"Old Chen, not to be rude, but sometimes you really do deserve it."
"You obviously knew that little girl was your daughter with Cynthia."
"So why didn't you just say it?"
"Look what happened."
"You got exactly what was coming to you."
On the road to Pallet Town, Steven looked at Chen Shi—who was still covering his sore ear—with undisguised amusement.
Chen Shi looked utterly wronged.
"But Yan Yan called both of you by name!"
"You were the ones who didn't believe her!"
"How is that my fault?"
The moment he said that, Cynthia's irritation immediately resurfaced.
"You couldn't have given me a hint?"
"If a random little girl suddenly appeared and called you Dad, would you believe it?"
Chen Shi nodded without hesitation.
"I would."
"Didn't I believe it immediately?"
Cynthia: "...."
"I don't want to argue about that."
"When you develop those photos, make sure you give me a copy."
Although she hadn't had much time to talk to Chen Yanxi, Chen Shi had at least taken plenty of pictures.
That made her feel slightly better.
Hearing this, Chen Shi nodded repeatedly.
"I promise."
"As soon as the photos are developed, I'll give you a set."
"Mhm."
Cynthia responded with a simple nasal sound.
It was obvious she was still upset.
Meanwhile, Steven continued pouring fuel onto the fire.
"Hey, Cynthia."
"Didn't Old Chen tell Yan Yan to love him more and not love you?"
Chen Shi: !!!!
You traitor!
The moment Cynthia heard that, her expression darkened again.
She slowly turned her gaze toward him.
Seeing that look, Chen Shi immediately tried to change the subject.
"Let's not talk about that."
"Did you forget what Celebi said?"
"Didn't you hear its warning?"
"Celebi specifically traveled through time to find me."
The topic shift worked instantly.
Both Cynthia and Steven became serious.
The final words Celebi left behind were still fresh in their minds.
Cynthia spoke first.
"What exactly is the darkness?"
"And why do you need to go to the Sinnoh Region?"
"What's in Sinnoh?"
Chen Shi spread his hands helplessly.
"I don't know."
"The only other time I've heard the word 'darkness' was from Xerneas."
"As for why Celebi wants me to go to Sinnoh…"
"I have no idea."
"But it must be important."
"Otherwise, why would Celebi travel through time just to find me?"
Steven thought quietly for a moment.
"Darkness definitely doesn't sound like anything good."
"Also…"
"Old Chen."
"You seem to know everything."
"Is there something special about Sinnoh?"
"Something special about Sinnoh?"
Chen Shi rubbed his chin while walking.
If there was anything particularly special about Sinnoh—
It would probably be Spear Pillar atop Mt. Coronet.
Or perhaps the three lakes associated with the Lake Guardians.
Beyond those places, Sinnoh was fairly normal.
He genuinely couldn't determine where Celebi wanted him to go.
"What are you planning to do?"
Cynthia asked.
"Are you going to Sinnoh?"
After snapping out of his thoughts, Chen Shi shook his head.
"Not yet."
"I want to stay at Professor Oak's place for a while and focus on training."
"I need to improve my strength first."
"Besides, Celebi only said to go as soon as possible."
"It didn't say I had to leave immediately."
"So there's no rush."
Cynthia nodded.
"As long as you've thought it through."
Chen Shi smiled.
"Since neither of you have anything urgent to do, why not stay here with me?"
"My teacher's Pokémon are incredibly strong."
"You can join the training too."
Both Steven and Cynthia were tempted.
After all, during the battle involving the Hoenn Legendary Trio, Chen Shi had borrowed Professor Oak's Dragonite.
Both of them knew that Dragonite was absurdly powerful.
Training under a Pokémon like that would be an invaluable opportunity.
Steven hesitated before speaking.
"Wouldn't that be too much trouble for Professor Oak?"
Chen Shi curled his lips.
"Trouble?"
"What trouble?"
"He spends all day doing research and barely pays attention to us."
"There are plenty of spare rooms."
"And we cook our own meals."
"If anything, he gets free gourmet food whenever we're around."
"He'd probably love having us stay longer."
"As for Dragonite and the others…"
"They've already become as strong as they can get."
"All they do these days is eat and sleep."
"Trust me."
"It won't be any trouble."
As they talked, they entered Pallet Town and arrived outside Professor Oak's Laboratory.
Chen Shi naturally stepped forward and knocked.
The door opened quickly.
A familiar kid appeared.
Who else could it be but Gary?
The instant Gary saw Chen Shi, his eyes widened.
Then he practically screamed.
"Uncle Chen!"
"You're finally back!!"
"I missed you so much!"
As Gary hugged his leg, Chen Shi laughed.
"I think you miss my cooking more than you miss me."
Gary scratched his head awkwardly.
"Hehe."
"You figured it out, Uncle Chen?"
"Enough fooling around."
"Where's the professor?"
Chen Shi looked inside.
Not seeing Professor Oak anywhere, he immediately guessed the old man was busy in the laboratory again.
Gary looked up.
"Grandpa's in the research room."
Then he rubbed his stomach pitifully.
"Uncle Chen."
"I'm hungry."
Chen Shi smiled and shook his head.
Then he said:
"This time I brought two friends with me."
"We'll probably be staying here for a while."
"There are still spare rooms, right?"
Gary glanced at Steven and Cynthia behind him and nodded.
"Yep."
"There are plenty."
"You can just pick a room on the second floor and clean it up yourselves."
Chen Shi blinked.
"Why a room?"
Gary looked confused.
"Grandpa told me that you and Cynthia are a couple."
"Couples stay in the same room, don't they?"
Gary had met both Cynthia and Steven several times during the World Coronation Series.
So he already knew who they were.
Behind them, Steven immediately burst out laughing.
"He's right."
"You two are a couple."
"Gary, you probably don't know this yet."
"But your Uncle Chen and Cynthia already have a daughter."
Gary's eyes nearly popped out of his head.
"Really?!"
Chen Shi grinned proudly.
"Of course."
"Pretty impressive, right?"
Cynthia's expression darkened.
But she didn't deny it.
In the future, they really did have a daughter.
They had literally just met her.
As unbelievable as it sounded, it was the truth.
However—
The future was still the future.
That didn't mean Cynthia was currently ready to have a daughter with Chen Shi.
So she immediately said:
"Three rooms."
"Prepare three rooms."
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