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

"Buyi... (But how you do it is up to you, and no matter what you choose, I will be with you, even in the end...)"

She seemed to have thought of something, her eyes flashing with sadness, and she remained silent.

Xia Chen was a bit bewildered by Xianbu. One second he was lecturing her with profound wisdom, and the next he was instantly in a state of emotional turmoil. He quickly comforted her with Xianbu's favorite head pat.

"Honestly, why are you getting upset? It's like you've been through something like this before."

Xianbu snuggled into Xia Chen's arms, murmuring softly, "Buyi... (idiot...)"

In this grove of trees where only faint moonlight falls, a person and a cloth huddle together.

…………

The next morning, the three of them set off again.

The morning sun looked bright, but it wasn't too scorching. Xia Chen felt that she no longer felt the irritation she had felt yesterday from being in the sun.

Suddenly, Xijiana said, "Brother Xia Chen, why do you seem so happy today?"

Xia Chen, who was observing the elves' shadows with great interest, asked in return, "Really? No, I don't think so?"

Qianli agreed, saying, "People are in high spirits when they have good things happen. Their energy and spirit can completely reflect a person's state. Something good must have happened to you last night, young man."

"Ah, I guess so..."

Xia Chen nodded reluctantly, "I've figured out some things that have been bothering me subconsciously."

He used to have a self-centered mindset, and even when he faced the legendary elves twice, it was because he had no choice but to, rather than because he did it voluntarily.

But last night, after being enlightened by Xianbu, he understood.

There are always things that need to be done. They might be champions, or even world champions, or gym leaders who might step up.

And when I see people I care about... like Cynthia, Marsh, Crimson, or Kirito standing on the front lines, will I be unmoved?

Certainly not.

Therefore, there is only one final choice...

In the face of crisis, only responsibility matters!

Having figured this out, Xia Chen naturally felt refreshed.

……

Just as Qianli said last night, after setting off at seven o'clock in the morning and walking for more than three hours, they left the Orange Blossom Forest.

Beyond the forest lies Route 117, which connects to Mauville City. At the starting point of this straight and clean road stands a rather large Pokémon Center.

Seeing the temperature gradually rising, Xia Chen and his friends decided to spend the hottest part of the day in a comfortable air-conditioned room.

Perhaps because they all shared the same idea as Xia Chen, there were quite a lot of people in the Pokémon Center.

While it wasn't quite as packed as a concert, the presence of many large Pokémon, such as Steelix, Rhyperior, and Aggron, made the place quite crowded.

This is where the power of waveguide came into play. After scanning the area, Xia Chen found a relatively empty corner.

The three recalled their sprites and squeezed in that direction.

Along the way, trainers chatted in twos and threes, and apart from their own Pokémon, most of the conversations revolved around the awful weather. Some were also talking about the upcoming Grand Contest.

Clearly, these two things are the hottest topics in the Fengyuan area these days.

Upon hearing this, Qianli's expression became somewhat complicated. Clearly, he was thinking of his "good-for-nothing son" again.

However, there's nothing you can do about it. The popularity of the Grand Contest is like the weather; it's something that won't change based on individual will.

After pushing and shoving, the three finally broke through the encirclement and arrived at this open corner.

Although it was almost noon, Xia Chen didn't need to cook today.

Pulling out an automatic stove and cooking in a Pokémon Center seems a bit too much like performance art...

So they simply released the spirits to rest for a while.

However, the tree may wish to remain still, but the wind will not cease; before two minutes had passed since I sat down, an unexpected situation arose.

As Xia Chen was holding Sylveon and fixing the bow on her headdress, another Sylveon suddenly appeared in his line of sight, running over with an excited expression.

Judging from its direction, it seems to be heading towards Xia Chen's side.

Behind her, a girl with long brown hair and a beret followed clumsily, apologizing to the passersby she bumped into while panting as she chased after Sylveon.

She was finally able to stop and rest only when Sylveon stopped in front of her legs and rubbed against her pants affectionately.

The girl, slightly out of breath, rested her hands on her knees and took the opportunity to apologize to the stranger who had been inexplicably stuck to her Sylveon.

"I'm sorry... my Sylveon, I've caused you trouble."

After apologizing, she finally had time to look up at the man who was skillfully petting her Sylveon.

The familiar face she had only seen in videos made her gasp in surprise.

"Eh—Senior Xia Chen?"

Chapter 317 Daily Encounters During My Trip with Serena (7.2k)

(Sorry, the timer was set for tonight.)

"Hey—Senior Xia Chen!"

The girl in the beret smiled sweetly, her voice full of excitement and surprise, like a teddy bear who had accidentally found a large jar of sweetness without the three bees and the queen bee guarding it.

This analogy is not accurate, because the girl and the teddy bear are two extremes in appearance: one is tall, fat, and fierce-looking, while the other is slender, beautiful, and charming.

Xia Chen had a guess, but he wasn't sure, so he feigned confusion and asked, "Excuse me, have we met before? You are...?"

Qianli, standing to the side, looked at him with a hint of disdain. He could even forget the girl's name. What was that word that young man often used again... "scumbag!"

This is how Senri, a good husband and a virtuous gentleman, thought to himself.

"Oh, sorry, I forgot to introduce myself!"

The girl subconsciously tidied her actually neat and delicate hair accessories, looking somewhat shy and nervous.

Mustering her courage, she introduced herself: "My name is Serena, I come from the Kalos region, and I am working hard to become a Coordinator as excellent as you, senior!"

It really is Serena!

Upon seeing the "wise girl" he had loved most in his previous life, Xia Chen felt a surge of joy.

He looked at the graceful young woman before him with admiration.

Unlike the children's cartoon characters who are around ten years old, Serena is probably seventeen or eighteen years old, the age when she can travel independently. This is the most innocent and beautiful age of a young girl.

Her height of nearly 1.7 meters makes her figure look very slender, and her pretty face is even more attractive with delicate makeup. With some cute accessories, anyone who sees her on the street can't help but turn around and take a second look.

Her figure is still... there's room for improvement.

Ah... Seventeen or eighteen-year-old Serena is just as wonderful as I imagined.

Having fulfilled his wish to see the seventeen-year-old Se-mei, Xia Chen contentedly withdrew his admiring gaze.

…………

When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.

Serena took in Xia Chen's open and honest admiring gaze. Although she was a little shy, she was secretly pleased that she had dressed up nicely today.

She had her hands behind her back, her two long, slender, white fingers twisting haphazardly where Xia Chen couldn't see.

"Um, do you remember, senior? Last year when you were traveling in the Carlos region, you did a live stream when you passed through Lianli Town, and someone in the chat asked you a question..."

Xia Chen laughed and said, "Of course I remember, you were that rhinoceros rider, right?"

"No, that's what my mom wanted me to do!"

Serena blushed and denied it, then looked sincerely at Xia Chen, "But... thank you for remembering!"

Xia Chen smiled. He had only done a few live streams, and this was Serena's comment, so it naturally left a deep impression.

It wasn't good to make a girl stand for so long, so after they got to know each other, Xia Chen took the opportunity to invite her to sit down and rest, and Serena readily agreed.

Some were happy while others were sad. The sweeter Serena's smile was, the uglier the little girl's face looked.

This has nothing to do with romantic love; it's just that, having just arrived in this unfamiliar outside world, Xia Chen is Xijiana's only support.

Serena's appearance made her vaguely feel that this girl might share, or even steal, this dependence.

The purple Buzzbat with its two exaggeratedly large ears sensed its trainer's bad mood and rubbed against her, confused and worried.

Xia Chen patted the little girl's head to comfort her, then turned to Serena and introduced her: "This is my sister, Higana, and this is Mr. Senri, the gym leader of the Petalburg Gym. We are currently traveling together."

Qianli nodded calmly in greeting, and Xijiana, feeling somewhat comforted, also pouted and greeted Serena.

Although she had already introduced herself to Xia Chen during their previous conversation, the girl still said it again in a very generous manner when she formally met Qianli and Xijiana, "Hello, I am Serena."

At this point, the group had officially become acquainted.

…………

Serena sat down next to Xia Chen, while Sylveon, who had formed this strange bond, looked timidly at Xia Chen's Sylveon, with a conflicted feeling of wanting to get closer to an idol but not daring to.

However, as the eldest of all the Sylveon sisters, Sylveon was very friendly and reached out her ribbon to her new friend.

Sylveon's silk ribbons not only serve as versatile tools, but also allow her to convey her emotions.

Sensing his idol's friendliness, Serb's expression changed from apprehension to joy, and he slowly moved closer.

Xianbu then wrapped her arms around the little one with a silk ribbon, grinned mischievously, raised her little paws, and began to pet the little junior, revealing her tiny tiger teeth.

After being touched by Xia Chen every day, I finally got a chance to rub Xianbu today and experience what Xia Chen usually feels like.

Open!

Ignoring the two fairies, one big and one small, playing around on the table, Xia Chen handed over a glass of chilled peach juice and asked, guessingly, "So, Miss Serena is also going to Liuli City to participate in the Grand Contest?"

"Thank you... You can just call me Serena, senior~"

Serena took the juice, which already had a straw inserted, and very ladylike took a small sip.

Mmm, so sweet!

As the refreshing, icy juice slid down her throat, Serena said, "Yes, I've been a Coordinator for a full year now, and last month I also got my fifth Magnificent Ribbon in Lavender City, barely qualifying for the Magnificent Festival."

The official name of the second World Grand Prix is ​​Grand Celebration. To participate, one must win in grand prix events held in different cities and obtain five ribbons.