The uproar caused by this news was far from as simple as Julian had imagined.
After John saw the news, he specifically took a screenshot and posted it on his social media with the caption: "My good grandson is making something of himself. The responsibility of expanding the Walker family lineage now rests on him."
His tone wasn't accusatory at all—in fact, he seemed quite pleased.
At their home in Lake City,
Love stared expressionlessly at the news. Especially when it saw a comment claiming that Julian had gone to the red-light district and even requested for an invoice, as he planned to claim reimbursement.
Love completely lost its composure and nearly crushed the phone in its hand.
Then, without a word, it turned and headed upstairs.
"Love, where are you going?"
Tina had also seen the news, but she didn't believe a word of it. If her son was really that kind of person, she would've had grandchildren long ago.
Most likely, the kid was just curious about what the red-light district looked like and ended up being photographed while he was there.
If he really was that kind of person, for a sparsely populated family like the Walkers, they'd actually be thrilled—more children would mean a flourishing family line.
"Dee!"
Love: "Packing my bags to go to Babath!"
In Love's view, regardless of whether the news was true or false, if its cub dared to be curious enough to go look at the red-light district today, he might dare to actually engage in misconduct there tomorrow.
Besides, what kind of place was Babath? It was the world's "enlightenment" center for adolescent sex education. If he stayed there too long and picked up some bad habits, it would be hard to correct them later.
Even with Slowking keeping an eye on him, although Slowking seemed strict with Julian, its methods were still too soft—at most, it would make Julian copy the "Good Child Rules" a few times.
That kind of punishment could never make Julian truly realize his mistake.
"Ah, you're going to Babath?"
Tina was startled. She never expected Love to react so strongly—flying off to Babath just like that. 'If you leave, what am I going to do about my daily meals and drinks?'
Sure, she could cook, but she didn't want to.
'Wait—I've never been to Babath either.'
"Love, I'll go with you. That brat needs to be taught a proper lesson. Pack my things too while you're at it."
Before long, Love had packed both its and Tina's luggage. Just as they were about to leave, Jake suddenly walked in.
Seeing the two with their luggage, he asked in confusion, "What are you two doing? Going on a trip?"
"Going to Babath to discipline our son! How dare he go to the red-light district—the audacity!" Tina said "angrily."
Jake had also heard about the news—it was hard not to, since his friends had been calling him nonstop. He could also tell that something was off about the story.
If his rebellious son was really that interested in women, Nicole would have been pregnant long ago. Besides, with such a beautiful and sexy secretary by his side, why would he need to go to the red-light district?
Most likely, he was just curious and went to take a look.
As a man, Jake understood exactly what Julian was thinking—after all, he'd been curious about it himself.
Now, hearing that his wife and Love were going to Babath, he felt a sudden urge.
Babath was world-famous for its fishing gear—this was the perfect chance for him to stock up.
"Wait for me, you two—I'm coming too!"
He hurried upstairs to pack his things and even made a call to John.
"Hey, Dad, I'm heading to Babath for a bit. Can you notify the people there?"
Because trainers, especially those at the Elite-level and above, possessed significant destructive power, countries were very strict about foreign Elite-level trainers entering their borders.
If you didn't apply for permission in advance, you weren't allowed to visit. If you went anyway, it was considered a provocation, and they had the right to detain you. If you resisted—well, let's just say you might not leave alive.
Of course, given Drakoria's current international standing, Babath wouldn't dare to do much even if you showed up unannounced. But Jake preferred to follow the rules.
Soon, Jake, Tina, and Love appeared at Lake International Airport and boarded a private jet headed for Babath.
Julian, however, knew nothing about this.
At this moment, he was holding a small ruler and lightly smacking Celebi's butt.
"Do you have any idea how badly you've ruined my reputation? Damnit, people online are even saying I went to the red-light district and asked for an invoice to get reimbursed!"
"Ugh, what a bunch of geniuses."
"And, what a loss! When we were eating in Maplia, we didn't even ask for any receipts. Why didn't I think of it then?"
And just like that, the topic suddenly shifted.
Drakoria: 'You're this rich, and you still want to claim a few hundred bucks on reimbursement?'
Street vendors: 'We're small businesses, we don't have invoices.'
"Yeah, such a waste," Celebi nodded vigorously.
"Who asked for your opinion? Don't think changing the subject will let you off the hook!"
With that, he gave Celebi another light smack on the backside with the ruler.
He was genuinely furious at Celebi this time—furious at its sheer stupidity.
Now he finally understood why protagonists in apocalyptic novels always took out the do-gooders and useless teammates first.
Because useless teammates were just too dumb—they would get you killed.
"Julian…"
Celebi called out weakly.
"What?" Julian snorted coldly.
"Can I have a burger first before you keep hitting me? I'm kind of hungry."
Being spanked actually took quite a bit of energy—Celebi was using its own "thick-skinned theory" to prove this point.
Julian was both angry and amused by its words.
In such a serious situation, it actually said it was hungry and wanted a burger—and that it would take the beating afterward?
"Jirachi, go get a can of cola."
Jirachi scurried off to fetch one.
Celebi thought that Julian was getting the cola for it and said gratefully, "Julian, you really are kind."
Soon, Jirachi came back with a can and was about to hand it to Celebi when Julian said, "Jirachi, what are you doing? Who said it was for Celebi?"
Jirachi: "Then who is it for?"
"For me. I'm thirsty after talking so much."
"Oh."
Jirachi handed the cola to Julian.
Celebi naturally didn't dare complain—if it talked back now, Julian might not even give it the burger.
Julian: 'When did I ever say I'd give you a burger?'
Seeing the pitiful look in Celebi's eyes, Julian's heart softened.
"Fine, you two can go get something to eat yourselves."
"But as punishment, you're not getting any allowance this week."
Celebi and Jirachi each received a daily allowance of one hundred bucks.
"It's okay, Celebi, I'll give you half of mine," Jirachi said, looking extremely loyal.
"You truly are my good brother, Jirachi!"
Celebi patted Jirachi on the shoulder, thinking that it hadn't taken in this little brother for nothing.
"But you have to pay me back later, okay?"
The words that followed made Celebi's face stiffen.
"Then, how about you give me all your allowance this week? When I have money, I'll pay you back double."
Sure enough, the relatively naive Jirachi fell for it and was even quite happy about it.
Jirachi thought to itself, 'When Celebi pays me back double, doesn't that mean that after this week, along with my own allowance, I'll get three hundred bucks per day?'
So happy, so very happy.
Meanwhile, Celebi: 'Hmph, want me to pay you back? Dream on. Money I borrowed through my own ability—why should I pay it back?'
*****
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