Although most of the Pokémon got along fairly well, there were still small gaps between them.
Especially for those who had joined partway.
For example, Combusken, Steenee, and Brionne preferred to stay together.
While they did interact with the others, there was always a faint sense of unfamiliarity.
Lin Feng could occasionally feel this subtle distance in daily life.
It was most noticeable between Serperior and Pidgeot.
Pidgeot often perched on the pine tree, rarely interacting with the others.
As for Serperior, its naturally aloof aura alone was enough to intimidate the others, making them reluctant to approach it.
And now, with three new Eevees potentially joining in the future, they too would be integrating halfway. If the relationships weren't handled well, it would be a real headache.
That was why this Mipple Wine, with its unique effect, was a blessing in disguise.
But if there was one Pokémon in the ranch who was the most outgoing, it was definitely the Alolan Vulpix.
It feared nothing. Whether it was Gardevoir, Dragonite, or Serperior, it would boldly run up and play with them.
It was basically the social butterfly of the entire ranch.
Like now.
When Lin Feng brought the Mipple Wine to the garden, the Alolan Vulpix was circling around Eevee, curious about the bell tied around its neck, pawing at it.
Eevee, on the other hand, tried its best to avoid those little paws.
"Vui? Vui?"
The Alolan Vulpix looked at Eevee's bell with envy.
It clearly remembered that when they were in the room earlier, Eevee didn't have that bell. Now suddenly, it did.
There could only be one explanation it was a gift from Lin Feng.
Thinking of that possibility, Alolan Vulpix's little heart soured with unspoken grievance.
It had been with Lin Feng for so long and never received such a gift, while this newcomer who had only arrived yesterday was already wearing something so pretty.
Its personality was straightforward. The moment it saw Lin Feng walk out from the barn, it cried out in complaint, eyes full of pitiful grievance.
"Vuiii!"
"Hm?"
Lin Feng blinked, confused at why Vulpix suddenly turned so moody.
But when Vulpix pointed at Eevee's bell, he understood. Amused yet guilty for overlooking its feelings, he crouched down to soothe it.
"Alright, alright. Give me a few days and I'll prepare a gift for you too."
"Vui~!"
Vulpix's sour mood eased considerably. Even though Eevee refused to let it touch the bell, it couldn't hold back its curiosity, staring at it closely, wondering how it made that sound.
Meanwhile, Lin Feng divided the hot noodles and pork cutlets among the Pokémon who could eat them, and poured each of them a cup of Mipple Wine.
But when it came time to serve Serperior, he hesitated.
Part of him felt it should drink, but he remembered how it got drunk last time and froze in place.
"Serp…"
Serperior paused too, smelling the wine. Clearly, it also remembered last time's embarrassing drunken state. The proud look on its face shifted into a rare awkwardness.
"Well… you can just drink a little, it won't be like last time where… uh… you ended up blurting out your feelings…"
Lin Feng struggled to find the right words, trying to explain this wine didn't have the same effects as rice wine.
But halfway through, a chilling thought struck him.
What if it wasn't the rice wine's "truth serum" effect that caused Serperior to spill its feelings last time?
What if Serperior just naturally spoke the truth whenever it was drunk?
If it was the former, then fine.
If it was the latter…
As he hesitated, Serperior stretched out a vine whip toward him.
"Serp…" (Just a little…)
Lin Feng let out a small sigh of relief and nodded. "Alright, just a little."
Still, he thought to himself, A small sip should be fine… though this wine is actually stronger than rice wine.
He poured about two fingers' worth into Serperior's cup.
Yet Serperior's expression still looked conflicted, as though it had more to say.
"What's wrong?" Lin Feng asked.
Serperior whispered softly, "Serp…" (If I do get drunk… take me back to the room quickly…)
Even if it wanted to act spoiled with Lin Feng, it absolutely didn't want to lose face in front of everyone else.
The proud snake.
"…Alright. I'll take you back right away if that happens."
Knowing Serperior's personality, Lin Feng didn't push it further, simply promising to watch over it carefully. That seemed to reassure it.
Once most of the Pokémon had been served, Lin Feng's gaze shifted to the Pidgeottos and Pidgeys.
By now, most of the Pidgeys had evolved into Pidgeotto.
One of them had even reached level 28 or 29.
It wouldn't be long before a Pidgeot delivery bird appeared.
Only two Pidgeys remained unevolved.
As for Mew…
It was currently staring eagerly at the mint-flavored pork cutlet in Lin Feng's hand.
It had completely adapted to its Pidgey disguise, blending naturally into the flock.
It never questioned why Lin Feng always placed a mint cutlet in front of it, nor did it suspect why one particular Pidgey never had any delivery records.
Sometimes, as he watched it, Lin Feng couldn't help but wonder.
You've stayed here for so long… doesn't the Tree of Beginning care?
And sometimes, when he thought of Mew, he would think of Mewtwo.
Where had it traveled by now? How many places had it seen? Had its opinion of humans changed at all?
After all, in this utopia-like Pokémon world, most humans were genuinely kind. Unless someone encountered a particularly vile individual, they rarely left with a bad impression.
"Wuuuh…"
A long, drawn-out cry suddenly pulled Lin Feng out of his thoughts.
Looking up, his expression froze.
It was Butterfree.
It was wobbling in the air, eyes dazed, scattering Sleep Powder everywhere as it cried incoherently.
Lin Feng instantly recognized the symptom.
It was drunk.
Shaking his head, he was about to use psychic power to stabilize it when more cries erupted behind him.
"Graaah~"
"Miiinaaa…"
Turning around, Lin Feng's heart sank.
Dragonite and Milotic had also fallen into drunken states.
His face changed instantly.
"Gardevoir! Quickly, restrain Dragonite!"
—————————————————————————————————————————————————
Love the story? Show your support and unlock early access to new chapters by joining me on Patreon! and if we hit every 250 Power Stones, a bonus chapter drops!
[email protected]/_tey
Change @ to a.