Seeing Xiao Luoxue's persistent questioning, Jiang Chen said helplessly, "This Eevee really just ran into my room on its own."
"You're lying again. How is that possible? Do you think Eevees are just a dime a dozen?"
Xiao Luoxue rolled her eyes. Having been fooled once already, she definitely wasn't going to believe him this time.
An Eevee delivering itself to his doorstep? How could something so ridiculous happen? He might as well have said a Pseudo-legendary Pokémon had come knocking.
"Forget it. This probably involves one of your secrets, so I won't ask anymore."
Xiao Luoxue stopped pressing him and reached out, intending to pet the Eevee.
However, Eevee didn't seem to like Xiao Luoxue. Seeing her hand approaching, it darted away and watched her with a wary gaze.
"I'm not a bad person, you know."
Xiao Luoxue was speechless. Looking at Eevee's guarded expression, someone who didn't know better would think she actually was a villain. Was her affinity really that poor?
"Come here, Eevee."
Ling Wanqiu also wanted to pet its head, so she directly brought out some food to tempt it.
Few Pokémon could resist the aroma of a High-Grade Pokéblock, but it was completely useless on Eevee because it was already full.
That's right being full gave it the confidence to be stubborn.
Even though the Pokéblock had a rich fragrance, Eevee couldn't eat another bite. Moreover, to Eevee, Ling Wanqiu was a stranger, and it wouldn't just eat food from a stranger.
Watching Eevee dodge, Xiao Luoxue couldn't help but laugh. "Looks like you're no good either."
Being rejected by Eevee was a bit depressing, but as long as Ling Wanqiu didn't succeed, she was happy. Regardless, she intended to keep competing with Ling Wanqiu.
"I want to catch an Eevee too. I feel like Eevees are even cuter than Pikachu."
Xiao Luoxue looked at the adorable Eevee and felt her heart melting. This was the first time she realized just how cute an Eevee could be.
"Pika~!"
A dejected cry came from beside her. Clearly, Pikachu had heard her words and felt quite down. Was it about to lose its status as the favorite?
"You're very cute too, Pikachu."
Sensing Pikachu's emotions, Xiao Luoxue quickly hugged it to comfort it.
No matter how cute Eevee was, it belonged to someone else and wouldn't even let her touch it. Pikachu was her own Pokémon and wouldn't reject her at all.
However, Xiao Luoxue didn't give up on her plan to catch an Eevee. If she got the chance, she would definitely get one.
"What do you plan to evolve this Eevee into?" Ling Wanqiu asked Jiang Chen.
"I'll let it evolve into a Glaceon," Jiang Chen replied.
Hearing "Glaceon," Gu Shuangyue, who had remained silent, twitched her ears slightly. Generally, Gu Shuangyue had no interest in "cute" things.
Even when she saw the adorable Mew, her eyes remained indifferent.
This Eevee was cute, but to her, it was just that. However, if it were to evolve into a Glaceon, perhaps she could also raise an Eevee and evolve it.
The reason she was interested in Glaceon was primarily because she had learned that Glaceon was quite strong. If it weren't powerful, Jiang Chen wouldn't have chosen it.
Eevees were precious and difficult to obtain, but for Gu Shuangyue, it wasn't a problem. She could get her hands on one even if it were a Pseudo-legendary, as long as she wanted it.
"An Eevee?"
At that moment, Ning Ya walked out of the room carrying breakfast and spotted Eevee perched on Jiang Chen's shoulder.
A flash of surprise crossed her eyes, but Ning Ya didn't ask Jiang Chen where the Eevee came from.
Unless Jiang Chen told her himself, Ning Ya wouldn't pry.
For instance, she never asked where the Pokémon Eggs Jiang Chen brought out in the past came from; she respected his secrets.
With a gentle smile, Ning Ya reached out her hand toward Eevee.
In the face of Ling Wanqiu and Xiao Luoxue, Eevee had been full of disdain and refused to be touched. Yet, facing Ning Ya, it immediately placed its small paw into her palm.
"Why is Eevee's attitude toward Ning Ya so different from how it treats us?"
Xiao Luoxue felt a bit indignant seeing how close Eevee was to Ning Ya.
"It's probably because you lack that certain temperament," Jiang Chen said, glancing at Ning Ya, who exuded a gentle and approachable aura. This was her unique charm.
For example, Jiang Chen's Gardevoir was very dismissive of Ling Wanqiu, Xiao Luoxue, and even Gu Shuangyue.
But Gardevoir never rejected Ning Ya. This was Ning Ya's special Affinity with Pokémon.
After all, Ning Ya was a Pokémon Breeder, and a top-tier one at that.
"Temperament? What temperament?" Ling Wanqiu couldn't help but ask.
"Naturally, it's her Affinity with Pokémon."
"My Pokémon have very different personalities. For instance, Garchomp is extremely prideful. Aside from me, it only drops its haughty act in front of Ning Ya."
"That is Ning Ya's Affinity toward Pokémon," Jiang Chen explained to Ling Wanqiu.
"If Ning Ya were willing to pursue the path of a Pokémon Trainer, she would undoubtedly become a powerful one. Even becoming a Champion wouldn't be impossible."
"Young Master, I don't have that kind of talent," Ning Ya said, shaking her head lightly.
She felt her Young Master was overestimating her. Besides, she didn't actually like being a Pokémon Trainer.
She didn't enjoy commanding Pokémon in battle; she much preferred silently looking after and nurturing them.
"Ning Ya, don't sell yourself short. You really do have the talent."
In the past, Jiang Chen had tried to persuade Ning Ya to stick to the path of a Pokémon Trainer, but unfortunately, she didn't like it and gave it up.
Jiang Chen didn't want to force her to do something she disliked.
Eevee was already playing with Ning Ya. When Ning Ya brought out some Pokémon food, a flash of longing appeared in Eevee's eyes, but it still shook its head.
"Are you full, little one?"
Having spent so much time nurturing and observing Pokémon, Ning Ya could read Eevee's meaning from its movements.
"...Since you're full, just keep it for later."
Eevee obediently accepted the food from Ning Ya's hand.
"Please have breakfast, Young Master."
Breakfast was served.
"By the way, Young Master, when are we returning to Tianhai City?"
"Tianhai City? Let's go back tomorrow."
They had only come to the Imperial Capital to participate in the Hidden Dragon Cup Trainer Competition. Now that the competition was over, there was no need to stay any longer.
"Going back tomorrow already?"
Xiao Luoxue actually didn't want Jiang Chen to leave so soon.
"Are you staying in the Imperial Capital?" Ling Wanqiu asked softly beside her.
"Of course not. My parents are never home; they're so busy with work they rarely return. Staying home is boring, so I'll follow along to Tianhai City."
Since Jiang Chen was leaving, she naturally had to follow him to Tianhai City. She had to be careful now; otherwise, what if her "home" was stolen?
Xiao Luoxue knew what was important. She didn't want to end up as the "losing dog" just because she stayed behind in the Imperial Capital.
Hearing Xiao Luoxue say she was going to Tianhai City, Ling Wanqiu didn't know whether to be happy or disappointed.
They were friends now, and their relationship was quite good, but they were also love rivals.
As a friend, she wanted to see Xiao Luoxue, but as a love rival, she didn't want Xiao Luoxue hanging around Jiang Chen. Her heart was in a state of total contradiction.
After breakfast, Jiang Chen went into the yard to train his Pokémon.
Outside the villa, many people were trying to get close, hoping to sneak in and see Jiang Chen. However, before they could even get near, they were intercepted and taken away.
Xie Yulan had arranged for many people to stand guard. As long as someone approached who wasn't an acquaintance, they would be removed regardless of who they were.
Thanks to Xie Yulan's arrangements, Jiang Chen was not disturbed.
Among those blocked, journalists were the most numerous. As the first person to catch a Legendary Pokémon, Jiang Chen's current popularity was greater than even that of an Elite Four member or a Champion. These reporters were naturally unwilling to let him go.
Jiang Chen knew about the journalists outside. Xie Yulan had told Ning Ya, and Ning Ya had passed the message on, asking how to deal with the reporters who were caught trying to sneak in.
"Just let Mom handle them as she sees fit."
Jiang Chen didn't intend to do anything extreme to them. Although he detested these people, he wasn't about to kill them.
Leaving it to his mother meant they wouldn't have an easy time of it either. At the very least, they would be fired.
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