"That's it?"
"You look a bit disappointed." Linus eyed Leon’s pursed lips with a puzzled expression. "What did you think it was going to be?"
"Nothing." Leon waved it off. Since the truth wasn’t what he’d imagined, there was no juicy gossip to be had, so he wasn’t planning to stick around.
"Old man, didn’t you say there were people at the farm waiting for ? I’ll head back first."
With that, Leon pulled out his bicycle and rode along the west side of the northern mountain slopes into the remote forest, entering through the farm’s north gate.
As soon as he reached the entrance, he saw Robin and Lewis standing outside the house. Beside Lewis was a small pushcart loaded with transparent glass jars.
"Leon, finally! I’ve been waiting for you all morning."
"Leon, the coop’s been repaired. I need you to inspect it and make sure everything’s fine before I can call the job done."
Both Lewis and Robin spoke at the sa ti when they saw him.
"Hold on, one at a ti. No need to rush. Whoever’s matter is more urgent goes first," Leon said, gesturing for a pause.
"Let Lewis go first. I’m in no hurry," Robin offered.
Lewis didn’t stand on ceremony. "First thing, Leon—the batch of glass jars you ordered? I’ve already covered the balance for you. You don’t have to pay
back. Consider it my personal thanks. The reason I’m here is to discuss the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the restored bus to Calico Desert."
"It’s already fixed?" Leon asked in surprise. He’d thought it would take a few more days. Apparently, the Junimos were as efficient as ever—one night and it was done.
"Well, more than fixed. It’s practically a brand-new bus. If soone hadn’t found
this morning and said the bus was ready for inspection, I wouldn’t have guessed you’d gone and done sothing so big without a word." Lewis’s face was alight with joy, his mustache curling upwards and his smile never faltering.
"As long as it’s done, that’s all that matters. As for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, I don’t think that’s necessary. Just get Pam ready to start work. I’m not familiar with how things operate—better if you handle it, Lewis."
Leon couldn’t help wondering who had inford Lewis. Weren’t the Junimos the ones who fixed it? Could the little apples have told him? That didn’t seem right either.
"Are you sure? This is a perfect chance for you to make a na for yourself in town. And during the ceremony, I could explain everything clearly. Otherwise, letting Pam drive again might stir up complaints—the incident from before still lingers in her reputation," Lewis pressed.
"Then you handle it. I won’t attend. The farm keeps
busy, and it’s not such a big deal anyway. Let Pam take my place in the ceremony. She needs this opportunity more than I do—to let everyone see her in a new light."
"If that’s what you want." Lewis didn’t press further. Since Leon didn’t want the spotlight, he wouldn’t force it.
Still, he wasn’t going to let Leon’s efforts go unnoticed. For soone who had only been in Pelican Town a month to quietly accomplish sothing this significant—he was determined to spread the word.
"I’ll head back and prepare for it then. You and Robin can talk about the coop. Seeing you so full of energy makes
truly happy. Red Star Farm is developing faster than I imagined. I ought to thank your grandfather for sending such an outstanding farr to Pelican Town."
Satisfied that Leon wouldn’t show up publicly, Lewis was about to leave. But before he went, he couldn’t resist giving Leon a big hug.
"Leon, thank you."
"I’m part of Pelican Town too. Unless sothing unexpected happens, I’ll probably spend my life here," Leon replied, patting Lewis on the back to calm the emotional old man.
"Haha! Then when I’m too old to work and retire, I guess I won’t have to worry about finding soone for my position." Lewis laughed heartily before letting go and walking away with a spring in his step.
Robin, who had been listening the whole ti, covered her mouth with a chuckle. "It’s been a long ti since I’ve seen Lewis so happy, Leon. You’ve given him quite a gift."
"It’s just fixing the bus to Calico Desert. Why would Lewis be so happy?" Leon asked.
Leon had been to Calico Desert before and had heard bits from Emily and Penny. It wasn’t so top tourist spot or bustling trade hub. In his mind, restoring service to such an out-of-the-way place wasn’t a big deal.
"True, on the surface it’s just a bus. But in reality, it’s the first step in Pelican Town’s economic revival," Robin explained slowly.
"You’re new to Stardew Valley, so you don’t know—back when the bus was running, Stardew Valley was a famous tourist destination. Visitors could not only enjoy the valley but also take the bus for a quick trip to Calico Desert. No one could resist the convenience of reaching the desert in such a short ti. Everywhere else, the journey was so long that many would-be travelers gave up on the idea."
"In fact, more than half the tourists who ca to Stardew Valley chose it specifically because they could pair their trip with a one-day tour of Calico Desert."
Hearing this, Leon finally understood the significance of restoring the bus—it ant Stardew Valley could once again offer day trips to the desert, giving tourists a new reason to visit.
More visitors would an clear economic growth for the valley, and as the valley’s representative town, Pelican Town would benefit first. No wonder Lewis was so thrilled.
Still, if the bus was that important, why had Lewis left it unrepaired for so long? Curious, Leon asked Robin.
Robin sighed. "You probably don’t understand the valley’s economy. The taxes from Stardew Valley’s rchants are barely enough for Lewis to keep Pelican Town running, let alone fund a bus restoration."
Yesterday, the sudden influx of people made
realize I’d been featured on the recomndations list. Not bad at all. I’m in a good mood today, so I’ll write a bit more.
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