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Eight o'clock in the evening, in the capital city, at the Lin family residence.
Jude, now in her seventies, wore reading glasses as she perused the latest scientific journals. This had been her routine for decades. As a renowned Pokémon doctor at the university, she dedicated time each evening before bed to reviewing the latest Pokémon science publications and research journals.
"Ding ding."
Her cell phone suddenly rang, interrupting her reading. She checked the screen and saw her youngest daughter's name on the call notification. After glancing at Scott beside her, she walked to an empty room and answered.
"Hello, Zoe?"
"Mom!" Hearing her mother's voice, Zoe, now in her fifties, felt a lump form in her throat. "Have you been feeling better recently?"
"Yes, much better. I'm enjoying my meals and sleeping well." Jude smiled at the sound of her daughter's voice. "Zoe, how have you been lately?"
"I'm doing well, Mom." Zoe composed herself and spoke softly with the mother she hadn't seen in some time. "Mom, please take care of your health and get more rest. You're retired now—don't worry about so many things and just enjoy your life."
"Well, you know I can't sit still," Jude replied with a smile, patting the head of her Dragonite beside her while continuing the conversation.
The two talked about Zoe's embarrassing childhood stories and then about her two sons, Asher and Jacob. They conversed for more than ten minutes without pause. The mother and daughter, who had been out of regular contact for so long, seemed to have endless topics to discuss.
Jude secretly glanced at Scott and, seeing that he wasn't paying attention, lowered her voice. "Zoe, when you have time, you should call your father and persuade him to quit drinking. The doctor says it's bad for his health. Both you and your father have such stubborn personalities. You should bring Asher, Jacob, and everyone home when you can. Your father is already in his seventies and will be eighty in a few years. He's really getting old."
"Mom." Jude's words brought tears to Zoe's eyes. She truly didn't harbor resentment toward Scott anymore. After being a mother herself for so many years, she understood her father's perspective from back then. That's why she allowed her children to visit their grandparents annually.
It was just that both she and Scott were stubborn—neither willing to admit their mistakes first—keeping their father-daughter relationship tense. But Scott was indeed aging, approaching 80 years old, the once-tall father gradually becoming hunched. There was no longer any point in maintaining such stubborn distance.
"Mom, I understand. Actually, I called to tell you that I'll be bringing Jacob to the capital in a few days," Zoe said softly.
"Really? You're making me so happy!" When Jude heard her youngest daughter was returning to the capital, the wrinkles on her face creased into a smile, and she unconsciously pressed more firmly on her Dragonite's head.
Sensing its trainer's happiness, the Dragonite affectionately nuzzled Jude's hand.
"Yes, it's true. Mom, put the phone on speaker—I want to talk to Dad," Zoe requested.
"Zoe... your father is stubborn, you..."
"Don't worry, I know my limits. I won't argue with him."
Jude tremulously walked toward Scott with the phone. Wearing glasses and reading the newspaper, Scott still retained hints of his handsome youth. He raised his head to glance at Jude and asked, "Who called? Why were you talking so long and laughing so happily?"
"Your youngest daughter. She wants to speak with you—I've put it on speakerphone."
Upon hearing it was his youngest daughter calling, Scott's hands trembled slightly, though he quickly composed himself and adopted a serious expression. However, Jude, who had lived with him for decades, immediately recognized his nervousness. This would be the first phone conversation between Scott and his daughter in many years.
"Hello," came Zoe's voice from the phone, causing Scott's heart to flutter.
"It's me," Scott struggled to keep his voice steady, but his advanced age rendered it weathered and hoarse.
Zoe, who had been hesitating whether to call him "Dad," couldn't help blushing when she heard his aged voice, and whispered, "Dad."
The phone fell silent for several seconds before Zoe continued, "I'm bringing Jacob to the capital in two days to visit you both."
Jude eagerly interjected, "Are you coming for work? Do you have accommodations? Just stay at home when you arrive. I'll have someone prepare two rooms for you. The whole family will be livelier. Your room has remained untouched."
"Hmm." Zoe was touched by her mother's words. This time, she didn't reject the proposal. During her previous visit, she had insisted on staying at a hotel, but now she naturally wanted to return home.
"What brings you here?" Scott was more concerned about Zoe's purpose than her accommodations. Though he claimed to avoid contact, he secretly inquired about his youngest daughter frequently.
"Jacob is a high school senior this year. In six months, he'll participate in the College Cup U19 Pokémon League. I want him to train at the Dragon Secret Realm for that period," Zoe explained.
"Didn't Jacob want to become a researcher? He hasn't even captured a single Pokémon yet, has he?" Jude asked. She felt guilty about her limited presence in her grandsons' lives and cared deeply about them. She recalled that during the New Year celebration, Jacob didn't have any Pokémon. How could he participate in the College Cup now?
"Well, Jacob only recently started training Pokémon and has already acquired three," Zoe clarified.
Scott finally spoke again: "When will you arrive?"
Hearing his voice, Zoe replied softly, "Probably in two days. Jacob's third Pokémon is still hatching in the Frosthollow Province's Secret Flame territory. We can't leave until it hatches."
"Which three Pokémon? I'll have someone prepare what we need in advance. I can also handle the registration formalities for Jacob during these days," Scott said thoughtfully. Though his tone remained serious, his concern was evident.
"Noibat, Grovyle, and Charmander."
"I understand."
The conversation reached an awkward pause, with silence on both ends of the call. After a moment, Zoe slowly spoke again: "Dad, Rory also needs your help with something."
"Speak." When discussing his son-in-law, Scott's attitude soured. This man had taken his daughter away for so many years; if not for his daughter's sake, he wouldn't care about him at all.
"Rory wants you to find a partner for Jacob. Recently, a Secret Grass-Bug Realm appeared in Starlight City. The Pokémon Association gave Rory first rights to 20% of its shares, which we've purchased. Rory is willing to offer 10% of these shares as a betrothal gift for Jacob's marriage. Upon their marriage, the 10% share will be transferred to Jacob and his bride, with each holding half. Since Jacob is coming to the capital, if you're available, perhaps you could help find a suitable match."
"I'll accept on your father's behalf," Jude interjected before Scott could respond. "He doesn't concern himself with such matters—I do. But Jacob is only in his senior year of high school, so we must wait until he starts college before any engagement."
"That's fine, Mom. I'm just mentioning it generally—there's no rush. Just keep it in mind," Zoe said in a gentler tone. "Mom and Dad, I should go now. Please take care of yourselves and get plenty of rest. I'll see you in a few days."
"All right."