Chapter 406

Just as he was thinking, a notification came through the family group.

It was from his eldest uncle, Zhao Qizong:

【Confirmed: the additional cooperation for our village has been cancelled. Everyone can return to their normal lives.】

【Everyone performed very well this time. We can say we overcame this difficulty together, with one heart and one mind.】

【The family may undergo major adjustments in the future, but everything is for a better life.】

【No need to wait any longer, everyone go check the messages.】

Just as expected.

Pretty much what Zhao Chi had anticipated.

The extra quota was cancelled.

But everything comes with a price; he didn't know what price the Zhao family would have to pay this time.

Still, these matters were far beyond Zhao Chi's reach — he had no standing to participate at all.

His current policy remained the same: develop, develop, develop!

He found Tang Ruan, who was drenched in sweat from working hard.

"Tang Ruan, let's go, time to start crafting!"

Tang Ruan had been waiting for Zhao Chi. Seeing him now, her eyes curved into a happy smile.

"Yes, my lord, come on in quickly."

Zhao Chi ducked inside.

By now, Zhao Chi already counted as a qualified tailor.

【Name】 Zhao Chi

【Tailoring】 Sewing 17

【Specialty】 Stockings 16, Shirts 1

With 17 points in Sewing, crafting speed increased by 17%, and quality assurance increased by 17%.

Faster crafting, better quality.

The Stockings specialty worked the same way.

It increased crafting speed by 16%, and crafting assurance by 16%.

Originally, when it was just 1 point higher, the effect wasn't obvious.

But now that both had risen to over 10 points, the effect was very noticeable.

Just for crafting stockings, the speed alone was increased by 33%.

Beyond that.

Zhao Chi's usual mood was around 80%.

With the boost from the Carefree Spring, it could stay at a constant 130% mood.

If he spent some intimate time with Gu Qing, it could temporarily add another 30% or so to his mood.

It just cost physical and mental stamina.

But it was worth it.

After all, Gu Qing's mood also increased quite a bit.

One person putting in the effort, two people's mood boosted in return — not bad at all.

But Gu Qing wouldn't let Zhao Chi tire himself out too much either.

That woman of his always wanted to turn the tables on him.

She liked to get the upper hand over Zhao Chi.

Zhao Chi didn't have the competitive streak of "having to be on top," so he was happy to take it easy and let her have her way.

Whether Gu Qing truly liked it that way or was doing it to spare Zhao Chi from getting too tired, he didn't mind either way.

Unfortunately, this mood boost didn't last very long.

Zhao Chi couldn't exactly drag Gu Qing to bed all day just for this mood bonus.

Gu Qing, for her part, was more than willing…

Her endurance was also very high.

But Zhao Chi… had his limits, after all.

So for now, he'd set aside this portion of the mood bonus.

Zhao Chi would only count the increase from the Carefree Spring.

The portion above 100% could also boost crafting efficiency.

So that was another 30% increase.

All in all.

If Zhao Chi crafted stockings, his overall efficiency had already increased by 63%.

And this was without him having enhanced any efficiency stats.

Originally, crafting and enhancing a pair of stockings took about 6-7 hours.

Now, it only took around 4 hours.

The same applied to shirts.

Shirts took a bit longer than stockings, about 8 hours.

After all, shirts used more material and had higher durability stats, so naturally they took more time.

But with the bonuses, the total time was also shortened from 8 hours to about 5.4 hours.

But this was only for now.

After all, every time he uses a Speed-Work Talisman, it counts as one day of work experience.

As long as Tang Ruan is here, Zhao Chi can use them infinitely.

Combined with Experience Fruits, professional skills can quickly accumulate and improve.

Zhao Chi 【Tang Ruan, have you eaten the Experience Fruit?】

Tang Ruan 【I have】

Zhao Chi 【Good, then let's start crafting!】

Tang Ruan 【Mm, good luck, my lord】

Zhao Chi had planned to make all the women's shirts in one go.

But by 5 PM, Zhao Chi was interrupted again.

The system beep sounded once more.

It was another call from Zhao Huai.

Zhao Huai 【Zhao Chi, come quick, people from District 7 are here again】

Zhao Chi's heart tightened.

Nobles from District 7?

He didn't know what it was about this time.

Surely they're not here for Gu Qing?

Zhao Chi 【What did they come for? Do you know?】

Zhao Huai 【How would I possibly know? Who dares ask about those lords' business? Come quick, same place as before, the clan's public house】

In this situation, even if Zhao Chi didn't want to go, he had to.

He handed the territory over to Gu Qing.

Once he separated from Tang Ruan's body, he had to return immediately.

Gu Qing quickly grabbed Zhao Chi.

"My lord, are they here for me?"

"Not sure, not necessarily."

Gu Qing's expression turned somewhat serious.

She pointed at the white fog wall in the distance.

Then, with resolve, she said: "My lord, if anyone comes in, I'll hide inside that fog wall. I absolutely won't let them find me and cause you trouble."