"Whoa, what's this…" Lin Feng exaggerated his surprise, eyes wide as he looked at the floating pink Pokémon.
But Mew simply pressed its lips together, staring back at him with round eyes. "Mew?!" (You figured out my identity ages ago, didn't you?)
"Uh…"
Lin Feng's expression froze. He realized instantly that Mew had already noticed that he knew. He could only give a sheepish nod, then chuckled. "Well, isn't this your favorite kind of game? I was just humoring you."
"Mew…"
The little creature had no words.
It floated there with its tiny paws crossed, expression caught somewhere between hurt and annoyed. But after a few moments of struggling with what to say, it simply turned away with a huff, flicking its tail like a child who had been wronged too many times. Then, without another sound, it darted off in the direction of Mewtwo.
Lin Feng blinked at the empty air. "Huh? Just like that, it's gone?"
He didn't chase after it. Instead, he let out a small laugh. To think that Mew, a mythical Pokémon who had lived for who knows how many centuries, could still act this childish. That alone warmed him a little inside.
When he turned back, he caught sight of Wind Yang, the Champion of the East League, standing frozen with an expression of utter disbelief.
"That… that was Mew?" Wind Yang's voice trembled with shock.
Ordinary people might not recognize Mew on sight. But as the Champion, Wind Yang knew exactly what it was. According to countless researchers, Mew was said to be the ancestor of all Pokémon. A legendary existence beyond compare.
And yet… that legendary Pokémon had just sulked away like it had been teased by the owner of a small breeding house.
Good grief. Just what kind of breeder was Lin Feng?
Lin Feng nodded calmly. "Yeah, I think so. Though it seemed a little upset."
He wasn't too worried. He glanced at the system's panel in his mind. Mew's intimacy level with him hadn't dropped. It was still above seventy, so clearly, its feelings hadn't really soured.
Wind Yang, however, was left stammering. "This… this…"
Finally, he managed to squeeze out, "You… you're a breeder?"
His words were hollow with disbelief.
What kind of breeder was this?
A breeder with so many powerful Pokémon at his side, and even a mythical Pokémon hanging around? That didn't sound legal.
Lin Feng answered casually, "That's right. I've got an advanced breeder's license from the League. This little nursery was passed down from my parents."
Wind Yang fell silent again.
Technically, the conflict from earlier was already over. But now, the Champion felt like he had stumbled into something even bigger.
There was a gnawing curiosity inside him, urging him to uncover the secrets behind this unassuming breeder.
But… should he really?
As he wrestled with his thoughts, something else caught his attention.
Lin Feng was floating in the air.
And it wasn't Gardevoir's psychic power holding him up.
That meant Lin Feng himself was the one levitating.
He was a psychic.
Wind Yang's heart nearly stopped.
Was this boy really just a breeder?
How many times had he asked himself that question already? He had lost count.
Just then, Lin Feng's cheerful voice broke through his spiraling thoughts. "Champion sir, thank you for coming all this way. Would you like to come in for some water?"
"Ah… yes, yes, of course," Wind Yang replied a little too quickly, seizing the offer.
Lin Feng smiled but said no more. In his heart, he already had plans. Tomorrow's video feed would feature the Champion himself visiting the humble "Next Door Nursery." That would certainly stir up attention.
He guided Gardevoir down with him, the two of them drifting gracefully to the ground. Wind Yang urged his Moltres to land as well, then returned it to its Poké Ball.
Together, they stepped up to the nursery.
The sign out front read simply: Next Door Breeding House.
The name was plain, almost ordinary. The path leading up to it was paved with weathered greenstone tiles. Despite it being autumn, the edges of the path were carpeted with moss, the stones glistening faintly with dew. Bright flowers bloomed stubbornly among them, adding color to the quiet setting.
The interior of the nursery was spotless. No customers were inside, likely because it was just after lunchtime.
At the reception counter stood a young male Indeedee, his brows furrowed in concentration as if even welcoming guests was serious business. On the side counter, a small group of Alcremie and Alolan Vulpix were busy arranging displays of frosted cakes and creamy pastries. The shelves were stocked with rows of neatly packed Pokéblocks.
Wind Yang's first thought was simple. The shop sells a bit of everything.
After checking the prices, his second thought was, Are these Pokéblocks really as effective as advertised?
If they were, the price was a steal. If they weren't, then they were outrageously expensive.
But he didn't ask right away.
Lin Feng led him into the lounge area, the same room where he and his Pokémon often ate together.
"What would you like to drink, Champion?" Lin Feng asked politely. "We have fruit juice, fresh milk, honey water, rice wine, or mead."
"Ah… fruit juice, please," Wind Yang said quickly. Alcohol would be inappropriate in the middle of a visit like this.
Lin Feng nodded, fetched a chilled glass of juice from the refrigerator, and poured it into a cup.
Wind Yang accepted it gratefully. He had been flying around on Moltres all morning and was parched. Without hesitation, he drank it all in one go.
The moment the liquid slid down his throat, his eyes widened. "This… this juice?"
"It's made from Bounsweet. Tastes good, right?" Lin Feng interrupted with a grin.
Wind Yang froze, then shook his head. "That's not what I meant…"
The taste was indeed pleasant, sweet and refreshing. But what truly shocked him was the effect.
For months now, his life had been plagued by stress. At thirty-four, ever since he became Champion, he had been swamped with League duties, leaving no time for personal life. His parents, meanwhile, had grown desperate. Despite his achievements, they constantly nagged him about marriage, calling him multiple times a day and setting up endless blind dates.
He had grown numb to it, dragging himself through awkward meetings whenever he had a spare moment.
It was exhausting.
Recently, only the thrill of battling an old rival had helped lift the weight on his shoulders.
But this juice
The irritation, the anxiety, the heaviness he had carried for so long vanished the moment he swallowed.
It was as if a knot in his chest had unraveled.
For the first time in years, he felt light.
Lin Feng tilted his head. "So it doesn't taste good? Want me to get you something else?"
"No, no, this is perfect. Could I… have another glass?" Wind Yang asked quickly, already holding out his cup.
Lin Feng chuckled and poured him another.
Wind Yang drained it again, then set the glass down and studied Lin Feng with new eyes. The boy looked so young, yet everything about him radiated capability.
He muttered to himself, So young…
Finally, he realized he didn't even know the boy's full credentials. Clearing his throat, he asked, "Young man, may I know… what level breeder are you?"
Lin Feng smiled. "My license says Advanced Breeder. But in truth, I'd say I'm a little beyond that."
"Beyond Advanced…?" Wind Yang echoed, stunned once more.
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