The corn was so big that Xu Ning’s iron pot couldn't fit it. He simply picked up the cleaver and cut it into two pieces, then put one piece into the iron pot to boil.

As for the other piece, Xu Ning put it away, saving it for dinner.

The corn cob was too large; even half of it filled Xu Ning’s small iron pot.

After a long wait, the corn was finally cooked. Xu Ning eagerly fished it out, but immediately pulled his hand back from the heat.

“Xu Ning, you humans are too fragile! You can’t even withstand this much heat!” A rough voice came from within the small iron pot.

Xu Ning was speechless upon hearing this: “Do you think everyone is like you, made of iron?”

After speaking, Xu Ning went to get chopsticks and picked the corn cob out of the iron pot, setting it aside to cool.

The aroma emanating from the corn along the way made Xu Ning swallow his saliva uncontrollably.

iron pot: “Xu Ning, let’s make a deal. If you let me swallow that broken cleaver and hoe, I’ll be just a little bit away from being promoted to mortal-grade mid-rank.”

“By then, the food I cook will be the most delicious in the world, allowing you to be immersed in deliciousness every day.”

Xu Ning: “Then I ask you, can you generate food out of thin air after you upgrade? Can you cook delicious food without any food? If the hoe is swallowed by you, what will I use to farm? Answer me! Look in my eyes!”

“Can’t you figure it out yourself? How long has it been since I last used you? Why is that? Is it because I don’t want to use you? It’s because there’s no food, no food!”

The iron pot instantly fell silent upon hearing this, not daring to speak, fearing that Xu Ning, in a fit of rage, would smash it directly and let the hoe devour it.

At that time, Xu Ning could even say to the hoe: I’ll smash the pot and sell the iron to upgrade you, isn’t that good to you?

Seeing the iron pot fall silent, Xu Ning was about to eat the corn when suddenly there was a knock on the door outside.

Xu Ning couldn’t help but feel puzzled; normally, it was impossible for anyone to come to his house. Who was it today?

Out of curiosity, Xu Ning quickly walked over and opened the door, then was surprised to see Mei Miaomiao standing outside.

“Xu Ning, my mother told me to come and see if you were sick. Why didn’t you come to my house to help?” Mei Miaomiao looked at Xu Ning and couldn't help but size him up before speaking.

Xu Ning: “Ah! I’ve eaten at your house for more than ten days, I’m getting embarrassed!”

Nonsense, if it weren't for the necessities of life, he wouldn't go to help! If calculated by the standards of laborers in his previous life, a day's work would be at least one hundred yuan, but now, it's only two meals a day.

Mei Miaomiao: “Actually, you don’t need to overthink it. You’ve helped my family a lot, so eating a meal is nothing!”

Whether it was an illusion or not, Xu Ning always felt that Mei Miaomiao was overly gentle with him today, a stark contrast to her usual cold remarks.

What Xu Ning didn’t know was that Mei Miaomiao’s parents had been talking about Xu Ning all day while working, saying he was a diligent worker and would definitely be able to support a family in the future.

They even used Mei Miaomiao as an example, saying that if Mei Miaomiao married Xu Ning, her future life should be much better.

Mei Miaomiao immediately whined at her parents, but unconsciously, scenes of fantasy appeared in her mind.

As soon as she thought of this, Mei Miaomiao’s face instinctively turned red.

Xu Ning: “Well, I won’t bother you all too much in the future. Please go back and tell Uncle and Aunt Mei.”

Mei Miaomiao was surprised: “You’re not coming anymore?”

At this moment, a huge sense of loss surged in Mei Miaomiao’s heart.

Xu Ning nodded: “I also have my own things to do! But I won’t forget your family’s kindness to me these past few days. If I get the chance in the future, I will repay you.”

Mei Miaomiao, upon hearing this, said awkwardly: “Then, what about me?”

Xu Ning was surprised: “You? What about you?”

Mei Miaomiao wondered: “You came to my house to help with work, wasn’t it for me?”

Xu Ning quickly shook his head: “No, no, no, I was purely for the food!”

Mei Miaomiao was stunned upon hearing this, and then anger immediately surged in her heart. She extended the hand behind her back and handed the food box she was carrying to Xu Ning: “This is what my mother asked me to bring you. Eat well!”

After speaking, Mei Miaomiao angrily turned around and stomped off.

“Xu Ning, she seems to have feelings for you!” The hoe said at this moment.

Xu Ning: “What do you know? This is called 'Bull-Horse Gravity'!”

The hoe was puzzled upon hearing this: “What is Bull-Horse Gravity?”

Xu Ning: “It’s simple. It’s constantly giving you some hope, making you continuously work like a bull or horse for them. At first, it’s food, and when the food loses its appeal, they set a bigger goal for you.”

“So she doesn’t like me; she just wants me to continue working like a bull or horse for her family! She wants to harm me.”

hoe: “Is that really true?”

Xu Ning nodded: “Of course! I’ll be able to eat my fill and achieve personal freedom soon, so why would I continue working like a bull or horse?!”

Having been accustomed to being a bull or horse in his previous life, Xu Ning swore not to be a bull or horse again in this life.

Turning around, he picked up the manure bucket and went to dig for manure. He wouldn't be a bull or horse for them, but he still had to be a bull or horse here.

Then Xu Ning went and got more than a dozen small saplings, planted them in his own field, and watered them with the manure he had collected these past few days.

That’s right, Xu Ning was planting trees to upgrade the manure bucket later.

As for why he didn’t go chop them down, it was, of course, because those weren’t his. They belonged to others, and chopping them down would be stealing, which would lead to trouble.

This world is very similar to ancient times in his previous life; whether it's barren mountains or forests, they all have owners, so wood and firewood are very valuable.

And Xu Ning’s only thought now was one thing: to lie low, lie low, and damn it, still lie low.

As long as he lies low, he will have everything in the future, so he will not do anything that might lead to arguments or hatred.

If others keep bullying him, he will tolerate it the first time, tolerate it the second time, and if he can’t tolerate it the third time, he will grab his bucket and run away.

Xu Ning would absolutely not do anything that might pose even a slight danger.

After planting the saplings, Xu Ning picked up the cleaver again to cut grass. If you ask him why he didn’t use a sickle, it was, of course, because he didn’t have one, so he could only make do with the cleaver.

The cleaver was very dissatisfied with this and complained throughout the entire process.

Xu Ning completely ignored it.

By nightfall, Xu Ning had already cut a back-basket full of thatch and carried it back home.

Seeing the thatch on Xu Ning’s back, the Cottage’s surprised voice immediately rang out: “Xu Ning, is that for me?”

Xu Ning poured the thatch into the Cottage: “What else? Eat quickly!”

Cottage was delighted: “That’s wonderful.”

After speaking, the thatch inside the Cottage suddenly disappeared.

Xu Ning couldn’t help but ask: “How much more until you upgrade?”

Cottage: “Hmm, thirty more times like this, and I can reach mortal-grade mid-rank.”

“Thirty times? That much?” Xu Ning couldn’t help but be surprised!

Cottage: “The thatch is too loose, so a lot is needed.”