novelraw Chapter 1: Red Star Farm
Chapter 1: Red Star Farm
“Stardew Valley, next stop. Please gather your belongings and prepare to get off.”
Hearing the long-distance bus conductor’s reminder, Leon lifted the small travel bag from his seat and walked to the rear door to wait.
The bus passed through a long tunnel, and suddenly, the view ahead opened up. Lush green scenery stretched as far as the eye could see. Aside from the asphalt road leading onward, there were few signs of human touch.
Finally, the bus stopped at a modest station. Leon took in the unfamiliar yet oddly nostalgic sight before striding down the steps.
“Leon, right?” No sooner had he stepped off the bus than a man in a felt hat, brown suspenders over a green shirt, and sporting a handlebar mustache greeted him warmly. “I’m Mayor Lewis. We spoke on the phone before. I was a close friend of your grandfather. It’s good to see his grandson back here in Stardew Valley.”
Though streaks of silver ran through Lewis’s beard and hair, his voice was full and robust, his spirit vibrant. Leon found himself a little envious.
“Hello, Mayor. Thank you for arranging the farm matters for me.” Leon stepped forward, shook Lewis’s hand, and expressed his gratitude.
After all, before quitting his job at the Joja Corporation supermarket chain, this farm had been abandoned. If not for Lewis’s help, he would have had to run through endless inheritance paperwork before gaining the rights and ownership. It would’ve been a long time before he could start his new life here.
“Haha, your grandfather and I were the best of friends. Helping you is only right. Besides, the local economy could use farmers like you. Stardew Valley has the finest soil and natural beauty—you’ll be well rewarded for your efforts here. Oh, and just call me Lewis,” he added with a smile, motioning for Leon to follow.
“Come on, let’s see your farm. I’ve already arranged for Robin, the best carpenter in town, to repair your house.”They left the station, heading west along a winding path of grass and dirt. After about ten minutes, they arrived at the farm.
Looking over the waist-high wild grass, scattered rocks, and dense trees, Lewis spoke with a hint of hesitation. “Here we are. It’s a bit wild since no one’s tended it for so long. But I’m sure you’ll have no trouble making something of it.”
“If you need anything, you can always come to me. I’ll help however I can,” he added, perhaps worried Leon would be scared off by the state of the place.
But to his surprise, there wasn’t a trace of doubt in Leon’s eyes. Instead, his face lit up with excitement.
“I will. From now on, this is my farm, right, Lewis?”
“Of course. But first, we’ll need to sign the deed. It’s in your farmhouse,” Lewis replied, leading Leon along a recently cleared path toward a small house at the farm’s center.
The house was small and a bit old, with several visible patches of recent repair. From the wide-open door came the sound of hammering.
“Robin! I’ve brought the farm’s owner!” Lewis called inside.
The hammering stopped, and out stepped a red-haired woman in work overalls and an orange jacket. She looked to be past middle age, though her youthful beauty still lingered.
Her muscles, however, were more than a little striking. The arms revealed by her rolled-up sleeves were defined enough to make even a fitness competitor give a nod of respect.
“Hello, farmer. I’m Robin, Pelican Town’s carpenter. This old house will do for now, but it’s not fit for long-term living. When you’re ready, come by my shop and I’ll build you the best house you can get.”
She greeted Leon warmly and even found a moment to promote her business.
“Nice to meet you, Ms. Robin. I’ll keep that in mind. My name’s Leon,” he replied with a nod.
“Robin’s the best carpenter in town. Whatever you need, she can handle it. You’ll probably be working with her a lot in the future. You two might even become good friends,” Lewis added.
“Only in carpentry matters,” Robin said with a teasing smile.
Lewis rubbed his mustache awkwardly, while Leon chuckled. The remark told him Robin was a straightforward, easygoing sort.
“My work’s done here. The outside might look rough, but inside, everything’s repaired. I even built you a new single bed, and the furniture Lewis ordered is all set up. You can move in right away.”
Robin led Leon inside to see for himself.
Just as she said, the interior showed both her skill and sincerity. The new wooden floor gave off a fresh timber scent without a trace of paint fumes. Though small, the furniture was neatly arranged: an old television, a wooden chair, a small round table, a new red-brick fireplace, and a single bed with clean sheets and blankets.
Simple, but entirely livable.
“This is much better than I expected,” Leon said with a smile.
Seeing his genuine satisfaction, Robin warmed to him. Every craftsperson treasured praise for their work.
“There’s no bathroom, though,” she said, explaining the limitations. “Space is tight, and this is a farm. Some things you’ll have to… handle outdoors.”
“That’s fine. I’ll figure something out,” Leon said, not having thought of it before. But as Robin said, with all this land, who needs a bathroom?
“Well, I’ll be off,” Robin said, packing up her tools and heading out after a quick goodbye.
Lewis, still inside, reached under the bed sheets and pulled out a document. “Alright, if you don’t have any questions, you can sign the contract now.”
Leon read it over carefully, confirming it was the farm inheritance deed with no hidden clauses, then signed his name.
“Your grandfather always called this place Red Star Farm. Do you want to change the name?” Lewis asked.
“No. Red Star Farm it is,” Leon replied with a smile. “I like it.”