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Chapter 103 Two Weeks in "Hell"

"Brother~" Hong Xiu leaned closer and said in a tone that was hard for Hong You to refuse, with a hint of coquetry.

"Go take the trainer qualification exam! Once you pass, you can legally buy Poké Balls, then you can catch Gold, and Gold can legitimately follow us! When I reach the appropriate age, you can—you can find a way to transfer it to me, or we can become trainers together!"

Hong You almost choked on his own saliva, and immediately shook his head like a rattle drum.

"Me? No way! You know my academic level. I can barely understand any of that Pokémon knowledge! I definitely won't pass those theory exams!"

"You can do it! Brother, you definitely can!" Hong Xiu grabbed her brother's arm, her delicate face full of confidence.

"The trainer qualification exam's academic section isn't that difficult! It's mostly common sense and comprehension! I secretly did a few mock exams that circulated online before, and I passed them all! Trust me, I'll help you review!"

I promise I'll teach you!

"There are only two weeks left until the next qualification exam in Taiwan, right?" Hong You remembered the announcement.

"Two weeks is enough! You work during the day, and I'll teach you at night! Let's hurry up!" Hong Xiu said confidently, then looked at the Gyarados that was listening quietly to him.

"Little Gold, you agree, right? You're willing to wait for my brother to pass his exam so you can catch him with a Poké Ball, right?"

Gyarados Gold nodded solemnly and let out a firm growl, indicating its support and anticipation.

Looking at the unquestionable trust and expectation in her younger brother's eyes, and then at the Gyarados Little Gold waiting quietly beside her with gentle eyes, Hong You's words of refusal stuck in her throat.

He recalled Lin Dao's reply: "It is precious to be willing to help another life even when things are not going well."

Xiao Jin helped her younger brother, and indirectly helped him as well.

Now it's time for them to repay, even if in such an unexpected way.

Hong You gritted her teeth and decided to fight for her younger brother, for this important partner who had become a member of the family (although it was still a secret).

"Okay! I'll give it a try!" Hong You said, going all out. "But don't get your hopes up too high—"

"Yay! You're the best, brother!" Hong Xiu cheered.

"Don't worry! I've got it covered!" Hong Xiu immediately patted her chest to assure him, a cunning and bright light flashing in her eyes.

Gyarados let out a joyful roar and gently nudged Hongyou with its head, expressing encouragement and gratitude.

The next two weeks were like hell for Hong You.

After a busy day at the fast food restaurant, I got home and had barely finished my meal when Hong Xiu forced me to sit at the table and begin studying "Basic Pokémon Ecology," "Identifying and Dealing with Common Pokémon Habits," "Basic Regulations and Ethics for Trainers," and "Poké Ball Handling and Safety Guidelines."

Afterwards, Hong Xiu somehow obtained more detailed study materials (some of which were downloaded online for a fee, probably using his long-saved pocket money). He first digested and understood them himself, then extracted the key points and exam topics, and fed them to Hong You in the simplest and most straightforward way.

From Pokémon type advantages and disadvantages, basic habits, and common moves, to trainer ethics, basic first aid knowledge, and relevant laws and regulations —

Although the parents found it strange that their eldest son had suddenly started staying up late to "study hard," they were just pleased to see the two brothers studying together (they assumed that Hung Hsiu was tutoring his older brother in adult education material) and didn't ask any further questions.

Hong You was suffering a lot from studying.

Those words and concepts were particularly difficult for him, who had left the classroom at a very young age.

But he gritted his teeth and persevered.

Whenever he wanted to give up, he would think of the freedom he felt sailing on the sea that night, the trusting look in Gyarados's eyes, and the glowing face of his younger brother when he mentioned "traveling with Little Gold".

For the past two weeks, they have continued to secretly feed Xiao Jin every night.

The evolved Gyarados has an enormous appetite, but fortunately, it can also hunt in the deep sea.

The food the brothers brought was more about maintaining their relationship.

Xiao Jin would always wait quietly at the same spot. When he saw them arrive, the fierce look in his eyes would disappear, replaced by gentleness.

Two weeks flew by.

On the day of the exam, Hong You walked into the examination room with dark circles under her eyes, feeling extremely nervous.

When he received the test paper, he took a deep breath and tried hard to recall the key points his brother had highlighted and the question types he had repeatedly emphasized—he felt like he was going to his execution.

Hong Xiu cheered him on from outside the examination hall by clenching her fist.

The results were released a week later.

With trembling hands, Hong You opened the query page and entered his examination admission ticket number. When he saw the word "qualified" pop up on the screen, he could hardly believe his eyes.

After confirming it several times, he suddenly hugged his equally nervous younger brother, and the two brothers shouted and jumped, attracting the attention of passersby.

"I passed! Show! I passed!"

Hong Xiu's smile was brighter than the sunshine: "I told you you could do it, brother!"

That day, Hong You, holding the newly issued qualification certificate, led Hong Xiu into the town's newly opened, officially authorized "Pokémon Supplies Store".

Under the slightly surprised gazes of the shop assistants (after all, Hong You didn't look like a typical trainer at all), they used Hong You's newly received salary to buy a Green Poké Ball. Although the rules allowed them to buy five, and they had enough money, one was enough.

Evening, the familiar rocky beach.

Gyarados Gold had already sensed their arrival and their joy of success, and was already waiting in the shallow water, looking somewhat restless.

Hong You handed the brand-new jade ball to Hong Xiu.

Hong Xiu solemnly accepted the Poké Ball, walked to the shore, and held it up to Xiao Jin.

"Little Jin," his voice was steady in the sea breeze, "would you like to—become our partner?"

Gyarados Little Gold let out a deafening roar, a battle cry in response and a joyful declaration.

It actively brought its massive head close to the Poké Ball.

The Poké Ball opened, shooting out a beam of red light that enveloped Gyarados's massive body.

Gyarados offered no resistance and was absorbed into the ball as a red glow.

The Poké Ball bounced in the air, exhaling steam. When the steam disappeared, the Poké Ball landed on the ground.

Successfully captured!

Hong Xiu picked up the Poké Ball that was no longer shaking, held it tightly in her palm, and felt the solid and warm bond between herself and Xiao Jin that emanated from it.

He looked up at his brother, his eyes sparkling like stars.

Hong You looked at her younger brother, then at the Poké Ball in his hand, and felt a sense of accomplishment.

These two weeks of grueling studying were worth it! The road ahead may still bring economic pressure and other challenges, but they have gained official qualifications, strong partners, and a brotherhood that supports each other.

The sea breeze blew, and the setting sun cast long shadows of them.

A brand new road is quietly unfolding on this coastline that once witnessed loneliness, pain, secrets, and hope.

The selfless guidance and care that connects both sides of the Taiwan Strait is the earliest and warmest light on this path.