Shen Qi hurried over to help Xiao Ming up. "I... uh, I won't tell anyone, anyway."
The truth was plain: Xiao Ming had lied to everyone.
He had said he was an intern at the Club and earned decent money, but in reality, he was doing incredibly grueling work, even worse than hauling cargo at the docks.
At least Xiao Chun had drinking water, three meals a day, and proper rest.
"Shen Qi..."
Of course Xiao Ming remembered the neighbor who had helped save their Berry field. "Please, I'm begging you, don't tell anyone."
"I have no reason to break my word."
Whether during the Berry field incident or the Pokémon Photography activity, Xiao Ming had always come across as honest, unassuming, and hardworking. He was quite talented, too, having opened his Energy Chakra in the exam before summer vacation.
Shen Qi really didn't think he was a vain person.
Xiao Ming's voice remained earnest. "Really, don't tell anyone. My family... really needs the money."
At those words, Shen Qi understood.
The damage to the Berry field had severely affected their family's source of income, and they had lost an entire year's investment on top of that, not even counting repair costs.
So Xiao Ming had rushed out to find better-paying work.
Island 6 was only so big. Xiao Ming had to fool everyone to convince his family that he had found a respectable, well-paid job.
Chapter 97: Thank you, Taro
"Here."
At a street corner in Doll Town, Shen Qi handed him a bottle of soda and sat beside him on the stone steps.
"Thanks."
Behind the steps was a quiet, deep alley. A dozen meters ahead lay Doll Town's bustling streets.
Taking in the lively atmosphere in the distance from this quiet spot amid the bustle gave a