Chen Kai had a wonderful lie-in and leisurely made his way to the airport.
Once on the plane, Chen Kai, for some reason, felt a touch of sorrow about leaving home.
He had only been here for half a month and should have been more familiar with the capital, yet he was feeling this way now.
He couldn't help but mock himself, "Humans are truly strange."
The planes on Blue Star were different from those on Earth; next to the cockpit, there was an emergency crew compartment, where a powerful Pokemon Trainer sat.
At the tail of the plane, there was a Psychic Room, with a Psychic-type Pokemon inside, emitting a specific frequency to keep airborne Pokemon away from the aircraft.
If any Pokemon still tried to collide with the plane, the emergency crew would be dispatched to drive away the inconsiderate Pokemon.
Therefore, Blue Star's ticket prices were much more expensive than Earth's.
However, Chen Kai didn't encounter any inconsiderate Pokemon, and nothing happened along the way.
This made Chen Kai momentarily think that he might not truly be the protagonist.
Logically, shouldn't protagonists experience some plot developments when flying? Why did nothing happen to him?
Chen Kai walked out of the capital airport, lost in these random thoughts, and headed home.
Yes, Chen Kai's family owned a house in the capital! Although it wasn't large and was outside the 5th Ring Road, Chen Kai was still considered a true capital local.
His uncle, Bai Zhaoxing, had originally wanted to pick him up at the airport, but Chen Kai felt he was too familiar with the capital and didn't need a ride at all.
He had only been away from the capital for half a month; how could he not know the way home?
He waved his hand grandly, "Let's go! Miraidon, I'll take you to explore the authentic capital city!"
Miraidon looked a little expectant, "Is there anything good to eat?"
"Plenty! Follow me!" Chen Kai confidently sat on Miraidon's back and pointed in a direction. "First, let's go home, then I'll take you to eat authentic capital delicacies!"
But shortly after riding on Miraidon's back, he regretted it; he shouldn't have made so many, such early, boasts.
He was stopped by a traffic police officer.
"Hello, please show your motorcycle driver's license."
"Huh?" Chen Kai was surprised. He had ridden on Miraidon's back in Qu County and Da City, and he had never heard of needing a driver's license?
The traffic police officer took another look at Miraidon: "And where's your Cyclizar license plate? It needs to be displayed on its front. Today is an odd-numbered day for vehicle restrictions.
Also, you're so young, why are you privately modifying your Cyclizar? Do you know how much that harms a Pokemon?"
Chen Kai explained, "Wait, wait, it's always looked like this, it hasn't been modified."
The traffic police officer said to Chen Kai with some seriousness, "Not modified? Then why is it purple? Get off, and you're not even wearing a helmet, honestly."
Chen Kai got off the vehicle, on the verge of tears. Explaining repeatedly to the traffic police was useless.
If only he had known, he wouldn't have thought so much after getting off the plane. Plain and simple is truly the best!
...
That evening, a middle-aged man wearing glasses and a white lab coat walked out of the police station with Chen Kai.
The traffic police officer also came out and said to Chen Kai with a slight apology, "Young man, I'm sorry, I didn't know your Cyclizar had a special illness that made it this color."
Chen Kai quickly waved his hand, indicating, "No, no, no. My fault, I'll go get my license in a few days."
The traffic police officer smiled, "Also, remember to wear a helmet when riding to protect your safety."
The man in the white lab coat patted Chen Kai's head, "Thank you for your trouble, comrade, I'll educate him when we get back."
The man was Chen Kai's maternal uncle, Bai Zhaoxing.
In Dragon Country, unauthorized modification of Pokemon was a serious crime; those caught could face imprisonment.
When Bai Zhaoxing heard about this, he was so shocked he didn't even take off his coat, dropping his work to rush to the police station. Chen Kai repeatedly assured him that he hadn't done such a thing, and Bai Zhaoxing still trusted his nephew's character. He pulled some strings to have the capital Research Institute examine Miraidon.
The examination results showed that Miraidon had not been illegally modified. The institute concluded that this 'Cyclizar' might have lost Pokemon energy, leading to some special mutations, essentially meaning it was sick.
With the certificate from the capital Research Institute, Chen Kai was finally released. However, he still had to pay fines for driving without a license and not wearing a helmet, so Chen Kai dutifully paid a few thousand in fines.
"You, as soon as you get back, you cause such a big fuss," Bai Zhaoxing continued to lecture his nephew as they got into the car.
On Earth, Chen Kai's uncle, Bai Zhaoxing, was a top student with a Ph.D., engaged in scientific research.
Upon arriving in this parallel universe of Blue Star, Chen Kai learned that his uncle, Bai Zhaoxing, was still a top student, working at the capital Pokemon Research Center. This was how he had the opportunity to pull strings and get Miraidon examined early.
Chen Kai held the paper certificate and chuckled, "It won't happen again, Uncle, I'll definitely be careful next time."
"There won't be a next time! Keep this paper certificate safe. You know that carrying this Cyclizar, you might need it in the future, and replacing it is very troublesome. My Section Chief Hu is very difficult to deal with."
Chen Kai nodded continuously, "Got it, got it."
"You should rest tonight, get some sleep, and tomorrow go see your maternal grandfather. He said he's found some leads on the honey apple," Bai Zhaoxing started the car, continuing to instruct him.
"I heard you're raising an Applin; he's overjoyed and has been asking around for people these past few days."
As the car drove, Chen Kai noticed that while Blue Star's capital had similarities to Earth's capital, there were still significant differences.
For instance, Earth's pet stores had all become Pokemon-related, and the logo of a certain well-known coffee shop had even become the shape of a Deerling.
But what surprised Chen Kai the most was that his home was gone.
The location of his old neighborhood had become a small mountain.
"Uncle, what is this?" Chen Kai asked when he saw Bai Zhaoxing's car didn't stop.
Bai Zhaoxing replied, "Have you forgotten this? This is the Rock Gym."
Chen Kai had wanted to ask, 'Then where's my home?' He hesitated for a moment and still didn't ask.
Soon after, Bai Zhaoxing's car drove within the 5th Ring Road and stopped at the entrance of a neighborhood Chen Kai didn't recognize.
"Alright, Xiao Kai, you can go home now."
Chen Kai shamelessly leaned closer to Bai Zhaoxing, "Uncle! May I be so bold as to ask, what building and apartment number is my home?"
Bai Zhaoxing pushed his face away a bit, "Stop messing around, isn't your home Building 11, 902? Hurry back, I have other things tonight."
After circling the unfamiliar neighborhood, Chen Kai finally found his home.
Standing inside his home, Chen Kai finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thankfully, thankfully, the room layout is still the same."
Miraidon happily said, "Finally here, can we eat now?"
"Meeh!" "Munch!" (We second that!)
Chen Kai glanced at the refrigerator; it wasn't even plugged in.
"Let's just go out to eat..."
...
Outside a private room in a certain star-rated hotel in the capital.
Bai Zhaoxing knocked on the door, then opened it and went inside.
"Sorry, I'm late."
The private room was filled with his colleagues from the institute, and their Section Chief Hu was sitting at the head of the table.
Bai Zhaoxing usually didn't attend such gatherings, believing that focusing on his research projects was enough. However, he had asked Section Chief Hu for help that afternoon to get Miraidon tested early, and when Section Chief Hu invited him for dinner that evening, he really couldn't refuse.
At this moment, a colleague, not one to shy away from stirring things up, said, "Old Bai, Section Chief Hu is treating us to dinner, and you're late. You should penalize yourself with three drinks!"
Bai Zhaoxing could only respond with an awkward smile, "Of course, of course, but I'm not good with alcohol, so I'll substitute with tea."
"Oh! How can that be!" The colleague remained persistent.
Just then, Section Chief Hu interrupted the colleague, "Enough, Old Bai coming is giving me face; we don't do that here.
Come, come, Old Bai, sit next to me."
Bai Zhaoxing smiled and sat next to Section Chief Hu, saying gratefully, "Thank you again, Section Chief Hu, for your trouble this afternoon."
Section Chief Hu waved his hand, "Oh, no trouble at all. Is your nephew alright?"
"Yes, it was all a misunderstanding, he's fine now."
Just then, a phone rang; it was Section Chief Hu's phone.
Section Chief Hu glanced at the phone, "Everyone, please continue eating, I'll step out to take a call."
Section Chief Hu walked out of the private room, went to the innermost stall in the restroom, and answered the phone.
An impatient voice came from the other end of the line, "Are you ready?"
Section Chief Hu replied softly, "Almost, almost, I'll get him to agree tonight."
"As soon as possible." The other side replied with two words and then hung up.
