Stardew Valley’s Farming Master

Chapter 7: The Mysterious and Miraculous Farm

Although Stardew Valley held many secrets, most ordinary people knew nothing about them. That was why keeping a low profile while developing the farm had made its way to the top of Leon’s priority list.

With that thought, Leon stowed away all the lumber he’d gathered and decided to stop chopping for the day.

After all, Lewis was coming today.

With nothing else to do, Leon naturally returned to the front of his cabin and began tinkering with his kitchen setup.

It wasn’t anything complicated—just a pit dug into the ground, with the stones he’d collected yesterday stacked into a small stove. A crude wilderness kitchen, complete.

It looked rough, but it was sturdy enough. All it lacked was a pot and some seasonings, so one way or another, he’d have to make a trip into town today.

After all, food was a necessity. People could do without many things, but not without eating.

“Looks like you’re already thinking about meals.” Leon had just finished washing his hands and stepped out of the cabin when he spotted Lewis crouched by the new stone stove, inspecting it with great interest. Noticing Leon’s arrival, Lewis stood up with a teasing grin.

“That’s right. It takes half an hour to get to Pelican Town. That’s too much wasted time,” Leon explained.

“I understand. Your farm really does require your constant attention. But when you have free time, I hope you’ll visit the town more often,” Lewis said, glancing toward Leon’s neatly prepared fields, where traces of watering still lingered.“Oh, you’ve already started planting? Very industrious. As it happens, I brought you a gift—but you’ll have to wait a moment.”

With that, Lewis turned and left the farm. Before long, he returned driving a pickup truck.

“Yesterday, some things were still on the way. Now that they’ve all arrived, I’ve brought them over. They’ll be useful to you.”

Hopping out, Lewis called over, “Come help me carry these. I can’t have an old man like me doing all the heavy lifting.”

Leon hurried forward to assist, spotting several items in the back of the truck. The most eye-catching was a mini fridge, over a meter tall.

“This was a special order I had Willy bring from across the Gem Sea,” Lewis said proudly when he saw Leon’s gaze fix on the fridge. “It’s much cheaper over there, and the quality is excellent.”

“That’s a pretty extravagant gift.” Leon wasn’t sure about local prices, but furniture and appliances were never cheap. This world’s technology wasn’t overly advanced—despite its fair share of odd, almost magical gadgets, the overall level was more like the seventies or eighties.

“It’s fine. You don’t know this, but local farmers receive certain support policies. And for the first three years after acquiring Red Star Farm, you’re exempt from taxes,” Lewis explained. “These things will help with your life and work, so think of it as my investment in you. The local economy needs you to contribute as a farmer. Stardew Valley is a tourist town—we need some representative landmarks.”

“You mean tourists will visit my farm?” Leon’s brow furrowed at the thought.

“No, not at all. I won’t let outsiders enter your farm easily,” Lewis said, shaking his head. “They only need to know that Stardew Valley has a large farm.”

He glanced around. Seeing no one else nearby, Lewis lowered his voice.

“Kid, you’re new here, so you don’t know the details. But this farm was your grandfather’s pride and joy, and once the pride of Pelican Town. Its origins are full of miracles. Every generation of mayor helps guard its secrets. On this matter, you and I are on the same side.”

“What do you mean?” Leon asked. He knew bits and pieces about the hidden side of this world, but nothing concrete. Lewis, however, clearly knew far more, which piqued his curiosity.

“In time, you’ll understand.” Lewis smiled without explaining further. Then, to keep Leon from asking more, he said briskly, “Come on, let’s get your fridge inside. We still need to install your mailbox, and I brought some seeds and fertilizer. All good stuff. Move it, Leon!”

With Lewis being cryptic, Leon had no choice but to drop the subject and help carry everything from the truck.

The mini fridge was set up inside the cabin and plugged in. Back when Robin had renovated the place, she’d left plenty of spare outlets, saving them trouble.

The fertilizer was stacked in the empty woodshed outside.

The mailbox was a small iron box hung on a wooden post. After digging a hole and planting the post, it stood beside the cabin.

“Remember to check your mailbox every morning. You might get letters. And if you want to send mail, just put it in the box. You can buy stamps and envelopes from Pierre’s General Store,” Lewis instructed.

“The Pelican Town mail carrier works almost every day, so you won’t have to worry about deliveries.”

“Lewis, didn’t you say you wouldn’t let outsiders onto my farm?” Leon teased.

“Of course. But the mail carrier isn’t an outsider. If you happen to run into them one day, don’t be too surprised,” Lewis said with a knowing smile.

Once they finished with the chores, Leon quickly asked, “By the way, Lewis, if I want to sell my farm’s produce, what should I do?”

“If you need money fast, sell crops to Pierre and ores to Clint, our blacksmith. Robin can take building materials—you’ve met her. Fish can go to Willy. If you’re not in a hurry, workers will install a shipping box here today. Just throw your goods in there, and I’ll have someone collect and sell them for you. But it might take a couple of days for the money to arrive,” Lewis explained.

“A shipping box?” Leon was stunned. He’d thought that kind of convenience only existed in the game. He hadn’t expected it to be real—just not yet installed.

“Yes, a shipping box. A marvelous thing. You’ll see once it’s set up. It’s another one of our little secrets.” Lewis smiled mysteriously, clearly looking forward to Leon’s reaction when he discovered its wonders.

“When will the workers come?” Leon asked curiously.

“When you’re not at the farm,” Lewis replied.

“And if I don’t leave the farm?” Leon pressed.

“Then they’ll come while you’re sleeping,” Lewis added.

“.”