The Pokémon Center lobby was filled with a warm atmosphere. The floor was laid with light-colored non-slip tiles, polished spotless and gleaming.
At the front desk, Nurse Joy was examining an injured Vulpix when she heard the door open. She looked up and greeted him with a smile. "Welcome. Will you be staying overnight?"
"Sorry for the trouble, could you book me a room?" Xinhai stepped forward and handed over his Pokédex.
Nurse Joy took the Pokédex and tapped away at the computer for a moment before handing Xinhai a key card along with his Pokédex. Smiling, she said, "Here is your room key. Your room number is ×××."
"Thank you, Nurse Joy." He accepted the returned Pokédex and key card, thanked her, then turned and headed for the elevator.
The elevator stopped on the third floor. Xinhai walked to the end of the corridor, swiped his card, and pushed open the door.
The room was a standard suite, with a living room far more spacious than those in ordinary rooms. The window faced toward Lavaridge Town, offering a view of the distant Mt. Chimney Range, its reddish-brown outline glowing in the afternoon sunlight, as well as the white steam rising above the town.
He set the Spatial Backpack on the sofa and let his partners out to stretch in the room.
After glancing at his chatting partners, Xinhai took out the soup dumplings, shumai, and rice crackers he had bought in town.
Seeing this, Gardevoir came over, accepted the food Xinhai handed her, and then waved at the lively group of partners, signaling for them to come eat.
The partners quickly gathered around, each taking their own portion of food before finding a spot on the carpet to sit down and enjoy lunch.
Xinhai took a bun for himself.