I Become a Landlady in the Game World

"And didn't you hear what they said? They were curious about territories with origins like that of Hope Village."

"Such territories seem to be quite common in the outside world, but it's uncertain if any of them are as good as Hope Village or have the same origins."

"It should be about the same! They're all from the same place, after all."

"Then they must also have the same things as Hope Village, right? I wonder if that would have some impact on Hope Village since many merchant teams and mercenary teams are coming for the goods from Hope Village."

"It shouldn't, Hope Village clearly has a higher ranking. Its contemporaneous territories can't compare, and even if they have the same things, as long as Hope Village builds its reputation faster, others will more easily recognize Hope Village."

"Yes, recently several nobles have visited, the highest-ranking being the Lord of Lovisa City. If such a large territory is seeking cooperation with Hope Village, it means similar products haven't appeared outside yet."

"That's true! Speaking of which, Hope Village is really becoming more and more prosperous. I think it's only a matter of time before it becomes a town."

"I think so too."

"..."

The two differing voices actually represented the different groups of people in Hope Village.

Locke, who had overheard, was already accustomed to this.

The people of Hope Village never concealed these differences. Initially, when they had joined, they were somewhat unaccustomed, but as time passed, they grew more and more accustomed.

In fact, they were being assimilated by the people of Hope Village.

There was indeed a special charm about them. Regardless of gender or age, their whole state of being was incredibly positive and optimistic. Locke was well aware that this state was absent in most residents of the Human Kingdom and it was enviable because he knew only a thriving environment could foster such personality.

"We're here, right there!" At that moment, Beth's voice reached Locke's ears, bringing his thoughts back.

"I'll go line up; you take them to find a seat," Locke quickly said.

"Okay, let them go, and I'll buy some soy milk up front." Beth said and had her three children find a place to sit.

The three youngsters were already familiar with the place and approached a table that was almost finished with their meal to wait.

None other than Zhong Yongnian was sitting at the table they were waiting by.

Apart from the tasks at the Task Center, he had also received a notice to meet with the Village Chief. Under such circumstances, he could only put his exploration of the Task Center on hold and have breakfast before heading to the Lord Mansion.

Yet before he could finish, he encountered the three adorable children.

Seeing them staring at him wide-eyed, eagerly waiting for him to finish so they could take the spot, Zhong Yongnian mischievously slowed his eating pace.

Then he watched the three little ones next to him become anxious, wanting to say something but holding back, faces turning a bit red from the effort.

Ah, the young ones! Indeed, such delightful creatures!

Perhaps Zhong Yongnian's antics were too obvious because the eldest, Allen, mustered the courage to say, "Uncle, could you please eat more seriously and, perhaps, a bit faster?"

"Pinch my cheeks and I'll eat faster," Zhong Yongnian teased.

"Cough, cough..." At that moment, Locke had returned from ordering and spoke up after seeing this scene.

He recognized this prominent figure of Hope Village, the greatest merchant, the leader of the largest Mercenary Team.

He hadn't expected such a "childish" side to him.

Zhong Yongnian wasn't the slightest bit embarrassed at being caught in the act; he quickly finished off the remaining cheung fun and then turned to Locke, "Your three little ones are really cute, I had no idea they were yours."

Zhong Yongnian naturally recognized Locke as well, someone who had managed to defeat Blue Star residents in business to enter the Commercial Management Office, clearly had some capabilities.

Most importantly, the two had business interactions and recognized each other.

But he hadn't expected that the kids he was teasing belonged to him.

"They can be quite mischievous on a normal day," Locke said, a slight smile appearing on his face even though his words suggested otherwise.

"Are they all in school now?" Zhong Yongnian continued to ask.

"The youngest isn't, he's going with their mother to work later," Locke replied with a smile.

"Are they adapting well in school?"

"Yes, they're doing their homework diligently when they come home, and they say they want to go to school to play with their classmates. My eldest, Allen, is even sharing a desk with a little tiger-man who teaches him body skills!" Locke reflected.

He had once worried about the issues of different races sharing classrooms. As it turned out, things seemed to be going quite well.

The physical fitness of the Beastmen was strong for a reason.

If his son could boost his physical fitness, even without magic talent, he would later be able to become a Professional in the Physical Skill System much sooner.

He really thought it was wonderful.

"That's good to hear. I'll be off then, goodbye, you charming little ones," Zhong Yongnian made a hasty departure.

"Yep, goodbye," said Locke.

"Uncle, bye-bye," two of the little ones echoed.

The teacher had taught them to be polite.

Even if this uncle was a bit strange.

The youngest followed suit, calling out with his brothers.

Watching his children like this, Locke's eyes glinted with satisfaction.

How wonderful!

In just a short while, Beth had returned.

The family of five joyfully finished their breakfast, then Beth took their youngest son to work while Locke took the two children to school.

At the school gate, there were parents all sending off their children.

After watching his children enter the school, Locke, like the other parents, rushed off to his own post.

Upon reaching his workstation at the Lord Mansion, Locke immediately received the details of his work for the day.

Looking through the content, he took a deep breath.

Sure enough, it was related to the Task Center.

Without delay, Locke began editing; after finishing, he connected to the Task Center's board.

In no time, multiple official tasks began appearing on the Task Center's task list.

Not just Locke's tasks but others from different departments were also listed.

These tasks appeared in the Task Centers in Hope Village, and at the same time, they were also displayed in other villages' Task Centers.

As soon as the tasks from Hope Village were listed, they immediately triggered a strong reaction across the various territories.