Under the boss's brilliant smile, Chen Kai helped pay 8,000 yuan upfront.
Zhang Yongchao left a message, saying, “I’ll pay you back as soon as I have money.” Then he took Smeargle home to clean up.
Chen Kai felt that the repayment might take a long time, but he didn't mind, after all, it was his good brother.
Once Zhang Yongchao left, only Chen Kai and Liu Jianshan remained. They had originally come to accompany Zhang Yongchao, but he had run off first.
Liu Jianshan said, “I’m going back too. Let Scorbunny go home and get some good rest.”
Chen Kai nodded, “Alright! It’s tired from practicing 'Spark' today, so it should rest early.”
Afterward, he wandered around 'Qian Da Plaza' by himself.
These past few days, Chen Kai often took Miraidon, Xiao Mei, and Applin out for a stroll in the evenings.
Especially Miraidon, it felt that after eating so many delicacies in the capital, it was a true 'capital native,' having even drunk 'Douzhi' several times.
During this time, Chen Kai also wanted to buy some things for Iron Bundle, as it was responsible for his safety, and it was still necessary to maintain a good relationship with it.
But no matter if it was food, drink, or toys, it showed no interest. Every day, as soon as it got home, it would Charge, refill its water, and return to its Poké Ball at dawn.
It lived a simple, routine life.
Miraidon explained, “Most Pokemon in their world are like that.”
Just yesterday, Chen Kai had given up on his plan to 'bribe' Iron Bundle.
In the evening, he bought a bag of sandwiches and bread for Miraidon, and a fresh common fruit for Xiao Mei and Applin.
As Chen Kai was about to head home, he passed a street stall at the entrance of 'Qian Da Plaza.' Iron Bundle unexpectedly ran out of its Poké Ball and stood motionless in front of one of the stalls.
This small stall was set up by a girl. In recent years, some young people have been setting up night markets outside shopping malls in the evenings to earn some extra money.
The girl was one of them. Her stall was filled with various glass toys, which, under the lights at night, shimmered in vibrant colors and were very eye-catching.
Seeing Iron Bundle standing in front of her stall, she smiled and asked, “Delibird, what do you want?”
Iron Bundle pointed to a crystal ball. Inside the ball, snowflakes swirled, and a black penguin rotated with the music.
This black penguin, wearing a red scarf, resembled the logo of a certain QQ on Earth, giving Chen Kai the illusion that his wallet was about to tighten.
“How much is this?” Chen Kai asked cautiously.
“This crystal ball is 50 yuan!”
Chen Kai breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't know why he had the misconception from the game. If it were on Earth, this crystal ball would feel like 5,000 yuan. “That’s good. I’ll take one!”
Chen Kai scanned the QR code, and the girl handed the crystal ball to Iron Bundle.
Iron Bundle immediately retreated back into its Poké Ball.
Chen Kai scratched his head, thinking: Forget it, as long as it's happy.
However, that night, to Chen Kai's surprise, Iron Bundle first Charged the crystal ball, then Charged itself.
The next morning, Iron Bundle surprisingly did not return to its Poké Ball. Instead, it kept staring at the penguin rotating inside the crystal ball.
Its eyes—two serene, blue light panels that usually flickered with a steady rhythm—were now pulsating with an extraordinary vivacity, like sprites dancing joyfully in the darkness.
On its metallic face, despite the cold, mechanical lines, Chen Kai could still vaguely sense its current delight.
Chen Kai hadn't expected Iron Bundle to have such a girlish heart. He had thought all Pokemon liked to eat, but he hadn't realized Iron Bundle liked crystal balls.
He smiled and said, “Iron Bundle, if you like crystal balls, I’ll buy you more in the future.”
Iron Bundle glanced at him, took the crystal ball, and returned to its Poké Ball.
For some reason, Chen Kai felt as if its LED eyes had rolled at him.
---
Time passed, and it was August 9th.
During this period, Chen Kai continued to live his life methodically.
Ye Gai, knowing that Bai Yuchun and Chen Kai were going to the Bai family for a competition on the 10th, gave them both a day off.
Chen Kai lay on the sofa at his grandpa's house, cracking melon seeds with Xiao Mei.
The phone rang.
His grandma answered the phone, “Oh, the one on your desk, right? Okay, I’ll bring it over for you.”
Chen Kai spat out a melon seed shell and asked, “Grandma, who was that?”
His grandma said, “Your uncle. He forgot something at home. They’ve been very busy these past few days, I haven’t seen them at all.”
Chen Kai put down the melon seeds in his hand, “I’m free anyway, should I go deliver it to Uncle?”
His grandma pointed to the table in his uncle's room, “Okay, thank you, Xiao Kai. It’s that document on the table.”
Chen Kai picked it up and saw it read: “Regarding the Research on the Restoration of Fragmented Ancient Pokemon.”
Chen Kai was a bit surprised. So, his uncle was doing this kind of research on Blue Star!
It sounded quite high-end!
Holding the document, Chen Kai quickly set off.
Arriving at the Kyoto Pokemon Research Institute in the suburbs, he registered at the guard's booth. A woman in a white lab coat asked, “You must be Xiao Kai, right?”
Chen Kai nodded, “Yes, and you are?”
The woman in white said, “My name is Zhao Mingzhu, I’m your uncle’s colleague. I’ll take the document inside to him.”
Chen Kai sized up the woman in front of him. She looked to be in her early 30s, with very thick glasses and messy hair, looking like she had been working overtime for a long time. The security guard also knew her, so giving her the document shouldn't be a big problem, but it was still better to be safe.
He politely asked, “Zhao Jie, I happen to have something to discuss with my uncle. Can you take me to him?”
Zhao Mingzhu didn't think much of it, “Of course, I’ll take you.”
The Research Institute grounds were quite large, and there weren't many people walking around, but everyone was in a hurry.
Zhao Mingzhu walked quite fast, and Chen Kai followed her, turning this way and that, somewhat losing his way back.
Fortunately, after a short while, they arrived at an office door.
Inside the office, Bai Zhaoxing and a man were conversing: “Xiao Bai, your research this time is still very important. Remember to perform well when you go on stage later.”
Bai Zhaoxing nodded, “I know, Section Chief Hu.”
Just then, Zhao Mingzhu pushed the door open directly and called out, “Old Bai, your nephew is here.”
Bai Zhaoxing saw Chen Kai and said happily, “Thank you for coming, Xiao Kai. Ah, I’ve been so busy these past few days that I’m dizzy. I have to give a speech on stage today, and I actually left the document at home last night.”
Section Chief Hu glanced at Zhao Mingzhu and Chen Kai.
“Xiao Zhao, remember to knock next time you come in!
Xiao Bai, we’ll talk again when there’s an opportunity. Tomorrow, at the Bai family’s…”
Bai Zhaoxing affirmed, “Section Chief, don’t worry, everything is arranged. You just need to bring your grandson over.”
“Good, I trust your work.” After saying that, Section Chief Hu glanced at Zhao Mingzhu again and walked out of the office.
Zhao Mingzhu seemed a bit afraid of this Section Chief, lowering her head and not daring to speak.
Chen Kai took another look at this Section Chief. For some reason, he always felt that this Section Chief looked a bit shifty-eyed.
However, he didn't forget the main purpose and handed over the document: “Uncle, the document.”
Bai Zhaoxing took the document and handed it to Zhao Mingzhu: “Xiao Kai, thank you for making the trip. Xiao Zhao, please help me print several copies of this document; it’s needed for the meeting later.”
These past few days, Chen Kai had been wanting to ask Bai Zhaoxing about the legendary seasoning, but Bai Zhaoxing had been too busy and he hadn't had the chance. Now that he had run into him today, he certainly wouldn't miss the opportunity.
“Uncle, I have something I want to ask you, about Pokemon.”
Bai Zhaoxing turned back to organize his things. Hearing Chen Kai's question, he stopped what he was doing: “What is it, Xiao Kai?”
“It’s about the legendary seasoning, do you know about it?”
Bai Zhaoxing thought for a moment, then shook his head: “I haven’t heard of it. Do you need this seasoning?”
Chen Kai said directly, “Yes, Miraidon, my Cyclizar, seems to be able to recover by eating this legendary seasoning.”
Bai Zhaoxing rubbed his chin and thought for a while longer: “I really haven’t heard of it.
However, my research direction is fossils, and I don't know much about plants. Since you’re here at the institute, let Xiao Zhao take you to the Pokemon Plant Department to ask later.”