Alolan Ninetales lay lazily at the entrance of the nursery.
Beside her, A-Jiu sprawled on the ground in the same fashion.
Sprigatito was still sunbathing on the rooftop.
Only Growlithe remained full of energy, guarding the entrance and enthusiastically greeting everyone who passed by.
Whenever pedestrians saw such an adorable little puppy, they could not help stepping forward to pet it.
But honestly, what they truly wanted to touch was the Alolan Ninetales beside him.
However, they knew she usually disliked being touched.
Besides, at this moment, she clearly had no interest in anyone.
If she was not spitting ice at people, that was already a good sign.
"Bulbasaur? Bulbasaur…" (Lin Feng still hasn't come back…)
A-Jiu lay dejectedly beside Alolan Ninetales' tail, then slowly climbed onto her.
"…No." (She said she would return within seven days…)
Alolan Ninetales spoke softly.
Gardevoir had told her it would be finished within seven days.
Seven days.
How long was seven days?
After calculating the time, she realized that only one day had passed since yesterday.
Her expression immediately became even more miserable.
Why was time moving so slowly?
If only today were already the sixth day!
"Indeedee~"
At that moment, Hatterene walked out, looked at the Pokémon guarding the entrance, and shook her head.
Ever since Lin Feng had left on his trip, Alolan Ninetales had been somewhat gloomy. Now her mood had only worsened.
Hatterene did not know how to comfort her.
Things would only improve when Lin Feng returned.
With that thought, Hatterene could not help lifting her head.
The sky was bright and cloudless, and the sunlight was dazzling, making it difficult to look directly at the sun.
But when she looked carefully, she sensed something unusual. Against the brilliant sunlight, a tiny black dot appeared on the horizon.
Hatterene blinked, thinking she had seen it wrong.
Yet the black dot in the sky moved at astonishing speed. Before long, its true form became clear.
A yellowish body and a round belly. Dragonite.
Which meant…
She quickly looked closer and soon spotted Lin Feng riding on Dragonite, with Mewtwo flying beside him.
Seeing this, Hatterene's already smiling face brightened even more.
"Indeedee~" (Lin Feng is back!~)
"…No." (How could that be? Gardevoir said seven days.)
Alolan Ninetales lay sprawled on the ground, replying listlessly.
"It's true!" (Really! Look for yourself.)
Seeing that Alolan Ninetales did not believe her, Hatterene puffed her cheeks and directly used her psychic power to lift the fox's head.
In a short time, the tiny dot that had once been on the horizon had already drawn near.
During the final descent, Dragonite gradually slowed down and lowered its altitude.
"…No… no!" (How could it be… Lin Feng!)
Alolan Ninetales had not believed it at first, but when she heard the rushing wind and sensed Dragonite approaching, she immediately jumped to her feet.
"I'm back!"
Seeing Alolan Ninetales, Growlithe, and A-Jiu guarding the entrance, Lin Feng, still riding on Dragonite's back, could not help shouting.
At the same time, Mewtwo looked around and quickly flew above the nursery.
Since Lin Feng refused to tell him, he planned to find that incredibly powerful Pokémon himself.
He wanted to see which Pokémon could make Lin Feng say he might not be able to defeat it.
The moment the group of Pokémon heard his voice, they all sprang up at once.
"Woo!"
"Woof!"
"Meowha…"
"Indeedee~"
Seeing them suddenly leap to their feet, a smile spread across Lin Feng's face.
He could not help asking, "Did you miss me?"
But the next second, his expression changed.
Because Alolan Ninetales, who had been lying at the entrance, immediately leaped down from the nursery the moment she saw him dismount Dragonite and rushed straight toward him.
"Don't…"
Before Lin Feng could even finish saying "don't," she had already pounced.
"Ninetales!"
The impact knocked him backward onto Dragonite's back.
Right after her came A-Jiu and Growlithe, followed by A-San and A-Wu, who had heard the commotion and poked their heads out from inside the nursery.
Sprigatito also stood up on the roof's edge, licking its paw calmly.
"Alright, alright…"
Feeling Alolan Ninetales trying to burrow into his arms, Lin Feng quickly held her front paws.
"Ninetales!"
"I know. I missed you all too," Lin Feng said as he stood up and gently set her down.
"Ninetales?"
"I came back this early? I returned as soon as I finished my business."
"Ninetales?"
"I went to a place called Alola. Speaking of Alola, that's your birthplace."
"Ninetales?"
"Alright, alright. We'll talk about it later. Dragonite and Mewtwo haven't eaten yet!"
Although Alolan Ninetales had countless questions in her heart, Lin Feng was not going to answer them one by one here. Otherwise, he would have to explain everything again later, which would be far too troublesome.
Soon, news of Lin Feng's return spread throughout the entire nursery and plantation.
Even Eldegoss, whose face was usually serious, could not help revealing a faint smile, though he quickly immersed himself in work again.
Alcremie, standing by the front counter, eagerly rushed forward for a hug.
After embracing everyone, Gardevoir also peeked out from the kitchen.
She glanced at Lin Feng and, seeing the smile on his face, immediately understood that the purpose of his trip had been accomplished.
Without another word, she returned to the kitchen.
On the path from the nursery to the plantation, Milotic and Primarina emerged from the water tanks.
"Meow~"
"Yuu…"
Salamence was no longer sleeping here. It had probably gone to the new villa.
As Lin Feng walked through the plantation, the Pokémon followed closely behind him.
He passed the cowshed, greeting Miltank and Combee, then arrived at the berry fields behind the villa.
Before long, he saw Serperior and Steenee.
Lush green waves of energy filled the entire berry field.
Serperior stood before Steenee, her tail swaying gently as the greenery throughout the plantation grew even more vibrant.
Seeing this, Steenee's small face turned extremely serious. The leaves atop her head rustled and began to spin.
Then, as the leaves rotated, a similar emerald wave spread outward.
But this time, compared with Serperior's power, her green aura was like a faint star beside a brilliant moon.
Even so, Steenee looked at Serperior happily.
"Stee?" (Is that right?)
"Serperior…" (Yes, very good…)
Serperior gently stroked her with her tail, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly, before turning her gaze toward the exit of the cowshed.
Lin Feng and the group of Pokémon were standing there.