Pokémon: Master System.

How could my image be so bad in Long Yanning's eyes? I sincerely praised her, and she interpreted it as having ulterior motives. Seriously? Am I that kind of person? I am a gentleman, acting with integrity and uprightness. Teacher Long is completely judging me by my own petty standards!

Just as Xia Yu was inwardly complaining, Long Yan Ning saw that Xia Yu remained silent, which made her even more certain that she had guessed Xia Yu's true thoughts. Her smile became even brighter: "I had already guessed that you would ask me for help. I deliberately didn't say anything, just to see when you would speak up."

"Don't worry, I've already bought the tickets."

"Focus on your matches this weekend, and I want to hear the good news of your victory as soon as I get back."

"If you lose, I won't let you off the hook when you get back!"

…………

Xia Yu listened quietly to Long Yanning speak, his eyes fixed on her bright and beautiful face. At this moment, Long Yanning was like a little woman, her lips curving upwards with pride as she thought she had guessed Xia Yu's thoughts.

Xia Yu just watched her quietly, watching her smile as bright as a flower, watching her eyes crinkle into crescents.

As expected, Teacher Long is still Teacher Long, always thinking of him first and silently contributing as always.

Xia Yu did not interrupt Long Yanning. He rested his chin on one hand, smiled, and quietly admired Long Yanning, his eyes becoming increasingly gentle.

Perhaps noticing that Xia Yu's gaze was fixed on her, Long Yanning slowly turned her gaze to Xia Yu. Upon seeing Xia Yu's gentle eyes, she immediately looked away in alarm.

Her voice trailed off, and her face flushed.

Long Yanning quietly turned her face away, leaving Xia Yu with only her profile. Because of shyness, and also to hide her face, Long Yanning casually reached out and gently brushed her hair behind her ear.

At this moment, Xia Yu no longer had his usual playful smile, and Long Yan Ning no longer had her usual aloofness.

One had gentle eyes, the other had a flushed face.

The atmosphere gradually became ambiguous, quiet yet warm.

"Teacher Long, you are really beautiful," Xia Yu said sincerely.

This time, Long Yanning did not refute, but unconsciously lowered her head, pretending not to hear Xia Yu's words, her face flushed.

A gentle gaze in her eyes, amidst the vibrant bloom of flowers.

…………

"Boom!"

Just then, a sudden knock on the door broke the ambiguous atmosphere between the two.

"Who?" Long Yan Ning asked.

"Xiao Ning, it's me." Long Fan's voice came from outside the door.

"Dad? Why are you back?" This was the first time Long Yanning had shown any anxiety.

Long Fan, as shrewd as an old fox, frowned. Usually, Long Yan Ning would be very happy to see him return from a business trip, so why did she seem less than welcoming today?

The door opened, and Long Fan's pupils contracted as he looked at a pair of men's sneakers displayed by the entrance. He walked in, saying, "I'm flying from Beijing Airport to Europe tomorrow. I have a spot to choose a Pokémon, and Xia Yu has one too. I can help Xia Yu pick one out this time. Remember to call him later and tell him I'm going to Europe, so he doesn't need to find someone else to help him choose a Pokémon. Also, ask him what Pokémon he wants."

"Master, I'm here. There's no need to trouble Teacher Long to make a call." Xia Yu walked out awkwardly and greeted Long Fan.

Long Fan glanced at the slippers on Xia Yu's feet, his gaze hardening slightly. Then, looking at his daughter's flushed face, a murderous glint unconsciously filled his eyes. Good heavens, what happened while I was gone for the past few months? Why are they even bringing slippers?

Chapter 166 The battle begins

Long Fan looked at Xia Yu with a smile, his face friendly and his tone kind: "Xia Yu, tell me, what brings you here at this hour?"

Although Long Fan had a smile on his face, Xia Yu could sense a trace of killing intent. He quickly explained, "Uh... I'm here to help Teacher Long cook and clean."

This was indeed Xia Yu's original intention, but at some point, Xia Yu's original intention gradually changed. Now, Long Yan Ning takes the initiative to clean, cook, and wash dishes, while he focuses on training his Pokémon.

Upon hearing Xia Yu's reply, Long Fan's smile widened, but a murderous intent had already formed in his heart.

You little brat, do you think I can't see my daughter's apron or your slippers? You're making my daughter serve you, aren't you?

I haven't eaten a meal cooked by my own daughter in over twenty years, and you, kid, have been here for only a few months and you're already enjoying it.

Looking at Xia Yu dressed in slippers, looking so casual at home, and then at his daughter wearing an apron, Long Fan thought the two looked more and more like a married couple! Similarly, the more he looked, the angrier he became!

"Dad, you're home so late and haven't eaten yet. Come sit down and eat with us." Long Yanning suddenly spoke up, temporarily extinguishing her father's anger.

Xia Yu was terrified, afraid that Long Fan might suddenly rush over and kill him. Hearing Long Yanning speak, he quickly explained, "Dad... no, Master, please eat first, please eat first."

Damn it, I got so nervous I misspoke and called him "Dad" along with Long Yanning.

Long Yanning was amused by Xia Yu's address of "Dad" and explained for Xia Yu with a smile, "Dad, Xia Yu usually cooks for me. I've been free lately, so I've tried to learn how to cook myself. You should try it too. Xia Yu, don't be too nervous."

"Okay, okay." Long Fan smiled and replied to his daughter's gentle words, "I'm hungry too. Hmm, it smells delicious. Xia Yu, go get me a bowl."

"Okay!" Xia Yu quickly offered his help, running over to serve Long Fan rice.

…………

Xia Yu was on tenterhooks during the meal. After finally finishing, Xia Yu immediately got up to leave. Long Fan stood up with a smile and said he would personally escort Xia Yu out of the dormitory.

He escorted Xia Yu all the way to the security booth at the entrance. Long Fan stood beside the booth, watching Xia Yu walk further and further away, before turning and heading towards the security booth.

"Dragon King." The old man at the door quickly stood up to greet him as he entered.

“Sir, please have a seat,” Long Fan said kindly. “I have a question for you. Did you see the young man who left with me just now?”

"I see, isn't that your apprentice Xia Yu?" The old man was shrewd enough to guess what question the Dragon King was going to ask from Long Fan's tone.

Young people nowadays.

"Has Xia Yu ever stayed overnight in the teachers' dormitory?" Long Fan asked the old man.

The old man frowned, thought seriously for a moment, and immediately said, "No, Xia Yu leaves every night. I guarantee he hasn't stayed overnight in the dormitory. Dragon King, don't worry, I'll stand guard. We're rigorously trained, and these outsiders are our key targets. How could we let him stay overnight in the teachers' dormitory so easily!"

Hearing the old man's answer, Long Fan nodded in satisfaction.

Although the old man said this, he was hesitant in his heart. Although the two of them did not spend the night in the dormitory, they were out all night and did not return until six or seven o'clock the next morning.

Should I tell the Dragon King? But the Dragon King didn't ask.

The old man remembered the cigarettes Xia Yu always brought him when he visited, and finally decided it was best not to say anything. Seeing that Xia Yu was definitely going to be the Dragon King's son-in-law, he decided it was better not to be the bad guy.

Only after receiving an affirmative reply from the old man did Long Fan leave satisfied. Fortunately, he didn't have to stay overnight.

…………

Back inside, Long Fan looked at Long Yan Ning with a serious expression and asked, "Yan Ning, what exactly is going on between you and Xia Yu?"

“What could be wrong? He’s my student, my junior brother.” Long Yanning said with a smile, “Dad, you’re overthinking it. You don’t think I like him, do you? We’re eight or nine years apart.”

Looking at Long Yanning's smile, Long Fan sighed silently in his heart. As shrewd as he was, how could he not see the ulterior motive between the two? But were the two really suitable for each other?

Since his daughter denied it, he didn't press the matter further.

…………

Sunday.

The largest battle arena in the Dragon-type gym was already packed with spectators, and even the VIP rooms were booked well in advance, all for the chance to witness this highly anticipated battle.

"Wow, so many people! Look, isn't that Su Mu, King Su? He's here to watch the game too?"

“That’s Xiao Wanyu. The little girl next to her looks just like her; she looks like her daughter.”

"Yu Haoran is here too. He's here to personally oversee the battle. The internal battle within the Dragon-type secret realm this afternoon is going to be exciting."

…………

Xia Yu changed into a custom-made dragon-themed battle suit, which Long Yan Ning had ordered for him long ago. The suit was made of a special material with excellent stretch and elasticity, allowing for easy movement. It also had a certain degree of waterproof and fireproof capabilities, and the back of the suit was printed with the unique mark of the Imperial Capital Dragon-themed Secret Realm.

He stood on the platform, quietly waiting to go on stage. Long Yanning stood beside him, straightening his collar and buttoning his shirt: "Go for it, you can definitely win."

After that night, Long Yanning acted as if nothing had happened, seemingly unaffected. This made Xia Yu wonder if he had hallucinated that night, or if Long Fan hadn't returned yet.

"Yes, don't worry, I will definitely win," Xia Yu said confidently.

…………

"Dear viewers, welcome to the Super Battle hosted by the Imperial Capital Dragon-type Gym." The host was a professional commentator invited by Wu Qianshan, whose voice was passionate and full of momentum.

"First, let me introduce the two players in this match. The first one is Cai Panqiu, the commoner king of insects!"

A photo of Cai Panqiu was projected onto a large electronic screen.

"boom!"

As fireworks burst forth, the platform on the left slowly rose, revealing Cai Panqiu's figure.

"Cai Panqiu!" Many of Cai Panqiu's fans in the audience shouted at the top of their lungs!

"Must win!"

"Cai Panqiu!"

"Must win!"

Cai Panqiu is about 1.75 meters tall, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, an earpiece, and a sharp suit. He keeps waving and interacting with the audience.

He's already very happy to be able to stand on this stage as an internet celebrity.

"Now, let's welcome our other protagonist today, Xia Yu!"

As fireworks burst forth, the platform slowly rose. Long Yanning walked to the side, waving and cheering for Xia Yu, silently watching him rise from below the stage to the stage, her eyes sparkling.

"Xia Yu!"

When Xia Yu appeared, the entire audience erupted in cheers.