By now, it was already midday.
Even on the mountain under the shade of tents, the heat had started to settle in, and the crowd was slowly thinning out.
When Shufen saw Lin Feng approaching, she looked a little surprised.
"Kid, I didn't expect the crops from your plantation to be so popular…"
She hadn't paid special attention to Lin Feng earlier, but the crowd around his stall was hard to miss, drawing glances from everyone around.
Lin Feng chuckled, "Maybe it's because the Pokémon are too eye-catching."
"Wait here a bit. I'll pack up the wine, then take you to the hive."
Shufen nodded without prying, and began storing away the wine barrels using Pokéballs designed for item storage.
Meanwhile, Lin Feng couldn't help but ask,
"I noticed that the other plantation owners here aren't selling that many goods. Since it's the same as selling at the market down below, why not just sell there?"
Coincidentally, a burly man with a thick beard walked by, accompanied by a towering Machamp nearly three meters tall, its muscles bulging and veins standing out like earthworms under its skin.
Hearing Lin Feng's question, the man interjected with a hearty laugh.
"You've got it wrong, kid. This festival in Grape Wine Town lasts about three days every year. While there's a lot of foot traffic, the real reason people come is to attract buyers from bigger industries ones looking to purchase honeygrape wine and honeygrapes in bulk."
He continued, "So it's not about selling individual fruits or plants. It's about seeing if any companies are willing to strike a large deal."
Lin Feng nodded in sudden understanding.
So that's what this was about business deals.
Seeing the realization on Lin Feng's face, the big man stepped closer, a curious look on his face.
"Kid, you said you're a plantation owner from Wutong Town? Funny I've never heard of you."
He was the stall owner next to Lin Feng, selling a type of fruit called Phoenix Pear. Consumed regularly, it made Fighting-type Pokémon's skin tougher and more durable.
Earlier, he'd been quite envious of the traffic around Lin Feng's booth. Still, thanks to that attention, he'd sold out all his fruit at high prices and even landed a potential deal with a decent company.
Lin Feng replied, "I inherited my father's plantation just this year."
The big man gave a knowing nod, looking a bit sentimental.
"That explains it. But to be able to grow so many kinds of berries in just a year, and to be a high-level Breeder too… young folks these days are really something."
He added, "From the look of your Pokémon earlier, they seem pretty strong. You planning to join the arena challenge later?"
Lin Feng nodded.
After all, one-thirtieth of the honeygrape harvest was no small reward. If used for brewing, it could produce quite a bit of wine and it'd sell steadily from his breeding house for a long time.
There was no way he'd miss out on such an easy prize.
Seeing Lin Feng's answer, the big man burst out laughing.
"Great! Then I'll look forward to it. Let me show you the power of my muscle-bound Machamp! Watch out it's strong as hell. This year's first place will definitely be ours!"
"And hey, young man real trainers love muscle-type Pokémon! Just look at my Machamp!"
The Machamp flexed its biceps right on cue, proudly showing off its muscles.
"Uh…" Lin Feng could only give an awkward smile and a nod.
When it came to muscle-types, he actually preferred Lucario… or maybe Blaziken.
Still, there were always folks who loved Machamp, Incineroar, or even Buzzwole.
At that moment, Shufen had finished packing the barrels and said to the man,
"Don't get ahead of yourself. Don't end up losing to this young man here."
The big guy rubbed his shiny bald head and widened his eyes.
"Lose? Come on! If it hadn't been for that Elite Four trainer showing up last year, I would've taken first place!"
"This year, I will win. Just wait, Sister Fen you'll be helping me pick honeygrapes this time!"
With that, he left, laughing as he went.
Shufen could only shake her head in exasperation before turning to Lin Feng.
"Come with me, kid."
Without saying more, Lin Feng followed her down a flight of stone steps. About halfway down the mountain, they veered onto a narrow path. After a short walk, another flat clearing came into view.
This time, however, the surrounding area was blooming with colorful flowers.
In the center stood a large wooden cabin, surrounded by wooden boxes.
The air was thick with the sweet scent of honey and flowers.
"Bzzzz…"
As the two approached, dozens of Pokémon flew out from the wooden boxes.
Their bodies were hexagonal and golden-yellow, with delicate, cicada-like wings that buzzed as they flapped. Each was made up of three joined individuals, forming a single, unified Pokémon.
But each "head" had its own expression and a pair of dark, curious eyes.
Clearly, each of the three mini-bees had its own thoughts.
Yet these were incredibly loyal Pokémon. From the moment they were born, they served a single queen the Vespiquen ruling their hive.
Lin Feng's eyes lit up.
Combee!
Wasn't this the very thing he came here for?
"Bzz bzz bzz~"
Two Combee nearest to Shufen fluttered over, blinking their eyes as they buzzed around her.
Shufen gently patted one of them.
"Every year, plantation owners come asking for Combee to help with pollination. But the flowering season for most berries is short. Once it ends, the Combee they borrow often end up with nothing to do."
"For such diligent Pokémon, idleness makes them uneasy. They begin to feel like their 'queen' no longer needs them and they fall into depression. That's why I only give out Combee to people who agree to plant flowers. At least that way, they'll have something to keep them busy."
Lin Feng nodded in agreement.
That kind of knowledge was covered back in high school.
But still, he felt a deep admiration in his heart.
What kind of wonderful Pokémon were these?
To get depressed just because they had no work?
Well, his garden was big enough. They'd never be idle there…
Plus, Combee were just plain adorable.
Tiny eyes, tiny mouths.
Their colors and shapes were like three little honey cubes stacked together.
"Combee come in male and female forms. Only the females can evolve into Vespiquen. But I don't have many females, so I can't sell those to you."
She added, "But there's really not much difference. All of these Combee have been trained by me. They can produce honey even without a queen and in that case, they'll see you as their king."
Lin Feng blinked.
"They can do that?"
Shufen nodded.
"Yes. And the larger your flower garden, the faster they produce honey. Under ideal conditions, one Combee can make ten pounds of honey per day. So tell me, kid how many flowers have you planted?"
"Hold on…" Lin Feng quickly turned to his Rotom.
"Rotom, pull up the photos of the garden, and the stone path too…"
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