Chapter 6: Exploring the Mysteries of Berries
Perhaps growing a Fruit Tree from planting a Seed takes a long time, but he lacks nothing now except time.
Even a Diglett can raise a Fruit Tree so well, there's no reason he can't! Besides, trying doesn't cost money. So he said to the Diglett: "Is that little Sapling yours too?"
The Diglett looked in the direction Bai Feng pointed, confused: "Hmm? When did a little Sapling appear there? Did the Fruit Pit I threw away sprout?"
It's just a little Sapling. It will take who knows how long for it to grow and bear Fruit. It doesn't have the energy to take care of another one.
So the Diglett shook its head, indicating it wasn't its.
Bai Feng was happy when he heard this and said: "Then can I take it?"
Seeing the Diggersby look like 'whatever', Bai Feng quickly called Bai Ye to dig up the Fruit Tree together.
As Bai Ye dug, she thought: My treasure is so smart. Why didn't we think of growing Fruit Trees ourselves before! (Bai Feng: I was an idiot before.)
The mother and son quickly dug up the Fruit Tree along with the Soil around its roots. Although Bai Feng wasn't an agriculture student, he hadn't eaten pork but had seen pigs run! He still knew this basic knowledge; it was beneficial for the Fruit Tree's survival.
With the Fruit Tree in hand, the mother and son happily returned home.
The first thing Bai Feng did upon returning home was to find Director Meili. Director Meili was currently telling stories to Youta, Nanako, and the others.
He ran over and said to Director Meili, word by word: "Director Meili... I... this... planting a Tree... is it okay?"
Director Meili looked at the little Sapling Bai Ye was holding in surprise: "Bai Feng, you want to plant this Tree?"
Bai Feng nodded.
Director Meili thought for a moment, then smiled and nodded in agreement: "Of course, no problem. Shall I find a place outside for you?"
Bai Feng nodded gratefully: "Thank you, Director Meili."
So Director Meili stood up and said to Youta and the others: "Wait a moment, I'll be right back."
"Grandma Mei Li, you go ahead, we'll wait for you," Nanako said obediently, holding Rimo in her arms.
Led by Grandma Mei Li, Bai Feng and the others came to a small Clearing behind the Orphanage building. This area also belonged to the Orphanage.
Originally, Grandma Mei Li wanted to use this place to plant flowers, but she had too many things to do normally and simply couldn't spare the energy to tend to a Garden, so the place was left vacant here.
Before they came, Director Meili also found Bai Feng a Small Shovel and a Watering Can.
"Bai Feng, do you think planting it here is okay?" Director Meili asked.
"Okay, thank you, Director Meili."
After saying that, Bai Feng chose a spot, took the Small Shovel, and started digging.
"Do you need help?" Director Meili saw Bai Feng sticking his butt out and struggling greatly just to dig up a small piece of Soil, so she kindly asked.
Bai Feng shook his head and refused: "I can do it myself."
Director Meili only thought Bai Feng was acting like a child, wanting to plant a Tree on a whim, and didn't take it seriously in her heart.
"Then be careful, don't hurt yourself. I'll go back first. If you need anything, just call me."
Bai Feng nodded while digging the Pit.
After Director Meili left, Bai Feng dug for a while longer before finally digging a Pit of suitable size and depth and planting the little Sapling.
To ensure the Sapling's survival, he also plucked off the excess Branches and Leaves from the Tree, leaving only the Trunk.
"Sha na~ Sha na~" Treasure, why are you plucking its Leaves? What if you kill it? Wouldn't all our effort be in vain?
Bai Ye knew nothing about planting Trees and looked confused, not understanding Bai Feng's actions at all.
Bai Feng explained: "The Sapling just moved, it's not used to the new place, so its roots' ability to absorb nutrients is relatively poor. Plucking off the excess Branches and Leaves can reduce water loss, thereby increasing the Sapling's survival rate."
"Oh, I see. Treasure is amazing!" Bai Ye was impressed without fully understanding.
"After the Tree is planted, it needs watering. Mom, I'll leave this to you!" With his small Body, asking him to carry a bucket of water would be difficult.
When there's work, it's Mom, when there's no work, it's Bai Ye! Hmph, men... Bai Ye walked away grumpily, carrying the Watering Can.
Watching Bai Ye carry the Watering Can to water the Sapling, a flash of inspiration suddenly struck Bai Feng.
Pokémon, these magical creatures, can perform all sorts of varied and bizarre techniques because they have Special Energy Circuits within their Bodies. What about Berry Trees?
The Berries produced by Berry Trees have various magical abilities. Some can replenish Stamina, some can cure abnormal statuses, some can increase the intimacy between Pokémon and Trainers... Most importantly, the Pokemon Food made from them can increase the Origin Energy within a Pokémon's Body.
So, to some extent, are Berry Trees also a type of Special creature?
Do Berry Trees also have Special Energy Circuits? Bai Feng boldly speculated, then ran to the Sapling and eagerly verified his guess.
He placed his hand on the Sapling's Tree Trunk and then input his Golden Finger Energy into it.
After continuously using Healing Treatment on Bai Ye and Fletchling during this period, Bai Feng's Golden Finger Energy had become thicker, and his control over Golden Finger Energy was also incomparable to before, allowing for more precise operations.
As soon as the Golden Finger Energy entered the Sapling's Body, a vibrant green Tree Diagram appeared in Bai Feng's mind. The Tree Diagram had lush Branches and Leaves, and weak Special Energy flowed within it.
It's real! Bai Feng was overjoyed. His guess was correct!
The Energy within the Sapling was somewhat similar to the Origin Energy in Pokémon Energy Circuits, yet also very different.
The Energy within a Pokémon's Body is more active and flows more strongly.
For example, the Energy Circuit within a Pokémon's Body is like a wide river with turbulent water, carrying an unstoppable momentum as it flows from one place to another.
The Tree Diagram within the Sapling, on the other hand, is like a tranquil stream. It is very gentle, and the Energy within it flows like slowly moving stream water, steadily flowing from the root of the Tree Diagram, slowly moving towards the Trunk and Tree Branches.
Bai Feng tried to purify and compress the Energy in the Tree Diagram just like he regulated Pokémon Energy Circuits, and it was indeed successful. Although the operations for the two were slightly different because the nature of the Energy was different, the principle was the same.
Withdrew the Golden Finger Energy from the Sapling's Body, Bai Feng carefully observed the Sapling's condition, but found no difference from before.
That's right, it's definitely hard to see a Variation in such a short time. Besides, Fruit Trees don't have their own consciousness like Pokémon, so they can't give him timely feedback on how they feel.
I need more samples for experiments! Bai Feng thought. But where can I find Fruit Trees? This little Sapling was already hard to come by; getting more would probably be difficult.
The next day, when Grandma Mei Li was about to go out to buy groceries, Bai Feng followed behind her and asked: "Can I... go with you?"
Director Meili originally wanted to refuse, but then she thought that Bai Feng had always lived in the wild before and rarely came into contact with humans. After arriving at the Orphanage, he could only interact with the few children in the Courtyard to a limited extent. She felt it would be good to take him out to interact with more people.
Furthermore, Bai Feng had always behaved very obediently. Whenever he had free time, he would help her with Housework with Bai Ye. Occasionally having a small request was nothing she couldn't agree to.
"Okay, but you have to be good and not run around," Director Meili warned.
"Mm, don't worry!" Bai Feng guaranteed with a serious expression.
Director Meili found his pretending-to-be-an-adult look very cute and playfully patted the back of his head.
Couriway Town is divided in two by a long Light Rail and a steep Cliff. One side faces the sea, which is the bustling City Center; the other side faces the mountains, which is the quiet Suburbs. Bluebird Orphanage is located in the Suburbs.
Although the Suburbs are not as prosperous as the City Center, many people live here, so the necessary Infrastructure is all present.
Led by Director Meili, Bai Feng took a short Light Rail ride, then walked a short distance, finally arriving at a lively Produce Market.
Many Vendors in the Produce Market knew Director Meili. When they saw her, they would greet her warmly and then casually ask about Bai Feng who was with her.
After learning that Bai Feng was a new member who had recently arrived at Bluebird Orphanage, some vegetable Vendors would even give Director Meili a little extra when she bought vegetables.
When passing a Berry Stall, Bai Feng suddenly pointed to the Clearing next to the Stall and said to Director Meili: "Director Meili, can I... wait for you... here?"
Director Meili thought Bai Feng was tired from walking, so she agreed and instructed him: "Stay here and don't run around. I'll come back to pick you up in a while."
The Vendor happened to be an acquaintance of Director Meili, so she asked the Vendor to help keep an eye on Bai Feng. The Vendor readily agreed.
The Vendor was a warm Auntie, probably in her thirties, slightly overweight, and not particularly tall, but her smile was especially infectious and easily made people feel good about her.
After Director Meili left, the Vendor looked at Bai Feng and asked: "Little friend, what's your name?"
Bai Feng replied obediently: "Bai Feng."
"So good. My name is Sara, you can call me Auntie Sara." The Vendor rubbed Bai Feng's head, took two Berries from the Stall, and handed them to him, saying: "Here, eat these. Stay here obediently and don't run around, okay? If you need anything, just call me anytime."
Bai Feng took the Berries and nodded, then suddenly pointed to a Basket under the Stall and asked: "That... can I have it?"
The Basket contained some Rotten Fruit that Sara planned to throw away after closing the Stall. She thought Bai Feng wanted to eat those Berries, so she said:
"Those are bad, you can't eat them." Saying that, she took two good Berries from the Stall and handed them to Bai Feng, "Here are two more for you, don't take the bad ones."
This time Bai Feng didn't accept. He explained word by word: "Thank you, Auntie Sara. That... I have a use for it... not eating."
Only then did Sara feel relieved. She dragged the Basket out from under the Stall and then instructed Bai Feng again: "You can have this, but definitely don't eat them, they'll make your stomach sick."
Bai Feng nodded obediently, then dragged the Basket to a corner of the adjacent Clearing and stayed there obediently. Sara felt at ease seeing this and continued her business.
In the corner, Bai Feng dumped all the Rotten Fruit out, then removed the Fruit Flesh one by one and set it aside, leaving only the Fruit Pits.
Bai Feng came to the Produce Market this time precisely for these Fruit Pits. He didn't expect to get them so smoothly.
Unable to obtain Fruit Trees, Bai Feng thought of the method of cultivating Fruit Trees from Seeds to get more experimental samples. Although it would take some time, this was nothing to Bai Feng.
After peeling each Fruit Pit from the Fruit Flesh, Bai Feng would examine it with his Golden Finger. He would keep those that contained Special Energy, as these should be easier to sprout, while those that were empty inside would be discarded.
Of course, not all Berries contain Seeds. Some Berries have nothing inside except Fruit Flesh.
The Rotten Fruit emitted a strong, pungent smell. Bai Feng endured this smell and peeled for a long time before finishing a Basket of Berries, finally getting about ten Seeds of varying sizes.
"Phew~ Finally finished peeling!" Bai Feng let out a long sigh of relief. "I was really suffocating!"
After putting the Seeds into the Bag he had prepared beforehand and storing them, Bai Feng put the remaining Fruit Flesh back into the Basket, tied them up with the Bag that was originally in the Basket, and planned to take them away and throw them out when he left.
"Little friend, it's you!"
Just then, Bai Feng suddenly heard a voice. He looked up and saw a tall older sister wearing a green dress, looking at him in surprise.
"Do you remember me? The Police Station, Miss Jun Sha's friend, Ma Qiqi."
Of course, Bai Feng remembered her. If it hadn't been for this older sister's Alakazam helping, he didn't know how much effort he would have had to spend to explain his situation clearly.
Seeing Bai Feng looking at her in surprise, Ma Qiqi suddenly said: "Oh... right, you can't understand me."
Hearing this, Bai Feng quickly explained: "Now... I can."
Ma Qiqi knew a little about Bai Feng's situation and said in surprise: "That's great, I didn't expect you to be so smart. Your name is Bai Feng, right? What are you doing here?"
Just then, Ma Qiqi suddenly noticed the rotten fruit in the Basket at Bai Feng's feet. Thinking that Bai Feng had just entered the Orphanage, she assumed he wanted to eat the Berries, so she handed him the Berries she had just bought.
"This is for you."
Bai Feng quickly refused: "I don't want it."
"It's okay, I can buy more. This is for you, as a Gift for our reunion." Ma Qiqi insisted on giving it to Bai Feng.
Then should I also give you a Gift? I'm completely broke and have nothing.
"I don't want it." Bai Feng insisted on refusing.
Ma Qiqi thought Bai Feng was refusing because he was too proud, so she had to give up.
In fact, Bai Feng had no pride to speak of. He just felt it was unnecessary. He wasn't a real child and wasn't greedy for a few Berries. Hadn't he eaten enough Berries on the Island? He had eaten them for several years, he was almost suffering from Berry PTSD.
"Alright then, I'll come see you when I have time."
Ma Qiqi chatted with Bai Feng for a couple of sentences and then left.
Director Meili quickly finished buying groceries and returned. After thanking Sara, she took Bai Feng back to Bluebird Orphanage.
(End of this chapter)