"This is an energy cube that can change size."
Lin Feng took out a single energy cube and looked at the newly evolved Ice Ninetales.
But to his surprise, the Ice Ninetales who had been insisting on shrinking just moments ago shook her head instead.
"~"
(No, not right now!)
"Hm?"
Lin Feng felt a little puzzled, but he did not press her. Instead, he said gently, "Alright. When you want it, come find me. Or you can ask Hattrem. I will give her some energy cubes to keep."
"~"
Ice Ninetales nodded.
She looked at the now much smaller table. At first, she planned to hop up onto it from below, but quickly realized that with her current size, there was simply no room for her on the tabletop anymore.
She did not feel discouraged.
Instead, she leapt onto a nearby armchair.
Her nine long, fluffy tails draped over the back of the chair, instantly covering it in white fur. She rested her front paws neatly in front of her, giving off a calm, elegant presence.
The Eevee stood in front of her, staring curiously.
Sprigatito also looked over with a strange expression.
How did the Ice Ninetales who used to look so silly suddenly become this elegant after evolving?
Watching her tails sway gently, Lin Feng felt his heart stir.
The little Vulpix had grown into a full Ninetales. She looked even more suited to being petted now.
He suddenly wondered whether her paws still had those soft pink pads…
"Show us something."
Just as his thoughts began to drift, Serperior's voice interrupted him.
Lin Feng snapped back to reality. He took out another energy cube and placed it in front of Serperior.
"This one is yours. Eat it, and you can change size too."
Unexpectedly, Serperior shook her head as well.
"Xiu…"
(I do not want to eat it yet.)
"Uh…"
"Well, alright."
It seemed that as the Pokémon grew older, they were developing their own preferences and decisions.
Lin Feng did not force them.
Instead, he walked over to the water channel connected to the reservoir and looked at Primarina and Milotic as they poked their heads out of the water. He shared his earlier idea with them.
His plan was to have them shrink down after winter and bring them back to the villa, where they would live in a large aquarium.
He was asking for their opinion.
After all, he was not sure whether they preferred the wide-open reservoir and rivers, or staying close together with everyone.
If they chose the latter, he planned to buy a massive aquarium over ten meters long and place it in the house.
"Yuu…"
"Meow…"
The two Pokémon exchanged looks, surprise flashing in their eyes.
Then, without hesitation, they chose the second option.
However, Milotic quickly raised a concern.
"Yoyo…"
(Then… if we are not here, who will water the plantation?)
"That will not be a problem," Lin Feng replied. "The vegetables planted for winter are enough for everyone. These trees will not bear fruit during winter either, so they will not need daily watering."
Then he turned to Primarina. "By then, Blaziken and Bounsweet will also be brought back to the new house."
"Meow~"
(Okay~)
The two Pokémon agreed without hesitation.
Just then, Gardevoir returned after delivering food to Hoopa's construction team.
At first glance, her attention was drawn to the slightly magical-looking Ice Ninetales sitting on the chair. She had already evolved.
She asked curiously, "Gardevoir?"
(Evolved form?)
"Yes," Lin Feng replied. "A special kind of fruit appeared recently. It can let anyone grow bigger or smaller, so she decided to evolve."
Hearing this, Gardevoir could not help but laugh softly.
"Gardevoir…"
(It seems she really likes being held by you.)
"Hm?"
Lin Feng did not react immediately.
Gardevoir smoothly changed the subject.
"Gardevoir…"
(The workers said the house should be finished in five or six days. They are already working on the roof.)
Lin Feng's attention was instantly captured.
The closer the new house came to completion, the more excited he felt. These days, he could not help but go check on it every single day.
The overall structure of the house had actually been completed more than ten days ago. Back then, Hoopa's team had already started asking about interior design.
On that front, Lin Feng had taken into account the opinions of most of the Pokémon.
First of all, the house was enormous. Large enough that Dragonite, Salamence, Blaziken, and Gardevoir could each have their own small rooms.
Though called small, they were built according to Pokémon living standards.
Inside were Mareep wool blankets and pillows.
That ensured every Pokémon had enough room to move comfortably.
For lighting, he had also asked each Pokémon what colors they preferred.
For example, Blaziken liked warm orange light.
As for furniture, Lin Feng felt they did not really need it. Still, he installed two massive floor-to-ceiling sliding windows for Dragonite and Salamence so they could come and go freely.
Teaching them how to use the doors would not be difficult.
Of course, Hattrem and her sibling, who had long lived inside Poké Balls, as well as Steenee, all had their own independent little houses too.
Because they were shorter, their homes were custom-built to suit their height.
Steenee's house was designed on the first floor, closest to the new plantation.
That area felt the most connected to nature, allowing her to step outside anytime she wished.
Lin Feng's own room, along with Gardevoir's and Mewtwo's, was located on the second floor.
His room was spacious. He had specially ordered several large, multi-compartment cabinets.
Though called cabinets, they were actually meant to be sleeping spaces for Eevee, Ice Ninetales, and Sprigatito.
The inside would be lined with soft fur.
Since they all liked watching anime, he also planned to buy a large television for the room.
That way, they could lie on the bed together, watch shows, or play around.
Then, in the living room, he planned to custom-build a large curved circular aquarium along the wall.
That would be where Milotic and Primarina would spend the winter.
After thinking about it all for a long time, Lin Feng finally spoke just one sentence.
"I really cannot wait to see it…"
"Gardevoir…"
(Soon. Very soon.)
Gardevoir gently patted his head, her eyes filled with the same anticipation.
"Hahaha…"
Lin Feng could not help but laugh.
Then he saw the cream-colored Pokémon who had finished eating reach out toward Hattrem, asking for a hug.
Hattrem and her brother soon carried them off toward the nursery room.
Salamence had also finished eating. He flapped his wings and took off into the sky, likely heading back to his post to sleep.
Dragonite looked a little indifferent. Seeing that Ice Ninetales had evolved too, a trace of regret appeared in his eyes.
Perhaps he was thinking that now that Ice Ninetales had evolved, she could no longer bounce around on his belly like before.
Bounsweet had become more and more lively. When she saw Gardevoir return, she immediately ran over and greeted her with a bright, cheerful voice.
Goomy followed behind Mewtwo.
Her bowl was filled with dumplings Mewtwo had cooked.
Unfortunately, the dumplings were too small and her arms were too short. She could not pick them up properly, and they would fall apart the moment she tried.
With no other choice, Mewtwo used his psychic power to feed them to her one by one.
Everything looked peaceful and calm.
The scene reminded Lin Feng of the Pokémon in the cowshed.
So he stood up and said, "Let's go check on Miltank and Combee…"
But the moment he stepped into the cowshed, the ground beneath his feet seemed to possess a mysterious pull, dragging him downward…