Washui area.
It was night, Xu Qiansu looked up at a town built on a hillside, paused on the spot, and looked at it silently.
This town is surrounded by high wooden walls. The main entrance is several feet long and wide. It seems to be used for large Pokémon to enter and exit... Behind the gate, there are two watchtowers standing, with night watchmen holding torches. , looking around warily.
This huge wall is naturally used to defend against Pokémon. This is a sight that is completely unseen in modern times.
"Bojiu?" The Vine Snake sat on Xu Qiansu's shoulder and tilted his head in confusion.
Why don't you leave?
Xu Qiansu picked up the Vine Snake and thought about it for a moment, but still did not take it back to the elf ball.
He put the Vine Snake into his white inner lining and whispered: "Humans here are very hostile to Pokémon. It's better not to show your face unless necessary."
Teng Teng She thought that if they dared to be hostile to me, she would wait until I whipped her to see if they were still hostile... However, she still huddled in Xu Qiansu's clothes, and she could still tell the difference between right and wrong.
Xu Qiansu zipped up his coat and made sure nothing could be seen from the outside. Then he bent down and picked up some dirt. After messing up his face and clothes, he walked out of the town.
But I have to say that the Vine Snake is so close to the skin, soft and warm, as if a small pillow of excellent quality is stuffed into the clothes, and the touch is excellent.
"Stop! Who is coming?" Although it was dark, the guard standing on the watchtower saw Xu Qiansu at a glance and immediately asked loudly.
"Ahem." Xu Qiansu took a few steps closer and said loudly in a weak but energetic voice: "I am a businessman from a foreign country. Unfortunately, the caravan was attacked by a black shark that looked like it was standing on two legs. ...Ahem!"
Xu Qiansu couldn't help coughing a few more times, and then continued: "I got separated from my companions. I spent a whole day hiding in the forest before I found this town..."
"Exotic caravan?" The guard looked Xu Qiansu up and down. Looking at the clothes, he did not look like people from the Xicui area. The embarrassed look could not be faked... The two guards looked at each other, and one of them stood up. to the watchtower.
"Please wait a moment, we need to ask the mayor for instructions!"
Xu Qiansu coughed and nodded, as if speaking so loudly just now took a lot of energy out of him.
Within a moment, the door in front of him slowly opened a gap. A guard stood behind the door. He took a look at the outside world and made sure that there were no Pokémon before waving his hand for Xu Qiansu to come in as soon as possible.
This result is not unexpected. After all, this high wall is used to protect against Pokémon, not humans.
Xu Qiansu stepped into the door and looked up. He saw a wooden thatched roof, an elevated floor, and far-reaching eaves. Small and exquisite Japanese-style rooms were located along several roads. They were very much in the architectural style of an island country before the Meiji Restoration.
But it's normal. After all, the design prototype of the Sinnoh region is the Hokkaido island of the previous island country. However, the Sinnoh region cannot have any charm of the island country because of its overly modern buildings.
"Thank you." Xu Qiansu thanked him in a low voice.
The guard shook his head slightly, stepped aside, and introduced: "This is the mayor of our town, Mr. Jing. He is the one who allowed you to come in."
Xu Qiansu turned her head and looked, and saw a young man in a black kimono with a handsome face, probably no more than 25 years old, standing behind the guard. He had an elegant temperament and looked more like a scholar than the calm and self-proclaimed mayor.
So young? Xu Qiansu raised her eyebrows slightly, a little surprised.
The young man named Jing took a few steps forward, looked Xu Qiansu up and down, then smiled softly and said: "Please allow me to introduce myself again... Just one word, Jing, is the mayor of Qunqing Town. ,welcome."
His voice was like his temperament, gentle and elegant.
Xu Qiansu stretched out her hand and nodded, "Xu Qiansu, from an island over the ocean, thank you for accepting me."
Jing blinked, hesitated for a moment, and then stretched out his hand to shake Xu Qiansu's hand, "Is this the etiquette in your hometown?"
"Yes, handshake ceremony." Xu Qiansu was slightly startled, forgetting that this kind of etiquette was not popular in the Xicui area.
Jing chuckled and said in a brisk tone, "Sure enough, to be honest, I love contact with foreign cultures the most in my life... After all, I have lived within this high wall my whole life..."
Jing paused, smiled sheepishly, and said, "I was the one who was abrupt."
When meeting someone for the first time, you obviously shouldn't talk about such sensitive things.
Hostility to Pokémon is a politically correct idea in the eyes of most people in the Washui region.
Even the more enlightened Celebration Village in the original game was mostly skeptical when facing Team Galaxy's investigation team. As the number of investigations increased and their contact with Pokémon deepened, they accepted Pokémon. Can be a companion' concept.
In fact, the people in the Xicui area who are really willing to learn about Pokémon are concentrated in organizations such as Team Galaxy, Team Pearl, and Team Kong. Most ordinary people are still afraid of and hostile to Pokémon.
Behind the door of the house, in the corner of the wall, behind the tree and other places, there were many children hiding unknowingly, sticking their heads out and looking at Xu Qiansu curiously.
Jing nodded slightly to the guard, indicating that he had worked hard, and then led Xu Qiansu towards the town.
While leading the way, he said slowly: "Basically every other month, the Ginkgo Merchant Association will come to Qunqing Town for two days, selling all kinds of wonderful things..."
Ginkgo Chamber of Commerce, a caravan traveling around the Xicui area.
"We cherish that opportunity very much. After all, it is a rare opportunity to be exposed to the outside world."
Jing led Xu Qiansu through the streets and alleys, and led him to a house under the curious eyes of the townspeople.
He stopped, smiled softly at Xu Qiansu, and said:
"I heard that you are a businessman from a foreign country. Maybe you don't have many products with you at the moment, but I hope that during your stay in Qunqing Town, you can tell more about the foreign culture, stories, customs, etc. to the children in the town. , Only in this way can they broaden their horizons..."
"... In the future, they will also have more choices, instead of spending the rest of their lives in this small place like a walking zombie... Or you can also make some handmade products, food snacks, etc. that are rich in the cultural characteristics of your country. We will definitely Come and cheer.”
In other words, Jinghui will provide accommodation, but on the other hand, it also hopes that Xu Qiansu can find some work in the town... This condition is naturally normal, after all, people cannot let Xu Qiansu be raised for no reason.
Not everyone is Cattleya.
Xu Qiansu looked at Jing with some surprise. Not many people in modern times can practice this kind of enlightened educational concept... let alone ancient times...
Answered: "Whether it is handmade products or food snacks, I have experience..."
"Okay!" Jing grinned, looking extremely happy. As he said, he really liked learning about foreign cultures.
Jing took out a key from the sleeve of his kimono, handed it to Xu Qiansu, and said with a smile: "It's getting late, so I won't disturb Mr. Xu's rest. This house has been vacant for a long time, but I also take care of it from time to time. All supplies are complete…”
As he said that, he took a look at the mud on Xu Qiansu's clothes and face, and pointed to the well next to the house, "You can get bath water from here... There are various vegetables grown behind the house, and you can pour water there."
"Thank you."
Jing shook his head, "I won't disturb Mr. Xu's rest... If you need anything, just go find me there."
He pointed to a building at the end of the road, nodded slightly, turned and left.
Such an attitude towards others makes people feel friendly.
Xu Qiansu shook his head slightly. Even so, he would not stay long. Kirulian, the small marsupial and Vulpix must be scattered all over the place, waiting for Xu Qiansu to find them... But since the vine snake also appeared near the Ultramarine Coast, it is Aren't the other three cubs also in this area?
He pondered for a moment, and finally decided that he could stay in this town for a while and use it as a base to thoroughly search the Ultramarine Coast. If the search was fruitless, he would find a way to leave.
"Bocha..." Teng Teng Snake's voice came from the clothes.
Xu Qiansu lowered his eyes and saw that she was holding Xu Qiansu's chest with her two small hands, her face was a little red, and she was sticking out her tongue.
So stuffy, so hot.
Xu Qiansu smiled, opened the door and entered the room, then closed the door immediately.
"Bochacha!" As soon as the door closed, the vine snake jumped out from Xu Qiansu's clothes. The whole snake was like a melted ice cream lying on the tatami... As a grass-type Pokémon, she was the last to Afraid of the heat.
Xu Qiansu reached out and pinched her soft little tail.
She raised her face and rolled her eyes at Xu Qiansu.
Xu Qiansu stood up and took a look at the furnishings in the house, including the stove, bed and dresser, clothing box, bed... It was roughly the same as the protagonist's house in the original game.
The buildings in the Xicui area should all be of this style.
Xu Qiansu picked up the bucket, pushed the door open and left, fetched a few buckets of water, boiled the hot water, took off her clothes, picked up the snake and sat in the tub.
"Beep." Ivy Snake covered her eyes.
Of the four Pokémon, she is the shyest.
Xu Qiansu scooped up a handful of water, poured it on the Vine Snake, and gave her a bath.
After washing the Vine Snake, Xu Qiansu wiped her body.
After taking a shower, he rummaged through the locker and found a white kimono to put on... He poured out the water, got another bucket of water, and washed his own clothes. After finishing all this, he started again. Take out some fruits and vegetables from the locker.
Make a fire and cook.
He sat on the tatami next to the hanging pot, holding the vine snake in his arms and warming himself over the fire.
He said: "Although there is still some elf food, considering that we will have to go to the wild to look for Chilulian and the others in the future, we will not eat that for now... The conditions are quite difficult now. I will make a pot of stew today, and then we will make some for tomorrow. Make something delicious, okay?"
Teng Teng Snake raised her eyes to look at him. She was watching everything about Xu Qiansu... He always seemed so busy, busy making them live a better life... Teng Teng Snake suddenly thought of Ma Li, Zhu Lan, Cattleya and the others.
Before coming to the Xicui area, Teng Teng Snake didn't think Xu Qiansu was working hard.
But now, he has nothing, but he is still thinking about how to make her live more comfortably... What was he thinking about before meeting him in the forest? Will you feel lonely? Will you feel sad?
Teng Teng Snake doesn’t know.
"Why don't you say anything?" Xu Qiansu stirred the stew with a spoon and asked with lowered eyes.
Vine Snake glanced at him, then crawled out of his arms, walked to his backpack, rummaged through it, took out a few jars of seasonings and handed them to Xu Qiansu.
Xu Qiansu was slightly startled and said with a smile: "I forgot we still have these."
There are also seasonings in Xicui, but most of them are simply made from ground tree fruits. The taste is not bad, but compared with modern seasonings, the taste is obviously still a lot worse.
Xu Qiansu was preparing stew, and Teng Teng Snake looked up at him.
After eating it, Teng Teng Snake felt that this kind of one-pot stew food was also delicious.
Xu Qiansu put away the dishes and blew out the oil lamp.
He lay on the bed with Vine Snake in his arms, covered him with a quilt, and asked, "Is it cold?" '
Vine Snake shook his head.
Xu Qiansu nodded slightly, closed his eyes, and fell asleep after a while.
After traveling long distances for a day and a night, he had to be wary of attacks from wild Pokémon. Waveguide was almost non-stop. Even he was exhausted after such consumption.
The vine snake lay on Xu Qiansu's chest, its big burgundy eyes looking inexplicably intoxicating in the dim light.
She looked at Xu Qiansu for a while, then came forward and kissed Xu Qiansu, then lowered her face to rest.
…
The next day.
Xu Qiansu got up early and planned to go to Qunqing Town first to get familiar with it.
His clothes were still dry, and his strange attire was clearly inappropriate.
He wore the white kimono from last night, put the vine snake into the clothes, and said with a smile: "The kimono is looser, so you won't feel stuffy, and you don't have to worry about being discovered."
"Bocha."
Xu Qiansu looked around, thinking that there was nothing to take. He casually looked at the mobile phone on the table, picked it up, and took a look at the gold and silver pendant on it.
I thought that this pendant was an item from the Xicui area. If I put it on my body, maybe someone would recognize it, or it might have some magical uses. It would be a psychological comfort...
He opened the door and left, stepped on the bluestone floor, and looked up a few times.
The weather is sunny and the temperature is moderate. It is a good weather.
He closed the door, looked for a random direction, and walked slowly.
Many townspeople have already gotten up and started working along the way. Restaurants, carpenters, blacksmiths, barber shops, grocery stores, etc. are all in full swing.
Xu Qiansu really wanted to go in and see the cultural features of the Xicui area, but he was penniless at the moment, and there was no rich woman to support him, so naturally he didn't dare to spend money casually.
Pedestrians along the way cast doubtful glances at him, thinking who is this person? Why is he such a new face?
But more of it is amazing.
Xu Qiansu has a handsome face and a cold temperament. Now wearing a white kimono, he looks like a noble son from a well-known family, but also like a prodigal talent who is about to find flowers.
Just as Xu Qiansu was looking at the surrounding buildings, there was suddenly a familiar sound, interrupting all his thoughts.
beep----
beep----
beep----
Modern day, Sinnoh region, Coastal City.
Ma Li was lying in the ward, the drizzle outside the window hitting the eaves and corners of the corridor was rhythmic, like a gentle lullaby.
The time pointed to 4:30 in the morning, and Ma Li opened her eyes.
This time was when Xu Qiansu got up for morning exercises.
Ma Li usually wakes up at this time. After flipping through the book, she walks out of the room to prepare breakfast for Xu Qiansu.
But now, she obviously doesn't have the need.
No one will eat the food she cooks.
She sat up, and Ibrahimovic, who was curled up in the quilt, frowned and opened his eyes.
"Buyi..."
She looked at Ma Li and called out softly. Ma Li had always slept very lightly in the past two days, which even made Ibrahimovic doubt whether she was asleep at all.
"Quack." The croak-headed frog folded his arms, leaned against the corner, and opened his eyes.
It was keeping vigil. The attack by Team Galaxy made the frog's nerves extremely sensitive. No matter what, Mali couldn't let anything happen again.
"Thank you for your hard work." Ma Li whispered.
The frog shook his head. Except for some special Pokémon, most Pokémon do not need sleep like humans. For the frog, less than four hours of sleep is enough to restore its energy.
Ma Li didn't speak anymore. She silently looked at the drizzle outside the window. She didn't come back to her senses until the sky turned bright and the morning light gradually rose.
She stood up and said, "Get ready to leave."
Morubeko, the pickpocket cat jumped out of the bed and looked up at his trainer.
Ma Li didn't say much, quietly changed her clothes, informed Miss Joy, and left.
Miss Joy looked worried, but what could she do? As a doctor, she understands this feeling of powerlessness in the face of life and death better than anyone else.
Bang bang bang bang——————
Raindrops fell on the umbrella held by Ma Li, making a crisp sound.
She walked aimlessly on the sparsely populated streets. The almond trees on both sides of the road swayed in the wind and dropped a few leaves.
Where should Mary go? Go back to Cattleya's villa? Without Xu Qiansu, what reason would she have to go back?
Back to Galar, are you ready to challenge for the Champions Cup? After all, she had said before that she would only follow Xu Qiansu's footsteps before the Champions Cup started. She would go wherever Xu Qiansu went... Now that Xu Qiansu's whereabouts are unknown, the situation is uncertain, and the trip that lasted for more than two months should be marked off. End... Without the employment relationship of a bodyguard, she has regained her freedom and it's time to do what she wants to do.
But at this moment, she has nothing she wants to do, whether it's the Champions Cup or revitalizing Spike Town... except seeking revenge on the Galaxy.
She walked aimlessly down the street.
Toot——
Her cell phone rang softly, and she clicked on the screen. It was a call from Zhulan.
She pressed the answer button.
Zhulan seemed to have said a lot, but Ma Li didn't know what she had said until she hung up the phone.
She suddenly paused in her steps and looked down at the screen, her pretty face expressionless.
But looking at the address book, Xu Qiansu's name came into view.
With that kind of high temperature, it’s impossible for the phone to stay intact.
Moreover, the person who owned this number is no longer alive... Although Ma Li told Lillie that Xu Qiansu still had a chance of survival, Ma Li herself did not necessarily believe this possibility.
In some places, she is terrifyingly rational.
But being so rational, she stretched out her finger, clicked on Xu Qiansu's name, and dialed the number.
beep----
beep----
beep----
The brief busy signal seemed like a century to Ma Li.
These busy sounds represent the vague and elusive glimmer of hope deep in her heart.
Suddenly, the busy signal disappeared.
Ma Li lowered her eyes and looked at the splashes of raindrops on the floor tiles. Her light green eyes were as clear as the clear autumn sky, and there was no trace of unnecessary expression.
It's normal if no one gets through.
Calling a dead person, she was the one who was abnormal.
"Miss Mary?"
Suddenly, a voice that was very familiar to her and had a slight tremor came from the phone.
Snap————
The umbrella hit the ground weakly, making a soft sound.
(End of chapter)
