"Hey~"
After tasting the other Berry grower's Berries, Gene sighed deeply, and a feeling of powerlessness arose spontaneously.
"Oh, by the way, young man, do you want to try some of my Berries?" Gene said with an awkward smile, perhaps feeling that the atmosphere was a bit awkward.
"Okay!" Eddie replied, he was waiting for you to say this.
Eddie also noticed the situation on Gene's side. In fact, he was very curious about what the other party's Berries were like and why everyone who had tasted it seemed to be avoiding it.
"By the way, my name is Gene, what's your name?" When leading Eddie to his booth, Gene suddenly remembered that he and Eddie had not yet exchanged names.
"My name is Eddie." Eddie briefly introduced his name.
"What a promising young man!" Gene couldn't help but sigh.
When he arrived at Gene's booth, Eddie tasted Gene's Berries as he wished, and at the same time, he understood why his Berries were so unpopular.
The fruit trees here in Gene are similar to those in Eddie's place. There are very few varieties, only a few in total. Eddie knows them all, namely, Pear Berry, Charti Berry, Spicy Berry, and Lum Berry.
The Pinap Berry is a Berry that looks slightly similar to the pineapple in Eddie's previous life, but it is not as big as a pineapple. One Berry is only about the size of an adult's fist. The variety cultivated by Gene is even smaller.
The Pinap Berry is golden yellow with green stripes on the surface. Under normal circumstances, it tastes sour and very sweet.
But the variety cultivated by Gene has amplified the sour taste countless times, and it is so sour that it can make your teeth ache. Not only ordinary people can't stand it, but even Pokémon who like sour taste can't stand it. There is sweetness, but it is not obvious. Maybe it is too sour. Anyway, Eddie didn't taste it.
Lapapa Berry is a petal-shaped Berry with a green skin. Normally, it tastes slightly bitter and astringent, but the overall smell is fragrant, similar to the taste of green tea.
But the variety bred by Gene was extremely bitter. After taking a bite, your tongue would feel numb. After Eddie took a bite, he felt that his sense of taste disappeared for a while.
There is also the Spelon Berry, which is a spicy Berry that is fiery red and has thorns. It is generally popular with some Fire-type Pokémon.
The variety bred by Gene is indeed very spicy. The spicier the Berry, the more popular it is. But the problem with it is that it tastes very strange and it feels a bit like sand in the mouth, which is really unacceptable.
Finally, there are the Lamp Berries.
The Lamp Berries are named because of their shape which resembles small lanterns. When ripe, they are pure yellow. The flesh is generally very soft, and a light pinch will release a lot of juice.
[TL: Not sure which one this is]
The flavor and aroma of normal Lamp Berries are rich, with a slight osmanthus scent hidden in the rich fruity aroma. Because of its unique flavor, this Berry is not only very popular among Pokémon but also loved by a large number of humans.
But the flavor of the Lamp Berries cultivated by Gene was too strong. When you first smelled it, you would feel the smell rushing straight to your head. It was so strong that you would feel it was a stinky smell. Not to mention the scent of osmanthus, even the ordinary fruity scent was gone.
Who can eat a Berry that smells so bad? Not humans, not Pokémon either!
After communication, Eddie learned that Gene's hometown was on the easternmost plateau in the Kalos region. The environment there was special, the soil was peculiar, and the temperature difference between day and night was particularly large. Therefore, the Berries grown there tasted very peculiar.
The Berries cultivated by Gene are improved varieties with their peculiar taste weakened by more than half.
Gene's hometown is a very poor countryside, and the only local specialty is these peculiar-tasting Berries.
His biggest dream since childhood was to help the village find a way to get rich, so he has been working hard to improve fruit tree varieties.
Unfortunately, after so long of cultivation, the Berries he planted still tasted too strange. He came to the exhibition this time just to give it a try, just in case someone liked this strange-flavored Berries!
But the fact is, the miracle did not happen.
After listening to Gene's story, Eddie became very interested in the fruit trees produced in his hometown. The improved varieties can produce Berries with such a "rich" flavor, so what do the unimproved Berries taste like? Eddie was very curious.
Thinking of this, he asked, "Gene, I wonder if you are interested in the fruit trees I cultivate."
Gene was a little surprised when he heard this, or he didn't quite understand what Eddie meant. The growers who came to the exhibition were either here to attract investment or to exchange experiences. Eddie was probably the only one who came to exchange fruit trees, so it was no wonder that Gene didn't understand the situation for a while.
Seeing that Gene didn't understand, Eddie told Gene what he wanted. He didn't want the fruit trees that Gene had improved, he wanted some authentic fruit trees from Gene's hometown.
"Do you really want to exchange the fruit trees you cultivated for the fruit trees in my hometown?" Gene looked at Eddie as if he was a fool.
For any Berry grower, the fruit trees they cultivate are the result of their hard work, especially those high-quality fruit trees. Almost no one would exchange their hard work with others unless they could exchange them for better varieties.
But what Eddie wants to exchange are unimproved wild local fruit trees, which are far more valuable than the fruit trees he has that produce delicious Berries. Is this really a problem?
Eddie nodded: "Yes, I am studying the grafting of fruit trees, so I want to understand the differences between fruit trees in different regions."
So that's it! Gene suddenly realized that in order to obtain research materials, researchers often do not care about the cost and consequences. He felt that Eddie might be in the same situation.
"Of course I'd love to." After figuring out the situation, Gene said happily.
Perhaps he could get inspiration from Eddie's fruit trees to improve the fruit trees in his hometown. He had tasted Eddie's Berries, and the taste was truly wonderful, whether it was the sweetness, sourness, or aroma, it was just right, not more or less.
The flavors of the several kinds of Berries grown by Eddie are relatively popular, mainly sweet and slightly sour. This taste is mainstream among both humans and Pokémon. After all, Pokémon who like spicy, astringent, bitter, and other flavors are only a minority, and humans who like these flavors are even fewer.
Eddie was of course very happy to see Gene agree, but after thinking for a while he said, "Let me explain to you in advance, I live in Coumarine City, not far from here, where it is spring all year round and the climate is mild, which is quite different from your hometown, so if you want to grow my fruit trees well, I'm afraid you'll have to spend some time on it."
"I know that, don't worry."
After all, Gene has been cultivating fruit trees for so many years, it is impossible that he did not notice this problem. There are many ways to solve regional climate differences. It just depends on whether you are willing to put in the effort.
The two then exchanged contact information and promised that after the exhibition, they would send the fruit trees they needed to each other.
After the deal with Eddie, the distress on Gene's face disappeared. Even though he was still rejected by customers, he kept smiling.
Even if no one is willing to invest in him this time, he would feel that the trip was worthwhile if he could exchange it for Eddie's fruit trees.
As time went by, more and more guests came to visit the exhibition and conference, and the number of guests received by Eddie also gradually increased.
Not all guests are easy to send away, such as the one Eddie is dealing with now.
"Sir, I really don't need investment. You should go find another investor." Eddie said helplessly to the person in front of him.
The one who was harassing Eddie was a fat little guy who was dressed quite luxuriously. He was wearing all branded clothes, as if he wanted to announce to the whole world: I am rich.
The little fat guy was probably in his thirties, with fair and tender skin. After tasting the Berries from Eddie's tree, he was astonished and insisted on pestering Eddie to invest in him.
"Young man, don't be in a hurry to refuse. I'm very rich. Just tell me an amount. As long as you tell me the amount, I will satisfy you." The little fat man said with a proud look on his face.
"It's not a question of money, but I really don't need it." Eddie refused again.
"Why don't you come to the exhibition? Are you looking for better investors?" The fat man looked at Eddie with suspicion, "I tell you, no one who comes here is richer than me!"
Eddie is too tired to complain. Can we be more low-key?
"Boy, our boss is willing to invest in you because he thinks highly of you, so don't be ungrateful!"
At this time, a big man wearing black clothes and black sunglasses behind the little fat man stepped forward and shouted at Eddie.
[TL: Here we go again]
That's right, this little fat guy also brought five or six bodyguards dressed like the Axe Gang. This is one of the important reasons why Eddie said that he acts in a high-profile manner.
Whose truly wealthy person would go out with such pomp and circumstance? Isn't this just a nouveau riche?
"Hey~ David, how do you talk to a young brother like that? Be polite!" When the fat man saw the bodyguard coming forward, he immediately pretended to scold the bodyguard.
"Yes, boss, I know I was wrong." Upon hearing this, the bodyguard immediately lowered his head and retreated behind the fat man.
You two can't even act like one another!
At this time, Teacher Omura came back. He saw Eddie was surrounded by a group of people, so he quickly squeezed over and asked, "What happened? What happened?"
So Eddie had to tell the story of how the little fat guy insisted on investing in him. After hearing this, Teacher Omura immediately said with a stern face: "You want to cause trouble? Do you believe that I will complain to the organizer?"
Every year, this exhibition and conference is hosted by the Pokémon League Headquarters and co-organized by regional Pokémon Leagues. Although it is not as important as the Trainer League Competition, the organizers will never allow anyone to cause trouble at the venue.
After hearing what Teacher Omura said, the little fat guy was a little scared. He said with a stiff upper lip: "What are you complaining about? Is it wrong for me to want to invest in him? Don't be unreasonable!"
This was considered as someone else's unreasonable behavior. Teacher Omura was speechless. He was well-known for his hot temper in school. When faced with this situation, he was already trying hard to suppress his anger.
"Stop talking nonsense, we don't need investment!"
"Eddie, what happened here?"
At this time, another voice sounded. Eddie turned his head and saw that Lysandre had appeared not far from his booth at some point.
However, before Eddie and Lysandre could say hello, the little fat man had already rushed to Lysandre's side and said with a big smile on his face:
"Oh my God, Lysandre, how could I meet you here? What fate is this?"
Lysandre was confused by the little fat man's enthusiastic attitude and then greeted him with a smile: "It's Pierre, it's been a long time, are you here to attend the exhibition too?"
"Yes, yes, I am quite interested in investing in Berry growing." Pierre said, rubbing his chubby white hands.
"Then we have some consensus." Lysandre said with a smile.
"That's right, that's right!" Pierre echoed with a flattering look on his face, "Some people just don't know what's good for them. I want to invest in them with good intentions, but they just look down on it." As he said this, he deliberately glanced at Eddie.
At this time, Lysandre walked up to Eddie, took Eddie's hand and said to Pierre: "Pierre and Eddie also know each other? That's really a coincidence, Eddie and I are also good friends!"
Hearing Lysandre's words, Pierre was stunned for a moment, and then a bright smile immediately appeared on his face.
"Really? That's such a coincidence. I was just praising this brother for his ability, and the Berries he cultivated are this!"
As he said this, he gave Eddie a thumbs up.
His expression changed so quickly that Eddie was caught off guard, but he did not expose Pierre.
Always leave a way out for everything so that we can meet again in the future. He is not a big shot, so try not to offend such a villain.
Upon learning that Eddie was Lysandre's friend, Pierre certainly didn't dare to continue pestering him. After shamelessly trying to establish a relationship with Lysandre for a while, he left contentedly.
Seeing Pierre leave, Lysandre looked at Eddie and asked, "Do you have time to go shopping with me?"
Eddie looked at his booth, feeling a little embarrassed.
"Eddie, you should go out and have a look too. I'll watch the booth for you. Don't you want to exchange fruit trees? It's hard to get anything if you just stay at the booth all the time. It's better for you to go and inspect it yourself."
Teacher Omura said at this time. He took out a notebook and handed it to Eddie. "This is the Berry evaluation I did when I visited other booths. It records some of my analysis of the Berries in some booths. You can use it for reference."
Eddie took the notebook and said gratefully, "Thank you, Teacher Omura."
Teacher Omura waved his hand and said, "What's the big deal? You are my student. I can still help you with this little favor."
Eddie was even more moved after hearing this.
"Teacher, I'll leave the booth to you. I'll be back as soon as possible."
Then Eddie took Teacher Omura's evaluation notes with him and visited the exhibition with Lysandre. Lysandre came this time thinking of finding some potential growers to invest in, and Teacher Omura's notes happened to be a good reference.