Dusk fell.
In the two newly tilled plots, Lin Feng had planted a variety of herbs used for making high-quality potions. He'd also bought some Tamato Berry seeds from the seed shop in town, along with seeds for chili peppers, turnips, and other vegetables, and sowed them into the soil.
On his way home, he'd picked up a fish tank as well.
To show his appreciation to Sandshrew, Lin Feng made another serving of spicy Tamato noodles for dinner.
Sandshrew was so delighted that he kept casting eager glances toward the portions of the plantation that still hadn't been cleared. His little eyes seemed to say, Those plots are mine too. Remember to call me when there's work to do.
…
"Here, have some candy."
As Sandshrew was about to leave, Lin Feng took out a Rare Candy.
"Shrew shrew?"
Sandshrew looked puzzled as he took it with his paw.
"It's tasty."
Sandshrew sniffed it curiously, then popped it straight into his mouth without a second thought.
As soon as he swallowed, he felt the fatigue from the entire day's work melt away. A surge of energy and strength spread through his body.
Simple-minded Sandshrew didn't dwell on it. He just bowed politely to Lin Feng twice, then scurried off.
Only Lin Feng, peering through his Appraisal Eye, could see that Sandshrew's energy level had jumped from level 11-12 to level 13-14.
Overall, he'd gained two levels!
"Sni…"
Snivy let out a soft, slightly resentful sound from beside him.
Now she understood one thing very clearly.
Anything this human cooked…
Was basically top-tier gourmet cuisine!
"Alright, you've worked hard today too, helping weed two whole plots."
Lin Feng crouched down, smiling mysteriously as he looked at Snivy.
But that smile made Snivy feel strangely flustered. She accepted the Rare Candy, hesitated for a moment, and then seemed to make up her mind. She leaned in close to Lin Feng and lowered her head.
It looked suspiciously like she was asking him to pat her on the head.
"Haha…"
Lin Feng couldn't help laughing. As he passed her the candy, he also reached out and gently placed his hand on her head.
Her smooth scales felt like cool jelly under his touch, soft yet slick, with a pleasant chill.
In short…
The tactile sensation was amazing.
Having finally won Snivy's trust enough to be allowed to pat her head, Lin Feng decided there was no reason to keep stringing her along. He took out a Poké Ball and, in a sincere tone, set it down in front of her.
"Sni…?"
Snivy, who'd just placed the Rare Candy into her mouth, froze mid-chew when she saw the large Poké Ball appear right in front of her.
She stopped moving completely, going rigid like a statue.
Lin Feng spoke seriously. "Would you like to become my Pokémon?"
After spending a whole day together, he'd grown genuinely fond of this Snivy.
"Sni sni…?" (This… this is so sudden…)
Snivy averted her gaze, clearly flustered.
Though she felt positively toward Lin Feng…
Hearing such a direct question left her instinctively wanting to agree…
But after just one day of knowing each other, wasn't it all happening a bit too fast?
Lin Feng smiled. "When fate brings people together, how can you call it sudden? Besides, I'm asking you sincerely if you'd be willing to become my Pokémon."
After swallowing the Rare Candy, Snivy stared at the Poké Ball before finally twisting her head back around. Slowly, she placed her small hand on the Poké Ball.
"Sni sni!" (Well… since you're asking so sincerely… alright then…)
With a flash of red light, Snivy's body disappeared into the Poké Ball.
"Man, what a tsundere little thing she is."
Lin Feng shook his head with a laugh and immediately released her again.
Pokémon: Snivy
Gender: Female
Ability: Contrary
Potential: Red-tier
Individual Values: HP (23), Attack (21), Sp. Atk (25), Defense (25), Sp. Def (24), Speed (31)
Level: 14-19
Moves: Leaf Blade, Leaf Tornado, Glare, Vine Whip, Leech Seed
Description: She feels she might have met a pretty decent human.
Friendship: 60 (She thinks you're alright.)
Happiness: 60 (Happy, but a little hesitant.)
"Sni sni…?"
"Come on. Let's go meet another new friend."
Lin Feng took out Feebas's Poké Ball.
After working nonstop all day, he hadn't had the chance to release Feebas yet.
"Sni…"
Seeing that Lin Feng looked the same as always and hadn't changed one bit, Snivy let out a small sigh of relief for reasons she couldn't quite explain, and trotted along behind him with her tiny steps.
At the edge of the reservoir, the water had become crystal clear after a day of settling.
With a gentle tap, Lin Feng released Feebas from its Poké Ball.
The dull-eyed fish, upon seeing Lin Feng again, couldn't help revealing a glimmer of delight.
Lin Feng scooped it up from the water, allowing the curious Snivy to have a good look. She stared at Feebas's slightly scarred scales, falling into thoughtful silence.
Lin Feng had already checked out the system reward the beautiful scale he'd received was top-notch in quality.
But right now, Feebas's scales were still rather dirty and grimy.
If it was going to evolve…
Then of course Lin Feng wanted it to be in its best possible condition before that happened, so it could achieve the highest quality once it transformed.
He pulled the fish tank from his storage capsule, filled it with clean water, and gently placed Feebas inside.
Then, calling for Snivy, he brought his two little Pokémon into the house.
Feebas could just stay on the table for now.
As for Snivy…
That was no problem either.
When his mother had been alive, she'd carved a wooden hut for their Scyther to use as a home.
Although it was a bit old and worn, it was still perfectly suitable for Snivy now.
"Sni sni…?"
Seeing the wooden hut which clearly wasn't built to scale for her tiny body Snivy gave Lin Feng a curious look.
"This is because I'm considering the fact that you'll evolve into a Serperior in the future. Once that happens, you'll be much bigger, so I built the hut large enough to fit you later on."
Lin Feng delivered his explanation with a completely straight face.
Though in his heart, he suddenly remembered…
According to the Appraisal Eye, Snivy was already level 14 at the minimum.
If she evolved at level 16…
It shouldn't be too much longer, right?
Hmm.
Once she finished absorbing the energy from the Rare Candy, if he gave her one more, she'd probably be there.
"Sni sni…"
Snivy rolled her eyes at him. Did he think she was as clueless as a Magikarp?
This hut obviously wasn't newly built.
Yet he was claiming it was made especially for her.
Still, the hut was spacious, and the interior was spotless, clearly having been cleaned just recently.
She genuinely liked it.
And if there was any doubt about that…
Congratulations, Host! Snivy's Happiness has increased from 60% to 75%. You've earned eight bags of Golden Fertilizer, three Rare Candies, and a TM for Grassy Terrain.
That made it quite clear.
She really did like her new home.