Chapter 29: Hmph, I am on the same side as Master
Taking a glance at the still-sleeping Munchlax, Angie got up and covered it with the blanket draped over his shoulders.
"Munch~ Munch~~"
Munchlax smacked its lips a couple of times, seemingly dreaming about something, and even brought the blanket to its mouth to chew on for a moment. Angie helplessly shook hus head.
It must have dreamed of something delicious again.
He bent down to pick up the water plants and was about to head inside when he saw Diancie coming down from upstairs with the freshly sun-dried bedding.
Seeing the water plants in Angie's hands, Diancie curiously asked, "What is this? Where did you get it?"
Coming from the royal palace, Diancie had often cared for the sick Angie in the past, but her knowledge was limited; she was essentially someone who didn't know the difference between grains. Naturally, she wouldn't recognize such water plants.
Angie shook his head, "I don't know what it is either. It was sent by Marill, and it's edible."
"Is it really safe to eat?" Diancie asked with concern, worried about the possibility of poisoning.
"It's definitely safe," Angie assured, having full trust in Marill.
"Victreebel~ Victreebel~ Victreebel~"
At that moment, a series of calls echoed, and both Angie and Diancie turned to see Victreebel bouncing over, holding a large leaf with its vine whip.
"Victreebel, why are you here too?" Angie was surprised; Victreebel usually wouldn't come here.
"Victreebel~ Victreebel~"
Victreebel placed the leaf on the ground, revealing a neat arrangement of some tender greens on top.
Seeing this, Angie's eyes lit up.
It's chrysanthemum leaves!
At this time of year, there are actually chrysanthemum leaves in the Nebel Plateau? And they're wild chrysanthemum leaves!
"Is this for me?" Angie asked, delighted.
"Victreebel~ Victreebel~~"
Victreebel nodded.
Since the day before, Bellsprout had been bringing its siblings to Angie's place for meals, making things much easier for the couple raising their children, so they decided to send over the wild greens they had just picked today.
Angie squatted down and picked up a chrysanthemum leaf, bringing it to her nose. The rich fragrance wafted up, far more intense than the cultivated chrysanthemum leaves he had eaten in his previous life.
For those who didn't like chrysanthemum leaves, the smell could be quite overpowering, but Angie loved them.
"Thank you, Victreebel, I'll gladly accept these chrysanthemum leaves," Angie said generously without hesitation.
In truth, Victreebel didn't even know what the things it picked were called, only that they were edible. Seeing that Angie recognized them, it couldn't help but marvel at how well-informed Angie was.
The unique taste of chrysanthemum leaves wasn't appreciated by all Pokémon; Victreebel had previously given them to other Pokémon, but everyone had just shaken their heads in refusal.
Seeing Angie like them made Victreebel feel like it had found a kindred spirit.
"Victreebel~ Victreebel~"
As long as you like them, that's good enough.
After delivering the greens, Victreebel prepared to leave when it suddenly noticed the water plants in Angie's hand.
"Victreebel~ Victreebel~~"
Oh? Salveyo weed? Did the Poliwag bring it?
Victreebel asked.
Diancie translated Victreebel's words for Angie.
"Is this water plant called Salveyo weed?" Angie realized.
"Victreebel~ Victreebel~"
Victreebel informed Angie that Salveyo weed is a rare herb that can be used to relieve paralysis, typically only growing in exceptionally clear water and requiring the presence of Poliwag, Poliwhirl, or Poliwrath nearby; if any of these conditions weren't met, Salveyo weed wouldn't be able to grow.
Upon hearing this, Angie's expression showed surprise, and he looked at Salveyo weed in his hand, his eyes sparkling with a newfound glimmer.
He didn't expect this seemingly ordinary water plant to be a herbal medicine that could relieve paralysis. (Note: Salveyo weed is a prop used to relieve paralysis, appearing only in the anime, and does not exist in the games.)
"Thank you so much, Victreebel. If it weren't for you telling me, I wouldn't have known what it was called," Angie expressed his gratitude to Victreebel.
"Victreebel~ Victreebel~"
Victreebel nodded and turned around and bounce away happily.
With chrysanthemum leaves in one hand and Salveyo weed in the other, Angie cheerfully said to Diancie, "You guys are in for a treat tonight."
Diancie picked up a chrysanthemum leaf and sniffed it, instantly scrunching her little face, "This… can it really be good?" The smell was just too strong!
Angie immediately replied, "How can it not be good? You just don't know any better!" With that, he strode toward the kitchen.
Diancie pouted, "You're the one who doesn't know better."
Once in the kitchen, Angie re-picked the chrysanthemum leaves, removing the older parts and leaving only the fresh tips. He then washed them clean and put them in the fridge.
Next, he began washing Salveyo weed.
Due to its aquatic growth, Salveyo weed was much harder to clean than chrysanthemum leaves. Angie worked hard to get them clean.
Each piece of Salveyo weed was at least half a meter long. After washing them thoroughly, Angie cut them into finger-length sections, placed them in fresh water to soak, and sprinkled a bit of salt into the water.
After this treatment, they would be ready to cook that evening.
Munchlax slept until the sun was nearly setting before waking up. It got up from the chair, groggily wandering into the kitchen.
Upon seeing Salveyo weed soaking in a basin on the stove, its eyes lit up. It reached out and grabbed a piece to taste, instantly brightening up.
It was delicious.
At that moment, Angie walked in. Seeing Munchlax in the kitchen, he smiled and said, "You're awake! Perfect timing! Why don't you go to the garden and pick some tomatoes for us? We'll cook dinner together later. There's good food tonight!"
"Munch~ Munch~~"
Munchlax excitedly dashed off to the garden and returned shortly with a heap of tomatoes in its arms.
Angie often took Munchlax to the garden to identify vegetables, so Munchlax was now quite familiar with everything grown there.
"You picked so many, huh?"
Seeing Munchlax's full arms, Angie exclaimed in surprise.
"Munch~ Munch~~"
I want to eat a lot! So much! Lots!
Munchlax exaggeratedly expressed.
Though Angie couldn't understand what it was saying, he could tell from its expression what it meant. With a doting smile, he said, "Alright, you can eat as much as you want."
"Munch~"
Hearing this made Munchlax extremely happy. It tiptoed to grab a basin from the stove, dumping all the tomatoes inside, then soaking them in water.
"Munchlax, can you cook the rice? I'll handle the vegetables. We won't have steamed buns tonight," Angie instructed.
After eating noodles for several days in a row, Angie wanted to try something different, and there was still some rice stored at home.
"Munch~~"
Munchlax nodded and happily got busy. It liked both rice and steamed buns.
Angie took the chrysanthemum leaves out of the fridge, which he had put in earlier, placing them on the stove. Then he took out green onions, cutting them into strips, minced garlic and ginger, and chopped red peppers, setting them aside for later use.
Next, he boiled water, added salt and cooking oil, and then blanched the chrysanthemum leaves.
Adding salt helps give the chrysanthemum leaves a base flavor, while the oil makes their color brighter and greener.
The blanching time couldn't be too long; otherwise, the crisp texture of the chrysanthemum leaves would be lost.
After blanching, he drained the chrysanthemum leaves and set them aside to cool for later use.
Seeing that Munchlax had already started cooking the rice and was now looking at him eagerly, Angie began to cook while carefully explaining the details to it.
Munchlax listened with great interest.
As Angie heated the pan and added oil, then tossed in the green onions, ginger, garlic, and chili peppers to stir-fry, a rich aroma immediately filled the kitchen.
"Munch~ Munch~"
Munchlax wrinkled its nose and sniffed non-stop, its face full of enjoyment. Although it couldn't eat yet, smelling the food was enough to whet its appetite.
Once the aroma fully developed, Angie added the chrysanthemum leaves, along with soy sauce, oyster sauce, chili sauce, and other seasonings, then added salt and chicken essence. He carefully explained how to measure the amounts to Munchlax.
Munchlax nodded along, listening.
Although Munchlax often seemed silly, it was very perceptive when learning cooking techniques; as long as Angie explained something once, it could usually remember it well.
Before long, Angie drizzled sesame oil over the stir-fried chrysanthemum leaves as he finished cooking them.
"Here you go, Munchlax." He picked up a small portion with his chopsticks and brought it to Munchlax's mouth, which swallowed it eagerly.
"How is it?" Angie asked.
"Munch~" Delicious! Super delicious!
Seeing Munchlax's eyes squint with delight, Angie immediately knew the answer. "I knew you'd like it."
Next, Angie looked at Salveyo weed in front of her, feeling a bit troubled. He had never dealt with this before—how should he prepare it?
After thinking for a while, he decided that since it tasted like jellyfish, he would prepare it as a cold dish. This way, it wouldn't alter Salveyo weed's unique texture.
With a plan in mind, he took some cucumbers and radishes, slicing them into thin strips for later use. Both of these vegetables were grown in Angie's home garden, fresh and delicious.
Since these were just side dishes and didn't require much, he fed the excess to Munchlax.
Next, he boiled a pot of water and blanched Salveyo weed that he had already processed in the afternoon. He felt it only needed a brief blanch since Salveyo weed itself was already excellent in texture; blanching would merely help it absorb flavors more easily.
After draining and drying the blanched Salveyo weed, he added a bit of rice vinegar and set it aside.
Then it was time to prepare the dressing: salt, chicken powder, chili oil, olive oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, white pepper, and minced garlic were all mixed together, and soon the dressing was ready.
Finally, he took a large bowl, added the previously cut cucumber and radish strips along with the Salveyo weed, then poured in the dressing and mixed everything evenly.
And just like that, a cold Salveyo weed salad was completed.
Since everyone in his family loved cilantro, Angie sprinkled some chopped cilantro and sesame seeds on top.
As it was his first time making this, Angie quickly tasted his creation right after finishing.
It's so delicious!
Angie was once again amazed by the Salveyo weed's texture.
"Munch~ Munch~~"
Munchlax was on its tiptoes beside him, eagerly pawing at the stove, looking like it couldn't wait any longer. Angie picked up another chopstick full and offered it to Munchlax.
"Do you like it?" Angie asked Munchlax.
"Munch~ Munch~~"
Yes, I like it! It's super delicious!
Munchlax smacked its lips, expressing its delight.
"I'm glad you like it." Angie rubbed its head affectionately.
"Munch~ Munch~~"
I want to be as amazing as you in the future!
Munchlax clenched its little fists, looking at Angie with eyes full of admiration.
Unfortunately, Angie couldn't understand its words, so he continued to focus on preparing the next dish.
After making the stir-fried chrysanthemum leaves and the cold Salveyo weed, Angie also prepared a cold tomato salad and stir-fried lotus root slices.
There was still a bit of lotus root left from the Barboach and Whiscash, which Angie hadn't been willing to finish since his homegrown lotus roots weren't ready for harvest yet.
Today, after Victreebel and Marill delivered fresh ingredients, Angie felt happy and decided to use the last bit of lotus root to stir-fry.
Once Angie and Munchlax finished preparing dinner, the sky was completely dark. The four of them gathered around the table to start their meal.
"Come, come, come! Everyone try the chrysanthemum leaves and Salveyo weed!" Angie called to Diancie and Komala.
Diancie picked up a chopstick full of chrysanthemum leaves, but after putting it in her mouth, her small face immediately scrunched up in disgust.
"It's so bad!" Holding back her nausea, Diancie finally swallowed the bite. "Angie, how could you think this stuff is good?" With that, she grabbed the nearby cup of water and gulped it down.
Komala mirrored Diancie's expression; unlike Diancie, who managed to swallow it down despite her disgust, Komala simply spat it out to the side.
Angie said irritably, "You two really don't know how to appreciate good food." As he spoke, he picked up a chopstick and happily ate some himself.
Munchlax had the same expression.
O(≧▽≦)O So delicious!
Angie pinched Munchlax's cheeks, wearing a look of finding a kindred spirit. "It's still Munchlax who understands me! Truly my disciple!"
"Munch~ Munch~"
Yes, yes! I have the same taste as Master.
Munchlax nodded vigorously, feeling proud to share the same taste as Angie.
(_|||) Diancie rolled her eyes. "Munchlax, it seems like there's nothing you don't like to eat, right? Your opinion doesn't count at all."
Upon hearing this, Munchlax became indignant. It slammed its paw on the table, saying.
"Munch~ Munch~"
You're insulting a chef's dignity!
Diancie asked, "Then tell me, what food do you not like?"
Munchlax was momentarily taken aback.
"Munch… Munch…"
Um… um…
It stammered for a long time but couldn't name anything, so it looked at Angie with a pitiful expression.
() Master…
Angie comforted Munchlax, saying, "Don't listen to Diancie; they just don't know how to appreciate it." As he spoke, he put a chopstick of chrysanthemum leaves into Munchlax's bowl. "Let's eat together; don't mind them."
"Munch~ Munch~"
Munchlax's mood instantly brightened, and it happily started eating.
Diancie took a bite of Salveyo weed. "This one's good; I like it."
Not only did Diancie like Salveyo weed, but Komala did too.
Of course, they didn't skimp on the stir-fried lotus root slices and cold tomato salad either.
"If you like it, I'll ask Marill if they have any more next time; if they do, we can trade for some," Angie said.
Diancie nodded.
As they ate, Angie asked Komala, "Komala, do you want to drink a little wine today? I can get you a bottle?" Today, Komala had worked hard helping him set up the stall and deserved a reward.
Komala paused its eating and gently nodded in agreement.
Angie was surprised; this was the first time he had seen Komala react so strongly to his words.
It seemed that it really liked to drink!
Keeping his word, Angie immediately spent 1,000 Happiness Points in the system store to buy a bottle of good wine.
"Today, I'll share a drink with you."
Angie hadn't had a drink in a long time and suddenly felt a craving.
In the past, he hadn't been able to drink due to health issues. Now that he thought about it, the last time he had a drink was back in his previous life.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone