"Oh my! Whitley-san! Just you coming is enough, why did you bring so many things! You really shouldn't have, you mustn't do this next time!"
At Goku's house on Mount Paozu, Chi-Chi was all smiles as she spoke the polite words.
But while she said that, her hands were not slow at all, very decisively taking the large and small bags of gifts from Whitley and Buu.
These were all things that Whitley had carefully selected at the mall in West City just now, mainly some higher-grade ingredients, nutritional supplements, and new toys for Gohan.
Although Whitley was used to these social customs from his past life, as a Saiyan now, he felt strangely uncomfortable.
He quickly smiled and waved his hands. "It's nothing, Chi-Chi. These aren't valuable things, just a little something. I came over to talk to Goku about something, and to bring Buu over to visit and get to know everyone."
As he spoke, he gestured to Buu, who was following behind him, his neck stretched out, his nose constantly twitching, and his eyes fixed on the dining room.
Only then did Whitley notice that Goku was sitting at the dining table, holding a bowl bigger than his face, and was burying his head in it, wolfing down his dinner.
That posture, if seen by someone who didn't know about Saiyans, would make them think this guy Goku had been starving for days.
Whitley looked at the sky outside, which had already completely darkened, and then at the clock on the wall, and asked with some confusion, "What's wrong with Goku? Why is he only starting to eat dinner at this hour? Did he forget the time while training?"
It would have been better if he hadn't mentioned it. The moment he did, Chi-Chi's face, which had just been a clear sky, instantly became cloudy.
She shot an annoyed glare at the still-eating Goku, her voice rising several octaves as she said angrily, "It's because he was slacking off on his work this afternoon! It's only three hundred-odd acres of land, and he dallied all afternoon without finishing plowing! Hmph! He must have secretly slipped off somewhere to train and forgotten all about his proper work! Isn't that right, Goku-san!"
Goku's mouth was full of food. He mumbled a few "mmphs," trying to defend himself.
Whitley couldn't understand a word Goku was saying, but unexpectedly, Chi-Chi did.
Her temper instantly flared up, and she began to berate him like a machine gun. "What?! You're saying you went to Lord Kai's place this afternoon? And you trained there until evening before coming back to plow?! Who told you to go?! Huh?! Don't you know that Gohan is about to start elementary school! The competition is so fierce now! What if our child loses at the starting line because we can't afford the best tutors or the best cram schools?! As a father, how can you just focus on your own training and not work hard to support the family?! You're so irresponsible, Goku-san!!!"
Whitley watched the instantly-berserk Chi-Chi, and Goku, who could only shrink his neck under her barrage of attacks and speed up his eating, not daring to talk back. He was a little embarrassed, standing at the side and not knowing whether he should try to mediate.
As they say, it's hard for an upright official to settle family disputes, especially when it comes to the education and financial problems of Goku's family...
Just as he was hesitating whether to speak up and smooth things over, Buu, who had been standing beside him with his eyes fixed on the food on the table, drool almost forming a river, suddenly made a move.
The little fatty took out a bundle from somewhere and decisively stuffed it into the hands of the still-fuming Chi-Chi.
Then he pointed a chubby finger at the few homely but fragrant dishes on the dining table and said in his slightly simple-minded voice, "The food here looks delicious. This is money. Buu wants to eat too."
Chi-Chi was in the middle of being angry. She was stunned for a moment when Buu suddenly stuffed a bundle into her hands, and even more so when he said it was money. She subconsciously opened the bundle.
The next second...
"Rustle—"
A large pile of colorful banknotes unexpectedly poured out of the bundle and scattered on the floor, piling up into a small mound!
Looking at the denomination and thickness, it was definitely a considerable sum!
Chi-Chi's eyes instantly widened. She looked at the pile of money on the floor, then at Buu, whose face screamed "I have money, now give me food," and she was at a loss for words.
All the lectures and anger she had been brewing for Goku were stuck in her throat, and she couldn't get a single word out.
Whitley was also stunned, a series of question marks instantly popping up in his mind.
Where did Buu get the money? And that cloth used to wrap the money, the more he looked at it, the more familiar it seemed...
Wasn't that Buu's own cape?
He couldn't help but ask, "Buu, this money... where did you get it?"
But Buu temporarily ignored Whitley's question. All his attention was now focused on the food.
Seeing that Chi-Chi wasn't moving, he pointed at the dishes again, his small eyes filled with longing and urgency.
The meaning was clearer than ever: I gave you the money, can you give me the food now?
Chi-Chi was completely thrown off by Buu's simple and direct action...
She looked at the pile of money on the floor, then at Buu's round, clearly very prosperous-looking figure, and a smile ten times brighter and more enthusiastic than when she had received the gifts earlier blossomed on her face!
She slammed the back of Goku's head, who was still trying to lower his presence and frantically shovel food, her voice so excited it was a little distorted. "Goku-san! Stop eating! Later, I'll make you something new later! Take care of our guest first!"
Then she turned to Buu, her attitude as amiable as could be. "Oh my! This... is Mr. Buu, right! Please, sit down! Please, sit down! Look at my memory, I forgot to prepare tea and snacks for you, no wonder you're hungry! You eat what's on the table first, I'll go to the kitchen right now and whip up a couple of my specialty dishes! I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"
As she spoke, she nimbly snatched the bowl and chopsticks from in front of Goku and rushed into the kitchen like a whirlwind.
Goku held his empty hands, looked at the food that had been placed in front of Buu in the blink of an eye, and instantly looked as wronged as a hundred-pound child. "Chi-Chi! How could you do this! I'm very hungry too!"
Chi-Chi's powerful voice, filled with infinite energy, came from the kitchen in response. "Eat, eat, eat! All you know is eating! How come you're not this active when it comes to earning money! Host our guest properly! This Mr. Buu is an important guest of our family!"
Whitley found this dramatic scene a little funny, and he also felt a little sorry for Goku.
He pushed the matter to the back of his mind, shook his head, and walked over to Goku to talk business.
"Goku, in a while, I plan to go to Trunks's future timeline."
Whitley glanced in the direction of the kitchen and lowered his voice a little. "There might be a pretty strong enemy that has appeared over there, probably not easy to deal with. So, are you interested in going together?"
Sure enough, the moment he heard there was a strong enemy, Goku's eyes instantly lit up!
His earlier grievance was also instantly thrown to the back of his mind!
He grabbed Whitley's arm, his head nodding like a pecking chicken, his face filled with impatience and hope. "I'll go! Of course, I'll go! You definitely can't leave me behind, Whitley! You have to take me with you!"
Whitley had long expected this reaction and smiled as he patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, you won't be left out. I'll let you know in advance when I've decided on the departure time."
Having gotten Whitley's promise, Goku was finally satisfied and at ease.
Although his stomach was still rumbling, his mood had improved a bit. He turned his head and continued to stare eagerly at Buu, who was feasting, as if just watching could satisfy his hunger.
After staying at Goku's house for a little longer and teasing the cute, three-year-old little Gohan, Whitley felt that it would be a little awkward to stay any longer.
He was mainly worried that Goku's dinner would be completely ruined.
He had witnessed Buu's eating ability. If he really let loose, Goku's family's food supply might not be enough to fill him up!
So he simply stood up to leave, grabbing Buu, who was still stuffing food into his mouth, and prepared to slip away.
As they were leaving, Chi-Chi rushed out of the kitchen with a large, steaming plate of freshly cooked food and stuffed it into Buu's hands, her face full of an enthusiastic smile. "Mr. Buu, you're leaving already? Take this dish with you for the road! Come and visit often in the future! Just make yourself at home here!"
Buu looked at the fragrant dish in his hand, then at Chi-Chi's enthusiastic smile, and his small eyes actually showed a hint of... being moved?
He nodded vigorously. "Okay! You give Buu yummy food! You are, friend!"
Whitley was at a loss for whether to laugh or cry at this scene. He simply reached out and placed his hand on Buu's round shoulder.
"Swoosh!"
The two of them vanished from the doorway of Goku's house in an instant.
"Huh? They... they're gone already?"
Chi-Chi covered her mouth, looking at the empty doorway in surprise.
Goku had finally gotten back his newly filled bowl of rice.
Afraid of another accident, he ate at an extremely fast speed, and in just a few minutes, he had stuffed everything edible into his stomach.
He patted his stomach with satisfaction, let out a loud burp, and said several times, "I'm full."
Only then did he explain to Chi-Chi, "That's a move called Instant Transmission. No matter how far, you get there in an instant. It's very convenient to use!"
The moment Chi-Chi heard "no matter how far, in an instant," her eyes instantly shone with a bright light, and she said with an envious expression, "That's great... that kind of move is so convenient! If we knew it too... then wouldn't that mean..."
She could already see a beautiful future of Goku instantly traveling all over the world to deliver packages and takeout, and earning a fortune.
But then she realized that this was probably not very realistic and sighed heavily with some regret.
Goku scratched the back of his head in confusion, not understanding why Chi-Chi was so interested in Instant Transmission.
His figure flashed, and he instantly appeared in front of Chi-Chi with a "swoosh," and said with a simple expression, "Chi-Chi, you don't have to envy Whitley, I know it too. Just tell me where you want to go."
Chi-Chi: "!!!"
She froze on the spot, and it took a long while before she finally digested this shocking news. She shrieked, "Go-ku-san! Why didn't I know you had such an amazing ability?! Starting next week... no! Starting tomorrow! you are going to find a delivery job in the city!"
After shouting at Goku, she couldn't help but cover her face. Her eyes, peeking through her fingers, were filled with the light of hope as she muttered to herself, "That's great... now our Gohan can finally go to the best private schools, get the best tutors, and attend the most expensive cram schools in the future! Sob sob... my poor Gohan..."
And little Gohan was currently standing obediently at the door of the house, waiting for his mother to help him wash up before bed.
He had no idea that his future heavy academic career was about to be... upgraded, thanks to one of his father's skills!
...
On the other side, Whitley and Buu had instantly arrived at the largest hospital in North City.
In the maternity ward, which was filled with the smell of disinfectant, he saw Vegeta, who was sitting by the bed with a stern face, exuding a low-pressure aura.
And the blonde Launch, who was lying on the hospital bed with a "I'm very annoyed" expression on her face.
"Honestly... giving birth is so tiring! My whole body is uncomfortable!"
Launch had an unlit cigarette in her mouth and was frustratingly running her hands through her dazzling golden hair. "I want to drink! I want to smoke! I want to go for a ride! You bastard, Vegeta! How many times did I tell you to wear one! You... it's all your fault that I'm just lying here every day now! I can't even go rob a bank for some fun like a useless person! I'm bored to death!"
When Whitley entered the hospital room with Buu, he saw the veins on Vegeta's head, his fists clenching and unclenching, clearly trying his best to endure Launch's incessant complaints.
Whitley clearly saw him open his mouth several times, as if he wanted to retort or scold her, but every time his gaze fell on Launch's high and round belly, the words on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back down, and he could only make his face even darker...
"Vegeta, I've come to see you and Launch. A little something, all for Launch's recovery. Don't refuse."
Whitley's voice at the right moment broke the slightly awkward atmosphere, and he handed over the expensive nutritional supplements and health products he was holding.
Vegeta was clearly taken aback when he saw Whitley appear with a gift, as if he hadn't expected him to come here.
After he reacted, he just nodded silently, silently took the things, and said in a low voice, "...Thanks."
His face was a little red as he spoke, and his eyes flickered a little. It was clear that he didn't want Whitley to see him in such a henpecked state.
"Ahem,"
Whitley cleared his throat. He first pulled Buu, who was curiously sizing up the hospital room, over and introduced him to Vegeta. "This is Buu, he's... a security guard for my house from now on."
Then he got back to business and brought up the matter with Vegeta. "In a while, I plan to go to Trunks's future timeline. There might be a strong enemy there called 'Cell MAX' that we need to help deal with. So, are you interested in going?"
If it were in the past, as long as he heard the words "strong enemy," Vegeta would have definitely agreed without a second thought, and might even have mocked Whitley with a few "don't hold me back."
But this time, Whitley was surprised to find that Vegeta did not immediately agree after hearing the news.
His brow was furrowed, and he subconsciously turned his head to look at Launch, who was on the hospital bed with her eyes closed and her brow also slightly furrowed.
He actually... sighed slightly!
A very conflicted expression appeared on Vegeta's face. His lips moved, as if he wanted to refuse Whitley's invitation.
But just then, Launch, who had been resting with her eyes closed, suddenly opened them. Her blue eyes carried her unique wildness as she said to Vegeta impatiently, "Hey! If you want to go, then go! Don't be so wishy-washy here! I can take care of myself! Don't coddle me just because I'm carrying your kid. It's so annoying to watch you being so indecisive! I don't need you like this!"
Vegeta was stunned. He looked at Launch's awkward appearance, who was clearly thinking of him but had to express it in this fierce, sarcastic way, and his heart was filled with mixed feelings for a moment.
He was silent. After a long while, he finally let out a heavy snort, trying to regain some of his pride as the Prince of Saiyans. "Hmph! A mere unknown enemy is not worthy of me, Vegeta, personally stepping in! This time, I won't..."
"Oh, right,"
Whitley suddenly interrupted him, a hint of a teasing smile on his face as he added slowly, "I plan to set off in two months. Counting the time, Launch... should have successfully given birth and finished her postpartum confinement by then, right? Her body should have recovered by then... What were you just about to say? This time you... what?"
Vegeta: "..."
The veins on his forehead twitched uncontrollably.
He knew it!
This guy Whitley was definitely doing it on purpose! He had fallen for this trick countless times before!
Just as he took a deep breath, about to ignore everything and continue to forcefully refuse to maintain his crumbling pride, Whitley, as if reading his mind, added lightly, "Oh, and Goku and Trunks will definitely be going too. The enemy's strength is not to be underestimated this time, so there will probably be a fierce battle... After experiencing a battle of that level, that guy Goku... will definitely get stronger. He might even comprehend some new form..."
Vegeta: "!!!"
His fists instantly clenched so tightly they cracked. His eyes were fixed on Whitley's innocent smile, his chest heaving violently for a moment. He really wanted to ignore everything and rush up and give this detestable guy a full-power Prince's Technique!
This detestable guy... he actually... he's using that low-class warrior Kakarot to humiliate me, Vegeta, again!!!
Vegeta roared in his heart.
The hospital room was quiet for a moment, with only Buu munching on an apple he had taken from the table, making a crisp "crunch" sound.
Whitley and Launch, both with a "let's see a good show" look in their eyes, were all focused on Vegeta, wanting to see how he would respond.
Vegeta's face was dark as he went through an internal battle.
On one side was his soon-to-be-born wife and unborn child, and that... damn sense of responsibility!
On the other side was a powerful opponent and the obsession of never losing to Kakarot...
In the end, his unwillingness to lose to Goku won out.
He practically gritted his teeth and, with all his strength, squeezed out a few words from between his teeth. "...This time... I'll go!"
The hospital room fell into a brief silence.
Suddenly, a "pfft" sound was heard in the room. Launch, who was lying on the hospital bed, was the first to burst out laughing.
She saw her husband's expression, who clearly wanted to go so badly but also felt guilty towards her and was extremely annoyed, and she really couldn't hold it in anymore.
Launch quickly covered her mouth, but her shoulders were shaking uncontrollably.
Whitley also couldn't help but laugh out loud. He patted the shoulder of Vegeta, whose forehead was popping with veins as he tried his best to endure their mocking smiles. "Hahaha! As expected of you, Vegeta, an old tsundere! Alright, I'll contact you then!"
The somewhat stagnant atmosphere was instantly broken by the laughter of Whitley and Launch, and the hospital room was filled with a cheerful atmosphere for a moment.
Before leaving, as if remembering something, Whitley took out a small cloth bag from his pocket and stuffed it into Vegeta's hand.
"Take this, it's for Launch."
Whitley's smile faded, and his tone was serious. "You have to keep it with you at all times. In case... and I mean in case, if there are any unexpected accidents or emergencies during the birth... you know."
He didn't finish his sentence, but Vegeta instantly understood his meaning.
This time, he did not hesitate at all and decisively took the bag of Senzu Beans and held it tightly in his hand.
And the annoyance from being teased by Whitley just now had mostly dissipated at this moment.
He looked at the few seemingly ordinary but magically powerful beans in his hand, hesitated for a moment, and finally turned his face away and quickly said in a barely audible voice, "...Thanks."
Whitley smiled and patted his shoulder again.
Then he and Buu, who had been watching from the side, flashed and instantly vanished from the hospital room.
After the two of them had left, Vegeta put away the Senzu Beans and silently walked back to the bedside and sat down again.
He crossed his arms, returning to his usual cool appearance, and prepared to continue listening to Launch's complaints.
But this time, under Launch's surprised gaze, he reached out and gently held her hand, which was resting on the bed.
Launch looked at his rare appearance, then glanced at the bag of Senzu Beans that Vegeta had placed solemnly on the bedside table. A complex look flashed across her face, and then it returned to her usual impatient expression.
She sighed and muttered, "So troublesome... I'm not good at saying sappy things to comfort people..."
As she spoke, she casually took a strand of her hair and brushed it against her nose.
"A—choo!"
After a loud sneeze, the gentle-mode Launch appeared on the hospital bed.
She looked at Vegeta, who still had a stern face but whose eyes showed an imperceptible concern and worry, and the corner of her mouth curved up slightly.
A gentle and reassuring smile appeared on her face as she said softly, "Don't worry, Vegeta-kun. The baby and I will definitely be fine."
Vegeta's body paused slightly upon hearing this, and then he nodded almost imperceptibly, his grip on her hand tightening a little.
He still remained silent, but that silent protection was firmer than any words.
...
On the other end, Whitley and Buu had instantly returned to the Briefs' estate.
He had originally wanted to go and see Broly, but looking at the time... well, it was already almost 10 pm.
After sending off Buu, who was clamoring to go to the kitchen to sleep, Whitley first took a comfortable hot shower.
Then, wearing a loose bathrobe, he familiarly walked towards his and Bulma's bedroom.
He pushed open the door. The room was dark, with only the hazy moonlight from outside casting a few faint spots of light on the floor through the gaps in the curtains.
On the large bed, a slender figure was vaguely facing away from him, seemingly already asleep.
Whitley looked at the back and felt a little strange.
Bulma was usually a night owl, often working in the lab until the wee hours of the morning before sleeping. But today... why was she in bed so early?
Could it be that she wasn't feeling well? Or was she so angry about the No. 21 becoming a maid that she wanted to rest early?
But he didn't think much of it, just assuming she was a little tired today.
So he walked to the bedside on tiptoe, carefully lifted the covers, and slipped in as gently as possible, for fear of waking her.
Feeling the warmth of the bed and the faint fragrance from the person beside him, Whitley wondered if Bulma had changed her perfume.
But he didn't think much of it and just let out a rather satisfied sigh.
He habitually reached out and gently wrapped his arm around "Bulma's" waist, buried his face in her fragrant hair, let out a contented groan, and was about to fall asleep.
However, just as he had relaxed and his consciousness was beginning to drift, the person in his arms suddenly turned over slightly, turning to face him.
Then, a voice that definitely did not belong to Bulma, with a timid meaning and a hint of temptation, sounded in the silent darkness, like a thunderclap by his ear. "You're back... Lord Whitley."
Whitley shivered all over and instantly shot up from the bed! He was wide awake!
He quickly reached out and, with a "click," turned on the lamp on the bedside table!
The soft light came on, and Whitley, under the light, looked in disbelief at the person lying beside him...
It was an extremely delicate face!
With a hint of a shy blush, a pair of sky-blue eyes were looking at him with a watery gaze... this wasn't Bulma at all!
"No. 21?!!"
Whitley's voice rose an octave. "Why are you here?! Th-this isn't my and Bulma's room?! Where's Bulma?! What have you done with her?!"
No. 21 was startled by Whitley's intense reaction and quickly sat up as well.
She nervously clutched the edge of the blanket, her usual timid expression on her face as she explained in a small voice, "D-don't be angry... Bulma... she... she's sleeping with the other Miss Bulma tonight, saying... saying they wanted to have a sisterly chat... s-so..."
Her voice got smaller and smaller, and her face grew redder and redder, but she still mustered her courage and looked up, her eyes misty as she looked at Whitley.
She continued in a very faint but fatally seductive voice, "Lord Whitley... let me... serve you. Th-this is what I... as your exclusive maid... sh-should do..."
Only then did Whitley belatedly realize where the unusually soft and smooth touch from his earlier embrace had come from...
Under the light of the lamp, he could clearly see that under the fallen blanket, on No. 21's smooth shoulders and collarbones... she was wearing nothing inside...
No wonder the feeling just now... was so real!
Whitley felt his head "buzz," and it seemed as if all his blood was rushing to a certain place.
He opened his mouth, about to sternly refuse this absurd matter.
But... it was too late.
No. 21's soft, warm, and completely na... as if a flexible snake, with an astonishing heat and a slight tremble, had taken the initiative to meet him, her body pressing tightly into his embrace.
She tilted her head up, and her sky-blue eyes, as if covered by a layer of mist, with endless attachment and a hint of irrefutable determination, whispered in his ear again, "Lord Whitley... please... accept me..."
"I... am... your maid... and always will be..."
Feeling this in his arms... and that series of trembling but incredibly persistent confessions, the string in Whitley's mind called "reason"...
"Snap!"
Completely broke.
He had finally... completely... fallen.
...
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