"Congratulations, Host! Snivy's Pleasure Value has increased from 10% to 30%. You've earned ten bags of Golden Fertilizer, one Rare Candy, and a Petaya Berry that permanently increases a Pokémon's Special Attack!"
"Does it taste good?"
Seeing the wave of happiness radiating from Snivy and hearing the system's broadcast, Lin Feng deliberately feigned ignorance and asked.
"Sni… sni…"
Snivy's bright eyes sparkled even more as she nodded her head rapidly. But she quickly realized she might be showing too much enthusiasm and lowered her nodding speed, even squeezing her eyes shut to look less eager.
"As long as you like it. Until you finish weeding, I'll keep supplying you with these Pokéblocks."
Seeing Snivy's conflicting expression made Lin Feng chuckle inside.
This little thing obviously loves eating them, but insists on acting all aloof…
Her slightly drooping head and shy, amber eyes…
She's… actually kind of cute, isn't she?
"Alright then. During your weeding period, your meals will consist of these Pokéblocks."
"Sni… sni?"
Snivy glanced at the Pokéblocks lying on the ground, then at the patch of weeds she'd just cleared. Her movements slowed down noticeably.
So once I'm done weeding… there won't be any more Pokéblocks?
But…
I could clear this whole patch in a single day!
No way. I'll have to slow down…
Otherwise, how will I stay here longer?
Thinking this, she even slowed her pace as she nibbled the Pokéblock.
It took her a full half hour to finish eating it, and only then did she go back to weeding.
Only this time… her efficiency was significantly reduced.
Lin Feng watched her and couldn't help laughing, though he still spoke up on her behalf.
"If you want to practice weeding, you can actually use Vine Whip. That way, you'll become much more skilled at controlling your vines."
"For example, practicing the force and precision of your Vine Whip during this work will help improve your technique."
He wasn't just making that up.
As someone with the knowledge of a top-tier Breeder, the training methods Lin Feng designed were genuinely effective.
"Sni…?"
Snivy straightened up and looked at him, eyes bright with curiosity and admiration.
This human… is so clever!
He actually thought of such a method!
"Sni sni~" (That makes sense~)
Not only can I train my Vine Whip… I can also conveniently slow down my weeding speed!
Two slender green vines stretched out from Snivy's back and began slithering toward the weeds around her.
"Heh…"
Lin Feng laughed when he saw this and bent down to start pulling weeds as well.
He needed to clear at least one patch today so he could plant some emergency crops, like herbs used for making Potions or berries for basic Pokéblock production.
His own weeding speed was quite fast. In barely ten minutes, he had cleared almost half the patch.
"Sni… sni…"
That made Snivy panic.
Stop pulling weeds so quickly!
Slow down!
If you finish so fast, I won't get any more Pokéblocks!
But Lin Feng just kept working at his own pace. Very soon, the first plot was completely cleared, the weeds plucked down to bare soil.
The only thing left was to have Sandshrew come in and till the ground so it would be ready for planting.
"Sni… sni…"
At that moment, Snivy wrapped her Vine Whip around Lin Feng's pant leg.
"What's wrong, Snivy?"
Lin Feng turned around curiously.
"Sni… sni sni~" (This… weeding… is my job since I ate your Pecha Berries. So… it should be me who does it.)
Her words were a little jumbled, but Lin Feng understood her meaning perfectly.
Basically, she was saying: This is my job. You don't have to do it.
"Well then…" Lin Feng let out a small laugh. He crouched down, meeting Snivy's gaze at eye level. Standing only 80 centimeters tall, she still tried to dodge his hand when he reached out to pat her head.
Lin Feng wasn't offended. "Alright. Then I'll leave it to you."
He stood up and walked over to the irrigation pond.
In the July heat, the rainwater inside the pond had long since evaporated, leaving behind cracked earth, dry weeds, and some fallen branches.
Once all that was cleaned up, he could divert water into it and bring Feebas home to live there.
No time like the present.
He stepped down the stone ledge into the dried pond and began clearing debris.
Since the pond needed to supply water for the entire farm, it was fairly large, making cleanup a bit tedious.
But Lin Feng, feeling the excitement of a new beginning, didn't find the work tiring. Before long, he'd hauled out all the weeds and branches and piled them by the roadside.
Once he was done, he glanced back at Snivy, who was still "slacking off," and couldn't help laughing.
"Snivy, want to take a break and come out with me for a bit?"
He planned to find Grandpa Qin to borrow Sandshrew and, while he was at it, check the condition of the irrigation channel so he could divert water back in.
Two plots would be plenty to grow quite a few crops for now.
"Sni…?"
Snivy paused in mid-Vine Whip, then quickly pulled her vines back and lit up with joy.
"Sni sni~" (Sure~)
Doing this kind of work was tedious enough on its own, and having to deliberately slow down made it even more so.
"Here, help me bundle up these weeds and branches so we can carry them out."
"Sni sni~"
Snivy agreed without hesitation, gathering the weeds into tight bundles and following Lin Feng step by step.
They returned to the stone-paved path.
By now, Grandpa Qin was gone from the rice paddies.
The midday sun beat down fiercely, a time when most people preferred to avoid working outdoors.
But Snivy, being a Grass-type Pokémon, looked completely content as the sunlight washed over her, her face radiating comfort.
Lin Feng pulled out another Pokéblock. "Here, Snivy. Help me clear those branches and stones out of the irrigation channel with your Vine Whip."
"Sni…?"
Snivy took the Pokéblock in her small hands, hesitating a little.
She felt like she was being bossed around, but the delicious smell of the Pokéblock was simply too enticing.
In the end, she popped it into her mouth and got to work clearing the branches and stones from the channel.
About half an hour later, with most of the debris cleared from the irrigation channel, Lin Feng arrived at the riverside.
He lifted the wooden plank that blocked the water, tossed it aside, and used a hoe to smooth out the soil.
Cool, fresh water rushed down the channel, flowing swiftly toward the plantation.
"Thanks for your help, Snivy. Here, one more Pokéblock as a reward."
Lin Feng pulled out another Pokéblock and held it out to her.
Although Snivy looked a little embarrassed, the sweet aroma of the Pokéblock was irresistible. She finally reached for it and popped it into her mouth.
"Sni… sni…"
Oh no… I think I'm getting addicted to these Pokéblocks…
Even as she ate, Snivy was already scheming how to stay with Lin Feng for as long as possible…