“Sorry to keep you waiting, Yu Feng.”
Brock finally finished everything and came to Yu Feng, a little apologetically. After all, he was the one who invited Yu Feng to his house, yet he made Yu Feng wait here for so long. He felt truly ashamed.
“It’s nothing. Are you all ready?”
Yu Feng waved his hand, indicating it was fine. He had done a lot of waiting for people, and Brock was much better than his procrastinating sister.
“All ready. Come, follow me.”
Brock made a welcoming gesture and led Yu Feng towards his home. The sky outside was already entering dusk.
“Actually, I have a question, but I don’t know if I should ask it.”
This question had been bothering Yu Feng for a long time. Although the manga had patched it up, that was only the manga’s content. What was the real reason Brock became like this?
“It’s fine, go ahead and speak.”
At this time, Brock was still very serious and didn't mind Yu Feng's impoliteness.
“I’ve also seen Gyms in other regions, but why is your Gym…?”
This was a lie. Yu Feng had never challenged Gyms in other regions. All his impressions of other Gyms came from anime and games.
“Are you trying to say why it’s so deserted?”
“Mainly because I don’t have money.”
Brock didn't mind what Yu Feng said, because it was true; his Gym was indeed very deserted, but mainly because he didn't have the money to hire so many people.
“But Gyms can charge money for apprentices, right? And you could also have other part-time jobs, like the Cerulean Gym’s water performances.”
“And doesn’t the League pay you all?”
Yu Feng thought about it according to Brock’s statement and realized something was off. After all, apprentices needed to pay to learn, and the League should also provide some Helping Hand. Brock’s financial situation didn’t seem right.
“What you said is very true, but my family’s situation might…”
Brock knew Yu Feng was right, but his family's situation didn't allow him to find any part-time jobs.
As they continued, they arrived at Brock’s doorstep.
“You’ll know when you see it.”
As Brock opened the door, a bunch of little kids bounced out and clung to him.
“Big brother is back!”
“Yes, yes, big brother is back. Did Jiro take good care of his younger siblings at home?”
Brock gently stroked the heads of the nine little kids in front of him, kindly asking about their situation at home.
“I took very good care of my younger siblings. Who is this older sister, big brother?”
The child named Jiro puffed out his chest and looked at his older brother with pride. He had taken good care of his younger siblings when his older brother was away.
However, Jiro noticed Yu Feng standing to the side, curious about who he was. How did he come back with his older brother?
Before Brock could answer, Shizi quickly interjected, “I know, I know! This is the sister-in-law big brother found to take care of us!”
“Big brother has finally wised up!”
“Sister-in-law! Sister-in-law!”
Some of the bolder kids had already run up to Yu Feng, looking at him, wanting to see what their sister-in-law was like.
“Hachi, Kuro, Shizi, don’t cause trouble. This is just big brother’s friend.”
Although Yu Feng didn't speak, Brock couldn't remain silent. Even though Yu Feng looked very much like a woman, Brock's female radar didn't go off, so Brock was still very serious.
“Little cuties, I’m a boy, you know.”
Yu Feng pinched Shizi’s little cheek, looking at the nine faces in front of him that were almost identical to Brock’s. Yu Feng couldn’t help but marvel at Wu Neng’s strong genes.
It was worth noting that their mother, Mimi, was also a beauty, yet all ten siblings looked almost exactly like Wu Neng. It truly was a strange phenomenon.
“Oh, it’s a big brother then. I thought Big Brother Brock had finally wised up.”
Although Shizi was a little disappointed that Yu Feng wasn't their future sister-in-law, she still really liked this handsome big brother in front of her.
“Shizi! Don’t talk nonsense.”
Brock was a little troubled. Were his younger siblings really so concerned about his marriage?
“What do you mean, ‘don’t talk nonsense’? If Big Brother Brock could find a sister-in-law to take care of us, then he could go pursue his dream, right?”
Shizi made a face at Brock, then wanted Yu Feng to hug her.
Yu Feng granted the little girl’s wish and picked her up from the ground.
Shizi, Rokuko, and Nanako looked enviously at Shizi, who was being held by Yu Feng. Who wouldn’t want to be held by a handsome big brother?
Brock gave Yu Feng an apologetic look. After all, his younger siblings were indeed a bit mischievous.
“It’s fine, they’re just kids. It’s normal for them to be a bit mischievous, as long as they’re not problem children, they’re still very cute.”
Yu Feng didn’t feel much about it. As long as they weren’t problem children, it wasn’t a big deal. He waved his hand and went into the house with Brock and the others.
Brock sighed and walked into the house, then casually changed into an apron.
“Yu Feng, please have a seat for a while. I’m going to make them dinner.”
With that, Brock started washing his hands and chopping vegetables.
Outside… Ash and Wu Neng walked to the outside of Brock’s house’s yard, and happened to see Brock washing his hands and cooking, while Yu Feng was playing with Brock’s siblings.
“Big brother, my skirt is torn.”
Nanako came to Brock with a torn skirt. Because the yard was small, Ash and the others could easily hear what was being said inside the house.
“Alright, alright. I’ll help you sew it in a bit, okay?”
Brock looked at his younger sister dotingly, then turned to get a sewing kit to help Nanako mend her skirt.
Ash looked at Brock incredulously, then turned to look at Wu Neng, seemingly wanting to say something, but Wu Neng shook his head, motioning for him to keep watching.
They watched until late into the night. After Yu Feng and Brock had finished exchanging their breeding experiences, Ash and Wu Neng finally walked home.
“Brock’s image is completely ruined.”
Ash kicked stones on the road as he walked. He always felt that Brock’s image at home was completely different from his confident image at the Gym.
“Brock has ten younger siblings to take care of, so he can’t leave this city for now.”
Wu Neng walked ahead, speaking very calmly, as if this matter had nothing to do with him.
“Then what about Brock’s parents?”
Ash was a little confused. Where had Brock’s parents gone? Why did they leave Brock to take care of his younger siblings alone?
“His father was very irresponsible. He said he wanted to become a Pokémon Master, and after leaving Pewter City, he was never heard from again.”
“And his mother, despairing over her husband’s irresponsibility, ran away from home, leaving only Brock as the most reliable one.”
The starlight from the sky shone on Wu Neng, making this very muscular man appear a little dispirited.
“Don’t tell me any more stories that shake my fighting spirit. How am I supposed to go all out when I challenge him next time?”
Ash was a little troubled that Wu Neng had told him so much, making him feel awkward about going all out when he challenged Brock next time.
“You still want to challenge him? Even if your fighting spirit is high, you won’t be able to beat him.”
Wu Neng seemed to have heard something incredible, stopping in his tracks and gazing at Ash.
Even now, this boy still said such things? This couldn’t help but make Wu Neng feel a little emotional. This child was truly very similar to him in this regard.
“I will win! Next time, I will definitely win, as long as Pikachu unleashes its potential!”
For some reason, Ash suddenly became fired up, as if hypnotizing himself.
“You might indeed have a way to unleash potential.”