Interstellar Greening Master

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After Shu Shuishui made an effort to straighten his small body with the help of Gu Langu, Yu Jin carefully compared the measurements, fearing that he might be off by a millimeter. However, no matter how precise they were, the newly stretched Shu Shuishui measured only 9.9 centimeters, falling short of 10 centimeters by just one millimeter.

Shu Shuishui, while trying to suck in his little belly and extend his torso, asked earnestly, “How tall is it?”

“Ten centimeters!”

“Ten centimeters.”

Yu Jin and Gu Langu, this time, achieved an uncanny synchronization without any eye contact. They responded in unison. After saying it, they glanced at each other, and in Yu Jin’s eyes, there was astonishment, that Gu Langu would actually falsify the data. In Gu Langu’s eyes, there was praise for Yu Jin surprisingly catching on.

Their eyes briefly met and then separated, continuing to look sincerely at Shu Shuishui.

Shu Shuishui let out a sigh of relief, his whole dormouse form went soft, and he sat up. “I knew it! I definitely am ten centimeters. When I’m in mouse form, I’m one of the tallest mice. My fellow mice rarely grow to ten centimeters…”

Shu Shuishui, a height enthusiast, finally had the opportunity to justify his height, making a case for himself as part of the ‘tall mice’ club since his human form fell short.

In truth, Yu Jin genuinely thought that Shu Shuishui in his human form was also tall, considering he was around 1.78 meters. It was only a difference of two centimeters, but it seemed that in Shu Shuishui’s eyes, anyone shorter than 1.8 meters was considered short. So Yu Jin chose to keep his thoughts to himself.

Gu Langu listened attentively as Shu Shuishui explained the average height of his fellow mice people, and as he listened, he genuinely started to feel that Shu Shuishui was indeed quite tall. Even Yu Jin was moved by Shu Shuishui’s sincere explanation and exclaimed, “So field mice are really that small, huh? Shui Shui is actually quite tall!”

Suddenly, Shu Shuishui choked, realizing that he was currently a “field mouse” and not a dormouse. He cautiously pointed towards his paw and then brought both paws together, pressing them against the side of his face. His furry little head tilted slightly, mimicking a sleeping posture, as he said, “Actually… actually, I have another name: Dormouse… because I sleep a lot.” The small dormouse demonstrated a sleeping pose.

Gu Langu and Yu Jin both couldn’t resist a simultaneous smile at Shu Shuishui’s sudden display of cuteness.

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After spending such a long time together, Shu Shuishui’s initial anxiety and wariness when he arrived in this unfamiliar world had been gradually erased by the deepening bonds of friendship. Shu Shuishui felt that it was time to reveal his true self and his endearing quirks. He knew that not only Gu Langu but also his friends from Shui Jing Gong would protect him now.

However, after Shu Shuishui openly disclosed his identity, Yu Jin displayed a bewildered expression. “What kind of mouse is a ‘dormouse’?”

Shu Shuishui patted his own chest. “A dormouse is just like me, furry, loves to sleep, spends three out of four seasons sleeping. In autumn, I want to sleep; during winter, I hibernate; in spring, I’m not fully awake yet; and in summer, I wake up, take walks, date, and raise baby mice. But I’m a single mother mouse, and none of those mice are as good-looking as Gu Gu. Maybe that’s destiny…”

Listening to Shu Shuishui explain the characteristics of dormice and seeing his inclination to show affection, Yu Jin wore a look of disbelief. “How could there be such a mouse in the world? Won’t it starve itself by sleeping so much? Is this a new definition you’ve come up with for yourself, Shui Shui?”

Shu Shuishui exclaimed, “I really am a dormouse. I’m a hazel dormouse!”

Seeing the little mouse getting all worked up, Yu Jin, somewhat exasperated, reassured him. “Alright, alright, I never said you were a fake dormouse. Don’t get so agitated.”

Shu Shuishui twirled in place and then looked at Gu Langu with his big, watery eyes. “Gu Gu, do you believe I’m a dormouse? I’m a hazel dormouse, the hazelnut kind.”

Gu Langu nodded. “Yes, I believe you, Shui Shui. You’re a dormouse, a hazel dormouse, and you’re adorable.”

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The little mouse was instantly moved and approached Gu Langu, using his furry little head to nuzzle his hand. “Gu Gu is the smartest! The cutest! The one who understands me the most!” He expressed his trust and joy in Gu Langu with three consecutive “most.”

Yu Jin couldn’t help but think, ‘Big brother, you’re just relying on a serious face. It’s only because Boss has his own charm filter that he believes you.’

In the following days, in an effort to further assert his identity, Shu Shuishui would often tell anyone he met about his status as a dormouse. However, the feedback he received was not quite satisfying for him.

People generally responded with unanimous confusion about the concept of a dormouse. Some, like Hu Sichen, the straightforward type, would outright deny it, saying, “Impossible, Shui Shui is so good at farming, he must be a field mouse!”

Others were the imaginative type. “Indeed, it’s Shui Shui after all. Who can come up with such a magical race? It sounds so strange.”

Then there were those who were more accepting. “Oh, a dormouse, I get it now. It’s just like Shui Shui, a cute little thing.” But even though they said this, they clearly didn’t fully accept the idea of a dormouse.

Shu Shuishui felt tired of it all. Why was it that everyone readily accepted the concept of a farming mouse but had trouble accepting the idea of a sleepy one? Sleeping is perfectly normal, isn’t it? Farming, on the other hand, is quite unusual. Was this the difference between races? In response, Shu Shuishui felt he needed to do something to rescue the reputation of his hazel dormouse identity.

In fact, the reason why everyone was more accepting of the field mouse identity was largely due to the birth of the micro-farm. Without Shu Shuishui, they wouldn’t have been able to create this lifesaving invention. Therefore, a field mouse naturally received everyone’s approval.

As for the dormouse, there was no connection. If we talk about hibernation, field mice also hibernate, and Shu Shuishui hibernates alongside Gu Langu. If Shu Shuishui claimed to be a dormouse, wouldn’t that mean Gu Langu was also one? As for sleeping for three seasons a year, just thinking about it made it seem impossible.

The saddened little dormouse thus became a universally recognized field mouse, just wrapped in the shell of a sleeping mouse. Shu Shuishui only felt a sense of belonging when speaking about it with Gu Langu. This led Shu Shuishui to feel quite melancholic and resolute in his attempts to persuade others.

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Life on the water during the migration had finally settled into a routine. The fleet had entered the main channel of the Cang River, which was wide and deep, seemingly bottomless. There were no visible riverbanks on either side, and it felt like they were surrounded by water everywhere they went. Only the occasional towering mountain peaks breaking the surface of the water could give them a rough idea of their location.

After reaching the main channel of the Cang River, they no longer had to worry about underwater reefs and rocks, and the speed of the ships increased considerably.

From departure to the present, seven days had passed. During this time, the weather had been consistently good, almost serene. After the violent snowstorms of winter, this tranquility was a source of great happiness.

However, this peaceful weather wouldn’t last for much longer. On Cang Zhan Star, calm days were rare, only occurring during the transitions between winter and summer. That’s why they had chosen to release the simulation during this period. As for why they hadn’t chosen the transition between summer and winter, just looking at the endless water around them provided the answer. While it might not have been this severe in previous years, the melting snow still caused flooding.

During the final few days of clear weather, Shu Shuishui finally brought out his small boat. It was the green leaf-shaped fruit platter, with a canopy added on for shelter from the wind and rain.

He launched the small boat in the late afternoon, when the fleet’s speed had slowed down, intending to find a suitable place to anchor and rest.

Shu Shuishui had already prepared the cut fruit, freshly baked meat, brewed tea, delicate pastries, small pots of soup, canned pork belly, steamed small silverfish, roasted grasshopper legs, and candied sweet potatoes. These items were all made during his rodent form transformation, ensuring they looked exquisite and tasted excellent. After all, even in his rodent form, Shu Shuishui was meticulous, down to measuring salt by the grain.

First, Shu Shuishui attached a mimicry symbol to Gu Langu, shrinking him to the size of a palm. Then, he placed Gu Langu in the fruit platter boat, carrying it while searching for a suitable spot to launch the boat.

During the journey, Gu Langu stood in the fruit platter boat, peering outside and getting a sense of what Shu Shuishui’s perspective and feelings were like. Shu Shuishui’s movements while carrying the fruit platter were very steady. He even reached out his index finger to gently pat the top of Gu Langu’s head. “Don’t be afraid, Gu Gu.”

Gu Langu could clearly see Shu Shuishui’s fingerprints when he looked up and curiously reached out with his two hands to grab them. He examined the lines of Shu Shuishui’s fingerprints and responded, “With Shui Shui here, I’m not afraid.” Moreover, they were about to enjoy their long-awaited private time, so there was no room for fear.

“Oh! Shui Shui, what are you doing?” Along the way, they happened to run into Yu Jin, who eagerly sniffed the air. “I smell something delicious—braised pork, grilled meat, roasted grasshoppers! And even boiled corn…”

Gu Langu’s eyebrows lifted, and he made an effort to push the small table that was partially exposed outside the canopy further inside.

However, Shu Shuishui didn’t notice and instead lifted the fruit platter boat, presenting it to Yu Jin. “Gu Gu and I are going for a picnic on the river. All the delicious food is on the boat.”

Seeing the exquisite small boat, Yu Jin’s initial praise was abruptly interrupted by Gu Langu, who was on top of it. “B-Boss!?”

Gu Langu raised an eyebrow. “Yes, hello.”

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Yu Jin mechanically replied, “Hello.”

Gu Langu continued, “Go ahead and do your work diligently.”

Yu Jin almost instinctively stood at attention. “Yes!”

Shu Shuishui, with his trademark warm smile, turned towards Yu Jin and then lifted the fruit platter boat. “Keep up the good work, Mao Jin. Gu Gu and I are leaving. You don’t need to call us for dinner!”

Once Shu Shuishui and Gu Langu’s figures disappeared around the corridor corner, Yu Jin finally snapped back to reality and let out an earth-shattering scream.

Having stayed up late doing research last night and then sleeping until evening, Xie Feng was successfully awakened by the commotion. He opened the door with a dark expression. “What’s all the fuss about?”

Yu Jin, unusually for him, refrained from arguing. “I think I’ve seen a ghost! No, wait! I saw Shui Shuu and the boss!”

“Just like that?” Xie Feng leaned against the door, wearing a nonchalant expression.

Yu Jin nodded and then shook his head. “Yes and no! The boss and Shui Shui have set up a table full of delicious food and are going for a riverside picnic.”

Finally, Xie Feng’s eyes lit up a bit. “Where?”

Yu Jin pointed in the direction where Shu Shuishui and Gu Langu had disappeared. Xie Feng immediately closed the door and swiftly departed.

Just as Yu Jin was lost in thought, two more figures rushed past him. They were none other than Nan Ge and Nan Fang. Nan Fang was slightly out of breath, while Nan Ge maintained his noble demeanor. Last but not least, there was the fiery-tempered Yu Jin, who had caught up with them in haste.

When Shu Shuishui found a suitable place to launch his boat and transformed into his dormouse form, several people had already caught up.

Xie Feng was naturally at the forefront. “Shui Shui, I heard you prepared a whole table of delicious food! Can you and the boss finish it?”

Following closely behind Xie Feng were Nan Ge and Nan Fang, with Nan Fang still slightly panting, while Nan Ge continued to maintain his aristocratic posture. In the rear was Yu Jin, who had caught up in a rush.

Upon hearing Xie Feng’s question, Shu Shuishui lifted the fruit platter boat and adjusted its position to allow everyone to see the delicious spread. “Of course, we can finish it. When I’m in my human form, I can finish it in just a few bites.”

“Since you can’t finish it, I don’t mind…” Xie Feng’s words abruptly stopped as his gaze lingered on the spread of food for a long while. Only then did he shift his gaze to the wooden table, where a miniaturized Gu Langu sat.

Gu Langu? Gu Langu! Xie Feng blinked his eyes, making sure he wasn’t seeing things. Indeed, there was a miniaturized version of Gu Langu sitting by the wooden table on that small boat, wearing an expression that combined haughtiness with displeasure as he glared at Xie Feng.

Xie Feng: “…” Well, it was clear why Yu Jin had cried out in fear. The contrast was just too stark, making it difficult to accept at first.

Nan Fang and Nan Ge, who were following Xie Feng, also noticed the situation on the boat and were momentarily taken aback.

But at this moment, the hastily arrived Yu Jin didn’t have time to pay attention to all this. He thought it was just one step away, panting as he said, “Shui Shui, add me too! I want to join the meal!”

Shu Shuishui looked somewhat bewildered. “You all came to share the meal?”

Yu Jin: “…” So, he had spoken too soon? These three cunning individuals! Yu Jin gritted his teeth, afraid to look directly at the palm-sized Gu Langu. Even though he was small in size, his gaze was still as sharp as ever.

“Sure, let’s all come together. After all, this beautiful weather is about to end, and we can take this opportunity to have a little gathering.” Shu Shuishui was very accommodating. Apart from the food on the small wooden table, sometimes Shu Shuishui would store extra food in her Lan Ring. The food inside the Lan Ring would remain unchanged in appearance and taste, and it was perfect for adding to the meal.

Even though Gu Langu’s gaze was sharp, it couldn’t deter the excitement of the four. However, upon seeing the small boat, they were unsure how to proceed.

Yu Jin used his hands to compare the length of the small boat. “Shui Shui, this boat can barely fit one of my feet.”

Shu Shuishui took out a seal from his spiritual storage. “You’re too heavy; the boat will capsize. Use seals; they can shrink your size within three hours.”

The eyes of the four lit up, and they each received a seal, attaching it to their bodies. The seals merged into their bodies, and all four shrank at the same time. When Yu Jin stood on the ground, he had never thought Shu Shuishui was so tall. He had to tilt his head nearly ninety degrees to see Shu Shuishui’s chin.

Beside him, Xie Feng patted his own body and sighed. “Fortunately, the clothes have also shrunk; otherwise, it would have been embarrassing.”

Shu Shuishui crouched down and placed the fruit platter boat on the ground, allowing the four to board. “Of course, I personally modified these seals. It’s just that their effect is limited. I heard that the top-tier seals can shrink a person to the size of a grain of sand, barely detectable.”

“Shui Shui is already amazing.” Nan Ge sincerely praised.

Shu Shuishui placed the fruit platter boat into the water, and he transformed into his dormouse form. Then, he climbed down the rope nimbly. After boarding the boat, he immediately took out a roll of spirit silkworm thread from his spiritual storage. He connected the fruit platter boat to the main boat, providing traction to the small boat and preventing it from drifting away from the course.

The small boat gradually distanced itself from the main boat, and Shu Shuishui’s roll of spirit silkworm thread was quite long. It was only when he couldn’t feel the pressure from the main boat anymore that Shu Shuishui stopped releasing the thread.

On the vast water surface, a small green platter appeared. By the time the fleet slowed down and selected a stopping point, the sky had already begun to tint with a faint red hue. Gold blended with red as if a spilled flower was melting into the water’s surface. In the glistening waves, fragments of the setting sun sparkled.

Such a beautiful scene was extremely rare on Cang Zhan Star, especially on the small green boat. Observing the world from this new perspective had a unique charm.

For a moment, the four of them were a bit lost in the view, even forgetting about the delicious food they had come for.

“It’s breathtaking! And it feels like the sky is higher, and the sea is wider when you look at it this way, as if we’re floating in the universe,” remarked Nan Fang, gazing at the distant sunset.

Nan Ge nodded in agreement. “Indeed, even though we’ve become smaller, our perspective has never been this broad.”

Xie Feng added, “No matter how disastrous the world may be, there’s always beauty to be found.”

“Paired with Shui Shui’s grilled grasshopper legs, it’s like living the life of a deity!” exclaimed Yu Jin while enjoying the meal.

The three of them turned their heads to see Yue Jin happily devouring grasshopper legs. “…”

As they looked back at the small wooden table, even Gu Langu was indulging in the feast. 

Three people: !!!

Well, forget about appreciating the vastness of the sky and the sunset’s crimson beauty; nothing beats a grasshopper leg! And they were truly enjoying them for the first time. In the past, grasshopper legs were just used to clean their teeth, but now they could savor every bite.

On a not-so-large fruit platter, there were occasional sounds of laughter and joy. Occasionally, you could even hear the banter between Yu Jin and Xie Feng. Perhaps there was also the sound of Shu Shuishui persistently explaining about common sleeping habits of mice.

In reality, Gu Langu was somewhat unhappy about their private moment being disrupted. However, watching Shu Shuishui’s cheerful demeanor, he suddenly felt that such a small gathering was quite nice.

Yu Jin held a blanket and took a sip of tea. “Honestly, I never thought I’d sit at the same table with a creature like Shui Shui, and Shui Shui is almost my age! It’s like a dream.”

Xie Feng held up a grasshopper leg. “I also feel like I’m dreaming. I’m actually gnawing on grasshopper legs like chicken legs.”

Nan Fang nodded. “Yeah, who would have thought this is life on a barren star? If it’s not a dream, what is it?”

Nan Ge smiled in acceptance, feeling that this kind of life was indeed good. There were companions, delicious food, goals, challenges, leisure, and laughter.

Shu Shuishui picked up a cooked corn kernel and offered it to Gu Langu. “Gu Gu, have some.”

Gu Langu looked at the furry creature beside him, which was even serving him food. It would be a shame not to keep it, but it seemed that these four were still the best choice not to keep.

The four who had been scorned had already gotten used to Gu Langu’s occasional dagger-like glances. The world was vast, but food was the greatest!

After finishing this extremely sumptuous dinner, the group lounged on the boat. The sunset on the horizon had gradually dimmed, and the river only sparkled in the area where the sun had set.

Around the small boat with the fruit platter, darkness prevailed. A lantern hung on the boat’s canopy, providing light. Xie Feng lay on Nan Fang’s legs, while Nan Fang leaned against his big brother. Nan Ge leaned against the canopy, and Yu Jin half leaned against Xie Feng. They lay in various positions as the boat gently rocked.

It was unclear who let out a quiet yawn, and the comfortable drowsiness began to take over. Shu Shuishui, upon seeing this, softly hummed a lullaby and patted his chest, indicating that Gu Langu could rest.

On the green boat, the four gradually drifted into dreamland amidst the relaxation and Shu Shuishui’s gentle lullaby. Gu Langu also achieved his wish, embracing his equally tall and fluffy plush pillow.

The boat was very quiet, and the five humans and one mouse huddled together without feeling crowded. In fact, it made them feel more secure.

Nan Ge and the others all had tasks to do. Before the seals expired, Shu Shuishui returned to the boat with the spirit silks. They climbed back onto the boat and, following Shu Shuishui’s instructions, lifted the sealing effect of the seals and resumed their work. As for the waterside picnic this evening, it would be a cherished memory to savor slowly.

Meanwhile, Shu Shuishui and Gu Langu stayed on the small boat, planning to spend the night there. Shu Shuishui had prepared bedding in the canopy and two small pillows, all of which came in handy now.

As the night grew darker, the lively fleet gradually fell silent. Shu Shuishui and Gu Langu also crawled into a small bed, a real one this time. Inside the small boat shaped like green leaves, the bamboo curtains of the canopy were lowered, and the hanging lantern was extinguished.

After exchanging goodnight kisses, Shu Shuishui and Gu Langu covered themselves with the same small blanket to sleep. The gently swaying little boat became the best and gentlest cradle.

The calm water gently rocked the small boat, while the starry sky was reflected on the water’s surface, resembling another galaxy settling down. The rippling water disturbed a pool of starlight, and the small boat on the water’s surface seemed to be sailing through an endless universe, a leafy boat traversing a galaxy of ten thousand stars.