It was a little past ten on Tuesday morning, and the world outside the mountain was operating like clockwork, busy yet orderly.
In Qu County, office workers were busily typing on computer screens, their eyes focused yet weary; in factory workshops, the roar of machinery was incessant, and workers skillfully operated equipment without a moment's rest; at Zining High School, teachers lectured vividly from the podium, students diligently took notes at their desks, and Huang Mao secretly slept in class.
However, Chen Kai's home on Zining Mountain presented a different, serene scene. Soft sunlight filtered through the thin curtains, spilling onto the tidy dining table. Chen Kai, dressed in loose loungewear, slowly ambled from his bedroom to the dining room.
On the dining table, a delicate breakfast emanated an inviting aroma: golden fried eggs, crispy toast, steaming milk, and a small dish of fresh Treecko.
He sat down unhurriedly, picked up a piece of bread, took a small bite, and chewed in a relaxed and leisurely manner. The outside world's hustle seemed irrelevant to him; his eyes were full of relaxation and ease.
Treecko also leisurely ate breakfast with Chen Kai, while the Hydrabbles and Xiao Mei had already gone for a stroll on the hillside early on; they weren't as lazy as Chen Kai.
He took a sip of milk, the warm liquid flowing down his throat, making him involuntarily narrow his eyes slightly, enjoying this rare leisure.
This was the unique comfort exclusive to students who had taken time off.
"Ah!! Others are in class or at work, and I'm resting—it's just so great! And to think I still have more than ten days of rest! It's even better."
"You're so idle, go help herd the Gogoats," Chen Ma said, displeased, from the side.
She had helped with the Gogoats and livestock in the morning, and now she still had to make time to prepare lunch. This brat, sleeping until almost ten, was still so smug.
"Herding Gogoats is impossible, hehe," Chen Kai said with a laugh.
Chen Ma hadn't expected Chen Kai to help anyway, so she just said helplessly, "Just don't cause any trouble. By the way, have you seen Exeggutor?"
Chen Kai thought for a moment: "Exeggutor? Didn't I see it playing with the Hydrabbles last night?"
Chen Ma said, "Then don't worry about it. It'll run home by evening. During the day, when I ask it to help watch the Gogoat herd, I always can't find it. Just like you, I don't know where it runs off to fool around."
Chen Kai argued, "What do you mean I'm always fooling around? I can help later, by bringing food to Ba!"
"Alright!" Chen Ma immediately agreed, afraid Chen Kai would disappear again soon.
Before long, Chen Ma took out several insulated containers and told Chen Kai to take them to Chen Dafu and the Gogoats.
Chen Kai then called out Miraidon, who had been holed up at home. It and Iron Hands had been online in their room non-stop except for meals. They should get some exercise.
However, Iron Hands was so addicted to the internet that it couldn't be called out. Chen Kai had no choice; Iron Hands was too self-indulgent, so he could only let it be.
It was almost noon in October, and the sun was still quite hot. The Zining Mountain hillside was like a giant green carpet, slowly spreading from the foot of the mountain to the summit, dotted with specks of golden and crimson—wild chrysanthemums announcing the arrival of autumn.
The Wooloo herd, like clouds, moved slowly on the hillside. They leisurely grazed on the green grass, occasionally letting out "baa" and "fluff" Growls, adding a touch of vitality to the quiet hillside.
Chen Dafu's figure was faintly visible among the herd. He wore a straw hat, held a slender whip, and walked with light yet steady steps, his eyes showing a familiar understanding of this land and the herd.
Besides Boltund and the Gogoat, there were, unexpectedly, several other figures beside him.
Chen Kai got closer and saw someone he knew: Mr. Li, that shifty-eyed boss from Qu County.
Previously, Chen Ma had ordered a Light Ball from him. Although Xiao Mei now wore an Ampharos Mega Stone, it still cherished the Light Ball and kept it hidden.
Among the other people, there was also someone Chen Kai recognized: a person who appeared honest and simple on the surface but was actually quite ruthless. Chen Kai heard his nickname was Liu Pang.
Chen Kai remembered him clearly because he had been scammed by him before.
"Mr. Chen, we're offering a higher price for the acquisition, please consider it again," the seemingly honest Mr. Liu said to Chen Ba.
The thin Mr. Li, however, cursed, "Liu Pang, you're really shameless!"
The two almost started fighting.
Chen Ba was in a difficult position in the middle and could only advise, "Let's talk nicely, no fighting. Also, if you're buying wool or something, I can make the decision, but for this, I really can't."
Chen Kai came closer, placed the lunchbox next to Chen Ba, and asked, "Ba, what's going on?"
Chen Ba said helplessly, "It's just about the Treecko. I sold some of the surplus Treecko to Old Li. That fatter one, I don't know how he found out, but he came directly to me, saying he could pay more and wanted me to sell to him. So I called Old Li; I definitely had to tell him about this. And now these two are like this."
At this moment, Mr. Li said to Chen Ba, "Old Chen, I'll also add money for you, but you still give all the Treecko to me, okay?"
Liu Pang was displeased: "Old Li, you're eating meat, can't you at least let us have some soup? You can't hog all the good things, can you? Mr. Chen, can you also spare some Treecko for us?"
Several people behind Liu Pang also echoed, "Yes!"
Chen Kai couldn't stand it anymore: "No, your name is Liu Pang, right?"
Liu Pang looked Chen Kai up and down, then asked suspiciously, "I'm Liu Pang, and you are?"
Seeing that Liu Pang had completely forgotten him, Chen Kai explained in detail to help him remember: "I bought a few Electric-type energy candies from your place just a few months ago. You sold them to me for 500 each."
Liu Pang slapped his hand: "Oh! Yes! That one..."
He probably intended to call Chen Kai a fool, but he held it back this time.
But Chen Kai directly went for the jugular: "That one? Which one are you trying to say? Our family doesn't do business with dishonest people like you. Get lost!"
"You! You!" Liu Pang pointed at Chen Kai in anger, then pointed at Chen Ba and asked, "Is this your meaning too?"
Chen Ba naturally stood by his son, and he was quite familiar with Old Li, so he nodded: "Yes."
"You all just wait!" Liu Pang left a harsh threat, angrily flung his hand, and walked away.
Seeing Liu Pang leave, the others also left, disinterested.
Only Mr. Li smiled and thanked Chen Dafu and Chen Kai: "Thank you, Old Chen, Xiao Kai. The price increase I just mentioned still stands."
Chen Ba waved his hand: "Hey, Old Li, it's fine without the price increase."
"What I, Old Li, say, is set in stone! I said I'd raise the price, so I will," Old Li replied with a cupped-fist salute.
However, Chen Kai found it somewhat amusing to see him, with his shifty eyes, strike such a pose.
Old Li continued, "Also, that Liu Pang is all talk. His shop is about to be put out of business by me. He won't be arrogant for much longer."
He indicated that Chen Dafu should set his mind at ease.
Chen Kai just found it a bit strange: a group of bosses, fighting so fiercely over their family's leftover Treecko?