Old Liu

Biodata

Background / History

Recruiting Xin Mu

Old Liu initially regards Xin Mu as an administrative concern: he still has a failed course before graduation and has not signed an employment agreement. While arranging a Gym internship for another student, Liu hears from his former classmate, Gym Leader Rong Lei, about an exceptionally strong Meowscarada trained by someone named Xin Mu. He doubts it is his student until Xin Mu arrives to register for the Intercollegiate Rally with Meownei beside him 25 26.

Trusting Rong Lei’s assessment, Liu asks Xin Mu to enter the Pangoro Academy Cup. Because Xin Mu will graduate before the tournament, Liu proposes an additional guaranteed postgraduate admission slot to preserve his eligibility. He also highlights the individual championship prize money and university stipend, securing Xin Mu’s agreement to try competing 26.

Liu subsequently obtains special administrative allowances and sends Xin Mu a digital form establishing his connection to the university. He explains that strong results could turn the temporary arrangement into an official competitive position, and that the extra admission slot does not reduce those available to other applicants 31 32.

Team Tryout

Liu watches the entire rally, interpreting Xin Mu’s willingness to be thrown and caught by Meownei as evidence of their mutual trust. Afterward, he drives them to the university’s northern training grounds and introduces Xin Mu to Coach Jia Qiong. Meownei’s demonstration overwhelms most of the team’s Pokémon, and Xin Mu joins the individual and six-on-six rosters 32 33 34 35.

Pangoro Academy Cup

When Xin Mu refuses to fly, Liu arranges separate train travel for himself, Xin Mu, and Meownei. He then learns that his nominal team membership does not qualify him for reimbursement: a formal staff position depends on successful tournament results and subsequent team expansion. Rather than remain at school, he pays his own way, partly because he fears someone might poach his recruit 35 36.

Liu endures the eleven-hour journey in second class while Xin Mu and Meownei travel in business class. At the destination, shared accommodation and group meals reduce some of his expenses. He stays behind to watch the hotel during the team’s sightseeing trip, then accompanies everyone to inspect the tournament fields 37 38 39 40 41 44.

Jia Qiong gives Liu an “Assistant coach” armband to make him feel included at the venue. Meownei later takes it so she can act as coach during the rental Double Battles. Liu remains with the team in its rest area, despite losing the visible symbol of his role 50.

Personality

Liu is ambitious and openly views Xin Mu’s success as a route to promotion. Ordinarily, becoming a full professor or department dean would require several more years merely to earn a chance at consideration. Recruiting a standout competitor offers him a faster opportunity, particularly under a new principal who has renewed attention to the university team 25 26 34.

His support is practical rather than idealistic: he offers concrete benefits, handles paperwork, and accommodates Xin Mu’s travel restrictions. His own interests remain closely tied to the arrangement—he would prefer Xin Mu’s achievements to stand out against other competitors’ failures—but he is willing to spend his own money to keep the recruitment successful 26 35 36.

As an adviser, Liu also worries about students beyond their academic results. After one misses a graduation makeup exam to meet an online sweetheart, he goes to check on the student and fears a possible crisis if the relationship ends badly 26.

Abilities & Skills

Academic Administration

• Uses professional connections to arrange an apprentice internship at Rong Lei’s Gym for a Battle Studies student 25.
• Secures eligibility allowances and an additional postgraduate admission opportunity for Xin Mu 26 32.
• Offers to help Xin Mu obtain a flying license if he acquires a suitable Flying-type Pokémon, explaining that interregional flights require applications and designated routes 39.

Team Support

• Provides transport and adapts travel arrangements to accommodate both Xin Mu’s aversion to planes and Meownei’s refusal to enter a Poké Ball 33 35.
• Admits that he cannot plan battle tactics, but volunteers to handle practical tasks such as ordering food 36.

Relationships

• Xin Mu — His advisee and prized recruit. Liu’s career prospects depend heavily on Xin Mu’s competitive results; Xin Mu acknowledges his efforts by promising that future team funding should cover his expenses 26 32 39.
• Rong Lei — Former classmate and trusted Gym Leader contact. Rong Lei’s assessment of Meownei convinces Liu to pursue Xin Mu’s recruitment 25 26.
• Meownei — The Pokémon whose strength makes Liu’s recruitment plan viable. She considers his ability to order takeout useful, but takes his assistant coach armband for her own coaching role 25 50.
• Li Han — Team analyst and logistics coordinator. She explains the limits of Liu’s reimbursement eligibility and the conditions for a future official staff position 35 36 40.
• Jia Qiong — University team coach. Liu introduces Xin Mu to him; Jia later supplies Liu with an honorary assistant coach armband 33 50.
• Wife — Dislikes cigarette smoke. Liu lets himself air out after smoking before getting into the car 33.
• Daughter — A member of the Poké Ball Opposition Association, which advocates giving Pokémon more space rather than keeping them in balls 33.

Notable Quotes

“I can't plan tactics, but surely I can handle that much?” 36

Trivia

• Uses a black sedan with orange peels beneath the rear window to help remove odors 33.
• Claims that, when younger, he endured a two-day hard-seat train journey to the Donghuang Plateau 39.
• Watches the entire tearjerker series From Daughter-in-Law to Mother-in-Law while left alone at the hotel 43.
• Is baffled by the team’s belief that eating beef noodles before a match brings bad luck 45.