"Bah!"
Delia was stunned for a moment before reacting, spitting at him with a blush. Her fair cheeks grew redder, and her long eyelashes fluttered.
"You bad egg, always thinking about those things."
"Don't you like it?"
"Who… who likes it?!"
Delia vehemently denied it. She insisted that her intimate moments with Lu Sheng were never her initiative; it was always Lu Sheng forcing her. How could a weak woman like her ever contend with such a strong Lu Sheng? She could only submit to him.
"Really not?"
He's tempting me again… Lu Sheng narrowed his eyes, looking at Delia on the screen. A cunning old fox!
Knowing that Lu Sheng was alone and that most people would be asleep at this hour, Delia became bolder and secretly sent Lu Sheng some 'benefits'.
"No!"
Delia's cheeks were flushed, like a ripe peach, and a hint of affection was visible in her beautiful eyes.
"I think you're the one who likes it, always thinking about those things!" Delia pursed her lips.
"Of course, I like it!" Lu Sheng admitted openly, which surprised Delia. Why was he so honest? No arguments?
"I'll come find you after I've arranged things at the restaurant."
Delia missed Lu Sheng. She had only been apart from him for a day and already started missing him… missing everything about him.
"Alright, my good Delia, don't rush too much. Remember to take care of yourself."
Lu Sheng looked at Delia.
"Mhm, I know. I'll give you a surprise then."
Delia said sweetly, "It's a secret, you'll find out then!"
After chatting with Delia for a long time, listening to her express her longing for him, Lu Sheng gently persuaded her, and only then did Delia reluctantly go back to rest… The next day.
Lu Sheng heard a knocking sound on his door early in the morning.
"Lu Sheng, what time is it? Hurry and get up!"
Xiao Xia knocked on the door.
Don't let Xiao Xia's delicate appearance fool you; her strength doesn't match her looks at all.
"Coming!"
Lu Sheng called out, and Pikachu ran to open the door.
After quickly washing up, Lu Sheng arrived at the restaurant. The thoughtful Nurse Joy had specially saved two generous breakfasts for Lu Sheng and Xiao Xia.
"Nurse Joy, could you please add some ketchup for Pikachu?"
Lu Sheng poured a glass of milk for Xiao Xia, then looked at Nurse Joy.
"Of course!" Nurse Joy's impression of Lu Sheng improved even more. Many new Trainers don't pay much attention to what food their Pokémon like, but Lu Sheng wasn't among them. Not only was he good to his Pokémon, but he was also good to his companions.
After eating and drinking their fill, they prepared to begin their journey.
Lu Sheng purchased many camping essentials, and to travel with Lu Sheng, Xiao Xia simply left her bicycle at the Pokémon Center. With companions, there was no need to ride a bicycle.
Since the Viridian Gym was closed and its reopening date was unknown, Nurse Joy suggested that Lu Sheng go to Pewter City to challenge the Gym first, rather than waiting for the Viridian Gym.
Even if the Viridian Gym were open, Lu Sheng wouldn't immediately challenge it. His current strength wasn't enough to face Giovanni.
"Let's go!"
Lu Sheng headed towards Viridian Forest, planning to train there first and then catch some Pokémon.
As an experienced Trainer, Xiao Xia felt it was her duty to guide Lu Sheng, so she walked in front, but her pace was very slow, often looking left and right, as if there were danger in the nearby bushes.
She couldn't be afraid of Caterpie suddenly jumping out of the bushes, could she?… Xiao Xia had an extreme fear of Bug-type Pokémon, not limited to seeing or touching them, but even including Poké Balls containing Bug-type Pokémon; she would keep her distance.
Lost in thought, Lu Sheng was just walking and didn't notice Xiao Xia suddenly stopping in front. He bumped right into her, and Xiao Xia cried out in alarm, about to fall forward. Fortunately, Lu Sheng was quick-witted and caught Xiao Xia, preventing her from falling.
"Ah!"
Xiao Xia shrieked even louder, her body instantly stiffening. She shrunk back into Lu Sheng's arms, turning her head and anxiously exclaiming, "Caterpie! There's a Caterpie in front!"
Lu Sheng looked over. There were three Caterpie moving together on the ground, gently wiggling and eating green leaves in small bites.
Hearing Xiao Xia's shriek, all the Caterpie were scared away, thinking their natural enemy had arrived.
Pikachu stood on Lu Sheng's shoulder, curiously watching Xiao Xia. Why did she scream so loudly at the sight of Caterpie?
"It's alright, the Caterpie are all gone now."
Lu Sheng patted Xiao Xia's shoulder. Suddenly, a 'hiss' sound—it was Xiao Xia fearfully twisting her body, awakening the sleeping Steelix!
"Are they really gone?"
Her cheeks instantly flushed, like a ripe apple, and her soft body stiffened because she was attacked by the Steelix.
Seeing that the Caterpie in front were truly gone, she let out a sigh of relief and softly said, "Please let me go first!"
Lu Sheng reluctantly released Xiao Xia, explaining, "I hugged you because I was afraid you'd fall."
Xiao Xia's cheeks were flushed, and her gaze inadvertently swept over the Steelix that had just attacked her. In her heart, she kept blaming the Caterpie, wondering why they appeared here to block the path. Couldn't they go somewhere else?
The Caterpie thought, 'I live here anyway!'
"Use this Bug Repellent."
Lu Sheng took out Bug Repellent, which he had specially prepared for Xiao Xia.
Xiao Xia hummed in acknowledgment, her gaze falling on the Bug Repellent.
After the little incident, Lu Sheng took Pikachu and began his training plan here.
After defeating the flock of Spearow and the Team Rocket Trio's Pokémon, Pikachu had now reached LV: 23, putting it in the normal class.
He aimed to level up to 26 here.
"Ding! A new mission has been triggered: Capture the boss of the later Viridian Forest!"
"Mission Reward: Beginner Rare Candy * 5 (Can raise a Pokémon below level 30 by one level after use), Quick Claw (When carried by a Pokémon, has a 20% chance to attack first)"
Not bad… The boss of the later Viridian Forest would naturally be Pidgeot.
Lu Sheng looked around, searching for the location of that boss Pidgey!
Perhaps Xiao Xia's scream just now had scared away those Pidgey. He looked for a long time but didn't see a single Pidgey.
Unable to find any, Lu Sheng had no choice but to use Pokémon food as bait.
But unexpectedly, before Pidgey arrived, several Rattata showed up. However, they had little combat power, and Pikachu sent them all back.
Xiao Xia sat cautiously to the side, holding the Bug Repellent, staring blankly at Lu Sheng. A hint of blush still lingered on her cheeks, and a certain radiance appeared in her eyes.
"Bo~"
A Pidgey's Growl was heard.