The weather in Linglong City was usually quite pleasant. Although sandstorms could be a bit harsh at times, it didn't stop the people living there from facing life with a smile. Of course, weather, while generally consistent within a large area, sometimes liked to play tricks. Take the weather above Yudongdu, for instance.
Just as Xia Henao was playing matchmaker for him and Yu Rui, the sky above Yudongdu was a brilliant, sunny blue. But as classmate Xia Henao began to doubt himself, the weather above Yudongdu took a turn for the worse. First, it became cloudy, then rainy, then a downpour, then a torrential rain, and now it had escalated into severe convective weather.
Yudongdu lowered his head, not daring to look at Shen Yu's tear-reddened eyes. Although Zheng Xiaoxiao had hoped Shen Yu would get some rest yesterday, Shen Yu was too worried about Xia Henao and hadn't slept all night, which had caused her eyes to become bloodshot.
Yudongdu cautiously approached Shen Yu, enduring her murderous gaze, and said, "Um, Xiaoyu, shouldn't we go check on Old Xia first? Staying here won't solve anything."
Only then did Shen Yu refrain from tearing Yudongdu apart at the airport. She followed Yulinglong to Yu Rui's shop.
At this moment, Xia Henao was sitting by the door, holding Xie Mi. Although Xia Henao wasn't quite himself, Xie Mi seemed to prefer this version of him. After getting Yu Rui's permission, Xie Mi had adopted Xia Henao as a reclining chair, spending all day basking in the sun while nestled in his arms.
When Yudongdu brought Shen Yu over, Xie Mi was perched on Xia Henao's head, letting out soft chirps. Seeing Xia Henao in this state, Shen Yu rushed over, "Xiaxia, how are you? Are you okay?"
Hearing Shen Yu's voice, Xia Henao turned his head, glanced at her, and then nodded. Yudongdu's eyes welled up at Xia Henao's response, "Holy crap, Old Xia, you finally reacted! I thought you'd be lost forever."
Shen Yu glared at Yudongdu, and he immediately fell silent. Zheng Xiaoxiao looked at Xia Henao, "I see this differently. I initially thought Xia Henao's condition was only off during battles, but looking at him now, it seems the psychological blow was too severe."
Shen Yu looked at Zheng Xiaoxiao with hopeful eyes, "Then what should we do?"
"I think, just like Linglong suggested, we should let him slowly recover from this psychological issue. He'll surely get better eventually."
Shen Yu picked up Xie Mi from Xia Henao's head. "Alright, little one, can I stay with him for a while?"
Xie Mi toddled back to the room with his short legs, and Shen Yu sat beside Xia Henao. "Xiaxia, why did you become like this? I heard from Adu everything, that your performance was your true strength. You don't need to doubt yourself."
Xia Henao remained silent, sitting rigidly. Shen Yu sighed and leaned against him, "I hope this makes you feel a little better."
In the blink of an eye, Xia Henao's dazed state continued for another three or four days. On the eve of the second stage of the competition on December 19th, Xia Henao's condition still hadn't improved. Thus, Xia Henao's ever-present beloved wheelchair made its reappearance, and seeing Xia Henao in it made Shen Yu's heart ache even more.
On December 20th, Shen Yu pushed Xia Henao to the second venue of the grand competition. The second stage of the elimination rounds would take place at the Simen Stadium in Linglong City.
Inside Simen Stadium, the second stage of the elimination rounds was about to commence. After the official speech from the league representatives, the first match of the second stage, an exhibition match between Xia Henao and Yi Mengbi, began.
This exhibition match wasn't initially planned. After all, Xia Henao had sent Yi Mengbi to the hospital. Xia Henao was quite merciful towards those hospitalized, so he hadn't intended to prolong Yi Mengbi's suffering with an exhibition match. However, unexpectedly, as the competition progressed, Yi Mengbi recovered from the hospital, while Xia Henao's condition worsened. This gave Yi Mengbi the impression that an opportunity had arrived for him to seek revenge.
The league officials acknowledged Yi Mengbi's request for an exhibition match. However, considering Xia Henao's condition, they sent someone to seek the opinions of Xia Henao and his companions.
Shen Yu did not want Xia Henao to participate in such a match, as it posed a risk for Xia Henao in his current state to face Yi Mengbi. However, Yudongdu had a different idea. "Sister Yu, I think we can accept this exhibition match. With Quacklin's abilities, winning against Yi Mengbi should be no problem. Perhaps this could even restore some of Old Xia's confidence."
But Shen Yu no longer believed Yudongdu's words. She looked at Zheng Xiaoxiao, "Sister Xiaoxiao, do you think this will work?"
Zheng Xiaoxiao pondered for a long time before finally replying, "Xiaoyu, I think Yudongdu's idea is feasible."
...
Let's return to the arena. Shen Yu pushed Xia Henao's wheelchair onto the stage. Yi Mengbi, standing opposite Xia Henao, continued his facade. "Are you alright, Chairman Xia? If you're not feeling well, we can cancel this match."
The implication was clear: if you lose, don't use your health as an excuse. Although Shen Yu wasn't known for her sharp tongue, she had been by Xia Henao's side and was influenced by him. "It's classmate Mengbi, isn't it? Our Xiaxia often tells me that if you promise something, you must keep your word and do your best. There's no need to cancel this match."
The referee stepped forward to prepare for the coin toss, but Shen Yu shook her head. "Referee, we won't guess the coin. Let classmate Mengbi choose first."
Yi Mengbi, as he wished, chose to go second. For this exhibition match, Yi Mengbi had specifically prepared a Venusaur. After all, Water-type Quacklin, Rock-type Diancie, and Rockruff were not adept at dealing with Grass-types.
The match began. Xia Henao casually threw out a Quacklin, and the two Pokémon quickly engaged. Although Shen Yu could push Xia Henao's wheelchair onto the stage, she had no authority to command Quacklin. She had stepped down before the match began and was now cheering for Xia Henao from the sidelines.
Yi Mengbi glanced at Shen Yu, who was active at the sidelines, and sneered inwardly. "I thought you were so strong. So, this is all you are. I must get back all the face you made me lose!"
"Venusaur, use Solar Beam!"
Venusaur began to gather energy on the spot. The moment Venusaur started absorbing energy, Quacklin flashed to the side and unleashed a Water Shuriken, hitting Venusaur.
Venusaur's charge was not interrupted. Quacklin flashed back after dodging. Since Xia Henao had limited mobility, while he could throw a Poké Ball, expecting him to actively push the wheelchair was asking too much.
If Quacklin had dodged between Xia Henao and Venusaur, given Yi Mengbi's character, it was highly probable he would have directly ordered Venusaur to attack Xia Henao.
However, Quacklin was experienced in dealing with such attacks. It used Ice Beam against Solar Beam. Although it took some damage, it managed to block the attack.
This made Yi Mengbi seem to have discovered a winning strategy. He believed that as long as he attacked Xia Henao, Quacklin would have to block in between, thus exhausting Quacklin.
The spectators could generally understand what Yi Mengbi was thinking. Yudongdu had already started cursing his shamelessness. Shen Yu, however, had her hand held by Zheng Xiaoxiao. "Calm down. Little Xia won't be in trouble that easily."
The situation indeed unfolded as Zheng Xiaoxiao had predicted. Quacklin directly resolved Yi Mengbi's intentions with Double Team. Quacklin, now free from Xia Henao's direct command, even learned to use Hex-Ring Ninjutsu on its own. Yi Mengbi had never seen anything like it and was momentarily caught off guard. Furthermore, despite Venusaur being his trump card, the coordination was lacking, and Quacklin successfully inflicted the negative status effect from Hex-Ring Ninjutsu.
Seeing Venusaur collapse on the ground, Yi Mengbi looked incredulous. The referee declared the match over, with Xia Henao declared the winner. Yi Mengbi dejectedly walked off the stage, while Xia Henao was pushed off by Quacklin. However, Quacklin seemed puzzled, wondering why its trainer was back in a wheelchair.
As Xia Henao was pushed off, Shen Yu waved her hand in front of him. "Sister Xiaoxiao, why hasn't Xiaxia recovered yet?"
Zheng Xiaoxiao rubbed Shen Yu's head. "Girl, you can't rush. You can't expect Little Xia to solve all his problems with one match. After all, Little Xia has won many battles before."
Shen Yu nodded. Although she was reluctant to accept it, Zheng Xiaoxiao was right. Seeing Shen Yu looking dejected, Yudongdu's eyes lit up, and he approached her. "I know!"
Shen Yu looked at him. "You know what?"
Yudongdu smiled. "We've always thought that Old Xia would recover by winning a match, but we've forgotten a simple truth!"
Zheng Xiaoxiao's interest was piqued. "A simple truth? What truth?"
"A lion doesn't feel proud for stepping on an ant."
Zheng Xiaoxiao and Shen Yu nodded. "Continue."
"What I mean is, we should at least make Old Xia believe he's defeated someone he considers an opponent. The reason Old Xia hasn't reacted might be because he doesn't take Yi Mengbi seriously at all, and thus shows no emotion after defeating him."
Yi Mengbi, who was already in a bad mood, felt even worse upon hearing Yudongdu belittling him. Overcome with anger, his vision went black.
"Oh no! Someone help! Someone fainted!"
Yudongdu glanced at Yi Mengbi. "This is you asking for trouble, so you can't blame me. For me and Old Xia, if you don't go to hell, who will?"