Chen Shi had barely closed the chat with Professor Oak when exhaustion finally hit him.
He collapsed face-first onto his bed and was out within seconds.
Leafeon and Togekiss had eaten early and gone to train in the backyard, so the room was empty and quiet.
He slept all the way until nightfall—only waking when Togekiss floated back and gently shook him.
"Cha-koi…?"
She hovered anxiously, round eyes full of concern. She knew her Trainer had stayed up all night.
"I'm fine… just starving. I'll go downstairs first—you go play."
"Cha-koiii~"
He rubbed her head affectionately and headed downstairs.
His stomach hadn't stopped complaining since morning.
Dinner With the Grandparents
The moment Grandma saw him, her shoulders dropped in relief.
"Gardevoir, hurry! Bring out the dishes I prepared!"
"Sa–nay~"
Gardevoir teleported away and returned instantly with plates of steaming food.
Chen Shi didn't bother with politeness this time—he sat and dug in immediately.
Grandpa watched from the side, eyes as calm as still water.
Ever since learning Chen Shi had become a Researcher, he had been quietly monitoring the Researcher Forum.
He knew exactly what had happened that morning.
He simply didn't comment.
After a few bites, Chen Shi finally spoke.
"Grandpa, Grandma… I plan to go to Kanto for a while. I won't be back for some time."
Grandma's heart tightened.
Again?
He had just returned—and now he was leaving?
What if something happened outside?
What if he got into trouble again?
Before she could voice her concerns, Grandpa asked:
"Where in Kanto?"
"Pallet Town," Chen Shi replied between mouthfuls.
"The Oak Research Lab."
"You don't need to worry about my safety."
At the mention of Professor Oak, Grandma swallowed her objections instantly.
But the worry in her eyes didn't disappear.
"You can go," she said, "but you must bring either Salamence or Garchomp. Otherwise, Grandma absolutely won't agree!"
Chen Shi raised both hands in surrender.
"Alright, alright—I'll take Brother Shark with me. It's Professor Oak—we'll be fine."
Seeing her serious expression, he didn't dare joke around.
Grandpa then asked:
"When are you leaving?"
"Once Dragapult evolves. Should be in the next few days."
He paused, then continued:
"Oh—and Grandpa, Grandma… I plan to compete seriously in the World Championship this year. Could you prepare the resources my partners need?"
Grandpa froze for a second.
His gaze sharpened.
Chen Shi wasn't going to "see the world."
He wasn't going just to participate.
He was going… to win.
Grandpa had originally thought Shi'er's team wasn't well-rounded enough.
Dragapult and Swampert could keep up.
Madame Roserade barely passed.
Leafeon, Togekiss, Charmeleon, and Metang still needed time.
But he didn't reject the ambition.
His stance was the same as always:
Whatever path Shi'er chooses—he will support it.
"You can count on me," Grandpa said firmly.
"I'll prepare everything."
Chen Shi grinned.
"Thanks, Grandpa!"
Grandpa suddenly asked:
"By the way, Shi'er—Phoebe also went to watch the Elite Exhibition. You must've run into her. How is the girl doing?"
Chen Shi froze.
Then sighed.
"She's… okay."
"???"
Grandma and Grandpa exchanged a horrified look.
"What happened?! Nothing serious, right?!"
Chen Shi waved it off.
"No big deal. She just got scammed out of all her money and starved for two days."
"......"
Grandma nearly choked on her tea.
Chen Shi continued:
"But I found a Dreepy fossil in Meteor Falls and gave it to her.
Since Devon finished their fossil revival tech, she'll be able to get a baby Dreepy soon."
Grandma and Grandpa finally released a long breath.
If it was just losing money?
That wasn't a problem.
Grandpa sighed in admiration.
"Didn't expect the Stone family to actually perfect resurrection technology. Reviving fossils… what a miracle."
Then—
Grandma suddenly smiled with a suspiciously bright expression.
"Shi'er… what exactly is your relationship with my old friend's granddaughter?"
"I saw her rushing here looking for you. Once she heard you weren't home, she immediately rushed off again."
Chen Shi froze.
His chopsticks hung mid-air.
Then he said flatly:
"Grandma… we're just ordinary friends. Don't overthink it."
"Yes, yes, of course—ordinary friends."
She nodded far too enthusiastically.
"I was 'ordinary friends' with your grandfather when we were young too."
Chen Shi: "......"
Grandpa tried to hide his smile and failed.
They had both been young once—they knew the signs.
Those two kids clearly hadn't pierced that final boundary yet.
Too shy.
Too young.
Perfectly normal.
No need to rush them.
Grandpa looked at his wife, nostalgia in his eyes.
Grandma continued with even more vigor:
"Shi'er, that girl is lovely. You should seize the opportunity. And her family—good people, old friends—very suitable—"
"Grandma—please."
Chen Shi ran a hand down his face.
"We're ordinary friends. I'm sixteen. I'm not in a rush."
Grandma opened her mouth again—
"Grandma."
His tone became dangerous.
"Please."
She reluctantly closed it.
Chen Shi stood up.
"I'm still tired. I'll head upstairs. You two rest early too."
"Alright, go on."
As soon as he disappeared upstairs, Grandma smirked triumphantly.
"'Ordinary friends', he says. Does he think he can fool me?"
Grandpa exhaled through his nose, amused.
"Leave the young ones alone. They haven't even pierced the veil yet. 'Ordinary friends' is fine."
Grandma laughed even harder.
The mere thought of her grandson ending up with her old friend's granddaughter made her feel a decade younger.
She couldn't stop smiling.
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