed, competition is the key to breakthroughs.

“But Reimu wants gold too, right?” Xia Xun smiled at Reimu Hakurei, causing the girl's cheeks to puff out as she glared angrily at her boyfriend who was undermining her.

So cute~

Xia Xun smiled and kissed Hakurei Reimu's lips right in front of Alice: "I missed you too."

The gentle tone made Alice, who had just perked up a little, look down, and she felt powerless as she gripped Xia Xun's arm.

She looked at Reimu Hakurei's face soften instantly. Although she was still maintaining an angry expression, her hands had already wrapped around Natsumi again, making her look like a girl in love.

In the intimate atmosphere, Alice felt completely superfluous and had no right to join in.

"Sorry, I was too talkative." Releasing her grip, she turned to run away, feeling as if her heart was about to break apart.

This time, however, Xia Xun grabbed Alice's hand and looked at her seriously, saying, "Alice, you didn't say anything unnecessary."

"Alice, do you think I would consider your concern meddling?" Xia Xun couldn't stop smiling as she said, "I'm very happy, really very happy."

The sudden realization quickly calmed Alice's chaotic thoughts. Looking at Xia Xun's undisguised emotions, a blush appeared on her face.

"Is that so? That's good then." Alice said softly, only then realizing how out of control she had just been.

Although she disliked Reimu for being so heartless, she also knew that he wasn't the kind of person she described.

"I'm sorry, Reimu." Alice apologized to Reimu Hakurei, who was pouting and angry. "I said some bad things to you because of my own emotions."

Reimu Hakurei looked at Alice apologizing. Although she was still a little angry, she could understand Alice's feelings.

After all, she had done something similar during the Reitaisai festival before, due to a momentary emotion.

"Give me your drink tonight, and I'll forgive you," Reimu Hakurei said awkwardly, glaring at Alice.

"Okay, I understand." Alice nodded, looking at Reimu Hakurei with a softened expression.

This guy, I wish I could become less annoying.

Hearing Alice's words, Reimu Hakurei secretly breathed a sigh of relief, glanced at Xia Xun, and snorted inwardly.

Ultimately, it's all this womanizing radish's fault.

She flung Natsumi's arm away and walked straight to Alice, pulling her toward the courtyard.

"Let's go, I'm starving, let's go eat quickly."

After walking a short distance, Reimu Hakurei looked at Alice beside her and thought for a moment before saying, "Alice, you like that guy Xia Xun too, right?"

Before Alice could reply, Reimu Hakurei casually waved her hand at the girl's astonished expression, glanced at Xia Xun behind her, and sighed, "No need to hide it, after all, your attitude is too obvious."

"I can understand your attitude just now, after all, you were the first person to fall in love with Xia Xun."

With that, Reimu Hakurei shrugged and gave Alice a friendly smile: "However, you don't need to be so hostile towards me. That guy doesn't just have me as a partner."

“Siuka and Miyo, who were with Natsumi first, didn’t mind, so what can I, who came later, say?”

“We’ll see.” Reimu Hakurei pouted, looking at Alice, who even she found incredibly beautiful: “Natsumi-kun also seems to like you at first glance.”

“Reimu.” Alice looked at Reimu, who had a sincere expression on her face, and couldn’t help but feel moved.

A smile involuntarily appeared on Alice's lips. She felt that perhaps she could become friends with Reimu again.

"However, Alice, you are really amazing."

Just then, Reimu Hakurei's words interrupted Alice's thoughts.

She turned back to Alice with a sigh, saying, "When we first met, I could sense your hostility towards me."

"Haha, Wenwen should have made you the female lead in the story she wrote."

As she was laughing, Reimu Hakurei suddenly felt a chill run down her spine. Turning around, she saw Alice staring at her coldly with murderous intent.

"As expected, Reimu and I can't become friends again, you heartless girl."

Chapter 234 The Imminent Wealth and Prosperity of Nuonang Valley

【Spring 4.6】

Gathering level 8 → 10, unlocked by: Teleportation Totem - Desert, Class: Extractor - Resin product value +25%.

"Ha, desert teleportation totem."

Scratching his head, Xia Xun stared at the skill upgrade information that had appeared in front of him, somewhat puzzled.

In his memory, Gensokyo didn't seem to have an environment that corresponded to a desert.