harleyscars Chapter 277 Father, Daughter, and Research Assistant
Chapter 277 Father, Daughter, and Research Assistant
Chapter 279 Father, Daughter, and Research Assistant
Ironically, after the two uninvited guests, Orchid and Officer Jenny, the one who came to the Forest Mansion was still not the so-called "real guest" that Meidan had mentioned.
With a series of somewhat disordered footsteps, a Machamp and a Twintail were seen carrying large and small bags of supplies, entering the second floor of the mansion from the rooftop.
Behind the two Pokémon, another young couple, chatting and laughing, followed closely behind. The maid, Zina, followed behind them, respectfully closing the cover that connected to the roof.
Before they even reached the bottom of the stairs, the woman following behind the Twin-Tailed Hand immediately abandoned her companion, leaned over the second-floor railing above the hall, waved happily at Mei Dan, and shouted excitedly, "Hey! Dad, long time no see! How's your shady research going?"
The woman had short, neat hair and was gesturing wildly, appearing exceptionally energetic, yet she wore a pair of refined silver-rimmed glasses. In her other hand, she carried shopping bags, and she wore a smart and fashionable winter outfit, some items still with tags on, clearly the result of a recent shopping spree at the mall.
Before Meidan could answer, she continued rambling on, "This time, our research project just finished, and I want to get together with my friends in Baidai City. Well, I can stay here at home for at least half a month. Anyway, with the Crobats around, transportation won't be a problem."
Staying here means I can even get free meals from Miss Zina, what a steal! Hehe... Oh dear, are we having guests over today?
Zhu Lan and Officer Jenny, who had been facing away from the hall, turned around at the same time after hearing the noise and met the eyes of the two guests.
Everyone was silent for half a second before watching the announcement: "Champion!"
"Bamboo Orchid Champion!?"
The young man and the woman exclaimed in surprise at the same time.
There was no way around it; although Cynthia was dressed casually this time and wasn't wearing her black coat, which was almost as iconic as the Champion's cape, everyone in the Sinnoh region recognized her. Even though the second floor of the Forest Mansion and the reception room were quite a distance apart, she was still instantly recognizable.
Seeing this, Miss Champion shook her head helplessly: "These two probably aren't the founders of Haige Pharmaceuticals. It seems I'll have to go through this kind of greeting again today."
Officer Jenny shrugged. "I think the main problem is the eerie atmosphere of this mansion. Anyone who sees you, the Sinnoh champion, here would be quite surprised. The contrast is too great, like suddenly seeing a Relicanthus that should be diving deep into the ocean in the middle of the desert."
"......"
Zhu Lan clearly didn't appreciate the analogy and ignored Officer Jenny, but Mei Dan, sitting opposite her, couldn't help but sneer, "Heh, sometimes fame produces useless things, doesn't it?"
Before Double-Tailed Hand and Mighty could even put down their luggage, the woman had already run down from the second floor, jumped in front of Professor Medan, and started lecturing him in a serious tone.
"Dad, you're talking nonsense again, all sarcastic and insinuating! How many times have I told you not to add laughter before you speak?"
This makes him look just like one of those low-class, idiotic villains on TV!
The mansion owner's mean expression froze on his face, becoming incredibly stiff. After a long while, he managed to reply with a stiff neck, "Anyway—anyway, that's just how I talk. It's been a habit for decades, and I can't change it now. Take it or leave it."
"Hey, get this straight. This is Tan, our most famous Cynthia Champion. The strongest Pokémon battler. And a mythology scholar too!"
A woman, seemingly Mr. Meidan's daughter, stood with her hands on her hips, confronting the mansion's owner with an aggressive air. This made Zhu Lan, who had been praised, somewhat uneasy.
"Didn't you yourself say that mythological research is finally on the right track and that we should take the opportunity to exchange ideas with others? Now that such a famous scholar has come to our house, you're still making sarcastic remarks to provoke him."
"Huh? We were just having a very friendly academic exchange, okay? It was you who came and ruined the atmosphere."
Mei Dan's face turned red as she continued to try her best to defend herself.
"The atmosphere you two created was so cold it felt like it was going to snow!" The woman in winter clothes waved her hands. "I can tell just by looking at it, Dad must have said something rude and stupid again!"
Officer Jenny gently shook her head, sensing a discrepancy between the mansion owner's perception of the world and her own. She wondered whether Medan's explanation was merely a momentary excuse or his true feelings. If it was the latter, she could only sigh that the retired professor was truly unsuitable for this kind of hypocritical and arrogant persona.
Zhu Lan, however, took the initiative to stand up and gracefully smoothed things over: "We were indeed discussing some issues with Mr. Mei Dan just now. Although it was a short time, it was quite fruitful. And your father certainly didn't do anything particularly offensive."
"Oh dear, don't try to speak well of the old man. I know what kind of person Dad is, but—"
"Venetian!" Mei Dan finally couldn't hold back anymore and shouted at her daughter, taking advantage of the interruption in her speech to retort, "Speaking of a fruitful shopping trip, I see you came back with a full load of goods this time. There are quite a few high-end brands there. I wonder if the salary from the research institute this month will be enough?"
As if a sore spot had been hit, the short-haired woman instantly fell silent.
"Staying home for almost half a month? Ha! Why make it sound so nice to be living off your parents? You didn't even leave yourself any money for food this month, did you?"
Vinnie's face began to flush red, and even her attempts to defend herself became choked in her throat.
Officer Jenny exclaimed in amazement, marveling at the incredible pace of this offensive and defensive reversal, a feat at least at the level of a league champion. Such a brilliant banter could only be achieved if the two knew each other intimately.
She looked expectantly at the brown-haired youth who had just come down from the second floor and hadn't said a word yet, wondering if he was also a master.
The young man ignored the father and daughter who were exchanging glares and went straight to Zhu Lan, his voice trembling slightly as he spoke.
"Bamboo—Bamboo Orchid Champion, my name is Neil, and I am Mr. Meidan's research assistant."
"Hello, Neil."
Zhu Lan nodded simply. Just as people could recognize her instantly upon seeing her, she was also very familiar with Neil's current behavior.
Nervous, excited, and with eyes brimming with anticipation, his dominant hand unconsciously reached for the Poké Ball on his belt.
"Please battle me! I've always dreamed of becoming a Pokémon Trainer!"
"Tch, boring." Officer Jenny scoffed, lamenting the lack of a third master of verbal sparring.