Everyone Else Awakened, But I Just Opened a Pokémon Pet Shop

Steam bubbled up from the portable pot in front of Zhou Xiaofei, the scent of simmering berries wafting into the air.

That sweet, fruity aroma drifted all the way to the slumbering Snorlax, prompting the giant to take a deep, involuntary breath. Its massive body twitched slightly, head turning just a little to the side.

Though its eyes were still shut—as they almost always were—the faint tremble of its eyelids revealed the truth:

Snorlax was waking up.

"Hold on, hold on! It's almost ready!"

Zhou Xiaofei said hastily, speeding up his stirring motion.

"Qiaoqiao, give it some energy cubes to hold it over for now!"

Liu Qiaoqiao blinked in surprise and pointed to herself.

"Huh? Me?"

She was completely stunned.

Sure, Snorlax looked dopey and harmless… but it was enormous! Even if she gave it everything she had, she'd barely qualify as a toothpick snack!

Corviknight, nearby, also tilted its head in confusion, clearly not understanding Zhou Xiaofei's logic.

"Oh—don't worry," Zhou Xiaofei explained while still tending the pot.

"I already communicated with it. It won't hurt Qiaoqiao."

"Though… it's really, really lazy. It won't move unless it's absolutely starving."

There was a trace of helplessness in his gaze.

Zhou Xiaofei had been growing more adept at using this mysterious, aura-like communication ability—a kind of spiritual empathy.

Although it was hard to hold a full dialogue when Snorlax was consumed by hunger, he could still convey friendly intent.

And from the feedback he got, it was clear: Snorlax wasn't losing control.

It was just… insanely hungry.

Even now, despite being on the brink of starvation, it still didn't want to move.

The laziness was absolutely absurd.

The people inside the Pokémon Center were all speechless upon hearing Zhou Xiaofei's explanation.

Even Su Bai twitched at the corner of his mouth.

"This Snorlax really is top-tier… in being Snorlax."

As everyone knew, Snorlax was famous for two things: eating and sleeping.

This Sovereign-class Snorlax took that reputation to an entirely new level.

It only moved to find food when it absolutely couldn't take it anymore.

In fact, the only Pokémon that could rival its laziness was Slaking—a Pokémon that would never stand when it could lie down, and only ate what it could reach while sitting.

Compared to that, Snorlax was practically hardworking.

"Okay!" Qiaoqiao beamed as the realization hit her.

She picked up an energy cube and eagerly trotted over to Snorlax.

She trusted Zhou Xiaofei completely and had already wanted to get closer to this enormous "plush toy" of a Pokémon.

Tiny Qiaoqiao held the cube in both hands and tiptoed to Snorlax's side.

At this distance, she couldn't help but gasp again.

"So big…"

To her, Snorlax was like a mountain. She herself was only as big as half of its hand.

The contrast was so stark that the entire Pokémon Center held its breath nervously.

Snorlax tilted its head slightly and stared at the energy cube in Qiaoqiao's hands.

Its eyes were still mostly closed, but the hunger in its expression was undeniable.

"Snooooor… lax…"

It opened its mouth just a little and gently extended its enormous hand.

Its wide, plush arm formed a makeshift staircase—an invitation.

"Huh?! You want me to come up?"

Qiaoqiao's eyes sparkled with excitement.

Without even waiting for Zhou Xiaofei to answer, she already understood Snorlax's intention.

She was thrilled.

Despite her petite, quiet appearance, Qiaoqiao was a little daredevil at heart—climbing trees and mischief weren't foreign to her.

Fueled by youthful courage and unwavering faith in Zhou Xiaofei, she sprang into action.

Clutching the energy cube, she climbed up Snorlax's arm like a squirrel.

The coarse, navy-blue fur was surprisingly soft and springy—easy to grip.

"Hup! Hup!"

Qiaoqiao scampered her way up Snorlax's massive body with practiced ease, astonishing the onlookers.

"Looks like the Liu family must have their hands full with this little one…"

Principal Zhu Jianyuan muttered, shaking his head.

"If Secretary Liu's wife were here to see this, her blood pressure would be through the roof."

Su Bai chuckled.

"Actually, when it comes to Pokémon, they usually like kids more."

Beside him, Diancie nodded enthusiastically.

"That's right, that's right! Qiaoqiao is so cute! To us Pokémon, innocence and sincerity are the most beautiful qualities!"

As if to confirm Diancie's words, Snorlax remained remarkably patient.

Despite just waking up and being famished, it controlled its breathing, even slowing it down—afraid it might accidentally blow the little girl away.

Qiaoqiao stood on its belly, which was as soft and bouncy as a trampoline.

She almost wanted to jump up and down for fun.

But she remembered Zhou Xiaofei's instructions, and instead continued climbing toward the edge of Snorlax's belly.

Snorlax, in turn, opened its mouth wide.

"Snooooor… lax…"

It was like watching a giant baby asking for milk.

"Here you go!"

Qiaoqiao giggled and tossed the energy cube into Snorlax's mouth.

Snorlax barely moved. The cube slid smoothly down its throat.

"Snooooor… laaaaaax~"

Its body shuddered slightly, and even its eyelids fluttered!

The taste had clearly exceeded expectations.

System-made energy cubes were superior in both flavor and nutritional value.

Compared to homemade versions, they were a league of their own.

This wild Sovereign-class Snorlax had never tasted such carefully crafted Pokémon food before.

The moment it melted on its tongue, the rich aroma of berries exploded in its mouth.

Even a less gluttonous Pokémon—like Ponyta—had once fallen victim to Ding Yue's bottomless supply of cubes.

So for a greedy glutton like Snorlax?

If this were a gourmet anime, wings would've sprouted from its back!

Even its signature call now carried a tone of blissful delight.

But that happy sound came with a sudden movement.

And in that moment—

Qiaoqiao slipped.

She lost her footing on Snorlax's belly and started falling—straight toward Snorlax's gaping mouth!

The entire Pokémon Center erupted in cries of alarm!