Xia Henao managed to avoid too many questions from his two sisters through various means and smooth-talking techniques. As both sisters had engagements in the afternoon, they didn't pry further.
In the afternoon, Xia Henao, remembering to register patents and trademarks for his Berry Genius, went to the Qingyin Mountain Research Institute again. Leveraging Zheng Hongde's influence, Xia Henao completed all the necessary procedures within a few hours.
Having achieved his goal, Xia Henao then had a lengthy meeting in Zheng Hongde's laboratory with someone from the Alliance Headquarters.
No one knows exactly what was discussed, but the researchers at the Qingyin Mountain Research Institute that day described Xia Henao’s expression upon leaving Elder Zheng’s lab as having a smile that had "distorted his face."
...
As Cosmog and Dialga were engaged in a friendly discussion, the calendar on Cosmo Planet flipped forward again, finally reaching the last day of the week.
It was Sunday, five o'clock in the afternoon.
Xia Henao changed into a light blue formal suit in his room. He looked at himself in the mirror from various angles, then adjusted his bow tie, "Not bad, really not bad. How can this young man be so handsome?"
He took out several badges from a box and pinned them on. Xia Henao left his cabin and walked along the lakeside towards the Small Auditorium Number Six. On the way, many students saw Xia Henao and were curious about his attire. Some even approached him and asked, "Assistant Instructor Xia, where are you going dressed like that?"
Xia Henao jested with them, "I'm going on a date with a bunch of girls. Do you have a problem with that? Are you envious or jealous?"
"No, no, Assistant Instructor Xia, have fun." Everyone knew Xia Henao was joking and didn't take it seriously.
...
Upon arriving at the small auditorium, Xia Henao saw that it was packed with people, and his heart swelled with satisfaction. After all, this was his idea: before the Grand Festival, a lucky draw was held to select many audience members to act as judges. Of course, these audience judges didn't know what they were there for.
When the students in the auditorium saw Xia Henao arrive, they erupted in excitement. As is well known, where Assistant Instructor Xia is present, gossip is never far behind, and today promised to be entertaining.
Xia Henao went backstage and saw Feng Bing, who was busy. "What's going on? Wasn't it scheduled to start at six o'clock? Why are people showing up at a little past five?"
Although Feng Bing was feeling overwhelmed, he still replied, "I'm not sure. Everyone seems very excited, and there are many people here who are clearly not students."
Xia Henao extended his hand. "That's fine. They should be people I arranged. Just focus on completing the tasks I've assigned you."
Feng Bing whispered, "Assistant Instructor Xia, are you sure this will help me get a girlfriend?"
"Of course. Although I haven't been on campus much this week, I've secretly adjusted the winning rates. There are definitely more girls than boys present today. Whether you succeed or not is another matter, as I can't be too involved, you understand."
"I understand. I won't let your kind intentions go to waste."
After a brief chat with the busy staff member Feng Bing, Xia Henao went to the preparation room backstage to check on the girls.
Seeing the girls dressed up in their finery, Xia Henao extended his hand and greeted them, "Good evening, everyone. You all look very beautiful."
"Assistant Instructor Xia, you look handsome too. Are you the host today?"
"That's right. You all need to perform well; there are quite a lot of spectators."
After exchanging a few words with the girls backstage, Xia Henao glanced at his watch. The hands were nearing six o'clock. He turned and went to the side of the stage, signaling Feng Bing.
Feng Bing understood and closed the doors of the small auditorium, then turned off the lights.
As the lights were extinguished, the small auditorium gradually quieted down. Everyone knew that the main event was about to begin.
...
A beam of light was cast onto the center of the stage. Standing in the spotlight, clad in a light blue formal suit, was Xia Henao. "Good evening, everyone in the audience and in front of the screens. Welcome to the first Lingling Pokémon University Rose Cup Grand Festival. I am Xia Henao, Chairman of the Grand Festival Committee, and your host for today."
Unbeknownst to him, a girl in the audience shouted loudly, "Host Xia is so handsome!"
Xia Henao raised his hand, signaling for quiet. "Alright, alright, I admit I'm handsome, but you all need to be restrained. After all, the protagonist today isn't me, right?"
Xia Henao continued, "Here, we thank Lingling Pokémon University for its strong support of this competition. This Grand Festival will be broadcast simultaneously on the Lingling Pokémon University campus television and the official Pokémon Alliance online live stream."
Xia Henao paused here. "Uh, because we don't have many live broadcast cameras, we won't be giving them any shots. Please bear with us. Honestly, it wouldn't make much difference, do you think they are as handsome as I am?"
Xia Henao pointed the microphone down, and the same girl from earlier responded cooperatively, "No!"
Xia Henao quickly brought the microphone back. "See? The public's aesthetic judgment is still quite sound. And this girl is definitely not a plant I hired."
At this point, all the audience members present chuckled. Those watching the live stream on other platforms, however, felt that the style of this Grand Festival seemed a bit off.
"Could it be that this Grand Festival is a comedy competition? If so, why would the Pokémon Alliance bother broadcasting it?"
On stage, Xia Henao continued his hosting duties. "Next, let us introduce the judges for this Grand Festival. First, we have the 'Angel of White' from our school team, Yan Chunyu."
As he spoke, Feng Bing controlled the lights to illuminate Yan Chunyu. After Yan Chunyu stood up and acknowledged the audience, Xia Henao continued introducing the judges. "Next, we have Professor Tong Ruo, an instructor from Lingling Pokémon University." Tong Ruo also rose with the spotlight and bowed.
"The third judge is the President of Lingling Pokémon University, Zheng Xiaoxiao."
At this point, Xia Henao extended his hand to stop Feng Bing, who was about to turn on the lights. "Wait a moment."
Xia Henao then walked to the side of the stage and spoke quietly with the two students responsible for the live broadcast. After that, one of the broadcast students took out an earphone from a drawer and handed it to Xia Henao. Xia Henao put the earphone on his head and signaled Feng Bing, "Okay, you can turn on the lights now."
As the lights brightened and Zheng Xiaoxiao stood up, the venue fell silent. After all, with the President present, no one dared to be disrespectful.
After Zheng Xiaoxiao sat down, Xia Henao removed his earphone. He received feedback from Feng Bing through the earpiece: the earphone was useless; there was no sound.
Xia Henao took off the earphone and looked at the audience below with disappointment.
"I can't figure it out. I can somewhat understand why Judges Yan Chunyu and Tong Ruo didn't react, but why didn't you, President Zheng, even get a reaction? Aren't you afraid the President won't let you graduate?"
Although they knew this wasn't a formal occasion, causing a commotion with the President present was akin to courting disaster.
However, some in the audience were quick-witted. Someone quickly shouted, "President Zheng taught us to be low-key."
The crowd echoed, "He's right!"
Xia Henao suppressed the audience's reaction and continued his hosting. "In addition to these three judges, we have also specially invited two special guests whose identities I don't even know. Yes, you heard correctly, even I, the committee chairman, don't know who we've invited. Next, let President Zheng reveal them."
Zheng Xiaoxiao stood up, holding the microphone. "The first guest is my friend, and currently a very popular actress, Miss Yu Linglong."
Feng Bing directed the spotlight towards the entrance. A stylish actress stood there. While the audience's view was limited, the two live broadcast platforms were able to turn their cameras towards her. The large screen on stage clearly displayed Yu Linglong's face, and the entire venue erupted in cheers. Xia Henao looked at Yu Linglong and felt that something about her features seemed familiar.
Yu Linglong came to the judges' table and simply greeted the audience before taking her seat. Zheng Xiaoxiao then proceeded to introduce the other guest.
"The other guest is also a good friend of mine, a very famous model, Jin Fangsu."
Amidst the cheers of the audience, Jin Fangsu also arrived at the judges' table. After a brief introduction, the microphone returned to Xia Henao.
Xia Henao cleared his throat. "We welcome and thank the two of you for attending our first Grand Festival. I especially want to thank Mr. Jin Fangsu for not coming on stage. As long as he doesn't come on stage, I can restrain myself a bit more, and we won't be in the same frame. Although I'm confident in my looks, as you all said, we need to be low-key."
Xia Henao's words caused a stir in the audience. "We admit you're a bit handsome, but you insist on comparing yourself to Jin Fangsu. Once you've fully matured, you might not be bad either."
The audience in front of the screens became even more excited, as seeing Yu Linglong and Jin Fangsu simultaneously was not an easy feat.
Xia Henao stepped forward. "Next, I will explain the rules of this Grand Festival. I hope all audience members and our two guests are listening carefully."
After a brief explanation of the overall competition rules and the rules for the first segment, Xia Henao moved to the edge of the stage, trying to minimize his presence. He gestured to Feng Bing to turn off the lights. "Next, let us welcome the first contestant and her Pokémon."
As enchanting music filled the air, four spotlights hanging from the ceiling instantly illuminated a girl standing in the center of the stage.
The girl was wearing a long green dress, a straw hat on her head, and holding a delicate small basket. She took a Poké Ball from the basket and tossed it into the air, murmuring softly, "Make a shining debut, my friend!"