CH 68

There are a total of 11 weekend chapters. 5 will be updated today while the remaining 6 will be uploaded tomorrow.

Thank you to SheungMun for the ko-fi.

Because the area of the guardian formation is too large, and the actual situation of the valley is inevitably different from the map, the consumption of spiritual stones by Shu Shuishui’s guardian formation exceeded the budget by twenty-seven pieces. However, nowadays, with his financial abundance, Shu Shuishui pays no attention to these matters.

Carrying a small shovel on his back and wearing a yellow construction cap, Shu Shuishui walked to the place where he was going to bury the spiritual stones. Then, he threw the small shovel aside and with all four paws working together, he cleared away the shallow snow and used his sharp claws to directly break the soil, swiftly digging a slightly larger hole than himself.

“One spiritual stone,” Shu Shuishui transferred the spiritual stone from the spiritual mansion to the small pit, carefully positioning it, and only then used his little paw to cover the soil.

After burying one, Shu Shuishui once again picked up the small shovel and went toward the next target point not far away. Upon reaching it, he once again tossed the small shovel aside and began to dig a hole with his paws.

“Two spiritual stones…”

“Three spiritual stones…”

Gu Langu: “…” So, what exactly is the small shovel for?

By the time the sky darkened, Shu Shuishui had already buried ninety-nine spiritual stones in specific locations. The next task was to use spiritual power to guide each spiritual stone, allowing them to communicate and operate with each other.

This task was relatively more time-consuming and much more delicate. Shu Shuishui decided to continue tomorrow during the daytime. “Gu Gu, let’s go have dinner. Gu Gu, you’ve worked hard today. Is there anything you’d like to eat? I’ll make braised pork for Gu Gu.”

Gu Langu readily agreed, not because he wanted to eat braised pork, but because Gu Langu knew that if he had braised pork, it meant that Shu Shuishui would have braised pork as well.

Shu Shuishui returned to the campfire set up by Xie Feng and Nan Fang, then took off his construction cap and put on a chef’s hat.

Instantly, Xie Feng and Nan Fang’s eyes lit up. During this period of getting to know Shu Shuishui, they had learned some of his habits, such as his emphasis on ritual in everything, especially when it came to sleeping and eating. So, when Shu Shuishui put on the chef’s hat, it meant that there would be something delicious tonight.

Xie Feng leaned in, ignoring Gu Langu’s gaze. “What are you making tonight, Shui Shui?”

Shu Shuishui (*＾-＾*) “Braised pork.”

Xie Feng’s eyes lit up even more. “Can you make a pot for me too? I can pay with energy stones. Shui Shui, name your price.”

Before Shu Shuishui could respond, Gu Langu next to him decisively denied, “No.”

“Why?” Nan Fang couldn’t hold back his curiosity either.

Gu Langu answered matter-of-factly, “No time. Tonight, Shui Shui needs to warm my bed.”

Xie Feng and Nan Fang: “…”

Shu Shuishui tilted his little head slightly. “Oh right, Gu Gu, what time will you sleep tonight? I’ll warm the bed in advance.”

Gu Langu responded earnestly, “I’m a bit tired today, so I want to rest as soon as possible.”

Shu Shuishui nodded, indicating that he understood. Then, he quickly took out his pots, bowls, ladles, and other utensils, setting aside a small pile from the nearby large pile of firewood. He then placed a can of meat on the fire and took out a small cutting board, skillfully slicing six pieces of braised pork. With precise seasoning and fluid movements, he completed the task in one go.

Xie Feng quietly murmured to Nan Fang, “Isn’t the boss supposed to be a half-mechanical being? Isn’t it said that he doesn’t have feelings and never gets tired? Why is it that after such a long time, I feel like he’s nothing like the rumors? He even belittles the three of us as being worthless of a grasshopper’s leg.”

Nan Fang was gazing at the small can and the bits of meat that were coming out of it.

“My brother said that all of the boss’s functions are gradually awakening, but I think the boss isn’t as cute as before now.”

Xie Feng and Nan Fang could only look at each other with a touch of melancholy as they watched Shu Shuishui twirling around the small campfire.

In addition to a small pot of braised pork, Shu Shuishui didn’t forget about the others. He walked over to the larger campfire. “Today, we’re also celebrating our move to the new place. Let’s cook these tender corn cobs.” Shu Shuishui pulled out a few fresh corn cobs from his spiritual storage.

If they hadn’t arrived in the valley, Shu Shuishui wouldn’t have been willing to eat corn, but it wouldn’t be long before he could start planting his own.

“Even though we’re all living here, I still want to apply for a small piece of personal territory. I wonder if that’s possible,” Shu Shuishui inquired with a pointed claw.

Nan Ge, who happened to be passing by, chuckled. “Of course, you can. This valley was discovered by Shui Shui, so he can choose wherever he wants.”

Shu Shuishui extended his paw and pointed to a spot by the lake. “I want that area, not too big, just enough for me, Gu Gu, and our farming.”

Shu Shuishui described the approximate area, and Nan Ge listened carefully, planning to inform others later to prevent anyone else from accidentally moving there.

Soon, the fragrant aroma of cooking corn wafted through the air, turning the corn in the pot into a delicacy that seemed otherworldly. Though the meat was delicious, the unique and enticing fragrance of the corn captured everyone’s attention.

Xie Feng’s mouth was practically watering, and he repeatedly asked Shu Shuishui if they could eat.

Shu Shuishui stood on Gu Langu’s hand, stirring the corn with a spoon. By the time the braised pork was ready, the corn would be just right to eat.

And Yu Jin happened to return just in time, not bothering to ask anyone and followed the unfamiliar yet alluring scent to its source. Shu Shuishui had purposely cooked a couple of extra corn cobs today, and now everyone gathered to enjoy this rare culinary moment.

“Is this thing called corn? It’s delicious! Shui Shui, do you have seeds? Now that we have more space, can I grow them on the micro-farm?” Yu Jin finished gnawing on a corn cob, not even letting go of the corn cob stick, savoring the juice on it.

Xie Feng couldn’t stand it anymore. “Can you not be so shameless?”

“Only shameless people would think of shameless things. I have a clear conscience, what’s the problem?” Yu Jin reflexively argued back.

Gu Langu’s nibbling on the corn paused, his gaze lingering momentarily on Shu Shuishui, who was also holding a corn cob and nibbling. Then, he awkwardly looked away.

Shu Shuishui held a corn cob much taller than himself. “There are seeds. You can plant them on the farm, and in a few days, the effects of the formations will overlap, making the growth even faster.”

“What? Faster?” Yu Jin was surprised. The current micro-farm was already quite impressive, but if it became faster, some crops could be harvested almost every day. This was something that even current technology couldn’t achieve!

Xie Feng suddenly became interested. He had been studying the micro-farm for some time, and he believed the growth cycle of farm crops had already been significantly shortened, reaching a critical point.

“Of course. I said I’ll help you all get through the winter. How can we endure the cold winter? It’s only natural to hibernate comfortably and warmly. Can Gu Gu hibernate? Let’s find a cozy spot and sleep until next summer, how does that sound?” Shu Shuishui decided to ask with a hint of hope.

Gu Langu remained silent for a moment. “I can hibernate.”

Shu Shuishui wasn’t quite clear on the difference between hibernation and dormancy, but Gu Langu continued, “Actually, you can hibernate in the simulator with me. The simulator will keep the user’s body in optimal condition. Unless it involves extremely mentally taxing activities, you can experience it as a dream.”

Shu Shuishui’s ears perked up. He hadn’t realized the simulator could be used like this. “But doesn’t the simulator consume mental energy? You can’t stay in it all the time, right?”

“I can consciously regulate the consumption of mental energy. As long as you don’t engage in intense activities like battles within the simulator, you can stay in there for about a month. However, if you want to eat during that time, you’ll need to log out of the simulator,” Gu Langu continued. “Just remember, during that time, if you want to eat something, you’ll have to log out of the simulator.”

Shu Shuishui chuckled a bit dramatically. “No need. It’s fine if I starve. I can just keep sleeping. Gu Gu is amazing. Gu Gu is the first person I’ve met who can sleep with me for a whole month.”

Everyone else: “…”. They couldn’t believe how far Shu Shuishui was willing to go just to praise Gu Langu. He even said something like “It’s fine if I starve.”

Little did they know, what Shu Shuishui said was quite ordinary. As for praising Gu Langu, it truly came from his heart. Even his previous companion, Shu Bao, couldn’t honestly sleep with him for a whole month. Most of the time when Shu Shuishui hibernated, Shu Bao would be tinkering with his computer or doing other things.

In the end, Gu Langu was in a rather good mood and enjoyed four pieces of braised pork. Shu Shuishui had two, and with the cooked corn, he felt like he had eaten quite a bit tonight. He took Gu Langu for a post-dinner stroll of a hundred steps, planning to take a walk and then go to sleep.

Shu Shuishui, his little belly protruding, walked ahead with a rhythmic “patter, patter, patter.” Gu Langu lowered his head, his gaze closely following Shu Shuishui from behind.

“Gu Gu, look, this side near the lake has such a wonderful view. Let’s stay here. Tonight, we can sleep in a tent. It’s a perfect opportunity to try out the new tent I made for you.”

“Alright.”

“Gu Gu, do you like it here? We can raise seafood.”

“I like it. Shui Shui, do you enjoy eating seafood?”

Shu Shuishui nodded his tiny head and then let out a contented burp. As he patted his plump little belly with his small paw, he said, “I do, and I’ll even raise pearls. I’ll make a pearl earring for you someday, Gu Gu.”

Gu Langu touched his own ear and surprisingly found himself accepting the idea. “Okay, Shui Shui, you don’t need to use an earring.” Gu Langu looked at Shu Shuishui’s furry little ears. Even though he really wanted him to have a matching earring, he didn’t want his fluffy ears to get hurt.

Shu Shuishui touched his own small ear.

“Gu Gu, don’t worry. The earrings I make are clipped onto the ear; they won’t hurt. I can skip the earring and give my pearl to Gu Gu, make a pair of earrings for Gu Gu.”

Gu Langu: “…”. It seemed he was being a bit unreasonable. He had snatched Shu Shuishui’s pearl, and he was indulging him as usual. Gu Langu suddenly thought that in the future, if they raised offspring, he mustn’t let Shu Shuishui take care of them.

The lakeside had become quite distant from the campsite. The firelight naturally grew dim. Shu Shuishui thought for a moment, then took out a small lantern from his spiritual storage. It was a delicate red paper lantern, and its gentle glow illuminated the path beneath his feet. “Gu Gu, stay close to me. I’ll light the way for you.”

Gu Langu assessed the lantern’s range of light and reluctantly found it suitable. “Alright, I’ll follow you, Shui Shui.”

And so, Shu Shuishui and Gu Langu strolled along the frozen lake, chatting as they went.

Back at the campsite, the people who had finished dinner were either busy organizing tents and supplies or still resting. With this perfect winter location found, everyone was in a very relaxed mood.

Yu Jin smacked his lips, savoring the aroma of the corn. “Oh, I almost forgot to tell you about Dong Shijun. Haha, Nan Ge was quite accurate. Dong Shijun treated General and his troops very politely, not wanting to offend them.”

“Once I arrived, Dong Shijun put on a negotiation stance. He wanted to divide up that small city, even calculating the shares in detail. Then I took all the junk they left behind and slapped it in his face. I told him they left it in such a hurry, so I brought it along. As for the small city, I let them have it. After all, we’re people with a mouse, and we don’t fuss over such things.” As Yu Jin spoke, he couldn’t help but feel delighted, especially when he remembered the colorful expressions on Dong Shijun and his group’s faces.

“That’s not all. When I told them about the micro-farm and purifying the mutated creatures, their expressions were the best. Clearly frustrated but still polite, they saw us off. That scene was quite satisfying…” Yu Jin enthusiastically recounted his glorious achievements by the campfire. Ignoring his blackened eye, he did indeed sound quite imposing.

Having strolled with the little lantern for a while, Shu Shuishui decided it was time to warm up Gu Langu’s sleeping area. So he crawled into the tent Gu Langu had set up, found Gu Langu’s sleeping bag, and nestled inside. Gu Langu sat beside the sleeping bag.

“Gu Gu, just wait a moment. I’ll be done soon. After all, I’m so fluffy.”

Indeed, Shu Shuishui hadn’t underestimated his fluffiness, but he greatly underestimated his own sleep quality. Under Gu Langu’s watchful gaze, he fell asleep within seconds.

Gu Langu: “…”.

However, soon enough, the small mouse in the sleeping bag disappeared, replaced by a young man with warm chestnut-colored hair that had become more frequent lately. His lean body filled the originally flat sleeping bag. Gu Langu smirked, feeling that after noticing the trend, his decision to switch to a double sleeping bag was quite wise.

Opening the sleeping bag, Gu Langu gently settled himself inside. He lay there in a disciplined, almost robotic manner, as if his joints were rusty, and each movement was rigid, yet it also conveyed impatience and contentment.

The person inside the sleeping bag was sleeping soundly, even after Gu Langu climbed in. They unconsciously muttered in their sleep, “Gu Gu, come here quickly. The bed is warm, Shui Shui is so fluffy, a hand warmer, warm…”

Gu Langu slightly tilted his head, making a soft “mmm” sound. Then, he leaned forward a bit, lowering his head so that his forehead rested against Shu Shuishui’s forehead. The young man’s fair complexion, almost devoid of visible pores, was reflected clearly in Gu Langu’s eyes.

If Shu Shuishui were awake at this moment, he would probably generously compliment once again. “Gu Gu, your eyes are filled with starlight.”