The Cat's Forest Farm

Shy but resilient novice farmer X reclusive, fatherly black mage

Adorably clueless, big-tailed, short-legged cat X elegant but haughty, clingy black cat

Human-form blurb:

Lin Li never imagined he would become a farmer.

He would dig potatoes in a bumpy field, covered in dirt; attend a goblin bonfire feast in a colorful forest; and chase runaway piglets through an apple orchard covered in white blossoms, getting muddy from head to toe.

He would... share a bed with a black cat as fat as a good-luck charm.

Black cat: "Meow, meow, meow! I'm just strong!"

Until...

He received a letter from a distant relative:

Dear big-tailed little kitty,

Hello! I'm your great-great-grandmother's sister. You can call me Grandma Gina... I'm giving you this farm, an old place on the edge of the Mistwood. Perhaps it can be a temporary home for your restless soul.

With love, Gina

No. 349, Flowerwood Town, Pearl Lands County

And so Lin Li, a cat beastman whose parents had both died, inherited an old farm from his great-great-grandmother's sister.

As a novice farmer, Lin Li's work on the farm was no easy task.

Fortunately, all sorts of adorable and friendly magical creatures roamed the area around the farm.

The kind mushroom folk could make the soil fertile, while hardworking raccoons would gather their friends to help the farmer wash freshly dug potatoes.

Even the black cat, who was as fat as a good-luck charm, proved especially dependable. He helped repair the farm's magical defenses and brought home prey brimming with energy.

In spring, he sowed seeds; in summer, the flowers bloomed; in autumn, he harvested the crops; and in winter, he curled up in front of the warm fireplace to enjoy the year's bounty.

The magical farm in the forest gradually got on its feet, and its produce and handmade goods spread from the little town of Flowerwood to the entire empire.

At last, Lin Li could settle down and think about his love life.

The big cat sprawled across his lap nuzzled Lin Li's chin, then transformed into a handsome young man with fair skin and long black hair. His beautiful green eyes stayed fixed on Lin Li.

"Could you... consider me?"

Lin Li turned bright red in an instant and looked away, but his fingers kept absentmindedly twirling the young man's long hair.

Cat-form blurb:

Getting the farm up and running takes a whole lot of money.

To earn more, Lin Li takes on the townsfolk's requests posted on the notice board.

His beast form comes in very handy when completing them.

The little cat can squeeze into the chimney of a dwarf blacksmith's shop to catch the "rats" running amok, or use flying magic and flap his little wings to chase ghosts out of the wheat fields...

At the end, the little cat returns to the farm with his reward, chest puffed out with pride, only to be... carried by the angry black cat into a wooden tub for a bath.

"Meow!" Why did you get so dirty playing outside again?

"Mew!" I was working!

Reading guide:

1. Western fantasy farming, food, and business, plus the daily meals of two cats.

2. My take on a steampunk fantasy world: What travels alongside a steam train may not be another steam train. It could be a wizard riding a broom (?).

3. Chaotic daily life with magical creatures: The story features tons of adorable fantasy beings.

4. One-on-one, both pure and devoted, first love. Read without worry.

Theme: Love life, love good food.