Pokémon: Hard work pays off, moves can be upgraded infinitely.

Inside the rest area of ​​the 203-player battlefield.

"You like men?? What do you mean?"

Upon hearing Lü Jiayi's question, Zhao Hailong stared at her, seemingly not quite understanding.

"It means exactly what it says. That 'beauty' is named Liu Hesheng, and he is a genuine man," Lü Jiayi explained.

"!!!"

Zhao Hailong was dumbfounded.

What did you say? That beautiful, delicate goddess is actually a man, just like Liu Jianhao?!

Grass!

What sins did he commit in his past life to fall in love with men twice?!

Zhao Hailong felt a pang of sorrow in his heart.

The scene of my first meeting with Liu Jianhao seemed to appear before my eyes.

He was still in elementary school at the time, but he fell in love at first sight with the handsome Liu Jianhao. However, when he saw that the other man had a penis that was bigger than his own, his worldview was completely shattered.

The psychological trauma he suffered from made him afraid to look at pretty girls for a long time.

Now, ten years have passed, and he has finally emerged from the shadows. He is somewhat tempted again. If Liu Jianhao hadn't already made his move, he would have tried to go up and have a conversation with him.

But tragedy struck again...

No, this can't be considered a tragedy yet. After all, Liu Jianhao had already paved the way for him, and the tragedy didn't repeat itself!

Thank goodness!!

"Luckily I didn't go back then..."

Zhao Hailong suddenly murmured something with a hint of relief.

Just then, Liu Jianhao, who was walking next to Liu Hesheng and chatting with him, also noticed Mu Yun and his group.

"Brother Yun? You guys are here too!"

He smiled and waved:

"What's wrong? Why are you all looking at me so strangely?"

"It's nothing, it's just..."

Immersed in a complex mix of grief, relief, and gratitude, Zhao Hailong did not "mocker" Liu Jianhao as usual, but instead looked at him with a complicated expression.

"What is it?"

Liu Jianhao raised an eyebrow, sensing that something was off about Zhao Hailong.

"Alright, let's not talk about that anymore. Let me introduce you to my new friend."

Liu Jianhao didn't dwell on it too much and pointed to Liu Hesheng beside him.

"Liu Hesheng is a friend I met in the last match, and he is also my opponent in this match."

Liu Jianhao casually draped his arm over Liu Hesheng's shoulder and introduced them.

This demeanor makes it seem like they've known each other for a long time, not that they just met.

"Hello everyone, my name is Liu Hesheng."

Liu Hesheng's voice, like his appearance, was soft and weak, but compared to the patient's faint breathing, his speech was quite coherent.

"Young Master Liu, it's been a long time!"

Before Mu Yun and the others could speak, Lü Jiayi stepped forward and greeted them in a familiar tone.

"Long time no see, Miss Lü."

"You two know each other?"

Perhaps he didn't hear clearly, but Liu Jianhao didn't seem to care about being called Young Master Liu at all; instead, he seemed rather curious about the relationship between the two.

"We used to run into each other often at family gatherings," Liu Hesheng said slowly.

"Jianhao, come with me for a moment."

Just then, Zhao Hailong spoke up.

He couldn't resist telling him that Liu Hesheng was a man.

Although the two always bickered and argued, he couldn't bear to let his brother "misplace his trust" after more than ten years of friendship, lest he and his brother's hearts be broken.

"What's wrong?"

Liu Jianhao, who was pulled aside by Zhao Hailong, was a little confused.

"After you hear what I'm about to say, you must hold back and not act impulsively!" Zhao Hailong reminded him worriedly.

"No, what are you trying to do? You're acting all crazy. Just say what you want to say."

"Then I'll tell you..."

Zhao Hailong took a deep breath, looked at Liu Jianhao with the most resolute gaze he had ever had, and said in a deep voice:

"Actually, that Liu Hesheng is --a --man--!!"

After saying that, Zhao Hailong let out a long sigh of relief, as if he had accomplished some important task entrusted to him.

Then, as if to comfort Liu Jianhao, he continued, "Actually, it's not a big deal if you misjudged him. I also thought he was a woman just now, and I was even a little bit attracted to him. Luckily you made a move. Don't worry, I won't laugh at you."

However, when he finished speaking and looked at Liu Jianhao, he didn't see a shocked and indignant expression, but rather a strange look on his face.

"What's wrong? He's a man, aren't you surprised?"

"What's so surprising? We met in the restroom..." Liu Jianhao said, speechless.

He thought Zhao Hailong was going to hold back something big, but it turned out to be a huge mess.

Can't he tell if someone is a man or not?

Does that mean he's wasted the last ten years or so?

"But you, after ten years, still have such terrible taste. You can't even tell the difference between men and women before you like someone. Please, be a little more rational, brother!" Liu Jianhao patted his shoulder and said earnestly.

"........."

Zhao Hailong fell silent. He felt a bit dizzy from the strong wind in the lounge and desperately needed to go downstairs to clear his head.

The kind that doesn't involve taking the stairs is too slow!

Oh right, I don't really want to take the elevator either...

While no one can step into the same river twice, someone will fall into the same trap twice.

"What's wrong with Hailong?"

Looking at Liu Jianhao and Zhao Hailong walking back one after the other, Mu Yun was somewhat puzzled.

Something's not right. Zhao Hailong seems like he's lost his soul, while Liu Jianhao seems perfectly fine.

"It's nothing serious, just a small misunderstanding."

Liu Jianhao pinched his thumb and forefinger together, leaving a tiny gap, and said with a smile.

Finally, as if remembering something, Liu Jianhao offered an explanation:

"By the way, Brother Yun, I know Liu Hesheng is a man, please don't misunderstand!"

He didn't want to be seen as a pervert with strange sexual orientation by acquaintances.

"Players number 1 and 11 from Group A, please assemble at the battle venue. I'll repeat that once..."

Just then, the broadcast came on.

A1 is Liu Jianhao, and A11 is Liu Hesheng.

Upon hearing the announcement, Liu Jianhao greeted the speaker and then walked side by side with Liu Hesheng into the passageway.

"Sea Dragon, want one?"

After the two walked away, Zhao Hailong still looked dejected. Mu Yun casually took out a milk candy from his pocket.

"Thank you, Brother Yun, I... sigh..."

Zhao Hailong mumbled something, and in the end, all that remained was a long sigh.

Fortunately, the deliciousness of the milk candy was still effective. As the rich milky aroma burst in his mouth, all the large milk jugs that roamed freely on the grassland came into view, and the warm feeling enveloped him completely.

..............................

[Ding! Human Zhao Hailong has triggered a culinary illusion due to the host's delicious food, gaining 100 cooking skill experience points!]

【厨艺（LV3，6140/10000）→厨艺（LV3，6240/10000）】

..............................

"?"

Has another culinary illusion been triggered?

Why is that?

I feed it every few days, so how can it still trigger?

"Brother Yun, I want one too!"

Seeing Zhao Hailong's happy expression as he ate the milk candy, Chi Duoduo suddenly remembered their "picnic" by the river last time.

Yun Ge's cooking is amazing, she wants more!

"Give."

Mu Yun took out another handful of milk candies, gave some to Chi Duoduo, and a few to Lü Jiayi who was standing next to him.

"Thanks."

Lü Jiayi accepted it politely. Although she didn't like sweets, Mu Yun had given it to her, so she couldn't refuse.

Well, I can't just put it away in front of others, so I'll just take a bite...

Thinking it over, Lü Jiayi opened the candy wrapper and popped the perfectly soft and firm milk candy into her mouth.

"!!!"

A delicious flavor she had never experienced before blossomed in her mouth, and her taste buds, like green plants in a parched desert, absorbed it all after encountering a miraculous rain.

This is so delicious!

This is divine! It's simply divine!

It tastes a thousand times better than that damn tree fruit sap, vegetable and medicinal herb mixture! No, it tastes a million times better than that damn thing!!!

..............................

[Ding! Human Lü Jiayi has triggered a culinary illusion due to the host's delicious food, gaining 100 cooking skill experience points!]

【厨艺（LV3，6240/10000）→厨艺（LV3，6340/10000）】

..............................

Another culinary fantasy?

Has my skill improved?

Mu Yun was a little surprised, but looking at Chi Duoduo beside him, who was all smiles and happy, without any notification sound, he dismissed the unrealistic possibility.

Does this mean that Lü Jiayi has never eaten anything good?

That's unlikely. She's the eldest daughter of the Lü family, and she has an aunt who's known as the "Heavenly King." What can't she eat if she wants to?

The triggering mechanism is strange; I can't figure it out...