Chapter 86: Return

After returning from the excavation at the artificial lake, Rex first went to his backyard to check on the growth of the seedlings. Only after confirming that everything was normal did he breathe a sigh of relief.

"Boss, are the seedlings okay?"

Yuli, seeing Rex return from the backyard, asked somewhat nervously.

"Everything is fine. You've taken good care of them."

Rex praised.

"Phew, I'm relieved. I was worried that I might have made a mistake and affected the growth of the seedlings."

Yuki said, relieved.

Today was her first day volunteering to take care of the seedlings for Rex. She had been worried about making a mistake that could affect their growth, so now she could finally relax a bit.

"By the way, Boss, this afternoon Grandma Nieno called me and said the situation at the orphanage has stabilized. So, Yuki can come back to the farm tomorrow to work."

Yuli briefly explained what had happened that afternoon to Rex.

"That's good news. It will lighten your load. Do you need me to pick up Yuki tomorrow?"

Rex was happy to hear that Yuki would be returning to work at the farm. With many tasks to handle, the farm was a bit short-staffed, and having an extra hand would greatly help.

"No need to trouble yourself. Grandma Nieno will drive her over tomorrow."

Yuli said happily. She was also looking forward to seeing Grandma Nieno again.

"In that case, tomorrow morning I'll be at the artificial lake directing work. Please take care of welcoming Grandma Nieno in my place, and apologize to her for me."

Rex had already committed to working at the artificial lake with the pokemons these few days, so he couldn't easily change his plans. He entrusted Yuli with welcoming the guests.

"Boss, don't worry. I'll take good care of Grandma Nieno."

Yuli smiled reassuringly.

The next day,

As promised the day before, Rex got up early and headed to the artificial lake excavation site. He also brought along the energy blocks made by Yuli so that she wouldn't need to make an extra trip.

"Yuli, I'm back!"

It was past 9 o'clock in the morning. Yuli was inside making Poke Blocks, with Gloom focused on watching the fruit mixer on her head.

Because she needed to apply the Grassy Terrain skill to the seedlings in the backyard on time, Yuli's Gloom was now staying close to her instead of wandering around like before. But Gloom didn't seem to mind; it enjoyed being with its trainer.

"I'm almost done with these energy blocks. Please wait a bit!"

Since she was still making Poke blocks, Yuli couldn't greet them properly. She didn't want this batch to fail, and she felt no need for formalities with these two.

These days, Yuli had gained a lot of knowledge from the book "Development Ideas for Poke Blocks", which had opened up her thinking and allowed her to make energy blocks more accurately. She felt she could soon produce advanced Poke blocks.

"Yuli, focus on your work. Don't worry about us!"

"Yeah, Yuli!"

The two of them approached and watched Yuli make the Poke blocks.

Soon, the high-speed rotating fruit mixer slowed to a stop. Yuli waited until it completely stopped before pressing the release button. Instantly, several Poke blocks slid out of the outlet.

Yuli picked up one of the golden-shining Poke blocks and examined it carefully. This one looked more striking and almost free of impurities compared to the others.

"Yuli, is this an advanced Poke block? You're amazing; you actually made one!"

Yuki could now make basic Poke blocks, so she had some knowledge about their quality. After examining it for a while, she called out uncertainly.

"Yes, this is indeed an advanced Poke block. But I think I got lucky this time. It will take a while to consistently produce these."

After carefully observing the Poke block in her hand, Yuli finally confirmed that she had indeed made an advanced Poke block.

However, she felt that luck had played a role this time. Yuli knew that with her current skills, she couldn't reliably produce advanced Poke blocks.

"Even so, it's still amazing! I'm sure, with time, you'll be able to make advanced Poke blocks effortlessly."

Clearly, Yuki was more confident than Yuli herself and said firmly.

"Oh, by the way, wasn't the boss supposed to be back from his trip? Why haven't we seen him?"

Yuki had been here for a while with Grandma Nieno, but Rex hadn't shown up. She was starting to feel a bit anxious because she had left her post without permission for quite some time and was worried that Rex might not let her stay at the farm because of it, which she really liked.

"Recently, the farm has been expanding the artificial lake, so the boss went there early to oversee the work. He asked me yesterday to take good care of Grandma Nieno."

Yuli said with a smile.

Her words finally reassured Yuki, who had been feeling anxious, and also put Grandma Nieno at ease. She was afraid that what had happened at the orphanage would cause Yuki to lose a good job.

"By the way, Grandma Nieno, are you sure everything is okay at the orphanage?"

Yuli asked with concern.

"Don't worry about that. The children are all in school now. Besides, Yuta has started Trainer School training. I've also sent the other children to primary school.

Before, I found it difficult to support the orphanage's expenses alone, so I couldn't afford the cost of schooling for all of you. Now that I have a little more ability, I want them to learn more things."

Grandma Nieno said with emotion.

If it weren't for the orphanage's land selling for a good price this time, she wouldn't have been able to support so many children in school.

Grandma Nieno had originally planned for Yuki to go to Trainer School, but she had refused.

Because Yuki felt that studying alongside Yuli would be no worse than going to Trainer School, and she really liked everything at the farm, which made her feel fulfilled.

After seeing Yuli make an advanced Poke block, Grandma Nieno was completely reassured. With this kind of Poke block production technology, she wouldn't have to worry anymore.

Later, Grandma Nieno politely declined Yuli's invitation to stay for lunch at the farm because she needed to go back and prepare lunch for several children attending primary school.

At noon, Rex rushed back, only to see Yuki and Yuli preparing lunch, but no sign of Grandma Nieno.

"Welcome back, Yuki!"

Rex smiled and welcomed the somewhat nervous Yuki.

"Boss, I'm sorry about..."

Yuki was about to say something but was stopped by Rex, who felt the matter was already over and didn't need to be made awkward.

"Boss, please wait a moment. Lunch will be ready soon!"

Seeing the awkward atmosphere between the two, Yuli couldn't help but speak up to ease it.

During lunch, Rex learned that Yuli had accidentally made an advanced Poke block, once again amazed by her talent.

(End of Chapter)