Xiaoqing placed Pichu directly onto a strange-looking device and began speaking to it with an unusually serious expression.
"Pichu, you're already a mature Pokémon."
"You need to learn how to share the burden of the orphanage."
"Electricity bills are very expensive."
"These are batteries."
"This device can store electricity generated by Electric-type Pokémon."
"I scavenged it from the scrapyard with great difficulty."
"So, Pichu—come on. Try using Discharge!"
Listening to Xiaoqing's earnest speech, Pichu's eyes gradually lost focus.
Mature?
It had only just arrived.
It had barely been born.
It was still a baby.
And now it was already being exploited?
Had it fallen straight into a den of thieves?
It had only just accepted being captured… and now reality was already this cruel.
Should it be thinking about escaping at this point?
Just imagining the days ahead made it want to cry.
"Pichu!!"
…
Under Xiaoqing's relentless encouragement, Pichu reluctantly released electricity.
Again and again.
Until it was completely drained, its small body visibly shriveling.
"Pichu…!"
I can't do this anymore…
Staring at the device, Pichu began resisting.
Meanwhile, Xiaoqing was practically glowing with excitement.
"Great job!"
"All the batteries are fully charged!"
The indicator lights confirmed it—several batteries were now full.
She was ecstatic.
Just as she was feeling proud, Su Yu walked over.
Seeing a group of kids huddled together, he asked in confusion,
"What are you doing?"
The moment Pichu heard Su Yu's voice, salvation arrived.
It dashed over without hesitation, leaping straight onto Su Yu's shoulder.
"Pichu! Pichu!!"
A flood of incomprehensible sounds followed.
But Su Yu understood every word.
After all, with Psychic ability, Pokémon speech wasn't a problem.
"Hmm?"
"Generating electricity?"
"That's actually a good idea."
"From now on, the spare batteries at home will be your responsibility."
The moment those words left his mouth, Pichu froze.
It had come to complain.
So why did things turn out like this?
"Pichu…?"
It looked utterly dazed.
Is this really my owner?
Su Yu couldn't help but smile.
"This will be your home from now on."
"And charging these batteries counts as part of your food expenses."
"So what's wrong with paying the electricity bill?"
"Alright."
"Go rest for now."
"I'll finish the Energy Cubes soon."
"I'll give you your favorite ones to eat."
After speaking, Su Yu gently rubbed its head.
"Pichu…"
So this guy is really shameless.
This truly was a den of thieves.
After calming Pichu down, Su Yu took the charged batteries and some tools and headed back to work.
The other kids immediately followed.
He set Pichu aside and began directing the children again.
The juices that had been left to settle were ready.
Su Yu carefully poured off the clear upper liquid, scooping out the concentrated substance below and placing it into a large basin.
Instead of the previously mentioned non-canon ingredient, he now added a refined Pokéblock binding agent, mixing it in precise proportions.
A faint fragrance slowly spread through the room.
Pichu's eyes lit up instantly.
"Pichu~!"
I want to eat it…
What was this delicious-smelling thing?
At that moment, Xiaoqing secretly handed it a berry.
The moment Pichu saw it, all resentment vanished.
Never mind… I forgive you.
"Pichu!!" (♡´▽｀♡)
…
Su Yu remained fully focused.
After confirming that the ratios were correct, he began stirring.
Before long, the mixture turned into a thick paste, its color shifting into a warm, curry-like hue.
Su Yu paused, silently musing,
This looks suspiciously like Third Brother's cooking…
But there were still a few steps left.
Once finished, the appearance would improve significantly.
He turned to the kids.
"You guys fill this into the molds."
"I'll handle the ovens."
"Bake first, then steam."
Molding was easy—perfect work for the kids.
At this point, the mixture was already semi-finished.
Once baked and steamed, it would be ready.
The children immediately got busy, carefully filling the clean molds.
Su Yu moved to prepare the ovens.
"Bake at 50 degrees for five minutes to evaporate excess moisture."
After setting the timer, he prepared the steaming unit, adding water and preheating it.
By the time he finished, the molds were ready.
"Xiaohu," Su Yu called.
"Bring them over."
Xiaohu—the oldest child in the orphanage—nodded and quickly helped carry the trays.
The other kids assisted as well, loading everything into the oven.
Once it was full, Su Yu started the process.
He asked one little girl to keep watch and notify him when the baking finished.
Then he moved on to preparing other Energy Cubes.
Watching Su Yu rush around, a skinny but energetic boy asked curiously,
"Brother Su Yu, how much money can you make from all these Energy Cubes?"
Su Yu immediately flicked him on the forehead.
"You sure know how to think about money."
"Half of these will be kept."
"The rest will be sent to the Patent Office for registration."
"We're not selling the cubes."
"We're selling the patents."
"Got it?"
The boy let out a small "oh," clearly enlightened.
After a moment, he hesitated, then asked,
"Brother Su Yu… can we become Trainers in the future?"
"If patents make so much money, does that mean we can raise Pokémon too?"
The moment those words were spoken, all the children nearby turned to look at Su Yu.
Their eyes were filled with hope.