"These lands are just sitting empty, so there shouldn't be any issue with handing them over to the Breeding House. However, we can only sign a contract for now. It will be a temporary lease to the Breeding House, and only after a certain period can you purchase the land."
Mayor Qinn stood beside Lucas, looking at the empty lot next to the Breeding House, and spoke.
"Sign a contract? No problem, but how long would the term be?"
Lucas asked curiously.
"Hmm—conservatively estimated, it should be five years."
"Five years? That's acceptable. When can we sign?"
"We can do it now. Just wait a moment, I'll go back and draft the contract, then I'll bring it over for you to sign."
Mayor Qinn said: "Don't worry, I'll give you a discount."
After speaking, Mayor Qinn turned and left the Breeding House.
Lucas returned to the resting area, waiting for Mayor Qinn to bring the contract.
After sitting for a while, Lucas stood up and called out to Gengar.
Gengar quickly passed through the wall and arrived at Lucas's side.
"Gen Gengar?"
Lucas tugged at its mouth corners, "Bring the rotom phone, plus the notebook and pen. We're going to the backyard to do some planning; the Breeding House is about to acquire new land."
"Gen Gengar!"
Gengar floated to the bookshelf, took the notebook from it, then floated back to Lucas's side, following Lucas to the backyard with Ninetales trailing behind.
"Female, thank you for your hard work, please help me watch the shop."
"Meow~"
Arriving at the backyard, Lucas took Gengar and Ninetales to the fence, took the notebook and pen from Gengar's hand, and looked at the empty lot in front of him, starting to sketch and plan how to use this land that was about to be leased.
He discussed it with Gengar from time to time, though it was a pity that Gothitelle had gone to the Cottage.
Just then, Mr. and Mrs. Fujino also came to Lucas's side.
"What do you think we could use this land for if we lease it first?"
Listening to Lucas's inquiry, Mr. Fujino thought for a moment, took the notebook from Lucas's hand, skillfully drew a few squares, and then pointed at the notebook, saying: "I think we can expand the planting area. As the population increases, the vegetables at the Breeding House are becoming insufficient."
Lucas nodded.
Mrs. Fujino said from the side: "I think we could clear all the new land for planting, then move everything from our current planting area over there, and clean up the original planting area to turn it into a place suitable for Pokémon to play and rest."
Mrs. Fujino paused and continued: "After all, during this period until winter arrives, many Trainers will choose to board their Pokémon here to hatch eggs or train moves."
Lucas looked at the land before him and felt that what Mrs. Fujino said made a lot of sense. A month had already passed in the new year; it was time to adjust the business model of the Breeding House.
Plus, with the Breeding House now having sufficient staff, there was no need to worry about being overwhelmed.
"Alright then, when the Mayor comes, I'll ask how much we can lease. If there's enough, we'll clear it all out, move the planting area over, and improve this place into a spot for Pokémon to rest, play, and practice moves."
After finalizing the new land use plan, Lucas walked to the tea area of the planting zone, where Lilligant was sitting on the soil in the middle, squinting and dozing off.
Lucas walked over gently, squatted down, reached out and patted its little head, and fiddled with the stamen on the top of its head with his fingers, "Thank you for your hard work, Lilligant."
Lilligant didn't open its eyes, but tilted its body, rubbing its little head against Lucas's palm.
"Lilli~"
Lucas returned to the garden and sat down. Steven and the others had left last night, and Cynthia had also left the Breeding House early in the morning to return to the League to handle matters and arrange for the Gym assessment.
She said she would have the Gym Leader come to the Breeding House, and while conducting the Gym assessment, let them rest for a few days as well.
Lucas could only accept this helplessly.
After experiencing the week-long Lily of the Valley Conference, Lucas had returned to the Breeding House, and the Breeding House had returned to its normal state.
He reached out, grabbed the Pachirisu that jumped past him, and buried his head fiercely into Pachirisu's belly, taking a deep breath.
Refreshed.
Pachirisu: ???
Watching the fleeing Pachirisu, Lucas couldn't help but laugh.
His life had returned to the way it was at the beginning, except for the difference that he was finally with the Miss Cabbage (Cynthia) he had been thinking about.
This life was getting better and better.
Lucas rocked in the armchair, squinting his eyes, "It would be great if Gothitelle were here, letting it help me massage my shoulders and fan me would be the best."
It was a pity that Gothitelle was over at the Cottage.
The squinting Lucas suddenly felt a comfortable sensation on his shoulders. He opened his eyes and saw Gothitelle standing behind him, massaging his shoulders.
???
"Am I seeing a ghost? Gothitelle—"
Before he could finish, Lucas was tossed away by the instantly gloomy-faced Gothitelle.
"Gothitelle."
Vespiquen, who was just about to fly into the garden, saw a black shadow flash before its eyes and was so frightened that it hurriedly stopped and cursed loudly.
"Vespiquen!"
Before Lucas could finish speaking, he felt his body light, and then he saw Vespiquen pass by him. Immediately after, the planting area in his line of sight got closer and closer, and finally, he landed face-down in the dirt beside Lilligant.
Face to the dirt, rear to the sky.
Of course, Gothitelle had used psychic power to cushion Lucas.
Lilligant: "Lilli?"
"I don't know, I just said 'seeing a ghost'—"
Lucas raised his head, his face covered in mud, truly sitting beside Lilligant looking disheveled, and spoke with dissatisfaction.
"Vespiquen?"
Vespiquen flew over, looked at the mud-covered Lucas, and said.
"Vespiquen."
Lucas: ————
"You'd better guard your sweet honey twenty-four hours a day, otherwise I'll have Gengar steal all your sweet honey."
"Vespiquen~"
Listening to Vespiquen's provocation, Lucas gritted his teeth in hatred.
Detestable Vespiquen!
"Have you learned to be bad from Lilligant too?"
After saying this, Lucas immediately covered his mouth.
Oh no—forgot Lilligant was right beside him.
"Lilli~"
The stamen on top of Lilligant's head emitted golden powder, which fell onto Lucas.
"Sorry—num—num—"
Lucas sat in place, motionless.
Gothitelle, who floated over, was just about to take Lucas back when she saw him sitting on the ground motionless.
"Gothitelle?"
"Lilli."
Lucas: "Num—num—help—"
"Vespiquen!"
Gengar, who followed, saw the motionless Lucas, was stunned for a moment, and then:
Wahahahahaha!
"Gothitelle?"
"Lilli."
Gothitelle: ————
Gothitelle sighed, then turned and left.
"Gothitelle."
"Lilli."
Lucas watched Gothitelle leave; the numbness in his body made it impossible for him to move, and speaking was a bit difficult.
Don't abandon me, Mother Gothitelle—
Lucas could only cry powerlessly in his heart.
Lucas sat with Lilligant like this until Mayor Qinn arrived. Lilligant skillfully took out a Cheri Berry and stuffed it into Lucas's mouth.
The numbness relieved, Lucas breathed a sigh of relief, then retaliated by hugging Lilligant and pinching its little cheeks.
"Getting worse, stop learning from Gengar."
He then stood up, took Lilligant's hand, and walked towards the Breeding House.
The big guy lying on the garden chair, drinking honey water while watching cartoons on a tablet, suddenly sneezed.
Is someone talking about me again? Is my charm really that big now?
Sigh, no choice, the graceful Gengar is just this popular.
"Stop giggling, come over here quickly."
"Gen Gengar!"
Gothitelle floated to Lucas's side, reached out to clean the mud off his face and clothes, and then walked out of the backyard with him to the resting area.
"Speaking of which, Gothitelle, weren't you supposed to be at the Cottage? Why are you back?"
"Gothitelle."
"So that's how it is, I was wondering."
Lucas nodded. No wonder he saw Gothitelle the moment he opened his eyes; of course, he had thought he was seeing a ghost.
Lucas took a look at the contract handed over by Mayor Qinn; there were no major issues, and the price was very favorable, so Lucas signed his name without hesitation.
"Gengar, pay up."
Gengar skillfully took out the bank card, and after paying, its tail drooped in grievance.
"Do you need me to help you find a construction team?"
Mayor Qinn closed the contract, looked at Lucas, and asked.
Lucas shook his head, "No need for now, Gengar and the others can handle it. The Breeding House has many Pokémon."
"Alright then, I'll be going first. If anything comes up, give me a call."
Lucas nodded.
After Mayor Qinn left, Lucas looked at Gengar, smiled, and reached out to tug its mouth corners.
"Why are you pained? It's not money from my bank card, and I haven't touched a cent of your pocket money."
"Gen Gengar!"
"I didn't expect you to be such a little miser. It's fine, money earned is meant to be spent. Besides, this is money that must be spent. Believe me, it won't be long before we earn it back."
Hearing Lucas's comfort, Gengar finally smiled happily.
"You little miser."
After pinching Gengar's tail, Lucas's phone rang.
"Lucas, are you free?"
Jenny's voice rang out.
"I'm free, what's up? Is there something in Twinleaf Town that needs my help?"
"Yes, recently several Graveler appeared in Twinleaf Town, along with one Golem. They always like to sleep on the road. After chasing them away, they would change to another road the next day. Today is even worse; they've occupied the main traffic road entirely."
On the other end of the phone, Jenny detailed the sequence of events to Lucas.
"Graveler? Golem? Wait for me, I'll be there soon."
"Okay."
Hanging up the phone, Lucas looked at Gengar, who was leaking air in the air, "Gengar, go call all the Lickitung, and Rhyperior too. We're going to Twinleaf Town; Sister Reese has run into some trouble."
The deflated Gengar instantly became round, then passed through the wall.
While waiting, after hearing Lucas's words, Mrs. Fujino also told Lucas about the few Graveler she encountered yesterday.
"I always feel like they are very sleepy."
Mrs. Fujino said.
Lucas's attention was entirely focused on Mrs. Fujino's arms.
Did she just say she lifted a Graveler with her two hands and threw it?
That's a Graveler! A big rock of two or three hundred pounds, and you say you lifted it just like that?
Looking at it this way, little Shauna's attack power was actually inherited?
Before long, the Lickitung appeared next to the counter.
"I'll go over and check the situation first, please take care of the Breeding House for now."
After greeting Mrs. Fujino and Female, Lucas rode Ninetales and rushed towards Twinleaf Town.
Jenny saw Lucas riding Ninetales from afar.
She walked out of the cordon and came to Lucas's side, "You're here?"
"Yeah, where are the Golem and the others?"
Jenny pointed behind her, "They show faint signs of going berserk and are currently in a standoff with Arcanine and the others."
Lucas sat on Ninetales' back, followed Jenny into the cordon. A Golem with several Graveler was exchanging harsh words with Arcanine.
Seeing they were about to fight, Lucas got down from Ninetales' back, clapped his hands to attract their attention. After they focused on him, Lucas said: "Everyone, can we not fight for now? Can you give me some face and let's go somewhere else to talk?"
Golem: Why should we move? This isn't your home!
Oh? Still quite tough.
Lucas looked at the unruly Golem and the Graveler behind it, revealing a kind smile.
Unruly is good, unruly is good.
Boom!
The Lickitung and Rhyperior appeared behind Lucas, staring fixedly at Golem and the others.
Golem swallowed, looking at their frames which were much sturdier than its own, especially the leader, Lickitung, which was practically a superman.
It lost its nerve a bit.
"Lilligant, sniper mode."
Lucas snapped his fingers.
Whoosh.
A beam of light shot straight into the sky.
Sunny Day.
Subsequently, the flower on top of Lilligant's head began to gather energy. The terrifying energy made Golem retreat continuously, and one Graveler was even scared unconscious.
What is this thing? I feel like if I get hit by that, I'll turn into gravel—
Gothitelle floated in the air, her eyes glowing with an enchanting light, using psychic power to wrap around the area, protecting the surrounding crowd.
"Now, can we go somewhere else to talk? Golem."
"Golem."
Golem didn't hesitate at all and nodded frantically.
Lucas nodded with satisfaction, then patted Lilligant.
Golem watched the flower on Lilligant's head fire an Interstellar Heavy Cannon towards the sky, its mouth wide open.
You call this sniper mode?!
This is a sniper?!
Golem was incredibly glad that it had made a clear choice, otherwise it would have really turned into gravel.
This place—so scary—
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