Chapter 3: Flower Leaf Leaf, Number One Under Heaven
Watching Lin Lao Deng run off towards the Flower Leaf Leaf fields in a flurry, Lin Chuan lowered his head in thought, letting his mind wander in the direction of the hints Lin Lao Deng had given him.
Hmm, how did he attract his mother’s attention when he was four or five years old?
Lin Chuan curled his lips.
Are you kidding me! He, Lin Chuan, was super well-behaved when he was little, okay!
He never did anything like burying firecrackers in the fertilizer storage tank for cultivating Flower Leaf Leaf, and he certainly wouldn't bury his mother's contracted spirit pet, Xiao Yue's, food bowl in the fields, just to watch it frantically search for its bowl when it was time to eat. He was not the coolest kid on the farm! All those titles like 'Farm's Bear Emperor' were slander and defamation against him!!
Mmm-hmm~
Lin Chuan stroked his chin.
He was so well-behaved when he was little, never doing anything strange to attract others' attention. So, he should refer to others, like those naughty children in the kindergarten next door, who would fight and brawl just to get the attention of the beautiful Thunder Lady teacher, so she would help them wash their faces and feed them.
To summarize, the more well-behaved a child is, the less attention they receive. Conversely, the more mischievous and unique a child is, the more attention they receive from elders!
So, these Flower Leaf Leaf wanted to attract his attention?
It was almost 7 PM, the sun had set, and the sky was growing dark. The streetlights on Lin's Farm had all lit up.
Lost in thought, Lin Chuan came to the window and gazed at a human figure under the streetlight by the distant fields, surrounded by a group of small figures circling it.
The Flower Leaf Leaf in this field area had just passed their infancy. A small portion of them had been under his, Lin Chuan's, care for the past six months. When they were still in their infancy and hadn't grown hands or feet, only able to stay in the fields, he would loosen the soil, fertilize, and water them on time. He would dig out weeds shovel by shovel and remove small insects from their bodies. Sometimes, he would hold them in his arms and on his lap, using his phone to show them spirit beast versions of children's cartoons.
Therefore, it was only natural for these Flower Leaf Leaf to regard him as their most beloved and closest person! It was also an inevitable outcome that he would receive the first fruits gifted by these few Flower Leaf Leaf.
However, before this, it wasn't as if he hadn't received first fruits from Flower Leaf Leaf he had personally nurtured to adulthood. Although not as exaggerated as Lin Lao Deng's 237 fruits, he had received as many as 5. And before this, no Flower Leaf Leaf had ever fought to gain favor or attract his attention, not even quarreled. Flower Leaf Leaf had always been harmonious and friendly with each other. There was no yandere-like situation where they wanted to monopolize the breeder, only allowing themselves to give first fruits and not permitting other Flower Leaf Leaf to do so.
So...
His brows furrowed, Lin Chuan's train of thought was somewhat stuck.
Just then, buzz, buzz, buzz, the phone in Lin Chuan's pocket vibrated slightly. It was a group message from his class chat.
——
Homeroom Teacher (Teacher Liu): @Everyone, you are all 16 years old now, already adults. I shouldn't have to say this, but I must. I still need to remind everyone that this week's holiday, with no classes, is for you to rest well at home, recuperate, and adjust your mind and body to the best state to welcome the upcoming Awakening Ceremony. It's not for you to stay up all night playing games or binge-watching romance dramas. I hope all students will be self-aware and not joke with your future!
Zhang Yue: Teacher, I didn't stay up all night playing games!
Homeroom Teacher (Teacher Liu): Who was that blind person who got 28 kills opposite me yesterday and typed, 'If you're bad, practice more. If you can't lose, don't play'?
Zhang Yue: Σ(°△°|||)︴
Zhang Yue: Teacher, listen to me explain! Last night, that wasn't me, it was my mom's spirit pet, Plushie, playing games using my account!
Homeroom Teacher (Teacher Liu): Is that so? The one who pinned me down and slaughtered me was a doll? Do you think I'd believe that? Not only are you good at games, your trash-talking skills are at least Zu'an King level. When I visited your home before, I didn't see your Plushie having such high intelligence!
Zhang Yue: ...
Feng Xiaofeng: Manual dog head
...
Lin Chuan: Dog head +1
——
Looking at the messages in the group, Lin Chuan couldn't help but laugh out loud and followed suit by sending a message.
Suddenly, Lin Chuan stopped abruptly, a flash of inspiration crossing his mind.
One week later, it would be the Awakening Ceremony!
By then, he, Lin Chuan, would become a Beast Master!
Unless something unexpected happened, as long as his Beast Master talent wasn't something that countered the wood element, which was a very small probability, then he would most likely choose a Flower Leaf Leaf as his initial spirit pet, just like his older brother and sister.
His brother, Lin Linyi's, previously awakened Beast Master talent was Strength Enhancement, which, when actively used, could grant the spirit beast a temporary increase in strength, thereby boosting skill power.
And his sister, Lin Ling'er's, awakened talent was Heart of Water, which could increase cultivation efficiency when raising water-attribute spirit beasts.
Neither of their Beast Master talents had anything to do with the wood element, yet both of them, by prior agreement, chose a Flower Leaf Leaf from those cultivated at home as their initial spirit pet.
Therefore, even though their Beast Master talents couldn't be fully utilized for now, relying on the family's resources, especially Lin Lao Deng's master-level cultivation guide for Flower Leaf Leaf, completely surpassed the actual cultivation efficiency they would gain from choosing other spirit beasts that matched their own Beast Master talents. This allowed them to win at the starting line.
And indeed, Lin Linyi and Lin Ling'er both took a successful first step by choosing Flower Leaf Leaf. While they haven't reached the pinnacle of their peers, often called 'cheaters,' they have surpassed most of their age group by a significant margin.
One step fast, every step fast—this is the reality of a Beast Master.
As for Beast Master talents, they can simply choose suitable ones when contracting a second or even third spirit beast later on.
Moreover, cultivating Flower Leaf Leaf isn't a waste, especially after evolving into Flower Spirit, which is a highly competent support-type spirit beast!
That's right!
At first, the Flower Leaf Leaf didn't know the situation, but as the news of his older brother and sister choosing Flower Leaf Leaf from home as their initial spirit pets spread by word of mouth within the Flower Leaf Leaf community on the farm, it's highly probable that all the Flower Leaf Leaf on the farm now know that he, Lin Chuan, is about to become a Beast Master and will soon choose and contract his initial beast, and that it will most likely be one of them.
Given this, how could the Flower Leaf Leaf, especially those few that he, Lin Chuan, personally raised and who regard him as their closest and most beloved person, not be excited and expectant, or anxious and nervous? This is why they would act in such a unique way to attract his attention.
Hmm, there's an even more crucial piece of evidence!
The time when two of the Flower Leaf Leaf he personally raised would bear their first fruits happened to be exactly one week later, differing by at most two days from the time he would become a Beast Master! Moreover, by slightly controlling the absorption of cultivation fertilizer, they could precisely time the fruiting to coincide with his becoming a Beast Master and returning home to choose a Flower Leaf Leaf!
And these two Flower Leaf Leaf were precisely the ones who led the fight today and were punished by being hung on the streetlight pole!
At this moment, Lin Chuan completely understood.
The two Flower Leaf Leaf were trying to attract his attention, to show themselves off, and to make him pay more attention to them than usual.
Finally, they would time it so that they would bear their first fruit right when he became a Beast Master through the Awakening Ceremony and returned home to choose a Flower Leaf Leaf, and then they would give him the fruit!
At that time, in such a scenario.
Lin Chuan felt that, with all Flower Leaf Leaf having similar aptitudes, he would definitely choose the Flower Leaf Leaf he personally raised. If the Flower Leaf Leaf he chose presented him with its first fruit right at the moment of contracting, then he would certainly be very happy! Happy enough to jump for joy!
Given all this, why the two Flower Leaf Leaf fought and even refused to reconcile despite his intervention now made complete sense.
Because the two Flower Leaf Leaf knew that they were each other's biggest and most threatening competitors!
Having understood everything, Lin Chuan felt a strange emotion in his heart, somewhat understanding why Lin Lao Deng was such a fanatic and irrational Flower Leaf Leaf enthusiast.
Cute in appearance, well-behaved in nature, affectionate and clingy, and willing to work hard behind the scenes for the person they like.
Who wouldn't love such a Flower Leaf Leaf?
An apology welled up in Lin Chuan's heart. The two Flower Leaf Leaf liked him so much, competing secretly behind his back to become his initial spirit pet, even ending their friendship over it, yet he had hung them on a streetlight as punishment. It was simply inexcusable. He had to apologize to them! And at the same time, find a way to make them harmonious again!
Then, a week later, if, after the Awakening Ceremony, he learned that his Beast Master talent did not have a counter-effect on the wood element, then, without a doubt, he would choose one of these two Flower Leaf Leaf. So, how should he coax and comfort the other Flower Leaf Leaf so that it wouldn't be sad and cry? He had to think this through and prepare for it in advance!
He would think about these things tomorrow. Today, he had to apologize first and coax the two Flower Leaf Leaf.
How to apologize?
Verbal apologies were useless, or rather, not very effective. As the breeder who had raised them single-handedly, Lin Chuan knew what they truly liked.
They liked him holding them in his arms, watching videos on his phone together, liked to cuddle with him, rubbing faces, and liked him doting on them fiercely.
So, it's decided. Tonight, he'd sleep holding them, one in each arm, treating them equally!
Flower Leaf Leaf Field.
Lin Xuédòng moved a small stool and sat by the field.
In front of him, the Flower Leaf Leaf were neatly lined up in two rows, undergoing physical examinations one by one.
Just then, Lin Chuan walked past him in a hurry, and Lin Xuédòng couldn't help but turn his head to look.
When he saw Lin Chuan pick up two of the Flower Leaf Leaf from the group, one in his left arm and one in his right, rubbing their faces against his, Lin Xuédòng was stunned for a moment, then relieved, a fatherly smile appearing on his face.
“It seems you’ve figured it out.”
Lin Lao Deng said with a teasing smile.
After a slight pause, he suddenly raised his voice and shouted loudly:
“How about it!”
“Tell me! Aren’t Flower Leaf Leaf super incredibly cute!”
“Come on, come on, say it with me!”
“Flower Leaf Leaf is heaven, Flower Leaf Leaf is earth, Flower Leaf Leaf is invincible and eternally number one in the universe!”
Lin Chuan, who was currently cuddling with the two Flower Leaf Leaf, immediately fell silent. Even the two Flower Leaf Leaf, who were giggling and cooing in his left and right embrace, froze awkwardly, so embarrassed that they wrapped themselves up with their leaves, forming oval balls. Many other Flower Leaf Leaf around them did the same, hiding themselves with their leaves.
The atmosphere instantly became awkward.
Lin Chuan remained expressionlessly silent.
Flower Leaf Leaf were indeed cute, but he would never say such cringeworthy words that could make someone dig a villa with their toes.
Ignoring Lin Lao Deng, the atmosphere became even more solidified.
After a long while, as a night breeze blew past, Lin Chuan finally spoke softly, changing the subject.
“I’ve figured out why these two little guys were fighting, but there’s still one thing I don’t understand. Their fighting is understandable, but why did other Flower Leaf Leaf get involved, turning it into a group brawl? Many of those Flower Leaf Leaf weren’t cultivated by me, and they aren’t that close to me. They wouldn’t fight like that just to compete to be my initial spirit pet, would they?”
Hearing this, Lin Xuédòng smiled, then pointed at the Flower Leaf Leaf in Lin Chuan's left arm, which had a dark red flower on its head and dark green leaves.
“Third son, I ask you, what is its name.”
“Guoguo, Guoqijiu!”
Lin Chuan answered without thinking.
Guoguo, this is the name of the Flower Leaf Leaf that can produce garlic and lobster flavored fruits. Qijiu is the specific number of this Flower Leaf Leaf.
Why are there two names?
Because the language systems of humans and spirit beasts are not completely compatible.
Human language relies on sound, with spiritual and emotional content being secondary.
Spirit beasts, on the other hand, prioritize spiritual and emotional content, with sound mostly serving as a medium to convey spiritual and emotional information.
All these Flower Leaf Leaf whose fruits taste like garlic lobster are called 'Guoguo'.
But just calling 'Guoguo' doesn't allow humans to distinguish which specific Flower Leaf Leaf is being referred to, not even Lin Xuédòng can do it. So, they have to be numbered to be distinguished.
But for this group of Flower Leaf Leaf, when someone calls out 'Guoguo,' and the specific Flower Leaf Leaf they are thinking of, like Guoqijiu, has its emotional consciousness contained in the sound, then Guoqijiu will know it's being called, while other Flower Leaf Leaf also named Guoguo but with different numbers will not react at all, knowing they are not being called.
For Flower Leaf Leaf, the name Guoguo is sufficient. The numbered Guoqijiu is completely superfluous. As intelligent beings, even though the intelligence of Flower Leaf Leaf is still relatively low, roughly equivalent to a human child of three or four years old, even so, they surely wouldn't want to be marked with a number, would they? Unless it's a name with a homophonic or homographic meaning, just like Lin Chuan's three siblings.
Lin Xuédòng nodded, then pointed to the Flower Leaf Leaf in Lin Chuan's right arm, which had a pink flower on its head and leaves with white edges.
“And it?”
“Sakura, Sakurajiqi.”
Lin Chuan answered again.
“So then, don’t you understand yet?”
Lin Xuédòng shrugged and spread his hands.
Lin Chuan shook his head. Lin Xuédòng rolled his eyes, giving Lin Chuan a look that said, 'You're really weak,' then shook his head, looking like a loving old father who wouldn't give up on his foolish son, implying it was up to him to clear the fog and enlighten his son. Then, he looked around at all the Flower Leaf Leaf.
“Ahem.”
After two light coughs, gathering his emotions, Lin Xuédòng then began in a deep, magnetic storytelling voice:
“The Great Lin Dynasty, since ancient times, has had five great families.”
“They are Guoguo, Sakura, Honghong, Lanlan, and Tangtang.”
Awkward, so awkward it made his scalp tingle!
However, Lin Chuan still took a deep breath and forcibly endured it.
Although it was awkward, Lin Chuan could still understand the meaning behind it.
The so-called Great Lin Dynasty referred to Lin's Farm.
The five great families referred to the five types of Flower Leaf Leaf with special fruit flavors that were cultivated separately.
Guoguo, Sakura, Honghong, Lanlan, and Tangtang were the names of each of the five types of Flower Leaf Leaf.
Huh?
One of them didn't fit the style?
Because the name Sakura was given by his mother, Su Xiaoxia, while the other four were given by this chuunibyou old man in front of him.
“The Great Prince of the Kingdom, on his coming-of-age day, married the eldest daughter of the Lanlan family.”
“The Second Princess of the Kingdom, on her coming-of-age day, became sworn sisters with the eldest daughter of the Tangtang family.”
“And now, the Third Prince of the Kingdom is about to come of age.”
“The Lanlan family has the support of the Great Prince, and the Tangtang family has the support of the Second Princess. Their positions in the dynasty are unshakeable. So what about the remaining three families? Without a doubt, the other three families all want to marry into the family of the soon-to-be-adult Third Prince, thereby solidifying their family's position and power in the dynasty.”
“The Honghong family, unfortunately, has no suitable young ladies of age in this generation, so they automatically withdraw from the competition. Thus, only the Guoguo family and the Sakura family remain.”
“Coincidentally, the two eldest daughters of the Guoguo family and the Sakura family in this generation both grew up with the Third Prince as childhood sweethearts.”
Pausing, Lin Lao Deng stared at Lin Chuan with piercing eyes, then looked at the two Flower Leaf Leaf held separately in Lin Chuan's left and right arms, and finally turned his gaze to the surrounding Flower Leaf Leaf, especially the garlic lobster-flavored Guoguo and the five-spice beef-flavored Sakura among them. Suddenly excited, Lin Lao Deng grinned.
“This is war!”
“The war between the Guoguo family and the Sakura family to contend for the position of the Third Prince’s Consort!”
His head full of black lines, he took a deep breath. After a long while, Lin Chuan finally calmed down again, suppressing the boiling blood of awkwardness in his body.
Staring deeply at Lin Lao Deng for a long time, Lin Chuan finally nodded as if confirming.
“Lin Lao Deng, it’s truly a pity you don’t write novels.”