When Lives Meet

"There'll definitely be a chance."

The two of them shopped at Qian Da Plaza until noon and had hot pot for lunch. Then Su Bai remembered that the amusement park in J City was supposed to be pretty good.

"Want to go together this afternoon?"

"Sure."

After lunch, they arrived at J City's best entertainment destination-the Rayquaza Amusement Park.

Since it wasn't the weekend, the place wasn't as packed as they had imagined, but with summer vacation underway, the amusement park was still bustling.

Cynthia grew excited at the sight of the enormous roller coaster before her.

The park was named Rayquaza Amusement Park because it housed the tallest roller coaster in the Dragon Nation.

Thanks to Pokémon, the rides were more thrilling and entertaining than anything Su Bai had seen in his previous life.

Su Bai swallowed as he stared up at the tracks, whose peak was too high to see.

Seeing his reaction, Cynthia gave him a teasing smile.

"You're not scared, are you? Can you handle it, little Bai?"

"Of course I can!"

Su Bai turned and boarded the roller coaster, letting Pikachu and Growlithe out and placing them in the special Pokémon seats as though he wasn't afraid in the slightest.

Unfortunately, roller coasters taught every stubborn kid a lesson.

After one round, Su Bai felt weak all over.

Cynthia smoothed her golden hair, which the strong wind had tousled. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement, and she clearly wanted more.

Pikachu and Growlithe had enjoyed themselves too.

Growlithe, in particular, had learned Howl while riding the roller coaster...

With both his fiancée and his Pokémon wanting another ride, what could Su Bai say?

One more round!

After two rounds, Su Bai really couldn't take it anymore and hurriedly found an excuse to change the subject.

"Want some ice cream?"

"Yes!"

"What flavor would you like?"

"Hmm..."

Watching Cynthia bite her finger as she agonized over the choice, Su Bai felt as though he had finally gotten his revenge.

Ha, thought I couldn't handle you?

"How about I get you whatever flavor I'm having?"

"Sure!"

Cynthia happily took Pikachu and watched Su Bai head off to buy ice cream.

"Hey, beautiful. Could I get your contact info?"

A fairly clean-cut young man walked over and held out his phone, asking for Cynthia's contact information with his face bright red.

"Sorry."

Cynthia smiled faintly and turned him down in halting Dragon Nation speech.

"I have a fiancé."

"That guy just now, right? That's fine. Having a goalkeeper doesn't mean you can't score."

As he spoke, he stepped closer, only to feel something cold against his neck.

Garchomp had appeared beside him without him noticing, a gleaming fin pressed against his neck.

"Sorry, but please keep your distance."

Cynthia looked displeased, and the young man hurriedly turned and left.

Her mood brightened again. She recalled Garchomp and gently massaged beneath Pikachu's electric sacs with her soft, fair hand.

Pikachu gave a contented cry, drawing several children over with that adorable display.

Su Bai knew nothing about what had happened over there. He approached the ice cream cart and spotted a familiar man, woman, and Meowth.

"Oh, it's you! Team Rocket."

"Dragon Nation twerp!" all three exclaimed.

The Team Rocket trio took one look at Su Bai and immediately seethed with hatred.

Over the past few days, wanted posters of the three of them had been put up everywhere. The portraits were so lifelike that even they felt as though they were looking in a mirror.

Most infuriating of all, people who thought they looked familiar would often suddenly ask them a question.

"Just who are you?"

Then they would expose themselves. They couldn't help it-their opening lines were engraved in their bones.

They didn't even have enough money to go home, so they had no choice but to set up a stall in this crowded, conspicuous place.

"Hey! Dragon Nation twerp, what do you want now? Haven't you made us miserable enough?"

"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm just here for ice cream this time. Two three-scoop cones: vanilla cream, chocolate, and strawberry. Don't forget the crunchy topping."

Su Bai placed a twenty-yuan note on the cart, and the Team Rocket trio prepared the ice cream at lightning speed.

"Thank you for your business!" all three said.

Su Bai didn't waste any more words on them. He took the ice cream and turned to leave.

The three were fairly honest when doing business. At least they didn't cause trouble.

Cynthia's eyes narrowed happily as she tasted the ice cream, though she still felt that something was missing.

"It's delicious, but I feel like it's not quite as good as yours."

"Then shall I make you some when we get home tonight?"

"Yes!"

The two of them stayed until evening. The amusement park was brightly lit at night, and the carousel at this hour wasn't just romantic-it was very romantic.

Cynthia sat in the princess carriage, resting her chin on her hand as she quietly gazed outside.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing much. I was just thinking how wonderful it is for lives to meet."

Cynthia smiled faintly. Looking at her, Su Bai rubbed his slightly itchy nose.

"There's an old saying in the Dragon Nation: a beauty seen by lamplight and moonlight is ten times lovelier than in daylight. I always thought that was an exaggeration, but it turns out it's true."

"You think I can't tell you're sweet-talking me?"

Cynthia tilted her head and gave Su Bai an amused look. Just then, the carousel stopped.

Su Bai stepped out of the princess carriage and offered his hand.

Cynthia gently extended her slender, delicate hand and let Su Bai help her out.

Garchomp's and Lucario's Poké Balls shook wildly, but Cynthia soothed them with her other hand.

Once she was off the ride, however, Cynthia naturally withdrew her hand.

Su Bai didn't try to hold on. There was no need to act like a loser who hadn't held a girl's hand in two lifetimes. Being too eager would only make him look uncouth.

Though it really was his first time holding a girl's hand. So soft!

"What are you thinking about?"

Faced with Cynthia's question, Su Bai naturally couldn't tell her the truth.

"I was thinking about what you just said. You're right. Every life encounters other lives, and those encounters give rise to something."

Cynthia glanced at Su Bai, deeply agreeing with his words.

After they got home, Su Bai made Cynthia a chocolate lava cake.

The lack of ice cream left Cynthia a little disappointed at first, but after just one bite, she abandoned the idea of having ice cream.

Although ice cream was still her favorite, this cake was simply too delicious!

That night, Garchomp once again secretly took Growlithe out to train, though this time Su Bai knew about it.

Su Bai hadn't gone to sleep yet. He was still thinking things over.

He hadn't used his randomization chance for the day, and he was considering what item to use it on.

"System, can I randomize today's amusement park ticket stub?"

[Ding! Dream on, host. Please use an item with at least some value.]

"System, randomize this old phone."

Su Bai took out his old phone. It held only a few old photos and 8 GB of study materials.

The old photos were of former classmates and friends, along with some scenery-nothing valuable. Su Bai had already transferred those 8 GB of torrent files to his computer.

[Ding! Congratulations, host. Item obtained: Poké Ball (Black Market Ball).]