Chapter 27. The Unwilling Revelation

Early the next morning, Cheng Cheng awoke to the sound of voices. It seemed as though someone was arguing. After listening for a while, he understood—it was about him. Last night, Xiaoyu had agreed to let him stay, and now, in the morning, she was discussing it with the other three. Yet Xiao Si was firmly opposed, and the other two were nearly as resistant.

“Brother Xiao Si, I was once like him, wandering alone. I know how hard it is to live by oneself. Until I met all of you, and with your help, my life became happy. I want others to have the same chance to live as we do, so please let him stay!” Xiaoyu gazed at Xiao Si with pleading eyes, softening his heart.

“Alright, let him stay,” Xiao Si finally relented.

“Wonderful! Thank you, Brother Xiao Si!” Xiaoyu cheered.

“Thank you,” Cheng Cheng said, coming over to them and expressing his gratitude.

“If it weren’t for Xiaoyu, we wouldn’t let you stay. But since you’re here, you’ll have to work hard and earn your keep. We won’t support you,” Xiao Si warned.

“No problem,” Cheng Cheng replied crisply.

“In that case, let’s prepare for today’s work. And here’s breakfast,” Xiao Si handed him two pieces of bread, apparently left over from yesterday.

“We’re helping weed an orchard today. Come along!” Xiaoyu invited.

Cheng Cheng nodded.

After breakfast, the five of them made their way to a large orchard owned by an elderly man. The orchard was vast, with five or six hundred trees bearing various kinds of fruit.

“Grandpa Ming, this is our new companion. He’ll help today as well,” Xiao Si introduced.

“Alright, no problem. Same pay as always: fifty Alliance coins per person per day,” Grandpa Ming replied.

“Thank you, Grandpa Ming!”

“Go on, get to work!” the old man encouraged.

The orchard’s grounds were covered with weeds. Half of the space had already been cleared—presumably by the group before—and today their task was to tackle the remaining half. To eradicate the weeds thoroughly, everyone used the oldest method: pulling them out by hand, roots and all.

After a day’s effort, the five of them cleared all the weeds from the orchard. Each received fifty Alliance coins, with an extra hundred coins as a bonus. They entrusted all the money to Xiaoyu for safekeeping.

Though today’s work was exhausting, everyone was happy. That night, they not only bought bread but also splurged on a bottle of caviar. As Cheng Cheng ate bread slathered with caviar, the taste struck him as strange yet delicious, and he felt himself falling in love with this way of life.

As days passed, Cheng Cheng fully integrated into the group’s routine: rising early, eating breakfast, working, lunch, working again, dinner, and sleep. Though it seemed monotonous and mechanical, the life brimmed with endless joy.

Cheng Cheng hoped that life might always remain so peaceful. But one day, when the five returned home, they found intruders.

It was four other wanderers, older than Cheng Cheng and his friends. They had taken over the place, scattering Xiao Si’s group’s belongings everywhere.

“Who are you? Why are you here? This is our place. Please leave. And why did you throw our things around? You miserable lot!” Xiao Si confronted them.

“Hmph. From now on, this is ours. Get lost, kid. And hand over all your money, or else don’t blame us for what happens,” the leader threatened.

Xiao Lin tried to rush forward but was held back by Xiao Si.

“If you like it here so much, you can have it. We’ll find somewhere else,” Xiao Si said, pulling Xiao Lin away. But the newcomers did not let them go.

“Hand over your money before you leave,” they demanded.

“That money was earned through our hard work. Why should we give it to you?” Cheng Cheng protested.

“Not handing it over? Then don’t blame us for being rude,” the leader said, clenching his fists, ready to strike.

“Xiaoyu, give them the money,” Xiao Si ordered.

“Brother Xiao Si?” Xiaoyu hesitated.

“Give it to them!”

“Yes,” Xiaoyu prepared to hand over the coins.

“Wait, Xiaoyu. Don’t give them the money. We earned it ourselves. No need to give it up. If they want a fight, let’s fight,” Xiao Lin declared, charging at the intruders with a punch. But the man was ready, blocking Xiao Lin’s fist and kicking him hard in the stomach, sending him flying.

“Xiao Lin, are you alright?” Xiaoyu helped him up.

“I’m fine. But things are tough today.”

“You little brats! If you don’t behave, you won’t learn your lesson!” the intruder stepped forward, preparing to attack.

“If you insist, then we won’t hold back,” Xiao Si said, launching himself at the man. The others joined in when they saw their companion struggling, and Cheng Cheng, with Xiao Mi and Xiao Lin, also fought back. The close-quarters brawl was fierce and exhilarating.

Yet the pain in their bodies and hands made Cheng Cheng realize how brutal the fight was. Except for the older Xiao Si, the other three were quickly overpowered.

At this point, Cheng Cheng decided to use his trump card.

“Come out, Mr. Mime!”

“Mr. Mime, use Barrier!”

Multiple barriers sprang up, separating both sides. All eight froze in shock at the sudden appearance of Mr. Mime. While they knew about Pokémon, they rarely encountered them, and never expected one to appear in the midst of a fight.

Mr. Mime used its Barriers to form a circle, trapping the four intruders inside.

“Mr. Mime, use Psychic!”

A psychic force seized the four, rendering them immobile.

“Now make them spin around!” Cheng Cheng commanded.

Mr. Mime used its psychic power to fling the four intruders around, bouncing them against the glass barriers, the walls, the floor, and even each other. The spectacle left Xiao Si’s group stunned; they had never imagined such a scene.

“Mr. Mime, throw them all out,” Cheng Cheng instructed.

Mr. Mime stopped their collisions and hurled them out through a broken window.

“Are you all alright?” Cheng Cheng asked.

“No...we’re not,” everyone replied, still in shock and tinged with fear. None expected Cheng Cheng to possess such a powerful Pokémon.

“This is my Pokémon, Mr. Mime. I apologize for hiding its existence,” Cheng Cheng said.

Xiao Si’s emotions were conflicted. He was angry about Cheng Cheng’s secrecy, yet grateful for the rescue, and Cheng Cheng had been good to them these days. He didn’t know how to face him now.

But Xiaoyu seemed unconcerned. She thanked Cheng Cheng directly and gazed at Mr. Mime, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. Seeing Xiaoyu’s reaction, everyone relaxed and agreed to forget the incident, continuing their life as before.

Time passed slowly; Mr. Mime’s presence brought no trouble to the group, and sometimes Cheng Cheng let it help with their chores, making life easier. The intruders never returned.

The group asked Cheng Cheng to tell them stories about Pokémon, and he shared simple tales and general knowledge.

Twenty days slipped by quickly. Cheng Cheng was about to leave, but before departing, he visited the Pokémon Center. Using the transfer machine, he sent over four Pokémon: a Natu, a Spoink, a Girafarig, and a Ralts.

He secretly gifted these four Pokémon to Xiao Si’s group, explaining their information and basic care methods. Leaving behind the Poké Balls and a letter, Cheng Cheng departed.

In the letter, he explained his reasons for coming, recounted most of his story, asked their forgiveness for his secrecy and sudden departure, and told them to seek him at the Pokémon Center if needed—he left information there so they could find him.

The twenty days of rest were over, and Cheng Cheng was now preparing for his upcoming exam.