Chapter 228 - 75: Local Specialty

Xiao Wanzi is helping Su Xiaocai pack her luggage; the cups and quilts that have been left for almost a month need cleaning.

Xing Miao praised, "Thanks, Xing Xing. You look healthier. Have you been eating sweets recently? Too many sweets can affect your skin condition..."

After not seeing her for a while, Xiao Wanzi’s nagging has strengthened by two degrees.

...

Su Xiaocai hasn’t touched her beloved garden for a long time. She hugs Huahua, planning to bring some local specialties for her seniors.

Professor Li’s share will have to wait as he’s gone to another planet for research and will be back for the start of the school year.

Downstairs, Huahua pokes its head out to look at the outside world. Its big round eyes keep staring at the roadside plants as if wanting to pounce.

Passing by the stone bench under the tree, the lazy black and white cat saw Huahua and moved immediately.

In a flash, the black and white shadow jumped to Su Xiaocai’s feet.

It’s the first time Su Xiaocai saw it move so nimbly.

"Meow meow meow." The black and white cat called daintily, as if urging her to quickly put down its beauty.

Su Xiaocai helplessly said, "You’re a eunuch, and you still want love?"

The black and white cat ignored her, its chubby body kept rubbing against her.

"Huahua is male, I won’t allow it to fall in love with a eunuch." The big fat ball at her feet wouldn’t leave, following wherever Su Xiaocai went.

If she’s not careful, she might step on it, turning it into a cat pancake.

Su Xiaocai had no choice but to comply and put Huahua down.

Once on the ground, Huahua calmly sat elegantly.

The black and white cat wiggled its rear end over to sniff it, tilting its head, seemingly puzzled.

Then its fur stood up, and it seemed heartbroken.

Such a beautiful creature, how could it be male.

Su Xiaocai almost laughed herself silly at the black and white cat.

"Meow." Huahua fiercely pawed at it, as if saying, "Scram, fatso."

The black and white cat got frightened and dashed off, wooing sadly...

Love starts with looks and ends in violence (not exactly).

The black and white cat’s unrequited love concluded; it looked back resentfully at Su Xiaocai, deciding never to let her touch it again.

Su Xiaocai shrugged: What’s this got to do with me?

Blaming me for misidentifying gender?

In the fields, Su Xiaocai saw a familiar figure.

A senior from the Agricultural Research Institute squatted in the field, trying to abduct Su Xiaocai’s machine.

Why are there always people trying to take her stuff, even cats?

"You’re so cute, I want to take you back to my field," the senior said.

The insect-catching robot replied, "You’re so adorable, what dreamy thoughts are you having?"

"Oh, so fragrant, I really want it," the senior said.

"Move aside, you’re in my way," the robot rudely passed under Senior Sister Wenwen’s legs, "Always trying to take shortcuts, without a bit of patience."

Su Xiaocai, watching the show, felt a bit offended.

"Senior Sister Wenwen."

The senior looked up, happily saying, "Junior Sister, you’re back?"

The area had just rained, making the ground muddy. Senior Sister Wenwen stepped through mud to hop onto the field ridge.

"Is the cat yours? Can I pet it?" Unable to resist cute little pets, after getting permission from Su Xiaocai, Senior Sister Wenwen picked up Huahua for a cuddle.

Huahua was well-behaved and quiet but remained rather aloof.

It’s fine to pet it, but don’t expect it to snuggle up to you.

After holding Huahua for a while, Senior Sister Wenwen handed it back to Su Xiaocai, saying, "Junior Sister, where did you get your robot? I can’t find it outside, can you sell me one?"

"Sorry, Senior Sister. I made it myself, and I’m too busy recently. Can it wait for a while?" Su Xiaocai conveyed just the right amount of weariness.

Senior Sister Wenwen compassionately patted Su Xiaocai, "Oh, sweetie, I’m sorry to bother you at this time. You can make it when you’re free, I’m not in a rush here."

After experiencing a big battle, the students at school knew about Su Xiaocai and others being trapped on Huangyang Star.

War always leaves psychological scars.

Su Xiaocai blinked; regardless of any misunderstanding by Senior Sister Wenwen, she welcomed her sympathy.

She didn’t have the time to make small robots as she needed to request frequent absences next term from the principal.

School rules typically don’t allow frequent student absences.

But there are exceptions for competitions, emergencies, or in cases like Su Xiaocai’s, who started her own business.

Students who become business owners contribute to employment, and as legal persons, they forgo military job placement.

Such students naturally require less strict management.

Su Xiaocai put Huahua on the ground, holding a leash; Huahua pawed at the roadside grass, looking naïve and amusing.

Seeing her thriving crops, Su Xiaocai was grateful to her seniors, "Thank you, Senior Sisters, for caring for my field."

Wenwen waved it off, "No need for thanks, you’ve worked hard. School is about to start, most will be back, would you like to go to Professor’s field?"

"Sounds good." Leading Huahua forward; its chubby rear wiggled with each step, it always grabbed at things wherever it went.

Senior Sister Wenwen teased it with a foxtail while saying to Su Xiaocai, "Other students returned a day earlier than you, and some of them aren’t doing well mentally. I heard they’re undergoing therapy. Are you really okay?"

Su Xiaocai replied, "I’m fine."

Those involved in the battle on Huangyang Star were alright; the intense experience strengthened them, making them resilient.

However, those who witnessed deaths in the warship control room were more fragile.

Recurring nightmares plagued them.

"Really, it’s nothing." Such disgusting scenes had been witnessed too many times, it was nothing more than an appetizer.

Su Xiaocai could even eat in front of a pile of corpses without blinking.

"I didn’t expect you, Junior Sister, to look so soft, yet be so brave." Senior Sister Wenwen patted Su Xiaocai’s shoulder, "I admire you, but for us farmers, let’s avoid dangerous places like those. At the time, the whole school was worried sick about you all."

"It’s difficult to say; if the Agricultural College is again asked to rescue rare plants at the front line, I’d probably go."

"Alright, you’re right, I would go too."

Reaching the experimental field.

The seniors enthusiastically welcomed Su Xiaocai back safely, each giving her a big hug, comforting her, saying she’s worked hard.

Su Xiaocai was embarrassed, rubbing her nose, admitting she hadn’t worked hard this week and had enjoyed herself.

"I brought local specialties for you all. Share as you see fit." She brought cooked food for them.

Many vacuum-packed items appeared on the table under the big banyan tree.

The labels read ’Rabbit.’

"All rabbit meat?"

"Yes." Unable to sell the excess, and needing convenient gifts, rabbit became the keepsake. "Don’t hate it; it’s the thought that counts, right?"

Many hadn’t tasted rabbit meat, "Rabbits are so cute. You only made braised and spicy varieties?"

Su Xiaocai: So much rabbit meat, making two flavors was the limit for Xiao Wanzi and the housekeeper.

It’s not mass production.

Not liking it is fine; she would bring something else next time.

Unexpectedly, they devoured it like wolves starved for three days.

Rabbit is delicious; can’t miss it.

"Caicai’s local specialty truly wins my heart." Offering cooked food is more practical than any gift; they would consume it promptly without waste.

Senior Sister Wenwen, being close, grabbed three packs, holding them tightly from others’ reach, "You grabbed three packs by yourself, that’s excessive."

"Reflect on yourself, stuffing one pack inside your clothes, thinking I’m blind?"

"I have a big belly."

"Alright, alright, a man three months pregnant."

Su Xiaocai let them take as she couldn’t keep track of the number of packs or rabbits made, an assorted mix.

"These aren’t preserved, so they don’t keep long." She reminded everyone before heading to the principal’s office, "I’m off to see the principal; save some for the seniors who haven’t returned."

"Muah! Take care, Junior Sister."

"Thanks, I’ll save a portion for you when my mom sends local specialties in a few days."

"Huh? You have specialties but didn’t give us any?"