Chapter Bonanza (1/10)

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It was a rare trip to an indigenous settlement, so Nan Liujing, guided by his simple “everything goes” philosophy, didn’t hesitate to stock up on supplies in Olive Town after finishing his important business.

Aside from the Typhoon Barriers blueprints and a dairy cow, he went to the blacksmith’s shop to buy a bristle brush for grooming the animal, a shearing knife for clipping its hair, a pitchfork for hauling hay and cleaning up manure, an iron shovel, an iron pickaxe, and two tin buckets for milking the cow.

By the way, since walking around town while leading a dairy cow was simply too bizarre, Nan Liujing decisively stowed it in his storage space. Victor didn’t comment on this at all; spatial items were commonplace among the natives, so it wasn’t unusual at all.

But the tablet was far too high-tech, so Nan Liujing was careful not to let Victor see it. Fortunately, this tablet—called *Player’s Notebook*—was encased in a protective cover that looked like the cover of a magic book, so Victor assumed Nan Liujing was holding a book-shaped spatial item.

Just a single visit to the blacksmith’s shop nearly drained the piggy bank’s savings, so when he passed by the seed shop run by the Harvest Association, Nan Liujing didn’t even dare to go inside.

To put it simply, at this stage, it’s more cost-effective to search the player marketplace for seeds than to buy them at the Indigenous People’s shop. But when he arrived at Good Taste Bakery, Nan Liujing went inside to take a look around.

When he came out, he was holding a bulging brown paper bag. Victor was standing outside the door holding Hei Tang—since small animals weren’t allowed inside the bakery, Nan Liujing had handed the cat to Victor just before going in.

Now Hei Tang was happily sharpening its claws on Victor’s arm.

“Sorry for making you wait outside,” Nan Liujing said as he took Hei Tang back into his arms; the moment he let go, the cat climbed up his arm to his shoulder.

“Meow~” Hei Tang rubbed its face against Nan Liujing’s cheek, and Nan Liujing rubbed his face against the cat’s in return.

Victor looked at the two of them: “Was that comment directed at me, or at the cat?”

“Of course I was talking to Hei Tang.” Nan Liujing said with complete confidence. Hei Tang shot Victor a smug glance and shook its ears dismissively.

Victor narrowed his eyes.

“But this is for you.” Nan Liujing pulled a doughnut out of the brown paper bag, shoved it into Victor’s hand, and smiled. “Thanks for spending time with me today.”

Victor glanced at the donut—its golden crust dusted with a layer of sparkling icing, giving off a sweet aroma of butter and sugar. “You’re letting me off with just one donut?”

“Yeah, I just felt like eating one, and the shop offers a 5% discount when you buy two.” Nan Liujing pulled another identical donut out of the brown paper bag, looked down, and took a bite. “You’ve helped me a lot today—not just by telling me about the typhoon barriers, but also by taking me on a tour of Olive Town during your free time. Thanks. I owe you one.”

Nan Liujing didn’t look up as he spoke. Victor glanced down at him; the young man looked far more well-behaved with his head down, biting into the donut, than when he was smiling and threatening people. His cheeks were slightly puffed out, and he chewed intently with his mouth closed. Sunlight danced across his dark hair, casting a fuzzy golden glow around it.

The black cat stood on his shoulder, craning its neck forward curiously. Nan Liujing held out the donut for the cat to sniff. The cat snubbed it and pulled its neck back.

A smile crept across Victor’s cheeks. Holding his own donut, he said slowly, “It’s a favor…”

Before he could finish, the sound of bells suddenly rang out from the town center. Clang—clang—

The chimes were deep and resonant, carrying a massive echo as they rang out again and again.

Pedestrians on the street looked up, and even people who had been inside the shops pushed open their doors and windows to peer outside.

Everyone’s gaze turned toward the town center, where Olive Town’s iconic landmark—a massive bell tower—stood tall.

Half an hour ago, Nan Liujing passed by it. Victor said that the history of this clock tower is as long as that of Olive Town itself; back then, not every household in town had a clock, and the town’s clock was an important timekeeping tool for them.

The clock tower used to chime every hour. But as time went on, people acquired more convenient wall clocks, pocket watches, and wristwatches, and they no longer relied on the clock tower.

Nowadays, the clock tower chimes only once, at noon, and serves more as a decoration than a practical timekeeping device.

It has already chimed today.

Nan Liujing looked at Victor: “So does that mean it only chimes at twelve o’clock?”

Victor raised his hand—his wrist adorned with an exquisitely designed watch—and glanced at the time. “Strange, it’s not even the top of the hour right now.”

Nan Liujing shoved a few donuts into his mouth all at once, then brushed the powdered sugar off his hands. “Have you ever encountered something like this before?”

Victor frowned slightly. “No, I don’t even come every market day.” He reached out and stopped a passerby, asking, “Excuse me, do you know…”

It seemed like Olive Town just didn’t agree with Victor today; once again, he couldn’t finish his sentence.

After the large loudspeakers mounted on the streetlights crackled a few times, a deep, resonant voice boomed out.

【Dear visitors, thank you for your support of Olive Town. As the town’s mayor, I sincerely hope you have enjoyed your time here.】

【I must now offer an apology: Olive Town will be holding the Olive Festival celebration tonight. This event is not open to outsiders; please leave Olive Island within the next hour. I repeat, please leave Olive Island within the next hour…】

Nan Liujing glanced at Victor again. It wasn’t just him—everyone else on the street wore a look of sudden realization, making him wonder if he had missed something crucial.

It felt just like that afternoon in math class when he’d looked down to pick up a dropped pen and never managed to understand the subject again afterward.

He could only try to pin down the key details before the “test”: “What festival?”

Victor let go of the passerby he had been holding and said to Nan Liujing: “The Olive Festival—it’s one of Olive Town’s ancient festivals.”

Nan Liujing was speechless: “I heard that part. My question is, why do they have to kick us out to hold it?”

Logically speaking, a local festival with such a long history should be the very thing that attracts out-of-town tourists, right? For a place with a thriving tourism industry, this ought to be a prime opportunity to make money.

On Earth, similar festivals would start advertising half a year in advance; here, not only was the notice last-minute, but they were actually clearing the area and driving visitors away. Nan Liujing wasn’t exactly upset about this—he was mostly shocked and curious.

Besides, he found the situation a bit tricky. He was using a nautical chart, and the chart’s settings dictated that the exploration would end at a specific time—but the exploration of Olive Island lasts a full 24 hours.

Olive Town was turning away visitors over here, but his exploration wasn’t over yet. The unfortunate result was that he had to spend a miserable night huddled on the boat, waiting until noon to set sail again.

Just thinking about it was enough to make him despair.

“Other festivals do restrict visitor participation; the Olive Festival is no different.” Victor patted Nan Liujing on the shoulder, gesturing for him to look at the shops along the street. The shop owners were coming out one after another, hanging “Closed” signs on their stores, and heading home while chatting and laughing.

Even if tourists wanted to go in to shop, the shopkeepers politely declined, saying they wouldn’t be open today.

“They say this festival is connected to an ancient olive tree on Olive Island.”

Everyone in these waters knows that a major reason Olive Town’s olive products are so famous is the ancient olive tree on Olive Island. This olive tree is the progenitor of all the olive trees on the island. It remains lush and vibrant to this day, looking just like an ordinary olive tree hidden among the woods. But it bears exceptional fruit.

How good are they? Only this one olive tree can produce 10-star olives.

Adding just one or two 10-star olives to a barrel of ordinary olives can improve the quality of the processed product.

Once, a townsperson let the secret slip to an out-of-town merchant, and word spread quickly. As a result, it wasn’t long before several olive trees were stolen from Olive Island.

The band of thieves uprooted only a few olive trees but damaged many more, resulting in a severe drop in that year’s olive harvest. It took several years for the situation to recover, and the townspeople’s income was significantly affected.

Since then, the people of Olive Town have kept silent about this incident and no longer allow outsiders to participate in their Olive Festival.

Since the Olive Festival is a celebration of the olive harvest, Olive Town has traditionally held the festival once a year. To protect this 10-Star Olive Tree, as soon as any signs of blooming are detected, Olive Town immediately clears the area to prevent the risk of the 10-Star Olive Tree from being discovered by outsiders.

Whether it’s early morning, noon, or night.

“So that’s how it is.” Olive Town had learned from past experiences, so Nan Liujing had nothing more to say.

Anyway, once they’d finished everything they needed to do in town and bought a few things, the time would pass quickly back on the ship as they browsed the forums. Suddenly, Nan Liujing thought of something and looked at Victor: “Did you lend your ship out?”

Victor sighed: “Yeah.”

“Can the innkeeper make it back within an hour?”

Victor shrugged: “Probably. Let’s see… by now, the innkeeper should have just arrived at Qingci Island.”

“That’s terrible.” Nan Liujing gave him a sympathetic look. “What are you going to do now?”

Victor looked back at him: “Yeah, what are we going to do?” 

“……”

Victor looked at him, even letting out a smile: “……”

Nan Liujing turned on his heel: “Well, I’ll be off then. If fate allows, we’ll meet again next time. Bye.” He hadn’t taken a single step when his arm was grabbed.

Victor grabbed his wrist: “Wait—are you just going to abandon me like this?”

Nan Liujing looked back at him innocently: “How can you call that abandoning you? It’s more like force majeure.”

“?” Victor said pitifully, “I don’t even have a boat now. If you leave me here, I’ll have to jump into the sea and swim back.”

“I really do feel for you on that point,” Nan Liujing said earnestly, reaching out to grab his hand, trying to pry his hand off him. “But there’s nothing I can do. You’ll have to ask the others…”

Victor said wistfully, “Someone just mentioned owing someone a favor.” 

“……” Nan Liujing paused, feeling awkward.

He had indeed said that, and he had indeed intended to call on him later. But he hadn’t expected the opportunity to repay that favor to come so soon…

Nan Liujing tried to protest: “…I’m relying on the nautical chart. We’ll have to wait on the ship until noon—by then, the innkeeper would’ve already sailed your ship back.”

Victor said, “I know the art of navigation and how to read charts. I can sail your ship back right now.” 

“…My place is small and run-down—there isn’t even a second bed—so it’s really not suitable for you to stay the night.”

Victor said with a smile, “It’s okay, I can sleep on the floor.” 

“……” Nan Liujing sighed wearily, “Do you really have to come along?”

Victor knew the history of Olive Town like the back of his hand; he knew everyone who ran a shop there. Nan Liujing was convinced he had no other friends in town who could help him. Why did he have to rely on him?

Victor quoted Nan Liujing’s own words back at him: “What can I do? It’s force majeure.”

He was actually joking—it was mostly because Nan Liujing’s reaction was genuinely amusing. Nan Liujing—wanting to refuse but too shy to say so outright—was racking his brain for an excuse, and that look perfectly tickled Victor’s mischievous side, making him resist the urge to tease him some more.

That said, he wasn’t so inconsiderate as to force the issue. Seeing that Nan Liujing was running out of arguments, Victor chuckled to himself a few times and decided to call it a day. Just as he opened his mouth, he saw Nan Liujing’s eyes light up—he’d clearly thought of something—and he turned to him, asking, “Do you know the coordinates for Olive Town?”

Huh?

Victor was taken aback for a moment and replied instinctively, “Sure.”

“Can you write them down for me?”

“Of course.”

“Do you know the coordinates of any other resource islands? Preferably unclaimed ones that are rich in resources.”

Victor thought for a moment: “One or two?”

“If I take you in today, could you take me there by boat tomorrow?”

“Go to the Unclaimed Resource Island?” Victor asked for confirmation, glancing at his schedule. “No problem—I don’t have anything planned for tomorrow.” 

“Okay.” Nan Liujing took a deep breath and nodded. “I’ll give you half an hour to pack.”

Huh?

Victor raised an eyebrow. “You’re in?”

“I could change my mind at any moment,” Nan Liujing said with a frustrated expression, as if he were about to back out right then, “so you’d better hurry up.”

He was quietly calculating in his head—the incident with the traveling merchant seeking lodging seemed a bit like a special mission. If he handled it well, not only could he boost the merchant’s favor and get more coordinates for resource islands.

Victor seemed to really enjoy teasing him. For the sake of free coordinates and a free humanoid nautical chart, why not play along? 

With that, Nan Liujing put on an even more convincing look of willingness. Hei Tang perched on his shoulder, staring at Victor with a kind expression.

This turn of events seems even more fun. Victor grinned widely and dragged Nan Liujing away.

Nan Liujing stumbled a couple of steps as he was yanked along, nearly dropping the cat, which made Hei Tang meow in fright. Nan Liujing was startled too and opened his mouth only to gulp a mouthful of air: “Why are you yanking me like that!”

Victor replied with complete confidence, “To pack our bags.” 

“Go do it yourself! I’ll wait for you by the pier!”

“Hey,” Victor said, turning back to smile at him. “What if you try to run away while I’m gone?” 

“Like I would!”

They practically ran all the way to the Orange Inn, where Victor grabbed Nan Liujing’s hand and dashed up the stairs in a few strides.

Victor unlocked the door with his key and went inside to pack his bags, while Nan Liujing stood by the door and watched as Jenny’s little golden braids flashed by on the stairs.

“Victor.”

“Hmm?” he replied from inside the room.

Nan Liujing asked softly, “Is it okay for Jenny to be alone in the shop while the boss is out?”

The little girl looked to be just over ten years old; it made sense for her to help out at her family’s shop, but leaving a child alone to mind a place like this was a bit worrisome.

“It’s fine. The boss’s wife is right in the back. She just likes to sit in the reception area.” Victor emerged carrying a bulging handbag, his arm draped over his jacket. “Let’s go.”

At the pier, the out-of-town tourists had already begun to trickle away in small groups, leaving only a handful of people behind. Nan Liujing spotted his own small wooden boat at a glance—for no other reason than that Jinks was simply too eye-catching.

A parrot was perched on his little boat.

When they reached his boat, Victor also stared at Jinks for a few moments.

“An alchemical golem?” the traveling merchant sighed. “Impressive—you’ve got high-end stuff like that.”

“Just a stroke of luck.” Nan Liujing set Hei Tang down on the boat, quickly untied the sailor’s knot securing it to the pier, and jumped aboard. The nautical chart lay on the mast at the bow, ticking away the countdown.

Nan Liujing called out to Victor, who was making “chuck-chuck-chuck” sounds to tease the birds: “Look at this—what should we do?”

Hearing this, Victor glanced over, then reached up and tore the nautical chart off the mast, tossing it into the sea. 

Nan Liujing: “……”

“Since we have it, let’s use it.” Victor smiled and winked at him with his right eye, then casually patted the mast. The next second, the sails automatically lowered. “Find a place to sit down—let’s get going!”

The navigation techniques in this game world are very scientific.

Nan Liujing watched coldly from the side. From start to finish, Victor simply stood on the boat with one hand resting on the mast, and the small wooden boat moved exactly as he intended.

He’d intended to pick up a few tricks, but seeing this, he gave up immediately. Sailing with the power of thought—that’s seriously impressive.

He should learn that.

And even though he knew it was just his imagination, Victor’s sailing skills seemed to surpass even those of the nautical charts and Jinks.

Usually, when Nan Liujing went out to sea, the winds and waves near the coast would drench him slowly; if the boat didn’t capsize, that was already a blessing—he couldn’t really ask for more.

But with Victor at the helm, though the waves remained fierce, the small wooden boat shed its usual clumsiness and glided effortlessly through the swells, riding the wind and cutting through the waves. In all his many voyages, this was the first time Nan Liujing had returned to shore completely dry.

The small wooden boat pulled up to the dock, and Nian Gao happily scampered over. He’d intended to jump straight into his owner’s arms, but suddenly spotted a stranger jumping off the boat. The little fox pup slammed on the brakes, nearly taking a tumble. He hurriedly regained his balance, crouched low, and let out a low, growling “woof” at the stranger.

Victor glanced at it and smiled at Nan Liujing. “You have a Moon-Chasing Fox at home.” 

“That’s right,” Nan Liujing said, picking up the brown paper bag and calling out, “Nian Gao.”

The little fox cub didn’t look at him, but kept staring at Victor, its fur standing on end all over its body: “Woo—woo—” Hei Tang nonchalantly hopped off the boat and, as it passed by Nian Gao, swished its tail against the fox’s head.

Stupid fox—if this guy were an enemy, she would never let him make it ashore alive. The cat ran off on its own, but the little fox stood rooted to the spot, whimpering and baring its teeth.

Nan Liujing had no choice but to go over, pick it up, pat its head, and rub its paws, finally managing to calm it down: “It’s okay, it’s okay. This guy is a guest—he’s not a bad guy.”

Victor also leaned in, smiling as he bent down to meet the little fox cub’s eye level: “Your name is Nian Gao? Nice to meet you. I’m Victor. Let’s shake hands.”

He held the little fox cub’s paw and waved it gently, catching a glimpse of its tiny, millet-grain-sized teeth.

After the paw shake, Victor pulled a fragrant little piece of jerky out of his waist pouch and waved it in front of Nian Gao: “Here’s a welcome gift.” The jerky smelled so good that even Nan Liujing had to resist the urge to sniff it—let alone Nian Gao.

The little fox cub’s eyes went wide instantly, fixated on the piece of jerky. Its teeth were bared, and before long, drool began to drip down. It all landed on Nan Liujing’s hand, leaving him speechless: “Why are you so greedy for it?”

He immediately shoved the fox into Victor’s arms, then turned and went home to wash his hands. 

The little fox pup wagged its tail and lay obediently on Victor’s chest, its eyes glistening as it gazed at the little meat jerky, then looked at Victor—and suddenly found this stranger much more likable.

“Wah-wah.”

Nian Gao whimpered and acted cute, getting Victor’s clothes completely soaked.

Victor: “……”

Nan Liujing went home to wash his hands, and as soon as he stepped out, he started thinking about how to put Victor up.

Although Victor said he’d be fine sleeping on the floor, Nan Liujing wasn’t about to actually let him do that.

This was a matter of hospitality, and besides, Nan Liujing was counting on Tian to let him use his resource island for free. Although Victor was infuriating, the benefits he could bring Nan Liujing were tangible; while he could treat him like a guest of honor, he could just as easily deliberately mistreat him.

With that in mind, Nan Liujing set to work moving the dining table to the center of the farmhouse and hauling the oak barrels—which had previously held odds and ends—outside, clearing space on the west side of the farmhouse.

He took a bed out of the storage shed—one from the furniture bundle he’d previously bought from Victor—since Nan Liujing already had a better bed of his own, this one had been sitting idle. He’d thought it would stay in the storage shed forever, but unexpectedly, the time had come to use it again.

He placed the bed against the wall on the west side of the farmhouse, just as Victor came in from outside. Nan Liujing turned to glance at him: “Did you bring any bedding with you?”

The bed from the furniture bundle consisted of only a bed frame; it came with no bedding or pillows. There was nothing Nan Liujing could do about this—he himself was sleeping under a coral fleece blanket.

Items like quilts and pillows take up too much space to fit in a chest—it was only because the wooden single bed sold by Li Shechu came with a mattress and pillow made from scraps of canvas that Nan Liujing had been sleeping on the bare bed slats.

“You mean there aren’t any extra beds at home?”

Victor joked, reaching into his waist pouch and pulling out a mattress, which he plopped down on the bed frame. “Hmm, that fits perfectly!”

Nan Liujing pretended not to hear him: “Can you make the bed yourself? I’ve got some work to do outside.”

Victor made a gesture of invitation.

Nan Liujing grabbed his tablet and ran to the animal hut.