Having made up his mind, Hu Bin ran to the bathroom. With a solemn expression, he washed his hands with hand soap and his face with facial cleanser. Why did he do all that?
Superstition! Someone cursed with bad luck could never pull the SSR they wanted! Besides, the system had only given him one Lottery Ticket!
Once he was ready, Hu Bin returned to the living room, closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and opened the system. A capsule machine instantly appeared before him.
The moment Hu Bin saw the capsule machine, his breath caught. "Now it's time to find out whether I'm cursed with bad luck or blessed by the RNG gods."
With that, Hu Bin reached out and pressed the button. The capsules inside the machine began spinning nonstop, and his heart seemed to spin right along with them.
Within a few breaths, the capsules jostled restlessly, fighting to get out. Finally, a gleaming golden capsule won the race and rolled smoothly out.
Hu Bin picked up the capsule and opened it. Suddenly, the system's icy voice rang out. "Congratulations, host. You have obtained the skill: Galar Curry Rice Advanced Cooking."
In an instant, a wealth of knowledge about making Curry Rice flooded Hu Bin's mind. He felt as though all he needed was a pot, and he could have everyone calling him the god of cooking.
Hu Bin muttered to himself, "I knew I wasn't cursed with bad luck. I'm blessed by the RNG gods! A sweet boy who loves smiling and washing his face and hands really can't have bad luck."
Just then, the system's voice sounded. "Curry Rice can increase friendship, restore stamina, cure status conditions, and grant experience points. Beginner Cooking corresponds to Koffing class, Intermediate Cooking to Wobbuffet class, Advanced Cooking to Miltank class, Master Cooking to Copperajah class, Expert Cooking to Charizard class, and God-Level Cooking to Moltres class. Your class can be upgraded through missions, lottery draws, and increased proficiency. Keep at it, mortal."
After hearing the system's explanation, Hu Bin felt he had what it took. His heart raced and his hands trembled with excitement. He could hardly wait to head into the kitchen and show off a little.
Emotion surged through Hu Bin, and a grand ambition welled up inside him. "We can get stronger just by eating! Just thinking about it makes me happy. Heh, I, Hu Bin, am destined to be a Trainer who stands at the pinnacle of cooking!"
Just then, the system's scornful voice rang out. "It's only Advanced Cooking for curry rice. Anyone with hands could do it."
Hu Bin already knew all about this prickly, sharp-tongued system. He let its words go in one ear and out the other and paid it no mind.
Only then did Hu Bin remember that an adorable little Vulpix was still lying on his bed—and a Pokémon unique to Alola, at that.
Excitement covered Hu Bin's unremarkable face as he tiptoed into his room and quietly approached his bed. He gazed at Vulpix, who was sleeping soundly, curled into a ball like a white marshmallow.
"I can't take it. Too cute." Looking at the sleeping Vulpix, Hu Bin felt his heart melt.
Not even emergency heart medication could save him now!
"But where did this Vulpix come from?" As Hu Bin watched Vulpix sleep, he couldn't help feeling puzzled.
Just then, the system's cold, mechanical voice sounded. "Now retrieving the circumstances of the host's first encounter with Vulpix."
Hu Bin froze for a moment. The entire story of how he had met Vulpix flashed through his mind, unfolding before him scene by scene like a painted scroll.
One month earlier, at Hu Bin's home.
"Binbin! You're eighteen this year. Isn't it time you had a Pokémon of your own?" A middle-aged man in a floral shirt, his skin a deep bronze all over, smiled at Hu Bin, who was sitting on the sofa playing a Pokémon battle game.
Still playing, Hu Bin replied, "Uncle, I want one too, but Pokémon like Eevee, Pikachu, and Pidgey are all sold out at the Pokémon Day Care here in Spring City. We can't afford expensive ones like Charmander, so I'll have to wait another two months for the Day Care to get a new batch before buying one!"
After saying that, Hu Bin looked a little dejected and tossed his game console aside.
"True. Even with university professors' salaries like your parents', paying the mortgage on this house in Spring City and the loan on their place in Alola makes it pretty hard to buy you a strong Pokémon." Hu Bin's uncle rested one arm along the back of the sofa, crossed his legs, and tilted his head against the cushions as he spoke.
"I don't want Mom and Dad spending that much on a Pokémon for me anyway. An ordinary one would be fine. That way, it wouldn't put so much pressure on the family." Propping up his chin, Hu Bin looked at the man on the sofa.
His uncle suddenly placed a hand on Hu Bin's head and ruffled his hair vigorously, his eyes softening. "You've grown up. You really have. You even know to think of your parents now."
Hu Bin struggled to pry the offending hand off his head. "Come on! I'm eighteen already, not a little kid anymore. I'm practically about to graduate from high school!"
"Haha, but to us elders, you're still a little kid! All right, I'll stop teasing you. Actually, your dad already contacted me. I brought you a Pokémon Egg all the way from the Alola Region." Hu Bin's uncle winked at him playfully.
Hu Bin's uncle, Hu Jiawang, was the younger brother of his father, Hu Jiaxing. He had lived in the Alola Region for years and taught battle techniques at Alola Pokémon University, where he enjoyed an excellent reputation. Hu Bin had always admired Hu Jiawang and aspired to become an outstanding Trainer just like his uncle. Hu Bin's parents also taught at Alola Pokémon University.
Hu Bin's father, Hu Jiaxing, taught Pokémon research at the university, while his mother, Zhao Lifang, taught Pokémon breeding.
In short, when Hu Bin started high school, his parents had gone to teach at the university in Alola, leaving him to attend school in Spring City, Huaxia. They came home every Lunar New Year to see their son. Of course, his parents earned fairly good salaries. They weren't fabulously wealthy, but they were comfortably well-off. Living alone with both parents busy at work—what a life!
"What Pokémon is it? Oh, Uncle, you're the best!" At Hu Jiawang's words, Hu Bin's expression went from disappointment to delight, and his grin nearly stretched from ear to ear.
"Haha, look at that goofy grin!" Hu Jiawang teased as Hu Bin smiled like an idiot.
Hu Jiawang continued, "Your dad, your mom, and I went to a lot of trouble to get this Pokémon in the Alola Region. It's an Ice-type Vulpix in its Alolan Form, and its mother is incredibly powerful! It probably inherited plenty of moves from its mother, so make sure you raise it well!"
With that, Hu Jiawang carefully brought out the Pokémon Egg he had hidden behind the sofa and solemnly placed it in Hu Bin's hands.
Hu Bin accepted the Pokémon Egg with great care, his eyes brimming with delighted surprise!
Hu Jiawang didn't stay much longer after that. He headed to the airport and caught a flight back to Alola. There was no helping it—a working man's schedule was always packed.
Hu Bin kept holding the Pokémon Egg, using the warmth of his body to feel the little life inside.
Day after day passed. Hu Bin took the egg to school with him and kept an eye on it at all times at home, afraid that Vulpix might hatch without him there.
Finally, on the first day of Hu Bin's summer vacation, Vulpix hatched from the egg with Hu Bin, the doting father, there to witness it.
Slowly opening its eyes, Vulpix saw its owner, Hu Bin, wagged its snowy-white tails, and gave him a sweet smile.
"Vul!"
Before you continue