Xia Huanao thought a lot, and in the end, he decided to put himself and Mu Zhi Shui in the same group. As for other variables, he would deal with them as they came.
After arranging everything, Xia Huanao stood up and walked towards the kitchen. "Come on, let me see what good food the kitchen has made. Why haven't they brought anything out for so long?"
Yu Longdu also stood up. He was a bit hungry too. Brainstorming with Xia Huanao was not an easy task, and he needed something to fill his weak stomach.
The two arrived at the kitchen and lifted the curtain to peek inside. They saw two young girls huddled together, "sneaking around," doing something they didn't know. Xia Huanao and Yu Longdu quietly crept closer to peer in. They saw a small steamer basket emitting white steam over the stove. Shen Yu and Yu Rui were intently staring at the steamer basket.
Yu Longdu asked, "So, what's inside the steamer basket?"
The two girls, engrossed in their task, were startled by Yu Longdu's sudden question and let out a scream. Yu Rui then grabbed the steamer basket beside her and chased Yu Longdu around the room, each attack making Yu Longdu groan in pain.
Xia Huanao sighed, "What a disaster. Why couldn't you have just quietly looked at your girlfriend? You had to speak up. Look how scared Yu Rui is."
As he spoke, Xia Huanao put his arm around Shen Yu. "Xiao Yu, what's in the steamer basket?"
Shen Yu wiggled her finger. "It's a secret."
"What's there to keep secret? We'll be eating it all eventually anyway."
"But I can't tell you now."
It's true, the gap between couples is truly immense.
...
After arranging the general direction of all the upcoming matches, Xia Huanao could finally have a few days of good rest. He took Shen Yu around Linglong City for sightseeing, and only when the final matches for the under-twenty age group began did he take Shen Yu to watch. He wasn't particularly interested in the under-twenty matches; it was only because Yu Longdu was participating that he decided to watch and witness the moment Yu Longdu became the strongest trainer under twenty.
However, to his surprise, he actually saw Chu Xiaodie in this day's matches, which astonished him. What was this girl up to? How did she manage to get into this stage, and how had she fought her way this far?
Seeing Xia Huanao's expression, Tong Ruo, who was standing beside him, chuckled, "Your disciple is quite something. You've taught her to be so capable."
Xia Huanao also smiled. What had he taught her? He hadn't developed any new strategies for Chu Xiaodie in a long time; this was entirely her own accomplishment.
On the competition field, Chu Xiaodie won another match after a difficult battle. She waved towards Xia Huanao from afar. Xia Huanao smiled and waved back. This interaction caused a stir among the spectators. "Huh? Do they know each other?"
Someone standing next to the person who asked the question laughed. "No, your intelligence is rather poor. Chu Xiaodie is from Six Spirits University. She's considered Xia Huanao's student. What's strange about a teacher and student interacting?"
"This is going to be troublesome. What about the college student Pokémon tournament?"
The person who had laughed earlier asked, puzzled, "What do you mean, 'what about it'? It's just a second-year student. What can she do?"
"But what about in two years? When she's in her third or fourth year, who will be able to stop her?"
"That's a valid point..."
While others were contemplating the college student Pokémon tournament, Xia Huanao was watching Yu Longdu's match. It was clear that his opponent had studied Yu Longdu thoroughly, knowing he was a genuine "Flying-type Ace." The opponent brought out several Electric-type Pokémon and engaged Yu Longdu in a tough battle.
Although on the surface the type advantage seemed to be with the opponent, Xia Huanao was more optimistic about Yu Longdu. "If he had just given his Pokémon some Electric-type moves, that would be one thing. But he brought out three Electric-type Pokémon. I don't believe he truly has three Electric-type trump cards. He must have just caught them. How did such a person even reach this stage?"
Things unfolded as Xia Huanao predicted. Although Yu Longdu encountered trouble, he didn't stop his progress, overcoming this opponent and moving on to the next.
Xia Huanao nodded from the side. "That's right. How could such minor issues hinder you?"
Unfortunately, what Xia Huanao considered Yu Longdu's unstoppable advance suffered a strong challenge in the afternoon match. In the final to determine the strongest trainer under twenty, he was defeated by a trainer named Wang Zhen.
With that, the four spots for the under-twenty age group were settled: first place was Wang Zhen, second was Yu Longdu, third was a girl named Su Xiao Jiu, and fourth was Chu Xiaodie. This ranking, Xia Huanao felt, was both unexpected and yet completely understandable. After the under-twenty age group concluded, the more important final for the under-twenty-five age group arrived.
The finals for the under-twenty-five age group the next day went smoothly, at least in the morning. Xia Huanao and Mu Zhi Shui both advanced. Along with them in the top four were Miao Longque, who had been in the same group as Xia Huanao, and a young man named Wu Gongping.
After the morning matches concluded, Yu Longdu came over to ask Xia Huanao, "What are your plans for the afternoon matches?"
Xia Huanao smiled. "Of course, I'll give it my all. Come on, let's go stir up some trouble."
Yu Longdu, a little confused, followed Xia Huanao to Mu Zhi Shui's side. Mu Zhi Shui saw them coming and asked, "Why have you two come?"
Yu Longdu pointed at Xia Huanao, indicating he was following him. Xia Huanao, with a smile, said, "Of course, I'm here to throw down the gauntlet. Although we've competed before, this is the first time in a match like this. You'll have to give it your all."
Mu Zhi Shui smiled. "So, you're here to challenge me. Alright, I accept. I will do my best to win this afternoon's match."
They bumped fists, sealing the agreement. After his boisterous declaration, Xia Huanao calmed down slightly. He then turned and patted Yu Longdu on the shoulder. "I'm going out to calm down for a bit. I got a little irrational. You don't need to follow me; I'll be fine."
Watching Xia Huanao turn and leave, Mu Zhi Shui smiled. "What's going on?"
Yu Longdu shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe he feels embarrassed by such a declaration. But then again, he's never done anything so silly before."
...
Unexpected things always happen without warning. For instance, Xia Huanao said he was going out for a walk to calm down, but when he went out, he didn't come back. He hadn't returned even when the top-four matches for the afternoon were about to start.
Everyone was bewildered. At this point, the officials announced that because Xia Huanao was unable to attend the match on time, Mu Zhi Shui automatically advanced to the finals.
Although Mu Zhi Shui became second, he didn't quite agree with this outcome. Fortunately, at this moment, Xia Huanao called. "Hello, is that A'Du? Come here for a moment."
Yu Longdu was confused. Xia Huanao, what was he saying? "Come for a moment"? He didn't even know where he was.
"Where are you? How do I get there?"
Xia Huanao's voice came through the phone. "I'm at Linglong City General Hospital right now. Do you want to come over?"
"What? You're at the hospital? How did you get there?"
"Damn it, keep your voice down! Where are you now? Don't let anyone hear you!"
Yu Longdu looked around. "Um. You're too late. This has already spread."
Right beside Yu Longdu, Shen Yu, Mu Zhi Shui, and others gathered around. "What happened? What's wrong with Xia Huanao?"
Yu Longdu hung up his phone. "How should I put it? Anyway, Xia Huanao is in the hospital now, and we need to go see him. Mu Zhi Shui, you stay here for now. Remember to bring the championship medal and such to Xia Huanao. He really wants that thing."
Mu Zhi Shui watched the departing group and resolved to bring the medal back. Meanwhile, on the other side, Xia Huanao was lying in the hospital with his leg in a cast. When Yu Longdu and the others arrived, Xia Huanao waved at them. "Look at my life, full of hardship."
Shen Yu quickly came to the bedside. "What happened to you?"
Xia Huanao spread his hands. "What can I do? I was just going out for a walk to calm down and think about strategy. Who knew a Tauros would suddenly charge out from a corner, almost sending me to meet Arceus."
"A Tauros?"
"Yeah, I think this was likely the work of spies from the Duàn Hé Kingdom. After all, no one else would be so fixated on Bovine Pokémon. And to train a Bovine Pokémon like that."
Just then, a person sitting nearby said, "Yeah, according to witnesses, he flew quite high at the time."
Everyone turned to look. They saw a young man in sportswear tapping on his phone. Yu Longdu asked, "What are you doing here?"
"I'm the witness. The scene was too tragic. Our Chairman Xia flew three stories high, over ten meters, and landed right in front of me."
Everyone: ...
As expected of a witness to Xia Huanao's "injury," his tone was exactly like Xia Huanao's when he was talking nonsense. Three stories high, ten meters away? You wouldn't get that effect even from a Groudon punch, let alone being hit by a Tauros.
As he spoke, this witness stood up. "Boss Xia, since your friends are here, I'll be leaving. I'll come see you again if I have time."
Xia Huanao waved. "Okay, come see me again when you have time."
Watching Xia Huanao wave and smile, seemingly unbothered by his injuries, Yu Longdu thought:
Xia Huanao is indeed Xia Huanao. He can pull off any trick.