**Chapter 34: New Employees, Moving to a New Home**
Bai Feng and Shen Mu walked downstairs together. As expected, they saw a middle-aged man dressed like a gentleman and a beautiful woman dressed like a noblewoman sitting in the Living Room. Needless to say, these two were Shen Mu's Father and Shen Mu's Mother.
"You must be Student Shen Mu's classmate. Welcome to our Home. I am Shen Mu's Father, and this is Shen Mu's Mother. It's a pleasure to meet you." The middle-aged man dressed like a gentleman greeted Bai Feng very kindly.
Bai Feng found it hard to imagine that such a polite and gentle man was the person Shen Mu described as being severely at odds with both his own father and his son.
"Hello," Shen Mu's Mother also said with a kind smile.
"Hello, Uncle and Auntie. My name is Bai Feng. Please forgive my abrupt visit today." Bai Feng wasn't the type to be smooth in social situations, so he didn't know how to interact with Shen Mu's parents. He could only try his best to be polite.
Shen Mu's Father laughed heartily, "Hahaha... Not abrupt at all, not abrupt at all. Even if there's a mistake, it's Shen Mu's fault. He didn't say anything beforehand about a classmate coming over today."
Hearing this, Shen Mu, who had been clenching his fists, tightened them further.
Ah, Bai Feng understood now. Shen Mu's Dad's gentleness and politeness were for outsiders; he was quite strict with his own son.
He could only say awkwardly, "My visit was a last-minute decision. You can't blame Shen Mu..."
Shen Mu's Mother also sensed the awkward atmosphere between father and son at this point, so she quickly changed the subject. "Oh, it's getting late. Why don't you stay for Dinner, Student Bai Feng? It's rare for Shen Mu to bring a classmate Home."
Bai Feng quickly shook his head and refused. "No, I shouldn't trouble Uncle and Auntie. I need to go Home now. My family is also waiting for me to come Home for Dinner."
Are you kidding? In this kind of family atmosphere, it would be strange if he could eat anything. It would be easy to get indigestion. Besides, he and Shen Mu didn't come back because they had a good relationship; he was just doing a small favor for him.
So, after greeting Shen Mu's parents, Bai Feng quickly left.
The next day at Schooling, Bai Feng saw that Shen Mu looked upset, so he asked if he had argued with his Dad again. Shen Mu just nodded slightly and didn't say anything else. Clearly, the father and son had a serious falling out.
Another day passed. During Class, Bai Feng suddenly received a Small Paper Note from Shen Mu, saying he had something to tell him After class.
Da Fu, who was sitting next to him, happened to see the note. He quietly leaned over and said, "When did you get so close to that big cold face?"
"Don't get so close to me!" Bai Feng pushed him away in disgust.
Da Fu pouted his lips and said with Grievance, "But we met first..."
Bai Feng thought to himself: Because weirdness is contagious.
After class, under Da Fu's "mournful" gaze, Bai Feng went directly to the Corridor where he had agreed to meet Shen Mu.
"Student Bai Feng, I want to ask you for a favor," Shen Mu said, looking a little hesitant.
"Go on," Bai Feng said, puzzled.
"I've secretly brought back my grandfather's Pokémon," Shen Mu said, taking a deep breath. "But I don't know where to put them."
If he took them Home, his father definitely wouldn't agree and might even fly into a rage. But if he kept them outside, he had only recently been brought to Couriway Town by his father and didn't know anyone at all.
Later, he went to inquire about the boarding service at the Breeder's House, but it required a parent's witness. Otherwise, children under sixteen couldn't handle it alone.
Of course, he couldn't go to his parents. Having no other choice, Shen Mu had to ask Bai Feng for help, the only person he could really say he knew.
"So you want those Pokémon to stay with me temporarily?" Bai Feng asked.
Shen Mu nodded sheepishly. He knew it was a bit inappropriate since they weren't that close, but he was truly at his wit's end.
"How many Pokémon are there, and what types are they?" Bai Feng didn't refuse directly but asked another question.
"Five!" Shen Mu quickly said, afraid that Bai Feng would refuse if he was too late. "There are five in total: one Machoke, one Nidoking, one Nidoqueen, one Vaporeon, and one Leavanny."
"These five..." Bai Feng frowned in thought, then suddenly looked up and said, "Alright, I can take them in. And you don't even need to pay for their Meals."
"How can I do that!" Shen Mu said anxiously.
"Don't worry, let me finish," Bai Feng even stopped Shen Mu from speaking further. "I have an Orchard, and I'm currently short on help. If they can come and work for me, I can provide food and lodging for free."
Ever since he bought the new Fang Cun Mountain, Bai Feng had been finding the work a bit strenuous, so hiring some new employees was very necessary.
Shen Mu's eyes lit up when he heard this. Then he thought for a moment before saying, "Although I personally don't see any problem, I still need to ask the Pokémon for their opinion first."
"Of course," Bai Feng nodded. Then he suddenly added, "How about we visit my Orchard together After school? Do you have those Pokémon with you? If so, let them come along. They can make a good decision after seeing it for themselves!"
"Yes, I have them," Shen Mu nodded quickly. He had nowhere else to keep them if he didn't carry them with him.
So the two agreed to go to Fang Xing Mountain together After school.
After school in the afternoon, Bai Feng told Fuyu and then took Shen Mu to Fang Xing Mountain.
Walking along the Mountain Path, Bai Feng pointed at the Fruit Trees covering the mountain and said to Shen Mu, "Look, this is my Orchard!"
Shen Mu stared blankly at the beautiful Fruit Trees that were currently in bloom and asked unconsciously, "Is all of this yours alone?"
Bai Feng replied with a hint of pride, "That's right. How about we release those five Pokémon now? It's a good chance for them to get to know this place better."
"Oh, oh... okay." Shen Mu numbly took out five Poké Balls, and immediately five Pokémon appeared before the two of them.
Looking at the unfamiliar environment before them, the five Pokémon looked at Shen Mu in confusion. So Shen Mu told them about Bai Feng's offer to hire them.
Bai Feng explained, "If you work for me, you'll be earning your keep with your abilities from now on. You won't have any psychological burden, and you won't have to worry about being kicked out."
Bai Feng's words hit a sore spot for the five Pokémon. When they were raised in someone else's Home before, didn't they have a heavy psychological burden and have to rely on others' moods? Those days were truly difficult.
Although they had been brought back by Shen Mu now, they still worried every day about whether they would cause trouble for Shen Mu.
"You really won't kick us out? And it includes food and lodging?" Vaporeon asked cautiously.
"Of course!" Bai Feng replied.
Just then, a flock of Talonflame flew across the Sky. Bai Feng pointed at them and said, "Look, the Talonflame also work here. Their Task is to patrol and guard. They've been working here for several years. They don't have to worry about food, drink, or accommodation every day, as long as they work diligently!"
Hearing this, Vaporeon finally believed Bai Feng's words. It was very envious of the Talonflame's living situation, so it jumped up happily and immediately accepted Bai Feng's offer of employment.
Seeing that Vaporeon had agreed, the other four Pokémon also expressed their willingness one after another.
Seeing that the five Pokémon all had a Destination, Shen Mu immediately became so Excited that his eyes welled up with tears.
"This is great! Now Grandpa and I won't have to worry about you having nowhere to go anymore!" After saying that, Shen Mu looked at Bai Feng again and said, "Student Bai Feng, thank you for your help. I really..."
Bai Feng raised his hand to stop Shen Mu from continuing. He explained, "I'm not just doing this to help you. As you can see, managing such a large Orchard by myself is simply too tiring. Hiring employees is a necessity."
Student Shen Mu nodded and didn't say anything more. Instead, he looked at the five Pokémon and said, "Work hard here from now on. I'll come and visit you often."
Seeing that they were making the atmosphere so "heroic and tragic," Bai Feng quickly said, "Let me show you around and introduce you to your usual work Tasks."
After saying that, Bai Feng took Shen Mu and the five Pokémon for a stroll on the mountain, introducing to each Pokémon what they would be doing in the future.
Managing the Orchard was a very tedious task; every Fruit Tree needed careful nurturing. However, Bai Feng usually spent most of his Time on sorting out the Tree Diagrams for the Fruit Trees and illuminating the Root Tree Diagrams, so he couldn't attend to many miscellaneous chores.
Although the Diglett family usually helped, there were only three of them after all. Now that another Fang Cun Mountain had been added, relying solely on the three of them would mean an excessive workload.
The five Pokémon listened very attentively to Bai Feng's explanation. In their opinion, the workload Bai Feng mentioned wasn't large at all and was completely manageable for them.
During this time, they also met the Diglett family who were working. The three members of the Diglett family kindly introduced to the five Pokémon how to manage the Fruit Trees and how to care for them. They got to know each other initially.
When they reached the Mountain Top, Bai Feng pointed at the Employee Dormitory, which was already half-built, and said to the five Pokémon, "This is the Dormitory being built for you. You can move in once it's finished. For now, you'll have to make do with the Wooden House."
The five Pokémon had no objections whatsoever. Although the Wooden House was simple, living there felt secure.
In the following days, the five Pokémon settled down on Fang Xing Mountain. Bai Feng also assigned them their respective jobs.
Machoke, Nidoking, and Nidoqueen had great strength and sturdy physiques, so Bai Feng assigned them some Stamina-intensive work, such as helping transport the harvested Berries to the Warehouse at the foot of the mountain every day, and occasionally clearing land on Fang Cun Mountain.
Vaporeon, being a Water-type Pokémon, was responsible for watering the Fruit Trees every day.
Since there were no rivers on either Fang Xing Mountain or Fang Cun Mountain, the only Water source was in the valley between the two mountains, making fetching Water inconvenient. Watering the Fruit Trees on the mountain could only be done manually.
Bai Feng had considered building irrigation facilities, but after inquiring, he gave up immediately. It was simply too expensive; it was more cost-effective to hire Water-type Pokémon! Water-type Pokémon could also practice their Skills at the same time.
Leavanny was arranged to manage the Fruit Trees with the Diglett family, such as picking Berries and pruning Fruit Trees. Leavanny could do these jobs very well.
Bai Feng, on the other hand, went to Schooling during the day, returned to the Orphanage for lunch and dinner, and after dusk, went to Fang Xing Mountain and Fang Cun Mountain to cultivate Fruit Trees. He didn't return to the Orphanage to sleep until eleven or twelve o'clock every night.
Such days were both Busy and hard, but Bai Feng was full of energy every day and never slacked off.
Shen Mu also often came to Fang Cun Mountain. Besides visiting Vaporeon and the others, he would occasionally lend Bai Feng a hand.
As Time passed, his relationship with Bai Feng got better and better. Sometimes, he would even stay with Bai Feng on Fang Cun Mountain until very late before going back.
Compared to returning to that very oppressive Home every day, he preferred staying on Fang Cun Mountain with Bai Feng, reading a Book, Training Pokémon, or doing some farm work. It was very relaxing and comfortable.
At first, his parents naturally kept scolding Shen Mu for coming Home late every day, but Shen Mu usually let it go in one ear and out the other. When he really couldn't stand it anymore, he would have a big argument with his father.
Later, after Shen Mu's Father learned that Shen Mu was staying at Bai Feng's Orchard every day, he gradually stopped restricting him so much.
As long as Shen Mu wasn't causing trouble outside, Shen Mu's Father felt that nothing else was a big deal. If he didn't come Home, then so be it. Anyway, they always argued non-stop when he was Home.
During his time spent with Bai Feng, Shen Mu grew more and more admirable of him. He admired Bai Feng's ability to repeat complex and tedious work day after day to cultivate Fruit Trees, and he also admired Bai Feng's ability to build his own business at such a young age.
If he had Bai Feng's capability, would he still be unable to house his grandfather's Pokémon because of Fear of his father? He Sure wouldn't. He probably would have already clashed with his father.
With Bai Feng as a role model, Shen Mu began to study seriously. Besides learning the Knowledge taught in the School's Breeding Major, he would also attend the Battle Major Courses.
Although he was forced into the Breeding Major by his father, Shen Mu hadn't given up hope. He wanted to become a powerful Trainer through his own efforts and leave his father speechless!
A month passed in the blink of an Eye. Both the employees' Dormitory and Bai Feng's New Home were already built. Taking advantage of not having Schooling that day, Bai Feng moved Home and invited Director Meili, all the children from the Orphanage, and Shen Mu to be guests at his New Home.
To be precise, Shen Mu came by himself. He came to Fang Xing Mountain as usual to visit Vaporeon and the others and happened to encounter Bai Feng moving Home and hosting guests, so Bai Feng invited him along as well.
The Pokémon had all moved into the new Dormitory. To celebrate their move, Bai Feng not only gave them extra Meals but also gave them Money, which was all kept with Fuyu. If the Pokémon wanted to buy anything, they could ask Fuyu for help.
Bai Feng's New Home was built exceptionally large. Besides a huge Garden, there were many, many Rooms. There were two Main Houses right next to each other, almost identical in both location and internal Structure, only the interior decorations were different. These were the residences of Bai Ye and Bai Feng, mother and son.
Popplio and Helioptile also had their own Rooms, but unfortunately, they didn't want to live alone in a Room and insisted on living with Bai Feng. Bai Feng had no choice but to let them.
Bai Ye, on the other hand, moved into the New Home with the Dark Green Pokémon Egg.
That night, everyone from the Orphanage stayed overnight in the new house, planning to add some liveliness to Bai Feng's New Home.
In the middle of the night, Bai Feng tossed and turned, unable to sleep. After glancing at Popplio and Helioptile next to him, who were already drooling, he got out of bed quietly without disturbing them.
Everyone was already asleep by then. After a lively afternoon, everyone was quite tired, so the Courtyard was quiet at the moment, perhaps a little too quiet.
The bright moonlight shone straight down, giving off an inexplicably cold feeling. Bai Feng couldn't help but shiver.
It's a bit cold!
After all, living on the Mountain Top, even though Fang Xing Mountain wasn't high, the temperature was always a bit lower than at the foot of the mountain.
"Gardevoir~" My dear!
Just then, Bai Feng suddenly heard Bai Ye's voice. Turning his head, he saw that the light in Bai Ye's Room was still on, and she was standing by the window, holding the Dark Green Pokémon Egg.
Bai Feng walked to the window and asked, "Mom, why aren't you asleep so late? Are you too happy to sleep, just like me?"
After leaving the Island and working hard for several years, he finally had a Home of his own. Bai Feng felt both Excited and complicated, which was why he was tossing and turning in bed, unable to sleep. So he had to come out for a walk.
"Gardevoir~" Yes.
Gardevoir nodded.
Bai Feng joked, "Then we mother and son are quite in sync!"
"Gardevoir~" Of course!
Bai Ye lifted her chin and said matter-of-factly.
"Hahaha..." Seeing this, Bai Feng laughed happily. He didn't dare to laugh too loudly, afraid of disturbing others' sleep.
Suddenly, he looked at Bai Ye again and asked, "Mom, do you like the current life?"
"Gardevoir~ Gardevoir~" Yes, I like it very much!
Bai Ye answered without hesitation. Planting things every day, Training, eating whatever she wanted, playing whatever she wanted, it was very interesting, much more interesting than the monotonous, unchanging life on the Island day after day.
On the Island, there was no Television to watch, no internet to go online, no endless supply of Berries and Energy Cubes, and certainly no warm and comfortable big house. There were only Trees, Stones, the Beach, Seawater... When the weather was bad, they would encounter strong winds and heavy rain. Typhoons were practically commonplace there, and life was very hard.
Bai Ye's mind was simple, and her requirements for life were also very simple, making it much easier for her to find happiness.
"That's good!" Hearing Bai Ye's words, Bai Feng breathed a sigh of relief. "Alright, it's very late now. You should go to bed early. I'm going to sleep too."
"Gardevoir~" Okay, go to sleep quickly, or you won't grow tall!
After the mother and son chatted for a few sentences, their emotions miraculously calmed down. They fell asleep shortly after lying down in bed and slept soundly until dawn.
The next day, before the children were even up, Director Meili and Fuyu were already busy in the Kitchen early in the morning. After hearing the noise, Bai Feng also quickly went to help.
After Breakfast was ready, Bai Feng was about to go wake the children up to eat, but he saw Bai Ye tinkering with something in the Courtyard.
"Mom, Breakfast is ready. What are you doing?" Bai Feng walked over and asked, puzzled.
Bai Ye turned her head when she heard the voice. She was holding a small shovel in one hand, covered in wet Soil, and in the other hand, she held an unknown Green Plant, which looked a bit listless from being squeezed by her.
"Gardevoir~ Gardevoir~" I'm planting Flowers! It would be such a waste if I didn't plant some Flowers and Plants in such a big Garden!
Gardevoir replied with a smile.
"You don't need to be Busy so early in the morning! It's not too late to be Busy after eating Breakfast. Look at you, covered in Mud! How are you going to eat later?"
Saying this, Bai Feng walked to the nearby Pond, filled a basin with Water for Bai Ye, brought it to her, and used a towel to wipe the Mud off her face and chest.
Bai Ye pouted and said, "I woke up early, so I had nothing to do!"
(End of this chapter)