Pokémon: I picked up a reborn Eevee at the start of the game

What is firmly etched deep in his mind is that beautiful, captivating face, half-lit and half-shadowed by the sunset, a face he may never forget.

Chapter 234 Me, the little mouse, am being played like a puppet! (6k)

On December 24th, Xia Chen returned to Zhijiang.

Besides Sylveon and Gardevoir, there was also a woman wearing sunglasses by their side.

Actually, his first semester classes weren't over yet, so theoretically he should have gone back to school first.

However, with the person in charge of Beijing University right beside him, and Xia Chen having just made great contributions to the school, taking a short vacation from now until winter break is a piece of cake.

Regarding the issue of course credits...

The academic credits awarded to the champion of the prestigious Donghuang Youth Tournament are enough for ten trainer students to graduate normally.

It's not entirely accurate to say that this championship carries the most weight; there are competitions that offer higher academic credits as well.

For example, the World Junior Trainer Championship... regional tournaments... the World Championship... and so on.

However, in the school's history, no one has ever graduated with the academic credits awarded for winning such a competition...

In short, theoretically speaking, Xia Chen and Hu Yang can both receive their graduation certificates next year.

But I'll say it again.

Yes, but not necessary.

Since I can take leave whenever I want and still travel, why not earn some scholarships every year?

11:00 AM.

At Zhijiang Shuijun International Airport, a plane that had taken off from Funan City landed smoothly, and Xia Chen and Xiluona stepped out of the cabin.

Taking a deep breath of the familiar air, Xia Chen smiled with satisfaction, "The air humidity in Zhijiang is indeed more comfortable."

The capital city is too dry, and the southern part of the province is too humid; the Yangtze River, situated between the two, is just right.

Unlike Xia Chen, Cynthia was not pretentious. She tightened her coat and walked outside.

Xia Chen followed, still muttering to himself, "We'll eat out for lunch, and this afternoon we need to clean the house. We haven't been back for half a year; the yard's probably teeming with wild elves. We also need to buy some New Year's goods..."

Cynthia suddenly stopped, tilted her head, and asked, "Your itinerary... you're not going to spend all seven days at your house, are you?"

"Uh..."

Xia Chen said weakly, "Is it not allowed...?"

Cynthia sighed, "Do you have some kind of misunderstanding about the word 'tourism'?"

Xia Chen thought for a moment and asked in return, "So, would you rather eat my cooking every day, watch TV, play games, and occasionally go shopping, or spend every day traveling and enjoying the outdoors?"

Cynthia was silent for a moment, then said, "Do as you please..."

Xia Chen smiled slightly. "I knew you were a homebody the moment I saw you. Do you think I can't handle you?"

If you're on vacation and instead of relaxing at home, you go out and wander around aimlessly, what's the difference between that and your regular work life where you're always running around to ruins and the wild?

After a year of busy competitions and archaeological digging, you should just relax at home and enjoy yourself!

…………

Xia Chen's home is quite far from the airport, and it was almost midnight when we arrived near his home.

The house hasn't been cleaned for six months, so it's definitely not convenient to cook or eat for a while.

So Xia Chen took Xilona to a small restaurant that he always went to when he was too lazy to cook.

"Long time no see, Uncle Tai, and you too, Elegant Cat."

Xia Chen smiled and greeted a balding old man lounging in a deck chair at the restaurant entrance, basking in the sun, and an elegant cat at his feet.

"Meow~"

The elegant cat was showing signs of age, but it still walked gracefully to Xia Chen's side and affectionately rubbed against his leg.

Xia Chen happily squatted down, picked up the big cat, and started petting it. His skillful touch made the elegant cat wriggle its body in enjoyment.

Uncle Tai, who was leisurely sunbathing on a deck chair, opened his eyes in surprise, "Oh my, our champion is back?"

Xia Chen was somewhat amused and exasperated. "How did you find out so quickly?"

Uncle Tai chuckled and turned on the radio next to the recliner, which played a news broadcast.

"Yesterday, Xia Chen, a renowned Pokémon researcher and young trainer from our city, defeated Red with a score of 3:0 in the final of the 73rd Donghuang Young Trainer Competition held in Funan City, winning the championship. It is reported that he is the youngest champion in the competition, at the age of 17 years and 9 months, leaving the second place a full year and a half behind..."

Uncle Tai pressed the switch, and the sound stopped abruptly.

Xia Chen clicked his tongue in slight regret; he hadn't heard enough yet.

"They've been playing this news non-stop since last night, I'm so tired of hearing it!"

Uncle Tai stood up, stretched, and asked, "Just got back? Come over for lunch?"

Putting down the elegant cat, Xia Chen smiled and nodded, then pointed to Cynthia, who was quietly observing the pink walls and black tiles of the street scene beside him, and said, "My friend is coming to Zhijiang to play. There are two of us and ten elves. You and Mr. Mime can cook four or five dishes, and make some more braised dishes."

Uncle Tai nodded without hesitation, then suddenly asked meaningfully, "Oh, by the way, isn't Mingyi studying at...Padia? Is she coming back for the New Year?"

Xia Chen coughed lightly and replied, "I asked her yesterday, and she said that her studies there are heavy and she won't be back until after the New Year."

"Oh--"

Uncle Tai dragged out the "oh" sound, then waved his hand and said, "I understand. You and your friend go into the private room first. I'll go cook."

After giving Xia Chen a heavy pat on the shoulder, Uncle Tai went into the kitchen.

…………

Cynthia scooped up a whole spoonful of glistening, translucent shrimp with a faint tea aroma and put it in her mouth, letting out a satisfied sigh.

"Mmm...this shrimp is delicious."

Xia Chen smiled and said, "Uncle Tai was the head chef of Hesonglou before he retired. This is his specialty. I learned all my Zhijiang cuisine from him. Try this. It won't taste good when it's cold."

He pointed to the braised eel strips, which looked rather...unappealing, and Cynthia hadn't touched it since it was served.

Cynthia picked up her chopsticks, looking at the dark brown, glossy dish made of some kind of stir-fried stuff, and wondering if it could even be called a dish. Her expression was somewhat hesitant.

After thinking for a moment, Cynthia decided to let the Pokémon try it first. She looked at Roseradore and asked, "Why don't you try it first?"

Roserade shook her head frantically, "Rade... (I'm a Grass-type Pokémon, I don't eat meat...)"

As she spoke, she reached out a vine, picked up a piece of frozen mutton cake, dipped it in vinegar, and put it in her mouth to calm her nerves.

Xia Chen rolled his eyes. Was it really that big of a deal...?

He scooped a spoonful into his bowl and ate it, explaining, "This is eel floss. Oh... I don't think this is a common ingredient in the Sinnoh region, but it's really edible."

Seeing Xia Chen enjoying his food so much, Xilona wavered. When it came to food, Xia Chen was still trustworthy.

So she tried picking up a small piece of eel and putting it in her mouth. Instantly, a rich, salty-sweet flavor exploded on her taste buds along with the tender eel meat. The oily but not greasy texture made Cynthia subconsciously swallow the eel.

"It's...okay, I guess."

Cynthia made this insincere comment, but couldn't help scooping up a spoonful and putting it in her mouth, then making strange noises.

Looking at Cynthia's slightly flushed face, Xia Chen chuckled to himself.

Arrogance has become obsolete!

But if it's Sister Zhulan...

…………

At 2 PM, the first lunch back in Zhijiang came to a satisfactory end. Actually, Xia Chen himself didn't care, as long as the guests were satisfied.

Amid greetings from neighbors, Xia Chen and Xilona walked slowly down the not-so-wide street.

Walking along the old path paved with blue bricks, Cynthia held a bowl of sweet fermented rice balls in her hands and remarked, "This place is really strange. When I left the airport, I thought Zhijiang was a completely developed and advanced modern city..."

Xia Chen shrugged. "Exploring new avenues while staying true to our roots is a characteristic of Zhijiang. You see, if you just stroll around the city like a tourist, you definitely wouldn't have such a profound understanding, right?"

"That makes sense..."

Cynthia swallowed a mouthful of meatball, then suddenly turned to look at Xia Chen, "If I'm not a tourist, then what am I?"

Xia Chen paused, then scratched his head awkwardly. "You've come to visit my good friend?"

Cynthia wiped the wine residue from her lips with a tissue and nodded with a light laugh.

The atmosphere was somewhat awkward. Xia Chen's eyes darted around, and he pointed to a corner of the alley.

"Xianbu, is this where I found you?"

"Buyi?"

While dealing with the curious wild cats that had gathered around, Xianbu squinted back at Xia Chen and then used me to change the subject.

Oh man.

Although the method was crude, the topic did indeed pique Miss Cynthia's curiosity. She asked in surprise, "You and Sylvanas... you know each other like this?"

Xia Chen's lips curled into a slight, triumphant smile, then he spoke nostalgically about the past, "I never imagined that my first encounter with my starter Pokémon would be under such circumstances. It was a clear morning after the rain..."

Xianbu, standing nearby, also quietly pricked up his ears, listening to Xia Chen recount this story that belonged only to the two of them, as a firsthand witness. However, he occasionally argued back, attempting to rewrite history.

"Buyi! (You were the one who begged me to be your starter Pokémon!)"

"Buyi! (You're the weak and pitiful one who can eat a lot!)"

"..."

…………

As expected, the house was overrun with Pokémon and weeds, and the training equipment that I had bought for Sylveon at a high price had become a den for wild Pokémon.

As for why Xia Chen could tell... how could grass grow on equipment made of plastic and metal?

Moreover, it was dry and soft hay.

I, the little mouse, have already taken over Xia Chen's house...

It's unclear whether this place is occupied by Rattata or other rat-like Pokémon.

Xia Chen wasn't too angry. He enjoyed the fun that the vibrant and infinitely possible world of elves brought him, but he also had to endure the occasional little troubles.

For example, in this situation now.