Stardew Valley’s Farming Master

Chapter 161: The Move of an Old Acquaintance

Although the sacrifice list required five gold-star quality parsnips, they weren’t strictly necessary. Of the four gold-star crops representing the three optimal planting seasons—spring, summer, and fall—only three were needed.

Aside from parsnips, melons, corn, and pumpkins could be used as substitutes. Melons and corn could be planted in summer, while pumpkins grew in fall, fulfilling the high-quality crop requirement for the sacrifice. For spring, Leon still felt it was more reliable to focus on planting high-value crops to build up his initial capital.

Leon had originally planned to walk to Pelican Town, but after leaving the farm, he discovered that the dirt road leading there was no longer muddy. The ground had hardened, and yesterday’s full day of rain seemed to have been completely absorbed. Overnight, it had dried out considerably.

This meant Leon didn’t have to walk after all. He pulled out his bicycle, hopped on, and rode straight toward Pelican Town. Passing by Harvey’s Clinic, he ran into Abigail.

“Hey, Leon. Good morning!” Abigail greeted him warmly the moment she saw him.

“Morning, Abigail. Are you heading to the clinic?” Leon asked curiously, noticing her waiting at the door as if it hadn’t opened yet.

“Mm-hmm. I booked a physical today,” Abigail said with a nod. “Most people in town pick a day each year to get a checkup from Harvey. That way we can catch any health problems early. If you ever have a free day, you should schedule one too.”

“Does that checkup include a pregnancy test?” Leon recalled a certain unique line Abigail had in the game.

Abigail’s eyes widened in curiosity. “How did you know I use that excuse to scare off boys trying to hit on me?”

“You actually get hit on?” Leon asked, genuinely puzzled. Sure, Abigail was good-looking, but her personality probably scared off most guys who couldn’t match her wavelength.“Hmph, so you’re underestimating me? I’ll have you know I’m one of Pelican Town’s most famous beauties.” Abigail rolled her eyes, then leaned in with mock aggression. “You still haven’t answered me—how do you know my go-to rejection line?”

“I was just teasing you,” Leon said helplessly, then added with another jab, “But aren’t you worried that using that excuse might get people spreading rumors about you being pregnant before marriage?”

“No need to worry. Anyone who knows me understands my personality and standards. Getting them to believe I’m pregnant would be harder than convincing them my pet hamster, David, can talk!” Abigail waved it off casually.

“Sounds like you know yourself pretty well,” Leon said with a laugh.

“What can I say? I’m just that unique. Only a powerful, mysterious man could ever be worthy of me. The boys in Pelican Town? All softies. And I don’t like softies.” Abigail struck a playful boxing pose, puffing herself up.

“So now that I’m part of Pelican Town, you’re calling me a softie too?” Leon chuckled, eyeing her rather slender arms.

“Of course. Unless you can prove otherwise. How would you know if you’re not one unless you fight me?” Abigail challenged, eyes gleaming.

“Want to try?” Leon parked his bike and stepped in front of her.

“Alright.” Abigail nodded immediately, then hooked a finger at him. “Want me to let you go first?”

“I’m afraid if I start, you won’t last even one move. You go first,” Leon said, shaking his head.

“Hmph.”

Abigail snorted and suddenly threw a punch aimed at Leon’s eye.

She was quick—at least to a normal person’s eyes. Unfortunately for her, Leon’s combat assistance from the System, combined with his vastly enhanced physique, made her punch look like it was moving in slow motion.

A slight tilt of his head, and he easily dodged her fist.

Leon wasn’t one to just stand there and get hit. Taking advantage of her forward-leaning stance and unsteady footing after missing, he stepped in, pressing his leg between hers, closing the distance. His right hand curled into an open fist, elbow bent upward—a classic starting move from the Bajiquan technique known as “Iron Mountain Lean.”

But this move could be dangerously powerful. Leon didn’t put his full strength into it. Just before his elbow could connect with Abigail’s chest, he withdrew the force, bumping her lightly with his shoulder instead. Even so, it sent her staggering back.

“How are you so fast?” Abigail asked in astonishment, regaining her balance after several steps. She replayed the moment in her head—one blink, and Leon had already closed the distance and knocked her back.

“It’s because I’m in great shape,” Leon explained. “You should be thankful I don’t hit women. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been my shoulder pushing you just now.”

“That’s true. I saw you raising your elbow but pulling back at the last second.” Abigail’s expression showed a bit of lingering fear. If it had been his elbow instead of his shoulder, the blow could have been painful.

But her curiosity still got the better of her. “Who taught you that close-quarters fighting technique? I’ve never seen it before.”

“An old acquaintance with a center-parted hairstyle. Everyone called him ‘Zhi Yin Ge’,” Leon replied with a straight face.

“He must be an incredible martial artist,” Abigail said wistfully.

“Uh…” Leon hadn’t expected her to take the joke seriously and was momentarily at a loss.

Thankfully, Abigail didn’t press the topic. Having seen Leon’s speed and experienced that seemingly ordinary yet deadly close-combat move, she understood the gap in their abilities.

“Alright, I admit it—you’re the only real man in Stardew Valley.”

“You realize you just insulted your dad with that, right?” Leon pointed out.

“Fine, I’ll revise it. You’re the only real man among young men,” she said quickly.

“I’d say Alex the musclehead qualifies too,” Leon remarked, thinking of the aspiring football player. He was curious what Abigail thought of him.

“Him? All show. Last time I saw him walking his dog, he couldn’t even hold onto the leash and almost got dragged over. Totally embarrassing,” Abigail scoffed.

“…”

Leon was speechless. If he remembered correctly, Alex’s dog was nicknamed Dusty, an older greyhound. It looked fierce but was actually lazy, spending most of its time lying in its doghouse. If Alex couldn’t even handle a dog like that, Leon could see why his dream had stayed out of reach.