Chapter 302

Do you remember where we first met?

However, Qiao Ran did not answer the other person's question directly, but instead talked about the first time the two met.

"... I... of course I remember."

Mei nodded without hesitation.

"It happened in Jinling... during an operation to protect Excavated Relics."

"That night, you even called me out specifically, saying you were Arceus's Emissary... That must have been a lie, right?"

Recalling the past, Mei couldn't help but roll her eyes at Qiao Ran.

At that time, she knew nothing and inexplicably believed Qiao Ran's nonsense. Although there were indeed many things about Qiao Ran that were hard to understand, even after so much time had passed, she had never seen Qiao Ran have any contact with any "Arceus".

"That was... that's what I said back then to make you believe me."

Qiao Ran was taken aback when Mei directly exposed his embarrassing past.

To be honest, he didn't think too much about it at the time; he just came up with a seemingly reasonable excuse and said it.

"If it weren't for the name of Arceus, who would believe that someone who suddenly appeared would say so much?"

"What... what if I had doubts back then?"

"Then I'll think of other ways, ways to make you believe me."

Mei was the first person he met in the Pokémon World, and she held special significance for both him and her. Even if he failed to persuade her once, he couldn't just give up.

"Actually Arceus also told me that it was bound to happen that we would be sitting together like this now."

"That's a lie."

Mei couldn't help but pat Qiao Ran's chest, but a smile still crept onto her face.

I'm not lying to you this time.

Qiao Ran quietly leaned her body to the side and then gently hugged the other person.

Didn't you ask me what I thought?

"Uh-huh."

Their eyes met, Mei's gaze seemed to ripple with a gentle ripple, yet she couldn't bear to blink even slightly, as if afraid of missing a single moment.

However, to her utter surprise, Qiao Ran didn't say anything afterward. He simply hooked his arm around her neck, and then—

"Ugh...!"

Mei felt an unfamiliar touch on her lips; it was the first time she had ever experienced such a sensation.

"..."

After a long while, Qiao Ran released her hand.

I want to be with you.

I want to be with you forever.

Looking at the girl in his arms, at her eyes that rippled like the surface of a lake in spring, Qiao Ran couldn't help but hug her tighter once again.

Me too... me too...

Mei was also responding in her own way. The feelings between her and Qiao Ran might not have been a sudden love at first sight, but... it was already unknowingly, and the other person's mark had already been engraved in her soul.

Being with him makes me happy and joyful.

This brief contact was not enough to satisfy the two of them, and as the flames gradually ignited, no part of the room was spared—especially the two of them who were directly in the blaze.

I want to hear you say those three words.

"... Which three?"

"You knew perfectly well." Looking at Qiao Ran's faintly smiling expression, Mei placed her hand on Qiao Ran's chest and gently traced the outline of the words.

"It itches so much, I know, I know, I'll tell you."

Qiao Ran couldn't Bide the feeling, so she gave up struggling, turned around and subdued the other person, then whispered in their ear.

"..."

Mei didn't struggle, but her heart was beating very fast.

"I love you."

Upon hearing those three words, she could no longer suppress her emotions and hugged the other person back.

No one disturbed them that night.

It was early the next morning.

As if by some unspoken agreement, no one else showed up all night, and even in the morning, no one came to knock on the door to disturb them.

At first, Qiao Ran was a little apprehensive, but in the end, it was Mei who secretly told him.

He explained his reasons.

"Did you talk about it privately?"

What did you say?

Qiao Ran had absolutely no idea about this.

"Secret."

Mei just smiled mysteriously, showing no intention of revealing any specific details.

"They should be waiting for us at the Restaurant now."

Based on her private conversation with Lillie and Mei last night, tonight is all her time. As for Acerola, Lillie Mei will secretly lure her away.

Just as Lillie had told herself, Mei had a pretty good night.

"..." Wrapped in the bed sheet, Mei's face flushed slightly.

Although it was a little difficult to get used to at first, everything went too smoothly with Qiao Ran's help.

The Tokiwa Power... I didn't know it had this effect.

"Then let's go out too, so we don't keep them waiting too long."

Qiao Ran glanced at her laptop on the table and couldn't help but sigh.

The thing was still plugged in and in standby mode; after Mei came over, he completely forgot about it.

He had already planned to make time to complete the arrangement for Altaria, but to his surprise, after Mei appeared, all his time was completely absorbed by Mei...

"Cough cough."

Qiao Ran Sheer Force interrupted her strange reverie. She still had to meet other people, so it was best not to overthink it.

When they're alone together, he can only think about that person, but when they're in a group, he has to be mindful of everyone's thoughts.

More than Acerola herself, Qiao Ran is actually more worried about Mei...

"..."

Qiao Ran glanced at Mei, who was putting on her clothes behind him. Mei seemed to have noticed Qiao Ran's gaze and turned away shyly.

Now that Mei and Lillie have agreed to his proposal, perhaps... he could use them to test Mei's thoughts.

What is she thinking right now?

Good morning.

"Good morning."

Just as Mei had said, when they arrived at the Restaurant together, Lillie and her group were already there.

Acerola looked left and right in confusion. She was wondering why Mei and Lillie had dragged her out so early in the morning. Now, seeing Qiao Ran and Mei appear together, she was even more confused.

However, before she could ask anything more, Lillie Mei started chatting with Qiao Ran and the other two as if nothing had happened.

"?"

Wait a minute, don't you guys find this strange??

"..."

Acerola tilted her head. Perhaps she was overthinking things, and Qiao Ran and Mei had only met by chance on the street?

"By the way, I sent the video that Rotom finished last night, and the Director has already replied, saying it can be released now."

Qiao Ran brought up the topic of making money through videos, which gave us a topic for today's breakfast.

"I'll have Rotom upload the video in a bit."

"I'm glad everything went smoothly. Just let us know if you need anything."

Lillie still had faith in Qiao Ran's abilities. Although she had learned some business communication skills from Lusamine, she lacked practical experience. Moreover, she wanted to do more than just that.

Her current ambition is to become both a Trainer and a researcher.

However, if Qiao Ran needs her help someday, she is not unwilling to assist her. Since her mother can handle both aspects, she can do the same.

The group chatted for a while longer, and Qiao Ran explained the details of the collaboration. In short, it was a pure exchange of interests. The Director team spent money to buy viewership for their new show, while they not only received payment but also gained popularity. It seemed like a win-win situation.

"Also, do you have any other plans for today? You'll be participating in the Gym Competition tomorrow."

Qiao Ran then asked about today's plans. Yesterday, they went out to train all day, and she herself had also slacked off all day. As for today... she couldn't continue to slack off.

Although she had slept a little late last night, Mei, who was new to the Vulpix, was much easier to deal with than the reinforced company consisting of Lillie, Diancie, and Dianxi.

"We... we'd like to visit Anabel this morning, and then we'll train together this afternoon and evening."

Mei glanced at Qiao Ran, but when Qiao Ran turned his gaze to her, she couldn't help but look away.

Although she tried her best not to show anything unusual, her movements were noticeably stiffer than those of Lillie and Mei, who had already resolved their inner conflicts.

Did those two people really... really stay together all night?

What exactly did they do?

"..." On the other side, Acerola was watching Mei's actions and observing the situation at the dining table, seemed to understand something.

The day before, Mei and Mei somewhat strangely, and

Today, the only one who seems off is Mei... So, what exactly happened to Mei?

It's worth noting that the person who appeared with Qiao Ran earlier was also Mei.

In other words... the reason Qiao Ran and Mei appeared later than expected, and that they came together, was because they secretly discussed something, and that Qiao Ran helped her resolve her inner conflict?

Very likely, extremely likely.

Acerola thought about it more and more, and even felt that she was close to the truth. However—she still couldn't understand what their so-called "knot in their hearts" was.

Every time you ask them, they avoid the topic, saying things like "there's no problem at all," but anyone can tell they're hiding something.

'I'll ask Qiao Ran privately when I have the chance.'

If he was able to resolve Mei's inner conflict, then he must know the inside story.

Acerola was still pondering the recent events, while Qiao Ran was discussing their next move with Lillie and the others.

"Have you contacted Anabel yet? She's leaving Rongcheng today?"

"Yes, she has to go back to Magic City to prepare for the next Battle Train."

Mei nodded. Train Conductor isn't an easy job either; you have to run around every now and then. As a key project for both cities, the Battle Train must be running at all times to maintain its Hustle and attract attention.

However, since this high-speed Bullet Train has only just started operating, the challengers on Bullet Train are still by invitation only. If there is an opportunity in the future, we may consider opening it up to the general public.

Contacting Qiao Ran to place an advertisement is the first step in building brand awareness.

"So, today is also a way of saying goodbye to her. Even if we can't remember things from the past, it's okay to be friends first."

Anabel's amnesia isn't a new problem, and Mei and the others aren't in a hurry. Even Acerola, who had met Anabel before, seemed quite calm, since Lila had already suffered from amnesia once when she first met Anabel in Alola.

Even if I lost my memory again, it wouldn't be incomprehensible.

"Yeah, I think we should go see her off too."

Qiao Ran nodded in agreement, and at the same time looked at the other girls to observe their thoughts. Since arriving here, Mei had become much quieter, only smiling gently.