Chapter 17: Future Planning

Luo Mu’s eyes lit up; I’ve been waiting for you to say that.

Rather than fumbling through research as an outsider or relying on bloggers from regions with entirely different climates and environments, consulting local professionals directly is the most sensible approach.

Luo Mu said frankly: “To be honest, I’m unsure about which crops to plant first on my farm, so I came to Jones Farm to observe and learn.”

Peter blinked, suddenly understanding—he’d wondered why Luo Mu, supposedly a fellow farmer, kept casting curious glances at the fields along the way; turns out he’s half an outsider.

Maybe some rich kid just playing around, Peter didn’t quite get the mindset of the wealthy.

Still smiling, Peter patted his chest, assuring him: “You’ve come to the right person—I was sent by the bosses to survey that abandoned land. I know its soil is nearly identical to Jones Farm’s; whatever we grow here, you can grow too.”

Peter led Luo Mu, Piper, and Mastiff Patriarch to an orchard where orange orange trees and peach peach trees—the most common and highest-demand fruit trees—were planted.

Piper, curious, asked Peter’s permission, then followed a local orchardist with Mastiff Patriarch to experience the joy of harvesting fruit.

Luo Mu ran his hand over the slightly rough bark of the orange orange and peach peach trees, looking up: a single lush orange orange tree bore nearly a hundred fruits.

Luo Mu remembered that a normal-quality orange orange sold for about 20 Alliance Coins; even the highest-quality ones rarely exceeded 100 Alliance Coins.

He just didn’t know the price of orange orange and peach peach saplings, or their growth and harvest cycles.

Luo Mu turned to Peter and voiced his questions, waiting as Peter fell silent in thought.

Peter hesitated—technically, he shouldn’t reveal too much to a potential competitor of his farm; according to the bosses’ instructions, he should only give basic general guidance.

But Luo Mu seemed like a rich kid dabbling for fun; his farm wouldn’t threaten Jones Farm’s sales—it wasn’t a real threat. Besides, the information he asked for could be found online with a little effort; better to make a friendly connection.

Peter kept his expression calm and smiled: “Each orange orange and peach peach sapling costs 1,000 Alliance Coins. Harvest cycles vary by cultivar, mostly between one and a half to two and a half months.”

“But note: most fruit trees need two months just to grow before they begin fruiting. So if you plant saplings, including their growth period, you’ll wait at least three and a half months.”

“If you transplant mature trees, you’ll see fruit next month.”

“Of course, that’s because fruit trees contain abundant energy. Ordinary vegetables like melons or cabbages have no such restrictions—they grow in one or two months.”

Peter finished speaking and watched Luo Mu’s expression.

Luo Mu pulled out a small notebook from somewhere; every few words Peter spoke, Luo Mu took careful notes.

He didn’t seem worried about cash flow at all—only eager to learn.

Peter gave up the idea of earning a commission by selling Luo Mu some mature fruit trees.

The visit to Jones Farm went smoothly; Luo Mu gained many practical insights he couldn’t have learned without firsthand experience, and now felt more confident about building his farm.

On the way back to his farm with Piper and Mastiff Patriarch, Luo Mu already had his initial planting plan in mind.

First, basic crops—potatoes, tomatoes, and cabbage—to serve as primary income sources while the fruit trees were still growing.

Second, fruit trees: given his limited experience, Luo Mu planned to plant only orange orange and peach peach trees—high-demand varieties that don’t require overly specific growing conditions like rarer fruit trees.

Later, Luo Mu asked Peter how much a mature fruit tree cost; Peter’s quote of 3,000 Alliance Coins made him hesitate.

He only had 231,145 Alliance Coins in savings—he couldn’t afford to burn through that much. Waiting a while wouldn’t starve him, and soon he’d start earning a salary from Orange Academy.

The grass seeds needed to cover the pasture weren’t cheap either, nor were the edible fish fry for the lake. As for fish Pokémon, catching them himself would be cheaper than importing them.

Better to stick with planting saplings—don’t stretch too far or you’ll pull something. Slow and steady is safest.

If potatoes can grow in Siberia, then start small: successfully growing one potato is a victory.

Soon, Luo Mu, Piper, and Mastiff Patriarch returned to the farm gate; since Jones Farm and the Lighthouse Research Station in South District One lay in opposite directions, Piper planned to return alone with Mastiff Patriarch.

Piper beamed, skipping and waving: “Big Brother Luo Mu, I had so much fun today—thank you for hosting me~”

Luo Mu stroked Piper’s soft, honey-brown hair and asked: “Won’t you stay for dinner?”

“No thanks—Mom’s cooking something delicious for me~” Piper remembered Olin’s promise that morning when he left with his Terastal Pearl, and his face lit up with anticipation.

He hadn’t eaten a meal cooked by Olin in a long time.

Luo Mu didn’t insist, but suggested: “How about I send you off with Dragonite? It flies fast—you might even get back early to help Olin with cooking. Mother and son, together in the kitchen.”

Luo Mu believed that if Piper subtly influenced Olin and the others through small daily moments, he might nudge them away from the tragic ending he feared.

He’d rather see a family of mice than just one mouse.

Piper was tempted and immediately accepted; he climbed onto Dragonite’s back, clutching a Poké Ball containing Mastiff Patriarch.

The Poké Ball was one Luo Mu had dug out from his own stash—he’d heard Mastiff Patriarch was still wild and uncaught, so he gifted it to Piper.

When Piper signaled he was ready, Dragonite flapped its small wings and shot skyward, fading slowly into the horizon.

Watching Dragonite disappear, Luo Mu stretched and murmured: “Now’s the perfect time to head to the market and buy some seeds.”