Pokémon: Did you play Pokémon today?

Chapter 324 Absence Makes the Heart Blossom...

When Shirashu said the words "Shin'ō" and "fellow countrymen," he subtly moved the arm that Chikuran was holding.

The Galactic Archaeology Team?!

Isn't this the suspicious organization she's been secretly investigating recently?!

Zhu Lan's heart skipped a beat.

In fact, a large part of the reason she came to the Johto region this time was because she received intelligence that this organization had secretly sent people here!

They seem to have their eyes on some important target or historical site here!

So—she bumped into it? Then their target—could it be Bai Zhou?!

When Zhu Lan met Bai Zhou's meaningful gaze and recalled his subtle gestures earlier, an overwhelming surge of anger and protectiveness welled up inside her.

The Galactic Archaeology Team! They're utterly lawless!

If they dare to use such methods to target a young and promising PhD today, they will dare to do even more threatening things to the alliance and regional security tomorrow!

Absolutely unforgivable!

A cold hostility and scrutiny crept into her eyes, but she concealed it well, and no one noticed it except for Bai Zhou, who was standing right next to her.

Seeing that he had successfully alerted Zhu Lan to the "Galaxy Archaeology Team's" underhanded tactics, Bai Zhou chuckled inwardly and then introduced the other two people.

"These two are Ms. Fire Goose and Ms. Aquan, both outstanding independent researchers from the Hoenn region. They came here specifically to see me—well, to apply for a job."

As he spoke, he gestured to Zhu Lan with the two resumes in his hand.

"Hello, I am Zhu Lan."

Zhu Lan nodded politely to the four of them and greeted them, then turned her gaze back to Bai Zhou, speaking softly.

"It seems you have important business to discuss here. I've already arranged for a car to pick you up outside. Shall I go wait for you there?"

She made a move to let go of Bai Zhou's hand, preparing to leave.

This move, a strategic retreat, demonstrates perfect timing and tact.

This not only demonstrated her thoughtfulness and generosity, avoiding putting Bai Zhou in a difficult position, but also subtly reinforced the impression that her relationship with Bai Zhou was "extraordinary".

"No."

Bai Zhou immediately spoke up, stopping Zhu Lan from pulling her hand away. Instead, he gently squeezed her hand and patted the back of it reassuringly.

"Wait for me, it'll be quick, let's go together."

After saying that, he turned to A-Quan, who looked somewhat uneasy.

With an apologetic smile, he handed the resume back to her.

"Miss Quan, Miss Huoyan, I am very grateful for your appreciation. Your resumes are indeed impressive, and you have demonstrated extraordinary talent in your respective fields."

"However, I really don't have any plans to open a research institute or expand my team in the near future, so—I'm sorry, I'm afraid you'll have made a wasted trip."

Then, he turned to Huoxing and Suixing, whose faces were not looking too good, and his tone returned to its usual calm.

"I would also like to trouble you two beautiful ladies to pass on a message to your commander, Mr. Chiri."

"I am indeed interested in the issues he mentioned and would like to meet with him, but—"

'

He paused deliberately, emphasizing, "Not now, and not in this way."

"Furthermore, the condition I proposed earlier" is also serious; please ask him to consider it carefully.

After saying that, he gave neither of them any more chances to argue, and turned to give Zhu Lan a slight smile.

"let's go."

Then, under Zhu Lan's smiling gaze, the two left the reception room together, leaving behind a harmonious and well-matched silhouette.

The remaining four people watched the two leave hand in hand, speechless for a moment, the atmosphere somewhat stagnant.

It wasn't until Bai Zhou and Zhu Lan's figures completely disappeared at the end of the corridor that they gradually came to their senses.

Ah Quan scratched his head in distress, sighed, and didn't say anything more.

She simply gave Suixing a look that said, "It's all your fault," then pulled Huoyan, whose expression remained unchanged, and turned to leave the reception room.

But looking at her eyes, she didn't seem like someone who would give up easily.

As for Huoxing and Suixing, neither of them looked too good, and their expressions even carried a hint of anger and frustration.

What a shame!

The two of them personally took charge, one adopting a cute and lively approach, and the other a mature and alluring one, using both soft and hard tactics simultaneously.

And what happened? Not only did they fail to "invite" the person back, but Sinnoh champion Cynthia simply took the person away right under their noses!

It was as easy as picking a flower from your own backyard! They completely ignored their presence!

hateful!

They are all trainers from the Sinnoh region, how are they inferior to Cynthia?

It's just a championship title! What's so great about it!

"Let's go."

Sui Xing took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the irritation in her heart and that barely perceptible hint of jealousy, and her voice regained its calmness.

"Let's find a place to stay first, and give the commander a detailed report on the situation here. As for the rest—we'll talk about it later."

As for turning back now?

nonexistent.

The task assigned by the regimental commander has not yet been completed, and the value of the target far exceeds expectations.

Even if you can't win someone's heart for the time being, you can at least get their body and find out more about them and their movements.

If they go back empty-handed, who knows how Zhenxing will mock them for their incompetence.

the other side.

Bai Zhou and Zhu Lan had already boarded the special car arranged by the alliance and smoothly drove away from the airport.

"Did you book a hotel in advance for your trip to Chengdu?"

In the spacious and comfortable back seat, Bai Zhou asked casually, but his slightly raised tone seemed to hide something else.

"If there's no reservation—"

He paused, turned his head to look at Zhu Lan beside him, and a smile that was not quite a smile appeared on his lips.

"If you don't mind, the villa I live in now is quite large, with plenty of empty rooms."

"Hotel, huh?!"

Zhu Lan gently withdrew her hand from his arm and leaned back slightly.

She lightly tapped her smooth chin with her fingertips, feigning deep thought and distress, her brows slightly furrowed, a sight that evoked pity in me.

In fact, given her status as a champion, the league's logistics department would naturally arrange everything for her trip meticulously, from accommodation to security, ensuring the highest standards, so she wouldn't need to worry about anything.

But things are different now.

Since she already knew that the Galactic Archaeological Team's goal was the White Boat, and she adopted this forceful approach that was almost like "blocking the door."

She naturally couldn't just sit idly by.

For the public good, it was to protect this young doctor, whose research on mythology and Pokémon is of immeasurable value, from being harassed or even harmed by suspicious organizations.

Personally, in order to investigate more deeply the Galactic Archaeological Team's true purpose and action plan in approaching him —

She would need to take some "unconventional" measures.

Ideally, I could live closer to him during this period.

For example—under the same roof?

After a moment of "thinking", she gently turned her head to look at Bai Zhou, elegantly tucking a strand of golden hair behind her ear, without directly answering his question.

"Um—it's a little embarrassing to say."

A sly glint flashed in Zhu Lan's eyes. Half-jokingly, half-seriously, she said softly, "This business trip was rather last-minute, and the budget the Alliance gave us—it seems a bit insufficient. It's really a headache—"

Budget — not enough?

Are you referring to the entire Sinnoh League, which can't even afford the accommodation expenses for its own champion on a business trip?!

Bai Zhou met her smiling, pale gray eyes and swallowed the tea leaves that were about to come out of his mouth.

The time since I parted from Zhulan was not actually that long, only about half a year at most.

But for some reason, this reunion...

Bai Zhou keenly sensed that her attitude towards him had undergone a subtle change.

They've become more intimate and casual, with less of the previous polite and courteous distance, and more of a natural familiarity and—dependence?

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, which is a classic example of...

This sentence inappropriately floated through someone's mind.

Bai Zhou naturally didn't object to this change in how they got along; in fact, he was happy to see it happen.

The prey seemed to have inadvertently revealed a more vulnerable side, and the hunter, of course, had to seize the opportunity to launch an "attack".

He dropped his joking expression and put on a serious one, saying solemnly, "You know, my Gengar—it recently learned a new trick, it can do backflips, and it does them pretty well."

"Um?"

Zhu Lan was slightly taken aback, but then she was amused by his serious nonsense and chuckled.

Following his words, she replied playfully, "Well—considering how hard Gengar is learning—"

She drew out her words, as if she had made a difficult decision.

"I'm leaving my accommodation arrangements to you this time, Dr. Shirafuru~"

Upon hearing this, Bai Zhou blinked and suddenly felt that something was not quite right.

Wait a minute—this rhythm—

Why do I feel like I've been tricked?

Wait a minute! I'm clearly the one with the "hunter's license"!

It's like the prey just lay down in the trap and even decorated it for good measure?

Bai Zhou wanted to say something more to salvage the dignity of the "hunter".

But Zhu Lan seemed to see through his thoughts, and yawned slightly at just the right moment, with a hint of weariness.

She gently closed her eyes, leaned back in her chair, and pretended to doze off.

Long eyelashes cast soft shadows under her eyes, and her fair face appeared exceptionally serene in the dappled light filtering through the car window.

Seeing Zhu Lan's slightly tired expression, Bai Zhou swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

The competitive spirit I had been harboring gradually dissipated.

He smiled helplessly, turned slightly to the side, and considerately pulled up the sunshade next to her.

I also slightly adjusted the air conditioning vents to keep the car interior environment as quiet and comfortable as possible.

After doing all this.

He had just sat up straight, preparing to rest for a bit.

It's unclear whether it was because Bai Zhou's movements were a bit too large, or because of the slight bumps in the vehicle, or perhaps—some other reason.

Zhu Lan, who was pretending to be asleep, frowned slightly and naturally turned her body towards Bai Zhou.

Then, quite naturally, she rested her head gently on Bai Zhou's shoulder.

A faint, sweet fragrance wafted out and quietly entered Bai Zhou's nose.

The fragrance was unique, like the scent of a forest after the rain mixed with some unknown floral fragrance, and with a hint of the warmth of sunshine.

Bai Zhou couldn't tell for a moment whether it was the smell of her shampoo, her natural body fragrance, or a hallucination caused by her own mind.

His body stiffened slightly, then relaxed.

Helplessly, I adjusted my posture to make the sudden "weight" on my shoulders more comfortable and avoid waking her.

Looking at Zhu Lan's peaceful sleeping face so close to mine, I felt the warmth and softness coming from my shoulder.

Bai Zhou's thoughts drifted, and he fell into deep contemplation.

Is this right? This isn't right, is it?

Could he be the "Pokémon" that Ga gave to Muli, the one requiring a strategy to build affection with him, and the real "Trainer"?

Actually, it's someone else?

Even breathing sounds came from beside me; Zhu Lan seemed to have really fallen asleep.

But Bai Zhou always felt that there was a faint smile hanging at the corner of her mouth.

She is intellectual, mature, and has a touch of the cunning of a bad woman.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, everyone!"

A vibrant female voice resonated through the speakers, echoing around the spacious natural stone forest arena.

Xiao Hu Tao, dressed in a smart tracksuit, stood in front of the camera with a microphone in hand and full of energy.

She guided the camera, pushing the view towards the towering, steep stone forest behind her.

"Welcome to the exciting Pokémon All-Around Power Tournament! I'm your host and commentator, Kurumi!"

Her voice was incredibly captivating, instantly igniting the enthusiasm of the audience both at the venue and in front of their screens.

-

"That's right! As you can see, this is not a man-made arena, but a natural stone forest sculpted by nature over countless years!"

"It is not only a magnificent sight, but also the ultimate stage where we will witness a contest of strength and wisdom today!"

The camera followed her directions, taking in the sight of the towering stone pillars, each tens of meters high and in various shapes.

Its rugged and primitive beauty creates a strong visual impact.

"Today's rules are simple and straightforward, yet full of challenges!"

Little Walnut raised her finger, her tone becoming impassioned.

"Thirty top competitors who passed the preliminary selection will be randomly assigned to different starting areas within this stone forest!"

"They have only one goal—to collect as many special stones as possible from the area using their strength over the next hour!"

"Attention! Throughout the entire match, the use of any Pokémon moves is strictly prohibited, as is the use of the trainer's own psychic abilities or other special abilities!"

She deliberately emphasized the word "strictly prohibited" to highlight the difficulty and purity of the competition.

Then, her expression turned serious, and her voice became lower.

"However, gentlemen, the competition is fierce! The stones are not evenly distributed, and conflicts may occur between areas!"

"In one hour, we will rank the participants based on the total weight of the stones they have collected. Only the top three participants will advance!"

Her voice rose again, full of anticipation.

"These three outstanding powerhouses will move to the central arena for their final showdown, until a single winner is crowned the champion of this year's individual strength competition!"

She took a deep breath, mustered all her strength, raised the microphone to its highest point, and shouted in her loudest voice, "Then I hereby announce! The Pokémon All-Around Power Tournament, Individual Competition, officially begins!"

As soon as she finished speaking, the audience erupted in deafening cheers!

The live stream began to switch rapidly, flashing past one competitor after another who was already eager to compete.

In the video, some fast-moving competitors have already dashed out like arrows and begun exploring the terrain.