Chapter 42: Misfortunes Never Come Alone and Telepathic Therapy
Chapter 42: Misfortunes Never Come Alone and Telepathic Therapy
Ding—
[50,000 League Coins transferred to your account. Available balance: 125,000 League Coins.]
“Kya?!”
Gastly was utterly shocked by the notification on Jing He's phone.
How did he do it?
Jing He's lips twitched, and he took a deep breath before exhaling slowly. He glanced at the passing crowd with a hint of melancholy.
"I sold something."
If he had a cigarette right now, it would have been the perfect complement.
“Kya!! Σ(дlll)”
Could it be...
Jing He suddenly raised his hand, remembering that Gastly was a gaseous Pokemon. If he smacked it, Gastly might have to eat another "Persim Berry."
After calming down, he said irritably:
"What are you thinking in that tiny brain of yours? Wait! No, why would you think that?"
“Kya, kya kya~~” Gastly chuckled sheepishly, his eyes darting around.
You know, your old phone...
“Come on, let’s go buy a TM.”
Jing He cut him off, turning back toward the Kanaz Department Store with a grim face.
Gastly's eyes gleamed as he watched Jing He's back.
He felt like he had discovered something significant!
A few minutes later.
Jing He, looking pained, and Gastly held a box of discs as they walked out of the department store, the salesgirl's overly enthusiastic smile following them.
"Really a rip-off, a TM for ‘Misfortunes Never Come Alone’ is so expensive!"
Looking at his phone, which now showed [Available balance: 20,000 League Coins], his expression grew even more pained.
“Kya kya!”
Gastly nodded vigorously in agreement.
Indeed, with that much money, how many Energy Orbs and Moo-Moo Milk could they buy?
More importantly.
This wasn't like the TMs in the games, where Pokemon would learn the move instantly. They had to go home, watch the videos, and follow the tutorials to learn the move.
But it did include a lot of tips accumulated by trainers, as well as advice on how to improve proficiency, better master the move, and apply it in battles.
There were even many practical combat drills for reference.
"Whatever, I had to buy it eventually. Better to buy it now and start learning."
Jing He had to console himself this way.
It was better than having Gastly suddenly learn "Toxic" and use him as a guinea pig.
Who knew when Gastly's "experiment" might end his life?
“Guru—”
Gastly's stomach growled.
He looked at Jing He with pleading eyes. He was exhausted from calming those rampaging Pokemon today and the training in the afternoon.
He was hungry.
He was getting thin.
Let's go home and cook dinner.
"Home, home."
Jing He waved his hand, no longer dwelling on it.
He had earned the money for Gastly, so it was only right to fulfill his promise.
The night grew darker.
Jing He, with Gastly floating behind him, walked through narrow alleys.
It was fortunate that there were few people around; otherwise, many might have been frightened by the sight.
Especially with Gastly's eyes bloodshot, the dark circles around them making them look even darker, his appearance was absolutely terrifying.
Rustle, rustle, rustle—
As they quickly walked past the neighborhood garbage station, both Jing He and Gastly heard a noise.
Since it was an old neighborhood with many alleys and few main roads, the garbage was collected every few days and was now piled high.
With the onset of autumn, the smell wasn't as bad as it would be in summer, but it was still unpleasant.
Jing He rarely took this route, and most people avoided it unless they were taking out the trash.
Today, they had to pass the garbage station because Gastly was so hungry they had to take a shortcut.
Under the dim moonlight.
Something seemed to be moving in the pile of garbage.
“Kya!”
It's alive!
Gastly whispered, but even with his voice lowered, it was still noticeable in the quiet night, amplified by the walls and alleys.
The movement stopped.
"Probably the pile of garbage attracted some Sludge and Grimer. I should call and complain tomorrow."
Jing He didn't linger and quickened his pace.
Back home.
After enjoying the dinner Jing He made for five people, Gastly, feeling full, lay lazily on the sofa, watching the video from the newly bought TM.
As he watched, his expression grew increasingly serious, nodding occasionally and looking enlightened from time to time.
Jing He took off his apron and stepped out onto the balcony alone.
He stared at the contact list on his phone, his fingers rubbing the phone case.
A cool breeze blew, gently stirring his black hair. A determined look flashed across his handsome face.
What had to come, would come.
He tapped into "Eevee Eats Cabbage's" profile and pressed the "Voice Call" button.
This was what he had mentioned to Gastly earlier, the thing he was selling.
Of course, the 50,000 League Coins were actually the fees from the previous treatments and consultations.
However, the other party had again requested a face-to-face psychological intervention.
But Jing He firmly declined.
After some back-and-forth, they finally agreed to a phone consultation and treatment.
This was within his comfort zone.
He was prepared to maintain a smile even if the voice on the other end was rough and powerful.
Money was the top priority, cough, the patient was the top priority.
Soon, the call was connected.
"Hello, how are you?"
Jing He was taken aback.
It was a woman!
And her voice, though a bit low, was unexpectedly pleasant, especially with the hint of weariness that made it sound lazy.
"Ahem." Jing He cleared his throat and quickly regained his composure. "Hello, I'm 'Jing Zhongzhi He.'"
For some reason, Jing He felt a subtle relief.
Whoever it was, at least he hoped the patient would be easy to talk to.
"Can you tell me how much you typically charge for a psychological consultation? I'm not really sure."
'I'm not really sure either.'
Jing He wasn't certain either, so he tentatively said:
"Maybe by the hour?"
"How much per hour?"
For a moment, Jing He, holding his phone, and on the other end, Cynthia, both had the same look on their faces.
Confused.
"Um, I'm not entirely familiar with Gulpin's specific situation yet. How about... 1,000?"
The other party had already paid enough, and even though Gulpin was a "money tree," Jing He didn't want to be too greedy. After all, he had to have a conscience.
"Isn't that too cheap?"
Too cheap?
Before he could respond, Cynthia said, "How about 2,000?"
Jing He thought, fine, you're the boss, you decide.
【Your account has received 12,000 League Coins. Available balance: 32,000 League Coins.】
Huh?
"It's been transferred. I'll book an hour first. If it's not enough, I'll extend it later."
Jing He: "???"
So, 2,000 meant 2,000 per ten minutes?
Sigh.
Conscience be damned for now.
"Okay, tell me about Gulpin's situation."
Finally, they were back on track.
"Here's the thing. Recently, Gulpin has been much better during the day, more active, but it has been having nightmares at night."
Cynthia began to describe Gulpin's recent condition.
"Nightmares? What kind of dreams?"
"Gulpin can't describe them clearly, but it seems to always dream about a Pokemon, a... strange Pokemon."
Dreaming about a strange Pokemon?
Jing He glanced at the sofa where Gastly was sitting, holding a study device with a serious and focused expression.
After some thought, he said, "Let's try this. Put your phone closer to Gulpin. We'll attempt a simple hypnotherapy session to relax its mind and determine if the issue is internal or external."
"Okay."
With a series of rustling sounds and hurried footsteps, the phone picked up the rustling of leaves and the trickling of water.
"Done."
"Alright, have Gulpin cooperate with me, or with you, since it trusts you the most. You can follow my lead. Let's start with deep breathing, slow and steady, inhale and exhale... slowly..."
Jing He's voice grew softer, his pace slower, painting a beautiful picture of a peaceful Pokemon world.
After about twenty minutes.
"Is Gulpin asleep?"
"Hello, are you still there?"
"Hello?"
"Could it have fallen asleep?"
"Hello?"
"..."
The phone only emitted steady breathing sounds.
Should he hang up?
2,000 per ten minutes...
After about half an hour.
Jing He yawned and returned to bed, gently wrapping the already sleeping Gastly, who was drooling, in a blanket and placing it on the other side of the bed.
"Good night."
He turned off the light and ended the call.
Second sneak attack! Couldn't sleep, so I got up and wrote another chapter. Please follow and support.
(End of Chapter)
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