As the teachers and students from China filed out, an elderly scholar with graying hair came forward, his face alight with delight as he approached an old professor in the Chinese delegation.
"You must be Professor Zhong? I'm Ferguson, the dean of students at the University of the Hawaiian Islands. Thank you all for making the long journey. Your accommodations and meals are ready, so please follow me. The bus is this way," Ferguson said politely.
"Sorry for the trouble, Professor Ferguson. There are seventy-eight teachers and students in our Chinese delegation, and we're all here!" Professor Zhong said.
He was the old professor who had firmly supported the Chinese freshmen earlier. His full name was Zhong Xing'an, and he was already in his fifties, approaching retirement age. Had this exchange not been so important, the country would never have arranged for him to come.
Everyone followed Professor Zhong onto the bus. Xiao Ran and Yun Mengqiu blended into the crowd, and Professor Ferguson did not recognize them. Behind the scenes, however, the various factions were thrown into turmoil. Now that the two had reached the Hawaiian Islands and been officially registered, many factions had no choice but to give up.
At the very least, anyone who still wanted the Legendary Pokémon belonging to Xiao Ran and Yun Mengqiu would have to use legitimate, aboveboard methods, such as trades or wagers. Interceptions and assassinations were essentially out of the question now, unless they wanted to become wanted criminals worldwide.
As for Veranica, the extra member of the group, Professor Zhong said nothing, and Ferguson naturally did not pry. After all, one or two additional people made little difference. For this academic exchange, it was a trivial matter.
Sitting on the bus and listening to the teachers and teaching assistants chatting,