A way out

Wait, wasn't Ms. Zhao interested in the Tao Trio? Could I use that information to break into academia and build up my public influence?

If I could publish a few highly influential papers and gain some exposure, I'd become a public figure. That should make Team R think twice about coming after me.

"Ye Qing, come see what I found!"

Just as Ye Qing was pondering this, Wang Yao came running back with a mischievous grin.

"What is it?"

Setting the idea aside for the moment, Ye Qing looked up and asked.

Wang Yao ran over and held out his phone, exclaiming, "What is it? Do you have any idea that your Chimchar has practically become king of the Volcanic Zone?"

"King?"

Ye Qing paused, then couldn't help laughing when he saw the video playing on Wang Yao's phone.

From the footage, Chimchar had already brought most of the Pokémon in the Volcanic Zone under his command. Not only were they massaging his back, but they were also offering him the snacks, Pokéblocks, and other food their trainers had given them.

"That little rascal."

Although Ye Qing was somewhat annoyed, seeing his Pokémon doing so well for himself was also rather gratifying. At least he wasn't embarrassing him.

"Let's go!"

Still, Chimchar's top priority right now was training, especially with the potential danger Ye Qing had just realized he might be facing. He decided he needed to teach Chimchar a lesson he wouldn't forget.

He headed to the Volcanic Zone Area with Wang Yao. Sure enough, just as Ye Qing had expected, they were all ready by the time he arrived, each going about their own business.

Chimchar was busily pounding a rock with Fire Punch. A closer look even revealed beads of sweat rolling down his face.

Their performance was so convincing that, without Wang Yao's video as evidence, Ye Qing really would have thought he'd misjudged him.

Ye Qing called out to Chimchar, "Chimchar, get over here!"

"Ooh-wah?"

Chimchar stopped and bounded over to Ye Qing, even making a point of wiping the sweat from his forehead with his arm.

"Take a look at this."

Giving his acting full marks, Ye Qing held out Wang Yao's phone for him to see.

At first, Chimchar still clung to a sliver of hope despite Ye Qing's dark expression. But when he saw the video of himself lording it over the others, that last hope shattered.

"Ooh!"

Chimchar turned toward Wang Yao and bared his teeth at him.

He had noticed Wang Yao's scent earlier but hadn't thought anything of it. Who would have guessed this guy would end up getting him in trouble!

"You can spend the rest of today reflecting on your behavior inside your Poké Ball!"

Ignoring Chimchar's protests, Ye Qing recalled him into his ball.

Back in class, Ye Qing had no interest in listening to the lesson. Instead, he kept going over everything he knew about the Tao Trio.

That evening, in the library.

Sitting by a window, Ye Qing took out a sheet of paper and began organizing what he knew by the light of the moon and the lamps.

As for the doubts the article might raise once it was published, Ye Qing had already thought of a way to address them.

"Ye Qing?"

Just as Ye Qing was lost in thought, a waft of perfume drifted over.

He turned to find his homeroom teacher, Zhao Xinran, standing beside him.

Zhao Xinran had noticed Ye Qing seemed distracted during class. Thinking she might have been the cause, she had followed him all the way to the library.

"Did our earlier conversation affect you? If so, I owe you an apology."

Ye Qing shook his head. "No."

Zhao Xinran breathed a sigh of relief and asked casually, "Oh, is there anything I can help you with, then? You seem troubled."

After thinking for a moment, Ye Qing looked into Zhao Xinran's bright eyes and said, "Actually, there is. I'd like to publish an article about the Tao Trio. Do you have any suggestions?"

"The Tao Trio?"

Zhao Xinran was delighted at first, but immediately stopped him. "Absolutely not. Information about Legendary Pokémon is forbidden from circulating among the public. Even if you submitted it, no one would publish it."

Ye Qing was taken aback. Thinking it over, he realized she was right. He had been looking at the issue from the perspective of his previous life, but that approach wouldn't work in this one.

As far as Ye Qing knew, the Pokémon League held a monopoly on much of the information about Legendary Pokémon. Ordinary people had no way to learn about it.

Zhao Xinran continued, "Didn't you tell me this morning..."

Ye Qing didn't hide it. "I've run into some trouble. I want to build up my reputation to get some protection."

"Trouble?"

Zhao Xinran couldn't imagine what sort of trouble someone Ye Qing's age could have gotten into. Surely the people he interacted with were just others his own age.

Ye Qing nodded. "Yes, but I can't go into the details."

Zhao Xinran didn't respond immediately. Her alluring eyes seemed intent on seeing right through him.

Ye Qing avoided her gaze and looked down at her foot, clad in a pointed high heel, bobbing beneath the table. Just don't accidentally kick me.

After a moment, Zhao Xinran collected herself, weighed the pros and cons, and said, "I can help you with this. You probably know that I used to work at the Pokémon Research Institute. I'm qualified to submit your article to the higher-ups. If its contents are accurate and sufficiently significant, you'll receive the reward you deserve.

"But there's practically no chance of your article appearing publicly in the media. Still, if the Pokémon League considers you highly valuable, arranging protection for you shouldn't be a problem."

Ye Qing said nothing. He knew his article might cause a huge stir, and if he handed the manuscript to Zhao Xinran, there was no guarantee she wouldn't pocket the benefits herself.

Only after a long silence did Ye Qing speak. "How am I supposed to trust you?"

Zhao Xinran was stunned. She hadn't expected this kid to be so wary.

"Your aunt and I used to work at the same research institute. If you don't trust me, you can give it to her first and have her pass it on to me."

Ignoring the latter part of her explanation, Ye Qing raised his brows in displeasure. "You investigated me?"

Zhao Xinran said, "I'm sorry. You're my student, and I'm responsible for you. I was surprised when you answered my question, so curiosity led me to look into you a little."

Ye Qing didn't entirely believe her, but he kept his expression neutral. "Give me a moment, please."

With that, he took out his phone and sent his mom a message on WeChat.

Ye Qing: "Mom, how's Auntie been lately? You two are pretty close, right?"

Ye Mom: "Silly boy, she's my own little sister. Of course we're close. Stop asking such silly questions."

Ye Qing: "..."

Ye Mom: "What's wrong? Running short on money?"

Ye Qing: "I wrote a very important paper and want to submit it. My homeroom teacher said she knows my aunt, so I wanted to check with you."

Ye Mom: "Give me a moment, then."

After reading his mom's reply, Ye Qing put down his phone.