With the Flash Skin in hand, Chen Ran wasn't worried about Larvitar's talent.
The real issue was confidence.
How exactly was he supposed to build that?
And could Charmeleon really teach Larvitar properly?
Professional matters—
Should be left to professionals.
That very afternoon, Chen Ran boarded a high-speed train to Sioux City.
There was a saying:
"Heaven above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below."
Sioux City wasn't far from Hangzhou. The train ride was short.
Wen Xiaoke had arrived at the station early to pick him up.
---
By the roadside, Wen Xiaoke stood in a white T-shirt and denim shorts, showing off her long legs. Beside her was a brand-new white sports coupe, equally eye-catching.
Chen Ran's heartbeat rose a few notches.
"So handsome!"
Handsome—
Of course he meant the car.
"Heh. Men really are hopeless," Wen Xiaoke muttered as Chen Ran circled the car admiringly.
She was standing right there.
And he didn't even compliment her once.
Unbelievable.
"Get in."
She rolled her eyes and gestured for him to enter the passenger seat.
Inside, Chen Ran discovered someone already occupying it.
Snivy was coiled neatly on the seat, staring at him with narrowed eyes.
Recognizing Chen Ran, it shifted slightly, making room.
"Uh… hello."
Chen Ran forced a polite smile.
He had always been uneasy around snake Pokémon.
Even Snivy made him uncomfortable.
Ekans, Arbok, Onix—
No thanks.
Milotic, at least, he mentally classified as a "mermaid Pokémon" rather than a snake.
Seeing his stiff expression, Wen Xiaoke understood.
"Snivy, come back."
She returned it to its Poké Ball.
Chen Ran visibly relaxed.
"Thanks. I've been afraid of snakes since I was a kid."
"Everyone has preferences," Wen Xiaoke said casually. "Some people love snake Pokémon. Some don't. That's normal."
Snake Pokémon had always had a smaller fanbase compared to bird, cat, or dog Pokémon.
That was just reality.
"Let's go home."
She started the engine.
The coupe roared to life.
Boom—
The acceleration pushed Chen Ran back into his seat.
"Whoa—!"
So this was the thrill of a sports car.
"Maybe I should buy one too," he muttered.
He had just received over 25 million yuan from the school that morning.
Becoming a multi-millionaire felt unreal.
Of course, any Gym-level Trainer could earn that much over time.
Running a training facility.
Accepting apprentices.
Exploring secret realms.
Endorsements—if you were attractive enough.
There were countless ways to make money in the Pokémon world.
But the premise was always the same:
You had to be strong.
---
They drove out of the city and into a villa district in the suburbs.
The scenery was understated yet luxurious.
"I knew your family was rich," Chen Ran said honestly, "but I didn't realize you were this rich."
He had underestimated the wealth of a National Gym Leader and a top-tier Breeder Master.
This estate alone was worth hundreds of millions.
Wen Xiaoke parked smoothly with one hand and led him inside.
---
In the living room, someone was already waiting.
A beautiful woman sat on the sofa in light summer homewear. The outfit was conservative, but her fair skin and elegant figure were impossible to ignore.
Chen Ran blinked.
The genetic gap between mother and daughter was… impressive.
Beside her stood a Mr. Mime acting as a house steward, managing household affairs with practiced professionalism.
Much like the one in Ash's home.
"You must be Chen Ran."
Mother Wen smiled warmly and invited him to sit.
"What would you like? Tea? Juice?"
"Ice Coke, please."
Mother Wen laughed softly.
"Young people."
She nodded to Mr. Mime, who promptly headed to the kitchen.
As one of the country's few senior Breeder Masters, Mother Wen held tremendous social status.
Even Wen Xiaoke's father's main team had been raised under her guidance, enabling him to become the National Grass-type Gym Leader.
In this country, there were two types of Gym Leaders:
Eighteen National Gyms—each representing a different type.
And provincial gyms to ease the burden.
Wen Xiaoke's father was the National Grass-type Gym Leader.
No wonder this family was wealthy.
After some polite conversation, Chen Ran took out the Poké Ball containing the Shiny Nuzleaf he had caught in the Redwood Secret Realm.
At Wen Xiaoke's request, he had held onto it instead of selling it elsewhere.
"Let's take a look."
Even Mother Wen, who had seen countless Pokémon, rarely encountered Shiny specimens.
And this one was Grass-type.
That immediately piqued her interest.
Chen Ran pressed the release button.
Red light flashed.
A uniquely colored Nuzleaf appeared in the living room.
The Shiny hues stood out distinctly under the chandelier's light.
Mother Wen's eyes sharpened instantly.
Professional instinct activated.