Getting "Hit" Would Be Trouble
Ever since Avrora arrived—
Ethan officially experienced what it meant to become the "adopted son."
Anna practically glued herself to Avrora.
Wherever Avrora went—
Anna followed.
Afraid the beautiful girl might "run away."
Ethan, the biological son, felt strangely displaced.
That night, Anna personally prepared a guest room for Avrora.
Zero negligence.
Maximum enthusiasm.
Midnight Knock
Ethan had just worked up the courage to sneak over—
When someone knocked on his door first.
He opened it.
"Well well, Mom's new favorite daughter. Why are you knocking on my door at this hour?"
Avrora pushed past him, serious.
"I'm not here to play."
"You know why I rushed here the moment vacation started?"
Ethan immediately sensed something was off.
"What happened?"
She locked eyes with him.
"A message spread through the Northern Alliance."
"It originated from the Divine Eagle Alliance."
Ethan scoffed.
"That alliance releasing 'good news'? That's new."
"It is good news," she replied.
"Depending on who you are."
The Bounty
"A super-rare Pokémon escaped."
"Whoever captures it and returns it to the Divine Eagle Alliance…"
"Gets one hundred million."
Ethan sat up straight.
One hundred million.
For Divine Eagle to offer that—
The Pokémon's value had to exceed it by far.
They were infamous for being stingy.
If they were throwing around that kind of money—
It wasn't generosity.
It was desperation.
"By tomorrow night, this news will reach Donghuang."
"My father advised me to tell you not to get involved."
Ethan smiled faintly.
So his future father-in-law was worried about him.
Fair.
After all—
He and the Divine Eagle Alliance were practically sworn enemies.
If he showed up in their territory now—
It wouldn't end peacefully.
Even if he captured the Pokémon—
They might never pay.
Or worse—
Try to eliminate him.
System Prompt
[Golden Opportunity Detected — Escaped Pokémon]
[Please obtain immediately]
Ethan almost laughed.
"So even fate doesn't want me to skip this."
He stood.
"I'm going."
"And I'm going publicly."
If it were family—
He could be cautious.
But against enemies—
He struck directly.
He wasn't petty.
He had already "forgiven" the prior assassination attempt.
This time—
He would simply help them retrieve their Pokémon.
Kindly.
As a well-mannered youth of Donghuang.
Avrora slammed her hand down.
"No!"
"You know what kind of people they are!"
"They rig competitions! What do you think they'll do outside formal rules?!"
She hadn't rushed here for romance.
She rushed here because she was afraid he'd go.
Ethan softened slightly.
"I won't go unprepared."
"Trust me."
Before Three-Cloud Island—
He was confident he could walk into Divine Eagle territory and leave safely.
Now?
He was confident he could walk in—
Stay a month—
And walk out standing on top of them.
Avrora fell silent.
She had known he wouldn't back down.
But she had to try.
After a long pause, she muttered:
"Fine."
"But tonight you leave insurance."
"If something happens to you…"
"Your son can avenge you."
Ethan: "…???"
The Morning After
When Ethan woke—
Avrora was gone from the room.
He stretched—
Immediately regretted it.
His lower back protested violently.
Too much insurance deposited.
As he reached the staircase—
He ran into Victor.
"Dad, I can explain—"
Victor raised a hand.
"I'm not senile."
"Just… exercise restraint."
"At my age, if you don't, you end up traveling for work constantly."
Ethan froze.
What did that even mean?
Did he want to know?
Probably not.
Breakfast was unusually quiet.
Even Anna kept her head down.
No commentary.
Afterward—
Victor beckoned him.
"Come here."
Inside his room, Victor opened a drawer.
Pulled out a small box.
And handed it over.
"Take it."
Ethan looked down.
Contraceptives.
"You're young."
"Getting 'hit' before marriage isn't ideal."
Ethan: "…"
He didn't know whether to laugh—
Or dig a hole and disappear.
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