Building plans

Xiang Shi watched Tong Hua's affectionate interaction with Miltank and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Mu Mu peeked out from behind him, gaining a new understanding of his junior apprentice.

"The budget is certainly an issue..." Xiang Shi pulled a drawing board from his backpack. "But since you're practically half my apprentice, of course I can give you a discount."

"Thank you, Master!"

Xiang Shi smiled faintly. "Don't thank me just yet. If I remember correctly, there's a Fast-Growing Forest nearby. If you can find the time to gather some timber yourself, we can bring the price down even further."

"The Fast-Growing Forest?" Tong Hua thought back over the surrounding terrain. There did seem to be a place like that northwest of the ranch.

"Got it. However much timber we need, I'll gather it all."

Seeing the determination in Tong Hua's eyes, Xiang Shi nodded approvingly.

That resolve to choose a path and never give up was exactly like Old Master Tong's back in the day.

"Grrr-"

An ill-timed rumble broke the serious atmosphere, and Mu Mu spoke up, his face red with embarrassment.

"Um... when can we eat?"

Half an hour later, Xiang Shi and Mu Mu sat outside the cabin, eating curry and rice with Tong Hua's Pokémon.

It was the same steaming, fragrant Meat-Gravy Curry, and it was just as delicious as ever.

This time, too, it provided the two special effects of increased crafting power and increased experience.

"Hmm?"

After the meal, Xiang Shi resumed drawing the plans and was the first to feel the effects of the crafting power boost.

Work he had long been familiar with now flowed even more smoothly beneath his pencil!

Countless ideas burst through his mind, and his pencil moved as if guided by inspiration!

Work that normally took several hours was finished in just thirty minutes!

"Incredible!" Xiang Shi looked at the plans in his hands, utterly satisfied.

"Here!"

After handing the plans to Tong Hua, Xiang Shi eagerly grabbed Mu Mu, ready to push their cart back to Chicory Woodwork Hall.

"I'm really on form today. I need to get back and get some more work done!

You can have these plans for free. Thanks for spending the whole morning running around with us-you were a huge help.

When you have time, gather the materials shown here. Once you have everything, you can either build it yourself or ask us to help.

Of course, we'll give you a discount if you hire us. Anyway, we're off!"

"Master, wait for me!"

After seeing off the noisy master and apprentice, Xiang Shi and Mu Mu, Tong Hua returned to the cabin and examined the plans.

"Ranch fencing, a Pokémon Cottage, and a silo."

There were three structures in all. Along with their appearance, the drawings specified their dimensions and the approximate quantities of materials needed.

"That's another task on the list, but it's fine. Time is one thing I'm not short on."

He had nothing else to do anyway. Aside from milking each day and watering the field, there really didn't seem to be much work around the ranch at present.

With Turtwig and Bounsweet watching over the field, Tong Hua's workload was even lighter.

Rather than a rancher, Tong Hua was more like a chef responsible for cooking for the Pokémon.

"Anyway, I'll go gather some materials this afternoon. The Fast-Growing Forest northwest of the ranch... if I remember right, there should be a stream there too."

After a moment's thought, Tong Hua shouldered his bamboo basket, packed his axe and fishing rod, and prepared to bring back some fish while gathering timber.

"Min-min!" "Turt!"

Seeing Tong Hua about to leave, Minccino and Turtwig hurried over. Each aimed for its own reserved seat, once again becoming accessories hanging from Tong Hua.

Tong Hua looked at the two little Pokémon, then at Bounsweet, who was bouncing around the tender shoots in the field.

"Bounsweet, you'll be in charge of watching the house. We'll be back soon."

"Boun-boun!"

Bounsweet kept bouncing cheerfully. Whenever he saw her, she always seemed just as happy, lifting his spirits without him even noticing.

Only after Tong Hua and his companions had gone farther away did the green Pokémon that had remained hidden in the air slowly reveal itself.

"Bii..."

It was a smiling Celebi. Seeing Tong Hua head into the distance, Celebi quietly followed him.

Starting from the cabin, they followed the path through the middle of the ranch, passing the Pasture and pond before reaching a stream bordering the Wind-Circling Forest.

Across the water, which was several meters wide, lay the Wind-Circling Forest.

There was no bridge nearby, however, nor any footholds in the water that would let them cross.

After considering it for a moment, Tong Hua decided to ask the Bibarel family living in the pond for help.

"With their abilities, building a wooden bridge should only take a few minutes."

He recalled how the Bidoof had built a home in just over ten minutes the previous night. Their efficiency was definitely trustworthy.

Tong Hua crouched beside the pond and clapped softly. "Bibarel! Bidoof!"

Ripples spread across the water. Soon, several round little Bidoof poked their heads out, followed by a larger Bibarel with a fluffy tail.

They blinked their beady black eyes, looking curiously at Tong Hua.

Their adorably dopey expressions struck him right in the heart once again.

Unable to resist, he reached out and rubbed the nearest Bidoof's wet head. "Could you help build a wooden bridge across the stream?

I'll treat you to dinner! The same as yesterday. How does that sound?"

Bibarel's whiskers immediately perked up. Turning around, Bibarel gave the Bidoof a series of short calls.

In an instant, the entire pond erupted with activity! More than a dozen Bidoof emerged from all directions, some still carrying half-eaten Berries in their mouths.

"Bi-bi!"

At a single command from Bibarel, the whole family sprang into action.

Their roles were clearly divided. Some dived into the water to find suitable timber, others neatly trimmed branches with their sharp front teeth, and still others handled transport and assembly.

"Min-min..." "Turt..."

Tong Hua and his two Pokémon watched in astonishment. These little Pokémon were practically a well-trained construction crew.

In less than half an hour, a sturdy little wooden bridge spanned the stream. Bibarel even thoughtfully smoothed the surface with that broad tail to keep splinters from piercing anyone's feet.

"Amazing!" Tong Hua praised them sincerely, while Minccino and Turt-

wig applauded beside him.

Tong Hua couldn't help marveling that, compared with these little Pokémon, he really was nothing more than a carpentry apprentice.

Tong Hua crouched down and stroked each Bidoof's wet little head. "Thank you! Come by the field tonight for another hot pot party!"

"Bi-bi!"

Stepping onto the newly built wooden bridge, Tong Hua finally reached the edge of the Wind-Circling Forest.

The scenery abruptly changed. Vast stretches of leafy canopy blocked the sunlight, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of leaves and the fragrance of earth.

This was Tong Hua's first time experiencing nature like this firsthand. Even in his previous life, he had never breathed air so wonderfully fresh.

"Phew-hah!"

He couldn't help taking a deep breath, as though that natural energy were washing through every organ in his body.

"Not bad!"

Turtwig and Minccino both jumped down from Tong Hua, enjoying the forest air as well.

"Min-min!"

Minccino climbed straight up a large tree and stood at the top, gazing into the distance with a happily swishing tail.

Turtwig strolled leisurely through the woods, occasionally lowering that little head to sniff the moss on the ground, looking perfectly content.

Tong Hua unfolded the plans Xiang Shi had given him and checked them against his surroundings. "The Fast-Growing Forest should be a little farther northwest... hmm, the wood we need is fast-growing eucalyptus."

As Tong Hua walked through the forest, he occasionally spotted wild Pokémon passing through the grass.

Pidgey peered curiously from the branches, several Wurmple crawled slowly along tree trunks, and the faint sound of Ledyba's wingbeats could be heard in the distance.

Tong Hua carefully avoided the bushes on the ground, afraid of disturbing the Pokémon.

Turtwig followed at his feet, occasionally rubbing against his trouser leg as though showing him the way.

"Turt!"

Suddenly, Turtwig stopped and pointed a forepaw ahead and to the right.

Tong Hua looked in that direction and, sure enough, spotted a stand of trees noticeably more orderly than the surrounding woodland. Their trunks were straight and their bark grayish white-it was the fast-growing eucalyptus grove.

Even the tallest of these trees stood only six or seven meters high, while the shortest were around two meters. Tong Hua could wrap both arms around most of their trunks, so their diameters probably didn't exceed half a meter.

The distinctive, slightly pungent scent of eucalyptus leaves filled the grove, carrying the same icy sensation as drawing a sharp breath after eating a mint.

Tong Hua sniffed carefully and discovered that the eucalyptus itself also had a fresh, slightly sweet fragrance.

"No wonder they chose this wood. After breathing it in for a while, you really do feel calmer, body and mind."

For Miltank, who needed to stay in a good mood at all times, this wood was indeed an excellent choice for building the Pokémon Cottage.

"All right."

Tong Hua set down his basket and took out his axe, preparing to fell a few shorter trees and carry the logs back first.