Stardew Valley’s Farming Master

Chapter 125: My Greatest Virtue Is Honesty

“You’re back.”

Seeing Leon stride quickly into the kitchen, Emily thought he was worried about the beef still simmering on the stove. She quickly reassured him. “I’ve got my eye on it. No problem at all.”

“Emily, help me block Haley.” Leon ducked behind Emily as he spoke.

“Huh?” Emily turned her head in confusion, clearly not understanding what he meant.

She didn’t have to wait long to find out.

Haley had just entered the kitchen. Her fists were clenched, and her eyes were locked onto Leon, who was hiding behind Emily.

“What happened?” Emily looked at Haley’s flushed cheeks and the battle-ready posture, asking in puzzlement.

“Nothing.” With Emily there, Haley wasn’t about to bring up what had just happened. She just shot Leon a fierce glare. “I saw a bug in the house earlier. I came to check if it got into the kitchen.”

“Then why would Leon ask me to block you?” Emily still found it strange. If it was just about a bug, what did that have to do with Leon?

“Because I was worried she’d come barging in looking for the bug and mess up the kitchen.” Since Haley hadn’t mentioned the earlier awkward incident, Leon followed her lead.“I see. Alright, Haley, I haven’t seen any bugs here. Why don’t you head back out? There’s already two of us in here—any more and we’ll be packed in like sardines.”

Emily still didn’t fully understand, but since both of them were saying the same thing, she let it go.

“How much longer until you’re done?” Haley asked Emily, her expression back to normal.

“You’ll have to ask Leon. He’s the head chef today,” Emily replied.

“Just one more dish,” Leon answered.

“Alright.” Haley left the kitchen after getting her answer, but not before Leon noticed her making a little fist gesture in his direction. He sighed.

“What’s wrong?” Emily caught his sigh and asked again, curious.

“Nothing. Just feeling a bit stuffy. Let’s get this last dish done quickly, or the others will get cold.” Leon turned back to the stove and got to work.

Before long, he plated the last dish—spicy crab—and carried it out with Emily.

Haley hadn’t been idle in the meantime. She’d already set the table, with two chairs side by side on one side and a single chair on the other.

Once Leon and Emily placed the dishes on the table, Haley immediately pulled Emily into one of the two seats together, giving Leon a pointed look to sit opposite them.

Leon didn’t mind. Sitting in that double seat, with either Emily or Haley next to him, would have been even more awkward.

“Look, Leon made all of this. Isn’t it amazing?” Emily praised as soon as they sat down.

“Mm.” Haley was still a little annoyed with Leon, but to be fair, the spread looked great. The aroma was mouthwatering, and even without tasting it yet, she couldn’t find fault with the presentation.

“Let’s dig in. I’ve been looking forward to this,” Emily urged.

“Alright.” Leon and Haley both nodded, then each reached for the dish that caught their eye.

Emily went for the still-steaming beef stew, while Haley’s attention was on the spicy crab.

The table also had stir-fried broccoli, stuffed eggplant, fried mushrooms, and Kung Pao chicken—all common home-style dishes Leon had made from the ingredients Emily had prepared.

There had been more ingredients available, but Leon had told Emily to wrap them up and put them in the fridge. Six dishes for three people was already more than enough, especially for a home gathering rather than a restaurant meal. Even then, Leon wasn’t sure they could finish it all.

Before taking a bite himself, Leon quietly watched the two women eat, waiting for their verdict.

“Mmm! Hot, but the beef is so tender and flavorful, and the potatoes soaked in the stew taste amazing,” Emily said first.

“This crab is really spicy… but it’s good,” Haley said, her tone less enthusiastic but still positive.

Seeing that neither of them found his Chinese-style cooking unfamiliar, Leon relaxed.

Different food cultures could mean very different tastes, but now he was sure Emily and Haley weren’t put off by his flavors. He could finally enjoy the meal himself.

That said, after tasting it, Leon felt a bit disappointed. Emily’s kitchen lacked a lot of the ingredients he usually relied on, so the flavors weren’t up to his own standards.

And stir-frying in a frying pan—especially a shallow one—wasn’t ideal. It made flipping the food tricky and risked spilling ingredients, which left him feeling constrained while cooking.

All in all, he figured he’d only managed about seventy percent of his usual skill.

Still, watching Haley and Emily eat happily, Leon decided not to dwell on it. Next time, with everything prepared properly, he’d make up for it.

After all, courtesy should be returned in kind. Emily had invited him for this meal, and he fully intended to repay it someday.

Just as he settled in to eat, Leon felt a light kick against his shin under the table. He froze, then looked straight at Haley.

Sure enough, Haley met his gaze with a provocative look. She was clearly the one who’d kicked him.

Childish.

He didn’t say it aloud, just mouthed the word at her. Haley’s grip on her knife and fork tightened in irritation.

Then Leon felt the chair jolt slightly. Luckily, he’d already pulled his legs back, so her next kick missed.

Haley winced, her face betraying the fact that she’d hit the chair leg instead.

“What’s wrong?” Emily asked, noticing her expression.

“It’s just really spicy,” Haley said quickly, unwilling to admit the real reason.

“I’ll get you some milk.” Emily stood at once to fetch something to cool her mouth.

Haley took the chance to whisper to Leon. “Why did you dodge?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” he replied.

“This is the price you have to pay,” she said through gritted teeth.

“It’s not like I meant to peek. You put it right there in plain sight—I just happened to see it. How is that my fault?” Leon countered.

“I’m mad because of what you said afterward! You couldn’t just say you didn’t notice? Even lie to me?”

“Sorry. My greatest virtue is honesty.”

“Hmph!”