American TV series: Starting with exploiting young Sheldon

"Making new friends is something to celebrate, let's have a big party. I'll bring out my treasured rainbow liqueur to treat you all..." After meeting Mike, Tom felt like he had met a kindred spirit, and his mood became even happier.

Then, the three of them picked up the scattered fruit from the ground, put it into a huge tray full of fruit, and Tom carried it on his back as they walked deeper into the old forest.

[Water Affinity (Trait)]...[Water Magic (Talent)]...[Longevity (Trait)]...

[Natural Energy * Water Attribute +600w]...

Goldenberry, according to legend, was the daughter of the Rhine River god and also Tom's wife.

She has a pair of bright blue eyes and long, flowing hair. At this moment, she is working in a vegetable garden with a small shovel in her hand.

Next to the vegetable garden was a brightly colored, mushroom-shaped wooden house.

Yes, this is Tom's home in the old forest, full of warmth and childlike fun.

"Goldberry, look who I brought back!"

As they approached the cabin, Tom excitedly shouted, wanting to share his joy with his wife.

"Tom, where have you been running around playing again, making yourself look so messy... And you promised me you'd fix up our house, it's too small and drafty everywhere..."

With her mature appearance, Goldenberry couldn't help but scold her boisterous husband when he returned home, while simultaneously summoning a stream of cool water to wash the dust off Tom's clothes and face.

Faced with his wife's nagging, which was tinged with warmth, Tom, who was like a playful old man, immediately became obedient and stood still.

Until you feel completely refreshed.

Tom had been climbing trees and performing "acrobatics" before, and he wasn't behaving himself on the way back either.

As a result, his boots and the hem of his clothes were covered in dust, and his beard and top hat were also covered in leaves and spider webs from climbing the tree.

After being cleansed by the Golden Berry's water magic, its overall appearance finally became clean and tidy.

“Gandalf, and this young gentleman, welcome to our home.” After helping her husband tidy himself up, Goldberry smiled and said to the two men behind him, “I hope Tom hasn’t caused you any trouble.”

Sure enough, Jinmei understood her husband's personality very well.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Goldenberry. Your beauty is as gentle and clear as the spring water in this forest.” Gandalf spoke in a serious tone, “And your husband, Mr. Tom, has not caused us any trouble along the way, but has taken good care of Mike and me.”

Gandalf was popular in Middle-earth not only because he was a Maiar, but also because of his skillful interpersonal relationships.

Sure enough, upon hearing his "compliment," Goldenberry's smile became much more genuine, and she said, "That's good. Mr. Gandalf and Mr. Mike, please sit with Tom for a while, I'll go prepare some food for you..."

On the other side, watching his wife walk briskly towards the cabin, Tom quietly gave Gandalf a thumbs up.

Then the forest ranger waved his hand, and a set of tables and chairs, exuding the fragrance of trees, appeared in the yard. "Wait for me a moment, I'll go prepare food for Goldenberry and fetch my Rainbow Fruit Wine."

After saying that, Tom followed in his wife's footsteps and walked happily into the cabin.

Chapter 587 Arrival in the Shire

"Haha, you all must try my treasured seven-colored fruit wine today..."

Not long after, Tom came out carrying a small wine jar like a treasure. This "naughty boy" who never grew up seemed to be full of vigor no matter what he did.

Behind him, Jinmei had also prepared food: some fresh fruits and vegetables she grew herself, baked bread with the aroma of malt, and a giant vegetable salad.

Full of pastoral charm...

Let's raise a glass to today's gathering, and to the addition of our new friends!

After everyone sat around the table, Tom couldn't wait to pour everyone a large glass of colorful fruit wine.

This fruit wine is made from seven different colored fruits, giving it an amber-like texture with distinct layers and a rich aroma.

Seeing everyone raise their glasses, Tom took the first big gulp.

Then, after drinking the seven-colored fruit wine, his face turned bright red, and then a cloud of seven-colored smoke billowed from his nose and ears.

Finally, a satisfied smile appeared on the face of the playful forest ranger, and he became even more radiant.

Upon seeing this, Mike and Gandalf exchanged a glance and simultaneously raised their glasses to their lips.

After taking a sip of the fruit wine, Mike felt as if he had eaten an entire orchard; the aroma of various fruits became even richer after fermentation and sedimentation.

Instantly, the aroma filled my mouth, leaving me with nowhere to vent...

Until a certain moment when the fruity and wine aromas fully bloom, as if penetrating every pore, the taste is indescribably wonderful.

“I dare say this is the best fruit wine I’ve ever tasted, even better than the wine of the elves…” After tasting the fruit wine, Gandalf felt refreshed and his fatigue vanished. He couldn’t help but say, “Tom, thank you for your hospitality. I feel full of energy.”

"A great experience..." Mike, who was savoring the taste of the fruit wine, also offered his praise.

Mike was certain that even God's finest wine couldn't compare to this fruit wine.

"Haha, I'm glad you like it~" Hearing their praise, Tom's face broke into a hearty smile again. He then added, "Unfortunately, this seven-colored fruit wine is very difficult to make, and I only have this small jar left."

"However, if you like, you can stay here a little longer, and I'll brew a batch especially for you..."

It's clear that Tom is a very hospitable forester.

“If I could, I would love to stay here a little longer and enjoy this wonderful life…” Gandalf smiled and shook his head, “It’s just a pity that I have other missions to attend to. I must leave after enjoying this meal, and I’ll have to wait until my next visit to taste your fine wine.”

As one of the Maiar sent to Middle-earth to maintain the "balance" of the land, Gandalf's job was not easy, as he often had to travel to various places.

He couldn't even imagine living as leisurely as Tom.

"Is it because of the demonic energy? I can sense that Morgoth's remnants are rising again, and evil forces are about to engulf this land..." Tom composed himself and said, "Unfortunately, my power is only enough to protect this old forest, and I cannot help you dispel the darkness from Middle-earth."

Tom's strength is highly dependent on his surroundings; once he leaves the forest he has cultivated, his abilities become very limited.

“You’ve already done a great service by protecting this peaceful land.” Gandalf knew Tom’s situation, so he didn’t press the matter.

Furthermore, the Old Forest, which Tom manages, is strategically located between the Valley and the Shire, not far from Grey Alley Harbor.

This can be seen as leaving a way out for the various races and creatures of the Middle-earth.

“Alright, let’s not talk about that anymore. Let’s talk about something happier. Redagast instructed me to let your descendants greet you when I meet them.” Sensing the somewhat heavy atmosphere, Gandalf changed the subject to something lighter.

The brown-robed wizard Redagast, also a Maya, is very skilled at communicating with the small animals of the forest.

He was naturally close to nature and his temperament was very similar to Tom's.

“Redagast? Does he still live in the Dark Forest? It’s been corrupted by dark magic for years, so it’s not an ideal place to live…” Tom said. “I invited him to come to the Old Forest and be my neighbor, but he seems to have his own ideas.”

Black magic is also a form of evil power. Prolonged exposure can even infect Maias with demonic energy, and problems might arise at any time.

However, it is also the Maiar's duty to help Middle-earth resist the corruption of dark magic.

Redagast wasn't unaware that life in the old forest would be easy; he was simply more responsible.

Voluntarily staying in the dark forest to suppress demonic energy...

Next, Gandalf and Tom discussed many unknown secrets about Redagast and the evil forces in Middle-earth.

One of these two had been on a mission in Middle-earth for over two thousand years, while the other had lived on this continent for an unknown number of years.

Their casual conversations also helped Mike learn more about this continent.

So the scene became one where the two old men drank and chatted, while Mike listened quietly and occasionally interjected with a question.

On the other side, Goldenberry was in a similar situation to Mike, quietly watching her husband and friends chat without showing any impatience.

Time passed little by little, and as the sun began to set, the fruit wine that Tom had brought out was empty.

Since Gandalf's agreed meeting with the dwarves was the next day, after the gathering, Gandalf declined Tom's offer to stay and insisted on heading to the Shire that very night.

In the end, Tom respected Gandalf's choice, but before seeing his two friends off, he summoned a herd of horses from the old forest to serve as transportation for Mike and Gandalf.

Gandalf chose a tall, black horse, while Michael chose a handsome white horse.

"Goodbye, Gandalf and Mike. Be sure to visit the Old Forest more often when you have time. Next time I'll prepare more rainbow wine for you..." Tom and his wife escorted Gandalf and Mike to the edge of the Old Forest.

Tom waved his arms as he watched his old and new friends leave, until the two disappeared into the twilight.

……

“We’ve entered the Shire and aren’t far from Hobbiton. So let’s rest here for a bit and continue our journey tomorrow morning.” By the moonlight, Gandalf reined in his horse and stopped on a small, grassy hill.

In the distance, the outlines of some villages can be faintly seen.

If we consider the old forest as a protective barrier, then beyond the old forest to the west lies a protected "paradise."

Here, there is no trouble from the corruption of demonic energy, and even ferocious carnivores are rarely seen in the wild.

This is also why Gandalf praised Tom earlier; Tom's old forest had preserved a glimmer of hope for Middle-earth.

The optimistic and kind-hearted hobbits happen to live within this safe zone.

"Want some barbecue?" After setting up camp on the grass, Mike couldn't resist taking out a few skewers of barbecue to satisfy his craving.

Tom's fruit wine is delicious, and the vegetarian dishes are also very tasty, but since there's no meat at all, it always feels like something's missing.

"Thank you, no need~" Gandalf shook his head and refused the roast meat. He found a comfortable spot to lean back, smoking his pipe and looking in the direction of the Shire.

You could tell he had something on his mind.

As for Mike, after finishing his barbecue, he set up a comfortable tent for himself and then fell into a good sleep.

Chapter 588 The Hobbit and the Hut

The next morning, when Mike stepped out of the makeshift tent, he saw Gandalf with disheveled hair, still in the same position as the night before, leaning against a small hill and smoking his pipe.

The morning dew dampened his robe and beard, making him look somewhat forlorn.

Beside him, two rather intelligent horses were using their tongues to search for tender shoots to eat.

"What's wrong? Something on your mind?" Mike asked the wizard after packing up the tent.

The two could have entered Hobbiton last night, but Gandalf probably hadn't decided whether to involve the kind hobbit in danger, so they ended up spending the night in the wilderness.

As the night went by, Gandalf still hadn't made a decision.

“Hmm…” Hearing the question, Gandalf was startled from his reverie and looked up at Mike.

Meanwhile, the bright morning sunlight shone directly into the old wizard's eyes, gradually making them brighter.

Gandalf glanced again at the beautiful scenery of the Shire, then, as if making a decision, put away his pipe and said, "Let's go. Today is the day the adventure team gathers. Before that, I need to meet a special person; perhaps he will become the 'key' to our team..."

The Shire is home to many hobbits, hardworking and simple little people who are generally about one meter tall but have exaggeratedly wide feet, which are very suitable for running and moving around in the fields.

When Mike and his companion rode into the Shire, many hobbits were already working in the fields as the sun rose.

Upon seeing the arrival of outsiders, these naturally optimistic hobbits were not shy at all. They stopped what they were doing and nodded to Mike and his companion to express their welcome.

Even bolder children came closer and played and frolicked behind the horses.

Gandalf loved the atmosphere and would often stop to give the hobbit children candy and small gifts he had brought from outside, which made the children laugh.

From the Shire to Hobbiton and then to Bag End, a distance of only a few kilometers, the two of them spent almost half a day on horseback.

Bag End is located deep within Hobbiton, far from most of the Hobbit settlements. It's easy to see that whoever chose to live here is definitely a Hobbit who appreciates peace and quiet.

“The person we’re looking for is right here…” Gandalf smiled wistfully as he looked at the cozy cottage on the hillside.

Then he stepped over the low fence and went straight to the hut to knock on the door.

"Wait a moment, wait a moment... I'll be right there..."

Amidst the clanging and clattering of pots and pans, and the scraping sounds of tables and chairs being moved, a hobbit holding a small spatula soon appeared at the door.

Perhaps in his haste, the young hobbit almost tripped over the threshold after opening the door.

Until a pair of large hands helped him up...

“Thank you…” Bilbo Baggins was about to say thank you when he looked up and realized something was wrong.

He strained to look up and saw that in front of him was a tall, long-bearded old man.

Proportionally speaking, Bilbo was one of the taller hobbits, standing over 1.1 meters tall.

However, compared to the wizard who was over 2.1 meters tall, he appeared exceptionally small.

"Who...who are you looking for?" Bilbo was startled by the "giant" in front of him and took two steps back before realizing that there was another young and handsome "giant" standing next to the bearded giant.

“We’ve come to find a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins…” Gandalf said with a smile, “I was friends with his grandfather, Took the Elder, and I even held him when he was a child.”

Meanwhile, the old wizard was also sizing up the hobbit in front of him, his gaze finally settling on the hobbit's unusually large feet.

In Gandalf's plan, the adventure party of thirteen Durin dwarves was clearly insufficient to deal with the evil dragon on the Lonely Mountain.

Therefore, the adventure team's initial mission was actually to help Thorin, a descendant of the Dwarf King of Durin, retrieve the Arken Gem, which symbolized the rights of the Dwarf race, from the Lonely Mountain.

Then Thorin, who possessed the Arkenstone, rallied the strength of the seven dwarf tribes to fight the dragon and ultimately reclaim Lonely Mountain.