After the first elimination match, Xu Mu had the customary two days to rest.
As soon as Xu Mu's match ended, Xu Zhenzhen went straight to find him.
Xu Mu had just picked up Serena and was about to take the little girl out for a celebratory feast.
As for Charizard?
That old workhorse had taken Venusaur and Snorlax to the hospital.
Wasn't Xu Mu worried they'd get lost?
No. Charizard knew the way to the hospital by heart.
"Congratulations, Xiao Mu. That was an easy win."
Xu Zhenzhen didn't ask about Xu Mu's strength. As his aunt, she knew better.
He was so young and talented; naturally, he had secrets of his own.
Xu Hong and Xu Qingqing had never asked how he'd managed to take on a Legendary Pokémon alone, either.
Xu Xiaoxiao hadn't asked him about the Instant-Return Potion.
Likewise, Xu Zhenzhen was curious about his sudden leap in strength, but she wouldn't pry.
It was her nephew's secret. If he could tell her, he would.
If he couldn't, asking would only embarrass him.
"Hehe, with my aunt cheering me on in person, how could I lose?"
Grinning, Xu Mu leaned against Xu Zhenzhen's shoulder and wrapped an arm around her slender waist, acting like an overgrown child.
It looked like he was being affectionate, but really, he was taking liberties...
"Come on. I'll treat you two to a feast."
"Oh, your name's Serena, right? You're adorable!"
As she spoke, Xu Zhenzhen walked up to Serena, beaming, and took a small box from her bag.
"Here, a little gift for our first meeting. They'll look much better on you than on an old woman like me!"
She opened the box to reveal a delicate pair of earrings.
Serena loved pretty little things like these!
Longtime readers who