Chapter 14: Planting New Fruit Trees and Dongyu's Efforts
Bai Feng had made an appointment with the Qingqing Planting Garden online beforehand, so when he arrived, he was immediately warmly received by the staff after giving his name.
The staff member saw that the visitor was a child and felt a bit strange, but his attitude didn't change at all; he remained warm and attentive.
Led by the staff member, Bai Feng came to their Planting Area. Their planting scale was much larger than Bai Feng's small operation. Looking out, the Plots of Land were entirely filled with Fruit Trees.
Of course, they were an institution specializing in selling Fruit Saplings, so the land was full of small Fruit Saplings. Bai Feng didn't see many mature Trees as he walked through.
At each area, the staff member would introduce Bai Feng to what kind of Fruit Tree Sapling it was, its characteristics, and what to pay attention to when planting. The service was very thorough.
Bai Feng currently had three types of Fruit Trees: Pecha Berry, Oran Berry, and Leppa Berry. The Fruit of these three Fruit Trees usually ripened in April-May, but due to the special climate of Biyi City, they would have another fruiting period in September-October.
So, the Fruit Trees Bai Feng wanted to buy this time were those that would bear Fruit outside of these two periods. This way, the fruiting periods of the different types of Fruit Trees would be staggered, and he would never have to worry about not having Fruit to sell.
Soon, Bai Feng selected several types of Fruit Trees: Chesto Berry, Cheri Berry, Persim Berry, and Leppa Berry.
The Fruit of Chesto Berry ripened from January to March and July to September each year. The fruiting rate and fruiting period were much higher and longer than Pecha Berry, Oran Berry, and Leppa Berry. Therefore, planting it was much more cost-effective than those three Fruits.
Cheri Berry Fruit Trees were a bit different from the other types of Fruit Trees. Even with Biyi City's special climate, they only had Fruit from January to April. However, its Fruit was more expensive than other Fruits, so planting it wasn't a loss either.
The Fruit of Persim Berry ripened from September each year to January of the following year. Although it didn't have two fruiting periods, the fruiting period lasted for 5 months, making it very cost-effective as well.
As for the last type, Leppa Berry, this Fruit was the most special case. It was the kind that bore Fruit all year round, and the fruiting rate was very high. Consequently, its Fruit had the lowest price on the market.
Of course, as long as Bai Feng raised the Energy Level of the Fruit Trees, even the most ordinary Fruit could be sold at a high price.
This was also because Bai Feng currently lacked the necessary conditions. If he did, he would directly build an Ecological Park where the climate could be directly controlled. Why would he need to consider climate and season when growing Fruit?
Grandpa Fu's Garden was an Ecological Park. The temperature, humidity, and sunlight could be freely adjusted inside. Grandpa Fu could freely plant Flowers, Grass, and Trees from various seasons and regions there.
In the end, it was because he was poor.
Bai Feng ordered 200 Trees of each type of Fruit Tree.
These Fruit Saplings with very low Energy Level were very cheap, averaging between 20 and 50 per Tree. The Chesto Berry Bai Feng bought was 25 per Tree, Cheri Berry was 40 per Tree, Persim Berry was 28 per Tree, and Leppa Berry was the cheapest at 21 per Tree.
In addition, Bai Feng also bought an additional 200 Trees each of Pecha Berry, Oran Berry, and Leppa Berry Fruit Trees. The ones he had cultivated himself before were truly on a small scale.
The prices for these latter three Fruit Trees were similar: Pecha Berry was 28 per Tree, Oran Berry was 31 per Tree, and Leppa Berry was 27 per Tree.
Bai Feng spent a total of 40,000 Money on these Fruit Trees.
After selecting the Fruit Trees, Bai Feng paid the Deposit and just had to wait for them to be delivered.
Qingqing Planting Garden was quite efficient. Probably because it was close, they delivered all the Fruit Trees to Fangxing Mountain in batches using a Large Truck in the afternoon.
Moreover, their service was very thorough. Besides the staff members who drove, they also brought several Machoke that were strong and worked quickly. They moved the Fruit Trees to the designated locations according to Bai Feng's instructions the entire time.
Bai Feng had been waiting at the foot of Fangxing Mountain since receiving the call. As soon as the Fruit Trees arrived, he directed Fletchinder and the others, along with the Machoke, to transport the Fruit Trees up the mountain. Soon, all the Fruit Trees were in place.
Bai Feng paid the remaining Money for the Fruit Saplings and sent off the staff members from Qingqing Planting Garden with satisfaction.
The Diggersby family had started digging holes on the mountain since yesterday. Their digging efficiency was extremely high; they could dig one in a few seconds.
In just one night, the family of three dug over a thousand holes on the mountain. Furthermore, the size and depth of the holes, and the distance between them, were all according to Bai Feng's requirements.
Bai Feng was even considering whether to hire this family long-term because they were too capable and productive.
After the Fruit Trees arrived, the next step was planting them. This was a physical task, as there were over a thousand Trees.
Bai Feng's plan was to plant these seven types of Fruit Trees in circular layers from top to bottom on Fangxing Mountain. The top of the mountain, requiring relatively low temperatures, would be planted with Persim Berry. Going down, it would be Chesto Berry, Cheri Berry, Pecha Berry, Oran Berry, Leppa Berry, and finally Leppa Berry at the very bottom.
After telling his requirements to the many Pokémon, Bai Feng led everyone to start working enthusiastically.
Among them, the Diggersby couple were the most hardworking. They were strong and quick. Tasks like moving Trees and filling soil were easy for them, making them the MVPs of this tree-planting activity.
(Diggersby: We're working so hard just to get your attention and get rid of our temporary worker status as soon as possible to get a permanent position!)
Bai Feng and his Pokémon worked for four or five days straight, leaving early and returning late every day. Finally, they finished planting all the Fruit Trees.
These past few days, Bai Feng insisted on giving the Pokémon Rejuvenation twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, to relieve their fatigue. He was surprised to find that his Golden Finger Energy had suddenly increased significantly.
Was this Evolution?
Bai Feng tried dividing the Golden Finger Energy into two streams, guiding them out of his body through his two palms, and performing Rejuvenation on two Pokémon simultaneously. Unexpectedly, he succeeded.
From then on, he could multitask and perform Rejuvenation on two Pokémon at the same time.
Doing so was a bit taxing mentally, requiring extremely high concentration, but to some extent, it was also a test of his willpower.
After the Fruit Tree planting was finished, Bai Feng formally offered the Diggersby family employment.
"Diggersby, do you want to stay here with me?"
Before, he had dismissed the female Diggersby because he couldn't afford to keep her, but things were different now. Although he still owed a large sum of Money, Bai Feng felt that employing a few staff members shouldn't be a big problem.
We've been waiting for you to say that!
Did the Diggersby family have any reason to refuse? Absolutely not! It was exactly what they wanted!
They had long envied Talonflame and Fletchinder for having permanent positions. Now that the opportunity was handed to them, why wouldn't they take it?
Both sides reached an agreement. The Diggersby family would work for Bai Feng, and Bai Feng would provide Food and lodging and regularly give them Rejuvenation.
With new employees, new Employee Dormitories also needed to be built. Fortunately, there were many Trees on the mountain. Bai Feng and the Pokémon cut down a few, and soon built a Wooden House for the Diggersby family that could accommodate all three of them.
The Diggersby family happily moved into Fangxing Mountain.
The male Diggersby even specifically went back to where he used to live and transplanted the Oran Berry Tree he had painstakingly planted for many years to Fangxing Mountain, planting it right next to their Wooden House.
He had worked hard to plant this Fruit Tree for many years and couldn't just abandon it.
These Wooden Houses on the mountain could only be considered temporary residences for the employees. Bai Feng felt that once he had more Money, he would still need to build new ones because the Wooden Houses were built too simply.
After the Fruit Trees were planted, Bai Feng left Popplio on Fangxing Mountain. The task of watering these over a thousand Fruit Trees was now its responsibility.
In addition, its task was also to conduct Battle Training with Fletchinder, Diggersby, and the others. Only by using its Moves extensively in daily life and Battle Training could Popplio gradually recover to be like a normal Pokémon.
This day, as soon as Bai Feng returned home, Caicaizi ran over and said, "Brother Bai Feng, aren't you going back to School tomorrow? There's an Exam in a couple of days, and your Teacher told me to tell you that you must come back for the Exam."
Uh... He had been so busy these past few days that Bai Feng had almost forgotten that he was still attending School.
"Okay, got it. I'll go back to School tomorrow."
The next day, Bai Feng indeed went to School with Caicaizi and Yangtai. His Classmates were already used to him not coming to School every now and then.
After two classes, Bai Feng was called to the Office by his homeroom Teacher.
"Bai Feng, your leave of absence this time is a bit long, isn't it?" Teacher Takeda said with a hint of dissatisfaction.
He truly had a love-hate relationship with this Student. His Grades were excellent, that went without saying, but he was a bit too self-willed. Not listening attentively in class was just a minor issue; now he was taking leave for four, five, or even six days at a time.
It was truly outrageous. Was this how a Student should behave?
"You're always like this. Do you still want to graduate? You're already a year older than Students in the same grade. Do you want to stay in Primary School for another two years?"
Bai Feng asked, puzzled, "But isn't it enough if I learn everything I need to learn? Why do I have to come to School?"
Teacher Takeda: ...Speechless.
It was true. Bai Feng always ranked among the top in every Exam, never dropping out of the top three in his grade.
"Alright, if you put it that way, fine. If you can't maintain your usual Grades in this Exam, then you must come to class obediently from now on!" Teacher Takeda said, glaring.
"Then if I can maintain my Grades and not drop, does that mean I don't have to come to class?" Bai Feng retorted. He genuinely felt he didn't have enough time.
Teacher Takeda was stumped again. He gritted his teeth and said, "If you can get first place this time, I'll agree to your request!"
"Really?"
"Really!"
"Can you make that decision?"
"I... can! As long as you can get first place, I'll decide that you don't have to come to School!"
"Then... I'll do my best to try."
After Bai Feng left, Teacher Takeda suddenly regretted making that agreement. What if that kid really got first place?
(-)~ He lay on his chair lifelessly, staring blankly at the ceiling.
At this moment, other Teachers saw his half-dead appearance and asked curiously, "Teacher Takeda, what's wrong? Did your class do poorly this time?"
Teacher Takeda's eyes gradually regained focus. He shook his head and replied, "No, they did quite well."
"Then why do you have that expression?" The Teacher curiously leaned over and happened to see Bai Feng's grade ranking. He then said, as if it were nothing unusual, "Ah~ Bai Feng from your class is first place this time. That's really good. That kid is still so amazing!"
Good... What's so good about it?! Teacher Takeda wanted to cry but had no tears.
Bai Feng got his Report Card and went directly to Teacher Takeda's Office.
"I got first place. Can I not come to School anymore?"
"Yes, that's right." Teacher Takeda nodded reluctantly. He really wanted to say no, but he couldn't bring himself to. He truly had no temper when it came to this Student.
"Alright then."
Bai Feng turned to leave after speaking, but Teacher Takeda immediately called out to him, "Hey, wait, I'm not finished yet!"
Bai Feng turned back, looking like he wanted him to speak quickly.
Teacher Takeda said helplessly, "Let me tell you this first, even if you don't come to School, you can't slack off. You still have to come back to School for Exams in the future. I'll have your younger siblings notify you of the Exam times.
If you ever drop out of the top three in your grade in any Exam, our agreement will be void!"
Bai Feng hesitated for a few seconds, then nodded and said, "Okay, is that all?"
Teacher Takeda covered his head and waved his hand, indicating for him to leave quickly, preferring not to see him.
After Bai Feng left Teacher Takeda's Office, he went straight back to the Classroom, packed his School Bag, and left. His Classmates just watched him quietly, thinking:
A top Student is just amazing. They can come and go from School as they please.
Bai Feng wasn't on good terms with any of his Classmates, so no one said anything when he left.
As soon as Bai Feng walked out of the Classroom, his Communicator on his wrist suddenly displayed bank account change information, notifying him that 100,000 Money had been deposited.
Bai Feng was wondering where this Money came from when his phone rang immediately after. He looked and saw it was Officer Jenny. Now he finally knew the source of the Money.
"Bai Feng, did you receive the Money? 100,000." Officer Jenny's voice came from the other end of the phone.
"I received it," Bai Feng replied. "Is this the Bounty for helping capture the Smuggling Ring?"
"That's right. The matter with this Smuggling Ring is a bit complicated, so the Bounty only came through today," Officer Jenny explained.
"100,000 Money, isn't that a bit much?" Bai Feng asked, puzzled.
"Not at all. You don't know how many evil deeds this group committed. They've been moving around everywhere, and the police tried to catch them many times but couldn't apprehend all of them.
Moreover, because of your help, we recovered a large sum of Illegal Funds. Compared to that, 100,000 Money is just a drop in the ocean."
"I see... Then I'll accept the Money." Bai Feng didn't ask further. "Thank you for helping me apply for this Money."
"You're welcome. You deserve it. Besides, aren't you busy managing your Orchard now? Although this 100,000 Money isn't a lot, I hope it can help you a little."
Ending the call with Officer Jenny, Bai Feng went directly to Fangxing Mountain.
In the following days, Bai Feng lived a two-point-line life from the Orphanage to Fangxing Mountain.
During the day, he would stay at Fangxing Mountain, using his Golden Finger to cultivate Fruit Trees and supervise Popplio and Bai Ye's Training. In the evening, Talonflame would take him home.
Such days were lonely and boring, almost completely isolated, but Bai Feng, who had lived on an Uninhabited Island for eight years, adapted well.
While Bai Feng was diligently cultivating Fruit Trees, he didn't know that others were also concerned about his planting Venture.
When Berries are planted in large quantities, sufficient customers are needed.
Especially for Berries with high Energy Level, because they cannot be directly taken to the Vegetable Market like E-grade and F-grade Berries. Without enough customers, the Berries would just rot on the Trees.
According to Bai Feng's idea, his Berries had high Energy Level, so finding customers shouldn't be difficult. Thus, he wasn't in a hurry and planned to wait until the Fruit Trees started bearing Fruit before looking for customers. Before that, he just needed to focus on raising the Energy Level of the Fruit Trees.
But Dongyu didn't think so. He felt that if Bai Feng planted Berries in such large quantities and couldn't sell them, wouldn't they all go to waste? The risk was too great.
So, while Bai Feng was focused on cultivating Fruit Trees, Dongyu had been contacting Pokémon Breeders through his good friends Yi Xuan and Zhen Yan.
Yi Xuan and Zhen Yan came from very good families. Although they didn't attend the Pokémon Department like Zhen Li, they were both second-generation rich kids who possessed Connections that ordinary people didn't have.
Through them, Dongyu met many Pokémon Breeder Students from the Pokémon Department. Through these Students, he learned a lot about the rules and market conditions of the Berry sales industry. He even got in touch with the Young Master of a Pokémon Day Care.
Major Pokémon Day Cares have always been large consumers of Berries. They breed Pokémon themselves and make Pokéblocks, Poképuffs, and other Pokémon Food themselves, all of which consume a large amount of Berries.
If he could establish a partnership with a Pokémon Day Care, then Bai Feng's Berries would truly have no trouble selling.
It must be said that Dongyu indeed had a great Talent for socializing. Although he appeared cold on the surface, once you interacted with him, you would find that he had great personal charm: sincere, meticulous, gentle...
The reason Dongyu was leaving early and returning late recently was because he was interacting with that Pokémon Day Care Young Master. Now, the two have initially become good friends.
In reality, long ago, Dongyu's dream, as Xiao You said, was to become a powerful Pokémon Trainer like the Elite Four.
But after starting School, he understood a principle: people are different. As a child from an Orphanage, without special opportunities, he could never become a powerful Pokémon Trainer in his lifetime.
He was a pragmatic person and didn't have the determination to keep going until he hit a wall. So, he decisively gave up this dream and gave up on becoming a Pokémon Trainer.
After graduating from Primary School, Dongyu chose to enroll in the General Department instead of the Pokémon Department.
His only wish now was to make Money, a lot of Money, so that the younger siblings at the Orphanage could have a good life, so that Director Meili wouldn't be so tired, and so that Xiao Limo could see the best doctor.
But he knew that achieving this goal through his own efforts might take many years.
Until Bai Feng showed his extraordinary Planting Talent.
That day, when Bai Feng showed Dongyu the Detection Result of the Berries he had planted, besides being shocked, Dongyu also saw another possibility in Bai Feng – a possibility that could help him achieve his goal sooner.
He thought, since it's all about making Money, instead of working for others in the future, why not work for Bai Feng? He saw an infinitely bright future in the Berries Bai Feng planted.
From that day on, Dongyu began preparing silently. He wanted to prove one thing to Bai Feng: he had the ability to become Bai Feng's Agent for Berry sales!
(End of Chapter)