Chapter 10
Southwest Corner of Jin City.
“Nothing is more important than life and death, yet food concerns life and death too. It must be treated seriously. So, should we celebrate with steak or go to my usual place for the roast duck set?”
The afternoon drinks time had passed; now it was dinner time. Jiang Jitang was discussing with the Golden Eye what to eat to celebrate the fifteen points he had just received.
Two consecutive days of full points—this was a good omen and must be celebrated.
Just a few minutes ago, while still wondering what to eat tonight, a new pop-up appeared: all three tasks had been completed, he received three five-star reviews, and one Wishing Star.
This Wishing Star was bigger and brighter than before, resting in his palm like a tiny light bulb, though its true place remained in the Golden Eye’s metallic pupil.
[Task completed: purchased enough food and clothing for five months, acquired baby supplies, received five-star reviews, gained five points, and one Wishing Star.]
Five-star reviews and a Wishing Star.
The conditions to obtain a Wishing Star were twofold: the recipient must be a person of fortune, and the gratitude must be sincere and pure.
But what circumstances would allow a poor fisher couple to become a person of fortune? Would the couple miraculously achieve a major breakthrough in middle age?
That would indeed be late success.
Comment: The abandoned baby girl received necessary survival supplies and survived. Because she was diligent and intelligent, she grew up to become the leading figure in seawater pearl cultivation, adopted other girls, established pearl farms, developed the local industry, benefitted her community, and turned the impoverished fishing village into a renowned pearl town. Countless lives were saved, directly or indirectly, and later generations called her the ‘Pearl Goddess.’
What? That was the infant she had just been?
A few hours ago, she was a forsaken orphan; a few hours later, he read about her entire life—from birth to death and even historical fame.
Time magic truly works in mysterious ways.
Jiang Jitang suddenly recalled what the elderly woman in black embroidered clothing had said: she would grow up to become a pillar of her community, and her blessings would benefit future generations.
But how could she feel such pure gratitude toward someone she had never met?
“Mother, you said I was sent to the world by the Sea Goddess to bless humanity. She sent a messenger to deliver all the food, clothing, and toys to our poor home, and even healed your legs. If I truly have such an origin, why am I here? Surely not to spend my life raising children in the inner courtyard. If I am destined for greatness, even if I cannot protect all people, I can at least benefit a region.”
Reading the baby girl’s review in the pop-up, Jiang Jitang could already imagine her grown self: a woman with resolute eyes, athletic, strong, and determined.
“The tasker not only provided supplies for the baby girl to survive infancy but also ensured an environment extremely friendly to the orphan.
Because of the miracle ‘Sea Goddess heals legs and sends gifts,’ others dared not treat her as a normal girl or impose ordinary rules. She grew up adventurous and charismatic.
Even those initially skeptical elders became part of her support as she ventured into pearl cultivation, aided by fellow believers of the Sea Goddess.”
Though Jiang Jitang was not part of the world of rivers and lakes, the world felt his influence. The baby wore a hat marked with the Sea Goddess’s blessing from him since childhood—no wonder she would be grateful to a stranger.
He never expected his actions before leaving would have such an effect—truly an unintended ripple turned shade.
“The baby girl not only escaped her tragic fate as a prematurely deceased orphan but, as a mortal, brought prosperity to her community. The Wishing Star reflects her sincere gratitude.
Additionally, here is a handcrafted Pearl Tower by the Pearl Goddess: a seven-story pagoda offering thanks to the benefactor, wishing them a life free of disaster and illness. In her mother’s story, the tasker was the Sea Goddess’s messenger, but in her heart, the tasker was a good person who helped her in times of suffering.”
Jiang Jitang looked at the miniature seven-story Pearl Tower resting in his palm, each pearl perfectly round and radiant.
When his fingertip touched the topmost pea-sized pearl, a familiar force radiated outward. Before he could realize what it was, a pitiful scream echoed—from far, far away.
“Divine Protection?”
A life-based spell triggered by one person’s pure emotion toward another. Later improved for general use, it protects the recipient’s soul.
But the Pearl Tower’s power resembled the original version: divine, pure, and sharp.
So that scream must have come from an assailant.
Though unable to confront the unseen enemy directly, the protective force could transcend space to strike. Well done.
“This is already a ‘holy artifact,’ because she would later establish a temple and become a deity?”
Jiang Jitang recalled receiving the “Peddler” Painting and the feeling of soul relaxation that came with it. Now it seemed confirmed.
Would gifts from Wishing Star recipients always be so special?
“If all are like this, I can’t ignore these task orders. I’m just a mortal,” he muttered—a mortal who needs reciprocation to feel motivated.
Examining the Pearl Tower closely, he regretted that it was now lightly dusted with gray. Though still possessing some power, it could no longer unleash a second backlash attack.
“Good work, rest well.”
The Pearl Tower gleamed softly.
Carefully placing it back and covering it with a tempered glass frame, Jiang Jitang checked the reviews of the other two tasks.
Though the embroiderer and the farmer were mere ordinary people, left unnamed in history, they too could be blessed by fate.
With the vivid, high-quality thread set, the embroiderer finished the “Hundreds of Sons, Thousands of Grandchildren” screen commissioned by a noble before the deadline. The premium steel needle included as a gift delighted her—it was better than the 0.08-yuan needles from the shop.
She triumphantly overcame the scoundrel who defiled her design, secured her reputation, and gained a generous long-term client.
Originally, she would have failed to complete the screen, lost money and credibility, offended the noble, and her career would have collapsed. Now, she experienced smooth career development and a comfortable life—a lucky outcome.
The farmer was a teenage boy hiding in the mountains with his brother after losing their sickles. Without intervention, wild beasts would have devoured them, and the family would have been shattered.
Now, safely home, their old sickles replaced with sharp steel ones, their parents not only didn’t scold them but rewarded them with more coins.
A perfectly happy ending.
Oddly, the legend of the “Mountain God and the Sickle” began to circulate, later evolving into fables and myth stories read by students.
“What do the Mountain God fables have to do with me, Jiang Jitang? Little eyes, what should we eat—steak or roast duck?”
Points, gifts, and emotional feedback—everything delighted Jiang Jitang. Then a reply from Mrs. Jiang arrived, adding to his joy.
[Mom, the weather’s been unpredictable. Make sure to dress warmly.] (From him)
[Okay, thank you, darling. You too, love you, baby.] (From Mrs. Jiang)
His happiness soared.
The Golden Eye quickly sensed how cute its joyful master was. Jiang Jitang entered the kitchen to pan two tender filet steaks and prepare the side dishes—a time-consuming, effortful feast.
Rolling up his sleeves, his side profile exuded a touch of domestic “gentleness.” Melted butter sizzled on the steaks, rosemary and garlic releasing an enticing aroma.
The Golden Eye, lost in reverie, nearly drowned his hand in saliva from the smell.
It realized now that its master expressed joy by cleaning or cooking delicious food and sharing it.
Wait—why didn’t it get this treatment before?
It immediately remembered the past “dark fodder” meals: raw fruit and vegetable scraps sprinkled with sticky energy potions.
Even the least picky three-legged birds became ill from the sticky food, while Parsons, with his defective taste buds, was the only exception.
“Master, do you miss Parsons?” the Golden Eye suddenly asked, recalling the aura it sensed earlier.
Jiang Jitang, holding the steak tongs, froze for two minutes. His expression unreadable, he realized the steaks had begun to char on one side, so he hurriedly flipped them.
The steaks quickly cooked, allowed to rest, then placed on large plates with oven-roasted potatoes, broccoli, carrots, asparagus, blossomed sausages, and inviting soft-cooked eggs.
Additionally, there was baked mashed potato with cheese and ham, a small caramel-lime cocktail, and some ready-to-eat bread.
“Finally, mushroom cream soup with a dash of white pepper. All standard methods; next time we’ll try something different.”
Jiang Jitang admired the steaming feast.
Steak was relatively simple to cook—not requiring hours of marination or complex broth—but still delicious and satisfying.
The only inconvenience: exercise afterward to burn off the excess energy.
“Doxi!” The Golden Eye exclaimed, defeated by the feast. Parsons and his issues forgotten; after all, they would likely never meet again.
“This must be God’s kingdom,” it silently screamed upon tasting the meat.
“Not bad, right?” Jiang Jitang smiled. “I’ve always had a knack for cooking.”
I wonder where (and who) that scream came from… Maybe the person from that game-world who harmed him and caused MC to appear (almost) dead in the alley?