Diancie was the first to notice Meowstic's presence. It looked toward the Flower Garden in confusion. Then, Ange and Munchlax also saw it.
"Meowstic? Why are you hiding there? Is something wrong?" Ange asked in confusion. "Come over quickly." He then waved his hand at Meowstic.
Meowstic awkwardly walked out then.
Ange smiled and asked, "Did you come here to see me for something?"
Meowstic was hesitant. It did not know how to speak for a moment.
Ange saw this, so he stood up and went to its side before taking its hand and asking, "Just tell me if something is wrong. Did you run into some trouble? If you tell me, I will definitely help if I can."
Meowstic gathered its courage to speak when it heard this.
"Meow Meow~" Mr. Ange, I heard you opened a new shop in the Azoth Royal Capital, is that right?
Diancie came to Ange's side to translate when it heard this.
Ange showed surprise after listening to Diancie's translation. "You know already? Did Staraptor tell you?"
Meowstic nodded softly.
Ange answered it, "Yes, but it has not opened yet."
"Meow~ Meow~ Meow~" Then, do you need an employee?
Meowstic asked, its face flushing.
Ange instantly understood. "You... want to apply for a job?"
Meowstic nodded in embarrassment.
Meowstic actually felt very bad about asking. When the truth was revealed that Diancie's Grand Cafeteria was opened by a human, it had subconsciously left with everyone else.
Thinking back now, it felt very sorry for Ange. After all, it had eaten so much of Ange's food.
Because of this, it had always felt guilty toward Ange. Now, not only was it unable to repay Ange, but it needed Ange's help instead.
However, the Nebel Plateau would soon enter winter. Although the climate and environment would not change much, the entire Nebel Plateau would enter a food shortage period then.
This season was usually the hardest time for everyone on the plateau.
Meowstic thought of the Dugtrio brothers and Gardevoir's family. They had become self-sufficient because they worked for Ange. Meowstic then decided to come and apply for a job. It wanted to earn food and help everyone get through the food shortage period.
***
Ange was also deep in thought at this moment.
He could manage the stall when he was selling, because Romeo and his Slurpuff helped. But opening a real shop was different.
Besides, Romeo was a prince of a kingdom. He could not stay with Ange forever as a waiter. Furthermore, he was still young. He would leave sooner or later.
So, hiring another employee was indeed necessary.
Thinking this, Ange looked at Meowstic.
A Psychic-type Pokémon was definitely suitable as a waiter. Their psychic power could perform many delicate tasks. They could even multitask. This was an advantage that other Pokémon did not possess.
But...
"My shop is in the Azoth Royal Capital. There are many humans there. Are you really okay with that?" Ange asked.
"Meow~ Meow~" I can! I can do it!
Meowstic nodded forcefully.
It had prepared itself mentally for this before coming. It would definitely try hard to overcome it.
Seeing Meowstic's determination, Ange thought for a moment and said, "How about this? Come over tomorrow morning when the sun has just risen. I'll take you to adjust first. If you can adjust, I will hire you."
Meowstic was delighted when it heard this. It kept bowing to Ange.
"Meow~ Meow~ Meow~" Thank you, thank you, Mr. Ange.
"Alright, hurry back," Ange said, patting Meowstic's head.
"Meow~"
Meowstic nodded. It left with light steps.
***
After Meowstic left, Ange and the others watched the show for a while longer. He stood up from his chair only when his back and waist were aching. He rubbed his waist and shoulder. He said to Diancie and the others,
"We've been lying down for so long. Let's go for a walk and stretch our muscles."
"Munch~"
Munchlax was the first to jump up and agree. It immediately ran to Ange's side. It held Ange's hand. It loved going out with Master the most.
Diancie also stood up. "That sounds nice. I'm tired of lying down too."
"Then let's go. Munchlax, you carry Komala," Ange said.
"Munch~"
Munchlax replied. It took Komala from Ange's arms.
Just like that, the family of four went out for a walk together.
Walking on the soft grass, Ange noticed the Swablu family flying overhead. He waved and called out, "Swablu, good afternoon!"
"Blu blu~ Blu blu~" Ange, good afternoon.
However, after saying that, Swablu quickly flew away with its parents.
Then, Ange saw Litwick in the distance. It was leading Litleo, Pancham, Skitty, Scrafty, Stunky, Spritzee, Zigzagoon, Helioptile, Minccino, and Gulpin. They were rushing past in a line.
They also saw Ange. But they only waved and nodded from afar. They did not stop to greet Ange like before.
Ange looked confused. What was wrong with everyone? Why were they all in such a rush?
Diancie then explained the reason to him.
"Winter is about to begin. Everyone is going to have a hard time."
"Hard time in winter?" Ange slowly realized. "Is food scarce on the Nebel Plateau during winter?"
Only survival problems could make the wild Pokémon so busy.
Diancie nodded. It had more contact with the Pokémon every day because it entertained them. So, it knew more about the plateau's matters than Ange.
Actually, the Pokémon had already started rushing around to store food for winter many days ago.
The fruit-bearing trees and grass on the plateau were not like the artificially cultivated ones. They did not keep bearing flowers and fruits as long as the temperature was right. They followed the laws of nature. Once the season arrived, they stopped bearing fruit or even withered. Then, the Pokémon naturally lost most of their food sources.
So, winter was the hardest time for the Pokémon on the plateau.
"Everyone is really struggling, " Diancie sighed.
Ange lowered his head and fell into thought after listening to Diancie. As a part of the Nebel Plateau, he also wanted to contribute.
However, Ange's ability was limited if he helped the Pokémon directly and provided them with food. He could not afford it, at least not now.
Although he had over one million Pokédollar in savings, it would clearly not be enough to feed the Pokémon on the plateau. It would probably be gone in a few days.
Moreover, doing so would be very irrational.
Also, Happiness Points could not be used to buy food directly. (The System Store did not sell food.)
After thinking back and forth, he suddenly thought of a famous policy from his past life, "Work-Relief"!
He could hire the Pokémon to work for him and create income for him. Then, he would provide the Pokémon with food as a reward. This would be hitting two birds with one stone, right?
Could a place as big as the Nebel Plateau not generate some income?
Ange's mind became active when he thought of this.
Most of the Nebel Plateau's land was grassland. It was not suitable for cultivating fields and planting crops. Ange planting a small vegetable patch was already the limit. Blindly cultivating fields would only destroy the environment.
However, besides the land, the Nebel Plateau also had large areas of water. Water could also be used to create wealth!
But... the season was not right now! Ange felt it was not yet time to utilize the water.
Right, planting fruit trees!
Ange's eyes suddenly lit up.
He did not mean to turn the Nebel Plateau into a fruit forest. He planned to plant fruit trees around the long shore of the Nebel Lake.
This would neither destroy the grassland ecology nor fail to utilize the land effectively.
There were already many trees growing around the Nebel Lake. Instead of letting these ordinary trees occupy the land, it would be better to replace them with fruit trees.
Didn't the System reward him with an expensive Full Set of Brewing Equipment? Once he learned how to brew, the Berries from the fruit trees might be useful.
If not, he could just sell the Berries. He could sell them to the Azoth Royal Family. The Breeders there also needed Berries to make Pokémon Food!
He did not believe that the Berries grown from the fruit trees provided by the System would be inferior to those on the market.
The more he thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. Ange said to Diancie and the others, "Diancie, Munchlax, let's go home."
Diancie was surprised. "We just came out, though?"
Ange said, "Everyone is rushing around for survival. Let's do our part too!"
Diancie said it did not understand. However, it knew Ange must have his own plan. So, it nodded.
Munchlax did not understand anything. It only laughed foolishly. It would do whatever Master said.
So, the family of four slowly walked back home. On the way, Ange said to Diancie, "Diancie, let's invite Delphox, Greninja, and Chesnaught over for dinner tonight."
Since he wanted to ask the Pokémon on the plateau to help with the work, he had to invite the three Guardians, Delphox, Greninja, and Chesnaught, to step forward.
"That sounds nice." Diancie nodded in agreement.
***
In the evening, Ange and Munchlax personally went to invite Delphox, Greninja, and Chesnaught to their home.
Before going, he and Munchlax prepared a table full of delicious, visually appealing dishes. So, when Delphox and the others sat down with Ange, they were even more confused about why Ange had invited them when they saw the rich dinner spread.
"Quickly, Delphox, Greninja, Chesnaught, eat quickly. We can talk while we eat," Ange said enthusiastically.
Delphox, Greninja, and Chesnaught looked at each other. They all picked up their chopsticks and started eating. They had spent a long time with Ange. They generally understood Ange's personality. They did not need to be polite with him.
The three Guardians had eaten at the Grand Cafeteria many times. They handled their chopsticks quite skillfully.
After eating for a while, Ange finally spoke. "I invited the three of you here to discuss the food problem for everyone on the plateau as winter approaches."
Delphox and the others immediately put down their chopsticks when they heard this. They sighed. Every year at this time, they were most worried. They were afraid some Pokémon would not store enough food and would starve during winter.
However, they were also confused. What did Ange mean by bringing this up?
Ange saw their confusion. He continued with a smile, "I thought of a way for everyone to exchange their labor for food."
"Del del~ Del del~" Really? Is that really true, Mr. Ange?
Delphox stood up and asked excitedly.
The Pokémon on the Nebel Plateau were not afraid of hard work. They were only afraid of not having the opportunity.
Not only Delphox, Greninja, and Chesnaught were also excited, but even Diancie and Munchlax looked at Ange in surprise. Diancie then understood what Ange's words in the afternoon meant.
Ange nodded. "Yes, I plan to plant fruit trees around the Nebel Lake. I want to hire everyone to plant the trees for me. I will provide them with food as compensation. This way, everyone can eat with a clear conscience, and I can also gain something. I wonder if everyone would be willing."
"Ches Ches~" Willing! Definitely willing!
Chesnaught excitedly pounded the table. This startled everyone.
"Gre gre Gre gre~"
Greninja also nodded.
Ange said when he heard this, "That's wonderful. Can I entrust the three of you to inform everyone about this?"
Delphox, Greninja, and Chesnaught looked at each other. They then suddenly stood up at the same time. They bowed deeply to Ange.
"Del del Del del~" Mr. Ange, thank you for your help. Thank you very much!
Ange quickly stood up to help them. "What are you doing? I am also a part of the Nebel Plateau. You help each other. Can't I also do my part? Besides, this is a win-win situation. I am not losing anything."
At that moment, Greninja suddenly showed worry.
Ange asked in confusion, "What's wrong, Greninja?"
"Gre gre~ Gre gre~ Gre gre~" Mr. Ange, you are planting fruit trees over a large area on the Nebel Plateau. What if someone sees it, becomes greedy, buys that area, and takes over your orchard?
When Greninja said this, Delphox and Chesnaught also looked worried. They felt Ange's plan was not safe.
Diancie chuckled then. "You can all relax. Actually, my Ange already bought the entire Nebel Plateau. Everything he plants here is his legal property. No one can take it."
Delphox and the three others looked at Ange in surprise when they heard this.
Ange smiled and nodded at them.
He then told the three Pokémon, "You don't have to tell everyone about this. Everyone should continue living as they did before."
"If I want to do anything on the plateau, I will definitely discuss it with everyone beforehand."
Delphox, Greninja, and Chesnaught looked at Ange with even more gratitude when they heard this. Ange had essentially given them a guarantee of survival. No one could drive them out of the Nebel Plateau anymore.
"Mr. Ange..."
Ange said, "You can just call me Ange from now on. Don't be so formal."
Delphox and the three others nodded.
"Then the matter is settled. Let's continue with dinner," Ange said happily.
Everyone enjoyed the dinner very much. Ange and Diancie only saw the three Pokémon off when it was very late.