Farming Games are All About Grinding
Chapter 300 - 291: 1 Large Bundle of Sugarcane_2

Chapter 300: Chapter 291: 1 Large Bundle of Sugarcane_2

A family knows its own affairs best. Usually, they’ve had to put in a lot of effort just to coax Ding into drinking milk.

No matter the brand of fresh milk, as long as it’s not sweetened, he absolutely refuses to drink it.

Up until now, the child only recognizes that distinct sweetness of Wangzai Milk.

Han Qiwu waved his hand, glanced at Ding, thought for a moment, and then took out a bottle of buffalo milk from his bag, handing it to Ding Shuji. "No added sugar, maybe just a naturally good taste. Why don’t you give it a try?"

After hearing Ding Shuji’s remarks, Han Qiwu deliberately observed Ding, noticing that his teeth were in terrible condition, full of cavities.

It’s no wonder Uncle Ding worries so much.

Old Ding didn’t stand on ceremony, taking the buffalo milk and sipping it carefully.

"Amazing!"

"This milk tastes incredible! Even better than the buffalo milk I drank as a kid!"

After downing it in one go, Old Ding felt relieved at once.

The sweetness of this milk was so rare that even he hadn’t tasted anything like it in ages.

"Dad! Dad! I want more milk!" Ding, seeing Old Ding drink the milk himself, immediately jumped up and said.

"Alright, alright, drink up, have as much as you want." Old Ding handed the remaining half bottle of buffalo milk to his son and warmly approached Han Qiwu, saying, "Xiao Han, where did you get this buffalo milk? Could you sell me some? Ding doesn’t like eating or drinking regular milk, but too much sugar makes him pudgy and worsens his teeth. I’m at my wit’s end."

Aunt Hong Mei stood nearby, saying nothing. She knew this was for Han Qiwu to decide, and whatever she said would be interference.

Han Qiwu smiled warmly, "This is a new variety a friend of mine cultivated. It’s limited in production for now. I’ll check with him in a couple of days."

Han Qiwu felt a little helpless himself, but luckily he had already claimed it was...

"Alright then, sorry to trouble you. Money’s not an issue." Old Ding quickly grabbed Han Qiwu’s hand and said, "Come on, let me take you to cut some sugarcane."

"Sure." Han Qiwu nodded and followed him.

Leaving the house, Old Ding led Han Qiwu to a tall greenhouse nearby, lifting the plastic sheet and saying, "Let’s hurry and finish up; it’s blazing hot in there."

"Exactly, Xiao Han, take this knife and pick whichever you like to cut later." Aunt Hong Mei somehow procured a machete and handed it to Han Qiwu as she spoke.

Han Qiwu took the knife, weighed it slightly, and lifted the curtain to step inside.

It was a sugarcane greenhouse spanning about half an acre. Most of the sugarcane had already been harvested, leaving behind claw-like stumps. In the far corner, however, there were still dozens of stout canes with dark purple-black skin.

"No system glow. Could it be because these were grown by someone else?" Han Qiwu speculated as he walked.

The trio approached the sugarcane, and Old Ding wasted no words, picking up a knife to start chopping. While cutting, he said to Han Qiwu, "Over the next half-month, if you want some, just come here to cut it yourself. Never buy sugarcane from outside. Sugarcane in March is deadlier than a snake—it’ll bring you trouble."

"Got it. Thanks in advance." Han Qiwu also picked up the machete and aimed at a smaller stalk of sugarcane, hacking it down with effort.

In no time, the three of them had cut over a dozen stalks of heavy sugarcane.

"This should be enough. A dozen stalks are plenty for me to boil half a pot of syrup." Seeing the quantity, Han Qiwu quickly tried to stop them.

"Not enough, not enough! This is barely anything. When I was your age, I could eat five stalks of sugarcane in one go!" Old Ding waved his hand dismissively.

In his mind, he’d already decided—what could a university student from the city possibly want from him?

This was a rare opportunity.

For the sake of his son’s milk, chopping down all the sugarcane here wouldn’t even be too much!

From the side, Aunt Hong Mei teased, "Oh sure, five stalks in one go, and then your mouth was full of sores! You still dare to brag."

"Sis! Don’t undermine me in front of the kid!" Old Ding replied with a helpless smile and cut another seven or eight stalks.

At Han Qiwu’s insistence, he finally stopped, bent down, and tied the sugarcane into a bundle with red rope. Turning to Han Qiwu, he said, "Take these for now. If you need more, come back. By the way, where do you live? I’ll find a cart to deliver them."

At that moment, Han Qiwu was startled to see a faint glow emanating from the sugarcane.

[Ding Shuji’s Favorability Reward]

[You received a large bundle of sugarcane]

[Large Bundle of Sugarcane (Normal Quality)]

[+400 Stamina]

[+260 Health Points]

[Note: Fatherly love is always straightforward]

Success!

Just like when he had received elms from Aunt Hong Mei, this sugarcane, through Ding Shuji’s gift, was also transformed into a system item.

Han Qiwu felt a wave of reflection. "It seems making friends isn’t just about giving them gifts. Take this instance; Uncle Ding’s favorability actually increased because Ding liked drinking the milk I gave him."

Just like the note said.

Fatherly love is always straightforward.

Coming to his senses, Han Qiwu noticed Aunt Hong Mei talking to Ding Shuji about his address. He quickly waved her off, saying, "No need! I can carry it back myself."

"How could that work? This weighs dozens of pounds. What if you hurt yourself?" Ding Shuji hadn’t even finished speaking when he saw Han Qiwu easily heft the large sugarcane bundle with one hand.

"It’s fine. I’m strong. Aunt Hong Mei, would you like me to escort you home?" Han Qiwu smiled and asked. After his physical improvements, carrying these several dozen pounds felt like nothing to him.

"This kid is something else! So strong!" Ding Shuji praised, giving a thumbs-up.

Aunt Hong Mei smiled. She had long noticed Han Qiwu’s exceptional strength but still cautioned, "Don’t overexert yourself. If you’re tired on the way, take a break. You head on home. I’ll stick around here to collect some seedlings to plant."

"Alright, Uncle Ding, if I manage to get more buffalo milk, I’ll bring it over in a couple of days." Han Qiwu smiled, picked up the sugarcane, and walked out.

Stepping out of the greenhouse, Ding was already waiting anxiously for Han Qiwu. Seeing him with a large bundle of sugarcane, Ding immediately ran over to him.

Han Qiwu smiled. Could it be that Ding was developing a territorial instinct and didn’t want him taking their sweet sugarcane?

But to his surprise, Ding ran over and earnestly said, "Big brother, do you have enough sugarcane? I can ask Dad to get you a few more bundles! We have tons of sugarcane. Take as much as you want."

Han Qiwu bent down and pinched Ding’s small cheek, laughing as he said, "This is plenty. Eating too many sweet things isn’t good for your teeth, alright? Ding should watch out too."

"But, big brother, sweet things are delicious. Things that aren’t sweet don’t taste good." Ding replied earnestly in his soft, childlike voice.

"Spicy things are delicious too, and sour things are tasty as well. There are all sorts of flavors in the world." Han Qiwu chuckled. "Next time, big brother will bring you some tasty treats. How about eating less sugar these next few days?"

"Emmmmm...."

Ding tilted his head, recalling the delicious buffalo milk earlier, and hesitantly extended his pinky finger.

"Alright, let’s pinky promise!"

"Okay." Han Qiwu solemnly hooked pinkies with Ding, then rode off with the sugarcane bundle in one hand and drove off.

Of course, once out of their sight, Han Qiwu stored the sugarcane, now a system item, into his inventory slot and turned to ride toward the beach.

Time for some fishing!

This time, he planned to catch some tiger spot fish.

Tiger spot fish fetch a good price among regular fish varieties, and there’s even a chance of hooking some sea cucumbers.

Of course, once Mr. Tang arrives, he could even make a nice soup with it.

Killing many birds with one stone.

Reaching the shore, Han Qiwu cast his line into the sea and took out a stick of sugarcane, peeling the tough skin with a knife and biting down hard.

"Crunch crunch."

"Ahh..."

Even Han Qiwu hadn’t expected the sugarcane to be so juicy, quickly slurping to keep up with the overflowing sweetness.

Although it was system-labeled as normal quality, the taste was still exceptional. The sweetness was soothing to the soul. With minimal fibrous residue, it made for a delightful eating experience.

"How do I turn this sugarcane into sugar? Do I really just boil it in a pot?" Han Qiwu mused while munching on the sugarcane, planning to try making traditional red sugar at home later that evening.

Handmade, old-fashioned red sugar—it would definitely have a fantastic flavor.