A Stardew Valley farmer came to Gensokyo.

A strong wave of embarrassment surged up her cheeks, and her ears instantly burned.

But the next second, she forcibly suppressed her embarrassment; filling her stomach was clearly more important than feeling awkward!

"Hahaha, Reimu, are you starving? You're practically ready to devour Xia Xun!"

Nearby, Marisa Kirisame, whose mouth was stuffed full and who was trying to swallow, seized the opportunity to laugh loudly without any mercy, with a little bit of mashed potato still stuck to the corner of her mouth.

"Marisa, shut up!" x2

Xia Xun and Bo Li Lingmeng turned their heads and roared at the same time, their eyes glaring fiercely at the culprit who showed no remorse.

Reimu Hakurei released Natsumi's grip, but her gaze was completely captivated by the sumptuous feast on the low table.

Although in Xia Xun's eyes, this was just a simple farm meal: perfectly roasted potatoes, bright green cauliflower stir-fried with a little oil and garlic, and a pot of milky white soup with the fragrance of parsnip.

She instantly moved to the table and snatched the bowl and chopsticks from Marisa Kirisame's still grinning hand, her movements so fast they were just afterimages.

Then, he buried his head in the food on the table and launched a fierce attack.

Xia Xun looked at the red and white shrine maiden in front of her. She was holding a bowl, her cheeks were bulging, her eyes were fixed on the dishes, and she was chewing and swallowing at an astonishing speed.

She looked like a stray cat that had just been taken in and was ready to risk its life for food. My heart ached for no reason, and I couldn't help but raise my hand to wipe the corner of my eye.

What kind of life does this girl lead on a daily basis?

Marisa Kirisame's laughter gradually stopped as she watched Reimu Hakurei's ravenous, starving appearance.

She pursed her lips, lowered her head, poked around in the bowl with her chopsticks, and then quietly picked up a large piece of roasted potato and placed it silently into Reimu's almost empty bowl.

...She never imagined that the potato chips she had casually stolen and eaten that day would become Reimu's last remaining stock of food that could be considered legitimate.

Although I was just curious to try it at first, I ended up eating it all without even realizing it.

About fifteen minutes later, Reimu Hakurei, who had almost single-handedly devoured most of the food on the table, finally leaned back and fell to the floor with a "thud".

She squinted contentedly, one hand gently resting on her slightly protruding belly, her face radiating an almost holy and serene expression.

At this moment, she felt that even if she ascended to heaven immediately, she would definitely become a Buddha.

Bliss, bliss.

Xia Xun shook his head and directed Kirisame Marisa, who knew she was in the wrong and was unusually quiet, to clean up the dishes, while he himself went to sit down next to Reimu Hakurei.

After hesitating for a moment, he couldn't help but speak up: "Miss Reimu, you have no food left in your kitchen. Why don't you go to the human world to buy some food?"

"I have no money." Reimu Hakurei answered crisply without even opening her eyes.

"..." Xia Xun was taken aback by those two straightforward words, and after a moment she continued, "But you're a shrine maiden, you clearly have such strong abilities, at least earning enough money for food and lodging shouldn't be difficult, right?"

“I am making money!” Reimu Hakurei suddenly opened her eyes, her tone carrying a hint of resentment at being questioned.

She turned her head to the outside of the door, her gaze falling on the dimly colored donation box. Her delicate face was filled with frustration and confusion: "I've tried so hard! I get up early every day to open the door and wait for the worshippers in the front yard from morning till night, but no one comes."

She turned her head back, staring at Xia Xun, his image reflected in her crimson eyes, her tone even a little aggrieved: "Xia Xun, you're still the first one to come to our door recently."

Xia Xun: "..."

He looked at the priestess lying on the ground, complaining righteously, and his eyes gradually became lifeless.

That sounds impressive, but if you think about it carefully—isn't it just lying in the shrine, wasting time and waiting to die?!

Thinking back to how exhausted she was climbing that treacherous mountain path, Xia Xun felt a surge of anger rising within her, wishing she could immediately give this slacker a makeover.

"If you want worshippers, at least fix the road up the mountain first!" Xia Xun pointed outside the door, her voice rising unconsciously. "Besides, the road always feels eerie; who knows what monsters might be hiding there? With no guarantee of safety, who would want to come up here!"

“Uh—” Upon hearing this, Reimu Hakurei’s face immediately fell. She dragged out her words, her face clearly showing her refusal. “No—it’s too much trouble.”

She turned over, her back to Xia Xun, using the back of her head to express her firm determination to get rid of him.

Xia Xun stared at the red and white figure, a lump forming in her throat. After a long while, she could only take a deep breath and slowly exhale.

Okay, you're awesome.

"By the way, Aya Shameimaru filmed your battle just now."

Xia Xun spoke calmly. He had given up hope on Reimu Hakurei. Her listless attitude made her seem completely unlike someone who would take action for a little paparazzi news.

"The three of us are going to be famous in Gensokyo from now on."

"I can say that I officially debuted in Gensokyo."

—Author's Note—

P.S.: I'm a newbie and I'm asking for your support! Votes, comments, and recommendations during the new book recommendation period are very important!!!

Chapter Thirty-One: Xia Xun, you big idiot!

As evening fell, the clouds on the horizon were tinged with a gentle orange-pink hue by the setting sun.

After saying goodbye to Reimu Hakurei, Natsumi boarded Marisa Kirisame's flying broom and flew towards the Human Village.

He hadn't expected to linger at the Hakurei Shrine for so long, nor had he anticipated such a fulfilling afternoon.

After Hakurei woke up from her dream, Natsumi gave her fifteen ordinary strawberries as a thank-you gift.

However, when he caught a glimpse of the empty kitchen of the shrine, he couldn't bear it and added ten ordinary potatoes and two precious silver star potatoes.

He was genuinely worried that if he didn't leave her some food, the shrine maiden might actually starve to death.

As for the silver star parsnip that was originally intended for Marisa Kirisame, it had already been stewed into soup at noon to replenish the energy of the two who were starving.

It also serves as compensation for Kirisame Marisa stealing Reimu Hakurei's potato chips.

After giving the gift, Xia Xun did not forget his business. He purchased a batch of talismans from Bo Li Lingmeng.

The price of talismans varies depending on their quality and is not cheap: an ordinary talisman costs ten coins and can drive away minor demons; a medium-grade talisman costs fifty coins and can deal with medium-level demons; a high-grade talisman costs one hundred coins and is powerful enough to intimidate high-level demons.

When Xia Xun first arrived, Lingmeng gave him an ordinary talisman.

This time, Xia Xun went all out, purchasing five ordinary spirit talismans, two intermediate spirit talismans, and one advanced spirit talisman in one go, spending a total of 250 coins.

Although his wallet was suddenly reduced to only 146 coins, holding the stack of talismans filled him with a sense of security.

When Boli Lingmeng was collecting money, she reminded him that all talismans have an expiration date. Although high-grade talismans can last a little longer, they will only last for half a month at most.

As she said this, she was holding the pile of coins in her arms, her eyes sparkling, and she looked at Xia Xun as if she were looking at a moving mountain of gold.

Clearly, this large-scale purchase firmly established Xia Xun's image as a local tycoon in her mind.

With a strange chuckle escaping her lips, Reimu Hakurei eagerly awaited the day when Natsumi would come back to buy the talisman after its expiration date.

From now on, she will never have to worry about going hungry because she has no money.

However, Xia Xun smiled smugly.

Shelf life? Hey~

Let's talk about the system backpack that stops time and keeps things permanently fresh.

Reimu Hakurei stood in the shrine courtyard, looking up at the two flying away, and stretched her slender waist.

His gaze then fell on the offering box in the center of the shrine, and he couldn't help but smile.

Hehe, I'm rich now.

No, she had to count the coins carefully several more times to make sure of the exact amount.

In the kitchen in the shrine's backyard, the space suddenly split open, revealing a gap filled with eyeballs.

A slender, long hand reached out and unceremoniously took away the half of the strawberries and potatoes that Xia Xun had left behind.

Riding on Marisa Kirisame's broom, the two quickly returned from the Hakurei Shrine to the human village.

As Xia Xun slowly descended from the sky, he looked at the broom in Marisa's hand and couldn't help but sigh sincerely, "Indeed, being able to fly is so convenient."

He turned to Marisa, his eyes filled with anticipation: "Marisa, look, I've already cultivated magic power. Can you teach me flight magic?"

"Huh? Xia Xun, you've actually cultivated magic power?" Upon hearing this, Marisa Kirisame's face showed obvious surprise.

She moved closer, almost touching Xia Xun's face, her golden-brown eyes carefully scrutinizing him from head to toe.

The girl's unreserved closeness made Xia Xun's breath catch slightly, but her serious and scrutinizing expression quickly suppressed any lingering fantasies he might have.

Marisa observed carefully and discovered that Xia Xun had not only successfully condensed magic power, but also had three kinds of natural blessing auras surrounding her.

This astonishing talent and progress gave her an immediate and strong sense of déjà vu—the figure of Xia Xun before her seemed to overlap with that of the red and white shrine maiden.

Both of them were exceptionally talented, the kind of geniuses that she envied and couldn't help but compete with, completely different from her own self-taught path of hard work and groping her way forward.

A surge of mixed emotions—resentment and excitement— welled up within Marisa Kirisame, her eyes instantly burning with intensity. She stared at Xia Xun, her voice rising slightly with excitement: "Xia Xun! You have a real talent for magic! Let's begin our rigorous magical training!"

"I, Marisa Kirisame, swear here and now that I will train you to become a powerful mage!"

Xia Xun was taken aback by this sudden declaration, completely baffled as to why the other party was suddenly so excited.

But hearing the seriousness in her tone, which didn't sound like a joke, Xia Xun quickly interrupted, "Marisa, wait a minute, don't get so excited."

"Huh?" Marisa, who had already mounted the broom and was about to start Natsumi's special training, paused and looked at him in confusion.

"I'd like to ask first, what exactly do you mean by 'rigorous magical training'? Is there a detailed schedule?" Xia Xun explained earnestly.

"As you know, I am first and foremost a farmer. The most important thing right now is to cultivate the land well and establish my farm."

"So for now, I just want to learn the flying magic I need for getting around. As for deeper magical training, that will probably have to wait until after my farm management plan."

Xia Xun knew in her heart that responding in this way might be a bit of a betrayal of Marisa's good intentions.

But he understands even more clearly where the foundation of his life lies: Stardew Valley Farm is the basis for him to settle down and realize all his future plans.

Whether it's future life, dating the girl he likes, or the magical training itself, all require a lot of financial support.

Money may not be everything, but you can't get anywhere without it.

Moreover, running a farm and improving skills not only brings income, but also unlocks higher-level blessings, which in turn can improve his magical aptitude.

Therefore, this is not a delay, but rather a time to lay a solid foundation.

However, Marisa Kirisame did not think so.

Her enthusiasm cooled down quickly, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over it.

Marisa Kirisame looked at Natsumi, then suddenly took two steps back, and without a word mounted her broom and soared into the sky with a "whoosh".

"Xia Xun, you big idiot!"

A cry, clearly tinged with sobs, came from the air and echoed through the evening streets, leaving Xia Xun completely stunned.

This sudden turn of events also drew sidelong glances and whispers from passersby.

Xia Xun vaguely heard comments like "scumbag" and "deceiving girls' feelings" drifting into her ears.

Xia Xun felt utterly wronged and was filled with confusion.

Why is that?

Marisa, all she did was postpone her magic training a little, and she ran away crying?

This is completely meaningless!

Chapter Thirty-Two: Night Talk at the Donkey Pavilion

Xia Xun ran away.

Amidst the pointing and whispering of a crowd, his running posture in the sunset was so resolute, as if a monster was chasing him, turning away and never to return.

Running headlong, Xia Xun covered the street from the east gate of the Human Village to the west district in one breath.

Finally free from the probing gazes and whispers, he stopped, braced himself on his knees, and gasped for breath.

The pain shot through its lungs and legs, protesting its owner's careless use of the device.

But at this moment, Xia Xun felt that her mind was more confused than her body, and she couldn't understand how things had suddenly turned out this way.

"What on earth is going on here?"

He scratched his head in frustration, looked around at his surroundings, and realized that he had unknowingly run all the way back to his vicinity of home.

As his gaze swept across the room, Xia Xun spotted the familiar white whale-shaped door panel—the Whale Swallow Pavilion.

The place where he and Marisa Kirisame first met.