Urban Pokémon

Su Qingxue was wearing a solemn expression as she gave Liligant a nonstop stream of instructions.

"Liligant, from now on the two of us will have clearly divided roles.

"You'll be responsible for cleaning the villa, and I'll be responsible for making meals for Teacher.

"And in normal times, you also have to keep an eye on whether Teacher is getting close to any women.

"If you spot anything, you must tell me immediately.

"Here, take this phone."

As she spoke, Su Qingxue took out a phone she'd prepared in advance and handed it to Liligant.

As a nanny-type Pokémon, Liligant also needed to be able to use electronic devices—

a must-have skill for an outstanding "nanny."

"Chun!"

Liligant nodded obediently, indicating she would firmly carry out Su Qingxue's orders.

After all, because she couldn't cook, no one had been willing to buy her for a long time.

So she took this job very seriously.

Click!

Just as Su Qingxue was about to say more, the door suddenly opened.

Guo Yi stepped in, bringing Hu Yan'er with him.

"Eh—Qingxue? What are you doing here?"

Seeing her, Guo Yi looked a little surprised.

Behind him, Hu Yan'er was like Granny Liu visiting the Grand View Garden.

Looking left, looking right.

For a girl from the countryside, it was her first time seeing such a luxuriously decorated house.

"Teacher…"

At first, seeing her teacher return, Su Qingxue was happy.

But the moment she saw Hu Yan'er following him, her cheeks puffed out in indignation.

"Shameless Teacher!

"A golden house and you start keeping beauties hidden inside."

Before, Su Qingxue had thought her warnings to Liligant were unnecessary.

Now, clearly, they were vital!

As expected, once a man saw the temptations of the world, he'd turn bad!

Guo Yi looked at her "wronged wife" expression and immediately flicked her forehead.

"What's in that head of yours all day?

"This girl is a candidate in the independent enrollment exam for Shanghai Pokémon University.

"I brought her here only to help her train.

"'Keeping a beauty hidden in a golden house,' my ass."

He snorted.

If he were going to hide a beauty, it would at least be a curvy stunner.

What's the point of hiding an ordinary airport runway?

Su Qingxue rubbed her forehead with a grin.

"Teacher, I was joking."

"Of course I know you're an upright gentleman—you'd never do something like that."

"Here, let me introduce someone."

"This Pokémon is Liligant, the nanny I specially found for you."

She pulled Liligant forward.

Liligant lifted her skirt daintily and gave Guo Yi a bow.

"Nanny?"

Hu Yan'er blurted out, looking at the well-behaved Pokémon in front of her.

City folk really know how to live… using a Pokémon as a nanny.

In her countryside hometown, Pokémon were far too precious for such work.

But Guo Yi didn't think much of it, in the original work, Ash's family's Mr. Mime was basically a full-time housekeeper.

And compared to Mr. Mime, Liligant actually suited his aesthetic better.

"Here, Teacher, this is Liligant's Poké Ball."

"Oh, and a friendly reminder—"

"She's great at housework, but her one flaw is she can't cook."

"So from now on, I'll be in charge of your meals!"

Su Qingxue said proudly.

[Liligant (Grass)]

[Gender: ♀]

[Level: Lv30 (Excellence Tier)]

[Ability: Chlorophyll (Speed doubles in sunny weather)]

[Moves: Quiver Dance, Synthesis, Leech Seed (frequent use)]

[Tutor Moves: None]

[Egg Move: Healing Wish]

[Held Item: None]

[Potential: Excellence Tier]

As a nanny-type Pokémon, her potential wasn't especially high.

Even the [Sun Stone] used for her evolution from Petilil was a defective one, not only did it fail to raise her potential, it actually lowered it.

After all, even a Normal-grade [Sun Stone] sold for at least a million.

No one would waste that on a "nanny" Pokémon.

...

"Can't cook?"

Guo Yi frowned.

A nanny who couldn't cook—what was the point?

Liligant seemed to sense his dissatisfaction.

She lowered her head dejectedly, nervously fiddling with her hands, afraid he'd reject her and send her back.

Seeing her so timid, Guo Yi decided not to dismiss her.

"If you can't cook, then you can't cook."

"Tangcheng Yipin has direct meal delivery anyway."

It was expensive, sure, but Guo Yi wasn't hurting for money.

Hearing she wouldn't be fired, Liligant's face lit up with joy.

With her handled, Guo Yi turned to Su Qingxue.

"As for you—go back to school. No need to be my personal chef."

Hmph—he knew exactly what this girl was thinking.

Keep her here, and if he did want to hide a beauty in a golden house, there'd be no chance.

"Fine, I'll go back to school."

"But I can come stay over sometimes, right?"

Su Qingxue pouted.

She wasn't giving up.

If she couldn't stay long-term, she'd just change tactics.

Step one, claim a room.

"That's fine."

Guo Yi didn't refuse.

Some things were indeed easier to teach outside of school.

"Yesss!"

Su Qingxue flashed a victory sign, then pointed to the room on the right upstairs.

"From now on, that's mine."

With that, she dashed upstairs to claim it.

Guo Yi shook his head, then said to Hu Yan'er, "You pick a room too."

"For the next two days, you'll stay here."

Hu Yan'er nodded.

Before, she might have hesitated, but with Su Qingxue here, she had fewer concerns.

Then Guo Yi instructed Liligant:

"Liligant, please clean the rooms."

She nodded and began tidying.

She really was fast and thorough, even if she couldn't cook, her housework skills were flawless.

After Su Qingxue chose her room, she went straight to the kitchen to cook.

And so.

The once empty villa began to feel alive.

"Here, Pikachu—this is yours.

"And Liligant, this one's for you."

Guo Yi placed two Perfect-Grade Pokéblocks in front of them.

Even though Liligant's potential was low, now that she was part of the household, he treated her equally.

"Pika!"

Pikachu stared at the Pokéblock, drool threatening to drip, if not for a shred of dignity, she'd have pounced already.

Liligant was more ladylike, but the burning look in her eyes still gave her away.

"Don't hold back.

"There's more if you finish."

"Pika!"

The words barely left his mouth before Pikachu lunged, stuffing her face like a Snorlax.

Growing up in the countryside, she'd hardly even tasted ordinary Pokéblocks—

Perfect-Grade was a dream.

Liligant ate with elegance, but her hand never stopped picking up more.

The nanny agency didn't mistreat them, but Perfect-Grade Pokéblocks were out of the question.

And as she ate, Liligant made a private decision:

From now on, I'll consult with my trainer before deciding whether to report anything.

That's right—

One Pokéblock, and Liligant had defected.

Of course, the real reason she switched sides so fast—

She knew perfectly well who the real boss here was.

Liligant wasn't stupid.

She knew exactly which way the wind blew.

---

After the meal.

Su Qingxue started chatting with Hu Yan'er.

"Yan'er, how did your independent exam go?"

Hu Yan'er shook her head, looking a little dejected.

"The first exam… I didn't pass."

"That's why Teacher Guo is going to give my Pikachu some special training."

Hearing that her own teacher was going to personally train Pikachu, Su Qingxue said with total confidence:

"Then you don't have to worry."

"If Teacher is taking action, you're definitely going to pass."

"His skill is beyond what you can imagine."

When it came to her teacher's ability to teach, Su Qingxue never had the slightest doubt.

Hearing her say this, Hu Yan'er's worries finally lifted completely.

---

While the two girls were chatting, Guo Yi had opened his laptop and logged onto Shanghai Pokémon University's official site.

And began filling out his course selection.

"What should I write for my class?

"Tactics, abilities, or Pokémon breeding?"

Guo Yi decided on tactics as his teaching topic.

After all, in explaining tactics, he could also work in abilities and Pokémon training.

He typed in "Tactics Lecture" on the website.

"Alright—done."

Once he'd filled in his teaching content, the university network process was complete.

Now it was time to train Pikachu.

"Hu Yan'er, Pikachu—let's go."

"Time to start training."

Closing his laptop, Guo Yi called to the girl and Pokémon on the sofa.

"Coming, Teacher Guo."

Hu Yan'er and Pikachu got up immediately.

"Teacher, I want to go too!"

Su Qingxue quickly applied for a spot.

"Fine."

Guo Yi nodded, then turned to Liligant beside him.

"Liligant, the villa's cleanliness is in your hands."

"Chun!"

Liligant promised she'd take care of the housework.

Then Guo Yi led everyone out of the villa and toward Tangcheng Yipin's training facility.

"Hello! Welcome to Tangcheng Yipin Training Center."

The receptionist at the counter greeted them with a smile.

"Do you have a single-person training room?"

Guo Yi glanced around the lobby and asked directly.

"Yes, we do."

"We have three types: 500 yuan per hour, 1,000 yuan per hour, and 3,000 yuan per hour."

"The 500-yuan one is about 40 square meters, mainly for skill practice."

"The 1,000-yuan one is about half a battlefield in size, for general training."

"And the 3,000-yuan one is a full battlefield."

"What price range would you like?"

The receptionist explained the specs of each option in detail.

Hearing the prices, Hu Yan'er couldn't help blurting out:

"Is city life really this expensive?

"Even a training field costs this much? In our countryside it's free."

After all, in the countryside there was nothing if not open space.

The receptionist gave her an awkward glance.

To residents of Tangcheng Yipin, this price really wasn't much.

"Miss, even outside, these prices are fair."

After all, the facility didn't just provide space, it had all kinds of training equipment as well.

For what you got, it wasn't expensive.

Realizing she'd said something wrong, Hu Yan'er quickly covered her mouth.

"I'll take the 3,000-yuan one."

"Oh, and do you have a membership recharge program?"

Guo Yi asked casually.

He still had plenty of money left from what he'd won off those rich young masters a few days ago.

Might as well get a membership—it'd be convenient.

"Yes. How much would you like to load?"

"Let's start with 500,000."

"Fi—five hundred thousand?"

"What, is that a problem?"

"No no no! I'll set it up for you right now, sir."

The receptionist looked delighted.

A recharge of half a million meant she'd get a very nice commission herself.

As she processed the membership, a familiar voice came from behind Guo Yi.

"Teacher Guo, what a coincidence!"

Turning, Guo Yi saw Bai Cai in a fitted training outfit, waving hello.

Beside her, as always, was her Garchomp.

"Teacher Bai—didn't expect to see you here."

"Are you here to train Garchomp?"

Guo Yi stepped forward to ask.

Bai Cai nodded.

"School starts in a few days. I'm giving Garchomp some special training today."

"Teacher Bai is so dedicated! No wonder your Garchomp is so strong at such a young age."

"Teacher Guo flatters me. I imagine your own strength isn't weak either."

"No, no, I'm far behind Teacher Bai."

While the two exchanged polite words, Su Qingxue off to the side pouted.

"Liar. Far behind? With your strength, who can compare?"

Hearing her mutter, Hu Yan'er asked, "Xiao Xue, what did you just say?"

"What's that about 'who can compare'?"

"Nothing. I was just saying Teacher Guo is really strong."

"Oh! That's true—he just had to watch one battle to see all the strengths and weaknesses between Pikachu and Raichu."

Hu Yan'er nodded in agreement.

Seeing the two whispering, Guo Yi called over, "You two, aren't you going to come greet her?"

"Teacher Bai is a faculty member at Shanghai Pokémon University—much higher rank than this assistant instructor."

Realizing who she was, both girls hurried over to greet her.

"Hello, Teacher Bai!"

Bai Cai smiled back. "Hello to you too."

Then she looked at Guo Yi again.

"Teacher Guo, are you here to train your own Pokémon?"

Guo Yi shook his head and pointed at the Pikachu on Hu Yan'er's shoulder.

"I'm here to give her some special training."

"In two days, she's got a battle against a Raichu."

"If she loses, this kid won't be able to enroll at Shanghai University."

Bai Cai's expression shifted in surprise.

"Pikachu versus Raichu?!"

An evolved form against its unevolved counterpart, winning that wouldn't be easy.