Chapter 3: This Game Is My Ticket to Wealth!

Chapter 3: Getting Rich Depends on This Game!

After clearing all the pests from the watermelon vines, Qin Lin turned his attention to the other plots on the ranch.

Currently, the six plots could yield 105 watermelons. But the ranch had far more than just these six plots. Unlocking new land meant planting even more watermelons.

In this Harvest Story game, the ranch had a total of 100 plots of land, but many were overrun with weeds, stones, wood, stakes, and the like, making them unsuitable for planting.

Moreover, some plots were gray and inaccessible due to the character’s level restrictions.

The game’s design meant that by continuously planting, the player’s level would increase, unlocking new plots. Players could clear weeds, stones, and wood with tools, then use a hoe to cultivate the land.

Most importantly, as the character’s level rose, the soil could be upgraded to grow higher-grade crops and even unlock new features.

Seeing more land ready to be developed, Qin Lin directed his in-game character to the tool shed to grab the necessary equipment. He cleared the weeds, wood, and stones from the new plots, opening six more plots and planting watermelon seeds.

These six new plots’ watermelons should also mature by noon the next day, adding another 100-plus melons.

However, Qin Lin didn’t rush to unlock more land. Instead, he pulled out his phone and began searching rental listings for warehouses.

He was cautious. No matter where in the city he played the game to collect watermelons, large quantities could attract attention. Even if he found a secluded outdoor spot, being seen entering or exiting the game would cause trouble.

So, he needed a warehouse—secluded, with few people around.

That way, he could lock the warehouse and quietly transfer watermelons without anyone noticing.

After searching for a while, he finally found a suitable place on the real estate website.

It was located on the outskirts of You County. Originally, it had been a warehouse for pig feed on a pig farm, with a private road leading to it—rarely visited.

But pig farming was risky. The farm had gone bankrupt due to a swine fever outbreak. Now, the warehouse was up for rent at a modest 2,000 yuan per month, no deposit required. Unfortunately, its remote location meant it had been vacant for a long time.

Qin Lin thought this place was perfect for his needs.

***

The next day,

Qin Lin woke early and checked the game screen in his mind.

The first six plots were brimming with ripe watermelons. He controlled his character to harvest them, store them in the warehouse, removed the withered vines, and replanted watermelon seeds.

On the newly opened six plots, vines had sprouted with watermelon buds, but weeds and pests had also appeared.

He quickly commanded his character to clear the weeds and pests, then grabbed a quick breakfast before heading out to meet the warehouse owner.

The warehouse was about a ten-minute drive from the county seat, in a very remote area where few people ventured.

The warehouse was well-maintained, with a parking area spacious enough for large trucks to turn around.

It had originally been used for pig feed deliveries.

The owner was a middle-aged man with a pot belly. After confirming the details, Qin Lin rented the place for three months.

Paying 6,000 yuan drained his bank balance, but he knew he would recoup the money soon.

After signing the contract and adding the owner on WeChat for easy renewal payments, the owner left quickly, apparently heading off to play cards after receiving a call.

Qin Lin entered the warehouse, which was empty, cobwebbed, and dusty.

He wasn’t picky about cleanliness; a quick sweep and he unloaded several baskets from his tricycle into the warehouse, then locked the door from inside.

With that done, he willed his thoughts and entered the game, loading watermelons from the in-game storage into the baskets.

Instantly, he appeared in the warehouse, baskets full of watermelons.

He repeated the process several times until he had moved all 106 watermelons out—each weighing over 10 jin, though all were grade one quality.

Loading them onto the tricycle, he filmed a video of the haul and posted it in a fruit and vegetable shop owners’ group chat, then sent a message:

“High-sugar, juicy, delicious seedless watermelons, wholesale price 1.5 yuan per jin, delivery to your door!”

Almost immediately, Liu Dasheng responded: “Qin, you’re hauling melons so early? Your watermelons sell like hotcakes. Everyone who tries them buys. Sold over ten last night. Send me 20 more.”

“Qin, send me 10,” chimed in Chen Dahe.

“I’ll take 20 as well,” said Ai Quni.

“Alright, I’ll deliver to all three shortly,” Qin Lin replied promptly.

It was no surprise the game-grown watermelons sold well—they were the best-tasting among ordinary melons.

Several other fruit shop owners also chimed in:

“Boss Qin, you wholesale and deliver?”

“Your melons look great. Send some this way.”

“I’ll try 30.”

Because Liu Dasheng and the others were regular customers, these new buyers didn’t even ask to inspect the fruit, letting Qin Lin deliver directly.

Even if there was a small risk, the quantities were too small to matter; if there was no problem, it saved effort.

Qin Lin responded: “I’m delivering to Liu and the others now. If anyone else wants some, DM me your address and I’ll bring it over.”

Putting down his phone, he loaded the watermelons and headed back to the county.

At the market street, he first delivered to Liu Dasheng, Chen Dahe, and Ai Quni.

Liu Dasheng took 20 melons weighing 230 jin for 345 yuan.

Chen Dahe took 10 melons at 115 jin for 172.5 yuan.

Ai Quni took 20 melons at 245 jin for 367.5 yuan.

That brought in 885 yuan.

After delivery, Qin Lin checked his phone to find six private messages—potential buyers, though all small orders.

In total, four shops wanted 10 melons each, two shops wanted 20 each.

He still had 55 melons on the tricycle and planned to deliver to the two shops ordering 20 and one ordering 10, telling the other three to wait until noon delivery.

These three shops were a bit farther—one near a school, two on South Street. The 55 melons weighed 632 jin, earning another 948 yuan.

The morning’s harvest brought in a total of 1,833 yuan.

And more melons would mature by midday.

Thinking of this, Qin Lin’s spirits lifted. He returned to his fruit shop, opened the shutter, and heard a dog whining.

It was the black dog from yesterday, emerging from a nearby alley, seemingly heading for his shop.

Qin Lin glared and scolded the dog.

Was it trying to latch onto him?

The dog didn’t run off but instead grinned, tongue lolling, running faster to his door and ignoring him, lying down to lick its paws.

This was maddening.

He ignored the dog and returned to the cashier’s desk, watering the newly planted watermelons on the game screen.

By noon, the game notified him that the new six plots’ watermelons were ripe.

He immediately harvested them, removed the vines, and replanted seeds.

Not planning to eat at home, he called his mother and rode the tricycle out of town.

At the warehouse, he locked the door, entered the game, and collected all the newly ripened watermelons.

There were 110 this time, all grade one.

Back in the county, he delivered the morning’s three pending orders—10 melons each, totaling 30 melons, or 321 jin, earning 481.5 yuan.

Since yesterday’s game access, Qin Lin had earned 4,017.5 yuan.

It was money earned like picking up found treasure.

Back at his shop, his stomach growled. In a good mood, he ordered a decadent takeout meal—two eggs and two chicken legs.

Soon the food arrived, and he happily dug in.

The eggs were fragrant, the chicken legs delicious.

“Woof, woof!”

Mid-bite, the dog’s bark sounded again.

The black dog sat at the door, staring intently at his food. When Qin Lin looked, it grinned expectantly, tongue out.

It was the very picture of begging.

Qin Lin scowled—was this dog really going to cling to him? Begging for food?

He resolutely ignored it and kept eating.

“Woof, woof!” The dog’s barking softened, sounding disappointed, its head lowered in a childlike, pitiful manner.

Seeing this, Qin Lin bit his lip and threw the dog a chicken leg.

Men always lose to a soft heart.

The dog perked up instantly, grabbed the chicken leg, and happily chewed.

“Damn, what a turncoat!” Qin Lin suspected he was being played by a dog. Smiling ruefully, he resumed eating.

After the meal, he posted another video of the remaining 80 watermelons in the group chat to promote sales.

Then he turned to the game screen, ready to clear and develop new land. Only by planting more watermelons could he sell more and earn more money.

There were still 12 plots available for development.

He first cleared the weeds with a sickle, chopped wood with an axe, and broke stones with a hammer, then used the hoe to cultivate the 12 plots.

At that moment, his phone buzzed with a message:

“Boss Qin, I’m Liu Ersheng. My brother Liu Dasheng says your melons are good. Can you deliver 50 to me?”

Qin Lin’s eyes brightened.

A major client.

Seeing the address was near You County No. 1 Middle School, he understood. Everyone knew the most profitable spot for small shops was near schools—especially a comprehensive one with elementary, middle, and high school all in one.

At this season, ice-cold watermelon served with transparent plastic cups and toothpicks was a student favorite—some would even bring extra into school.

Selling this way yielded far higher profit than normal sales.

Qin Lin replied, moved 30 melons into his shop, and delivered 50 melons to Liu Ersheng.

Fifty melons weighed 575 jin, bringing in 862 yuan.

Back at his shop, Qin Lin immediately cultivated the previously cleared 12 plots by hoeing them.

In just one day, his income neared 5,000 yuan.

Getting rich was truly relying on this game.

(End of chapter)