After spending more than a day laying low at home, Chen Shi and Cynthia headed straight for Rustboro City.
Naturally, neither of them planned to miss today's auction.
Inside the Devon Corporation headquarters, the two approached the front desk.
"Hello," Chen Shi said politely. "I'd like to see your young master. Could you help me contact him?"
The receptionist looked up—and immediately froze.
Standing before her was a black-haired, handsome young man who looked inexplicably familiar, an Eevee squinting lazily on his shoulder. Beside him stood a breathtaking blonde girl with an imposing presence.
After a brief moment of stunned silence, the receptionist quickly regained her composure.
"May I ask if you have an appointment?"
Chen Shi thought for a moment, then smiled.
"No appointment—but I don't think I need one."
"Please contact Steven and tell him that Chen Shi and Cynthia are here. He'll see me."
The receptionist stiffened.
"Y-You're… Mr. Chen Shi?"
"If there isn't someone else with the same name," Chen Shi said lightly, "then yes—that should be me."
He even cracked a small joke.
The receptionist's face flushed bright red in an instant.
"It really is you! I—I'm your fan! I especially love Dragapult!"
Beside him, Cynthia narrowed her eyes slightly, crossing her arms without saying a word—simply watching.
Chen Shi glanced back at her, inwardly sighing, then turned back to the receptionist.
"I like Dragapult too," he said calmly. "But could you please contact Steven? I really do have something important to discuss."
"O-Oh! Of course, of course!"
The receptionist hurriedly grabbed the phone and dialed.
"Mr. Steven, Mr. Chen Shi and Ms. Cynthia are here to see you… Yes, understood."
After hanging up, she quickly produced a black card and handed it over.
"Mr. Chen Shi, this is a VIP elevator card. Please take the executive elevator over there—it will take you directly to the top floor. Mr. Steven is waiting."
"Thank you."
Chen Shi accepted the card with a smile and led Cynthia into the private elevator.
As soon as the elevator doors opened on the top floor, Steven was already waiting outside.
Seeing them, he broke into a grin.
"Chen Shi, Cynthia—you really should've called ahead. Dropping in like this is practically a surprise attack."
"At least let me prepare a proper welcome."
Chen Shi rolled his eyes.
"Enough already. Don't start."
"Alright, alright." Steven shrugged. "Come on—let's talk in my office."
The moment Chen Shi stepped out of the elevator, he finally understood what true wealth looked like.
The corridor alone radiated luxury and dignity. Gold-trimmed walls gleamed under brilliant lighting, and priceless murals stretched along the hallway, depicting ancient, mysterious legends. Just this single corridor probably cost more than most buildings combined.
But once they entered Steven's office, Chen Shi realized—he'd underestimated things.
Antique furniture filled the room, exuding the weight of time. Priceless oil paintings hung on the walls, lending the space an unmistakable artistic air. Above, a massive crystal chandelier sparkled brilliantly.
Unlike most offices, there wasn't a single bookshelf in sight.
Instead, the shelves were lined with rows upon rows of expensive red wine.
"Sit wherever you like," Steven said casually as he walked over to the wine rack and took down a bottle that looked outrageously expensive.
"I like having a drink while I work. That slight buzz helps me focus."
He tilted the bottle slightly.
"Care for some?"
"No, thank you," Cynthia declined without hesitation.
Chen Shi smacked his lips.
"I'll try some."
The bottle looked far too pricey to waste.
"Very well." Steven smiled, unsurprised.
He uncorked the bottle, poured two glasses, and handed one over.
Chen Shi took a sip.
As for the taste… he couldn't really describe it. He just knew one thing—it was good. Smooth going down, with a lingering fragrance that made it hard to stop.
Mew, perched nearby, grew curious and snatched the glass for a sip of its own—only to spit it out immediately.
It stared at Chen Shi in disbelief.
You humans actually like drinking this stuff?!
Chen Shi ignored it and teased Steven instead.
"So what—do you just sit here every day, sipping wine in this luxurious office?"
Steven twitched.
"How about we switch lives for a day? You can try it for yourself."
Chen Shi scratched his head and laughed.
"Forget it. I don't have that kind of fate. My current life suits me just fine."
Steven sat down behind his desk.
"You're a bit early. The auction won't start until tonight."
"That's fine," Chen Shi replied easily. "Cynthia and I didn't have anything to do at home anyway. Phoebe already left, so we figured we'd come hang out."
"Phoebe left?" Steven frowned. He hadn't heard about the incident at Mt. Pyre yet.
She'd been glued to Chen Shi like a shadow before—this was unexpected.
Chen Shi sighed and briefly explained what had happened, including the beads, Groudon, and Kyogre.
Steven froze.
"…You're kidding, right?"
"Does that prophecy… actually mean something, then?"
Back in Meteor Village, that old woman had spoken with frightening certainty—a thousand years later, calamity would return.
Now that Team Magma and Team Aqua had seized the orbs…
Everything was lining up far too perfectly.
The silence in the office grew heavy.
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