The Joy of Being Rich

No matter what family Chen Yang came from or how extraordinary a genius he was, unless he was a transmigrator, Xu Mu was guaranteed to beat both his Pokémon with just one of his own.

Greninja would have no trouble taking on two.

Sending a mid-tier Elite Four-level Pokémon into a beginner's tournament was downright shameless of Xu Mu.

"Both of Chen Yang's Pokémon on the blue side are unable to battle. Xu Mu on the red side wins!"

After the referee announced the result, Chen Yang looked utterly defeated.

He still couldn't believe he had lost so quickly. It was like a baby being pinned down and pummeled by a giant, with no chance to fight back!

"Impossible. How could you be this strong?"

Chen Yang muttered to himself, while the referee quietly sized Xu Mu up.

An Elite Four-level Greninja!

Which family's young master is he?

Why have I never heard of Xu Mu?

Could he be a rising star from some reclusive family?

The referee was stunned, but he kept his face impassive.

Everyone here was a big shot. A lowly referee like him couldn't afford to offend any of them, so he was better off keeping his mouth shut.

"My boy, shouldn't you kneel and call me Dad?"

Hands on his hips, Xu Mu looked at the dejected Chen Yang with amusement.

Chen Yang might look pitiful now, but he hadn't looked anything like that when he'd swaggered up to defend someone earlier.

Xu Mu wasn't so softhearted that he would pity him. Someone like Chen Yang needed to be taught a lesson.

Talking to him was a waste of time, but Xu Mu figured he had a long life ahead of him. He could spare a little.

"I can't lose! I'm a genius! How could my Snorlax and I lose?"

"We... You must have cheated! That Greninja isn't your Pokémon!"

Desperate to avoid kneeling as he'd wagered, Chen Yang seized on a flimsy excuse.

He opened his mouth and accused Xu Mu of fixing the match!

Xu Mu hadn't expected the kid to be quite so entertaining. People this shameless were rare.

But if you're going to be shameless, couldn't you at least use your brain?

Xu Mu spread his hands, at a loss for words, and turned to leave.

There was no reason to stay. In his frustration, Chen Yang had accused Xu Mu of fixing the match, challenging the authority of the Little War God Cup organizers.

Xu Mu knew a little about Chen Yang's background. He was merely the descendant of a Gym Leader, near the bottom rung among privileged heirs.

His Snorlax was fairly strong, though. That bit of ability had helped him stand out among Venerable Dongfeng's daughter's many fawning admirers.

He had become the finest sycophant of them all.

Chen Yang had no real backing, and his patron, Venerable Dongfeng, had already been brought to justice. Now his reckless words had offended the organizers.

The organizers couldn't do much to him. For falsely accusing an opponent and spreading rumors that challenged their authority, they would merely ban him from all future official competitions.

Xu Mu clicked his tongue. Chen Yang had blocked every path forward for himself.

Too stupid to keep his mouth shut. He's beyond saving.

Good thing I left quickly. If he'd called me Dad, he might've dragged me down with him.

Can't have that. I was smart to leave. Chen Yang thinks he can take on me, Xu Mu?

He's got a lot to learn!

Humming a tune, Xu Mu returned to Cynthia's side.

"You won?"

Cynthia smiled as she saw him come back in high spirits.

Xu Mu snapped his fingers and nodded calmly.

"Of course!"

Cynthia congratulated him, then went back to agonizing over her choice at the ice cream stand.

She's got trouble making decisions at her age...

After watching her deliberate over the flavors for ages, Xu Mu walked up to the stand.

"Boss, one of every flavor."

Xu Mu gave Cynthia a look.

"Money lets you have it all. Why let a choice get in the way of your happiness?"

"Just buy them all. What's not to love?"

With that, Xu Mu took the assorted ice creams and cradled them in his arms.

Cynthia's eyes instantly sparkled!

"I love it!"

She nodded vigorously, grabbed a carton, and prepared to dig in.

"Just take a couple of bites of each. Otherwise, you'll be too full to try all the flavors."

Xu Mu showed no regard for the expense. He told Cynthia to take a bite, then toss the carton.

That was the joy of being rich. As a wealthy heir, she needed to learn to enjoy herself.

Cynthia stared at Xu Mu, stunned.

You could eat ice cream like that?

Buy one of every flavor, taste it, and throw it away if you didn't like it? And if you did like it, eat a bit more before throwing it away?

"Wouldn't that be too wasteful...?"

Cynthia hesitated. Xu Mu's suggestion sounded wonderful.

But everything Cynthia had been taught growing up told her it didn't seem right.

Seeing her hesitation, Xu Mu reached out and gently pinched her cheek.

"Silly, what's wrong with it? What if you eat it all and get a stomachache?"

"Think about it. If your stomach hurts, you won't be able to eat dinner. Then I won't feel like eating alone, and we'll have even more leftovers. Wouldn't that be a bigger waste?"

"Besides, you definitely can't finish all this ice cream. Some of it will get thrown away anyway, so you might as well try every flavor first."

Xu Mu's twisted logic finally persuaded—or rather, talked Cynthia into it.

She opened the strawberry ice cream, scooped up a spoonful, and put it in her mouth.

"Mmm! It's good!"

Seeing that she liked it, Xu Mu smiled. "Then give it another bite before trying the next flavor."

Cynthia nodded. After another spoonful, she opened a different carton.

"Mmm, this one's good too!"

Xu Mu slapped his forehead. You're going to like all of them, aren't you...?

Forget it. Eat them however you want...

You're Cynthia, after all. And with a face that pretty, of course I'll spoil you!

Keep spoiling you, and one day you'll be mine! Hahahaha!

Pop!

Cynthia's Poké Ball sprang open on its own, and Lucario suddenly appeared.

He stepped between Xu Mu and Cynthia, fixing Xu Mu with a stern look.

"Luca, luca!"

[I sensed an Aura with bad intentions. Are you after Cynthia again?]

Startled by Lucario, Xu Mu hurriedly pushed his wandering thoughts away.

"What are you doing out here? Do you want ice cream too?"

Xu Mu took out a carton, instantly put on a sunny smile, and offered it to Lucario.

Lucario refused. His rival had bought it, and he wasn't the kind of Pokémon who could be bought with a bite of ice cream!

"Luca!"

[Smile all you want. I won't let you take advantage of Cynthia!]

Lucario swept out an arm, making his position clear.