Pokémon: Starting as a Farmer Instead of a Trainer

Chapter 9 Online Shopping

Evening, in the kitchen.

Mingyou bought rice today. She originally wanted to buy some meat, but since there are still so many vegetables at home, it's better to be a little more frugal for now, so she only bought a carton of eggs.

"Make some tomato and egg soup, and... um, that kid really likes tomatoes with sugar, make some of that too, hopefully he'll come over tonight."

While preparing the ingredients, Mingyou was still thinking about Egui Peng. She didn't have many other thoughts, but she felt that the child was quite lonely. Without his mask, he could only run around in a plastic bag, which was so pitiful.

Soon the tomatoes were put into the pot to make soup. He also took the time to take out his Rotom phone and find an online shopping app called "Taobao" to see if they sold tangerine seedlings.

"...The signal is so bad."

Looking at the loading circle on the screen, he had no choice but to wait patiently. After all, the manor was located in a remote area, so it was normal for the signal to be poor. He would install a receiver another day.

After several tens of seconds, the product page finally appeared. The homepage recommended many popular items such as energy cubes and move learners, indicating that many people were buying them, and that the main consumer group was trainers.

"A move learning device?"

Mingyou was about to click on the search bar, but then he noticed this thing. He remembered that using this thing in the game would teach Pokémon corresponding moves. Then he thought about it and realized that his fruits and vegetables seemed to be the same thing.

Out of curiosity, he clicked on it and took a look. The move learning device was shaped like a small CD.

The method of use is also very simple: just give the disc to the Pokémon to crush, and the information stored on it will automatically be absorbed by the Pokémon as energy. By using the stored information, the Pokémon can learn the corresponding move more easily.

It sounds a bit mystical, but that's how it's used. Of course, there's a possibility of failure, but regardless of success or failure, the disc will be consumed.

The production of TMs is complex and utilizes a lot of energy substances and materials dropped by Pokémon, so they are quite expensive. The more powerful the move, the higher the cost.

"Let me see, a 100,000-volt move learner is selling for... 10000?! And it's out of stock?"

Mingyou was startled when she saw the price.

A single Poké Ball only costs 10 yuan, and if you buy ten, you get a free commemorative Poké Ball...

It seems that either the cost of the move learner is indeed high, or it has been hyped up.

There are move learners available for a little over 100 yuan, such as "Roar," and people still buy them, but the price difference is just too outrageous.

"Although the price is outrageous, it's actually an advantage for me. It's the same effect, but you're cheaper, so everyone will definitely buy from you."

Thinking of this, Mingyou smiled.

He then continued searching for ponkan tree seedlings, and to his surprise, even a robust 4-year-old seedling cost less than 100 yuan.

But if you think about it carefully, fruits generally don't have much effect besides being nutritious; they can only be used to make some snacks and drinks. Tree berries, on the other hand, can not only do these things, but can also be used to make energy cubes and Pokémon food.

The only difference is that most tree fruits cannot be eaten directly by humans and need to be processed, while fruits are not only plentiful and plump, but can also be eaten directly.

However, this was also a good thing for Mingyou, so he directly bought three strong four-year-old seedlings, and bought several more to avoid them dying due to improper handling.

After filling in the delivery address and selecting in-person signature, he was stunned when he was about to pay...

"The shipping cost is more expensive than three saplings..."

Mingyou patted her forehead, wanting to laugh but unable to. She suddenly realized that her place was too remote, and it would probably be very troublesome to sell fruits and vegetables in the future unless she offered free shipping.

It's no wonder that Beishang Township is known as the apple capital, but now the people there don't sell apples much anymore. Instead, they've started to promote the industry and make money through tourism.

Shipping costs are too high. Although you can choose a courier service that is slower but cheaper, fruits and vegetables are prone to losing moisture, which affects their taste and may even cause them to spoil.

Not to mention that conditions have improved now, and many other places are growing fruit, which is cheaper and faster. Live-streaming sales can sell out in one night, making the competition very unfriendly to Beishang Township.

Cheap, free shipping, and fast delivery items are always the best-selling; otherwise, why would Pinduoduo make so much money? That's the reason.

"It seems I'll have to sell at a loss from the start. Only by building a reputation and letting others know that my fruits and vegetables are different can I attract some trainers to come and buy from me!"

Mingyou knew very well that the effects of his fruits and vegetables were mainly aimed at Pokémon trainers, most of whom were quite wealthy and went on adventures...

He paid directly at checkout and used the Peacock Express logistics service. He bought it from Kikyo City in the Johto region, and the ponkan oranges should arrive around the morning after tomorrow.

After finishing all that, the soup came to a boil. Finally, the beaten eggs were poured in, and the aroma of the tomato and egg soup instantly spread, attracting even the little Snorlax who was snacking in the living room.

"Gambit~"

"Don't rush, there are still a few dishes to cook, and the rice isn't cooked yet."

Mingyou tilted her head and responded, then continued with dinner in this strangely warm atmosphere.

Meanwhile, outside, a figure once again darted through the dimly lit orchard, arriving at the brightly lit villa door. Clutching a plastic bag, the figure peered nervously inside, as if afraid someone might not be there.

But upon smelling the aroma of tomatoes, a smile instantly spread across its face. However, due to the plastic bag it was wearing, its vision was poor, and it didn't notice the potato chip bag that Snorlax had carelessly tossed on the ground, stepping on it.

splat—

"What's wrong?"

Hearing the noise coming from the living room, Mingyou took a rice spoon and went out, just in time to see Egui Peng fall face down. She quickly went over and helped him up.

"Are you alright?"

"Waaah..."

Seeing that Egui Peng looked like he was about to cry, Mingyou reached out and took off his plastic bag, gently stroking his head and saying in a soft tone, "Be careful, let me rub it for you, it doesn't hurt anymore."

"Hmm..."

Egui Peng looked up at Mingyou, listened to her words of comfort, nodded gently, and bravely held back her tears.

"Mmm, that's great."

Mingyou, holding its cape, stood up and said with a smile, "You've come at just the right time. You've just finished making dinner. Let's go eat together. I made you the sugar-coated tomatoes from last night again. Don't let Snorlax eat all of your dinner by itself."

"Mmm~"

Hearing that there was more delicious food, Ergui Pong nodded happily, but it did not run to the kitchen immediately. Instead, it took Mingyou's hand and slowly walked over together, as if it felt more at ease that way.

Mingyou looked down at it silently, letting out a long sigh in her heart. She could see that Egui Peng was truly lonely and isolated, and also seemed to be afraid of something—afraid of losing it? Or perhaps…

Back in the kitchen, Munchlax had already started its performance. Fortunately, Mingyou had cooked a lot of rice today, so it wasn't completely devoured. He himself doesn't eat much, so a little bit is enough to fill him up.

Ergui Pong watched curiously as the little Snorlax ate its dry rice with such relish, and then, seeing Mingyou bring over a chair, it obediently sat down.

"There are no noodles today, but there is rice and tomato and egg soup. If you like it, eat more. If you don't like it, don't force yourself to finish it."

"Mmm~"

Ergui Pong nodded, but for it, there was nothing it disliked to eat.

I'm already very satisfied that someone would not dislike it and even care about it.

Then it began to try using the utensils, although it was very clumsy, perhaps because it didn't want to repeat the accident from last night and make Mingyou worry about it.

Watching Egui Pong's actions, Mingyou calmly observed for several seconds, unsure of how to express her emotions, before finally remembering something very important.

"Oh, right, as I told you yesterday, I bought you a gift in town~"

"Hmm?"

……

(End of this chapter)