Zhao Yuxuan, seeing Squirtle defeated, was instantly enraged. His eyes widened, and veins bulged on his forehead. He completely disregarded everything and prepared to signal his two followers to join the fight.
"You two, come at him together! Today, I must teach this kid a good lesson!"
His voice became sharp with anger, and his eyes were filled with madness and unwillingness. He never expected to be defeated so easily.
"Enough, Zhao Yuxuan! Aren't you embarrassed enough?"
Seeing this, Mu Qingxue took a light step forward without hesitation, like a barrier, shielding Jiang Mo.
Her expression was cold, like an iceberg, exuding an aura that warned others to keep their distance.
"Ralts!"
Ralts also quickly floated to Mu Qingxue's shoulder. Its small body trembled slightly, but it was full of fighting spirit.
It secretly vowed that if they dared to bully them with numbers, it would definitely help the kind older brother who healed it teach these bad guys a good lesson.
At this moment, more and more students gathered around, attracted by the sudden turn of events. Whispers constantly spread through the crowd.
"Jiang Ge, I'm here! I'd like to see who dares to bully my brother!"
Just as Zhao Yuxuan's followers rolled up their sleeves, preparing to act, Chen Jiaxing, having heard the news, arrived just in time like a gust of wind.
He frowned, looking at the ill-intentioned group in front of him, and then released Cyndaquil.
Cyndaquil appeared by his feet with a "whoosh," affectionately rubbing against his ankle, its gaze vigilantly fixed on Zhao Yuxuan and his group, emitting a low growl from its mouth, as if warning them not to act rashly.
Zhao Yuxuan, seeing this formation and noticing the students around him pointing and whispering, his face alternated between green and red, feeling increasingly humiliated.
He glared fiercely at Jiang Mo, his eyes as if they could devour someone, and he gnashed his teeth, saying, "Don't be so smug! This isn't over today! We'll see!"
After speaking, he scurried away with his followers, his back looking exceptionally pathetic.
At this moment, Jiang Mo and Mu Qingxue faced each other, yet were speechless. Recalling Jiang Mo's impulsive actions and words from earlier, the atmosphere between them instantly became subtle, as if an invisible veil enveloped them.
"Hey, hey, everybody disperse, disperse! What's there to see? Hurry back to the classroom and study!"
Chen Jiaxing, seeing the situation, understood. He waved his hands like a rattle drum, shouting at the onlookers, and only then did the crowd gradually disperse.
Jiang Mo lightly coughed, looking a bit embarrassed at Mu Qingxue. At this moment, Mu Qingxue's cool face was tinged with a slight blush, and her eyes darted away, not daring to meet Jiang Mo's gaze directly.
Jiang Mo scratched his head, a hint of apology on his face, and said, "Mu Qingxue, about what just happened... I'm really sorry. I just wanted to annoy Zhao Yuxuan. I didn't mean to offend you."
Mu Qingxue slightly lowered her head, a strand of hair falling across her cheek, and softly said, "It's okay. Actually, I should be the one apologizing. I caused you this trouble..."
Seeing the atmosphere becoming increasingly awkward, Jiang Mo looked at Ralts on his shoulder, slowly extended his hand, and gently stroked its head. Ralts comfortably narrowed its eyes, enjoying Jiang Mo's caress.
Jiang Mo smiled and said, "Thank goodness you were here today, Ralts. You're very brave."
"Ralts Ralts ~" Ralts happily chirped a few times, rubbed its head against Jiang Mo's cheek, and even released a small stream of gentle Confusion. The Confusion was like a soft ribbon, gently wrapping around Jiang Mo's wrist, as if shaking his hand.
"Pika Pikachu!" Pikachu, seeing this, also jumped over, unwilling to be outdone, and touched Jiang Mo with its tail, seemingly indicating that it was the most amazing one.
"Alright, alright, Pikachu is also amazing. I'll give you extra food tonight. Ralts, you come too. The energy cube I prepare is very delicious, you know..." Jiang Mo didn't show favoritism, opening his arms and affectionately hugging the two little ones. (Gastly: ?? Then I'll leave?? (╥_╥))
Mu Qingxue was also very surprised to see this scene. Her delicate eyes widened slightly, as it was the first time she had seen Ralts so intimate with anyone other than herself. A strange feeling couldn't help but arise in her heart.
...
Upon hearing this, Ralts' eyes instantly lit up, like twinkling stars in the night sky, filled with anticipation for the energy cube. It gently tugged at Mu Qingxue's sleeve, "Ralts, Ralts..."
Its eyes were full of pleading, as if begging Mu Qingxue to agree to let it taste the energy cube made by Jiang Mo.
Mu Qingxue showed hesitation. She bit her lower lip, leaving a shallow row of teeth marks on her pink lips, and softly said, "Won't this be too much trouble? I'm afraid..."
"It's fine. I've been learning how to make new energy cube recently, and I've practiced a lot. I have so many energy cube at home that I can't even finish them. Don't worry about it being troublesome," Jiang Mo replied with a smile.
Mu Qingxue, looking at Ralts' longing eyes, softened. She said to it, "Alright, I can take you, but we'll have to wait a few days."
Mu Qingxue's family was very strict, with someone specially picking her up from school every day. Whatever she did had to be arranged in advance, which made her feel a bit helpless.
Jiang Mo smiled and nodded, then turned to Chen Jiaxing: "Chen Jiaxing, let's gather at my place this weekend and try my cooking."
Chen Jiaxing's face broke into a bright smile, and he readily agreed: "Great, Jiang Ge, Cyndaquil has long wanted to try your energy cube too. It must be much better than what's sold outside."
Ralts, hearing this news, happily spun around a few times in place, like a joyful child.
Mu Qingxue looked at its appearance and also smiled slightly. That smile was like a spring breeze, gentle and warm.
In the following days at school, Ralts always acted like a little shadow, occasionally running into Jiang Mo's arms.
Jiang Mo, while using Tokiwa Power to heal its hidden injuries, with a soft green light emanating from his palm enveloping Ralts, would occasionally secretly feed it some homemade Pokémon snacks.
"Ralts Ralts ~" Ralts ate with a beaming smile. It swore it had never eaten such delicious snacks in its life.
Its own Trainer strictly controlled its diet every day and would never allow it to eat such snacks.
To prevent Mu Qingxue from discovering, it would always eat at Jiang Mo's place first before returning, its cautious demeanor very adorable.
Mu Qingxue, watching its little actions, felt both helpless and amused, and couldn't help but inwardly grumble: Who exactly is your Trainer? You're bought off by a few snacks.
To welcome Mu Qingxue and Ralts this weekend, Jiang Mo went into full preparation mode.
He browsed online like a treasure hunter for a long time, and also, using the connections of his mother, Lin Zhiqiu, a top Breeder, he contacted some high-quality orchards and carefully selected many Tree Fruit suitable for Fire, Psychic, and Fairy types from a wide variety.
Those Tree Fruit were brightly colored and exuded an enticing fruity aroma; they were clearly top-grade.
At Jiang Mo's house, there were already many energy cube prepared for Pikachu and Gastly, and there were still many ingredients left, so he didn't buy any extra.
These past few days, Jiang Mo had been spending all his time in the energy cube production room.
He was focused, his eyes burning with intensity, carefully grinding the Tree Fruit with skilled and rhythmic motions.
He precisely mixed various ingredients according to exact proportions, and then compressed the fruit pulp into shape using special molds.
He was meticulous in every step, determined to create the most perfect energy cube.
His mother, Lin Zhiqiu, a top Breeder, felt deeply gratified to see her son so focused and dedicated.