But seeing the Little Fatty Beast’s insistent expression, Wu Yue still felt a pang of reluctance as she poked at her panel. "How many points?"

The System’s eyes lit up, and it held out a small paw. "Ten points. I’ll teach you everything you need to know."

Ten?

Wu Yue shot it a look that screamed, ’You’re a damn robber!’ "Let’s hear it first."

The System sat down primly. "Dog Host, I’ve fallen for your tricks too many times. Do you really think I’m still that naive System?"

Wu Yue nodded furiously in her heart. ’Yes, you are!’

But the System just smirked and shook its head. "Unless you pay the points first, I’m not telling you the cultivation method."

Wu Yue’s face stiffened. ’So the whole loan incident last time left a black mark on my record with this little fatty, huh.’

But when she thought about planting a field of taro sprouts in a few days and reaping an endless supply of taro in the fall, the pain of losing ten points didn’t feel so sharp anymore.

She immediately nodded. "Deal."

The System instantly sat up, once again adopting its thick, online-salesperson persona. "Congratulations on your successful purchase! You can find the tutorial video on your panel. Every step is explained in detail. If you’re satisfied, please give your little System a five-star rating!"

Wu Yue stared speechlessly at the short, stout figure of the System on the panel, which was wearing a worn-out service uniform. "Are you the System’s avatar?"

The short, stout little guy in the worn-out clothes rolled its eyes in a familiar gesture. "Of course not. I’m still the System. I’m just too poor, so I have to work a part-time job here."

The implication in its words couldn’t have been more obvious.

Wu Yue pretended not to understand. After casually tapping out a five-star rating, she turned her attention to her panel. "Ah, let’s see if this video tutorial is easy to follow."

The System gave its Dog Host a reproachful look. It had rummaged through its entire wardrobe today to find its shabbiest outfit just to play the pity card, but the Dog Host was a total cheapskate and showed not a shred of sympathy.

Was the bond they shared, one of mutual dependence, really so shallow?unsatisfied, please give your little System a five-star rating!"

But Wu Yue, with her mind solely on planting taro, completely ignored the System’s mournful little glare and focused her full attention on the tutorial video.

’First, sun-dry the taro for one to two days. Then, arrange them in a mound of soil for sprouting, maintaining a temperature of 18-20 degrees. After about half a month, when small, one-centimeter sprouts appear, they are ready for planting.

The planting furrow should be about ten centimeters deep and thirty-five centimeters wide. Irrigate the furrow and wait for the water to seep in before placing the taro inside with the sprouts facing up. Then, cover them with about twelve centimeters of thick soil.

In the middle and late stages of growth, be sure to keep the soil moist; you can irrigate in the morning or evening.

Pay attention to weeding and pest control. As for specific methods, the host is advised to explore on their own.’

Wu Yue looked at the System, her expression screaming, ’I’ve been scammed!’ "Are you trying to rip me off because I’m uneducated? I could have figured all this out on my own!"

The System shot her a disdainful look. "If you’re uneducated, then what about all those years of compulsory education? Did you feed them to the dogs?"

Who knew what had gotten into the System lately, but its words were becoming sharper and more difficult to handle.

"You know, you might not have friends when you’re quiet, but the second you start talking, you could take down a whole crowd of them."

The System jutted out its chin. "This is the most user-friendly tutorial video the system has to offer."

A dark look crossed Wu Yue’s face. ’So? It just says to plant them. For a complete farming novice like me, weeding can be handled manually, but that whole pest control thing...’

Suddenly, as if a thought struck her, she turned to look at the Blue Fatty beside her, a scheming smile spreading across her face.

The System shuddered, instantly sensing the intense malice radiating from its Dog Host. "What wicked idea are you plotting now?"

Wu Yue rubbed her hands together, chuckling slyly. "System, aren’t we comrades-in-arms who transmigrated from the same world?"

The System backed away defensively. "Just say what you have to say. Sucking up to me won’t get you anywhere."

Wu Yue’s expression stiffened slightly. ’This damn System is getting smarter and more difficult. I wonder who it learned all these schemes from.’

"Our relationship is so close, there’s no need for all that. You’re being too formal."

The System gave a dry laugh. "There’s a massive wealth gap between us. We have nothing to talk about."

"So, when all is said and done, you’re just salty about the points I deducted!"

Wu Yue looked at it with disgust.

The System instantly exploded. "Dog Host, you’ve gone too far! Deducting a few points is one thing, but leaving me enough for basic living expenses is a matter of basic respect, isn’t it? You deducted so many that I can’t even afford a pair of underwear now!"

Wu Yue took a few steps back, her face full of disgust. "So you’ve been running around naked these past few days?"