Chapter 45: Exchange
"Ah~"
After tasting the Young Man's Berry, he sighed deeply, a sense of powerlessness welling up within him.
"Oh, right, Young Man, would you like to try my Berries too?" Perhaps feeling the atmosphere was a bit awkward, the Young Man said with an embarrassed smile.
"Okay!" Bai Feng replied. This was exactly what he was waiting for.
Bai Feng had also noticed the Situation with the Young Man's side. He was actually very curious about what was going on with his Berries, and why everyone who tasted them seemed to avoid them like the plague.
"Right, my name is Ji En. May I ask for your name, Young Man?" As he led Bai Feng to his Exhibition Booth, the Young Man suddenly remembered that he and Bai Feng hadn't exchanged names yet.
"My name is Bai Feng." Bai Feng simply introduced himself.
"Truly Young and promising!" Ji En couldn't help but exclaim.
Upon arriving at Ji En's Exhibition Booth, Bai Feng finally got to taste Ji En's Berries as he wished, and at the same time, he understood why his Berries were so unpopular.
The Situation with Ji En's Berries was Similar to Bai Feng's; there were very few Varieties, only a handful in total. Bai Feng recognized all of them: Huangli Berry, Pipi Berry, Qiefan Berry, and Dengjiang Berry.
The Huangli Berry is a Berry that looks slightly Similar to a Pineapple from Bai Feng's previous life, but its size is not as large as a Pineapple. One Berry is about the size of an adult's fist. The Variety Ji En cultivated was even smaller.
The Huangli Berry is golden yellow all over with green stripes on the surface. Under normal circumstances, its Taste is slightly sour and extremely sweet.
But the Variety Ji En cultivated amplified the sourness countless times. One bite could directly make your teeth ache. Let alone ordinary people, even Pokémon who like sourness couldn't stand it. There was sweetness, but it wasn't obvious. Perhaps it was too sour; anyway, Bai Feng didn't taste it.
The Pipi Berry is a segmented Fruit with a green peel. Under normal circumstances, its Taste is slightly bitter and astringent, but the overall aroma is fragrant, Similar to the smell of Green Tea.
But the Variety Ji En cultivated was bitter and astringent to the extreme. One bite down, his tongue felt numb from the astringency. After Bai Feng took a bite, he felt like his sense of Taste disappeared for a while.
There was also the Qiefan Berry, which is a spicy Berry, fiery red all over with thorns, generally popular with some Fire-type Pokémon.
The Variety Ji En cultivated was indeed very spicy. This kind of Berry is usually more popular the spicier it is, but its Problem was the particularly strange texture. It felt a bit like sand in the mouth, which was truly unacceptable.
Finally, there was the Dengjiang Berry.
The Dengjiang Berry is named for its appearance, which resembles small lanterns. When ripe, they are pure yellow all over. Their Fruit Flesh is usually very soft, and a gentle squeeze can burst out a large amount of juice.
Normal Dengjiang Berries have a rich aroma, with a faint Osmanthus fragrance hidden within the strong fruity scent. Due to its Unique Flavor, this Berry is not only very popular among Pokémon but also loved by a large portion of humans.
But the Dengjiang Berry cultivated by Ji En had an overly strong Taste. Even just smelling it initially, the scent went straight to the brain, extremely pungent, making people think it was a foul smell. Let alone the Osmanthus fragrance, even the ordinary fruity scent was gone.
Who could bring themselves to eat a Berry that emitted a foul smell? Humans couldn't, and neither could Pokémon!
After communication, Bai Feng learned that Ji En's Home was on the Highland in the easternmost part of the Kalos Region. The environment there was special, the soil was unique, and the diurnal temperature Variation was particularly large, resulting in Berries with very peculiar tastes.
The Berries Ji En cultivated were already Improved Varieties that had weakened their peculiar Taste by more than half.
Ji En's Home village was a very poor countryside, and the only local specialty was these peculiarly flavored Berries.
His biggest dream since childhood was to help the village find a path to prosperity, and for this, he had been working hard to Improve the Berry Varieties.
Unfortunately, after cultivating for so long, the Berries he grew still had too peculiar a Taste. He came to participate in this Exhibition Fair with a hopeful attitude, thinking that maybe someone might actually like this kind of peculiarly flavored Berry!
However, the reality was that the miracle did not happen.
After listening to Ji En's story, Bai Feng developed a strong interest in the Berry Trees produced in his hometown. If the Improved Varieties could yield Berries with such "intense" Flavor, what did the unimproved Berries Taste like? Bai Feng was very curious.
Thinking of this, he opened his mouth and asked, "Mr. Ji En, I wonder if you are interested in the Berries I cultivated?"
Ji En was a bit surprised by this, or rather, he didn't quite understand what Bai Feng meant. Berry Farmers who come to the Exhibition are either looking for Investment or exchanging Experience. Bai Feng seemed to be the only one looking to exchange Berry Trees, so it was understandable that Ji En didn't grasp the Situation immediately.
Seeing that Ji En didn't understand, Bai Feng told him his request. He didn't need the Berry Trees that Ji En had already Improved; he wanted some of the original, native Berry Trees from Ji En's hometown.
"You really want to exchange the Berry Trees you cultivated for the Berry Trees from my hometown?" Ji En looked at Bai Feng as if he were looking at an idiot.
For any Berry Farmer, the Berry Trees they cultivate are their painstaking effort, especially the high-quality ones. Almost no one would exchange their hard work with Others unless they could exchange for a more superior Variety.
But what Bai Feng wanted to exchange for were unimproved wild native Berry Trees, whose value was vastly Different from the Berry Trees that could yield delicious Berries. Was this really okay?
Bai Feng nodded: "That's right. I am researching the Grafting of Berry Trees, so I want to understand the differences between Berry Trees from Different regions."
So that's it! Ji En suddenly understood. Researchers often disregard cost and consequences to obtain research materials. He felt that Bai Feng might be in a Similar Situation.
"Of course, I'd be very happy to." After understanding the Situation, Ji En said happily.
Perhaps from Bai Feng's Berry Trees, he could get inspiration for Improving the Berry Trees in his hometown. He had tasted Bai Feng's Berries, and the Taste was truly wonderful. Whether it was sweetness, sourness, or aroma, it was just right, not a bit too much, not a bit too little.
The Taste of the several kinds of Berries Bai Feng planted were relatively popular, mainly sweet with a slight sourness. This Taste is mainstream among both humans and Pokémon. After all, Pokémon who like spicy, astringent, or bitter tastes are in the minority, and even fewer humans like these tastes.
Seeing Ji En agree, Bai Feng was naturally very happy, but after thinking about it, he still said, "Let me explain beforehand, I live in Couriway Town not far from here. It's like spring all year round, with a mild Climate, which is quite Different from the Climate in your hometown. So, if you want to grow my Berries well, you might have to put in some effort."
"I know that, Young Man, don't worry."
After cultivating Berry Trees for so many years, it was impossible for Ji En not to notice this Problem. There are many ways to solve regional Climate differences; it just depends on whether you are willing to put in the effort.
Then the two exchanged contact information and promised to send each other the Berry Trees they needed after the Exhibition Conference ended.
With the deal with Bai Feng, the look of distress on Ji En's face disappeared. Even though he was still often rejected by guests afterward, he kept smiling.
Even if no one was willing to invest in him this Time, being able to exchange for Bai Feng's Berry Trees made him feel that the trip was worthwhile.
As Time went on, more and more guests came to visit the Exhibition Conference, and Bai Feng's Exhibition Booth gradually became busier with guests.
Not all guests were easy to send away, like the one Bai Feng was dealing with now.
"Sir, I really don't need Investment. Please find Other Investors," Bai Feng said helplessly to the person in front of him.
The person pestering Bai Feng was a short, chubby man dressed quite lavishly, wearing designer Clothes from head to toe, as if to announce to the world: I am very rich.
The short, chubby man was about thirty years old, with fair and tender skin. After tasting Bai Feng's Berry, he was amazed and insisted on pestering Bai Feng to invest in him.
"Young Man, don't be so quick to refuse. I'm very rich. Just name a number, and I'll satisfy you," the short, chubby man said with a look of extravagance.
"It's not a matter of Money or not Money, it's that I really don't need it," Bai Feng refused again.
"If you don't need it, why come to the Exhibition Fair? Are you looking for a better Investor?" The short, chubby man looked at Bai Feng suspiciously. "Let me tell you, among the people here, there won't be anyone richer than me!"
(_) Bai Feng was speechless. Couldn't he be a little more low-key?
"Kid, our Boss is willing to invest in you because he thinks highly of you. Don't be ungrateful!"
At this moment, a Burly Man wearing black Clothes and black sunglasses behind the short, chubby man stepped forward and shouted at Bai Feng.
That's right, this short, chubby man also brought five or six bodyguards dressed like the Axe Gang. This was one of the important reasons why Bai Feng said he acted high-profile.
What real rich person goes out with this kind of entourage? Isn't this clearly a parvenu?
"Hey~ David, how are you talking to the Young Man! Be polite!" Seeing the bodyguard step forward, the short, chubby man immediately pretended to scold the bodyguard.
"Yes, Boss, I know I was wrong." The bodyguard immediately lowered his head upon hearing this and retreated behind the short, chubby man.
You two can't even act convincingly!
Just then, Mr. Da Cun returned. Seeing Bai Feng surrounded by a group of people, he quickly squeezed in and asked, "What happened? What happened?"
So Bai Feng had to explain how the short, chubby man insisted on investing in him. Teacher Da Cun immediately said with a stern face, "You want to cause trouble? Do you believe I'll complain about you to the organizers?"
Every year, this Exhibition Conference is hosted by the Pokémon League Headquarters and co-organized by the regional Pokémon League. Although it is not as highly regarded as the Trainer's Alliance Tournament, the organizers would never allow anyone to cause trouble at the Venue.
Hearing Teacher Da Cun's words, the short, chubby man indeed seemed a bit intimidated. He said stubbornly, "Complain about what? Is it wrong for me to want to invest in him? Don't be unreasonable!"
Now it was Others who were being unreasonable. Teacher Da Cun was speechless. His temper was notoriously fiery at the School. Facing this Situation, he was already trying hard to suppress his anger.
"Cut the nonsense, we don't need Investment!"
"Bai Feng, what's happening here?"
Just then, another voice sounded. Bai Feng turned his head and saw Fu La Da Li appear not far from his Exhibition Booth at some point.
However, before Bai Feng could greet Fu La Da Li, the short, chubby man had already rushed to Fu La Da Li's side and said with a face full of smiles:
"Oh my goodness, Mr. Fladali, I can't believe I'd meet you here! What a coincidence!"
Mr. Fladali was taken aback by the short, chubby man's enthusiastic attitude, then smiled and greeted the short, chubby man: "Ah, Mr. Pierre, it's been a long Time. Are you also here for the Exhibition Fair?"
"Yes, yes, I'm quite interested in investing in Berry Farming," Pierre said, rubbing his fair, chubby hands.
"Then we have something in common," Fu La Da Li said with a smile.
"Exactly, exactly!" Pierre echoed obsequiously. "It's just that some people are ungrateful. I kindly offered to invest in him, but he looked down on it." As he spoke, he specifically glanced at Bai Feng.
At this point, Fu La Da Li walked up to Bai Feng, pulled Bai Feng, and said to Pierre, "Mr. Pierre, do you also know Bai Feng? What a coincidence, Bai Feng and I are also good Friends!"
Hearing Fu La Da Li's words, Pierre was stunned for an Instant, then a bright smile immediately appeared on his face.
"Really? That's quite a coincidence! I was just praising how amazing this Young Man is. The Berries he cultivated are top-notch!"
Saying this, he gave Bai Feng a thumbs-up.
His rapid change in expression caught Bai Feng completely off guard, but he didn't expose Mr. Pierre.
It's always best to leave a way out for future encounters. He wasn't some extraordinary person, so it was better to avoid offending such a petty person if possible.
Knowing that Bai Feng was a Friend of Fu La Da Li, Pierre naturally didn't dare to pester him any further. After shamelessly trying to build a connection with Fu La Da Li for a while, he left feeling satisfied.
Seeing Pierre leave, Fu La Da Li looked at Bai Feng and asked, "Do you have Time to look around with me?"
Bai Feng looked at his Exhibition Booth, feeling a bit hesitant.
"Bai Feng, you should go look around too. I'll watch the Exhibition Booth for you. Aren't you looking to exchange Berry Trees? Just staying at the Exhibition Booth makes it hard to gain anything. It's better for you to go and investigate personally." Teacher Da Cun said at this point, and he also took out a notebook and handed it to Bai Feng. "These are the Berry Appraisal Notes I made while looking at Other Exhibition Booths. They record some of my analysis of the Berries at certain Exhibition Booths. You can use them for reference."
Bai Feng took the notebook and said gratefully, "Thank you, Teacher Da Cun."
Teacher Da Cun waved his hand and said, "It's nothing. You are my student. I can still help with this small favor."
Bai Feng was even more touched upon hearing this.
"Teacher, I'll leave the Exhibition Booth to you then. I'll be back as soon as possible."
Then Bai Feng took Teacher Da Cun's Appraisal Notes and toured the Exhibition Fair with Fu La Da Li. Fu La Da Li also came this Time hoping to find some potential Berry Farmers to invest in, and Teacher Da Cun's notes were a good reference.
(End of this chapter)