I Thought It Was a Healing Farming Game - Chapter 36

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I Thought It Was a Healing Farm Game
36

I’d already gathered that Node had received visitors before me.
But I had no idea what those people were doing now.
“Are they still in Node?”
If they were, Siad would surely have told me by now.
The silence could mean he didn’t think it relevant to mention, or there was something delicate about the situation.
“We’ve arrived!”
The Coachman’s brisk voice rang out at that moment.
I gathered my wits and descended from the carriage with his assistance.
Then I looked up at Siad’s house, studying it quietly.
‘Well, if it were good news, he would have told me already.’
Behind me came the sound of reins jangling, followed by the fading clatter of hooves.
The carriage bolted into the forest and vanished from sight in an instant.
I watched it disappear, clutching my Notebook close.

* * *

The next morning, an exclamation mark appeared above the mailbox.
“A letter!”
Delighted, I hurried over to open the mailbox and took out the envelope.
Inside the ornate envelope was a single sheet of paper covered in drawings that looked like they’d been made by a kindergartener.
“This is…”
A pink house and three figures were crudely sketched in crayon—their outlines wobbly and childlike.
One had short navy hair, the next had two-toned pigtails, and the last had long lemon-yellow hair.
“That’s me, isn’t it?”
My voice brightened on its own.

[Miel came to visit.]

Below the drawing was a short entry, diary-like in its simplicity.
I rubbed my eyes and read the words carefully.
We ate together, I gave her a present, we played with dolls, and she took a nap—that was the gist of it.
And on the last line…

[I hope you’ll come visit again soon.]

My cheeks lifted in an automatic smile.
I wanted to bounce around all day and show everyone.
“Hehe. Hehehehe.”
I carefully stored the Picture Diary in my Inventory and kept pulling it out throughout the day.
I showed it off to the Ranch staff, and to Siad over lunch.
I brought it out once more before starting work at the Vegetable Garden.
“Ah, how adorable.”
A low voice drifted past my ear as I gazed at the drawing, unable to suppress my laughter.
“What are you grinning about so much, customer?”
“Ah!”
I spun around, and there was Kais, looking down at me as always.
“Kais! How do you always manage to sneak up and scare me like that?”
“Is it my fault you’re not paying attention?”
“I was just—”
“You were so absorbed in that picture, you’d miss someone announcing themselves loudly.”
“Well, you’re… right, actually.”
I started to argue but stopped myself, lifting my lips into a grin instead. I was always happy for a chance to show this off.
“Did you discover a gold mine or something?”
Kais studied my delighted face and asked.
I straightened my shoulders with a flourish and pulled the Picture Diary from my inventory.
“Ta-da!”
“What is this? It’s not a money document, is it?”
“The twin siblings gave it to me! Yu-eun and Eun-yu.”
I spoke each syllable with deliberate emphasis.
Kais’s eyebrows twitched slightly, as though he’d heard an answer he never expected.
His dark eyes skimmed across the diary, and soon the corners of his mouth lifted.
“Seems you kept them well entertained, customer.”
Such an obvious thing to say.
I peeked over the Picture Diary and nodded vigorously.
“You’re really that pleased?”
“Of course. It means my first impression was good, doesn’t it? Oh, don’t touch the paper! It’ll wrinkle.”
Kais’s smile vanished in an instant.
“I’m not interested.”
“Oh……”
Disappointed by his lukewarm response, I folded the picture and stuffed it carefully back into my inventory.
All the while, Kais stood watching me with his arms crossed, his gaze askew.
“So, customer.”
“……Yes.”
I answered his call with a hint of nervousness.
“When will you play with me?”
“……What?”
“Hmm.”
“With Kais?”
“Yes. Me.”
It was completely unexpected.
The day had finally come when Kais was asking me to play with him!
I rolled my eyes back and forth before calling out brightly.
“I could play with you right now!”
Kais repeated my words exactly.
“Right now?”
“Yes. Would you like to see my vegetable garden? It’s almost time for harvest.”
As I pointed to the crops filling the plot, Kais looked around slowly.
“Impressive. You grew all this in such a short time?”
“Pretty good, right? I can’t tell you how rewarding each day has been. Would you like to try it?”
“No, I don’t care for sweating.”
“Then would you just watch me farm?”
“Standing in the sun is work too.”
“But you just asked me to play with you!”
I grumbled as he trotted out excuse after excuse.
“Not today.”
Kais yawned languidly before continuing.
“Come visit my office next time.”
“Really? Why did you change your mind?”
“I got curious what you’re doing to the other residents.”
“What? I haven’t done anything to anyone.”
A sense of injustice crept over me.
Still, I nodded, grateful for the invitation—but then I noticed the shadows under his eyes.
Kais yawned again, quietly.
“Is something wrong? You keep yawning.”
“I never get enough sleep.”
“Is there that much work? Even if you’re busy, you need proper rest. If you’re careless while you’re young, you’ll suffer in old age.”
“Where did you pick up talk like that?”
“From my grandmother! Anyway, if you’re tired now, there’s nothing for it. Let’s put playing off for another time—go inside and get some quick sleep.”
I patted Kais’s arm as I spoke. He muttered softly.
“Feels like I’m being thrown out.”
“I’m just worried about you. Go on inside. Quickly now.”
When I pushed his back, Kais left the vegetable garden with a gesture of surrender.
But then he stopped abruptly, as if remembering something, and turned back.
“Right. Don’t forget about the Town Meeting this weekend.”
“Of course not. I’ve already marked it on my calendar! Safe travels. Oh, should I give you a ride?”
“No need.”
“Why not? I’ll take you!”
She offered playfully once more, but Kais simply waved his hand in reply and departed into the distance.

* * *

I grasped the leafstalk rising from the earth and pulled hard.
“Hnngh!”
After striking the surrounding soil with the hoe, the crop shot up from the ground.
“Wow…!”
I’d never realized a spring turnip could look this beautiful in the sunlight.
Ding.

Achievement: First Harvest

It was my first harvest since arriving in Node.
I lingered in that pleasant feeling for a moment, then set about harvesting the rest of the crops with genuine enthusiasm, gloves still on.
After toiling for hours in the sweat and soil, one wooden cart was brimming full.
My body was caked in dirt, but my spirits soared.
“I should sell all of this today.”
I hauled the cart back toward home.
‘The harvested crops need proper cleaning before I can sell them.’
The moment I reached the house, I soaked my sweat-and-dirt-stained clothes in soapy water.
Then I went inside and drank a refreshing cup of water.
“Ahh.”
Now that’s the taste.
As I stepped back outside to fetch the cart of crops, I spotted an exclamation mark hovering over my mailbox.
“Hm?”
Puzzled, I immediately opened the mailbox and read the letter.
It was from the Town Hall.

[Dear Miel,
Congratulations on your first crop harvest.
To sell agricultural products, you will need a Quality Certificate. Please visit the Town Hall first.
At the Town Hall, we issue Quality Certificates after comprehensively evaluating your crops’ variety, freshness, size, appearance, and condition.
Please do not wash the crops to maintain their freshness.
Simply brush off the dirt and bring them in.]

“Mm.”
I already knew all of this.

[P.S. Sunday is the day of the Town Meeting, so please make sure to attend.]

“Yes, yes.”
I murmured in reply and tucked the letter into my pocket.
Then I immediately began sorting.
I divided the crops by type and brushed the dirt from each one.
I also made sure to set aside three or four of the finest-looking crops.
‘I should give these to Siad.’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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