Chapter Seventeen: The Mutant Chicken

Summer Mo sometimes suspected that her so-called luck talent was a sham.

She had always been curious about Wang Xiao’s farm, especially since she owned one herself. But when she had asked Ji Weijie about his, he confessed that his own farmland was a barren wasteland—not for lack of desire to upgrade it, but because it was simply impossible. Throwing ordinary materials in was like tossing pebbles into the sea.

After hearing this, Summer Mo gave up on using her own farm card. After all, she was poor.

But when she saw Wang Xiao’s farm, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy. Was the gap between people really so vast?

It was noon, and, on the verge of tears, she found herself eating grilled meat again. There was no helping it—this was all she could afford. For most people in her situation, having something to eat was already a blessing.

Seated in her tent, Summer Mo planned to savor the rare sight of greenery while eating her meager lunch. Then a figure appeared in her field of vision—it was that rascal, Wang Xiao.

With a leisurely air, Wang Xiao brought out a table and two benches. Don’t misunderstand—one of them was for Little Bone.

Normally, Wang Xiao never ate outside, but today he had a neighbor.

“Little Bone, serve the food!”

A small figure scampered out, struggling to carry a platter larger than itself. But what caught Summer Mo’s attention was not the size, but the contents: stir-fried meat.

Little Bone bustled back and forth, soon bringing out three more dishes. Three courses and a soup—two meat, one vegetable, and a pork rib soup.

The aroma drifted into Summer Mo’s tent on the wind.

How delicious! She wanted to eat so badly!

Out came Little Bone again, and this time—rice! Summer Mo couldn’t help swallowing her saliva. The grilled meat in her hand suddenly lost all appeal.

Was this even fit for humans? She missed the old days so much.

Resting her face on her knees, her eyes grew hot with unshed tears.

Suddenly, something blocked the light outside her tent. Looking up, she saw Wang Xiao.

Trying not to cry, Summer Mo said, “What, are you here to laugh at me?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be leaving soon! Of course, if I bother you, I can go now.”

Seeing her on the verge of tears, Wang Xiao sighed. “Come on, beautiful. Eat with me—I can’t finish all this by myself.”

Summer Mo had been about to leave, but at these words her eyes lit up. “Really?”

“Tch. Eat or don’t—it’s up to you.”

Wang Xiao turned and walked away.

Summer Mo hurried after him—time to eat!

As they passed the Dark Knight, Summer Mo’s cautious demeanor made Wang Xiao burst out laughing.

When they reached the table by the Bone House, they saw Little Bone sitting on a tiny stool, clutching a bone bigger than itself.

“Wait a moment, I’ll go get you a stool,” Wang Xiao offered.

“No need, I’ll get it myself,” Summer Mo replied quickly, and without waiting for his consent, she slipped inside.

Heh—let me take a look at your room.

She had already envied this house from the outside; now she could finally see the inside.

“So nice—a private bathroom, a washstand, and most importantly, a bedroom.”

She was still lost in a dreamlike reverie when Wang Xiao’s voice called her back to reality.

“Summer Mo, come out quickly, or the dishes will get cold.”

Wang Xiao had expected she’d take a look around, but he didn’t mind.

“Oh, coming!” she called.

...

To Wang Xiao’s astonishment, Summer Mo polished off two-thirds of the food by herself. Big sister, how long has it been since you’ve eaten?

Summer Mo felt a bit embarrassed. She usually couldn’t eat this much, but the food was simply too delicious.

“Clean up these bowls, would you? Just leave them in the kitchen—Little Bone will wash them later.”

Summer Mo had no objections; after all, she’d just eaten someone else’s meal.

She quickly gathered up the dishes.

After the meal, Wang Xiao, feeling idle, wandered over to the greenhouse to check on his little darlings.

The calves and lambs were already grazing on their own and looked healthy. In just a few days, they seemed to have grown by months.

Suddenly, Wang Xiao noticed a change in one of the chickens. Normally, such a minor difference would have gone unnoticed, but among a flock, it stood out.

Its once dusky yellow feathers had turned a brilliant red, extraordinary to behold.

[Name: Blood-Feather Chicken
Tier: First
Evolved for some unknown reason. Its meat is far more delicious than ordinary chicken, and the eggs it lays are even more nutritious.]

Wang Xiao noted that it was a hen, which meant better eggs in the future.

Another addition to the menu.

Summer Mo had trailed after him, and when she saw the special chicken, she sighed in admiration. “So beautiful.”

Wang Xiao glanced at her, a black line appearing on his brow. Couldn’t she wipe her drool before saying that?

“Aren’t you leaving yet?”

Summer Mo was taken aback. “Where to?”

“Heh.”

“Wherever you came from, go back there.”

Hands on her hips, Summer Mo replied, “Home is wherever I lay my head.”

“Heh, you really have a sense of humor.”

Wang Xiao was speechless. She was, after all, a name on the Kill Leaderboard—how could she be so shameless?

Ignoring her, Wang Xiao went back to the Bone House. After a tiring morning, he deserved a good rest.

Summer Mo, on the other hand, strolled about with great interest—catching chickens, teasing calves.

“This is the life I long for,” she sighed. “Pity it’s not mine.”

Spotting Little Bone outside the Bone House, Summer Mo grew curious. What was this little skeleton chef up to?

She watched in secret. Little Bone circled the Bone House, then chose a hidden spot. A dark glow emerged from its hand, which it pressed to the wall.

It lasted a full hour, and Summer Mo watched the entire time.

How boring.

Finally, Little Bone, satisfied, turned to leave—only to be startled by Summer Mo and fall sitting down.

“You’re Wang Xiao’s pet, right? I saw everything you just did.”

Little Bone, frightened, grabbed Summer Mo’s pant leg with its tiny hand.

“Hehe. As long as you cooperate with me, I won’t tell your master.”

Little Bone hesitated, then nodded with remarkable humanity.

“Now I’ll give you your first task,” Summer Mo said.

Little Bone gazed at her, hoping the task would be simple.

“Hehe.”

Summer Mo’s mouth watered.

Little Bone began to panic—surely she didn’t want to steal the master’s private belongings?

The little skeleton unconsciously took two steps back.

Summer Mo’s eye twitched. Was that retreat really necessary?

“Don’t worry, it’s simple. Just come call me for dinner tonight—how about that?”

Little Bone sighed in relief. So she just wanted to eat my cooking—she should have said so.

With the task accepted, Summer Mo returned to her tent, feeling satisfied.

Time for a beauty nap.