[Stardew Valley] [Pure Romance] [Farming] [Male Lead's Perspective] [Slow Burn]
There's a System living in my head.
It's a hallucination brought on by five years of overtime at Joja Corporation, where KPIs were poured over me day after day. Quitting didn't kill it. It just changed its task list.
So when I bought a ticket to Pelican Town, it gave a clear little beep in my ear: [New life loading.]
The System said: Run a farm and become a multimillionaire.
And so I started my life as a corporate drone 2.0, watering crops, chopping trees, mining, and fishing every day.
When I didn't have enough money for seeds, I went into the mines to fight monsters for cash.
When I ran out of energy, I picked up a couple of wild onions for dinner.
Life was tough, but watching the barren land change day by day was satisfying.
One day, as I passed Emily's house, I heard an argument inside.
"I'm always the one cleaning under the cushions! It's your turn this week!"
"I cleaned them just last week!"
"You're so childish, Haley."
I was wondering if I should come back another day when the door suddenly opened.
Haley looked up and saw me. "Oh, the new farm boy."
I was already used to being a nameless extra in the background.
Emily leaned out from behind her and corrected her earnestly:
"He has a name."
In that moment, I suddenly felt that maybe this little town wasn't so unfamiliar after all.
After that, she often came to the farm.
She helped me water the crops and mend my clothes, and sometimes brought me a sea urchin.
My farm still needed a greenhouse.
Her dream was still missing a display window.
The System said: Task completion rate too low.
I said: No rush.
Farming can take its time.
And I want to take my time pursuing the person I love.
I opened this book because I went back to my earliest Stardew Valley save. At that time, I was just playing around. I entered the game without even looking at my gender. Only when I entered the bathhouse did I realize that I was a long-haired man. OK. If your gender is male, then attack girls. I give gifts to Haili, who has the best-looking portraits, and occasionally give gifts to her sister Emily to improve their relationship. Until Hailey's double-hearted drama. Emily said, "He has a name." That's it. It just knocked me out. From that day on, Emily became the most gentle female character in Stardew Valley in my heart. I immediately turned the arrow and Kuku gave her a gift. The more I get to know her, the more I think she is really good. After getting married, she discovered that she was still working in a bar, and her dream of becoming a tailor never came true. No, I am so rich as a farmer, why can't I open her own clothing store??? 😢 The more I think about it, the more frustrated I become. Just open a book and fulfill your wish.