As night fell, the warm glow of streetlights illuminated the silhouettes of people and Pokémon in their homes.
Lu Ye set a steaming plate of fragrant curry rice on the table, removed his apron, and sat down beside his Pokémon with a cup of tea, his expression complicated.
Squirtle lay on the coffee table, engrossed in reading "The Blastoise Breeding Guide".
Eevee, half-asleep, nestled in the middle of its tail, its shiny Awakening Stone glowing faintly.
Waves of psychic energy rippled through the room, bringing a refreshing clarity to the mind—an effect of the high-quality Awakening Stone.
Haunter hovered nearby like a strict tutor, knocking on Squirtle's head with a bang bang.
"Haunter!" (Keep studying!)
"Squirtle…" Squirtle scratched its head, giving a sheepish smile, clearly drowsy.
Lu Ye stroked his chin.
If Squirtle trains while asleep, maybe the results will improve...
But whether the house remains livable afterward is another question entirely!
Amid this academic atmosphere, Lu Ye felt a bit out of place. Clearing his throat, he announced, "Dinner's ready!"
In an instant, all eyes turned to him.
The three Pokémon tossed aside their books and dashed to the table, cheering.
Lu Ye shook his head in exasperation.
A knock at the door.
Sister Liu arrived, smiling warmly. "How's the place treating you?"
Lu Ye's expression turned a little awkward as he nodded.
Not long ago, the house had to be patched up after partially collapsing...
She's not here to scold me about that, is she?
"I heard this house's quality isn't the best," Sister Liu said, concerned.
"So I came to check on you. I also had Mr. Mime make some soup for you... I'm terribly sorry."
"Mime mime!" Mr. Mime grinned as it proudly presented a pot of milky white bass head soup, garnished with tender tofu and radiating a rich aroma.
Swallowing hard, Lu Ye said righteously, "Sister Liu, though this house's quality isn't great and it collapsed on my first day here..."
"Rest assured, I'll treat this house as if it were my own!"
Sister Liu smiled contentedly.
Lu Ye really was a reliable tenant.
---
As night deepened, Lu Ye went to the bathroom for a shower, taking Eevee along for a bath.
"Vee~!"
Eevee bounced around the bathroom, only to be easily scooped up by Lu Ye by the scruff of its neck.
"Hm... If I keep this up, maybe I could become a Super Rookie Trainer someday," Lu Ye muttered to himself, stroking his chin.
Next up were Haunter and Squirtle's turns.
"Haunter! Haunter!"
Haunter, covered in bubbles, cheerfully scrubbed Squirtle's shell while humming a tune.
"Squirtle! Squirtle!"
Squirtle happily sprayed Water Gun, dunked its head into the tub, and fixed its big eyes on a floating Psyduck toy.
Suddenly, a gleam flashed in Squirtle's eyes.
If I drain the tub, it'll create a brief whirlpool...
Couldn't I use that to train Aqua Tail?
What if I combined it with Water Pulse?
Grinning slyly, Squirtle nodded to itself in satisfaction.
So that's why Master made me take a bath...
It was all part of his brilliant plan!
Wrapped in a bathrobe, Lu Ye answered a call from Red.
"Yeah, I know, tomorrow is Erika's visit," Lu Ye said, nodding.
"Don't worry, hosting is my specialty!"
---
At the Modu Pokémon Association, they also received a visit request from Celadon University.
The purpose? To recruit a teacher for their Trainer Academy.
It was a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Celadon University, as a holy ground for Trainers, could enhance its graduates' training and contribute to Donghuang's talent pool.
With its substantial resources, the Modu Association was confident in its appeal.
"No problem, Miss Erika," Chairman Song Pengcheng said with a nod.
"Which professor from Modu University are you planning to invite?"
"I've already discussed it with Modu University, but... this professor doesn't seem to be affiliated with them," Erika replied apologetically.
"He's a young tactics master. Others simply call him 'Teacher Lu.'"
Teacher Lu?
A young tactics master?
Song Pengcheng was puzzled. A vivid image of a handsome young man formed in his mind.
This young man's tactical skills were unnervingly precise.
Despite equal-level Pokémon battles, he had once defeated Tang Hui with a crushing 3:0 score...
Calling him a tactics master seemed barely adequate.
Song Pengcheng's expression grew complex.
First Sinnoh's Champion, then Celadon University's professor...
Lu Ye, couldn't you settle down in another region? Why come back to Donghuang for retirement?
If I didn't already know better, I might've thought you were just an ordinary sophomore!
Clearing his throat, Song Pengcheng said, "I think I know who you're referring to... Don't worry, there's only one 'Teacher Lu' in Modu."
Erika smiled politely. "Thank you very much."
---
After ending the call, she prepared for her trip, ensuring she had her gifts ready.
Even if Lu Ye didn't bring it up, Erika had already planned a generous meeting gift.
Money was too superficial—Lu Ye didn't seem like someone easily swayed by material possessions.
A rare move manual would surely capture his interest.
According to Red, Lu Ye had a Haunter.
From the perspective of broadening its move pool, the Energy Ball manual, inherited from the Celadon Gym, was an ideal choice.
Plus, the manual could be reused, making it an incredibly valuable gift.
Smiling faintly, Erika revealed charming dimples.
"Teacher Lu... should be quite pleased with this!"
---
August 23rd, Sunday.
With Qixi Festival fast approaching, Lu Ye planned to ask Cynthia about her schedule.
Still, he was curious:
How would Red, the battle legend, navigate the chaos of Qixi?
"Could he really be planning to give one of Green's 'cry-worthy' gifts?" Lu Ye mused.
For now, today's main task was to welcome Erika.
According to Red, Erika's visit was partly a sightseeing trip to Donghuang, with expenses covered by Celadon University.
Lu Ye couldn't help but sigh.
When will my travel expenses be reimbursed by Modu University?
Arriving at the VIP terminal of the airport, Lu Ye navigated the process effortlessly, having done it before.
Erika was easy to spot.
Dressed in an elegant sakura-patterned kimono, with an ear-length bob and a headband, she scanned her surroundings with focused curiosity.
Her eyes lit up upon spotting Lu Ye.
Clicking softly in wooden sandals, she gracefully approached, bowed slightly, and said, "It's an honor to meet you, Teacher Lu."
"Hello," Lu Ye replied with a smile. "Let me help with your luggage."
"No need."
Erika smiled lightly, rummaging through her handbag before producing a thick notebook. She handed it to Lu Ye with both hands.
"This is my gift for you."
Scratching his head, Lu Ye laughed.
"You didn't have to bring a gift. Just visiting is enough!"
After some polite back-and-forth, Lu Ye finally accepted the pleasantly scented notebook. Curious, he asked,
"What's this?"
"The Energy Ball move manual," Erika replied with a smile.
"Perfect for your Haunter."
"Haunter! (✪ω✪)"
With a flash of red light, Haunter emerged from its Poké Ball, its eyes sparkling.
It extended its crimson tongue and gave the notebook a playful lick.
"Haunter! (๑´ㅂ`๑)"
It tastes great!
Lu Ye froze, his hands trembling slightly as he held the notebook.
"Is something wrong?" Erika asked, puzzled.
"No... nothing."
Taking a deep breath, Lu Ye glanced at the saliva-streaked notebook, his hands icy cold.
"It seems your Haunter really likes the gift," Erika said, smiling.
"Haunter!" Haunter flew excitedly around Erika, full of joy.
Lu Ye's breath hitched.
She even sprayed perfume on the notebook...
Erika, you're so calculative!
"Th-thank you, Miss Erika" Lu Ye stammered.
"I'm glad you like it," she said with a gentle smile.
"That's all that matters."