Zhuge Ziyu wore an exasperated expression. "No, it's not — ugh, never mind. You'll understand eventually."
"By the way, you messaged me saying the Pokémon food was ready. Is that right?"
"Yeah, it's all done." Lu Ze nodded, then rubbed his fingers together with a greedy grin. "But of course, there's a fee for that…"
Zhuge Ziyu couldn't help laughing. "Relax, I won't short you."
"Deal." Lu Ze nodded excitedly, then pulled Zhuge Ziyu toward the kitchen. "It's all right here."
"That much, huh? Alright, I'll call someone to bring a truck."
Zhuge Ziyu got excited seeing the kitchen packed with parcels and immediately made a call to have a vehicle sent over.
"This much should last a while, right?"
"About half a month. The legendaries are all big eaters."
(Big eaters?)
Snorlax's hand froze mid-bite.
(When can I eat together with the legendaries… that would be true happiness.)
It then glanced cheerfully at Dratini and Elekid, who were lying on the sofa with bulging bellies, too full to eat another bite.
Lu Ze nodded. "Yeah, I know. So I made quite a lot of Pokémon food."
He then looked at Zhuge Ziyu with a grin. "You want some Energy Cubes too? One cube fills you up, and the taste is amazing."
Zhuge Ziyu lit up. "You have those too?"
"Yep." Lu Ze said matter-of-factly, shrugging. Then he added with a grin: "They're Snorlax-specific Energy Cubes, though. But if the price is right, I don't mind making you a batch."
"Sure, sure — for the next batch. Put some in the next batch of Pokémon food, and I'll fund you!"
"Deal!"
Both men laughed. This round? This round was a双赢 — a win-win for both.
"By the way, about claiming those rewards — when are you planning to go?"
Lu Ze thought for a moment. "After National Day. During the holiday, we want to go to the Black Mystery Zone."
"The Black Mystery Zone?" Zhuge Ziyu nodded thoughtfully. "The one in Jinshi?"
"Yeah!"
"Since we're on the topic — have you guys gotten your Junior Trainer certifications? If not, you might not be able to get in."
Lu Ze froze. "You need a Junior Trainer cert for that?"
"Yeah." Zhuge Ziyu nodded. "It wasn't required before, but earlier this year, a新手训练家 died in there. So…"
"Right. Got it."
Lu Ze's heart skipped a beat. If there was even a risk of death, he couldn't afford to be so relaxed about it.
"The Black Mystery Zone in Jinshi is technically a beginner-friendly dungeon, but you can't let your guard down. Otherwise you might end up like that person. You understand, right?"
Zhuge Ziyu gave Lu Ze a meaningful look.
Lu Ze's expression grew serious. "Yeah. We'll be careful."
"Good. Glad you get it." Zhuge Ziyu stood up, patting Lu Ze on the shoulder. "You know, all of us have high hopes for you."
Lu Ze forced a苦笑. Don't say stuff like that — it really adds the pressure.
"Alright, my people are here. I'll get the stuff loaded and be on my way."
"Let me help you carry some."
Lu Ze had spotted the large truck outside the window. He stood up, went to open the door, and said to Zhuge Ziyu.
"No need. One bag each will do."
The team leader appeared to be military. After categorically refusing Lu Ze's offer, a small squad filed neatly into the kitchen, gathered the parcels Lu Ze had prepared, and filed out just as orderly.
"Xiaohong, Xiaolan, it's time to go home~"
Once everything was loaded, Zhuge Ziyu called out to the two kids, who were still eating with Snorlax.
Only Snorlax and the two kids were left at the table now.
Lu Ze didn't think much of it — he just assumed the kids were slow eaters. It never occurred to him that they'd been eating alongside Snorlax the whole time, right up until now.
Fortunately, Lu Ze had bought plenty. Otherwise, it really wouldn't have been enough for those two.
The two kids glanced reluctantly at the remaining skewers on the table, then looked at Snorlax, waved goodbye to it with a hint of sadness, and then got up and walked over to Zhuge Ziyu.
Snorlax was reluctant to see them go too. It gave Lu Ze a look of quiet resentment — *Look at these kids. Now look at you.*
"Ha ha, you've both made a mess of yourselves."
Lu Ze burst out laughing at the sight of the kids' faces.
"Here, let me wipe you up."
Lu Ze grabbed a wet wipe and started cleaning the little girl's face.
The two kids froze for a second, but didn't stop Lu Ze. They just let him wipe the girl's face.
"All done!"
Lu Ze tossed the wet wipe into the trash and nodded with satisfaction at the girl's clean little face.
The boy: ???
Hey — what about me?
I'm not cleaned yet! What do you mean "all done"?
Lu Ze cheerfully ruffled the girl's hair. As for the boy? What boy?
The boy watched Lu Ze's actions and immediately couldn't take it anymore. He stormed off toward the exit.
The little girl watched the boy's retreating figure and started giggling, then chased after him.
Lu Ze watched the two kids walk off, curled his lip into a grin. "Heh. That's what he gets for slapping my hand earlier."
Zhuge Ziyu watched the three of them acting like kids and无奈 shook his head. "Honestly. Alright, we're off."
"Alright, Uncle Ziyu. Come again soon~"
"Hah, will do."
Lu Ze watched the vehicle drive away before heading back inside.
"Snorlax, finish eating and take them upstairs. I'm going to take a bath."
"Bikyu~"
Snorlax stuffed another bite of roast meat into its mouth, then gave Lu Ze an "OK" gesture with its paw.
Lu Ze glanced at Dratini and Elekid sprawled out on the sofa with round bellies, then at Charizard sitting on the sofa with Probopass perched on its head.
He didn't know when those two had gotten so close, but Lu Ze didn't think much of it — he just smiled and went upstairs.
If Probopass weren't gray-green in color, this would really be kind of bizarre.
"Hey, Crobat — want to take a bath together?"
Crobat flapped its wings, signaling for Lu Ze to go ahead on his own. It had already bathed.
Lu Ze grinned, then slipped into the bathroom and started washing up.
A short while later, Snorlax came upstairs — Dratini cradled in one arm, Elekid in the other.
Behind it came Charizard, with Probopass balancing on its head.
Lu Ze poked Dratini's little round belly.
"Little one, overeating isn't good for you, you know."
"Jyu~"
Dratini lazily chirped, rolled over, draped its tail across Lu Ze's lower leg, and fell into a deep sleep.
Lu Ze smiled, patted Dratini, and drifted off to sleep as well.
(End of Chapter)