Chapter 10: The First Pot of Gold
Two days later, Fuyu brought Bai Feng to the Open Space Outside No. 4 Middle School to meet 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 children and angrily said to her younger brother and his friend, "This is what you meant by High-Quality Tree Fruit? You brought two kids here to fool me?"
The younger brother's friend immediately appeased his older sister, saying, "How would I dare, Sister Zhen Li! Please don't worry! Since you're already here, at least take a look. What if their Berries can satisfy you?"
He and Fuyu were both classmates and good friends, so naturally, he had to speak up for his good friend.
Zhen Li thought about it and felt it was true. Since she was already here, and besides, the one who called her was her own younger brother, what could she do? She might as well go back and beat him up later to vent her anger.
Also, that kid Yi Xuan, they had known each other for at least ten years, he wouldn't lie to her. Maybe there really were good Berries?
After preparing herself mentally, Zhen Li sized up Fuyu and Bai Feng with a cold face: "Are you the ones selling Berries?"
Upon hearing this, Bai Feng immediately stepped forward and said sweetly, "Beautiful older sister, it's us. I've brought the Berry samples and the Test Results. Please take a look first, and if you're not satisfied, we can discuss it further." In fact, Bai Feng was very confident about his Berries.
Originally, Zhen Li was still a little angry, but seeing that Bai Feng was good-looking and spoke sweetly, the little bit of anger left in her heart disappeared.
Over the past year or so, Bai Feng's originally dark skin had become fairer, and he had also 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. Then I'll take a look first. Oh right, my name is Zhen Li, what are your names?"
"Older sister is truly beautiful and kind-hearted," Bai Feng said smilingly. "My name is Bai Feng, and the one next to me is my older brother, Fuyu. My older brother and Brother 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 an Energy Rating of B-Grade and C-Grade respectively.
Zhen Li picked one from them, nodded slightly, and said, "The appearance is quite good. The color and shape are both quite standard." It seemed she really hadn't come for nothing.
"Older sister, please try it and taste it. I've washed all the Berries," Bai Feng continued to say.
"Okay." Zhen Li nodded, gently took a bite of the Berry in her hand, and the next second she was amazed by its unique flavor. "This... is this really the Berry you grew?"
Bai Feng saw Zhen Li's expression and knew the business was half done. He quickly nodded and said, "Of course! How could I lie to older sister about this?"
Zhen Li hurriedly said, "Didn't you say you brought the Test Results? Quickly show me."
"Okay!" Bai Feng busily took out the Test Results he had prepared in advance from his pocket and handed them to Zhen Li.
Zhen Li took it and looked. She saw the large characters "C-Grade" clearly written at the top of the paper. So she nodded in satisfaction, thinking to herself: The flavor is unique, and the Energy Rating isn't low. It's enough.
She didn't expect the little brother to actually have some skill, and he was good-looking too!
While thinking, Zhen Li continued flipping down. After flipping to the next few pages, her eyes couldn't help but widen.
B... B-Grade?
Zhen Li thought she was seeing things. She subconsciously rubbed her eyes and looked carefully again.
That's right, it still said B-Grade.
"You must have written this wrong, right? How could it be B-Grade?" Zhen Li said to Bai Feng, pointing at the Test Results. She really couldn't believe she had actually encountered B-Grade Berries outside.
Zhen Li's younger brother Zhen Yan and his friend Yi Xuan also leaned their heads over, and immediately widened their eyes in similar disbelief.
"B-Grade? This isn't a joke, is it?"
"Fuyu?" Yi Xuan looked at his friend Fuyu, with an expression that asked 'What's going on?'.
Fuyu nodded towards Yi Xuan, indicating that what his friend saw was real. At the same time, he smiled bitterly in his heart, because he had the same reaction when he first saw these Test Results.
Receiving his friend's affirmative reply, Yi Xuan's expression cracked. B-rated Berries, wow, they were actually cultivated by a child! Is there anything more fantastical than this?
Currently, the Berries available on the Market for Pokémon are generally rated D. Even the Energy Cubes and Pokémon Souffles in the Pokémon Food Store are made using Berries of this level.
C-Grade Berries, which are higher than that, need to be bought at special Specialty Stores. Ordinary small shops no longer sell them. Even if they do, it's only a small batch supply, only provided to old customers or high-quality customers.
When Berries reach B-Grade, it's hard to see them on the Market. These are monopolized resources. If you really want to buy them, you have to find special channels.
A-Grade Berries belong to specially supplied resources, and even higher grade S-Grade Berries go without saying. Ordinary people are simply not qualified to access them.
"Older sister, these Test Results are genuine. I have no need to lie to you in this regard. Also, consider these two baskets of Berries as today's Greeting Gift. I'm giving them to older sister. You can take them back and look first, and after you've confirmed, contact me again. I'll be waiting for older sister."
Bai Feng spoke very sweetly. With a face full of smiles, he stuffed the baskets in his hands into Zhen Li's hands.
Zhen Li thought to herself: That's true. This kind of thing can't fool people, because a Detector isn't hard to get, and you can test it out just by using it casually.
"Little friend, you're very capable! 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-faced cheek.
A young boy who can cultivate B-Grade Berries has unlimited potential. Taking him home wouldn't be a loss.
"Older sister, 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 disliking older sister because she's old?" Saying this, she looked at Bai Feng with a mournful expression.
Fuyu, Zhen Yan, and Yi Xuan on the side had already started rolling their eyes.
Fuyu: ∑(O_O;)
Zhen Yan: (Д)ノ
Yi Xuan: (_)
Bai Feng said with a difficult expression, "Older sister, my mom doesn't allow me to date early."
Upon hearing this, Zhen Li stopped teasing Bai Feng. "I'll accept your Gift then. I'll give you a reply tomorrow." After saying this, she strode away, carrying the baskets.
"Okay! Goodbye older sister." Bai Feng enthusiastically waved towards Zhen Li.
After Zhen Li left, Yi Xuan patted Fuyu's shoulder and said, "Brother, you really gave me a surprise! I didn't expect Brother Bai Feng to be so talented."
I say, I only found out today, do you believe me?
It's just that Fuyu could only say these words in his heart. He only explained as if unintentionally, "Bai Feng has always been very talented in this regard, so Gym Leader Fu Ade likes him very much and guided him a lot with Planting Knowledge."
Bai Feng was still young and currently didn't have the ability to protect himself, so Fuyu felt it was better not to let his overly outstanding talent be exposed in front of others. Just using someone else's name would be enough.
Besides, he didn't lie either. Grandpa Fu did indeed guide Bai Feng in planting techniques, it's just that he didn't teach him hand-in-hand like a teacher.
"Gym Leader Fu Ade? Is that the Gym Leader of Bi Yi Dojo?" Yi Xuan and Zhen Yan suddenly understood after hearing this. No wonder.
Both of them automatically attributed the B-Grade Berries cultivated by Bai Feng to Grandpa Fu.
After parting ways with the two, on the way Home, Fuyu said to Bai Feng, "Later, pack some Berries and send them to Bi Yi Dojo for Grandpa Fu. Although these might not be much to him, it's at least your intention."
Although Bai Feng would have done this even without Fuyu saying it, Bai Feng was still very touched. Plus, Fuyu had just explained for him with that kind of explanation. He sincerely said to Fuyu, "Thank you, Brother Fuyu."
Fuyu didn't speak, he just gently patted Bai Feng's shoulder.
The next day, Zhen Li indeed arrived as agreed. Her face was full of joy; one look and you could tell she was very satisfied with yesterday's Berries.
"Brother Bai Feng, how many B-Grade Berries do you have? Older sister wants all of them," Zhen Li said boldly as soon as they met.
Bai Feng said with a difficult expression, "But right now, only one batch of Berries has ripened. We still have to wait a bit longer for the rest."
"Is that so?" Zhen Li thought for a moment and said, "Then give me the ripe ones first. For the rest, wait until they ripen and then contact me again."
"Okay! Older sister is really cool," Bai Feng said, flattering her while continuing to promote. "Don't you want the C-Grade Berries, older sister? Our C-Grade Berries are also very good."
"Then give me some C-Grade too." B-Grade Berries were rare, she couldn't just use them all casually. She still had to buy some C-Grade ones. Just based on the taste of those Berries, it wouldn't be a loss no matter what.
"Older sister, if you think they're good, please help me promote them more in front of your classmates."
As a student of the Pokémon Department, if Zhen Li could bring him a few classmates, then one telling ten and ten telling a hundred, wouldn't the market open up?
Zhen Li patted Bai Feng in satisfaction and said, "Don't worry, older sister will definitely help you with this little favor."
After Zhen Li placed the order, the two parted ways.
As soon as Bai Feng got Home, he shouted at Bai Ye, "Mom, time to work!"
"Gardevoir... Gardevoir~" You're back! How was it? Did it work out? Bai Ye asked impatiently.
"Gardevoir... Gardevoir~" 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 going to welcome his First Pot of Gold, his heart was both happy and complicated.
The mother and son hugged each other and jumped and bounced.
Bai Feng was happy because their life was finally going to get better, while Bai Ye was happy because Bai Feng's effort hadn't been wasted.
To be honest, Bai Ye never felt 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, everything else wasn't important.
If Bai Feng was happy, it was also happy.
After they finished being happy, Bai Feng said to Bai Ye, "Okay, 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 helping, picking the Berries became a very simple job.
Bai Ye was responsible for picking, while Bai Feng held the Detector and was responsible for determining the rating of the Berries, then storing the B-Grade and C-Grade ones separately.
The mother and son were busy for a short while when Dean Meili saw the Situation here, so she brought Xiaoyou, Ikki, and the others to help.
Everyone worked together, moving baskets and picking Berries. They quickly and efficiently finished picking the Berries and packed them well.
After picking finished, while the Berries were fresh, Bai Feng directly called a car and sent them to Zhen Li.
After Zhen Li confirmed the Berries were okay, she immediately paid the money.
This batch of Berries had one hundred catties of B-Grade and three hundred catties of C-Grade. Bai Feng had already waived the small change for Zhen Li. After knowing this, Zhen Li directly praised Bai Feng for being good at doing business and promised she would definitely promote for him.
On the Market, the average price for C-Grade Berries is one hundred fifty units per catty, and B-Grade is generally three hundred units per catty. So, this batch of Berries sold for a total of seventy-five thousand units for Bai Feng.
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 on the account, Bai Feng's heart was trembling.
He finally had money!
After returning Home, Bai Feng quietly went to see Dean Meili.
Seeing Bai Feng, Dean Meili happily asked, "How was it? Was the delivery smooth?"
Bai Feng nodded and said, "Dean Meili, I have something I want to discuss with you."
Dean Meili asked doubtfully, "Tell me."
So Bai Feng said he wanted to take one-tenth of the income from selling the Berries and leave it for the children.
After hearing this, Dean Meili hurriedly refused, saying, "How can that be? Those Berries were grown by you with great effort. 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 are family! What's helping with this little bit?" Dean 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 Berries is from the orphanage. It's not too much for me to pay some rent now, is it?"
Dean Meili was rendered speechless by what Bai Feng said.
Bai Feng then continued to say, "Dean Meili, this money is saved by me for the children. You don't have the right to decide for them. Also, Little Rimo, you also don't want her to be unable to speak her whole life, right? As long as there's money, she can go see a doctor, and maybe she'll be cured someday!"
Dean Meili was unable to refuse. In the end, she could only agree with tears in her eyes. She hugged Bai Feng and buried her head in Bai Feng's neck.
"You are a good child..."
Bai Feng didn't know what expression Dean Meili had at this moment, but he faintly felt waves of dampness coming from his neck.
After a long while, Bai Feng said softly, "Please don't tell the children about this money yet. Wait until they need it in the future, then you can take it out."
"I know," Dean Meili said softly.
After that, Bai Feng transferred seven thousand five hundred units to Dean Meili.
Only the first batch of this season's Berries had been sold. The later ones would continue to ripen one after another. When they were sold for money, he would draw out ten percent from the earnings and leave it for the children.
Having money, Bai Feng decided to properly reward himself. So the next day, he brought Bai Ye, Youta, Nanako, Ikki, Xiaoyou, and Rimo to the West District, planning to take them to have a good time playing and eat a good meal.
They didn't have Schooling this day, so nothing would happen if they came back a little later.
Originally, he also invited Fuyu, but Fuyu said he had plans with a classmate, so everyone had no choice but to leave him behind and go play themselves.
Before setting off, Bai Feng found two Bamboo Baskets, picked some Berries and put them in to bring along. He planned to give them to Miss Jun Sha and Captain Sanders and the others. Coincidentally, they all lived 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 Miss Jun Sha had found them a place to settle down. Bai Feng had always remembered their kindness.
Although one basket of Berries wasn't considered valuable, it was his intention after all.
After everything was ready, Bai Feng and Bai Ye set off with a group of little radish heads.
It was the children's first time coming out to play in this form, so they were all very excited along the way, their hearts full of anticipation.
After arriving at the West District, Bai Feng planned to first send the Berries to Miss Jun Sha and Mr. Sanders, and then go play. This way would also be a bit easier.
Since going to the Bluebird Orphanage, it was Bai Feng's first time returning to the West District. Looking at the bustling streets and the densely packed tall buildings, he was actually a little unaccustomed.
After arriving at the Police Station, Bai Feng let the children wait in the lobby. He himself found a police officer and asked about Miss Jun Sha's whereabouts.
"You're looking for Miss Jun Sha? She's out on patrol," said the police officer. "Do you have something? If you don't mind, I can relay it." The one speaking with Bai Feng was a beautiful police officer, but it wasn't Miss Jun Sha.
"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 Miss Jun Sha. Just say it's from Bai Feng at the Bluebird Orphanage."
"Don't worry, I will relay it for you." Seeing it was just one basket of Berries and wasn't against regulations, the police officer accepted it.
Leaving the Police Station, Bai Feng also 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 is often not at the Research Institute.
(End of this chapter)