Jubilife City had a thriving economy and a dense population. Even at just one Pokémon per person, it represented an enormous market.
That was without counting the people coming in from the towns around Jubilife City, all potential customers.
It was a vast market, which was why Jubilife City had dozens of Pokémon Day Cares of all sizes.
At their peak, there had been over a hundred.
Without question, their quality varied wildly, and bad businesses driving out good ones was a common occurrence.
At present, the most famous Pokémon Day Care in Jubilife City was Coronet Day Care, located on the best stretch of road in the city center.
Its willingness to name itself after Mt. Coronet, which cut across Sinnoh, spoke volumes about its strength.
It looked like a single Pokémon Day Care, but behind it stood Coronet Company, with its extensive ranches and farms.
Opinions on Coronet Day Care were mixed.
Those who liked it said it was cheap, while its critics said it ignored Pokémon's physical condition and feelings.
Some concerned Jubilife citizens had reported it,
but investigations had failed to uncover anything wrong with Coronet Day Care.
The person who had shouted that something terrible had happened earlier was Dayou.
He had made a trip to the city center that morning.
Li Wei, his parents, and the Breeding Center's longtime employees had all gathered together,
and were listening as Dayou gave a vivid account of what he had learned.
"Coronet Day Care was already cheap, and now they're running a huge discount promotion!"
"They offer everything except Pokémon grooming and coat care. People were lining up first thing this morning!"
A Pokémon Day Care only had a handful of core services. Once Li Wei's family started breeding Pokémon, they would cover all of them.
Li Wei nodded slightly. This might be why the Breeding Center had been so deserted today.
Dayou took a sip of water.
"They're starting a price war? What do we do?"
Leon also looked toward Li Wei, who was deep in thought.
"Son, should we consider lowering our prices?"
Wen Hui immediately shook her head. "No."
Li Wei shook his head. "We don't need to bother. Coronet Day Care can't swallow the entire market. We serve different customers."
They did not have the resources to wage a price war.
Besides, a price war hurt both sides. Taking on Coronet Day Care that way would mean losing before they even began.
Li Wei said confidently, "Starting with a price war only proves they're putting on a tough front to hide their weakness."
Beside him, Mizuki adjusted her glasses and nodded slightly. "I've looked into Coronet Day Care's business model. It's different from ours.
"I've never had any contact with their internal operations, so I won't comment on those. There are really only two things they can do:
"Smear us, or mess with our supply channels."
Having worked her way through an unscrupulous Pokémon Day Care, Mizuki knew these underhanded tactics well.
Her analysis earned her a thumbs-up from Dayou. "That's amazing!"
"Gaao!"
Incineroar copied him.
Mizuki shrugged. "You'd know too if you dealt with more Pokémon Day Cares."
Dayou quickly shook his head. "No way. I'm not planning to leave. This is my first workplace, and it'll be my last."
"That's why I said you were lucky."
To Mizuki, Dayou was proof that fools had their own kind of luck.
Li Wei was not simply being optimistic, either.
"Still, a drop in customers for a while is unavoidable. Everyone should be mentally prepared."
Leon upheld his optimistic spirit. "Whatever happens, we just need to do our own jobs well!"
Wen Hui nodded. "If things are quiet, you don't have to spend all your time at the center. You can go take care of your own business."
Wen Hui intended to spend this time discussing which Pokémon they should breed.
Vulpix? Eevee? Rockruff?
Or the classic starter Pokémon?
These were all extremely popular Pokémon,
so there would be no trouble selling them.
Growlithe was out of the question. The League controlled their supply, and only a small number ever made it onto the market.
They certainly could not breed too many species at the start.
If they were going to begin breeding, they would also have to start making the preliminary preparations.
Li Wei nodded. "This is a good chance for me to take the Senior Breeder certification exam."
He still had a main quest to complete,
and becoming a Senior Breeder was one part of it.
Leaving aside the Pokémon Item Prize Ticket, he was very interested in the random skill upgrade among its rewards.
If his Center of Attention (Master Tier) got upgraded, wouldn't he be flying high?
But honestly, the skills Li Wei most wanted to upgrade were Pokémon Breeding, Scan, or Appraisal Eye.
He could grind proficiency in Cooking, Pokéblock making, and Poffin making himself.
Thanks to all the Pokéblocks he had been selling, his proficiency in making them had almost reached the cap without him noticing.
Pokéblock (Advanced): omitted (88,545/100,000)
An upgrade was just around the corner.
His Poffin progress was slower because he was not selling them, and only the employees' Pokémon were eating them.
But this allowed Li Wei to safeguard his reputation.
He was not in a rush to reach the heavens. A little slower was fine.
He still had not recreated the recipes for Mapo Tofu (B rank) and Crab Roe Lion's Head (B rank), either. Those were both challenges he needed to overcome.
Dayou grinned sheepishly. "Right, I need to sign up for the Intermediate Breeder exam!"
Mizuki raised her hand. "Aunt Wen Hui, I'm interested in Pokémon breeding."
Wen Hui smiled. "Then let's work on it together."
Shiyin was brimming with enthusiasm. "I'll study hard too!"
Xiao Rou said softly, "Yes, I'll do my best to keep our customers satisfied too!"
With a team like this, Li Wei refused to believe the Breeding Center could not get through this challenge.
Know yourself and your enemy, and you will never be defeated.
Li Wei was putting that saying into practice,
gathering information about Coronet Day Care.
The constant notification sounds from the group chat caught his attention.
Brock: "The 24th Young Breeder Competition has been confirmed. The finals will be held in Hearthome City, Sinnoh."
As the Pewter Gym Leader, Brock had also embarked on the path of a breeder after everything he had been through.
Akin: "Hearthome City is a bit far for me. I've still got work to do at the Pokémon Day Care."
Brock: "The rounds from the top 32 onward will be in Hearthome City. The preliminary selections and Knockout Rounds will be held across the major regions."
Lt. Surge: "It's not like you'd win first place just by showing up."
Red: "A Pokémon Breeder Competition? Never mind, I'll stick to training."
Blue: "@Li Wei, you could enter this competition. The prizes are generous, and I'm one of the judges."
Li Wei: "Why are you making it sound like I'd be pulling strings? I'll think about it."
Lt. Surge: "Beep beep! One yellow-card warning for that innuendo!"
Akin: "Beep beep! Child pass!"
Akin and Lt. Surge have been Mute for 5 minutes by Blue.
Only five minutes? Blue's really merciful.
Li Wei naturally knew about this competition.
It was the premier event for young breeders, held once every three years and open only to breeders under thirty.
His grandfather, Dad, and mother had all participated in the Pokémon Breeder Competition.
Come to think of it, Li Wei's parents had left quite an unforgettable mark on the Pokémon Breeder Competition.
During the semifinals, his Dad had confessed his love to Wen Hui on the live broadcast.
His mother had, of course, accepted, and the two had gotten together and stayed together ever since.
[Ding, new side quest detected...]
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