Chapter 26
: Holy Ash Crystal!
"...Although Mr. Fitz hated that I went to play with Sophia every day and interfered with her studies, he will never forget the pumpkin pie and blackberry grape juice that Mrs. Somarin prepared for me."
Xia Ming was lost in memories, as if time had returned to the summer of a few years ago, when he would go to the Blue Moon Blackberry Vineyard to play with Sophia every day during his summer vacation.
The pink-haired girl would always put down her homework immediately, pick up her toys and an oversized umbrella that didn't match her size, and play and wander around Stardew Valley with him. Although she would always get scolded by Mr. Fitz, those times were really wonderful.
Mrs. Somarin would also prepare hot, sweet pumpkin pie and fresh blackberry and grape juice before they returned, and in the summer she would thoughtfully add a few ice cubes.
"And then what? Why didn't anyone notify me?"
"It was a decision made by the mayor and Sophia together. At the time, in order to prevent Sophia from being bullied outside, the mayor brought her back."
We originally planned to have you come back for the funeral, but you were still at school at the time, and at Sofia's urging, the mayor didn't notify you.
As Gus spoke, seemingly afraid that Xia Ming would blame Sophia later, he continued to explain on her behalf:
"Don't blame her. She had just gone through something like that and was worried about what might happen to you on your way back. We respected her decision because we took that into consideration."
Simply put, they were afraid that Sofia would be stressed.
"Phew... Okay, I get it."
If he had received the notification at the time, he would have returned to the town no matter what. Xia Ming didn't want to continue this topic, so he asked:
"And now? Has Sofia taken over her parents' vineyard?"
"Yes, she is very strong. She did not give up on herself after that day. Instead, with the mayor's guidance, she slowly took over Somarin's vineyard. Now, the only things by her side are some Pokémon left behind by Somarin and the others for farming."
"Okay, Uncle Gus, I think I know what to do, but please don't tell Sophia I'm back. I want to give her a special surprise."
"Are you coming for dinner again tonight?"
"I'll take Sofia with me later."
"OK!"
With that, Guss felt relieved; it seemed Xia Ming had a better way to help Sophia.
His chubby face was squinted, and he stared at Xia Ming with a smile, as if he already knew what kind of surprise Xia Ming wanted to prepare.
"Uncle Gus is gone."
Xia Ming felt a little uncomfortable being stared at by Gus. It seemed that the feelings of these elders towards the younger generation were all the same, regardless of whether it was in their past or present lives. Really... they didn't even know how to be more subtle.
At least don't look at him like that in front of him, making it seem like he's dealing with a thief who's been plotting something all along.
Seeing Xia Ming get up, Gus waved goodbye.
"Okay, remember to bring Sophia along for dinner. I still remember what you two like to eat the most."
...............
After leaving Starfruit Bar, Xia Ming first went to the convenience store in town to buy some trinkets before heading towards his farm. Speaking of which, his farm is only two mountains away from the sea in Stardew Valley. Perhaps he could consider moving the mountains and building a sea-view house when he returns.
Back at the farm, Xia Ming immediately saw Inoue Ota waiting for him by a black car with a briefcase in his hand, followed by Commander Pi Zhan sitting in the car as the driver.
Wait a minute? Commander Chopping Down can learn to drive?
"I apologize for keeping you waiting, Mr. Ota. I'll go get the blank gravel."
"No trouble at all, Xia Ming."
Passing Inoue Ota, Xia Ming saw the young Gilas diligently training its skills with Sandslash King on the farm, as well as boxes and boxes of well-preserved cranberry plants piled up next to the hut.
After entering the hut, Xia Ming took out the well-preserved blank pebbles and returned outside the farm to trade with Inoue Ota.
With the money exchanged for the goods, his expectations for the future reached their peak as he took the heavy suitcase from Inoue Ota's hands.
As the saying goes, alcohol emboldens the timid, and money strengthens the backbone of the man.
"I look forward to our next collaboration, Xia Ming. By the way, if you have any rare items for sale, please feel free to contact me. If there are any buyers who want to list your Holy Ash Crystals, I will notify you immediately."
"Thank you, Mr. Ota. See you next time!"
Xia Ming waved goodbye to Inoue Ota, who had left a postcard behind, and got into the passenger seat of the car. He stared blankly at the figure of Commander Pi Zhan driving away.
The Commander-in-Chief can actually learn to drive!
The transaction was completed without any incident, and Xia Ming returned to his small house with a large sum of money in his pocket.
He placed the suitcase on the bed and carefully unfastened the clasp to open it.
Click~
Dark, hexagonal gray crystals, like pieces of salt crystals, appeared before his eyes, and a life force so intense it could be felt from the very soul rushed towards him.
They are tiny, each only about a third the size of a little fingernail, but when combined, they have the ability to bring back to life a life that has just died!
pat~
After closing the suitcase, Xia Ming let out a long sigh of relief in the room. Blocking the bridge was great, he really had to block it. He might never be able to find something as good as this in his entire life.
Other people's bags always smell better!
After calming himself down, Xia Ming reopened the briefcase, revealing the Holy Ash Crystals inside. He then sat on the edge of the bed and took them out one by one.
He stopped after taking out six hundred Holy Ash Crystals, and then locked the remaining Holy Ash Crystals in his safe for safekeeping.
As for what these six hundred holy ash crystals are for, two hundred are for Pierre's allowance, and one hundred are to pay for Young Gilas's food and nutrition expenses for the next six months.
The remaining three hundred were the surprise gifts he had prepared for Young Gilas, Sophia, and Sandslash.
That's right, Xia Ming is preparing to make a talisman for them using the Holy Ash Crystal!
As for why he didn't make it for himself? He's shrewd; wouldn't it be better to have Sophia make it for him?
Soon, Xia Ming took out the small tools he bought from the convenience store in the town and began to operate them, while searching for relevant tutorials online on his mobile phone.
He worked on it until dinner time, and finally finished making three different amulets.
He carefully put away the amulet he was going to give to Sophia, then stepped outside with the remaining two amulets, waving towards the two Pokémon, master and apprentice, teaching each other skills in the distance as the sun set.
"Younggilas, Sandslash, hold on a minute, see what goodies I've prepared for you!"
"Yukichi Yukichi!"
"Bang~"
Upon hearing Xia Ming's voice, the two Pokémon paused, then one ran back from afar with a steady pace and the other with excitement.