Chapter 226

Misty said with a puzzled look on her face.

"You might have misjudged; this uncle does look a bit strange, but the things here are quite remarkable."

Ash said earnestly: "Indeed, even I like them very much."

Word spread on their side that they were going to compete against a world champion.

Many people came, all curious about how things would go against a world champion this time.

"Really? I think this must be a joke."

"How could they come to a small place like ours? If that's the case, we must buy tickets."

The villagers in Bright Town were overjoyed when they heard the news, though some felt it was unrealistic.

"I don't think there's anything to it; this is quite normal. Besides, aren't they traveling here to become stronger?"

Some felt this was a gimmick deliberately put out.

Others felt that Ash and his friends were truly here; in any case, everyone had their own thoughts.

Ash and his friends didn't know what these people were thinking; they only knew that the situation ahead was a bit beyond their expectations.

"Are we really going to battle such huge Pokémon? And their names are so long; these are relics left over from ancient times."

When they went to the collection hall and saw the introductions for those Poké Balls, they were all dumbfounded.

"I also think it's very rare, but if we can win this, it will definitely be something to be very proud of."

"After all, there has never been a situation like this before, don't you think?"

Hearing Ash say this, the few of them nodded quickly.

"I also think what he said makes sense."

"If I didn't have much confidence before, now this feeling has become very strong."

The two spoke with complete seriousness, and while the others felt it was strange.

They still nodded.

On the day of the match, they arrived early in the morning.

When they got to the scene, they found it already crowded with many people.

Curator Liu was very happy to see this.

He had originally thought this would only bring in a small amount of income, but he hadn't expected to sell so many tickets.

"Everyone, wait patiently. In another half hour, all the competitors will come out. This is the champion team you've been looking forward to."

Someone here shouted through a megaphone, and the audience below went wild.

"They really weren't lying; it really is Ash and the others. I've wanted to see them in person for a long time."

"Never mind you, I want to as well. If I could see them and spar with their Pokémon, what an honor that would be."

Everyone was very happy at the thought of this.

Ash and his friends didn't know what was happening here, and they were a bit surprised when they went out and saw the audience.

"Why are there so many people this time? I remember when we competed in other places last time, this kind of situation didn't happen."

Ash stared below and couldn't help but ask.

"Why did you call so many people over?"

Although they felt this Curator Liu was strange, he could give them a chance to compete.

That was already quite good.

"What do you mean 'called so many people'? They insisted on coming to support, and you are indeed very remarkable, aren't you?"

If he had heard this at any other time, Ash would definitely have retorted.

But now he also felt that what he said was not bad.

"Fine, then we'll do as you say, but the rules of the match must be set according to standard conventions."

Some martial arts gyms have their own rules; Ash and his friends only learned this after traveling for a while.

But now they had already seen quite a few.

"Rest assured, I certainly know how to do it, and if I don't follow those regulations, I wouldn't feel at ease either."

He finished speaking with complete seriousness, and the other two nodded quickly.

The match officially began; the first to take the stage were Pikachu and another Pokémon.

Huai Te glanced at her sideways and continued: "Are you still feeling uncomfortable?"

"I am..."

Ash pouted, saying with a face full of resentment: "My whole body hurts, especially my butt!"

"Hmm?"

Huai Te looked at her.

Ash continued: "I think I must have bruised it; ouch, it hurts so much..."

Huai Te raised his hand to touch her back, gently kneading it as he said: "Let me see!"

Ash winced: "Sss—it hurts!"

Huai Te didn't pull his hand away and continued to knead.

He said: "If it really hurts that much, let's go to the hospital and get an X-ray!"

"No!"

Ash refused flatly.

She said: "I'm not going. If I get an X-ray, wouldn't that let others discover our secret?"

"What are you afraid of?"

Huai Te squinted at her, saying with a half-smile: "The news of you and me getting married will spread throughout A City sooner or later; are you still going to be shy?"

"Uh..."

Ash was stunned.

She blinked her eyes and said blankly: "When did you know about us getting married?"

Huai Te said: "When you fainted at the hotel entrance!" He paused and added: "I was right next to you at the time!"

Ash was dazed for a long time before finally managing to squeeze out a few words: "Why... didn't you tell me?"

Huai Te curled his lips: "If I said I was forced, would you believe me?"

Ash gritted her teeth and said hatefully: "Bastard!"

Huai Te didn't speak, still maintaining his previous posture, not even moving his hand away.

After a while, he said again: "Ash, have you ever thought about one thing?"

"What?"

Ash looked up at him and said: "What thing?"

Huai Te lowered his gaze, staring at the girl's delicate red lips, and spoke slowly: "If you are willing, I could actually keep you by my side and take care of you forever, but are you willing?"

Ash knitted her brows.

She said: "What do you mean by that?"

Huai Te smiled faintly and offered no explanation.

He lowered his head and kissed the girl's pink cheek.

Ash covered her mouth in surprise.

She stared at him with almond-shaped eyes, looking at him in disbelief.

Huai Te smiled slightly: "You taste so sweet!"

Ash opened her mouth to scold him.

Unexpectedly, the man spoke first: "I'm leaving now."

After speaking, he walked away directly.

Ash froze in place; after a long time, she slowly turned and sat back on the bed with a helpless expression.

She sighed: "What an inexplicable, smelly man!"

In the evening, Huai Te took Ash to a restaurant for dinner.