Teacher by day, Farmer by passion

A week after the incident, Xiao Zhi's body had fully healed. The soreness in his muscles had faded, and the bruises were now nothing more than faint shadows on his skin.

The Xiao family's vast resources had worked wonders, ensuring his recovery was swift and complete.

Feeling restless, he decided to take a walk around the town.

The streets were alive with vibrant colors and constant movement. Stalls lined the cobblestone paths, their vendors calling out deals for fresh produce, handmade trinkets, and steaming street food.

The enticing aroma of grilled meat and sweet pastries filled the air, mingling with the soft murmur of townsfolk going about their daily routines.

It was beautiful in its own way—simple, peaceful, and unassuming. A stark contrast to the tumultuous emotions swirling within him.

As he strolled, Xiao Zhi muttered to himself, "You're Xiao Zhi now, not Ace. You have a family here." Yet, no matter how much he tried to settle into this borrowed life, part of him couldn't shake the feeling of being a visitor in someone else's story.

Lost in thought, he failed to notice a small figure rushing toward him until the collision was unavoidable.

The impact sent the figure—a little girl—sprawling onto the cobblestones. Her small frame barely cushioned the fall, and a basket of delicate flowers slipped from her hands, scattering blossoms of white and pale pink across the street.

Xiao Zhi blinked in surprise, looking down at the child. She blinked up at him with wide, shimmering eyes filled with panic. Scrambling to gather her flowers, her trembling hands betrayed her distress.

He knelt down slowly, picking up a few of the scattered blooms. "Hey," he said gently, holding the fragile stems out to her. "It's okay. They're not ruined."

The girl hesitated, her cautious gaze darting to his face. After a moment, she reached out and took the flowers, clutching them tightly to her chest as though they might disappear.

"It was my fault," he admitted, his tone soft. "I wasn't paying attention."

Her small hands tightened around the stems, and for a moment, she remained silent. Then, in the faintest whisper, she said, "Thank you."

Xiao Zhi offered her a faint smile and stood, brushing the dust off his knees. There was something oddly grounding about the brief interaction—a moment of unexpected connection in an unfamiliar world.

"Are you here with someone?" he asked, curious. "Your parents, maybe?"

The question made her tense. She looked away, her small shoulders stiffening before she mumbled, "I… I'm with my parent." Then, without another word, she turned and hurried off, vanishing into the crowd.

Xiao Zhi watched her retreating figure for a moment before sighing quietly. Her reaction wasn't surprising. In a world where strength dictated survival, caution was second nature, especially for the vulnerable.

He shook his head and continued walking until the bustling streets led him to a modest inn. Its wooden sign swayed in the breeze, and the scent of roasted meat and ale wafted from its open windows.

Stepping inside, he was greeted by the hum of conversation and the clatter of dishes. The warmth and noise of the space were oddly comforting, a chaotic yet familiar reprieve.

He found an empty corner table and sat down heavily. The innkeeper, a burly man with a gruff voice, approached him.

"What'll it be?" the man asked.

"Some food," Xiao Zhi said, leaning back, "and a few beers."

The innkeeper nodded and shuffled off.

As he waited, Xiao Zhi traced the worn scratches on the wooden table absentmindedly, his thoughts drifting.

He recalled his rejection in his previous life, the bitter sting of unfulfilled hopes. A dry chuckle escaped him. Back then, he had been too young to drown his sorrows in alcohol.

Now, in this strange new world, he had the opportunity to indulge his melancholy properly.

When the innkeeper returned, setting down a steaming plate of meat and a frothy mug of beer, Xiao Zhi raised the mug and stared into its golden depths.

"To second chances," he muttered before taking a long drink.

*****

The next morning, Xiao Zhi woke with a splitting headache, his temples throbbing as if someone were hammering inside his skull. Groaning, he rolled over—and froze.

There was a woman beside him.

Her dark hair spilled across the pillow, and her elegant features remained serene in sleep.

Xiao Zhi's breath hitched. What had happened last night?

His mind scrambled to piece together the fragmented memories. Slowly, the events of the previous evening surfaced.

After just one bottle, he had been thoroughly drunk. Pathetic, really. He vaguely recalled stumbling behind the inn, vomiting, and then shouting—shouting about rejection, about Rina, about Shen Fei.

The memory made him cringe.

But that still didn't explain her.

The woman stirred, her soft voice breaking the silence. "You're awake?"

Xiao Zhi turned to meet her gaze, startled.

"Where… is this?" he croaked, his throat dry and rough.

Her lips curved into a teasing smile. "The brothel."

Xiao Zhi blinked, his face paling.

Seeing his reaction, the woman laughed lightly. "Relax," she said. "Nothing happened. You were just drunk and sad. Quite the pitiful sight, really."

Relief washed over him, though it did little to ease the embarrassment burning in his chest.

She leaned closer, her tone playful. "But if you come back sober next time, I might just show you a good time."

Shaking his head quickly, Xiao Zhi stood, his face heating. "Thanks, but no thanks," he said, his voice curt.

Her laughter followed him as he made his way out, her amused chuckles echoing long after he stepped into the sunlight.

After returning home, Xiao Zhi stared at the glowing screen hovering before him in disbelief.

This... what is this?

If his memory served him right, he was merely a low-level teacher at Honglin Academy—a modest school tucked away in a backward region.

It wasn't prestigious by any means, but it was the best position his limited strength and faint family connections could secure. A quiet, uneventful life.

Yet now, this strange screen floated before him, its golden text pulsing softly.

[Farming System Activated]

Welcome, Host! Begin your journey to cultivate the land and harvest your destiny!

Xiao Zhi blinked. Farming?

Of all the systems he could have awakened—alchemy, swordsmanship, even beast taming—it was farming?

A soft chime rang, and new text appeared:

[Beginner Quest: Plant your first crop!]

Reward: Beginner's Hoe (Unbreakable) + Starter Seed Pack.

Xiao Zhi's expression darkened.

"...A hoe?"

His fingers instinctively moved, and a flash of light materialized a crude wooden hoe in his grip. It felt oddly light yet solid. At his feet, a small cloth pouch appeared, filled with ordinary-looking seeds.

Was this a joke?

Yet, deep down, a faint flicker of curiosity stirred.

Could this be more than it seemed?

Taking a steadying breath, Xiao Zhi stepped into his neglected backyard, the soil hard and cracked from years of neglect.

With a resigned sigh, he gripped the hoe tightly.

"Fine. Let's see what this farming system can do."

The hoe struck the ground, and the earth trembled ever so slightly.