Chapter 29: Return to the Ranch

"Welcome back to Fufeng Town~"

"Welcome back."

As Chi Sui stepped through the gates of Fufeng Town, she was greeted by the townsfolk who had organized a welcoming ceremony in the town square. Hearing their cheers, she felt a sudden rush of nostalgia, as if she had been transported back to the day she first arrived on the Sky Island.

In the square, Xin and Darren held up a banner that read "Welcome to Fufeng Town," one on each side, while Bertha and Ella stood in the middle, clapping.

The scene warmed Chi Sui's heart, though...

Chi Sui pointed at the banner. "The wording on this seems a bit off."

Mayor Ella gave a dry cough, looking slightly embarrassed. "We've had quite a few tourists lately. This was made to welcome them, and it would be a waste to make a new one."

"Most importantly," Ella said, her expression turning sincere, "Chi Sui, welcome back."

"Thank you, everyone," Chi Sui said, bending over in a deep bow.

During the dozen days she had been away from Fufeng Town, the care of the crops and animals at the ranch had fallen entirely on Aunt Bertha and Mayor Ella. She had heard that the publication of the newspaper had led to an increasing number of people coming to the town to find her, which had caused some minor trouble in her absence.

Bertha stepped forward and patted Chi Sui on the shoulder, her voice filled with warmth. "It's good to have you back. Head to the ranch first; those little ones have been waiting for you."

Chi Sui nodded. After bidding them each farewell, she headed toward the ranch with the Bee Queen atop her head and Mr. Stone by her side.

Along the way, Chi Sui walked and stopped frequently, taking in the changes in the town. Vacant houses that had been idle in the town center now sported signs like "Wind-Follow Inn," and a house near the ranch had a bookstore sign hanging from it. The number of pedestrians on the road was gradually increasing, though the topic on everyone's lips remained the Peaceful Ranch of Fufeng Town.

Most passersby had witnessed the welcoming ceremony in the square, and as Chi Sui walked, she quickly became the center of attention. Had it not been for Mr. Stone by her side, who looked rather unapproachable, people would have surely crowded around to strike up a conversation.

Unable to handle the intense gazes, Chi Sui took hold of Mr. Stone’s forelimb, and they practically fled back to the ranch.

As soon as they reached the ranch, before Chi Sui could even find her footing, Momo pounced on her. Caught off guard, she took a familiar tumble to the ground.

"Chi Sui, Chi Sui! Why were you gone so long? Do you know how long it’s been since you came back?"

Chi Sui smoothed out her slightly ruffled hair and carefully groomed Momo, who had already flared up his quills.

"Sorry, I’m back late."

Momo’s quills lowered slightly. "You know you're late. Do you know what I’ve been eating these past few days?"

Chi Sui: ...

Her sense of being touched evaporated instantly.

Glaring at Momo, Chi Sui said, "Fine, whatever you want to eat, just name it for dinner."

Hearing this, Momo’s quills lowered completely, a smile spreading across his face that was easy to read.

After peeling Momo off, Chi Sui picked up the Pink-Ringed Bee Queen from her head.

"Let’s introduce you two. This is Luoluo, our new partner at the ranch. Luoluo, you’ve met before."

After putting on the crown, the young Bee Queen had officially signed a contract with Chi Sui. However, having been born for quite some time without a name, the grand task of naming her naturally fell to Chi Sui.

Chi Sui’s naming method was simple and blunt: she used her own surname. "Luo" for "connection"—the bond between them would only grow stronger, though, in truth, it was mostly because it sounded nice and was easy to remember.

Momo sniffed the scent on Luoluo and felt a bit jealous. "It’s because of you that Chi Sui didn't come back for so long, isn't it?"

Luoluo placed her hands over her chest, bowed elegantly, and said something equally... elegant: "Yes, because Chi Sui likes me very much."

The quills that had just settled down instantly flared up again. Momo tensed his hind legs and pounced.

He missed.

"Come down here! I want to settle this with you!"

"Why don't you come up?"

"Don't talk nonsense! If I could get up there, why would I need you to come down?"

"If you can catch me, I’ll come down."

...

Chi Sui and Mr. Stone exchanged a glance and covered their ears in unison.

The Chi Luo who chose to wear the crown had a personality vastly different from before. In Chi Sui's opinion, this wasn't just a change; it looked more like an evolution.

It seemed the ranch was about to get very lively.

Satisfied that they were only bickering and wouldn't actually come to blows, Chi Sui ignored them, turned around, and headed to the animal shed.

The changes over the last dozen days were quite evident to the animals on the Sky Island. The chicks, once unfledged, were now fully grown and would soon be laying eggs. The little calf with the beautiful black-and-white patterns, which used to only reach Chi Sui’s calves, was now half as tall as a person.

The chickens, which were rarely seen, showed no reaction to Chi Sui entering, seemingly more interested in the feed she was holding. The calf, however, seemed to remember her scent and walked over to let out a few soft moos.

Chi Sui stroked the calf's smooth hide and sighed. "Aunt Bertha really took great care of you all while I was away."

"I planned everything out so well before I left, intending to take you all out every day, but I broke my promise for so long."

"Moo~"

The calf leaned against Chi Sui’s feet, gently nudging her hem.

This familiar intimacy made Chi Sui feel much better. She poured the feed into the animals' respective troughs and, watching them eat contentedly, couldn't help but pat the calf’s head again.

Picking up a broom, Chi Sui prepared to sweep away the dust that had accumulated in the shed, though she intended to leave the more complex cleaning to Mr. Stone.

Two minutes later, Momo, who had been arguing, ran in, shouting as he went:

"Chi Sui, it’s bad! It’s bad!"

Chi Sui kept sweeping, having grown accustomed to Momo’s excitable nature.

"What’s bad? Aren't you arguing anymore?"

"Who cares about arguing? That was a duel! But that's not the point, hurry up and come with me!" Saying this, he bit her pant leg and pulled her toward the door.

Fearing she might accidentally step on him, Chi Sui had no choice but to follow.

Momo led Chi Sui to the ranch’s shipping mailbox.

The place, usually quiet, was now crowded with guests.

Chirp-birds, a type of magical beast resembling sparrows, were often used for delivering letters due to their incredible speed.

Now, the mailbox at Chi Sui’s ranch was covered in Chirp-birds carrying letters.

The mailbox, originally meant for storing order letters, was stuffed so full there wasn't a gap left, which meant the newly arrived birds couldn't drop off their mail and had to crowd onto the top of the box.

Seeing Chi Sui approach, the birds turned their heads in unison to look at her, their eyes filled with resentment.

The meaning was clear enough that she didn't need Momo to translate.

Chi Sui hurriedly opened the mailbox and pulled out the letters inside. As she did, the birds swarmed in, stuffing their own letters into the space.

The mailbox was full again.

Chi Sui: ...

Should I just have you guys throw them at me instead?

Seeing Chi Sui’s distress, Mr. Stone stepped forward and retrieved the new pile of letters.

He opened one at random:

"Dear Rancher Chi Sui, this is the Warm Wind Town Chamber of Commerce. We heard that you recently created some stunning pastries and achieved excellent results... The Chamber would like to purchase some of your pastries. If you are interested, we can come to see you at any time..."

"It seems the news of your return has already reached them."

"Chi Sui?"

"Hm?" Chi Sui looked up, feeling somewhat numb at the workload.

"Let's change to a larger mailbox. This one is too small. Unless I'm mistaken, you’re going to have countless letters and jobs after today."

"..."

"...Heh."