Cheese Quagsire (Please Keep Reading!)

This was the first night Xia Chen had spent away from home since coming to this world.

Lying on the soft bed in Jiang Qian's luxurious villa, Xia Chen held Eevee as he reflected on this strange and thrilling day.

The Berries he had picked and the Pokémon items he had found before that incident were utterly insignificant compared to the rewards he received afterward.

Wang Fang had readily transferred 1.3 million to the account Xia Chen had left behind while he was on his way back.

And when Xia Chen wanted to transfer half of it to Jiang Qian, she smiled and refused, even smugly humiliating him with something like, "The chair you're sitting in costs more than that."

But shamefully, he accepted her humiliation.

So, 1.3 million in cash, five Fairy Gems, and an annual Silph Co. shopping card.

This time, he had truly struck it rich!

As long as he did not greedily raise more Pokémon, he would not have to worry about Eevee and Feebas's food expenses or training funds at least until college.

Though he had not caught Feebas yet.

As the saying went, when you ate someone's food and took their gifts, your mouth went soft and your hands went weak. Having received so many benefits, Xia Chen was too embarrassed to refuse Jiang Qian's invitation to dinner at her home.

After a dinner that delighted both host and guest, the distance between them narrowed considerably.

Through their conversation, he learned that Jiang Qian independently ran a tech company researching Pokémon biology. It was fairly well-known in Zhijiang, and despite her young age, she already possessed assets worth several billion. She was the very model of a rich woman.

But Xia Chen had a strong stomach and did not like living off a woman, so he had none of those strange ideas.

Nor did Jiang Qian, like in some trashy erotic novel, develop feelings for a young handsome guy at first sight.

Their relationship was close yet clearly defined, and they got along very comfortably.

In the end, Jiang Qian kept Xia Chen there on the grounds that she still needed to lend him Pokémon tomorrow.

Coming back to himself, Xia Chen rubbed his head, turned off the lights, and went to sleep.

The night passed without incident.

The following morning.

Sunlight spilled into the simply decorated room, waking the sleeping Xia Chen.

He opened his eyes and stared blankly at the unfamiliar ceiling for ten seconds before realizing that he was not at home.

Eevee beside him seemed to have woken up even earlier and was already gone from the room.

When he tried to get up, Xia Chen realized that his legs were terribly sore. Struggling to his feet, he limped through washing up.

Looking down from the room's balcony, he saw Eevee conscientiously doing morning laps in the villa's small garden.

The difference between humans and Pokémon was obvious. After a night of recovery, Eevee was already lively and fully recovered, while Xia Chen could only limp slowly down the stairs.

In the dining room, Jiang Qian and Jiang Han were eating at the table. When they saw Xia Chen come down, they quickly called him over.

"Good morning, Uncle!"

Jiang Han greeted Xia Chen energetically, but only received a strained smile in response.

First, his body was genuinely uncomfortable.

Second, could this kid not change how he addressed him?

Jiang Qian shot her son a reproachful glare. "That's so rude. Call him Brother."

Xia Chen thought about it. Judging by his soul's age, being called Uncle was not exactly unfair, so he decided not to fuss over such a trivial matter.

"It's fine. Morning, Xiao Han. Morning, Sister Qian."

He greeted them as he took a seat.

Breakfast was sumptuous, and Xia Chen did not stand on ceremony as he ate until he was eighty percent full.

The female Indeedee in a maid outfit cleared the table. After wiping her mouth, Jiang Qian said, "I need to go to the company in a bit. Borrow whichever Pokémon you want; they're all in the garden. Don't worry about Xiao Han either. The Pokémon at home will keep him company."

With that, she picked up her bag and hurried off. Compared with the considerate older-sister image she had shown yesterday, this brisk and energetic side of her was another completely different look.

Jiang Han was already used to it. He grabbed Xia Chen and ran toward the garden.

"Brother Xia Chen, let me introduce you to the other members of our family."

Xia Chen was puzzled. When he was told to call him Brother, the kid had called him Uncle. Now that he did not mind, the kid switched back.

What, did he have the Contrary Ability or something?

Muttering inwardly, Xia Chen followed Jiang Han into the garden.

The garden was bustling with Pokémon. Aside from Xia Chen's Eevee, there were another six or seven Pokémon.

At the moment, Eevee was chasing and playing with a lively Arcanine.

Jiang Han introduced the family's Pokémon from near to far. First was a Quagsire lying on the grass and leisurely basking in the sun.

It stared at the blue sky with pea-sized eyes, remaining motionless in a daze like a statue.

"Cheese Quagsire."

Perhaps his throat had not fully recovered, so Jiang Han's voice was slightly muddled. For some reason, Xia Chen heard it as that.

"Quag—"

Only after hearing Jiang Han introduce him did Quagsire turn his head and greet Xia Chen with eyes that seemed to see through everything.

Xia Chen politely replied, "Hello, Quagsire."

"He likes sunbathing, so let's not disturb him." Jiang Han led Xia Chen over to another Pokémon: a Gourgeist.

"Cheese Gourgeist. Don't let his appearance scare you. He's actually very shy."

"Gour~" Gourgeist gave a brief greeting, then floated gloomily off to the side.

Jiang Han had not introduced him wrong. Gourgeist looked every bit like a Pokémon with social anxiety.

"And over there are Charizard and Ursaring. They just like playing around like that."

In the direction Jiang Han pointed, Charizard was holding Ursaring as he flew upward, looking ready to perform a Seismic Toss.

Clearly, the two busy Pokémon had no time to pay attention to Xia Chen and continued their friendly play.

"Last is Arcanine."

Jiang Han waved toward Arcanine, who was being chased by Eevee. "Arcanine, come here!"

"Arfwoof~"

Hearing the call, Arcanine barked happily and dashed toward them. Jiang Han and Xia Chen walked over to meet him as well.

But just as Arcanine reached Xia Chen, he suddenly stopped short.

Then Arcanine adjusted his posture and copied Xia Chen's gait, limping over toward him.

Xia Chen: "."

I might not be human, but you really are a dog!

Isn't Arcanine supposed to be a partner of justice?

This?

Even Satan would want you tattooed on his chest!

And you too, Eevee. Is this really that funny?

Your Trainer is being bullied like this, and you're just watching from the side?

Having suffered Arcanine's devastating blow and then been finished off by his own Eevee, Xia Chen was furious and immediately wanted a fight to the death with Arcanine.

Jiang Han tried hard not to laugh as he scolded Arcanine, "Arcanine, that was very rude. Apologize now!"

"Arfwoof~"

After the laughter and commotion, Arcanine returned to normal and ran over happily with his tongue hanging out.

But was Xia Chen the sort of person who accepted apologies so easily?

Expressionless, he pointed at Arcanine. "I've decided. I'll borrow your Arcanine this afternoon."

"Arfwoof?"

Arcanine's face was full of question marks as he turned to look at Jiang Han. The latter nodded in confirmation. "Mom decided it. You have to protect Brother Xia Chen properly this afternoon!"

"Arfwoof."

Arcanine instantly looked ashen. He could tell that this man had chosen him specifically to get revenge!

Humans were far too cunning!

(There will be another chapter at six tonight. Please keep reading~)