Chapter 307

"Lillie is already so good, yet you still went out of your way to say things like that."

"... If you had just been a little nicer to Lillie, things definitely wouldn't be like this now."

Mei is still struggling with this issue, and even though Mei has figured it all out, she still can't get over it.

Not only was her guilt towards Lillie limiting her thinking, but she also disapproved of Qiao Ran's current declaration.

Deep down, she also has a little possessiveness.

"..."

Qiao Ran sighed. Sure enough, Mei was still angry with him.

"As I've already said, my idea is for everyone to be able to be together happily... and for everyone to be happy."

"You've said that many times, but... how could that be possible?"

Mei still didn't quite believe it.

"How can I know if I don't try? I think I can understand the happiness that Lillie and Mei want."

Qiao Ran gave his answer seriously: this path was his own choice, and all he needed to do was to walk it firmly.

"Lillie and Mei..."

Looking at Qiao Ran's determined gaze, Mei couldn't help but think of what Lillie had said to her that night, and what Mei and Lillie had secretly talked about with her during the day.

"Mei, you keep talking about our situation... What are your own thoughts? What exactly are you thinking?"

"..."

"Okay... okay, since you know about their happiness, then... what about mine?"

Mei took a deep breath and, almost as if possessed, asked the question.

Even she herself didn't quite understand what she was doing.

Tell me.

Mei is not someone without her own opinions; on the contrary, she is more proactive than most people.

However, as things gradually became more complicated, and the people closest to her started acting strangely, she simply couldn't figure it out.

"Do you remember when it was just the two of us, challenging those Nihilego together?"

When faced with Mei's question, Qiao Ran did not give a direct answer, after all, he himself couldn't explain it clearly.

Some things are destined to be indescribable, but Qiao Ran believed that as long as they continued to communicate, these feelings would gradually emerge.

"Of course I remember. Did you think I forgot?"

"... acting without authorization, doing whatever they want... and it's still the same now."

When it comes to the past, everyone seems to have a lot to say. After all, everyone's experiences are different, and being able to recount past experiences in this way is quite an interesting thing.

After chatting for a while, the atmosphere gradually relaxed, and Qiao Ran changed the subject, looking at Mei's profile.

"Come to think of it, it seems like you've been acting for other people ever since then."

"..."

"It started with Lillie, then I went to Galar to fight for the people of Spikemuth, and now I've rejoined our ranks..."

"I..." Mei was stunned for a moment. She didn't know what Qiao Ran wanted to say, but she still tried to defend herself.

"My goal is to Pokémon Master. If it can help others, then there's no problem with that, right?"

Her desire to help others and her goals are not contradictory, so why can't she choose this path?

Her abilities have been honed through these experiences, and isn't her current progress a result of these trials?

"No, I want to ask more than just that. You should know what I really want to ask, right?"

Qiao Ran didn't deny Mei's desire to improve; it would naturally be a good thing to help others while improving. However, Qiao Ran had more to say than just that.

"Actually, Lillie also told me that when you went to Galar... she felt it was strange. We could have traveled together, but you seemed to be running away from something and didn't set off with us."

Qiao Ran continued to look at her profile.

What are you running away from?

"I..."

Mei

He took a few deep breaths, seemingly trying to hide his panic.

What's wrong with this guy?

Why would you ask such a question?

"... I don't want to talk about it."

Under Qiao Ran's questioning, Mei chose to remain silent. No one understood the reasons for her choice better than her. If she were to speak out... there would be no turning back.

"Even if you don't say it, I'll keep talking."

Qiao Ran quietly approached her, but Mei mind was already in turmoil, obviously did not notice Qiao Ran's actions.

"... I actually wanted to travel with you."

"It's so good that you're back now."

"..."

Mei still didn't answer, but Qiao Ran continued talking.

"Unlike them, you often seem like an outsider, watching their actions. But sometimes, I also hope you can think more about yourself and be happier and more joyful every day."

Perhaps it was because Mei had been trapped alone for too long at the Aether Foundation that Qiao Ran could sense a sense of loneliness that made her feel out of place whenever he saw her. Except when she was in battle, she seemed more mature than the others.

Qiao Ran didn't know how she got through those days. What was she thinking when Lillie was parasitized and all the members of the Aether Foundation disappeared?

"What's the point of saying all this?"

Mei looked away.

"I just want to tell you that when others are looking at you, I'm looking at you too."

As Qiao Ran spoke, he grabbed her shoulder, drawing her gaze in his direction.

"So, the question you wanted to ask already has an answer, doesn't it?"

We're probably thinking about the same thing all along, aren't we?

"..."

Mei pursed her lips, her body trembling slightly.

This seems to be the first time... no... perhaps she had such memories before, but she couldn't recall them clearly.

The man's face was incredibly close to the camera.

He is a very brave and outstanding man, and if possible, she certainly hopes to be with him...

"I..."

Mei's face flushed slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but before she could speak, she felt Qiao Ran getting closer and closer to her. Startled, she immediately pushed him away.

"I... I'm not ready yet!"

"You go out first, you go out first."

Seeing Mei resuming her alert state, Qiao Ran was helpless and could only sigh with a wry smile.

Perhaps... I really was a bit too hasty.

Unlike Lillie and Mei, whose relationships developed naturally, she still carries many burdens in her heart. Not only him, but Lillie and the others will probably have to talk to her more and do some work on her.

"Okay, I hope you can... think about it more."

"Snort."

Mei once again turned her gaze away, using her long hair to cover her cheek.

However, Qiao Ran could also sense that her conversation with her tonight had definitely had a noticeable effect; at least, her attitude was no longer as strained as before.

"Good night."

Qiao Ran knew when to stop and left. His purpose in coming here tonight was to ask some questions for Phoebe, and he would consider the subsequent conversation as an extra bonus.

After leaving Mei's room, Qiao Ran stood at the door for a while, thinking. He decided to go back to his room since it wasn't time to Rest yet. Since he had already thought about this, he might as well go to Lillie's room and talk to her about Mei.

Meanwhile, at the door of Qiao Ran's room...

"Qiao Ran, Qiao Ran? Are you there?"

Acerola had been knocking on the door for over ten seconds, but no one responded.

"Not here?" Acerola tilted her head.

That's so strange... Why haven't they stayed in their rooms these past few nights?

Nothing more was said that night.

After finishing his work in Lillie's room, Qiao Ran went to his own room to rest. After all, he had to participate in the Gym Competition the next day, so it was essential for him to get plenty of rest and recuperate.

The next morning, at the breakfast table, Qiao Ran was questioned by Acerola.

"By the way, Qiao Ran, what were you doing last night? You weren't in your room at all."

Upon hearing Acerola's question, the expressions of the three people at the table all stiffened for a moment.

"I... I was just chatting with Cynthia and we talked about some things related to Mei, so I went to talk to her about it."

Qiao Ran directly recounted what happened to Phoebe and Cynthia last night. Although the matter was quite strange, Qiao Ran didn't take it too seriously. After all, there was indeed a possibility of overlap in Pokémon training methods. Until there was sufficient evidence to prove a clear connection between the two, it was probably the only thing to think about.

"Oh, I see..."

After listening to Qiao Ran's story, the girls all nodded, but Acerola hesitated slightly.

After thinking it over, she still pouted, somewhat angrily.

"Qiao Ran, you clearly said you'd include me when you chatted with that Ghost-type Master."

"They didn't even invite me to come along."

Acerola felt hurt. Not only did she not find Qiao Ran after going to great lengths to look for him, but he also didn't include her when discussing Ghost-type Pokémon. This was just too much.

"Things were a bit urgent yesterday, so I went directly to Mei's place."

Qiao Ran could only laugh it off and comfort the pitiful-looking Acerola. Although his behavior did seem a bit... well... excessive, given the situation last night, it was impossible for him to take Acerola to Mei's room with him!

Who knows what awkward situation might arise?

However, thanks to Qiao Ran Mei's conversation yesterday, Mei's condition is noticeably better today; in short, she seems to have a much clearer mind.

However, this level is still not enough. Based on their conversation with Lillie last night, they need to continue working on Mei.

"Hmph hmph hmph."

Acerola still had an unhappy expression, and it took Qiao Ran a long time to coax her before her expression improved a bit. He didn't know if it was just Qiao Ran imagination, but he always felt that Acerola was deliberately trying to get him to coax her a few more times.

"Alright, alright, we still need to head to the Gym."

After having breakfast and checking the time, Qiao Ran and his group packed their things and set off for the Gym.

There are usually dedicated bus lines that pass through this Gym from the Pokémon Center in the Pokémon League, allowing you to get there directly without transferring. However, if the subway is available as an option, most people would probably choose the faster and more convenient subway.

It took Qiao Ran and his group more than an hour to finally arrive at the entrance of the Gym.

Along the way, they encountered many people who recognized them and pestered them for photos and autographs. These people were not just Trainer, but also many ordinary people from other professions who lived in a world where Pokémon coexisted. Even if they didn't pay special attention to it every day, they couldn't avoid talking about Pokémon.

Before they knew it, Qiao Ran and his friends had become quite well-known.

"Rongcheng Gym... doesn't seem particularly special from the outside."

"After all, not all Gym are designed in such strange and unusual ways."

Standing outside the Gym, the group immediately commented on Gym design. While not particularly unique, it was certainly large and Pressure, appearing much more solid and substantial than some oddly shaped Gym.

Welcome to Rongcheng Gym.