Chapter 257: Chapter 255: The Thank You Gift Has Arrived

Near the small wooden house, Nian Shutong roamed to the warehouse to see what she had in surplus to prepare thank-you gifts.

It turned out that all she had left were rice and flour.

Of course, there were plenty of seafood on the other side of the mountain, which was manageable.

After making a round, Nian Shutong made her decision, deciding to deal with it tomorrow and rest for now.

After a night of cultivation, Nian Shutong’s strength was steadily growing, the pig sculpture she held was almost used up, and she had consumed over a dozen crystal stones.

In the early morning, Nian Shutong walked from the outside forests and soon reached her own land.

So far, thousands of acres had been cleared, and the forest’s edge kept retreating backward.

But Nian Shutong wasn’t worried about the dwindling trees, because on Blue Star, there was nothing but seawater and trees, no real arable land.

When she reached Ha Ha, who was clearing the land, she asked, “Ha Ha, have you used up the crystal stones I gave you?”

Ha Ha, busy working, without lifting his head, replied nonchalantly, “Used them up, yeah!”

“Here, take these!”

Nian Shutong casually tossed a crystal stone towards Ha Ha, who skillfully caught it with his wolf tail and tucked it into his Space Button.

Their exchange, one throw, one catch, seemed as casual as tossing a stone.

Yet, what was tossed was a top-grade crystal stone that everyone desired but could hardly obtain.

Nian Shutong didn’t mind at all; these were for her partner, after all. If she had them, she’d give them.

She walked back to the small wooden house, checking the growth of the seedlings along the way, which was quite good.

Now, the fields presented a whole new view.

All the seedlings had grown tall, almost changing their appearance every day.

Green, sheet upon sheet.

With every breeze, the leaves formed waves after waves.

The heat from the previous few days had diminished quite a bit.

When Nian Shutong returned to the small wooden house, she went to the kitchen where Mr. Fan was cooking.

“Mr. Fan, are you done?”

“Boss, breakfast is ready,” Mr. Fan answered, wiping his hands on his apron.

“Good. I need to speak with you.”

Hearing that there was something to discuss, Mr. Fan quickly stepped out and stood beside Nian Shutong, waiting for her instructions.

Mr. Fan, a lone man, had lived on Trash Star for decades and had managed to come here only because his neighbor had dragged him along.

However, he never expected that life on Blue Star would be so comfortable and that he could still cook.

He thought he would never be able to cook again.

Nian Shutong explained what needed to be done to Mr. Fan.

Between them, it was a kind of mental communication, one participant not proactive, the other skilled.

“Use flour to fry the fruit… sprinkle a bit of White Sugar… crunchy and delicious.”

“I understand, boss.”

Understand? So quickly?

Nian Shutong was slightly bemused. Was she really that good at teaching?

Alright, then let’s continue with the next oral teaching.

“It’s like this with rice cakes…”

“I understand, boss.”

Understood again?

Nian Shutong looked at Mr. Fan somewhat admiringly and said, “Then please go ahead and make it. Let me taste it when it’s ready, and if there’s no issue, we’ll make more.”

Mr. Fan respectfully nodded, stepping back as he spoke, “I’ll try it right now, boss.”

As Mr. Fan turned to leave, he felt overjoyed inside.

He got to make something new again. The boss was truly amazing; how come she knew so many recipes?

He had never seen so many varieties in the previous decades.

This Blue Star was amazing.

Ms. Nian Shutong watched Mr. Fan’s movements for a while and felt that he was truly different, as if what he did seemed so effortless?

“Watching Mr. Fan?”

Fu Yunhe walked to Nian Shutong’s side and together they looked toward the kitchen.

“Yes, he is quite a character.”

“Indeed, he is quite a character.”

Fu Yunhe’s words contained deeper meanings which made Nian Shutong look at him with a hint of curiosity.

Fu Yunhe didn’t say much more and opened his Light Computer. Information about Mr. Fan appeared on the screen.

Once an apprentice chef in a restaurant, Mr. Fan was found to have astonishing talent. He was kept hidden by the restaurant’s boss, who used Mr. Fan’s dishes yet claimed them as his own, turning the restaurant into a well-known establishment.

Eventually, Mr. Fan discovered this and attempted to expose the head chef, only to be discovered and framed himself. No other restaurant would hire him, and even working odd jobs would subject him to ostracism, leading him to a life on the trash star for twenty years.

“I’ve really found a treasure,” Nian Shutong said as she observed Mr. Fan’s experience. What immense talent he must possess!

“Indeed, and he truly loves cooking, a passion that comes from deep within.”

“Great, we are fortunate then,” Nian Shutong turned around to eat.

Fu Yunhe followed Nian Shutong, and today’s breakfast was seafood wontons.

Thin wrapper, generous filling, and large pieces of shrimp.

Furthermore, not just one type of filling, there was beef and vegetables too.

After finishing a bowl of wontons, Nian Shutong decided in her heart to give Mr. Fan a raise.

Such a talented cook must be kept close.

At her small wooden house, with the help of the talented Mr. Fan, the first batch of fried fruit was done, coated with a layer of White Sugar, crispy and sweet, loved by a group of children, and Elder Hua.

Of course, Nian Shutong and the others liked it too.

“Mr. Fan, fry some more, I’m planning to give them as gifts.”

“Understood, Boss,” Mr. Fan especially liked watching everyone enjoy his cooking, a joy of success and satisfaction.

After arranging the fried fruit, Nian Shutong instructed Wang Fu to prepare more grilled squid and dried fish, to bundle together as gifts.

Wang Fu went to arrange that.

“We’re still missing something.”

“Is that not enough?” Fu Yunhe was somewhat surprised. Are we giving so much?

For the first time, Nian Shutong, with a bit of confidence and an elder’s tone, said, “Remember, gifts should come in pairs.”

“Since it’s a thank-you gift, two items seem a bit thin, four would be better.”

Fu Yunhe learned for the first time that gifting was so particular, and he acknowledged that he had learned something new.

“Auntie, Auntie, does that mean Dou Dou should give you two of everything?”

Nian Shutong pinched Dou Dou’s little cheek and said, “No need, this is a thank-you gift.”

“Between us, such thank-you gifts aren’t necessary, sentimental value is what truly counts.”

Dou Dou kept nodding his little head, like a chick pecking at grains of rice.

Nian Shutong looked at Dou Dou and decided to make some snacks for the children.

“Dou Dou, I’ll make you some puffed rice treats.”

Puffed rice treats?

Dou Dou thought about rice and flowers, wondering how one could eat that?

Nian Shutong didn’t explain at all and went to find Rubble to make a machine and try making puffed rice treats.

She also decided to buy some corn; popcorn would probably be great too.

Nian Shutong herself was getting excited, realizing that simple snacks really could uplift one’s mood.

After describing to Rubble what she wanted, she waited on the spot for Rubble to make it first.

Rubble looked at Nian Shutong carefully and asked, “Ms. Nian Shutong, how old are you?”