In the evening, Zack came over to the ranch to collect the goods.
Naoki brought out the goat milk and rock salt, and a few small mushrooms grown in the cave.
"Wow! Today's harvest is quite abundant!" Zack widened his eyes, "Looks like your ranch is finally back on track."
Naoki curled his lips into a smile, looking at the Cyclizar and Koraidon not far away, and exclaimed, "Yeah, it's all thanks to everyone's hard work!"
"That's how it should be!" Zack sighed, "Alas, nowadays not many young people are willing to stay in the countryside to run a ranch and be farmers."
It's different from before; now it's popular to be a trainer.
Almost every kid wants to receive their own Pokemon, travel the world with them, compete, and become the strongest Pokemon trainer.
"The nearby farms and ranches are all run by older people, just you as a young person," Zack said.
Naoki nodded thoughtfully.
If measured by the anime's timeline, now is when Ash has just set out not long ago.
The profession of being a trainer has not yet reached the peak of "Pokemon Journey," but it is starting to gain popularity worldwide.
"Alright, it's a total of five pounds of rock salt, six liters of goat milk, and six small mushrooms, hmm, altogether it's 32,300 League coins."
Zack handed over the money, then returned to his truck, bidding farewell to Naoki: "I'm off, still need to work overtime to deliver these goods to Porto Marinada Market."
Zack left.
And Naoki returned to the cabin, took out the account book to record today's income and expenditure.
Spring, year 198, January 31st.
Income: Rock Salt +16,800, Goat Milk +13,000, Small Mushrooms +2,500
Expenditure: Berry -600, Ingredients -5,000, Fertilizer -10,000
Remaining Funds: 33,680
"Thirty-three thousand..." Staring at the figures in the account book, Naoki fell into deep thought.
He had previously asked Keri.
If it's just expanding the residence, adding facilities like a kitchen, bathroom, living room, dining room, bedroom, cellar, it would cost around two million.
But Keri mentioned that besides this there are two types of large villas.
One is a seaside villa located by the sea, and the other is a mountain villa located on the mountain.
Keri had shown him the design plans; it was a super luxurious villa, fully equipped, with various rooms, a swimming pool, high-end furniture, and even a playground specifically for Pokemon. Naoki was very tempted.
In that case, after the busy farming season, he could take his Pokemon there for a vacation.
But alas, it was too expensive; with the land fees included, the total price reached 15 million, which was not something he could afford at the moment.
The Chicken House, Pokemon House, and the like are small-scale matters; such villas are the major expenses.
Alas, there is a long way to go!
But fortunately, Keri also offered regular house extensions, which could serve as a temporary transition.
Naoki took a deep breath, setting the seaside villa and mountain villa as ultimate goals in his heart.
When tomorrow comes, the steps of time will officially enter February, and the crops in the fields can start to be harvested gradually.
Life is about to get busy again.
Naoki lay down on the bed and fell into a deep sleep.
Early the next morning, after breakfast, Naoki handed the goat milk to Dragonite, letting it deliver milk to Mrs. Dante.
Watching Dragonite go off into the distance, Naoki also began his daily work.
At that moment, suddenly a man riding a Cyclizar charged into the ranch from outside.
It was a young man wearing blue work overalls and a blue cap, with a brown waist bag slung over his shoulder.
The man and Cyclizar stopped a little distance away and looked at Naoki, politely greeting, "Hello, may I ask if this is Naoki Ranch?"
"Yes." Naoki was a bit surprised, "And you are?"
The young man jumped off the Cyclizar, looking very sunny, with two small canine teeth showing when he smiled.
The man introduced himself, "Hello, Mr. Naoki, my name is Allen, I'm the town's courier, responsible for mailing and delivering items, there's a letter for you, could you sign for it?"
"A letter?" Naoki was slightly taken aback.
Who would send him a letter? He didn't know many people in this world, and the original owner had no ties or friends.
Thinking this way, Naoki reached out to accept the letter.
Opening the envelope, he pulled out the letter from inside and looked down at it.
[To Naoki Ranch:
Hello, Naoki! I heard from Mayor Thomas not long ago that you came to inherit this ranch, and I am very pleased to hear this!
Spring has arrived, and it's the season when cherry blossoms are in full bloom. We will be hosting a Cherry Blossom Wine Party at the Cherry Garden on February 7th.
At that time, townspeople, trainers, and neighboring farm owners will gather here, tasting last year's brewed cherry wine while enjoying the flowers, exchanging specialties from each farm, and setting up stalls to sell to attendees.
You can also bring the crops and specialties produced at your ranch, or the delicacies you make with them, to set up a stall for selling.
Looking forward to seeing you there.
——by Elif Cherry Garden]
Naoki raised an eyebrow, Cherry Blossom Wine Party... a local festival activity?
It sounds quite interesting.
He nodded, saying to Allen, "Thank you very much, I got it."
Courier Allen nodded, "Alright, I will be on my way now, see you later!"
With that, he swiftly got back onto Cyclizar and sped away.
"As expected, Cyclizar is a mode of transport here!" Naoki couldn't help but think.
A moment later, he shook his head with a smile, continuing to focus on the ranch work.
Meanwhile, in Porto Marinada Town, on Blue Ocean Street.
Dragonite arrived at No. 308 as usual, gently knocking on the door with its chubby paw.
Soon, footsteps were heard from inside, Mrs. Dante opened the door, and upon seeing Dragonite, a kindly and gentle smile appeared on her face.
"It's Dragonite!"
"Awoo~"
Dragonite handed over the goat milk.
Mrs. Dante took it and after paying, she said to Dragonite, "Please wait a moment, I have something to ask you to take to Naoki."
"Awoo?" Dragonite tilted its head in confusion.
Mrs. Dante turned around, fetching a package and a letter from the room, handing them to Dragonite with a smile:
"I made some cookies myself, please bring them back for Naoki to try!"
"Awoo!"
Dragonite obediently nodded, accepting the letter and cookies, and flew back to the ranch.
Mrs. Dante watched its figure vanish into the distance, then turned and went back inside to see her husband looking much better, her expression relaxed like never before, "How are you feeling today?"
He replied, "Much better, the strength in my body is starting to come back."
Hearing this, Mrs. Dante gently sighed with relief, "Thanks to Naoki's goat milk!"
————
"From Mrs. Dante?"
At the ranch, looking at the cookies and a letter passed over by Dragonite, Naoki was a little surprised.
"Awoo!" Dragonite nodded happily.
Naoki reached out, accepting and opening the letter written by Mrs. Dante.
The letter mentioned that her husband's health had improved significantly, expressing immense gratitude for Naoki's goat milk, and she also sent some cookies, wishing Naoki good health and success in the ranch work.