In the kitchen.
Before making Crab Roe Lion's Head, Li Wei had been brimming with confidence.
But he made three batches of Crab Roe Lion's Head in a row, all grade C.
Crab Roe Lion's Head looked simple enough: chop the meat into pieces the size of pomegranate seeds, then shape it into meatballs.
It looked simple, but actually making it was full of pitfalls. Heat control was absolutely crucial.
[A thoroughly unremarkable serving of Crab Roe Lion's Head with no buffs]
That was the information the Appraisal Eye gave Li Wei.
All he could say was that the tears came before the words.
Li Wei had cooked the Crab Roe Lion's Head in small individual pots. Dayou picked one up and took a bite.
"It's pretty good. Why the long face?"
Dayou tasted the finished Crab Roe Lion's Head. It was a little scalding and slightly softer in texture, but still a touch greasy.
Dayou had always been the taste tester for Li Wei's new dishes.
Even when he looked sick to his stomach, his sheer perseverance let him finish them.
"How does it compare to my usual cooking?"
"Those dishes are delicious, but honestly, the Smoked Apricorn Juice is still the best."
The Smoked Apricorn Juice had long since blown Dayou away.
It looked like Li Wei still needed more practice before he could make a truly proper Crab Roe Lion's Head.
For now, Li Wei gave up on using Crab Roe Lion's Head for an instructional video.
Crispy Apple, grade A, was even more out of the question. If he was going to teach something, it had to be Thousand-Layer Puff Pastry!
Whether the viewers could actually learn it was not Li Wei’s concern.
But Li Wei had promised to release the next episode after his seven days of training, and he could not go back on his word.
He soon settled on the content for episode five.
"Time to show off the results of these seven days of training. Dayou, want to join me?"
Dayou sipped the soup. "What are we doing?"
"Essential oil treatments for Pokémon."
Dayou nodded. "Incineroar did some extra training last night. He must be tired, too."
After losing to Metagross the night before, Incineroar had slipped out of the Pokémon Center, where he was receiving treatment, to do some extra training in the middle of the night.
Dayou had no choice but to train with him and then take him back to the Pokémon Center. Luckily, it was right next door to the breeding center.
Li Wei and Dayou went to the Pokémon Center next door together.
"Nurse Joy, Chansey."
Nurse Joy smiled. "Good morning. Metagross and Incineroar have both finished their treatment."
"Sorry for the trouble."
Nurse Joy shook her head. "Not at all. It's our job. Besides, we trouble you quite often ourselves."
Nurse Joy and Chansey went next door-to Li Wei's place-for lunch and dinner every day.
"Lucky~"
Chansey held the tray out in front of them.
"Thank you, Chansey."
"Lucky~"
"We'll be off, then."
"All right. Take care."
Li Wei also called Mizuki over, ostensibly to show her the results of his recent training.
Mizuki mercilessly saw right through him.
"You just want me to help you groom Lucario."
Li Wei intended to give Lucario, Arcanine, and Metagross a full treatment.
But doing it alone would be exhausting...
Just as Li Wei was trying to dream up an excuse, Mizuki spoke again.
"Oh, fine. I did benefit from knowing you, after all. I learned quite a lot from Mr. Blue."
Dayou suddenly popped up. "Keep spoiling him, why don't you?"
"..."
Mizuki could not be bothered with that clown.
Once they reached the room dedicated to grooming, all three put on masks.
Seeing Dayou in a mask, Li Wei could barely keep a straight face. "Has anyone ever told you that you look like a hardened criminal with a mask on?"
"I just think this mask is too small."
On Dayou's face, the mask looked like a miniature version.
"Pfft!" Mizuki could not hold back her laughter.
"Is it that funny?"
Then Dayou looked in the mirror himself.
Li Wei pressed record. "We're recording now."
After putting on her gloves, Mizuki said softly, "Lucario, let's get started."
" Luca."
(Go right ahead.)
Li Wei took charge of Arcanine and half of Metagross, while Mizuki helped with the other half.
Metagross's injuries had healed, but he was still somewhat tired from the previous night's battle.
Arcanine and Lucario had also accumulated a few underlying issues from training.
Li Wei also had to provide commentary as he worked.
"Everyone, make sure you keep a close eye on your Pokémon's condition. Take a look at Incineroar."
"His usual heavy training has left his muscles a little fatigued. At times like this, you need to help him relax."
Essential oil body care, Hong Kong-Style Acupressure!
Li Wei demonstrated his Hong Kong-Style Acupressure, supposedly passed down only to men and never to women.
"Rooaaar!!!"
Incineroar, who had been lying motionless on the bed, suddenly opened his eyes wide.
(He says it feels amazing, and he wants more!)
Li Wei, Mizuki, and Dayou spent the entire morning tending to Lucario and the other Pokémon.
But filming was not over yet. They needed to show off the results in the sunlight.
It was noon, when the sunlight was at its strongest.
Arcanine and Incineroar basked in the sun, the tips of every strand of fur sparkling brilliantly.
Especially when Arcanine shook his head, his mane swayed in the breeze along with the movement.
At that moment, Arcanine truly had something of the legendary Eastern Spirit's splendor.
┗|｀O′|┛ Awooo~~
Incineroar obligingly struck various bodybuilding poses, his muscles relaxed rather than tense, and he was in peak condition.
Metagross's metal body gleamed, especially the alloy cross on his face. It looked as though it had been cast from gold and nearly blinded Li Wei.
Lucario stood with his arms folded, as straight as a soldier at attention, radiating an imposing presence.
Li Wei circled Lucario, showing off the results of the meticulous treatment.
"That's a wrap."
This episode covered the short-haired Incineroar, the long-haired Arcanine, and the hairless Metagross. It was definitely an instructional video worth learning from.
Though Li Wei still needed to edit it that evening, he had no time in the afternoon.
He had promised to provide free care for five Pokémon that afternoon.
This was turning out to be quite a packed day.
There was no helping it. Li Wei intended to make one final push on the Day Care on the Attack quest.
Fortunately, he could now brew Smoked Apricorn Juice. One cup was better than six!
If he felt lazy, Moomoo Milk or Berry Juice could also restore his stamina, but their effects were far weaker than those of Smoked Apricorn Juice.
Li Wei glanced at Scan's radar display. The two green dots had not moved.
That meant they had settled there, so Li Wei was in even less of a hurry.
Leon appeared before Li Wei, looking as though he wanted credit for his work.
"Son, I've picked them all out for you. Random draw."
"Thanks, Dad."
That afternoon.
The five lucky winners all arrived with their Pokémon.
The Jubilife Breeding Center's reputation was growing by the day, and plenty of people wanted to give it a try.
But Li Wei's family breeding center was not without its drawbacks-it was expensive.
That put quite a few people off.
All five Pokémon and their Trainers were very satisfied.
[Ding! Main quest-Day Care on the Attack: First-stage objective completed...]
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