Chapter 70: Final Exams |
“Pokémon? Pocket Monsters?”
Liu Zhiyue repeated the names, his brows furrowed in thought. After mulling it over for a while, he realized he had no recollection of such a game.
If it was really as innovative as his father described, it would already be trending in his class. But he had never heard of it.
Raising his head, he asked, “Dad, is this game available now?”
“Nope.”
Liu Changqing’s answer caused the excited Xiazhi to freeze mid-action, her entire demeanor deflating as if her soul had left her body.
“There’s no game like that…”
“Not yet, but there will be!” Liu Changqing’s tone was full of certainty.
He turned to Zhiyue. “Do you have a pen and some scrap paper in your room?”
“I’ll explain later. They’re on your desk, right?”
“Mm.”
Without another word, Liu Changqing rushed to his son’s room and quickly returned with a black pen and a notepad. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, he uncapped the pen and began sketching on the paper with practiced ease.
Liu Changqing had worked as a graphic designer in his previous life and had a solid foundation in art. When people thought of Pokémon, the first thing that often came to mind was the iconic yellow electric mouse—Pikachu.
Fortunately, Pikachu wasn’t difficult to draw. Liu Changqing’s hand moved fluidly, capturing the details with ease.
Curious, Xiazhi crept closer, biting her finger as she craned her neck to watch. Zhiyue, sitting on the sofa, was equally stunned.
When did Dad learn how to draw?
“Done!”
Liu Changqing tore the sketch from the pad and held it up for his children to see.
“The kind of pet I’m talking about isn’t like any ordinary animal you’ve seen. For example, this little guy here,” he said, holding up the drawing. “I’m calling it Pikachu for now. See these two black spots on its cheeks? They’re not just blush—they’re where it generates electricity!”
His words left the kids wide-eyed with amazement.
Xiazhi was especially entranced, her gaze glued to the drawing as her eyes practically sparkled. Lunging forward, she grabbed the sketch from his hand.
“Give it to me!”
“Huh?”
Liu Changqing looked at his daughter, bewildered.
“I want to put it up in my room! It’s so cute!”
Her excitement escalated, and Liu Changqing reflexively let go of the paper. Xiazhi clutched it tightly, staring at it like a treasure as she muttered to herself.
“So adorable…”
“Uh… but it’s an electric mouse,” Liu Changqing reminded her. “And aren’t you scared of mice?”
“There’s no way something as cute as Pikachu is a mouse!” she retorted, glaring at Zhiyue when he chuckled. “Don’t compare them—regular mice aren’t even worthy of cleaning Pikachu’s shoes!”
“…”
Zhiyue was speechless. Since when had his sister become this fiery?
Seeing his daughter’s love for Pikachu brought a smile to Liu Changqing’s face. But he noticed Zhiyue watching him with a puzzled expression.
“What’s wrong?”
“Dad… when did you learn to draw?”
“Uh…” Liu Changqing froze for a moment, realizing the body he was in didn’t have artistic skills. Clearing his throat, he waved it off. “Drawing just takes hands, doesn’t it?”
“Then how come I can’t do it?”
“…”
Zhiyue’s curiosity was palpable.
After standing there awkwardly for a moment, Liu Changqing suddenly smacked his son lightly on the head.
“Brat, your old man has been practicing for a month! If you practiced, you could do it too.”
“Really…?”
“Of course! Why do you think you’re so talented? You inherited it from me!”
Hearing this, Zhiyue couldn’t help but feel a bit impressed.
Leaving his son to mull it over, Liu Changqing turned to Xiazhi, who was still marveling at the drawing.
“Like it?”
“Love it!”
“There are even cuter ones.”
“Really?!” Xiazhi’s eyes lit up as she whipped her head toward him.
“Of course! Imagine a puppy-like creature, a lizard with a flaming tail, a turtle that can shoot water, or a frog with a flower growing on its back. Don’t you love frogs?”
“I do love frogs!” Xiazhi nodded enthusiastically, thinking of her pet tadpoles that were still alive.
Her excitement soared as Liu Changqing’s descriptions painted vivid pictures in her mind. Grabbing his hand, she demanded, “Show me!”
“Alright, I’ll draw them for you.”
Her father’s willingness made her squeal with joy.
Pulling out the pen again, Liu Changqing began sketching. Nearby, Zhiyue took another bite of his chicken leg while watching his sister, who had now leaned in close, her face glowing with anticipation.
She seems to be bonding more with Dad, Zhiyue thought, a faint smile spreading across his face.
July 4th, 8:26 AM
Liu Changqing jolted awake.
Today was the first day of Zhiyue’s two-and-a-half-day final exams.
Initially, Liu Changqing hadn’t planned for his son to attend, especially after the incident with the nighttime attack. But after a few days of rest, Zhiyue’s walking had improved enough to be manageable, even if he still limped slightly.
Moreover, Zhiyue was determined to prove himself in the exams, which would determine placement in the regular, experimental, or elite “rocket” class.
“Time to go,” Liu Changqing muttered, tossing off the blanket and rushing to his son’s room.
Opening the door, he found Zhiyue still asleep, books piled neatly on his desk.
“Wake up, kid! We’re gonna be late!”
“Huh?!”
Zhiyue shot up groggily, his eyes darting to the clock.
“They’re gonna start soon!”
“The stupid alarm didn’t even go off!” Liu Changqing grumbled, rummaging through Zhiyue’s things and tossing clothes onto the bed. “Get dressed. I’ll get your toothpaste ready. We’ve got five minutes!”
“Got it!”
Zhiyue quickly dressed and limped to the bathroom, where he brushed his teeth with lightning speed.
Liu Changqing hurried to wash up as well, splashing water on his face and wiping it with a towel before helping Zhiyue with his. Together, they rushed to the door, hastily slipping on their shoes.
With a loud bang, the door slammed shut as father and son dashed out.