"Perfect," Ishaan Rao said. He looked at the dirty, yellow water coming from the faucet. His face showed no emotion. "It looks like a scene from a post-apocalyptic movie."
Even without a "cheat system," life had to continue.
He found a pair of high-top rubber rain boots in the dusty storage room. They looked almost new. These were one of the few good things left by his Uncle Rajesh. Ishaan put them on. They were a little too big, but they would protect him from unknown snakes in the wild.
He had decided to pick mushrooms to make money, so he had to be prepared.
Ishaan searched the house and found a small woven basket and a folding knife for cutting mushrooms. He thought for a moment and then slung the double-barreled shotgun over his back. He had two 12-gauge shells. Although he couldn't hit targets from far away, the gun was powerful enough at close range to make any beast or person listen to reason.
While Ishaan was organizing his gear, he heard a familiar engine noise outside. It was the sound of the Ford pickup truck, coughing like it was about to die.
A small smile appeared on Ishaan's face. His "good neighbor" had arrived.
He did not go out immediately. Instead, he quickly went to the dusty mirror and messed up his hair. He made his black hair look messy and loose to create the look of someone who had just woken up—a relaxed and defenseless look.
Then, he opened the wooden door.
The morning sun of Wyoming shone through the cold mist. Sophia Reed was standing at the bottom of the steps.
Even in the cool morning, this passionate farm woman was dressed very "lightly." She wore a tight grey cotton T-shirt with a knit cardigan over it. On her lower body, she wore dark yoga pants. The pants perfectly showed the powerful and full curves of her body.
Yoga pants. Truly one of the greatest inventions in human history. Especially when worn by a mature woman who did farm work, showing off her firm and strong muscles.
Sophia was holding a large glass jar filled with fresh white milk.
"Good morning, Ishaan." Sophia smiled brightly when she saw him. The morning light on her blonde hair made her look like a goddess of the harvest.
"How did you sleep last night? I heard the pipes in the old house screaming. Is there no hot water?"
Ishaan gave a bitter smile. He walked down the steps and naturally reached out to take the milk jar from her. "Good morning, Sophia. Are you a psychic? The water heater is broken. Right now, I feel like a frozen fish from a freezer."
When he took the milk jar, his fingers "accidentally" covered the back of Sophia's hand.
The morning air was cold, and Ishaan's hand was cool. But Sophia's hand was very warm. Her hand shook slightly, but she did not pull away. Ishaan was six feet tall (182 cm), allowing him to look down slightly at his neighbor. From this angle, and because of her open collar... it was a view that could make a man forget the Wyoming cold.
"Oh, you poor boy." Sophia's eyes showed deep affection and pity. She did not pull her hand back. Instead, she used her other hand to fix a crooked button on Ishaan's collar.
"Wait here. Later, I will tell that idiot husband of mine to bring his toolbox over. He is useless, but he can do rough work like fixing pipes."
"That is too much trouble for you," Ishaan said softly. His eyes were sincere and clean. "I don't want to cause trouble for you. Especially... I don't want Mr. Harris to misunderstand."
"Misunderstand?" Sophia acted like she heard a joke. She curled her lips with disdain. She leaned in even closer. The scent of sweet milk and fresh soap surrounded Ishaan.
"He drank until 2:00 AM. Now he is sleeping like a dead pig. Even if I stayed here with you all day, he wouldn't notice."
The suggestion in her words was very strong. But Ishaan knew not to rush. Right now, Sophia was attracted to him because she was lonely and her marriage was unhappy. If he acted too fast, he would ruin the tension.
It was like fishing. You have to pull and release.
Ishaan took a step back. He lifted the milk jar and smiled. He changed the subject. "Is this fresh milk?"
"Yes. It's raw milk. It has the purest flavor." Sophia stopped looking at him so intensely. She looked at the shotgun on his back and was surprised. "Wait. Why are you carrying a weapon so early in the morning? This is not something a young man who just inherited a ranch should do."
"I'm going into the forest," Ishaan pointed to the Teton mountains behind the house. "I saw a notice saying it is Morel season. I have a $20,000 bill to pay. I can't let the government kick me out before I enjoy my life, right?"
Sophia looked worried. She crossed her arms. This movement made her tight T-shirt look even more strained.
"Ishaan, listen," she said seriously. "There are more than just mushrooms there. There are black bears and even mountain lions. Rajesh almost lost a leg in those woods."
"I will be careful." Ishaan patted the gun. "I have this. And I studied botany in university. I know where the best mushrooms grow."
Sophia looked at the young man. He looked handsome and quiet, but his voice was firm and confident. This contrast made her heart beat faster. This was the charm of a young man—full of energy and hope. He was nothing like the "pile of mud" at her house.
"Alright, you stubborn cowboy," Sophia sighed. She pulled a sandwich wrapped in plastic from her pocket. She put it in Ishaan's basket. "Take this. If you are not back by noon, I will have to decide whether to call the police or look for your body."
"What if I return with a full basket?" Ishaan asked, looking into her eyes.
Sophia raised an eyebrow. She smiled in a very charming way. "If you find those expensive mushrooms, come to my house tonight. I will bake the best beef pie for you. And... I will let you take a hot shower."
The "hot shower" did not sound like just a shower.
"It's a deal," Ishaan said.
He smiled and watched Sophia drive away. Then, he turned around and walked toward the deep forest behind the ranch.