CHAPTER 225: CHAPTER 217: INVITING MR. TANG TO GO UP THE MOUNTAIN TOGETHER!

After putting away the two types of mushrooms, Han Qiwu suddenly had an idea. He picked up a cultivated oyster mushroom and tentatively placed it on the cultivation rock protrusion.

[Cultivated mushrooms cannot be used for cultivation]

Alright then.

Han Qiwu chuckled helplessly. Looks like no infinite loop here.

He could only wait and search for other mushrooms later.

After leaving the cultivation rock cave, Han Qiwu walked to the beehive and took out the freshly brewed honey made from purple vetch flowers.

To prevent the Little Prince from causing mischief, he had already tricked the Little Prince into playing with the little water buffalo in the barren field before taking out the honey.

Ever since the little water buffalo became his sparring partner, the Little Prince would spar with it for a while every time he finished his work.

The little guy was quite clever, too. After watching Han Qiwu’s actions once, it learned how to help the little water buffalo open the gate and fetch the reins. Every day, with Han Qiwu’s permission, it would energetically run off to find its sparring buddy.

It’s estimated that the Angus cattle mutation might have had a lot to do with this.

After extracting the honey, he scooped out a small spoonful with a pre-prepared spoon and savored it carefully.

The floral fragrance of this purple vetch honey was intense, fresh and delightful, sweet yet not cloying, crisp and cleanly sweet on the palate.

"This honey tastes fantastic. If I have the materials, I definitely need to set up more beehives—this isn’t nearly enough to satisfy my appetite."

Han Qiwu carefully stored the honey and prepared to plant the spring melon seeds.

Given the special effect of the giant cauliflower, he decided to plant all the spring melon seeds near the giant cauliflower.

Gotta aim for giant melons sooner rather than later!

Positioning himself in front of the plot, Han Qiwu picked up the ancient bronze hoe, charged his swing for a few seconds, then slammed it down forcefully.

"Whish-whish-whish-whish"

With that, four plots of land were quickly cultivated.

"Feels great!" Han Qiwu gleefully swung the ancient bronze hoe and struck the next plot beside him.

"Clang-clang"

A series of crisp sounds echoed from underneath the ancient bronze hoe.

Han Qiwu’s eyes lit up as he knelt down and gently dug around the spot where the hoe had struck.

After a few digs, he uncovered a small antique bronze tube.

The small bronze tube appeared to be copper-made, with some green rust spots on the surface. It was about ten centimeters long and five centimeters in diameter. The mouth of the tube even had a tiny latch. The craftsmanship seemed very intricate, and when held to the light, some residual liquid could be seen inside.

[Artifact: Discarded potion tube missing its cap]

[Note: It used to be a high-grade container]

An artifact unearthed?

And it’s a potion tube?

Han Qiwu examined it with great interest, holding it up to the light to admire it for a while.

No wonder the craftsmanship was so exquisite—it turns out it was meant to hold potions.

Too bad there wasn’t much potion left inside, and the tube was capless.

Oh well, might as well keep it for now and see if I can find Zack later to see if it has any special use.

Who knows? Maybe it’ll trigger a special event.

This ancient bronze hoe sure has its charm.

History’s power really is something.

Onward.

Unfortunately, cultivating the remaining plots didn’t yield any more artifacts.

But Han Qiwu wasn’t fazed.

One discovery is one discovery—it’s all profit anyway.

After finishing the cultivation of all the farmland, he scattered the spring melon seeds one by one.

Spring melon seeds are even more practical than cauliflower seeds; even if you can’t grow giant crops, a single vine can produce multiple melons—it’s good for selling, good for eating.

Home-grown melons are bound to taste amazing.

Once he was done with all the work, Han Qiwu wiped the sweat off his forehead and suddenly felt like he’d forgotten something.

What could it be?

After pondering for three whole minutes, he finally remembered.

He had forgotten to call Mr. Tang because he got sidetracked by the Angus cattle mutation.

Han Qiwu pulled out his phone and started organizing his thoughts while walking to the lounge chair and drying off the rainwater on it. Then, he leaned back comfortably.

Picking up his phone, he first called Aunt Hong Mei to ask if she’d mind Mr. Tang coming along to the mountain tomorrow.

The result was perfect.

In Aunt Hong Mei’s words, she’d be thrilled to have a couple of young folks keeping her company, chatting with her, an old lady. Besides, Tang Qingying had grown up in the town when she was little—Aunt Hong Mei knew all about her. Familiar faces, tried-and-true people.

On top of that, Aunt Hong Mei was meticulous—she specifically reminded Han Qiwu that if Mr. Tang were coming, they wouldn’t need to head up the mountain too early. Since there hadn’t been much sun these days, eight or nine o’clock would be fine.

Girls need more sleep to stay pretty.

Han Qiwu silently noted the advice.

Boys need more sleep too to stay handsome.

With Aunt Hong Mei settled, it was time to reach out to Mr. Tang.

Opening the chat window, Han Qiwu wasted no time sending over a few pictures.

Red Mushroom.jpg

Grilled Meat.jpg

Rice (Dragon Rice).jpg

Thunderlight Fish Fillet.jpg

Wait! Thunderlight Fish Fillet.jpg successfully retracted.

This thing absolutely mustn’t be shown to Mr. Tang.

A few seconds later, Mr. Tang replied.

Little Bury gulping down cola.gif

"Are you trying to make your teacher starve to death!" Tang Qingying replied while swallowing her saliva.

Why do the dishes Han Qiwu sends over always look so delicious!!!

Tang Qingying was currently feeling a bit peeved. This kid didn’t even invite her last time when there was good food, and now he’s teasing her with tempting dishes again!

Hmph!

Han Qiwu chuckled when he saw Mr. Tang’s reply and quickly typed: "Your student wouldn’t dare. Mr. Tang, do you have time tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow... I do have time." Tang Qingying typed and then guiltily glanced at the thick stack of documentation beside her.

These were materials submitted by students that needed her meticulous review—they were due the day after tomorrow.

She was different from other mentors; she didn’t like delegating such tasks to others or assigning students to do them.

Your own matters, do them yourself.

"Great! Want to come over to Water Buffalo Town tomorrow? Aunt Hong Mei said she’s heading up the mountain for delicious finds—care to join?" Han Qiwu replied swiftly.

"Woohoo!"

Tang Qingying’s eyes lit up, and she gleefully waved her fist.

This isn’t me looking to freeload food!

Han Qiwu invited me, okay!

There should be bamboo shoots in the mountains by now, right?

Bamboo shoots stir-fried with meat—so mouthwateringly delicious.

"No problem. What time in the morning?" Tang Qingying quickly replied.

"Eight or nine works—whatever fits your schedule," Han Qiwu responded.

"Let’s say eight-thirty. I’ll drive straight to your place," Tang Qingying replied after gritting her teeth. She had made up her mind—she’d burn the midnight oil tonight and finish the materials no matter what!

"Deal."

"See you then!"

After sending those three words, Tang Qingying hurriedly grabbed the documentation and began carefully reviewing it.

"Even if I have to pull an all-nighter! I’m going tomorrow for a feast!"

Meanwhile, Han Qiwu remained oblivious to all this. After putting down his phone, he, too, began to feel a bit hungry.

"Ah, right. Tomorrow I still need to bring rice balls along—I better go buy some meat first." Han Qiwu quickly hopped on his bike and rode to Zhu Zhu’s shop to buy three portions of pork belly.

Originally, he had planned to buy more. After all, it’s a hassle every time he has to make the trip.

But alas, no money.

He had spent six thousand in the Thunder Realm today!

Plus, he hadn’t swung by the smithy today, meaning he couldn’t sell any jade even if he wanted to.

The money to buy these three portions of meat came from selling freshly caught sea fish.

Life is hard.

Back home, he prepared the ingredients and quickly started making rice balls.

"Gotta ration this out. This Dragon Rice should hopefully last until the rice harvest," Han Qiwu thought with some frustration.

He initially planned to make two servings of grilled fish as well, but considering how inconvenient carrying them would be, he had to temporarily let go of the idea.

Down the mountain later, maybe.

By then, he could bring cumin, sesame seeds, chili powder, grab some river fish, and grill them up.

Really looking forward to tomorrow’s mountain adventure.