Sibby's Forest Farm
San Hua Da Xiao Jie
Xiwei inherited a rundown farm from his unreliable parents, located at the edge of a monster-infested forest, with neighbors like dwarves, goblins, and a witch. Occasionally, adventuring parties would drop by to stay. The farm was too big, the work too much—after half a month of backbreaking labor, he’d only managed to plow two acres. This couldn’t go on. Xiwei decided to hire help. After posting countless flyers and job ads, the first applicant to show up was… a dragon?! Clutching the two silver coins in his pocket, Xiwei wondered if he could even afford to hire a silver dragon. The dragon tentatively offered: “My daily wage is two blueberry pies, a plate of butter-fried steak, mushroom-stewed quail, and a basket of crispy bread rolls to dip in cream soup.” Xiwei let go of the coins: That… didn’t sound too bad? Both sides secretly thought they’d gotten the better deal. The dragon ate a lot but worked even more—plowing ten acres in three days, stacking firewood high in the yard, keeping the stables spotless, doing everything single-handedly. As Xiwei kneaded dough for crispy bread in the kitchen, he thought: Having a dragon around is amazing! With the dragon’s help, he finally had time to deliver raspberry pies to the Holy Maiden in the city, commission goblins to gather mushrooms, and join the village’s harvest festival… His farm thrived, suppliers sought out his produce, adventurers shared their stories, and his non-human neighbors visited often. But the silver dragon sulked: “Xiwei’s blueberry pies aren’t just for me anymore.” Xiwei gently stroked his forehead: “Austin, are you… pouting?” The dragon’s face turned beet-red, and he resolved to ignore his bold human lover for the next ten minutes.