Of course, Jia Haowen and Li Lin were no fools. They wouldn't bankrupt themselves just to buy a Pokémon egg for Zhao Xuan; they always kept enough capital for their businesses and daily lives. However, they understood clearly the immense social advantages of having a powerful Trainer in the family. That was why they had been willing to offer a significant portion of their wealth to support him.
"Grandpa, Grandma, don't worry. I've already secured my second Pokémon. It's a Shinx," Zhao Xuan said with a smile, sensing the direction of their thoughts.
The table erupted with reactions.
Li Lin: "A Shinx! Its final form is Luxray—a pure Electric-type. That's every bit as formidable as a Charizard." Jia Haowen: "Exactly! It's a Pokémon with the presence of a lion king." Xu Meng'an: "Xiao Xuan, we support whatever choice you make." Grandma Xu: "How much money do you need, my boy? Grandma will give it to you." Grandpa Xu: "Listen to your grandmother, Xiao Xuan."
Seeing everyone so eager to help, Zhao Xuan was deeply moved. However, he quickly explained before his grandmother could actually go dig up her life savings.
"Grandpa, Grandma, Aunts, Uncles—hold on a second. I found the Shinx egg myself in the Secret Realm. It didn't cost a dime."
A wave of relief and joy washed over the room.
"Mom, Brother also gave me a Pichu egg!" Li Yunjie added, unable to keep the secret any longer.
"What!?" Xu Meng'an gasped, nearly dropping her chopsticks. "Xiao Xuan, you gave Yunjie a Pichu?"
In this world, Pichu had a three-stage evolutionary line. Its final form, Raichu, was a powerhouse. However, it required high potential; otherwise, it might only reach the Pikachu stage or fail to evolve altogether. This was the cold reality of their world—without innate talent or a stroke of luck, one remained at the bottom of the ladder, whether human or Pokémon.
Even a low-potential Pichu egg cost at least a million yuan. Knowing how much Zhao Xuan doted on his sister, Xu Meng'an was certain the potential of this egg was far from low.
Li Lin shared the same concern and spoke up immediately. "Xiao Xuan, this is far too valuable. You should take it back and sell it."
"Aunt, Uncle, I don't take back gifts. Yunjie is my sister. There's no logic in a brother taking back a present meant for her," Zhao Xuan stated firmly. He knew he had to be resolute, or they would force Yunjie to return it.
Xu Meng'an and Li Lin exchanged a hesitant glance.
Grandpa Xu, seeing the determination in Zhao Xuan's eyes and feeling proud of how much he cared for Yunjie, spoke up. "Alright, Meng'an, Li Lin. Since it's a gift from her brother, just let her keep it. It's Xiao Xuan's heart."
Grandma Xu chimed in, "Exactly! It's for his sister." She then turned to the slightly pouting Yunjie and smiled. "Yunjie, you keep that egg. If your parents say anything, you tell Grandma, and I'll give them a piece of my mind."
Li Yunjie beamed. "I will, Grandma!"
Left with no choice, Xu Meng'an and Li Lin could only offer a helpless smile. When the "Supreme Commander" of the house spoke, the matter was settled.
"Brother... Brother... I want a Pokémon egg too," Xiongxiong piped up.
"Sure thing. When you grow up, I'll find a powerful Pokémon just for you," Zhao Xuan promised with a chuckle.
"You hear that, Xiongxiong? You better study hard, or you won't even know how to take care of it," Xu Mengxin teased.
The Weight of Reality
The atmosphere shifted abruptly as the large television in the living room began broadcasting the evening news. It was the report on the Trainers returning from the Secret Realms. As the news listed the casualties across various cities in the Yanhuwa Republic, the laughter in the room died down.
Grandpa and Grandma Xu watched the faces of the young men and women appearing on the screen—photos of heroes who wouldn't be coming home. A heavy silence fell over the family.
Li Yunjie's small hand gripped Zhao Xuan's tightly. She looked unsettled, as if afraid he might vanish if she let go. Zhao Xuan gave her a reassuring look before turning back to the screen.
Despite having seen this many times, it never got easier. He had personally witnessed Trainers and Pokémon being torn apart by Magic Beasts. The brutality of those scenes often flashed in his mind, making him wonder why he chose this path of constant danger.
But then he looked at Yunjie and his family. He knew why. He needed power—true, overwhelming power—to ensure that his loved ones never became a photo on that screen. He was willing to risk his life if it meant they could live in peace.
The same news was playing across the nation.
In the Shuxiang Ya Yuan residential complex, Song Qian and Qiao Yingzi watched the same broadcast. The sight of so many young lives lost left a lump in their throats.
"Yingzi, don't blame me for not letting you be a Trainer," Song Qian said, her voice raspy. "I can't face the thought of outliving my child. If anything happened to you, I wouldn't be able to go on."
Qiao Yingzi shivered slightly. "I know, Mom. I know you and Dad only want what's best for me."
She understood. Most parents cared more about their children's safety than fame or fortune. To them, a peaceful life was the greatest treasure.
Song Qian felt a bit of relief at her daughter's understanding. Then, she remembered something. "By the way, how is Zhao Xuan?"
She knew Zhao Xuan well; he was her daughter's close friend and a frequent guest. Plus, his reputation as a talented Trainer in Shanghai made him hard to ignore.
"He's back," Yingzi replied softly. "He made it home safe."
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