Lin Feng couldn't help but admire the persistence of his Pokémon. They never missed a chance to get more food or sneak extra treats, almost like sheep stubbornly tugging at fresh grass. With a small shake of his head, he headed toward the kitchen.
As he always said, no matter how vast the world might be, nothing was more important than eating well.
Mewtwo followed him silently, its tall figure casting a faint shadow across the doorway. Lin Feng glanced back and teased, "What, are you here to help control the fire?"
Mewtwo froze, expression unreadable, then after a moment of hesitation simply nodded.
Lin Feng chuckled. "Alright then. Same as last time. Just keep the soup simmering at the right temperature. That's all I need from you."
He pulled ingredients from the refrigerator, preparing everything for the soup before leaving it under Mewtwo's watch. Only then did he begin on the rest of the meal.
He opened a bottle of honey wine and took a sip, letting the warmth flow through him. With the number of Pokémon in his garden growing, the most obvious change in his life was how much food he had to prepare each day.
Thankfully, his psychic powers had grown stronger. Multitasking had become second nature, and with Gardevoir occasionally lending a hand, he could turn out a feast in less than an hour without falling into chaos.
"Milk Tank loves dumplings, so I'll make pork chops this time… and maybe a beef bone soup on the side."
His voice carried through the kitchen as his telekinesis sent ingredients floating into place. Flour and water swirled together, kneading themselves into dough across the clean countertop. He mixed in Combee's golden honey and a splash of Miltank's fresh milk, then tucked the dough neatly into a steamer basket.
Next came the sweets. A simple blend of butterfree honey and milk would do. Sweet, creamy, and easy to make.
The pork chops were washed midair and seasoned with care. They hit the hot griddle with a satisfying sizzle, filling the room with a mouthwatering aroma. With a flick of his fingers, Lin Feng chopped scallions freshly harvested from the garden, sprinkling them over the meat to elevate the flavor.
A soft chime echoed in his mind as the Joy System recorded the dish:
[A+ Dish Scallion Pork Chops]
Made with rare scallions, this dish is incredibly fragrant.
Effect 1: Restores a Pokémon's stamina 50% faster in the short term. Long-term consumption slightly improves recovery rate.
Effect 2: Farfetch'd gains increased proficiency with slicing techniques.
Lin Feng twitched his lips. "So… food really does strengthen what you eat? Does Farfetch'd even eat meat, or should I just hand it the scallions?"
He sighed, but the result was clear: the dish was better suited as a specialty.
Once the pork chops were ready, he moved on to vegetables. A massive head of cabbage was chopped and tossed into the pan for a quick stir-fry. But Lin Feng didn't stop there. To diversify the menu, he also simmered a simple cabbage porridge using rice from Verdant Valley.
Another chime.
[B-Rank Dish Cabbage Leaf Porridge]
Light and soothing, removes internal heat.
Effect: Alleviates mild status conditions inflicted by totem-class Pokémon.
By the time the last pot finished bubbling, an hour had passed perfectly. Mewtwo's soup was also done, its rich aroma filling the kitchen.
Lin Feng packed each dish into special storage capsules designed to preserve flavor and temperature. He wiped his hands, gazing at the fully utilized kitchen. A weary smile crossed his face.
"It's official. The kitchen's too small."
His powers allowed him to cook multiple dishes at once, but the cramped space, limited to three gas burners, could barely keep up. And carrying dishes back and forth between the house and garden was becoming a daily hassle.
"Maybe I should build a kitchen by the garden."
The idea popped into his mind, and he immediately decided on it. One call to the Hoopa Construction Team, and within days Machoke and Fighting-type helpers would be hammering away, raising walls and setting up stoves.
With the plan settled, Lin Feng stepped out into the garden, calling cheerfully, "Dinner's ready!"
He dropped off Miltank's favorite dumplings, then stopped by the nursery to gather Indeedee and Alcremie so they could join the meal. Soon, every Pokémon had gathered in their usual places, waiting eagerly.
The seating arrangements were always amusing. Combusken, with its small frame but capable hands, sat properly at the table using chopsticks. Serperior coiled gracefully beside a chair, its vines wielding knife and fork with elegance.
The most troublesome was Milotic, who had to be carried in with Lin Feng's psychic powers and fed directly by hand. Pidgeot, Pidgey, and Primarina were served on low trays set near the ground. Alcremie was placed delicately on the table.
Tonight, Mewtwo and Indeedee joined as well, both sitting at the table. The little Indeedee was shy, eyes darting nervously, but Mewtwo remained composed, though Lin Feng could feel its curiosity simmering beneath the surface.
He poured everyone a taste of honey wine, even Mewtwo. "Tonight, we all drink together. Cheers!"
He raised his glass and downed it in one smooth gulp.
One by one, the Pokémon followed. Gardevoir sipped gracefully, while Combusken tipped the glass back boldly. Serperior and Dragonite, on the other hand, turned pink after only a mouthful, their faces flushed with heat.
And now, it seemed, a new lightweight had joined the ranks: Indeedee.
Barely two sips, and her cheeks turned scarlet. She wobbled unsteadily before leaning against her older brother with a dreamy smile. "Everything here is so delicious… everyone is amazing…" she murmured, voice thick with warmth.
Lin Feng laughed softly at her drunken state, shaking his head. Pokémon had their quirks, and wine tolerance was definitely one of them.
Meanwhile, Mewtwo sat frozen, staring at the glass in its hand. The faint sweetness of the honey wine lingered on its tongue, carrying a sensation it had never known before. For the first time in its existence, the bitter edge of solitude seemed to fade.
As laughter and chatter filled the garden, the clinking of glasses mixing with the aroma of freshly cooked dishes, Lin Feng leaned back in his chair. Watching his Pokémon eat with such joy, he felt the warmth of family settle deep in his chest.
This was more than just a meal.
It was proof that they weren't just partners or trainer and Pokémon.
They were a family.
And tonight, even Mewtwo, who had always stood apart, was finally part of that circle.
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