The story of how the two brothers bathed that night remains unclear, but the next day, a new person appeared in the room: Xia Hunao's childhood friend, Zhang Hong's Yu Jie—Classmate Shen Yu.
“Yu Jie, of the three of us, you have the most artistic talent. The grand task of renovating and designing our secret base is entrusted to you.”
Shen Yu was still in disbelief. To suddenly be given such a large project, and for Zhang Hong to be willing to part with such a large villa, was hard to comprehend. Even with close friends, this was unusual.
Zhang Hong, however, remained quite mysterious about it, only saying that he wouldn't harm Xia Hunao and Shen Yu.
Unable to pry the desired answers from him, Shen Yu secretly decided: Since he said so, she would trust him for now, and at most, keep a few hundred eyes on him.
With Shen Yu, who had a bit of design sense, Zhang Hong and Xia Hunao could finally decide on what they wanted without restraint.
“Boss Xia, you have the best grasp of basic knowledge in the entire class. What do you think we need?”
Seeing Zhang Hong pull out his laptop and become even more serious than Shen Yu, who was about to draw design blueprints, Xia Hunao was taken aback. “What are you doing? Are you in such a hurry to buy equipment?”
Zhang Hong typed on his keyboard while shaking his head. “No, no, no. Money that should be spent is never too much. Money that should be saved, not a cent should be spared.”
Although Xia Hunao admitted that what Zhang Hong said made sense, he thought comparing prices could wait until after the design was finished. After all, a basement of over a hundred square meters couldn't possibly not fit everything.
Zhang Hong, however, easily surpassed all of Xia Hunao's thoughts. “Why compare prices and waste money? Of course, we’ll make it ourselves, using the best materials!”
“Is this how all you rich kids play? Making it yourself with the best materials? Are you trying to save money or show off your wealth here?”
“You don't understand. I’ve always wanted to become a great Pokémon researcher since I was little. After seeing Uncle Zhou Jianzhong a few days ago, I’m even more certain of my aspiration. After all, researchers don’t need exceptionally high combat power.”
“Then why were you so excited yesterday when I mentioned special training?”
“Because I still have to pass the final exams, otherwise, wouldn’t that be discouraging?”
“So…”
“Yes, all my studies are to achieve my dream of becoming a Pokémon researcher and establishing a group as famous as Rainbow Star Group!”
“Your ambition is admirable, but your family is in real estate. It has nothing to do with Pokémon supplies.”
…
Unable to comprehend the minds of these second-generation rich kids, and knowing that explaining the training equipment would take considerable time, Xia Hunao just spoke casually to satisfy his curiosity for the moment.
Shen Yu, who had put her Vulpix aside, said, “So you have such a dream! I support you. Right, Vulpix?”
Vulpix puffed out a little spark from its mouth in agreement.
This made Xia Hunao interested in Shen Yu's future as well. “Xiao Yu, what’s your dream?”
“To be a designer. Designing beautiful outfits for Pokémon, or designing Pokémon-themed clothing for people. That’s why I started learning to draw.”
Listening to the dreams of these two good friends, Xia Hunao felt a sense of déjà vu.
“System, if I remember correctly, the main group in the Pokémon series…”
The system chuckled and displayed several stills from a show. “Look, in every generation, the protagonist usually travels with a girl and a Gym Leader.”
Xia Hunao glanced at Shen Yu, then at Zhang Hong. “So, if I guide Zhang Hong onto the path of becoming a Gym Leader, I’ll have protagonist treatment?”
The system’s answer was ambiguous. “Hmm, I’m not sure. If you really need psychological comfort, you can try. But do you think Zhang Hong can become a Gym Leader?”
Seeing Zhang Hong engrossed in drawing blueprints for training facilities, with his heart set on becoming a Pokémon researcher, Xia Hunao patted his chest. “It shouldn’t be a problem. Let me lead him on the path of scientific exploration and a bright future…”
He stopped himself halfway through, covering his mouth. “I shouldn’t say that. Even though there’s nothing in this house yet, that kind of explosive buff can’t be casually thrown around. There’s a light bulb above my head, after all.”
However, seeing Shen Yu and Zhang Hong immersed in their own worlds, Xia Hunao quickly urged them back to reality. “Hey, are we going to draw the design blueprints or not?”
…
The Niu Laosan Construction Team was a very well-known construction team in Jinghai City. However, as housing prices in Jinghai City continued to rise, the team found it increasingly difficult to secure jobs. The ten or so members of the team had no work to do day after day, and couldn’t support themselves, bringing them to the brink of disbandment.
One day, Niu Lao Er, Niu Laosan’s younger brother, burst in excitedly. “Brother, we got a job, we got a job!” (Yes, you read that right. This Niu Lao Er is Niu Laosan’s brother, and they have another brother known in the martial world as Niu Laoda…)
Niu Laosan was arm-wrestling a Machoke when he heard this. His focus shifted, and he was pinned to the ground by the Machoke.
Seeing his brother pinned down, Niu Lao Er hurried to help him up, while Machoke also fumbled over to assist.
Niu Laosan rubbed his body and sat down on a chair. “Got a job? What kind of job?”
Niu Lao Er opened his phone’s memo. “Young Master Zhang wants to renovate a villa.”
Niu Laosan knew a bit about the Zhang family. After all, in a sense, construction workers and real estate developers were in the same industry.
“Doesn’t the Zhang family have their own construction team? Why did they come to us?”
Niu Lao Er thought for a moment and said, “According to the young master of the Zhang family, it’s to save money…”
…
As expected of a professional team, the Niu Laosan Construction Team completed the massive renovation project in just a few days. For such a fast and high-quality job, Zhang Hong didn't mind paying a little extra.
On a snowy weekend in December, the three of them arrived outside the villa. “I say, couldn’t we have just found a couple of Pokémon to purify the air? Why wait for such a hassle?”
Zhang Hong adjusted his flat-lens glasses. “Of course. This is a secret base. How can we let just anyone in?”
“Then why did Niu Lanshan and his crew get in?”
“They were the construction team, boss. Can we not be pedantic?”
Incidentally, Niu Laosan's real name was Niu Lanshan, but people called him Niu Laosan so often that it stuck.
Shen Yu was very interested in Zhang Hong’s flat-lens glasses and leaned in for a closer look. “Why are you suddenly wearing glasses?”
Zhang Hong said proudly, “While Niu Laosan and his crew were renovating, I’ve already built all the training facilities we discussed. Now I can say I’m a researcher too.”
Xia Hunao pushed open the basement door and peeked inside. “I have no objections to you calling yourself a researcher, but there’s no such thing as standard-issue glasses for researchers.”
Seeing Xia Hunao open the door, Zhang Hong hurried over, drawn by the soft light emanating from behind the door. “Why did you open it? Won’t that ruin all the mystery?”
“What mystery? It sounds like you built a one-off project.”
The three of them walked into the basement and saw it clearly divided into four sections.
Zhang Hong led them to Zone 1, which was for Xia Hunao. It was equipped with all sorts of training equipment, all created by Zhang Hong based on Xia Hunao’s descriptions and his own creativity.
Zhang Hong walked over to a shelf about four or five meters high. “Look, this is my proudest creation: the Speed Training Machine.”
Xia Hunao looked at the four Beedrill surrounding the shelf. “How did you get these Beedrill? They look very realistic.”
Touching the Beedrill’s stingers and their wings, he continued, “The craftsmanship is amazing. If you told me these were real Beedrill, I wouldn’t doubt you.”
Zhang Hong chuckled awkwardly. “Actually, it’s…”
Xia Hunao’s imagination ran wild. “This isn’t… a real Beedrill, is it?”
If these were real Beedrill, then they might launch into a flurry of Fury Attack and Pursuit. And given the Beedrill’s nature, all four of them attacking at once would be unbearable.
Zhang Hong quickly waved his hands. “No, no, no. We wouldn’t dare hang four real Beedrill here. We studied Beedrill outdoors and chose the closest materials to be as realistic as possible. You can let Froakie try it.”
Xia Hunao glanced at his Froakie standing beside him. Froakie immediately hopped into the middle of the four Beedrill. Xia Hunao looked at Zhang Hong. “Come on, great researcher, show us how this thing works.”
Zhang Hong walked over to the control panel. “This is a simple, user-friendly training machine. Just turn it on and select a difficulty level. Since it’s the first time, we’ll demonstrate the lowest difficulty. Next, it’s time for scientific exploration of the future!”
As the machine whirred to life, the four Beedrill stirred. They then swooped down from mid-air with the force of a Brave Bird.
Froakie saw the approaching Beedrill and jumped, dodging their attack. As a result, the four Beedrill crashed into each other and shattered into pieces.
Looking at the chaos, Zhang Hong felt a bit embarrassed, as he had just boasted about his abilities and then been proven wrong. Fortunately, Xia Hunao covered for him. “It’s okay. Inventions can always be improved. I even have ideas for an upgraded version. Let’s go see Xiao Yu’s area. If something goes wrong in her area, you’re in trouble.”
The two of them laughed as they went to Zone 2. The entire area was like a grand stage. Besides manufacturing equipment like sewing machines, there was also a sizable catwalk.
“How is it? After designing something, you can directly walk on it. This is completely according to the design blueprints. There shouldn’t be any problems.”
Shen Yu, with her Braixen, walked a couple of laps on the catwalk. Xia Hunao, watching from below, drooled. “I think if Xiao Yu wore a mini-skirt and walked for me here, I’d happily faint.”
Shen Yu heard this and, blushing, came down from the stage. “Don’t even think about it. You won’t get that chance. Zhang Hong, hurry up and show us your area.”
When everyone saw Zone 3, Xia Hunao rolled his eyes. “I knew it. You weren’t going to be that nice. Look at your research lab. It’s comparable to some university research labs.”
Zhang Hong scratched his head. “Well, I couldn’t do research openly at home, so I needed you two to cover for me.”
Xia Hunao and Shen Yu exchanged a look. “Your idea is good, but I think your plan might have already failed.”
They pointed behind Zhang Hong. His mother was smiling and staring at him.