**Chapter 10: First Pot of Gold**
Two days later, Dongyu brought Bai Feng to an empty lot Outside Fourth Middle School to meet with his friend, his friend's childhood friend, and his friend's childhood friend's older sister.
The childhood friend's older sister saw only two young children and angrily said to her brother and his friend, "This is what you meant by high-Quality Berries? You brought two kids here to fool me?"
The brother's friend immediately tried to appease his sister, saying, "How could I dare, Zhen Li! Please don't be anxious! Since you're already here, you might as well take a look. What if their Berries can satisfy you?"
He and Dongyu were both classmates and good friends, so of course, he had to speak up for his good friend.
Zhen Li thought about it and felt he had a point. Since she was already here, and it was her own brother who called her, what could she do? Maybe she'd go back and beat him up to vent her frustration.
And that kid Yi Xuan, they'd known each other for at least ten years, he wouldn't lie to her. Maybe there really were good Berries?
After steeling herself, Zhen Li looked at Dongyu and Bai Feng with a cold expression. "Are you the ones selling Berries?"
Hearing this, Bai Feng immediately stepped forward and said sweetly, "Yes, beautiful older sister, it's us. I've brought the Berry samples and the Detection Result. Please take a look first. If you're not satisfied, we can discuss it further." In fact, Bai Feng was very confident in his Berries.
Originally, Zhen Li was still a little angry, but seeing that Bai Feng was good-looking and sweet-talked, the last bit of anger in her heart disappeared.
Over the past year or so, Bai Feng's originally dark skin had lightened, and he had grown a bit taller. He was indeed a very handsome young boy, making it hard not to like him.
"The little brother certainly knows how to talk. Alright, I'll take a look first. By the way, my name is Zhen Li, what are your names?"
"Older sister is truly beautiful and kind-hearted," Bai Feng said with a smile. "My name is Bai Feng, and the one next to me is my older brother, Dongyu. My older brother and Yi Xuan are good friends."
"Here, older sister, please take a look."
Saying this, Bai Feng stepped forward and presented the two baskets containing Berries. These two baskets contained Berries with Energy ratings of Grade B and Grade C respectively.
Zhen Li picked one from them and nodded slightly. "The appearance is quite good. The color and shape are both regular." It seemed she hadn't come for nothing.
"Older sister, please try it and taste it. I've washed all the Berries," Bai Feng continued.
"Alright," Zhen Li nodded and gently took a bite of the Berry in her hand. The next second, she was amazed by the Berry's unique flavor. "This... is this really the Berries you grew?"
Seeing Zhen Li's expression, Bai Feng knew the deal was halfway done. He quickly nodded and said, "Of course! How could I lie to you, older sister?"
Zhen Li quickly said, "Didn't you say you brought the Detection Result? Show it to me quickly."
"Okay!" Bai Feng quickly took out the prepared Detection Result from his pocket and handed it to Zhen Li.
Zhen Li took it and saw the words Grade C clearly written at the top of the paper. She nodded in satisfaction, thinking: Unique flavor, and the Energy rating isn't low. It's enough.
Unexpectedly, the little brother actually had some skill, and he was good-looking too!
While thinking, Zhen Li continued to flip through the pages. After turning to the later pages, her eyes couldn't help but widen.
Grade B... Grade B?
Zhen Li thought she was seeing things and subconsciously rubbed her eyes before looking carefully again.
That's right, it still said Grade B.
"Did you write this wrong? How could it be Grade B?" Zhen Li pointed at the Detection Result and said to Bai Feng, truly unable to believe she had encountered Grade B Berries outside.
Zhen Li's brother, Zhen Yan, and his friend, Yi Xuan, also leaned their heads over and immediately widened their eyes in disbelief.
"Grade B? You're kidding, right?"
"Dongyu?" Yi Xuan looked at his friend Dongyu with a 'what's going on' expression.
Dongyu nodded at Yi Xuan, indicating that what his friend saw was real. At the same time, he smiled wryly inwardly, because he had the same reaction when he first saw this Detection Result.
Getting his friend's affirmative reply, Yi Xuan's expression shattered. Grade B rated Berries, actually cultivated by a child? Could there be anything more fantastical than this?
Currently, the Berries available on the Market for Pokémon are generally rated Grade D. Even the Pokéblocks and Poképuffs in Pokémon Food stores are made using Berries of this level.
Berries of Grade C and above need to be bought at special stores. Ordinary small shops no longer sell them, and even if they do, it's only in small batches, supplied only to old or premium customers.
Once Berries reach Grade B, you'll rarely see them on the Market. These are monopolized resources; if you really want to buy them, you have to find special channels.
Grade A Berries are special supply resources, and Grade S Berries, being even higher level, go without saying. Ordinary people simply aren't qualified to access them.
"Older sister, this Detection Result is genuine. I have no reason to lie to you about this. Also, these two baskets of Berries are a gift from me as a meeting present. Take them back and check them first. Contact me once you've confirmed, I'll be waiting, older sister."
With a sweet smile, Bai Feng placed the baskets he was holding into Zhen Li's hands.
Zhen Li thought to herself: That's true. You can't lie about this kind of thing, because a Detector isn't hard to get your hands on, and you can test it easily.
"Little friend, you're really amazing. Older sister likes people like you. Do you want to come home with older sister? Older sister's family is very rich," Zhen Li said temptingly, pinching Bai Feng's slightly baby-fat cheeks.
A young boy who can cultivate Grade B Berries has unlimited potential. Taking him home wouldn't be a loss.
"Older sister, please stop joking, I'm still young!" Bai Feng said shyly, blushing.
Zhen Li said half-jokingly, "It's okay, older sister can wait. Are you perhaps saying older sister is too old?" As she spoke, she looked at Bai Feng with a mournful expression.
Dongyu, Zhen Yan, and Yi Xuan, who were standing nearby, had already started rolling their eyes.
Dongyu: ∑(O_O;)
Zhen Yan: (Д)ノ
Yi Xuan: (_)
Bai Feng said with a troubled expression, "Older sister, my mom doesn't allow me to date early."
Hearing this, Zhen Li stopped teasing Bai Feng. "I'll accept your gift then, and I'll give you an answer tomorrow." After saying that, she picked up the baskets and strode away.
"Okay! Goodbye, older sister," Bai Feng waved goodbye to Zhen Li enthusiastically.
After Zhen Li left, Yi Xuan patted Dongyu's shoulder and said, "Brother, you really gave me a surprise! I didn't expect little brother Bai Feng to be so hidden."
*I only found out today too, do you believe me?*
But Dongyu could only say this in his heart. He casually explained, "Bai Feng has always had a lot of Talent in this area, which is why Gym Leader Fu Ade likes him very much and has guided him with a lot of Planting Knowledge."
Bai Feng is still young and doesn't have the ability to protect himself yet. So Dongyu felt it was better not to expose his overly outstanding Talent in front of others. Just borrowing the name of a powerful figure would suffice.
Besides, he wasn't lying. Grandpa Fu did indeed guide Bai Feng in Planting Technique, just not with hands-on, personal instruction like a Teacher.
"Gym Leader Fu Ade? The Gym Leader of Coupling Gym?" Yi Xuan and Zhen Yan suddenly understood upon hearing this. No wonder.
Both of them automatically attributed the Grade B Berries cultivated by Bai Feng to Grandpa Fu.
After parting ways with the two, on the way home, Dongyu said to Bai Feng, "Later, pack some Berries and send it to Coupling Gym for Grandpa Fu. Although these might not mean much to him, it's at least your sincerity."
Although Bai Feng would have done this even without Dongyu saying it, he was still very touched. Coupled with the explanation Dongyu had just given for him, he sincerely said to Dongyu, "Thank you, Brother Dongyu."
Dongyu didn't say anything, just gently patted Bai Feng's shoulder.
The next day, Zhen Li arrived as expected. Her face was full of joy, and it was clear at a glance that she was very satisfied with yesterday's Berries.
"Little brother Bai Feng, how many Grade B Berries do you have? Older sister wants all of them," Zhen Li said boldly as soon as they met.
Bai Feng said with a troubled expression, "But only one batch of Berries has ripened so far. We'll have to wait for the rest."
"Is that so?" Zhen Li thought for a moment and said, "Then give me the ripened ones first, and contact me when the rest are ripe."
"Okay! Older sister is really impressive," Bai Feng said, flattering her while continuing to promote. "Don't you want Grade C Berries, older sister? Our Grade C Berries are also very good."
"Then I'll take some Grade C as well." Grade B Berries are rare, so she couldn't just use them all casually. She still needed to buy some Grade C. Based on the taste of the Berries, it wouldn't be a loss no matter what.
"Older sister, if you think they're good, please promote them for me among your classmates."
As a student in the Pokémon Department, if Zhen Li could bring him a few classmates, then word would spread from one to ten, and from ten to a hundred, and the Market would open up.
Zhen Li patted Bai Feng in satisfaction and said, "Don't worry, older sister will definitely help you with this small favor."
After Zhen Li placed her order, the two parted ways.
As soon as Bai Feng returned home, he called out to Bai Ye, "Mom, time to work!"
"Sha... Shana~" You're back! How did it go? Did it work?" Bai Ye asked impatiently.
Bai Feng made an OK gesture and said with a matter-of-fact expression, "With me on the job, of course it's an instant success!"
"Sha... Shana... Shana~" Then... then are we going to have Money?" Bai Ye said excitedly.
"Yes, we're going to have Money!"
Bai Feng had almost forgotten what it felt like to have Money. Now that he was finally about to welcome his First Pot of Gold, his heart was filled with both joy and complexity.
The mother and son hugged each other and jumped around.
Bai Feng was happy that their lives were finally going to get better, while Bai Ye was happy that Bai Feng's efforts hadn't been in vain.
To be honest, Bai Ye had never felt that the days on the Island before were hard, nor could it imagine the happiness of having Money in the future. It felt that as long as it was with Bai Feng, nothing else mattered.
When Bai Feng was happy, it was happy too.
After they finished celebrating, Bai Feng said to Bai Ye, "Alright, let's quickly go pick the Berries and send them to the customer."
So the mother and son started getting busy. With Bai Ye's Psychic ability, picking the Berries became a very simple task.
Bai Ye was responsible for picking, while Bai Feng took the Detector and was responsible for determining the rating of the Berries, then storing the Grade B and Grade C ones separately.
The mother and son hadn't been busy for long when Director Meili saw the situation and brought Xiao You, Yihui, and the others to help.
Everyone helped, some carrying baskets, others picking Berries, and they quickly and efficiently finished picking and packing the Berries.
After picking was finished, Bai Feng immediately called a car while the Berries were fresh and sent them to Zhen Li.
After Zhen Li confirmed that the Berries were fine, she immediately paid the Money.
In this batch of Berries, there were one hundred pounds of Grade B and three hundred pounds of Grade C. Bai Feng had already rounded down the price for Zhen Li. After finding out, Zhen Li praised Bai Feng for being good at business and promised to definitely promote him.
On the Market, the average price for Grade C Berries is one hundred fifty yuan per pound, and Grade B is generally three hundred yuan per pound. So, Bai Feng sold this batch of Berries for a total of seventy-five thousand yuan.
Ten-year-old Bai Feng was already able to open his own Savings Account, so Zhen Li directly transferred the Money to his account. Seeing the string of numbers in the account, Bai Feng's heart trembled.
Finally, he had Money!
After returning home, Bai Feng quietly went to see Director Meili.
Seeing Bai Feng, Director Meili asked happily, "How did it go? Was the delivery smooth?"
Bai Feng nodded and said, "Director Meili, there's something I want to discuss with you."
Director Meili asked doubtfully, "Tell me."
So Bai Feng said that he wanted to take one-tenth of the Earnings from selling the Berries and leave it for the children.
Director Meili quickly refused upon hearing this. "How can that be? You worked so hard to grow that Berries, we all saw the effort you put in. How can everyone take your Money?"
Bai Feng explained, "You and the children helped me a lot. Weeding, watering, looking after them, you all put in a lot of effort."
"We're a family. What's helping out a little?" Director Meili still didn't agree.
"Then as family, what's wrong with me wanting to save some Money for my younger brothers and sisters?" Bai Feng argued. "Besides, the land I used to grow the Berries belongs to the orphanage. It's not too much for me to pay some rent now, is it?"
Director Meili was left speechless by Bai Feng's words.
Bai Feng continued, "Director Meili, this Money is for the children's savings. You don't have the right to decide for them. And little Limo, you don't want her to be unable to speak her whole life, do you? As long as we have Money, she can see a doctor, and maybe one day she'll be cured!"
Director Meili was unable to refuse and finally agreed tearfully. She hugged Bai Feng and buried her head in his neck.
"You're a good child..."
Bai Feng didn't know what expression Director Meili had at that moment, but he vaguely felt a dampness on his neck.
After a long while, Bai Feng finally said softly, "Please don't tell the children about this Money yet. When they need it in the future, you can take it out."
"I know," Director Meili said softly.
After that, Bai Feng transferred seven thousand five hundred yuan to Director Meili.
This season's Berries had only sold the first batch. The later ones would ripen one after another. When they were sold for Money, he would take out ten percent of the earnings and leave it for the children.
With Money, Bai Feng decided to treat himself well. So the next day, he took Bai Ye, Yangtai, Caicaizi, Yihui, Xiao You, and Limo to the West District, planning to give them a good time and eat a good meal.
They didn't have school that day, so it wouldn't matter if they came back a little late.
Originally, he had also invited Dongyu, but Dongyu said he had plans with a classmate, so everyone had to leave him behind and go have fun themselves.
Before setting off, Bai Feng found two bamboo baskets, picked some more Berries, put them in, and brought them along, planning to give them to Officer Jenny and Captain Sanders, as they both happened to live in the West District.
He just didn't know if Captain Sanders had gone out to sea.
Captain Sanders and his crew had saved Bai Feng and Bai Ye, and Officer Jenny had found them a place to settle down. Bai Feng always remembered their kindness.
Although a basket of Berries wasn't particularly valuable, it was his sincerity after all.
Once everything was ready, Bai Feng and Bai Ye set off with a group of little kids.
It was the children's first time going out to play in this way, so they were all very excited along the way, their hearts full of anticipation.
After arriving in the West District, Bai Feng planned to deliver the Berries to Officer Jenny and Sanders first, and then go play. This way would be a bit easier.
Since going to the Blue Bird Orphanage, it was Bai Feng's first time returning to the West District. Looking at the bustling streets and towering buildings lined up like fish scales, he felt a little unaccustomed.
After arriving at the Police Station, Bai Feng had the children wait in the lobby while he found a police officer to ask about Officer Jenny's whereabouts.
"You're looking for Officer Jenny? She's out on duty. Do you need something? If you don't mind, I can pass on a message." The one speaking to Bai Feng was a beautiful female police officer, but not Officer Jenny.
"Is that so?" Bai Feng thought for a moment and handed the basket in his hand to the Police Officer. "Older sister, please give this to Officer Jenny. Just say it's from Bai Feng at the Blue Bird Orphanage."
"Don't worry, I'll pass it on for you." Seeing that it was just a basket of Berries, which wasn't against regulations, the Police Officer accepted it.
Leaving the Police Station, Bai Feng then took the children to the Research Institute where Captain Sanders worked.
Captain Sanders is an archaeology expert. Because he often has to go out to sea to explore Ruins, he's frequently not at the Research Institute.
(End of this chapter)