Chapter 213: Love and Bond

After preliminarily resolving the issue with Steelix.

The two immediately began their second battle—

The battle between Cleffa and Clefairy.

Undoubtedly, the Cleffa that evolved during the Sinnoh journey had evolved again, becoming the final form: Clefairy.

Affected by the intense battle between the two Steelix, a crowd had gathered on the nearby grass, watching with curious expressions.

No one approached to interrupt, and no one left.

Just this enthusiasm alone proved how popular Pokémon battles were.

Too bad.

Baimu's Cleffa was quickly defeated.

The reason was simple: the 【Poison】 status inflicted on Cleffa was easily cured by Xiao Gang's Clefairy using 【Healing Bell】, leaving it without any offensive capability—it was like a specialist Pokémon banned from battle, immediately retired, and continuing would only waste time.

He promptly surrendered.

Xiao Gang initially didn't understand why he didn't continue, but after learning Cleffa couldn't launch direct attacks and the underlying reason, he fell silent for a long while, then sighed: "Even though I knew you were a good person from the start, your excellence still exceeded my expectations."

"Uh, thanks?"

"For a Pokémon that can't battle, you didn't force it, didn't abandon it, but patiently untangled its emotional knot—you've already acquired the fundamental qualities of an excellent Pokémon breeder."

Xiao Gang patted Baimu's shoulder, "I've seen trainers who abandon Pokémon the moment their performance doesn't meet their expectations—even if the Pokémon can't battle. You understand a Pokémon's feelings. I'm truly moved."

As a passionate young man… Xiao Gang was easily swept up by emotions.

Though the battle was brief, the unspoken understanding between them, the silent emotional exchange in their gazes, was undeniably a manifestation of their bond.

Baimu looked at Cleffa with complete trust; Cleffa looked at Baimu with deep attachment.

Xiao Gang believed nothing could be more moving than this.

So he cried.

Silent tears streamed down his cheeks, then burst like a dam breaking.

"Hey! Xiao Gang! Don't cry! Brother! Please!" Baimu was utterly embarrassed; he turned to see Xiao Gang's Clefairy hugging Cleffa and sobbing loudly too.

He and Cleffa exchanged a glance, both seeing panic and helplessness in each other's eyes, and reluctantly set about calming both.

But.

Though the crying seemed exaggerated, it was in fact a profound expression of love for Pokémon—only those moved by heart-shaking moments can keep walking their chosen path.

How could someone aiming to be a Pokémon doctor fail to empathize with injured Pokémon? Gentleness, attentiveness, and empathy—these were Xiao Gang's strengths, and key reasons he later became a Pokémon doctor.

"Excellent! I'll teach you everything I know!"

Xiao Gang, barely stopping his tears, raised his arm and shouted, his narrow eyes glowing as if aflame.

"Though I'm deeply moved, I probably won't stay in Weibai Town for long…"

Baimu said helplessly.

—

About Cleffa.

Xiao Gang realized he couldn't teach Baimu much.

Because the latter was already deeply invested, excelling in every aspect above ninety-five percent—the only gap might be the emotional knot.

"For Pokémon, happy memories are more worth cherishing than painful ones—a difference from most humans. In other words, Cleffa hasn't evolved or can't battle not because you haven't been good enough, but because of time."

Xiao Gang said seriously: "As long as you keep spending time together, there will surely come a day when the clouds part and the sun shines through."

He seemed worried Baimu might lose patience with Cleffa.

But the latter didn't care whether it evolved or not; his real goal in making Cleffa able to use offensive moves was simply to resolve its emotional knot.

Not being able to use a move and not wanting to use it are two different things.

"I believe it too."

Baimu stroked Cleffa's fluffy head—the nurse forbade touching, but his own Pokémon? Of course he could touch; not only could he touch, even bending down to take a bite was fine.

He'd once impulsively bitten it—warm, soft… but full of fur.

Cleffa thought he was hungry, took the egg from its chest to fry him one, unaware it was just the trainer acting silly.

As for Boldore, since Xiao Gang had never bred such a Pokémon, he could only teach Baimu basic knowledge on raising Rock-type Pokémon.

beqege.

Baimu combined what he learned and found it wasn't much different from the rancher's health management—Xiao Gang simply focused more on Rock-types and paid slightly more attention to details.

But he learned many new things.

Overall, he learned the most about Steelix-related breeding knowledge.

Beyond that, Xiao Gang taught many other breeding techniques, such as preparing various Pokémon foods and crafting Pokéblocks.

"Don't underestimate this small thing—it's packed with nutrients beneficial to Pokémon and greatly aids breeding. When you're too busy to prepare proper Pokémon meals, you can temporarily use it as a substitute."

"I see."

Baimu nodded and made several Pokéblocks tailored to Boldore's tastes—colorful and quite attractive.

Magikarp loved this stuff so much it once considered making it its staple food.

Undoubtedly, this was just a passing whim; no matter how good Pokéblocks were, they still couldn't match cake, cookies, or black tea—it had recently developed a fondness for cocoa, sweetened with three sugar cubes until it was cloying.

Baimu knew too much sugar was bad for Pokémon health, so he had to control Magikarp's sugar intake on top of limiting its overall food quantity.

Magikarp, the only one granted such "privilege," naturally threw a tantrum.

But after realizing the trainer remained unmoved, it sulkily accepted it.

During these days of learning from Xiao Gang, Baimu didn't forget to strengthen his practical skills.

Memory is still memory; even with repeated mental rehearsal, physical differences must be bridged through practice—but memory's advantage was that it let Baimu grow increasingly proficient.

In just a few days, he had already become like a professional breeder.

During this time, All Baimu had also exchanged culinary tips with Brock.

His glowing dishes left the latter full of admiration.

——

Outside the Pokémon Center.

Brock said goodbye to All Baimu and Chansey.

"Are you setting off?"

"Yeah, I've been in Asagi Town for quite a while now. If I don't leave soon, I'm worried I won't make it to this year's Ecruteak Conference in time."

"Then I wish you the best of luck."

"You too. I'm sure you'll become a Pokémon Doctor someday."

After a few brief words, All Baimu smiled, waved, and departed. Chansey also waved to Brock's Blissey — her gentle, considerate nature always made her especially well-liked among her own kind.

Next stop.

The place where small things accumulate into greatness — Ecruteak City.