"So that was it. Sorry, looks like I got it wrong on my end."
After Heiduo explained, Steven, having successfully cleared up the misunderstanding with him, showed a faintly embarrassed expression.
Making assumptions and talking to yourself was bound to annoy people.
Heiduo shook his head repeatedly. "It's fine, it's fine. As long as it's cleared up. But I never expected Mr. Stone to be this year's Ever Grande Conference winner."
He had thought Steven had already claimed the Champion title.
"Just call me Steven. There's no need for honorifics—I'm not old enough to be called 'Mr.' yet." Steven smiled faintly. This handsome Hoenn man was currently much like the gentle, cheerful personality emphasized in Pokémon Adventures: polite, refined, handsome, and generous...
Yunsheng, this was basically your Trainer version!
Heiduo recalled his rich, office-worker friend. If Yunsheng had not chosen to inherit the family company and work hard in business, perhaps his achievements now would have been similar to Steven's?
Probably not. After all, Yunsheng had a terrifying older sister, while Steven did not.
If Yunsheng wanted to become a Trainer, he first had to settle with Longxing who would inherit the family business. In any case, if one wanted to become a Trainer, the other had to inherit the family fortune.
And so Yunsheng obediently became a glorious corporate drone.
But Steven's father apparently did not care much about who would inherit the empire he had built with his own hands. He wholeheartedly supported Steven running all over the world, digging up stones buried beneath the earth, in caves, on cliffs, and in the depths of mountain ranges.
He even stopped being Champion later on.
Steven did not chat with Heiduo for long. Once he learned that Heiduo had not come to battle, he took the initiative to invite