This is a bizarre rule, isn't it? It's supposed to grant me many children and good fortune

Chapter 422 Picking chrysanthemums

Evelyn flicked her wrist, and the fruit traced a golden arc.

Lin Feng reached out and caught the Clear Heart Fruit in his palm. It was warm to the touch, with a golden light flowing through it, and it was larger and fuller than the one he had picked before.

Lin Feng gripped the fruit tightly and, with Vassim, Evelyn, and Martha, once again crossed the orchard and came to Xia Ning.

Xia Ning remained seated at the small pearwood table, holding a freshly brewed cup of hot tea. Hearing footsteps, she looked up.

When her gaze fell on Lin Feng, her clear, cold eyes rippled with a soft light, like spring water ruffled by the wind.

She didn't speak, but the slight upturn at the corners of her mouth revealed her thoughts—

Look, this is the man I've chosen; he does everything so well!

Lin Feng stood before the table, bowed slightly, and presented the Clear Heart Fruit with both hands:

"Guide, this is the largest Pure Heart Fruit we have found."

Xia Ning put down her teacup, took out the bright white fruit-testing mirror from her sleeve, and gently shone it on the Chengxin Fruit.

The mirror-like light shimmered, enveloping the fruit in a soft white glow. After a moment, the light slowly dissipated.

"Well done, this is indeed the largest pure fruit."

Xia Ning raised her eyes and glanced at the four people: "Congratulations on successfully completing the cultivation task of picking the Clear Heart Fruit."

As soon as he finished speaking, four faint golden lights fell on the four people respectively.

"Lin Feng, who led the breakthrough and implemented precise strategies, has earned +15 merit points. Current total merit points: 45."

"Evelyn and Vassim, you have performed admirably in your assistance and cooperation. Each of you will receive +10 merit. Current total merit: 30."

"Martha, for your careful observation and insightful advice, you have earned +5 merit points. Your current total merit points are 25."

After saying that, Xia Ning raised her hand and instructed, "The four of you wait here until everyone has completed their tasks. Then I will take you all away from Forgotten Valley. Do not act on your own."

"Yes, Guide." Lin Feng replied in a deep voice, then turned to Vassim, Evelyn, and Martha and gestured. The four of them walked together to the grass not far away and sat down.

After more than an hour of intense tension, everyone breathed a long sigh of relief as they sat down, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over them.

Lin Feng lightly flicked his finger, and a few flashes of light appeared, instantly revealing a row of exquisite food and drinks spread out on the grass—

Nut gift boxes, handmade cookies, dried beef jerky, canned caviar, and several bottles of sparkling water and juice.

These were all things he had prepared in advance in the Tranquility Quadrant, just in case.

"Come on, everyone, let's eat something first to replenish our energy."

Wasim grabbed a piece of dried beef and chewed it with great relish;

Evelyn gently shaped the handmade cookies and slowly sipped her sparkling water;

Martha used a small silver spoon to scoop some caviar and spread it on the biscuit with elegant manners;

Lin Feng held the juice and quietly sipped it.

The four sat around on the grass, enjoying their meal with the gentle breeze from the woods, the sunlight shining on them, feeling like free spirits.

Their movements naturally attracted the attention of Xia Ning and two black-clad stewards not far away.

After a moment's hesitation, the Left Deacon stepped forward first, his tone somewhat reserved:

"Um...we've been guarding this place for ages and we're getting a little hungry. This food smells so good, could...we share a little bit? Just a taste, please."

The right deacon quickly followed, his eyes filled with anticipation.

Lin Feng smiled and nodded, then generously spread his hands: "It's fine, take whatever you want to eat."

The two black-clad butlers' eyes lit up immediately. They excitedly grabbed some nuts, beef jerky, and cookies and jogged back to share them with Xia Ning.

While eating nuts, the Left Deacon squinted his eyes and said, "The things Lin Feng brought are always delicious."

The right deacon nodded repeatedly, adding meaningfully, "A man with inner space is undeniably charming!"

Xia Ning rolled her eyes at them, her tone icy: "No idle chatter during work hours!"

The two shrank back, not daring to utter another word.

Xia Ning put down her teacup, stood up, and walked over to Lin Feng, trying her best to speak in a "natural and casual" tone:

"Lin Feng, there's a patch of wild chrysanthemums blooming by the Forget-Worry Stream in the valley. I'd like to pick some to decorate my place. You're quick and agile, come and give me a hand."

Here comes another chance to boost our favorability!

Lin Feng immediately stood up, gestured to Wasim and the other two, and then looked at Xia Ning and replied, "No problem."

Upon seeing this, the two black-clad stewards exchanged a glance and simultaneously pouted.

"We forbid idle chatter during work hours, but she goes and asks a handsome guy to help her pick flowers..."

"It's truly a case of 'the magistrate is allowed to set fires, but the common people are forbidden even to light lamps!'"

As they were whispering to each other, Xia Ning's cold gaze swept over them, and the two of them were so frightened that they quickly stuffed food into their mouths.

"I'll be gone for a moment. I'll leave this place to you two to keep watch. Be sure to be careful and don't neglect your duties."

The two immediately straightened their backs and replied in unison, "Understood, sir!"

Xia Ning turned around, gestured "please" to Lin Feng, and then slowly walked along the forest path.

Lin Feng followed silently behind her.

Once they were out of sight, Xia Ning immediately slowed down and walked alongside Lin Feng.

A gentle breeze rustled through the woods, carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees and the fragrance of wildflowers.

Xia Ning's hair fluttered slightly in the wind. At this moment, she had shed the aloofness of a guide, and her brows showed a touch of gentle warmth.

After walking for about seven or eight minutes, the view suddenly opened up, revealing a crystal-clear stream meandering through the landscape.

On the grassy bank of the stream, large patches of colorful wild chrysanthemums and unnamed wildflowers bloomed in profusion, pink, yellow and white.

A gentle breeze blows, the petals tremble, and the fragrance fills the air, making it as beautiful as a paradise.

"This is it." Xia Ning turned to look at Lin Feng, a smile flashing in her eyes. "Could you please pick some wild chrysanthemums for me, and also some wildflowers? It will look nicer together."

"It's my pleasure," Lin Feng replied with a smile, bending down to begin picking.

He quickly gathered a small bunch and handed it to Xia Ning: "Is this okay?"

Xia Ning took the bouquet, looked down and examined it closely, her smile deepening: "Very good, just like that."

As she spoke, she bent down to pick a small pink wildflower by the stream.

But the soil was soft and slippery from the stream, and she slipped and stumbled.

Although the person did not fall, their exquisite embroidered shoes were covered in mud.

........................

Studio:

"Here you come, cunning little Ningning! You're an S-rank weirdo, I don't believe you'd slip!"

"It's not that your foot slipped, it's that you're cunning! Brother Feng, you can't escape her grasp!"

"An S-class weirdo can't even walk steadily? The screenwriter should be punished—oh wait, I mean Xia Ning should be praised."

"I know this trick! My girlfriend always uses it to trick me into helping her bathe!"

"I bet a bag of nuts that Brother Feng will be helping out in the next second."

........................

Seeing this, Lin Feng immediately stepped forward, reached out and supported her arm, asking with concern, "Are you alright?"

Xia Ning shook her head, her tone tinged with annoyance: "It's nothing, it's just that my shoes and socks are dirty."

Lin Feng looked down at her mud-stained shoes and socks, then at the clear stream beside her, and said gently:

"The stream here is clean, let me help you wash."

Xia Ning's cheeks instantly flushed red: "How could I possibly accept that..."

Before he could finish speaking, Lin Feng had already picked her up and carried her to a rock by the stream.

Xia Ning gasped softly and gently punched his shoulder: "Why are you so reckless..."

His words carried a hint of reproach, yet his tone was as soft as melted sugar, sweetly clinging to the air.