After repaying Otsuka, Baimu spent a relatively quiet few days.
His relationship with Mawile also warmed up quickly, from originally lacking eye contact to now having more eye contact and gradually increasing the number of conversations.
A cheerful smile began to appear on its face, and it could express its needs immediately, frankly stating its dislikes.
For example, it really disliked Pyrite Town's water quality, always saying it had a strange taste.
Not as sweet as the water it used to drink.
Also, the weather is super hot; although staying outside longer wouldn't make it sick, the discomfort alone was enough to drive it indoors or into a Pokeball to cool off.
All these things are good.
But this also exposed further issues.
—Baimu's own family status might be at risk of declining.
There's nothing he can do; when Mawile realizes its strength far exceeds Lairon and Chansey, its confidence inevitably swells, and it tends to occupy a dominant position subconsciously most of the time.
Even humans, when they find themselves stronger than others in many aspects, can't always obediently follow orders.
Let alone Pokémon, these "beasts" whose status is determined by force, yet are filled with the light of wisdom.
This even leads Baimu, as a Trainer, to show signs of descending to a subordinate position.
And if he really becomes a subordinate, it will inevitably cause his orders to be rejected by Mawile, as the latter thinks it's stronger and its decisions are obviously more forward-looking.
Lost?
That's because the Trainer's support work wasn't done well.
Therefore, when Pokémon refuse to obey orders, it's not simply because they dislike you.
At the root.
It's Baimu's shortcomings in cultivating Pokémon, causing Mawile's inability to correctly recognize its own position. If Lairon and Chansey can't beat it, they can at least deal a hard blow to it.
Mawile would certainly develop more respect for the Trainer.
In other words, Lairon's strength determined whether Baimu could make more or strong, proud Pokémon obey him in the present and the future.
Therefore, the Dragon-type Pokémon leads can only continue to be put aside.
After all, Dragon-type Pokémon have self-esteem at the extreme; they're far more troublesome than Mawile.
First let Lairon complete its final evolution.
He thought so.
—
Morning.
Baimu finally received a summons from his superior Liu Ge.
The vacation days were too leisurely, making him almost forget that he was actually someone else's subordinate, not a calm, upward-striving Trainer.
"Boss."
"Hm, have you recruited all your subordinates?"
Liu Ge sat casually in the boss chair, inviting Baimu to sit wherever he liked.
"No, the ones I want are still in training or simply lying in hospital beds without coming down." He shook his head, speaking very honestly.
Saying this might cause Liu Ge's dissatisfaction and lead to doubts about his capability, but there was nothing he could do.
People are people; no people are no people.
Fortunately, Liu Ge didn't mind.
"Well, you need to hurry up. The areas you're responsible for have been divided; Copper Mill Street district one and two will be under your charge, and on the 15th of this month, you have to collect the dues."
"District one and two?"
Baimu was momentarily stunned.
The streets in Pyrite Town were similar to neighborhoods in Western countries, relatively spacious in area, and mostly square or rectangular.
District one and two of Copper Mill Street, in terms of profits, definitely ranked as mid-upper level among the Quicksand Team's controlled neighborhoods, with entertainment venues appearing one after another. Usually, there's no chance for him to partake.
How did Liu Ge manage to relocate the original squad from that place and insert him?
Baimu didn't know, yet he understood in his heart that this might be an opportunity and challenge presented by Liu Ge.
Collecting dues is also a science.
How to make those unruly industry managers respectfully feed you while paying dues; it requires both strength and boldness.
If you fail to suppress them, you might only get leftovers to eat.
Some brave ones might even pay less, causing the squad leader in charge of the district to pay out of pocket. However, this hasn't happened many times, because although the squad leaders might be incompetent, their superiors, the cadres, aren't pushovers.
Of course.
After you've tattled to the higher-ups, don't expect your colleagues to think highly of you. For the face-saving Quicksand Team hoodlums, it's quite deadly.
"Alright."
Baimu nodded.
Although he didn't anticipate squeezing money from others for use, he didn't want that group to outwardly obey while secretly defying him either.
You pay what you should pay, feed my subordinates, I'll manage myself, and that's it.
Liu Ge appreciated Baimu's straightforwardness, smiling as he said, "By the way, have you met any of my other squad leaders?"
Baimu said, "…Not really, I've only seen Brother Flop. Recently, I've been working on integrating with a new Pokémon."
"Perfect, quite a few people are here today, go out and introduce yourself to them, get to know each other, it will be easier to carry out tasks in the future."
Liu Ge waved his hand authoritatively.
He could only agree, got up, and walked out.
Just as he was about to open the office door, a cold gleam appeared above his head, and he instinctively withdrew and looked up.
"Raaw!"
A violet gargoyle-like Gliscor hung upside down, blocking the office doorway, making exaggerated faces and shouting as if trying to surprise him.
Clearly, it was attempting some kind of prank.
Unfortunately, he sensed it in advance and recognized it.
"Gliscor?"
Baimu instinctively turned his head and saw Liu Ge holding his forehead helplessly.
"You… don't bother with it; just push it to the side and go out." Liu Ge's voice contained a hint of anger.
He immediately bypassed Gliscor's pincers, grabbed the doorknob, and slipped out.
And in the next second after Baimu left, Liu Ge's loud shout came from the office.
"Get over here!"
Slap!
The sound of a collision.
"Raaw~"
Gliscor's aggrieved cry also came out.
It was Baimu's first time seeing Liu Ge so down-to-earth, thinking that indeed, no matter how serious or profound a Trainer is, with a mischievous Pokémon the vibe becomes very off.
Just like Boss Sakaki turning into a comedian countless times in Meowth's imagination.
Honestly, swapping the image of Boss Sakaki cuddling a Persian for cuddling Meowth also looks pretty strange; it's because Meowth is just too comedic, like a character meant for humor.
He shifted his gaze to the surrounding scene.
Liu Ge's office was located in a small building within the Underground City, and the entire interior decoration was filled with a formal company's ambiance; the floor had simple carpeting, bright incandescent lights above, and occasionally some potted plants for greening.
Even each separated workstation gave off a strong sense of corporate drone vibes.
Unfortunately, the people sitting at the workstations didn't quite resemble corporate drones.
"Everyone, let me introduce a new companion—Baimu!"
Not waiting for Baimu to greet them proactively, Flop got up first, cheerfully taking on the role of intermediary.