First Meeting with Bulma

The three of them crossed the plaza and walked straight into the building.

As soon as they stepped inside, a cool breeze washed over them, sweeping away the stuffy heat outside.

The lobby was quite spacious, with an especially high ceiling supported by two rows of white pillars.

The floor was dark marble, polished so well that it reflected their figures.

A few abstract paintings hung on the walls. The bold colors gave the place a distinctive style.

The receptionist recognized Gohan at once and quickly stood up to greet him respectfully. "Mr. Gohan! You're back!" She paused, her gaze settling on Jiang Che with curiosity. "And this is...?"

"A new friend. I brought him to see Mother Bulma." Gohan wore a gentle smile. He didn't seem inclined to explain further, but he spoke with calm confidence.

The receptionist nodded without asking anything else and gave Jiang Che a polite nod.

Gohan led Jiang Che across the lobby and down a long corridor.

The corridor stretched on, with photographs covering both walls.

There were pictures of Bulma when she was young, her gaze sharp as she looked into the camera, as well as family portraits where everyone was smiling happily.

Jiang Che's eyes passed over one photo and stopped for a few seconds. It was a picture of the whole family, with a blond teenage boy grinning proudly. That must have been Trunks.

They soon arrived at a sitting room.

Gohan pushed open the door, revealing the entire room at a glance. It was quite large, with several sets of sofas and coffee tables, all made from quality materials that felt comfortable to the touch.

One whole wall was made up of floor-to-ceiling windows. Outside was a deep-green garden filled with trees of different heights and flowers of every color. The sight alone lifted the spirits.

Plenty of sunlight streamed through the glass, dappling the floor with gold and giving the room a lived-in feel.

"Have a seat." Gohan gestured toward the sofa, his tone casual. "I'll go get Mother Bulma."

Jiang Che nodded and sat down casually.

The sofa was just the right firmness. As he leaned back, his whole body relaxed.

He shifted into a comfortable position, already feeling a little at home.

Gohan walked out. His footsteps faded into the distance, and the soft click of the door closing left the room suddenly quiet.

Now, only Jiang Che and Vegeta remained.

The air immediately grew tense, as though someone had suddenly paused time.

Vegeta folded his arms and leaned against the window, backlit by the sun and wrapped in shadow.

He stared fixedly at Jiang Che like a beast ready to pounce, his gaze cold and faintly challenging.

His breathing slowed, as if he were working himself up to something.

Jiang Che, meanwhile, acted as if nothing were wrong. He lounged on the sofa with one leg crossed over the other, leisurely taking in the room.

His gaze swept over the ceiling, the walls, and the garden outside. He remained perfectly composed.

He wasn't putting on an act. He'd seen this kind of hostility plenty of times on the battlefield. Enemies and allies alike had looked at him with suspicion or murderous intent, and he was used to it.

"Kid." Vegeta suddenly spoke, his voice low and hoarse, as if the words had to force their way out of his throat.

Jiang Che raised an eyebrow and turned to look at him. "Yeah?"

"What universe are you from?" Vegeta asked bluntly, without the slightest attempt to beat around the bush.

Jiang Che chuckled and shifted into a more comfortable position. "Is that question so important?"

"Don't try to fool me." Vegeta snorted and leaned forward, stepping toward him as his imposing presence bore down on Jiang Che. "Saiyans don't just show up out of nowhere. There's something strange about your aura. It's nothing like any Saiyan I've ever encountered."

"Something strange about my aura?" Jiang Che's lips curled up. He was actually rather curious.

"That's right." Vegeta's eyes were as sharp as blades as he stared straight at him. "Your ki is so weak I can barely sense it, but I know there's immense power hidden inside you—like a sleeping monster. That's not normal. Not normal at all."

Jiang Che felt a slight stir in his heart.

He wasn't surprised that Vegeta had sensed something unusual about him.

After all, Vegeta was the Saiyan prince and had fought in countless battles to the death. Naturally, he was highly attuned to ki.

The problem was—Jiang Che wasn't even using the power of Super Saiyan God right now.

His power was like a fire sealed beneath a glacier: cold on the surface, yet hiding astonishing energy within.

"Maybe I'm so weak that you think something's off?" Jiang Che shrugged, jokingly. "Isn't that normal?"

"Stop playing dumb!" Vegeta took another step forward, his foot landing with a heavy thud that shook the floor.

His energy erupted, making the curtains flutter slightly and the papers on the table tremble.

He leaned forward with both fists clenched, looking ready to attack at any moment.

"When you caught my punch just now, that power of yours was—"

"Enough!"

A sharp, forceful rebuke suddenly rang out from the doorway.

A woman with short blue hair strode into the room. She planted her hands on her hips and fixed Vegeta with a stern gaze. "Are you trying to start a fight again? We still haven't settled the score for what happened to the roof last time!"

Vegeta's mouth twitched. He looked both helpless and annoyed.

All his oppressive energy drained away, and he relaxed considerably.

He turned his face aside and said nothing, only letting out a snort through his nose.

This woman was Bulma.

Jiang Che secretly took a closer look at her.

Her age showed, but she looked remarkably well. Her skin was firm, and she had few wrinkles.

She wore a simple T-shirt and jeans and looked quite at ease, but her eyes were sharp and commanding, enough to make anyone feel a little intimidated.

She walked with confidence, giving the impression that no one in the household dared disobey her.

"You're Jiang Che?" Bulma turned her gaze to him, her tone much gentler this time, with a hint of curiosity.

She pulled out a chair and sat down, crossing her legs with ease. "Gohan told me about you. You're an alien?"

"Strictly speaking, you could say that." Jiang Che stood and gave her a polite nod. "I'm from another universe. My name is Jiang Che."

"Another person from a different universe..." Bulma frowned, resting her chin on her hand as she thought for a moment. "First Beerus, then Whis, and now you." She looked a little overwhelmed and waved a hand. "Never mind that for now. Gohan said you don't have anywhere to stay, right?"

"That's right."

"Then you can stay here for now." Bulma spoke briskly as she stood and headed for the door. "There are plenty of rooms in the house. Stay as long as you like. Come with me. I'll show you your room."

Jiang Che stood and casually glanced at Vegeta.

Vegeta was still standing by the window, looking at him with that same complex, unreadable expression.

In the end, though, he said nothing. He merely turned away and gazed out at the back garden.