Wake up, eat, work, go home, sleep. Wake up, eat, work, go home, sleep. Wake up, eat, work, go home, sleep. That was Xiao’s life, repeated so many times it had lost all meaning. Days blended into one another, indistinguishable and dull, ruled by a routine that left no space for friends, dreams, or even himself. The monotony gnawed at his mind, slowly driving him to the edge of exhaustion.

Then came the news—unexpected and heavy. His grandfather had passed away. Along with the grief, there was also responsibility: the old man had left behind a farm in a small place called Stardew Valley, and now Xiao and his parents were being asked to take care of it. It felt strange, almost unreal, that something so distant from his current life could suddenly demand his attention.

Surprisingly, it didn’t take much convincing for Xiao to leave everything behind. The city, his job, the suffocating routine—it all felt hollow now. Going to the farm meant starting over, embracing an entirely new way of life, one filled with uncertainty and hard work. Still, deep down, he felt that maybe this was exactly what he needed. A chance to breathe. A chance to reset.

As soon as he arrived, reality hit him. The farm was in rough shape: weeds had taken over, fences were broken, and the land looked tired, as if it had been waiting far too long for someone to care again. Weariness washed over him at the sight, but it was mixed with something else—determination. It would take time, sweat, and patience to rebuild everything from scratch, yet it also felt like an opportunity. A place to find peace. A place to grow something of his own, maybe even a future.

Before throwing himself into work, Xiao decided to visit Pelican Town, the village he now belonged to. The mayor had mentioned it would be a good idea to introduce himself, to get to know the people he would inevitably see at festivals, markets, and during his daily routines. It felt awkward, but necessary.

Walking through the town, he was struck by how peaceful everything seemed. The soft sounds of nature, the slow pace of life, the simple smiles of strangers—it was nothing like the noisy, rushed world he had left behind. For the first time in a long while, Xiao felt his shoulders relax.

Maybe, just maybe, he had made the right choice after all.