Meeting Kid Goku for the first time

As Doris flipped through the photos one by one, her heart gradually sank, and a deep sense of helplessness washed over her.

There weren't many photos of the woman, and there were very few of Jiang Nan himself. Clearly, Jiang Nan wasn't fond of taking pictures, only occasionally using his phone's camera to record something interesting.

Doris couldn't tell which city the street scenes had been taken in, but it definitely wasn't Central City. Though she hadn't traveled much, she knew for certain that the buildings weren't in Central City's style. Combined with a photo of the seaside and Jiang Nan's complexion, this led her to guess that he was actually from East City.

From those few photos of the woman, Doris also learned who she was.

She was Jiang Nan's wife. Jiang Nan was a married man!

Though Doris couldn't read the writing, the photo of that strange marriage certificate and the picture of the two at their engagement banquet were enough to prove that Jiang Nan was married!

Doris's eyes misted over. Two trails of clear tears silently rolled down her cheeks and fell onto her full chest.

The harder she tried to hold them back, the faster they flowed.

What's wrong with me lately? Why do I keep losing control of my emotions? Doris was heartbroken, but she also felt an intense sense of resentment and hurt.

So, Jiang Nan, you must be back with your wife by now, right?

You shameless, despicable bastard! You even lied about being an orphan. If you ever dare show your face in front of me again, I'll tear that lying mouth of yours apart! Doris thought bitterly.

Doris looked at the woman in the photos again, recalling what Jiang Nan had said when they parted: "I'll come find you in North City!"

But it's been a year now. Where are you, Jiang Nan?

Jiang Nan had probably abandoned her after returning to his wife, Doris thought sadly.

But why? I'm clearly prettier than her! Why did you choose her instead of me?

Doris let out a hysterical cry and swept everything off the table onto the floor.

She hated herself for falling in love, and she hated herself for losing her composure over a man. Yet she couldn't control it. The harder she tried to rein in her emotions and act as though she didn't care, the more impossible it became.

After breaking down, Doris wiped away her tears. Leaving everything scattered across the floor, she returned to her room as though she had lost her soul.

On Mount Paozu, Jiang Nan finished the rations in his backpack, put his tent back into its Capsule, and set off again.

There were few signs of human activity here and no decent paths, so Jiang Nan didn't ride his antigravity motorcycle. He continued searching for Son Gohan on foot, trekking over mountains and ridges.

When he left the city, he hadn't expected Mount Paozu to be so vast, and he had brought only a day's worth of rations. If he couldn't find anyone today, he would have to live off the land.

Fortunately, there were plenty of wild animals here. Catching a rabbit or a fish wouldn't be difficult.

Today, Jiang Nan tried a different approach. Just because he couldn't sense Son Gohan's ki didn't mean that Son Gohan, a martial artist with years of training behind him, couldn't sense his. So Jiang Nan released his ki, hoping to attract the old man's attention.

The method worked. Just before noon, Jiang Nan spotted a green Battle Power reading as high as 131 through the system, suddenly appearing nearby.

As Jiang Nan moved, the reading followed him, keeping a moderate distance. It really did seem to be Son Gohan!

Delighted, Jiang Nan called in that direction, "Are you Mr. Son Gohan?"

A rustling came from the bushes, and a short old man with a kindly face stepped out from behind a tree.

The old man wore a martial arts uniform, with a staff slung diagonally across his back. He also wore a round green cap. Wasn't that orange-yellow orb on top of it the Four-Star Dragon Ball?

Son Gohan studied Jiang Nan with his small eyes. Seeing that Jiang Nan spoke and behaved politely, he cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Sorry to intrude. I meant no harm by following you. I was simply curious about what remarkable person had come to Mount Paozu. Do you know of me, young man?"

They stood several dozen meters apart. Apparently, Son Gohan hadn't yet let down his guard around Jiang Nan.

Jiang Nan returned the greeting with cupped hands. "Sir, my name is Jiang Nan. I've met Master Roshi once, and he told me you were living in seclusion on Mount Paozu. That's why I came here to find you."

After hearing Jiang Nan's explanation, Son Gohan felt no suspicion at all. This wasn't because he lacked caution, but because he could clearly sense Jiang Nan's strength. If Jiang Nan intended to harm him, he likely wouldn't be able to fend him off anyway.

"Since you've already met my master, I imagine you're a good person too. Why don't you come to my humble home for a chat?" Son Gohan invited.

Jiang Nan bowed. "That would be wonderful. I do have a favor to ask of you, sir."

With Son Gohan leading the way, Jiang Nan followed behind. After they wound along the mountain trails and passed through a narrow gorge, Son Gohan turned back and warned him, "Jiang Nan, was it? Stay close through here!"

With that, Son Gohan plunged into grass more than a meter tall.

Jiang Nan followed closely. In fact, he had already lost sight of Son Gohan and was relying entirely on the Battle Power reading displayed by the system to determine his direction.

Suddenly, the view opened up before Jiang Nan, revealing a broad stretch of level ground with obvious signs of human landscaping. In front of the cliff stood a pavilion-shaped house, with a smaller building beside it that looked like a cooking hut. This was Son Gohan's home.

"Goku, we have a guest!"

A thrill ran through Jiang Nan. After more than four years in the Dragon Ball world, he was finally about to meet its protagonist!

The moment Son Gohan pushed open the door, a fist-sized rock flew out of the house. The old man hastily tilted his head to dodge it.

"Heh heh, sorry about that. My grandson is a bit unruly. I'm afraid he's made a spectacle of himself," Son Gohan apologized with a cheerful chuckle.

Jiang Nan smiled. "It's fine. He's a child, after all. What child isn't mischievous?"

"Hey! Who are you? Are you here to capture me and take me back?" A young but fierce voice came from inside.

Jiang Nan looked into the house. Ha, it really was Kid Goku!

At that moment, Goku was wearing crudely made animal-hide clothes, and his face was so grubby that it looked as though he hadn't washed it in days. His signature Saiyan hairstyle stuck out to either side, and anger filled his big, pitch-black eyes.

Jiang Nan was speechless. Right, Goku hasn't hit his head and lost his memory yet. He's still a pure Saiyan in temperament-savage and unruly.

"Now, now, you mustn't speak like that, Goku. This is Uncle Jiang Nan. Come say hello." Son Gohan went over to soothe Kid Goku.

Jiang Nan stepped inside and looked around. The room was simply furnished: a square table, a low bamboo bed, and a dark wooden cabinet against the wall. That was all the furniture it contained.

The two rice bowls on the table were already empty. Son Gohan sighed. "Goku, did you eat my bowl too?"