Chapter Ninety-Three: Resentful Encounters, Parting from Love, and Unattainable Longing

Chen Ou sat in the room, lost in thought. The room at the Pokémon Center was spacious, nothing like the crowded dormitories ordinary trainers were given, or even those shared mixed-occupancy rooms.

It was a private room, tastefully decorated, fully furnished, and even equipped with a few simple training tools.

Every Pokémon Center had a few such rooms. They were reserved for senior League staff, or for people of considerable rank and status when they came seeking accommodation at a Pokémon Center.

As for trainers, one could formally request such a room upon reaching Gym Leader level. But Gym Leaders rarely traveled far from home. And if they did not ask for it themselves, the staff at the Pokémon Center would not offer it.

If it were an Elite Four member or a Champion, the room would be provided proactively.

It was worth noting that these rooms were not established by the League, but by the House of Joy. Both construction and maintenance were funded by the Joy family.

It was, in a sense, a benefit the League afforded them. Though no one would likely feel deep gratitude toward the Joy family for a single night’s stay, it never hurt to cast a line. The upkeep cost hardly amounted to much, and if even one person’s goodwill was won in return, the reward would be more than worth it.

As for the ordinary rooms, their maintenance was actually more expensive. After all, these high-ranking guests were few and far between. If one of these premium rooms saw use even once a year, that could already be called frequent.

Gym Leaders and Champions, being trainers by origin, had little aversion to sleeping outdoors. In fact, one might say they were quite accustomed to it, and so they often never used these rooms at all. And as for researchers and professors of the same rank, they were generally holed up in their institutes, immersed in their projects. Even when they needed lodging, they usually stayed at the front line of their research, unless their bodies truly could not bear it. But researchers in such poor physical condition generally would not be out there on the front line in the first place.

A wasted effort.

Still, being able to reel in a big fish like Chen Ou had to make the Joy lady of Saffron City very happy indeed. Chen Ou’s identity and deeds were no secret within the Joy family, and there were not many things in the entire League that could be hidden from them.

And now the Joy lady was even happier.

Looking at Professor Oak, Professor Juniper, and the little girl whose identity she did not know but could tell was no ordinary child, she knew that if she could host them well, or perhaps glean even a little information, it would count as a solid achievement within the family.

So she entertained the three of them warmly, but with just the right measure, and then led them to Chen Ou’s room.

Once she had brought them there, the Joy lady very naturally and very discreetly withdrew, with no intention of lingering.

First, the more one did, the more mistakes one might make. Since warm hospitality alone was already enough to earn goodwill, doing anything unnecessary would be a gamble. And as for gathering information, there was no need to do it crudely.

For instance, the fact that Professor Oak had come to see Professor Chen Ou together with Professor Juniper and a little girl was itself valuable information.

As for what they said to one another? Knowing it was fine. Not knowing it was also fine. If it was something people ought to know, they would not go out of their way to hide it. If it was something others were not meant to know, then learning it would only bring trouble upon oneself.

How could a thoroughly trained Joy do anything so damaging to her own image?

The Saffron City Joy lady smiled as she recalled the conversation she had just heard during the reception between Professor Oak and Professor Juniper, as well as the little girl’s conflicted expression.

Add to that the look of surprise on Professor Chen Ou’s face when he saw the girl...

She整理了思绪? No—she gathered her thoughts, then returned to her post with a smile and continued warmly attending to the other trainers. When she found a chance, she had Chansey take over for her. Then she returned to her room, took out paper and pen, and recorded everything she had seen and heard without adding a single subjective inference. After that, she found a Poké Ball, and released a Delibird from it.

After handing the letter to Delibird, the bird saluted her. The Joy lady held a straight face and returned the salute solemnly, but then she could not hold it in and laughed aloud, patting Delibird on the head.

“Thanks for your hard work! I’ll have something tasty ready for you when you get back!”

Delibird beamed, saluted again, then leaped out the window and flew away.

Watching Delibird disappear into the distance, the Joy lady smiled gently.

Inside Chen Ou’s room, Professor Oak said with a laugh, “Looks like the Joy family’s upbringing is still as impeccable as ever. They know exactly when to appear, and when not to.” As he finished speaking, he sat down on the sofa, showing no trace of formality.

Seeing this, Chen Ou naturally said nothing. After all, it was not his house. Besides, even if it were his house, what difference would that make to Professor Oak?

So he smiled at Juniper, then gave White Jasmine a slightly stiff smile as well, and sat down to brew tea.

The tea was his own. He did not have many hobbies. Tea calmed the mind; reading sharpened the will. The broader one’s horizons became, the clearer it was what one truly wanted.

Juniper and White Jasmine both noticed the stiffness on Chen Ou’s face. For a moment they did not know what to make of it, and exchanged a look before saying anything further.

Things had come to this; the wisest course was to take one step at a time.

“Xiao Ou, this is Professor Juniper. Her field of research is the origins of Pokémon. This is White Jasmine, a travel companion I’ve found for you.” Professor Oak gave a brief introduction to the two beauties before Chen Ou.

Chen Ou extended his hand to Professor Juniper and said, “Professor Juniper, it’s an honor to finally meet you. I’ve read your works on the origin theories of Pokémon and the theory of a common ancestry among different Pokémon. Truly profound research! Miss Makomo also mentioned you to me, saying that you are very good friends.”

Juniper smiled and shook his hand. “Then I won’t bother with too many polite compliments. When you shone so brilliantly at the Research Summit, I was down below applauding for you.”

Their hands parted at once. Though everyone knew of one another, they were not close, and there was no need for excessive courtesies. If two polite words could turn people into friends, then making friends would be far too easy.

Then Chen Ou, his expression slightly complicated, extended his hand to White Jasmine and said, “Miss White Jasmine, it’s our first meeting. My name is Chen Ou, and I’m currently a novice trainer.”

White Jasmine shyly took his hand. “Hello, Professor Chen Ou. My name is White Jasmine, and I’m a novice trainer as well.”

Their hands, too, parted at once.

Chen Ou’s feelings were truly rather complicated, especially when he saw White Jasmine’s face...