Pokémon: Starting as a Farmer Instead of a Trainer

Chapter 185 New Year's Eve at the Manor and New Year's Wishes (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Before we knew it, amidst everyone's anticipation, the last day of the year finally arrived.

Mingyou got up early and tidied up the house. Everyone knew it was New Year's Day, and even Munchlax got up early to help.

Everyone had a clear division of labor. The circle bears led the bear cubs to clean up the manor, removing all the snow and dust.

The red lanterns that had been made earlier were hung in various corners of the villa by Gastly and the others under Mingyou's direction, and colored lights were installed inside them. They will be lit up once everything is ready.

Red lanterns were hung on some fruit trees, creating a festive atmosphere. Fireworks that had been purchased were placed around the villa, far away from the trees on the estate, to prevent a fire.

Mingyou originally wanted to release sky lanterns with everyone, but in the end she gave up. In Beishang Township, a gust of wind might burn something down.

Xiao Zhao and Riolu were in the kitchen preparing the ingredients for the day. They chopped everything up and steamed things that needed to be steamed, such as the sticky rice cake that Mingyou wanted to eat.

By noon, she had finally finished her work and was about to come out to check on everyone's progress when she saw Ponpo standing on Heyue Bear's shoulders at the door, helping to paste up the door couplets, while Mingyou was directing from the side.

Looking at the Fiery Roaring Tiger and Thunderous King Kong serving as gatekeepers, Xiao Zhao finally couldn't help but complain, "Honestly, they look kind of scary..."

"Really? I think it's quite festive, and the atmosphere here today absolutely can't be inferior to that of Emerald Town; it has to be even more lively!"

Mingyou said with a serious expression, "This is celebrating the New Year with so many Pokémon from the manor, so we must treat it with utmost care and as a grand feast!"

He then continued, "Is everything in the kitchen finished?"

"Everything's settled. Let's check your side... It looks about right, doesn't it?"

Xiao Zhao looked up at the red lanterns decorating the space, feeling the festive joy and growing increasingly excited for the evening's excitement. This was her first time celebrating a New Year in this world…

Time passed slowly, and almost all the work was ready to be completed.

As evening approached, unlike the festive atmosphere of red lanterns lit up on the manor side... on the other side of Emerald Town, all was quiet and peaceful.

Most tourists have already gone home for the Lunar New Year, and there are not many people on the streets. Every household has white lanterns with ghost mountain patterns hanging on them, swaying gently in the wind, and the pine trees placed at the door have been blown down.

This is the custom of celebrating the New Year in Beishang Township. People basically don't go out. Fireworks and firecrackers are only set off in the summer. During the New Year, the whole family just gathers around the kotatsu (heated floor stove) and eats oranges, apples, buckwheat noodles, and sticky rice cakes.

Danyu sat in front of the kotatsu, looking utterly bored, slumped over the table, too exhausted even to peel an orange: "So boring. I really want to go to Mingyou's house. It must be so lively there right now..."

"I want to go too..."

Wu Li now enjoys the lively atmosphere of the manor and is also very interested in the lively customs of Ming You's hometown, but there's nothing she can do; she can't very well say she won't spend time with her grandparents, can she?

He seemed a little downcast, then reached for a piece of purple sticky rice cake on the table and took a bite...

At this moment, all the lights in the villas of the manor were turned on, dispelling the winter darkness and spreading the festive atmosphere of the New Year to every corner of the manor.

The villa gate opened, and Sandslash and Arbok walked around inside, greeting Gengar and the others who bumped into them.

The dishes for the New Year's Eve dinner were placed in various corners of the living room. In addition to dumplings, there were also roasted meats, fruits, and various desserts and soups. Basically, everything was available, and it took three hours to prepare everything.

Everyone happily spent the last night of the year together, no longer as stray Pokémon, wild Pokémon, or anything else... but as members of the manor!

There might be arguments over favorite foods, but they'll quickly calm down. Riolu will help resolve conflicts when Minamoto can't take care of everyone, which makes Arcanine very happy.

As for the Pokémon that are elders, such as it, Xiong Da, Xiong Er, and the Deer, they naturally wouldn't fight with these kids and would maintain order on the sidelines.

Just then, firecrackers suddenly went off outside. Mingyou, who was holding Ponpo, who was lighting the firecrackers, quickly ran to the side and watched with everyone, covering their ears.

"Mmm~"

So exciting!

"Setting off firecrackers is definitely the proper way to celebrate the New Year; that's what makes it feel like the New Year. But after you're done setting off firecrackers, remember to clean up all the trash."

Mingyou said with a smile, then took out the sparklers he had bought, lit one for Pengpeng, and gave the rest to her: "Go play with everyone, and remember not to set the tree on fire."

"Mmm~"

Ponpo took the sparklers and immediately ran over to Latias and the others. Smocha reached out her liquid little hand, grabbed two of them, and asked Ponpo to light them for her.

"Mommy~"

"Ralu..."

Ralts stepped forward, it also wanted to play, but didn't know how to start.

"Nair!"

Just go and ask for it!

Kirlia led it by the hand and went to Ponpo to get a few sparklers. After lighting them, they gently waved them, watching the sparklers bloom with dazzling light in the night, like stars falling to earth, creating a dreamlike feeling.

"Ralu~"

So beautiful!

"Ugh!"

Zoroya immediately jumped over, wanting to play too. It then picked one up with its mouth, turned around, and jumped onto Latias's head, claiming the high ground...

Soon another chase ensued. Watching the Pokémon playfully frolicking, Xiao Zhao couldn't contain her excitement and joined in.

She took a sparkler from Ponpo, lit it, and quietly returned behind Mingyou. Suddenly, she swung the sparkler, startling the other person.

"Make some noise when you walk!"

"Haha, you were too careless. Be careful the ghost doesn't ambush you again."

"Don't say things like that during the New Year. Let's talk about something more cheerful."

"Oh well."

Xiao Zhao watched as the sparkler in her hand went out and she placed it on the ground. Turning around, she asked softly, "Did you have enough for your New Year's Eve dinner? Would you like some more?"

I'm full.

"No one has eaten the sticky rice cakes I made yet?"

"I'll handle this!"

"Haha, I'll go get it for you right away."

Watching Xiao Zhao turn and leave with a smile, Mingyou smiled calmly. At this moment, Pengpeng suddenly ran over and jumped into his arms.

"What's wrong?"

"Mmm~"

Because I'm happy!

Ponpo had never celebrated the New Year before. She only knew that every year on this morning, Beishang Township would be very quiet, and apart from the sound of the cold wind, nothing could be heard. But now she realized that this day was such a lively festival.

"Haha, it's because Kitakami-go is a traditional Japanese New Year, while mine is a Chinese New Year."

As she spoke, Mingyou suddenly remembered something. She was supposed to give out red envelopes during the New Year... but giving them pocket money didn't seem to make much difference.

But we can't refuse to give it to them...

After thinking about all this, he pondered for a moment and asked, "What are your New Year's wishes, Pengpeng?"

"Hmm?"

"It's about what you want to do in the new year. You can talk about it, and maybe it will come true."

Mingyou explained with a smile that he planned to use the method of fulfilling New Year's wishes as a way to give red envelopes.

"Hmm..."

Ponpo thought for a moment, then jumped up lightly and smiled. Its New Year's wish was that Mingyou wouldn't be so tired every day and could get more rest.

"You silly child..."

Mingyou gently stroked its head. Ponpo was so well-behaved...

He then looked at Latias and the others who were approaching and asked them about their New Year's wishes.

"Ugh!?"

Latias was slightly taken aback. A New Year's wish that could be fulfilled? Needless to say! This year, it absolutely had to lie on Snorlax's belly and play games!

"Gambit~"

The little Snorlax raises its hands; it wants to evolve into Snorlax so it can eat more.

"You two should just get together..."

Naruto shook his head and rubbed his forehead, then looked at Garchomp. Garchomp didn't seem to have any particular wish... If he had to say, he just wanted to defeat a few strong opponents!

After noticing the gazes fixed on it, Riolu fell into thought. It had only one wish: to continue to grow stronger and protect its companions.

Smocha has only one wish: to obtain the masterpiece tea bowl and evolve into Smooth Tea!

Everyone's wishes were quite simple and unpretentious. Even when it was Ralts' turn in the end, all she wanted was to play all the Pokémon games...

"Don't worry, all your wishes will come true!"

Mingyou kept all their wishes in her heart. At this moment, Xiaozhao came over with a plate carrying a few pieces of sticky rice cake and a jar of fruit wine in her hand. Since the other party said they didn't like to drink it, she didn't help carry it.

He reached out and took the plate, sat down on the steps with the other person, picked up a piece of sticky rice cake, and put it in his mouth to taste it. Although it still tasted indescribable, he really liked it.

"Don't faint again!"

Xiao Zhao said with a smile, then unscrewed the can, took a sip, and said it was fruit flavored. It was quite good. Although she was slightly tipsy, her face was already flushed.

She's not actually good at drinking, but sometimes when she's overthinking things and her mind is a mess, she likes to have a little to help her sleep more comfortably.

Mingyou savored the sticky rice cake. This time, he didn't experience any adverse reactions. After chuckling, he looked at the girl beside him. Just as he was about to respond to her earlier teasing, he suddenly noticed her slightly drunk state.

"You probably wouldn't even drink it..."

"Haha, you found out."

Xiao Zhao didn't hide anything, handing over the half-finished bottle of fruit wine she was drinking, and said with a smile, "Have some~"

"You're really drunk..."

Mingyou thought to herself, but the other person didn't seem to notice. How could someone who was only slightly tipsy get drunk? How bad was their alcohol tolerance? She thought the other person was a good drinker when she saw them wanting to buy something.

After hesitating for a moment, he still reached out and took it, lest the other person actually drink it and pass out and he have to carry him in himself, so he finished the rest of the fruit wine in one gulp.

Although he doesn't drink much, being slightly tipsy is pretty much the same as a beverage to him.

Just then, Xiao Zhao looked up at the moonlight. For some reason, the joy she felt today made her want to say many things that had been hidden in her heart.

"Um...can I tell you?"

"Go ahead and tell me, I'm listening."

"Um……"

Xiao Zhao nodded slightly and began to speak: "I originally wanted to earn enough money to travel all over the world and become the world's top trainer, but... I also really enjoy living with you guys at the manor. It always calms me down, as if I've found the meaning of my existence."

When she came into this world, she was completely confused about her past, present, and future.

If she hadn't met Mingyou, she probably wouldn't know what she should do now. Even though she could swing Steelix with one hand, she was just a homeless girl stranded in a foreign land.

Mingyou listened attentively without making a sound to disturb them, her heart filled with sympathy for the other person.

Suddenly, Xiao Zhao changed the subject, tilting her head and smiling at him: "By the way... Mingyou, what's your birthday?"

"January 28th, one month left."

Mingyou doesn't know his birthday in his past life, but he does know his birthday in this life. However, after his parents passed away, no one has celebrated his birthday with him since.

But upon hearing the answer, Xiao Zhao covered her mouth, her face full of surprise.

"What's wrong?"

"My birthday is also on this day, haha, it looks like I'm exactly one year older than you."

"what?"

Now it was Mingyou's turn to be surprised.

Xiao Zhao never expected such a coincidence. Although she had lost most of her memory, she still remembered these things, which meant that the two of them could celebrate their birthdays on the same day...

"But by the end of the month, you'll already be..."

Mingyou had the same idea for a moment, but since the other party was still working at Blueberry Academy, there probably wouldn't be a chance. Just as he opened his mouth to ask, it suddenly felt like something was pressing down on his shoulder.

Smelling the familiar, faint fragrance, he subconsciously turned his head to look, only to see that Xiao Zhao had already fallen asleep, leaning on his shoulder.

A smile graced the girl's delicate face, her red lips slightly parted and gently moving, completely unguarded, leaving him feeling helpless...

"Who falls asleep while chatting? I was going to ask you about your New Year's wishes..."

Mingyou gently shook his head, put his arm around the girl's waist, and let her lean on him to rest. Then he watched the pummeling creatures playing around and quietly waited for the new year to arrive.

for a long time……

"Mmm!"

Ponpo's voice suddenly broke the silence between the two. Holding up its Rotom phone, it told Mingyou that it was time to get ready to set off fireworks.

"Is it almost midnight?"

Mingyou snapped out of her daze and gently patted Xiaozhao's shoulder. After a while, Xiaozhao let out a soft moan and slowly opened her eyes, still half asleep.

"Is it dawn yet...?"

"Time to get ready for the New Year."

"what?"

Xiao Zhao suddenly snapped out of her daze and finally realized that she had been leaning on Ming You. Her face flushed red instantly, and she ran away in a panic like a frightened kitten, barely able to speak.

"Why didn't you wake me up? You could have just... left me on the ground!"

"You're sleeping so soundly..."

Mingyou gave an awkward laugh and quickly changed the subject, saying, "We'll talk about that later. Let's set off fireworks together now!"

"Mmm~"

Ponpo also tried to persuade them, saying that there was no time left.

"Well... okay then!"

Xiao Zhao clutched her chest, trying to calm herself down as much as possible. It was so embarrassing... How could she have suddenly fallen asleep? She shouldn't have drunk alcohol!

It was too late for regrets; she could only pretend nothing had happened and join the others on the snow.

Almost all the Pokémon in the manor are here now, looking expectantly at the fireworks set up over there. Mingyou is in charge of lighting them, while Ponpo is in charge of taking pictures with Rotom on his phone.

"Everyone, please stand a little further back!"

Mingyou waved to signal, then looked at the New Year's countdown on her phone, lit the fireworks, and quickly ran away.

Just one second before the countdown ended, countless dazzling sparks burst forth, dancing in the air like sprites and forming Pokémon patterns, illuminating the night and creating a stark contrast with the quiet and peaceful Green Town in the distance!

Gazing at the magnificent display that lit up the night sky, all the Pokémon were filled with excitement, as it was the first time they had seen fireworks at such a close distance.

Ponpo also seized the moment, using the fireworks blooming in the night sky as a backdrop, and had her Rotom phone record the whole scene of everyone watching the fireworks together on New Year's Eve.

"Mmm~"

happy New Year!

……

(End of this chapter)