Chapter 292 - 290: Found Another Laborer

Chapter 292: Chapter 290: Found Another Laborer

Back at the Lin family’s home, Gu Nuan Nuan had Lin Qiao take her to the room she shared with her sisters. Then she sent Lin Qiao off to tell her parents that Ye Laosan and her second uncle were also coming to dinner that evening. This way, she could avoid making Lin Qiao’s parents feel awkward when they learned her true identity.

As soon as Lin Qiao left, Gu Nuan Nuan sat down at Lin Qiao’s desk. She opened a book for show, then took out a Jade Scroll and immersed her Divine Sense in Cao Cao’s Companion Space to begin reading in earnest. Cao Cao, however, couldn’t sit still. After a quick "I’m heading out," it secretly followed Lin Qiao to watch the excitement unfold. Gu Nuan Nuan paid it no mind. Ever since it had gained the ability to leave the space and wander around outside, Cao Cao rarely stayed in its Companion Space unless it was time for Cultivation. In its own words, it was ’sick of the place’.

The Companion Space was too small. Although Cao Cao had upgraded once before, the space itself hadn’t changed much. In truth, the amount of energy from the Spirit Stones they had gathered last time was a drop in the bucket compared to what Cao Cao actually needed. As a result, Cao Cao had to prioritize, using the energy for more pressing matters. Upgrading the space, by comparison, had become a low priority.

However, according to Cao Cao, its inherited memories said that once its Companion Space reached a high enough level, Nuannuan wouldn’t be limited to entering with just her consciousness—she’d be able to enter with her entire body. The space would then begin to manifest the kinds of things Nuannuan had read about in novels from her past life: mountains and rivers, lakes and seas. Eventually, it could even evolve into a true, living world...

But no matter how tempting the prospect, Gu Nuan Nuan didn’t hold out much hope of upgrading the space to that extent. ’The goal is just too far away. Maybe someday, it’ll happen~ But who knows how many lifetimes from now that would be? It’s definitely not happening in this life, that’s for sure. This isn’t the Cultivation World. It’s just a mortal planet starved of Cultivation Resources. This place doesn’t even have the resources to support my own Cultivation, so how could I possibly dream of the luxury of finding surplus energy to upgrade the space?’

Lin Qiao returned quickly, but before she could even walk through the door, Cao Cao had already zipped back into the room to give Gu Nuan Nuan a report on her parents’ reaction. "The second Lin Qiao told her mom and dad, her mom started crying! But she was laughing at the same time, I don’t get it. And the look on her face... tsk, tsk. Master, you didn’t see it, but she was ugly as sin. Lin Qiao and her dad didn’t even try to comfort her; they just stood there laughing happily."

Cao Cao pouted. Even though its mind had become more advanced after the upgrade, it was still completely baffled by complex human emotions. It asked suspiciously, "Is Lin Qiao’s mom really her biological mother?"

Gu Nuan Nuan rolled her eyes at it. "Where is your head at? Lin Qiao and her dad knew she was happy. Haven’t you ever heard the expression ’tears of joy’? When you have free time, you shouldn’t always be running off to play. It wouldn’t hurt you to read a book now and then."

’Gu Nuan Nuan didn’t even have to think to figure it out. Lin Qiao’s grandmother’s earlier behavior must have been a huge blow to her mother. Then, she heard from Lin Qiao’s father that I was the one who gave them the idea to raise bamboo-forest chickens and even promised to lend them the starting capital. She must have been filled with hope after learning that. To her, this news was a lifeline, but she must have been skeptical. After all, how many adults would believe a child could produce a huge sum like five thousand yuan? But now that she knows who I am, things are different. Her doubts have vanished, so it’s only natural for her to be emotional.’

"WAAAH! But Master, have you forgotten? Cao Cao is a plant!" ’Reading is the worst,’ Cao Cao thought with disdain. ’How could it possibly be as fun as playing whenever I want? I have no desire to become a bookworm.’

"Heh. You already have spiritual wisdom. What’s the real difference between you and a human? Think carefully. If you continue being so ignorant, the gap between us will grow so wide we’ll have trouble even communicating. When you really do become a useless blade of grass, don’t you come crying to me, regretting that you didn’t start trying earlier."

Gu Nuan Nuan sized Cao Cao up, a mischievous glint in her eye as she threatened it. ’This little guy is a potential worker right here,’ she thought. ’After its next upgrade, it’ll be able to touch physical objects. If I get it to learn a few skills now, to master a trade or two... wouldn’t I then have a completely trustworthy, free laborer at my disposal?’

"WAAAH! Master, there’s no way Cao Cao will become a useless weed! Cao Cao will only get stronger and stronger!" Not getting Gu Nuan Nuan’s true intention at all, Cao Cao stomped its foot indignantly as it yelled.

"All I know is that people who don’t read are uncultured, and being uncultured is a terrifying thing," Gu Nuan Nuan said, remaining unmoved as she continued to psychologically batter the poor "grass."

Sparing no effort to make her own future easier, Gu Nuan Nuan followed up her threat by dangling a big carrot. "Cao Cao," she asked enticingly, "don’t you want to be special? To stand out from the rest of your kind and become an all-powerful little helper who can be of even greater use to me?"

"...Cao Cao... Cao Cao wants to~~" After a long hesitation, Cao Cao’s fighting spirit was finally, reluctantly, kindled. Still, it couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off~

"Great! As soon as we get back, I’ll dig out all my old elementary school textbooks for you. You can start by self-studying, and just ask me if you don’t understand something. I believe in you, Cao Cao. You’re going to be the new pride of your clan!" Gu Nuan Nuan was ecstatic. She decided she wouldn’t just give it textbooks for a systematic education; she would also hunt down classical literature from the Huaxia Clan. She’d start it on the *Three Character Classic* and gradually turn it into a fountain of knowledge, able to recite poetry and prose on command. ’Then, whenever I need it, I’ll have a personal, living dictionary right by my side! The very thought is so exciting~’

In stark contrast to Gu Nuan Nuan’s excitement, Cao Cao’s face, normally so cute it was practically a lethal weapon, was now as black as the bottom of a pot. The thought of having to spend its free time studying instead of playing made it feel like life was meaningless—

Gu Nuan Nuan, however, found Cao Cao’s expression incredibly amusing. ’Yep, cute little things aren’t just adorable when they’re smiling; they can be lethally cute even when they’re pouting.’ In a great mood, she reached out and pinched its cheek. As expected, the texture was still top-notch. She nodded in approval. "So pinchable. It’s like a gummy; I just want to take a bite."

But this time, Cao Cao got angry. It discovered it wasn’t the least bit happy. With puffed-out cheeks and its little rear stuck out in a pout, it returned to its space without a word. As its back disappeared from view, Gu Nuan Nuan gave a sheepish laugh. Just then, Lin Qiao pushed the door open and came in, so she had to put the matter aside, deciding she would comfort it properly later.

Inside the space, Cao Cao paused, a little baffled by its own tantrum. ’Don’t I usually love it when Master pinches and pokes me like that? So why do I feel so wronged today?’