“What Zhao Mingzhu studied was actually ‘the application and correlation of natural rare ores and Pokemon.’ Later, I don’t know why, but it was classified under the Fossil Department. However, she loves collecting stones, so you can ask her,” Uncle said, pushing Zhao Mingzhu’s WeChat to Chen Kai.
After a delicious dinner, Zhao Mingzhu accepted Chen Kai’s friend request.
Chen Kai got straight to the point and sent a picture of an Ampharosite: “Zhao Jie, do you have any impression of these similar-looking, natural beads?”
“Similar? I think I have some impression,” Zhao Jie quickly replied.
Soon, Zhao Jie sent a photo: “Take a look, are these stones and beads what you’re talking about?”
Zhao Jie sent photos of several cabinets, all filled with beautiful stones.
Among the cabinets, there were several stones that resembled a keystone and also a Mega ite, which greatly interested Chen Kai.
“Zhao Jie, are these stones valuable?” Chen Kai circled those stones and asked.
Zhao Jie generously told Chen Kai to come and see: “They are just my personal collection, not very valuable. I can have your uncle bring them for you to see, or you can come to the Research Institute tomorrow. There’s some information from the Plant Department that I need to check, so you can come along.”
Chen Kai then asked his uncle if he could visit the Kyoto Pokémon Lab tomorrow.
Bai Zhaoxing nodded: “Tomorrow morning, I have something to pick up, so I’ll get it and take you in with me.”
“Alright, thanks, Uncle.” With a lead on the keystone, Chen Kai happily said, and conveniently arranged to meet Zhao Jie at the Research Institute tomorrow morning.
The next morning, Chen Kai took leave from Teacher Ye Gai and followed his uncle to the Research Institute.
Normally, with just a guard at the gate, one could enter after registering.
But now, at the entrance, a team of security guards stood with serious expressions, their postures as straight as pines, their sharp gazes scrutinizing every person and vehicle passing by. They were dressed in uniform, with batons and walkie-talkies at their waists, ready for anything.
Fortunately, Chen Kai was with his uncle; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to enter the Research Institute now.
After all, what happened with Section Chief Hu had just occurred. It was said that all the Research Institute’s scientific research achievements from recent years had been sold out by that despicable Section Chief Hu, including what his uncle had just published.
Strengthening security was inevitable.
Although his uncle had been promoted to Section Chief, his office hadn't changed; Zhao Jie was right next door.
As soon as he entered the office, he saw a pile of stones.
“Oh! Xiao Kai, you’re here,” Zhao Jie greeted him warmly.
Chen Kai smiled and said, “Hehe, thank you, Zhao Jie, for moving so many stones here.”
“No trouble at all. I often bring stones to the Research Institute for research. It’s just a pity I haven’t figured anything out,” Zhao Jie said, a little dejected, but then she immediately changed the subject.
“Xiao Kai, where did you get that stone you sent me yesterday?
Is it natural, not synthetic?”
Chen Kai hesitated for a moment and told a small lie: “Uh… it’s natural, I accidentally picked it up in the mountains.”
“Can I see it?!” Zhao Jie asked expectantly.
“Of course.” Chen Kai had Xiao Mei take out the Ampharosite for Zhao Jie to see.
Now, the Ampharosite was basically always carried by Xiao Mei, hidden in the wool around its neck.
Zhao Jie held a small instrument and observed the ite for a while: “Oh! This bead really isn’t synthetic! It even has faint Dragon and Electric-type energy!”
Her eyes lit up!
“Xiao Kai, which mountain did you pick this up on?!”
‘Ah? That mountain? Can I tell Zhao Jie that I picked it up in the warehouse behind the Bai family’s house?’
So Chen Kai told another small, what he considered, white lie.
“I picked it up in the mountains of Sichuan Province.”
Zhao Jie clapped her hands: “Oh! Right, you were in Sichuan Province before! That makes sense!”
Chen Kai asked, “Then, Zhao Jie, can I look at your stones now?”
Zhao Jie was still observing the Ampharos and said, “Of course, feel free to look, but be careful not to chip them. These are all stones I painstakingly dug up myself.”
Chen Kai began to carefully search through the stones.
On the other side, Miraidon seemed to be attracted by something and walked to the side.
While Chen Kai was searching, he seemed to see a faint shadow inside a translucent fluorite.
Unsure, he brought the stone next to the Ampharosite.
The Ampharosite seemed to recognize a long-lost friend, emitting a faint electric glow that shot into the fluorite.
Zhao Mingzhu, who was observing the Ampharosite, was startled, dropping the ite. Fortunately, Xiao Mei caught it in time.
Xiao Mei looked at her with a resentful gaze.
“Meeh.” (If you can’t hold it, don’t hold my precious bead.)
However, Zhao Mingzhu didn't pay attention to Xiao Mei’s words at this moment; her attention was completely drawn to the fluorite in Chen Kai’s hand.
“Zhao Jie, can we cut open this outer stone? There seems to be something inside,” Chen Kai suggested.
“Alright, I’ll take it to the lab to cut,” Zhao Jie eagerly took the stone and hurried out.
Chen Kai quickly followed, reminding her from behind: “Zhao Jie, be careful when cutting it, I estimate there’s something round inside!”
Fortunately, Zhao Jie was very skilled; it seemed she had cut many stones before.
Before long, a complete keystone emerged.
Yes! Chen Kai recognized it as a keystone at first glance.
Following Chen Kai’s suggestion, he took the keystone, and Xiao Mei held the Ampharosite.
Chen Kai concentrated his thoughts slightly on the keystone, and it seemed that a slight connection formed between the human and the Pokemon, but nothing happened.
Chen Kai guessed that Xiao Mei hadn’t evolved into Ampharos yet. Once it evolved, it could be used!
Zhao Mingzhu took out a pair of instruments and continuously measured Chen Kai and Xiao Mei, coming to a conclusion that filled her with joy!
These two stones connected humans and Pokemon!
Although it didn't provide any enhancement to Xiao Mei.
Zhao Mingzhu was so moved that she cried: “Waaah, I thought my research career was hopeless for this life, I’m so touched!”
Chen Kai gradually learned that Zhao Jie had loved stones since she was young, and from university, she had studied a major related to stones and Pokemon.
It was just a pity that now, the stones on the market were either synthetic Pokemon attribute gems or stones that had been discovered for many years, so there was nothing new for her to research.
This was why she reluctantly transferred to the Fossil Department.
However, she never gave up on her research into gems and Pokemon, which is why her home and office were piled high with stones.
After more than a decade of tireless effort, she had finally discovered new stones related to Pokemon, and she was truly crying tears of joy!
Chen Kai cooperated with her to record data for an entire morning before shamelessly asking Zhao Jie: “Um… Zhao Jie, can I have this stone? I can pay for it!”
Zhao Jie generously waved her hand: “Of course, this stone is useless to me. It only reacts slightly when you and Xiao Mei hold it. I should be asking you to come help me with more experiments!”
Chen Kai, of course, knew that if Zhao Jie found a trainer with an Ampharos and they held these two beads, they could probably evolve on the spot. Nevertheless, he shamelessly took the keystone.
After all, if he missed this opportunity, there wouldn’t be another. He would demonstrate it to Zhao Jie once Xiao Mei evolved into Ampharos.