I caught a Pokémon

It's truly a case of knowing the person but never seeing their face...

"This is Gary, Ash's friend."

Xia You only said this one sentence briefly, and Xiao Yao immediately looked enlightened.

So he was Xiao Mao!

Of course, May also knows that Ash and Gary's relationship is not as simple as that of ordinary friends. The complicated bond and relationship between the two means that they each hold a very important place in each other's hearts.

As expected... he's a completely different person compared to Ash.

Compared to their previous meeting, Xia You noticed that Xiao Mao's demeanor was more reserved and composed. Although he still had a confident air about him, he was completely different from when they first met.

The thought flashed through Xia You's mind, and she began to introduce Xiao Mao.

"This is May. You should have heard of her. She used to be Ash's partner, traveling with him in Hoenn. But now... she's become my partner."

Chapter 1067 My Insignificance

"Hello, I'm Xiaomao."

"I'm Xiaoyao," Xiaoyao replied politely.

Xiao Mao nodded to her, greeted her, and then looked away.

For this 'third-generation rich kid' who was once surrounded by beautiful women, although Xiaoyao is prettier than his peers, he has long been immune to women.

Of course, this isn't because Xiaozhi is completely clueless about relationships; rather, it's because he's experienced and encountered so much that he's become so calm now.

Most importantly, judging from the sports car and beautiful woman before, just like Xiao Gang, Xiao Mao... also likes more mature older women!

After exchanging pleasantries, Xia You asked Xiao Mao why he was there.

What are you doing here?

"I was doing archaeological research here and just happened to be passing by. By the way, I've been in Sinnoh for quite a while now." As he spoke, Gary looked Xia You up and down. "Judging from your appearance, you must have just finished challenging the Nohara Gym, right?"

It's no wonder that Xiao Mao could guess it. After all, Nohara City was right behind Xia You, so close, and he was facing away from that direction. Considering his identity, anyone with eyes could see it.

Upon hearing him mention the Nohara Dojo, Xia You suddenly remembered something and couldn't help but laugh, "Speaking of which, your 'good friend' is currently in Nohara City. Would you like to go and meet him?"

He emphasized the words "good friend" to imply that he knew the relationship between the two was unusual, but unfortunately, Xiao Mao did not respond.

Or perhaps he realized it, but didn't refute it.

“I have nothing to do with that guy,” Xiao Mao shook his head. “Besides, you’re too late. I already saw him not long ago.”

What do you mean by "there's nothing to see here"...?

You've already met them beforehand, haven't you?

However, this had nothing to do with Xia You. He looked at Xiao Mao and clicked his tongue in amazement: "Although I already know your plans and have seen you working hard in this direction, it is still a bit unbelievable that the once spirited young man has actually given up Pokémon battles and followed in your grandfather's footsteps."

“This is my new goal.” Xiao Mao shook his head. “I am completely different now than I used to be. I’m no longer someone who only knew how to pursue results. But speaking of which, I’ve heard a lot about you in academia. Haven’t you also stepped into this field and achieved quite a lot?”

Can I be the same as you...?

“…” Xia You coughed lightly, “My situation is different from yours. Right now, the Pokémon Tournament is the main focus. Academics are just secondary.”

“The Pokémon Tournament…” Shigeru still didn’t think too much about it, just sighed, a flash of memory in his eyes, but only for a moment. “You have won three regional tournaments in a row, you must be even stronger now. It seems that… this place will soon be conquered by you.”

"It's not that simple." Xia You shook her head. "There are still many outstanding trainers on the Sinnoh continent."

"Anyway, I will go watch your game on the opening day."

Xiao Mao's appearance was like meeting an old friend, but Xia You and he weren't close, so they didn't have much to talk about.

Just like now, after exchanging a few simple words, the two ran out of things to say.

Seeing Xiao Mao looking at the instant noodles in the pot again, Xia You extended an invitation: "Want to eat together?"

However, it is clear that although Xiao Mao's personality has changed drastically, he, who comes from an excellent family, would never eat such cheap food.

So after waving his hand, he said nothing, picked up his luggage, and silently left.

Watching his retreating figure, Xiaoyao chuckled softly.

"They're gone already? Is this Ash's so-called lifelong rival? They really are the complete opposite of Ash."

Seeing Xia You staring at his back, Xiao Yao couldn't help but feel curious.

"Xia You, what's wrong? Is there something wrong with him?"

"Of course there's no problem." Xia You came back to her senses and sighed, "It's just a little regrettable."

Because she hadn't known Xiao Mao for long and didn't understand him at all, Xiao Yao naturally didn't understand: "What a pity? What's a pity?"

"Of course it's a pity that he has such great talent." Xia You slurped up a couple of mouthfuls of noodles that had gone cold before saying, "Actually, Xiao Mao's talent is still very high and his strength is also very strong. It's just that his previous confidence affected him, but now he has changed that personality. However, he chose scientific research, which is really a pity."

"I guess everyone chooses a different path." Xiaoyao didn't seem to mind. "I think he's enjoying himself right now. Maybe scientific research is what he really wants."

“Yeah…” Xia You shrugged, “But if Xiao Mao can keep going, I even feel that in the future, he will eventually compete with Xiao Zhi for the championship and have a fateful showdown. But for now…”

Xiao Mao's appearance was unexpected, and after lunch, the two put the matter out of their minds.

They packed their bags and continued their journey towards Jiayuan City.

……

While Xia You and Xiao Yao were on their way, Zhu Lan and Ya Mi were having lunch in the restaurant on the second floor of the Shenhe Town History Museum.

However, compared to their simple meal, their lunch was undoubtedly much more substantial.

Sitting on the other side of the table, slowly taking a bite of steak, Zhu Lan couldn't help but glance at Ya Mi across from her.

Yami's manners are impeccable; even though it's just the two of them now, she eats with great elegance.

only……

Where does this composure come from?

She's his hostage now!

How can you have no self-awareness at all?

But none of that matters; Zhu Lan's focus isn't on that right now.

How exactly did you meet that man?

She didn't know Xia You very well. Apart from the time she had spent with him, all she had heard about him was his strength and what achievements he had made in the past, but she didn't know anything about his past.

The man Zhu Lan was referring to was naturally Xia You. What amused Ya Mi was that Zhu Lan seemed to dislike Xia You so much that she didn't even want to mention his name, only referring to him as "that man".

"We met while traveling, it was a simple encounter, we went through simple things together, and finally we took a simple trip together."

"A simple trip?" Zhu Lan smiled noncommittally. "How could your relationship be so simple? Otherwise... why would I have brought you here?"

Yami put down her knife and fork, looked at Zhulan with a gentle smile.

"Actually... if you think you can make him submit by claiming that I am his woman, you may be mistaken. I have only recently become his woman, and compared to his other women, my importance is insignificant."

Chapter 1068 Zhu Lan: We must save her!

Zhu Lan was stunned upon hearing this, seemingly unable to believe her ears.

"Wait!" She stopped Yami, her eyes widening as she stared at the woman in front of her in disbelief. "You mean... he has other women!?"

Perhaps she was too surprised, because even her voice rose several degrees.

"Yes."

Seeing Yami nod to her, Zhu Lan was even more shocked!

"Wait a minute!" She slammed her hand on the table, then stood up and looked at Yami. "He has other women, and you're still with him?!"

Yami seemed confused as to why Zhulan was so agitated about something that was clearly her own affair.

She nodded, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "I... can't refuse him."

What an irresistible excuse!

What kind of thought process is this?!

"This isn't a question of refusing or not!" Zhu Lan's chest heaved violently, as if this matter had crossed her bottom line. "He clearly has other women, yet he still dares to provoke you!? What does he take us women for!?"

It's no wonder Zhu Lan was so excited.

As we all know, she is a woman who, through her own efforts, defeated countless male trainers and truly earned the respect of everyone in Sinnoh. In a sense, she is a well-deserved strong woman.

Rational, yet also emotional.

What she can't stand the most is people playing with women's feelings and doing things like cheating on them!

Scum!

She cursed inwardly, her impression of Xia You becoming even worse.

I never imagined that man, who seemed so serious, would be this kind of person inside!

It's a shame he's so good-looking!

wrong!

Recalling their intimate moments in the school warehouse and in the wilderness, she realized she had known his true nature all along!

Just thinking about what she did back then makes her heart race.

Of course, this wasn't because Zhu Lan had developed any strange feelings for Xia You; it was simply because she was so angry that her blood was boiling!

Seeing that Ya Mi's expression was normal, Zhu Lan took a deep breath and sat down again.

"What are you really thinking? What's so good about that kind of man?"

Yami's face turned even redder, as if she had thought of something.

Seeing her pathetic state, Zhu Lan could only sigh silently, feeling that this woman was utterly hopeless and depraved.

Knowing full well that the other person has other women, yet still throwing yourself at him without hesitation—what else is that but depravity?

What a terrifying case of being love-struck.

Fortunately, I'm not that kind of person.

With that thought in mind, Zhu Lan decided that she should try to enlighten this foolish woman in front of her.

However, at this moment, Yami spoke first, and to Zhulan's surprise, she began to recount her little moments with Xia You from some small things.

fair enough.

Let's listen to it first.

Zhu Lan thought to herself.

Persuasion won't work; words alone won't make Yami realize her mistake.

We need to find out why she likes that man first, so we can address the problem and rescue her.

……

A heavy rain fell, and Xia You and Xiao Yao set up their tent on the top of a small hill. They listened to the rain and wind in the tent for most of the night.

The next morning, after they had packed up, they set off northward along the muddy path.

In just a day and a half, Jiayuan City was already within reach.

Homeland City is located in the very center of the Sinnoh continent.

Surrounded by lush green hills, this place is advertised as a place for heart-to-heart communication.

It is said that this place was originally formed because of the encounter between people and Pokémon, and then it gradually developed into a commercial center. People also regard such encounters as a spiritual interaction between humans and Pokémon.

Xia You and Xiao Yao entered the city, their curious eyes looking left and right.

It is evident that this place has a very long history and can be considered one of the earliest cities in Sinnoh. Although the buildings on both sides of the street are not high-rise buildings with a strong sense of technology, they are full of traces of history. Even the streets under your feet are old-fashioned stone slab roads.

Although it was their first time here, for some reason, the place gave them a very comfortable feeling.

After flipping through the travel guide, Xiaoyao couldn't help but exclaim, "What a wonderful place! I heard that Home City was voted the most livable place in the Sinnoh region in a previous poll!"

"I see." Xia You nodded. "No wonder the air here feels so good."

Since it was still early, they didn't waste any time and went straight to the official dojo here—Jiayuan Dojo.

Speaking of which, the gym leader of this gym is Melissa, who mainly uses Ghost-type Pokémon and is a very powerful trainer.