novelraw Chapter 228: Am I Not Just an Ordinary Person?
Chapter 228: Am I Not Just an Ordinary Person?
After leaving Grandma Evelyn’s house, Leon went straight to the entrance of Pierre’s General Store. At last, he saw Pierre inside, unlocking the door.
“Good morning, Mr. Leon.” Seeing him, Pierre quickened his movements. As soon as the door opened, he greeted Leon warmly.
“Mr. Pierre, I’ll take some potato seeds.”
Leon, having already decided to mainly grow potatoes, wasted no time stating his request.
“Of course. How many packs do you need?” Pierre asked.
“Two will be enough,” Leon replied. Two packs meant forty seeds—just enough to fill the remaining empty plots on his farm.
“That’ll be 100G.” Handing over the seeds, Pierre rubbed his hands with a smile.
Leon accepted the seeds, pulled out a hundred-gold bill, tossed it to Pierre, and left immediately.
He had no time for chit-chat—there was still a mountain of farm work waiting for him.
On the way back, Leon pedaled standing up, and his speed was astonishing.Once he entered the farm, he began tilling the soil. Strangely, the ground that had previously grown tulips—where the flower roots should still have been after the blooms were cut—seemed to swallow them up as he worked the soil.
But Leon was already used to the many peculiarities of Stardew Valley. He paid it no mind, planted the potato seeds, and watered all his crops. By the time he finished, the sun was already high overhead.
The entire morning had passed, and it was time for lunch.
After washing some Gold-star Quality potatoes, Leon cut them into chunks and added them to a pot of simmering beef. He covered the pot, reduced the flame in the wood stove, and washed his hands while waiting.
When the beef stew with potatoes had thickened to perfection, Leon couldn’t wait. He speared a piece of potato soaked in beef broth with his fork and popped it into his mouth. The potato was soft and creamy, melting instantly on his tongue.
It had a texture almost like ice cream. The flavor of the beef didn’t overpower the potato’s own taste, and the natural sweetness from the starch came through beautifully.
Overall, the potatoes were delicious. But Leon couldn’t tell exactly how much better they were—flavor-wise, they weren’t that different from regular potatoes, apart from their unusual texture.
A little disappointed, Leon stared at the pot of beef stew for a moment, then ladled one bowl into his System Backpack. The rest, he ate with rice, not even leaving a drop of broth behind.
Warmth filled his stomach. While he hadn’t noticed any special effect from the potatoes, the beef in the stew had been exceptionally flavorful—rich, tender, and perfect with rice.
After washing the dishes and the pot, Leon rode his bike through the outer forest, heading straight for Linus’s camp at the northern foothills. There, he found Linus roasting a fish.
“Old man, can’t you eat something else? You have fish every single day.”
Leon sat down beside him without ceremony, tossing out the complaint.
“This season’s fish are fat and delicious—prime ingredients. Besides, I’m just a wandering man. Having food at all is already good. I can’t exactly be picky.” Linus replied without the slightest hint of embarrassment.
“Fine, fine. I brought you something tasty. Try it.” Leon shrugged, clearly not buying Linus’s excuse, and took out the bowl of beef stew from his System Backpack.
Thanks to the backpack’s unique nature, the stew was still steaming hot—just like it had been when fresh off the stove.
“Oh? You actually thought of bringing me food.” Linus accepted the bowl with a hint of surprise, inhaling deeply at the aroma.
“Smells rich. Didn’t think your cooking was this good.”
“Better taste it before you judge,” Leon urged.
“In such a rush—did you poison it?” Linus teased.
“I doubt ordinary poison could kill you,” Leon shot back without mercy.
“Hahaha! Using your own style of banter against you doesn’t seem to work. Fine, I’ll try it.” Still chuckling, Linus pulled out an old spoon from somewhere and began eating.
He ate slowly, with graceful manners that didn’t match his ragged clothes and messy hair. Watching him dine, it was hard to believe he was a drifter.
After just a few bites, Linus set the spoon down, eyeing Leon, who was staring at him intently.
“What? Didn’t you eat already? Why are you watching me like that?”
“I just want to hear your opinion,” Leon explained.
“You mean you want to hear my opinion on the Gold-star Quality potatoes in here,” Linus replied dryly.
“Caught me, huh?” Leon scratched his nose sheepishly. “Since you know, then tell me.”
“High-quality crops don’t taste all that different from normal ones. The real reason they’re sought after is because they’re infused with natural energy—Life Energy,” Linus explained while continuing to eat. “They’re condensed vitality. Even ordinary people can take in that power, so taste isn’t what most people care about.”
“I don’t feel any stronger, though.” Leon thought about how he’d eaten most of a Gold-star Quality potato and felt nothing at all.
“Are you an ordinary person?” Linus asked in return.
“I’m… not an ordinary person?” Leon asked, puzzled.
“…”
Linus just stared at him, speechless. He quickly finished the stew, tossed the bowl back to Leon, and said, “I’m too lazy to talk to you. Go back—there’s someone waiting for you at your farm.”
“Oh.” Leon had planned to chat longer, but he believed Linus wasn’t the type to make up lies just to send him away. If Linus said someone was waiting, it meant someone really was.
Who could it be? He didn’t know. But he’d find out soon enough.
When Leon returned to the farm, he spotted a tall, sturdy woman standing in the sunlight. He was surprised.
“Robin? What are you doing here?”
“I’m here to build your coop!” Robin said, exasperated. “I finished my work in the eastern mines, had lunch, and came straight here. Don’t tell me you forgot all about it.”