Chapter 100: All the Vainglory is But a Dream; Just Waking from the Yellow Millet Dream to Contemplate (Part 1) (Seeking Support for One Hundred Chapters!!!)

Golden City Pokémon Center. Tonight, everyone was staying at the Pokémon Center.

Fortunately, Golden City was a major metropolis, and the Pokémon Center had plenty of high-end rooms. Each person took one, filling the entire center to capacity.

For Bai Ci, this was a memorable night. Tomorrow, she would begin her journey through the Kanto region. Traveling with Chen Ou meant far more than just correcting her misconceptions.

Accompanying a prodigious trainer of extraordinary talent and formidable background—one who could be considered a senior in a certain sense—was an honor in its own right.

Dr. Oak and Dr. Hongdousang had no intention of being mere travel companions. They were master and disciple.

Chen Ou could see it clearly. Did his journey truly require another? Sirona might offer some assistance, but what could Bai Ci contribute? A reminder to stay focused?

Chen Ou had agreed, though whether they would form such a master-disciple bond remained uncertain. Chen Ou made no promises, and Bai Ci remained unaware of it.

For Du and Wusong, these past two days had been rare moments of rest. If they could somehow overcome their biological clocks, they would no doubt sleep until the sun climbed high.

Hongdousang had yet to sleep. She lay sprawled over her desk, scribbling furiously as she recorded every word Chen Ou had spoken that day. Though the topic was dangerous, the innate curiosity of a researcher drove her onward.

Dr. Oak, by contrast, lay in bed staring blankly at the ceiling, his mind in a whirl. After a long silence, he murmured softly, “Grandchildren have their own blessings,” before rolling over and drifting off to sleep.

As for Chen Ou… tonight was an exceptionally memorable day for him.

“Yo, son! Dad and Mom had a breakthrough at the institute tonight, so we won’t be home. The fridge has dinner ready—make your own. Stop ordering takeout all the time! It’s not healthy!”

A brisk, straightforward voice crackled from the phone receiver.

Chen Ou’s hand rested on the controller, eyes fixed on the game screen, answering absently, “Got it, got it. You’re the ones who should watch it—don’t live off instant noodles. Ordering takeout takes almost no time.”

“You still need your old man’s advice!” Through the line, the exasperated tone of someone blowing his top was unmistakable.

Chen Ou didn’t mind; it happened often enough. While issuing Flamethrower to his Charizard, he shot back irritably, “If I’m not the college student here, then what? You guys should listen to my opinion once in a while!”

“College students aren’t kids anymore…” came a soft groan from the other end. “Ugh, honey, gentle, gentle…”

A pitiful pleading voice from her husband filtered through. Chen Ou rolled his eyes, swapped Charizard for Ninetales, and unleashed a blazing Swift. Squirtle on the opposite side collapsed instantly.

“Hey, son.”

A gentle voice, like the waters of Jiangnan, drifted from the receiver.

“Eh, Mom, I’m here!”

Chen Ou stared at the incoming Rillaboom—Gigantamax Rillaboom—on the screen, utterly bewildered.

“Son, the fridge has Mom’s beef buns, and the freezer has the leftover three-flavor dumplings from two days ago. Make whatever you like. Remember to whip up some garlic sauce; don’t be so lazy.”

“Roger that!” Chen Ou replied at once, then unleashed a scorching Flamethrower straight into Rillaboom’s face.

The Pokémon crumpled.

“All good! Mom has nothing to worry about. Your father and I will have someone deliver food. Don’t fret over us.”

“Mhm, sure thing, Mom!”

“Alright, no more chatter. See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow!”

“Beep beep beep…”

Chen Ou watched Fierce Jaw Luxray on the opposite side falter for a moment, accidentally selecting a chaotic Volt move. The next instant, a Dragon Claw rained down.

His Ninetales’ HP bar emptied in an instant.

“Damn… is this some kind of magician? It’s practically begging to be banned!”

Refusing to accept defeat, Chen Ou sent out Charizard, only to be met with another Dragon Claw.

He then unleashed his ultimate Fire-type, Heatran—only to suffer the same fate.

“%^%#&*￥”

Cursing loudly, Chen Ou slammed the game off, wishing he could smash the console to pieces.

What the hell was this garbage!

Shaking his head, he rose and headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Chen Ou lived in the Magic Capital, owned a car and a house, and his parents were both busy professionals. He was currently a student at the local university, on summer break.

As a modestly renowned game streamer, he had no desire to take on outside work. His days consisted of lounging, streaming lightly, playing games at home, reading, and sleeping.

Life, in its own way, was dull.

The phone rang again. Chen Ou answered with lazy nonchalance, speaking in a sunny tone, “Hello?”

“Which one, senior? It’s me, Lin Xue.”

A shy voice came from the other end.

Chen Ou searched his memory for three seconds before replying, “Oh! It’s you. What’s up? Does the anime club need help? Taking photos? Or recording videos?”

Chen Ou himself enjoyed photography; he was quite professional and well-known in the circles.

“No, no, no!” Lin Xue hurried to deny it.

“Then what is it?” Chen Ou asked, puzzled.

“Yes, yes, yes—we wanted to thank you for your help last time, so we’re preparing to treat you to a meal.” Shame colored her words. From the phone came the noisy chatter of young girls giggling and laughing.

Chen Ou tugged at the corner of his mouth. “No need for that, little sister. No need to be polite—you already paid last time. There’s no reason to treat again. Besides, I’m already starting to cook here. I won’t interrupt your dinner. Gotta run; my pot’s about to burn!”

With that, he hung up.

Chen Ou yawned and muttered, “These little girls are truly boring…” He scratched his head, then lit the stove to cook.

A coquettish, adorable girl pouted and hung up the phone with an aggrieved expression.

The other girls around her quickly comforted her.

“It’s fine, it’s fine! Xuexiao is so cute; the senior must be really busy!”

“Yes, yes—he even said he was cooking! Next time, ask him out when he’s not at meal time.”

“Right, and since you got rejected this time, next time the senior won’t be able to dodge anymore!”

Under the girls’ reassurances, Lin Xue forced a smile and said, “Okay, okay, enough comforting. Let’s go eat!”

She gave a motivational gesture, declaring, “This girl will turn sorrow into appetite!”

A group of young ladies, laughing and chatting, headed toward a nearby hotpot restaurant.

Chen Ou pinched a steamed bun, lounging in a rocking chair on the balcony, basking lazily in the sun.

“Ah! Life is truly wonderful!”