A Stardew Valley farmer came to Gensokyo.

This was the first time someone other than family had given him a talisman.

"Thank you for the beautiful evening. I will cherish it."

Looking excitedly at the amulet embroidered with a small whale in his hand, Xia Xun said solemnly.

Xia Xun carefully put the amulet into her backpack, then opened the character interface and equipped herself, reducing her three item slots by one.

Immediately, Xia Xun felt a red rope around her neck, from which hung the amulet given to her by Okunoda Miyo.

In this way, the gift will not be lost or damaged.

"Well, as long as Xia Xun likes it."

Looking at the amulet hanging around Natsumi's neck, Okunoda Miyo saw that he liked it very much, and her tension quietly dissipated. She said happily.

"I'm sorry, I haven't prepared a festival gift for Miyo yet."

Xia Xun touched the amulet, feeling a little embarrassed as she spoke to Okunoda Miyo.

“Hmm~” Okunoda Miyo shook her head upon hearing this, her face still full of a cheerful smile, and said, “It’s okay, the gift is just because I want to give it to Natsumi, you don’t need to worry too much about the return gift.”

“If Natsumi really feels bad about it,” Okunoda Miyo excitedly extended her hand to Natsumi, “then come with me to the festival after we close tonight.”

Holding the girl's hand tightly in front of him, Xia Xun smiled and said, "It's an honor."

Chapter 78 Well then, I'm leaving Mokou in your care.

"Hmph~ Hmph~ Hmph~"

Feeling very happy, Xia Xun hummed a song as she walked along the streets on the eve of the festival, heading out of the village.

Even festivals couldn't stop him from inspecting the farm every day.

"Mokou, today is a festival, it's okay to wear some girls' clothes sometimes!"

A woman's voice, tinged with distress and persuasion, came from a shop on the street. The familiar name instantly caught Xia Xun's attention.

He stopped and looked in the direction of the sound, discovering that it came from a traditional kimono shop. Elegantly patterned noren (traditional Japanese curtains) hung in front of the door, and various exquisite yukatas could be vaguely seen hanging inside.

Just then, the curtain was suddenly pulled open, and a slightly disheveled white-haired girl rushed out.

Fujiwara no Mokou turned around and impatiently shouted into the store, "I don't want to wear this kind of clothing! It doesn't suit me at all!"

After saying that, she turned to leave, but almost bumped into Xia Xun, who was standing not far away.

"Ms. Fujiwara, it's been a long time." Xia Xun stepped forward, a warm smile on her face, and took the initiative to greet her.

"Huh?" Fujiwara no Mokou stopped in her tracks upon hearing the voice, frowned, turned around, and glared fiercely at Xia Xun with her crimson eyes, her tone sharp, "Who are you?"

...No wonder men are popular.

Seeing the other person's delinquent-girl-like demeanor, Xia Xun couldn't help but mentally complain.

But his smile remained unchanged, and he thoughtfully gave a hint: "Do you remember the person you saved in the western part of the Human Realm a couple of nights ago?"

Upon hearing this, Fujiwara no Mokou frowned even more deeply, as if searching through her memories.

A few seconds later, a look of realization dawned on her face as she looked at Xia Xun and said, "Oh, you're that idiot."

In an instant, Xia Xun felt her good mood was about to crumble, and a tic-tac-toe sign appeared above her head.

The moment the words left her mouth, Fujiwara no Mokou realized her mistake and a wave of annoyance washed over her.

In order to avoid getting too involved with ordinary humans, she had long been accustomed to using this rude and dismissive attitude to draw a clear line.

But she did have some recollection of the guy in front of her; he was a lonely, unlucky fellow who had just arrived in Gensokyo.

In an instant, the thought of apologizing resurfaced in her mind.

However, the words of apology were too unfamiliar to her, and even such a peaceful exchange made her feel at a loss.

How many years has it been since she last had one? She herself can't remember.

Ugh—!!! This is so annoying!

She suddenly raised her hand and grabbed her already messy white hair, then glared fiercely at Xia Xun: "Don't come near me!"

As soon as she finished speaking, she turned and fled into the crowd, quickly disappearing from sight.

Since he's just an ordinary human being, even if I saved him, we shouldn't have any further contact. Such a connection wouldn't end well for anyone; it would only bring misfortune.

Xia Xun stared blankly at the girl who had disappeared into the crowd, but then heard a soft sigh.

He turned around and found that Kawashizawa Keine was standing beside him at some point, holding a simple cloth handbag in her hand, with a hint of helplessness and apology on her face.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Natsumi, I hope you can forgive Mokou.” Kamishirasawa Keine bowed slightly to Natsumi, her voice gentle but tinged with sadness. “She didn’t do it on purpose. It’s just that some past experiences have made her habitually reject others.”

"She is not actually what she looks like; she is a good girl."

“It’s nothing.” Xia Xun shook her head, her tone surprisingly calm. “Apart from her initial, heartfelt comment of ‘idiot’ that made me a little angry, I didn’t take her subsequent words to heart.”

"After all, I could tell that those weren't her true feelings."

Upon hearing this, Kamishirasawa Keine looked at Natsumi in surprise, not expecting that the other party had actually understood Fujiwara no Mokou.

A relieved smile appeared on her face: "That would be wonderful."

As for Xia Xun's lingering resentment over the "idiot" label, Kamishirasawa Keine found the reaction perfectly normal, even somewhat endearing.

Xia Xun thought for a moment and said to Bai Ze Huiyin, "By the way, could I trouble you, Teacher Bai Ze, with a favor?"

“Mr. Xia Xun, you can just call me Huiyin.” Kamishirasawa Huiyin said with a gentle smile, nodding in agreement with Xia Xun’s question.

Currently, Kawashima Keine's favorability towards Natsumi has increased by one and a half stars because Natsumi understood Fujiwara no Mokou. In addition, due to the monster investigation incident two days ago, she has now reached two stars as a regular friend.

Upon hearing Shirasawa Keine's agreement, Xia Xun quickly bowed politely and gratefully: "Thank you, Keine-sensei. Actually, I would like to know where Fujiwara-san lives from you."

As he spoke, Xia Xun recounted to Shirasawa Keine how he had been rescued by Fujiwara no Mokou a few days earlier at night outside the Human Village.

After listening quietly, the slight wariness that had arisen from Xia Xun's sudden inquiry about Mokou's residence quietly dissipated, and her feelings of goodwill towards him increased even more.

This explains why he had such a high tolerance for Mokou's rudeness, and could even see through the essence beneath that rude attitude.

It turns out it wasn't because of lust, but because he wanted to repay the life-saving grace.

“I understand now that something like this happened before.” Kamishirasawa Keine said with a gentle smile, “Mokou lives deep in the Lost Bamboo Forest, a rather remote place.”

She carefully described the approximate location and route to Xia Xun, and solemnly instructed him: "However, Mr. Xia Xun, you must be extra careful when you go there."

"It's easy to lose your way in the bamboo forest, so remember not to go too deep. Just follow the outer path I told you about."

As she spoke, she tore a page from her notebook and drew a simple yet clear map with her pen.

Then, Kamishirasawa Keine handed the map, along with the cloth bag in her hand, to Natsumi.

"Please give this to Mokou as well, Mr. Natsumi," Kamishirasawa Keine pleaded. "If she doesn't want to accept it or wear it, please tell her that this is my request."

Xia Xun took the map and bag with both hands and nodded seriously: "I understand, Teacher Huiyin, don't worry."

He then put the two items into his backpack without even looking inside.

After all, Xia Xunzhen wasn't stupid; she could tell what was in the bag just by looking at the shop the two of them came out of.

Seeing Xia Xun's actions, Shang Baize Huiyin's feelings for him grew even stronger; she really liked polite children.

“Then, I’ll leave Mokou in your care, Mr. Natsuki.” Kamishirasawa Keine bowed slightly and turned to walk towards the temple school.

She knew this would anger Fujiwara no Mokou, but if she didn't do it, when would the other woman ever escape from that lonely prison?

Having swallowed the elixir of immortality, Mokou transformed from an ordinary human into an immortal being, but even today her spirit has not truly adapted to the transformation.

Simply running away will eventually reach its limit.

Watching Kamishirasawa Keine walk away, Xia Xun had no idea what kind of expectations she had placed on him in that brief conversation.

At this moment, he was simply filled with anticipation.

The thought of Fujiwara no Mokou seeing him suddenly appear near her home, then having to accept Kamishirasawa Keine's request, made her grit her teeth, change into a yukata, and reluctantly go to the festival.

Xia Xun felt incredibly excited just thinking about such a scene.

You dare call me an idiot? You're the idiot, your whole family are idiots!!!

Screaming indignantly, Xia Xun ran quickly toward the farm.

He couldn't wait to see Fujiwara no Mokou's unwilling yet resigned expression.

Chapter Seventy-Nine: Killing Rats and Warning Sand

Stardew Valley Farm.

Xia Xun carefully inspected every plot of farmland until he stopped in front of a piece of land that had been turned upside down.

He crouched down and brushed aside the loose soil with his fingers. The potato seeds that should have been buried there had vanished, leaving only a small clump of gnawed skin and a few scattered bits of dirt.

"Ah……"

Xia Xun chuckled, her gaze following the trail of tiny claw marks on the soil, disappearing into the bushes at the edge of the magic forest.

"The crows haven't even arrived yet, but the rats are already feasting, huh?"

Xia Xun spoke harshly, his gaze turning fierce.

"You'd better not have eaten the rest of my potato seeds, or you'll be in big trouble."

At this moment, he felt a strong connection with Reimu Hakurei, who had brutally beaten Marisa Kirisame back then.

Stealing mice are really annoying.

With a magical shout, Xia Xun activated the blessing of the plants, a technique he had recently learned after mastering magic.

In short, it's about enhancing the passive effect of a blessing by consuming magic power to make it more active.

The world of elements appeared before his eyes. Xia Xun stared intently at the row of mouse footprints, tracing the traces that had disappeared into the grass.

An aura, incongruous with the surrounding vegetation, entered his field of vision and, guided by the plants, meandered into the distance.

Following this trail, Xia Xun entered the outer perimeter of the magic forest until he stopped at a cliff face.

The scent of rats was now leading to a hidden cave at the foot of the cliff, and Xia Xun also found similar traces in several other places nearby.

"This is a big family!"

A smile involuntarily appeared on Xia Xun's lips as he spoke in a chilling tone.

Even before anything happened, he could imagine that the mice, having tasted the sweetness of their prey, would turn his farm into a buffet.

"Die!"

Xia Xun raised his right hand, and the water vapor in the air quickly condensed, turning into four or five streams of water as thick as a wrist, which meandered in the air like tamed silver snakes.

With a flick of his hand, the water plunged into the rat holes!

The gurgling sound of water being poured in instantly filled the air, and from deep within the cave came faint, urgent screams and frantic scratching sounds.

Xia Xun closed his eyes and used the sensation of the flowing water to see the scene inside the cave. A pile of undigested potato crumbs were stuck to the edge of the cave, and several round mice were desperately trying to climb up.

My potatoes!

A fire ignited in his heart, and Xia Xun clenched his fist tightly, unleashing a swirling water blade!

The water flowing inside the cave suddenly swirled wildly, transforming into an invisible meat grinder. Water blades hissed and spun in the vortex, sweeping in and crushing everything—pebbles, grass roots, rat hairs—into a chaotic slurry.

"Xia Xun? What are you doing squatting here?" A lively voice came from above.

Xia Xun looked up and saw Marisa Kirisame riding a broom, hovering in mid-air, her curious eyes peeking out from under the brim of her black and white witch's hat.

“Oh, what a coincidence, Marisa.”

Xia Xun released his grip, and the vortex at the cave entrance gradually subsided, leaving only a pool of murky muddy water gushing out. He patted the dust off his hands and smiled brightly.

"It's nothing, just dealing with a few rats with dirty hands and feet who dared to steal my farm's seeds."

Upon hearing this, Marisa Kirisame's gaze involuntarily turned to the cliff face beside Natsumi. A deep pit the size of a washbasin had been spun out of the hard rock surface, with smooth marks left by the water flow along the edges.

For no apparent reason, Marisa Kirisame shivered violently.

"Uh... haha, you really care about the farmland."

She chuckled dryly and quickly changed the subject: "By the way! Lingmeng asked me to come find you and tell you to settle her wages immediately!"

"She said she wanted to take advantage of the festival's discounts to stock up on a month's worth of food!"

"Okay, then please wait a moment."