Farming Games are All About Grinding

Looking at the large pork knuckle served on the table, Han Qiwu smiled shyly.

"Alright, hurry up and eat. If you don't, you'll drool all over the place." Grandma Zuo served two bowls of rice, each topped with two spoonfuls of delicious smelling sauce.

"Hehe." Han Qiwu scratched his head embarrassedly and began eating with big bites.

It was truly delicious.

The outer skin of the pork knuckle was aromatic and glutinous. A gentle squeeze with the chopsticks would give you a large piece. When it was stuffed into the mouth and bitten down on, the rich juice combined with the unique texture of the knuckle skin made you worry if you'd swallow your tongue too. The remaining meat was simmered to perfection, trembling and melting in the mouth. Paired with a bite of rice, it instantly gave you a feeling that life's journey was worth living.

"Grandma Zuo, this pork knuckle is amazing. I've never eaten such a delicious one before. You must be a five-star chef!" Han Qiwu managed to control himself and complimented.

Everyone likes compliments, and Zuo Yu was no exception. Hearing Han Qiwu's words, a smile appeared on her face, "As long as it's delicious, take your time eating, and later I'll pack some for you to take home. You can heat it up for pork knuckle noodles for dinner, and it'll be delicious beyond words."

"No need for that, I'll just come over to you next time I'm craving it." Han Qiwu laughed and continued eating.

After eating and drinking to his heart's content, Han Qiwu stood up, cleaned up the dishes, and after washing them in the kitchen, talked to Grandma Zuo about something important: "Grandma Zuo, the silkworm eggs I took back last time have all turned into young silkworms, but they're eating quite a lot. The leaves from the few small mulberry trees at home aren't enough for them."

"Haha, silkworms eat a lot when they are just born but less so as they grow. Just get through this period, and it'll be fine. Come on, I'll take you to the backyard to pick some mulberry leaves." Grandma Zuo smiled and said, leading Han Qiwu to the backyard.

Zuo Yu's backyard was neatly organized. There was a small patch with scallions, cilantro, lettuce, and cabbages growing robustly. In a large area at the farthest end of the yard were row upon row of mulberry trees.

Just at a glance, Han Qiwu saw many mulberry leaves glowing with a system glow.

In his eyes, these were not just mulberry leaves.

But strands of silk!

"Come and pick with me, choose the larger leaves, don't pick too many at once. Fresh leaves are better for the silkworms. Cut them into strips when you get back so they're easier to digest." Grandma Zuo said as she picked alongside Han Qiwu.

After gathering a handful of mulberry leaves, Grandma Zuo also cut some branches that were growing well and handed them to Han Qiwu. Each branch was about 15 centimeters long, with only two leaves left on it.

"Mulberry trees can be propagated by cuttings, although the success rate isn't high. Take these back to try. This variety is best for raising silkworms. Don't eat the mulberries—they're sour."

In Han Qiwu's field of vision, the mulberry cuttings were surrounded by a thin layer of system glow.

He received the cuttings with both hands, thanking her before examining them closely.

[Mulberry Cutting]

[Survival Rate: 50% (this rate is increased when planted with additional farm bonuses)]

[Rooting Time: 24 hours]

[Note: Enjoy the pleasure of rooting!]

Interesting.

Just as Grandma Zuo said, the mulberry tree's survival rate isn't high.

There are 18 cuttings in total, and with a 50% rate, only about half will survive.

Luckily, the survival rate can benefit from the farm's extra harvest bonus. Once they're planted, we'll know the exact rate.

Hopefully, more will survive.

Armed with mulberry leaves and cuttings, Han Qiwu bid farewell to Grandma Zuo and cycled home, heading straight to the silkworm room to continue feeding them.

After this round of feeding, the young silkworms finally settled down, each finding a spot to nestle in.

"Phew."

Han Qiwu wiped his sweat, walked to the nearly bald mulberry trees, and planted the 18 mulberry cuttings one by one.

Come on!

Just after planting the mulberries, Han Qiwu suddenly noticed the water ball on the Hospital River cracking.

"Is Little Shui coming out?"

It seemed about time.

Hope all goes well.

Han Qiwu stood by the riverbank, pulling out pine nuts, prepared at any moment.

From the cracked water ball on the river, a gray-gold light emerged, dazzling for a moment before merging into Little Shui's shape and disappearing.

"Splash"

Little Shui fell into the water, but in the next second, it was already on the riverbank, quickly bouncing to Han Qiwu's side.

"Ying ying ying!"

Han Qiwu picked up Little Shui to check, its body had grown about 40 centimeters longer, and its weight had also increased by over twenty pounds. Holding it felt weighty, and its two big claws had turned completely into a bone-gold color, very sharp.

Perhaps due to the bone-gold claws, under Little Shui's gray fur was a layer of soft golden down, making it look very pleasing and dignified with every move.

"Our Little Shui has grown up, becoming a big girl. You can't act cute with 'ying ying ying' anymore," Han Qiwu teased.

"Ying ying ying!"

Little Shui shook its head in response, burying its head in Han Qiwu's chest for a rub.

I'm still a baby!

Han Qiwu smiled, smoothing Little Shui's sleek neck while checking its traits.

[Fishing Pet: Little Shui]

[Quality: ☆☆☆☆]

[Stage: Growth Period]

[Type: Female Giant Claw Otter]

[Satiety: 15]

[Basic Skills: Fishing (Learned) Shrimp Catching (Learned) Crab Catching (Learned) Fish Drying (Learned)]

[Advanced Skills: Weaving Seaweed Nets (Learned), Luring Fish (Not Learned), Fatal Strike (Not Learned)]

[Likes: Eating, playing in water, playing with the owner, playing with Little Prince brother]

[Note: A growth-stage Giant Claw Otter is your best helper]

The changes in its traits were quite significant, with its quality rising a star and its stage also entering the growth period like Little Prince.

As for skills.

Honestly, seeing the list of learned basic skills gave Han Qiwu a sense of achievement.

Little Shui, whom he raised with his own hands, is amazing!

Moreover, the skill of weaving seaweed nets is now classified as an advanced skill.

The other two unlearned skills, by their names, also seem promising.

Let's see if there's any chance to train these later.

Upon hearing the commotion, Little Prince also came over and took Little Shui from Han Qiwu's arms to weigh.

Good, I can still hold it.

"Don't worry, Little Shui surely won't grow to your weight."

Han Qiwu laughed, glancing at Little Shui's satiety, squatting down and placing it by the Hospital River.

"Are you starving? Apart from the small fry and carp, eat whatever you like. Go ahead."

"Ying!"

Little Shui nodded before diving into the Hospital River to feast.

In fact, it was already very hungry right after its evolution, but feeling its master's concern, it chose to endure the hunger and let its master check its condition first.