Chapter 116: Can

"So what about you? You cute little brother, what kind of perfume would you like to buy?" the other red‑haired big sister, smiling brightly, turned toward Huo La, her tone gentle as a spring breeze.

Huo La scratched the tip of his nose, his eyes flicking, and continued, "I want to buy some perfume that can mask Chou Ni's stench; his smell is really overwhelming, and wherever he goes people stare at him."

"Chou Ni?" the red‑haired big sister was momentarily stunned, then showed a troubled expression, "That… Chou Ni's odor is rather unique; ordinary perfume probably can't suppress it and might even blend into an even stranger scent…"

As she was pondering how to explain, a gentle female voice suddenly came from behind, "Alright, Mozi, I'll personally attend to this guest; you go first tend to those newly cultivated herbs."

Huo La turned back toward the voice and saw a woman in a light pink kimono, wearing a red‑patterned headscarf, walking slowly toward him.

She moved with elegance, a faint smile in her brows and eyes, and a fresh scent of grass and perfume seemed to linger around her—she was the Gym Leader of the Rainbow Gym, Li Jia.

"Gym Leader Li Jia." The red‑haired big sister, named Mozi, immediately nodded, "Alright, I'm off right away."

Before leaving, she couldn't help but glance back at Huo La twice, her eyes showing a hint of curiosity that this kid could be attended to by the Gym Leader.

When Mozi walked away, Huo La straightened up at once, his tone sincere, "Gym Leader Li Jia, actually I'm here as a Trainer to challenge the Gym; the thing about buying perfume was just…"

"Hmm, I understand." Li Jia lightly nodded, her voice still gentle, showing no hint of annoyance, "From your attire and demeanor, you don't seem like a customer who came specifically to buy perfume."

"Then… can we start the battle now?" Huo La's eyes lit up, quickly asking.

"Don't rush, come with me first." Li Jia smiled, waved her hand, turned and led him deeper into the Gym.

When the two passed by Xiao Gang, Huo La couldn't help but press his forehead: Xiao Gang's eyes were already squinting into star shapes, his face mesmerized as he followed the green‑haired big sister, his sack bulging with several exquisitely packaged perfumes, clearly completely "fallen."

In the Shadow of the green‑haired big sister beside him, a Gengar's smiling face flickered in and out.

Huo La shook his head helplessly—one little lecher, one old pervert.

He stopped meddling, quickened his pace to keep up with Li Jia, his gaze couldn't help scanning the herb gardens on both sides: various herbs grew luxuriantly, their leaves still dotted with morning dew, the fresh fragrance in the air grew richer, and his mood improved considerably as a result.

"Hey, Huo La!" As Li Jia's private reception room came into view, a familiar female voice floated over.

Huo La looked up and saw Bilan reclining diagonally on a wicker chair by the window, black hair cascading like a waterfall to her waist, a teasing smile at the corner of her mouth, clearly having been waiting here already.

Huo La stared at her silhouette, remained silent for a full three seconds, then without another word, turned and walked toward the door.

He made an instant decision: anyone can have that Rainbow Badge; after all, the Kanto Region has more than one Gym, no need to get tangled with a "troublemaker" over a single badge.

Bilan: "…"

She raised an eyebrow, sneering, and ordered the nearby, "Kou Dai Hua, use Vine Whip, grab him and bring him back."

Before the words finished, the yellow‑green Pokemon at Bilan's feet shook the flower bud atop its head, two thick Vine Whips whooshed out, precisely coiling around Huo La's waist; a gentle tug pulled him back, and with a "thwack" he was dropped onto the carpet in front of Bilan.

"Sigh." Huo La sighed resignedly, "Living on the streets always catches up; I tied up Xiao Gang with Vine Whip too much, now I'm getting my comeuppance."

"You run as soon as you see me; am I supposed to let you be scared?" Bilan stood up, arms crossed, looking down at him from above, her tone carrying a subtle reproach.

"I'm not afraid of you; I'm afraid of the heap of trouble trailing behind you—" Huo La elongated his tone, deliberately feigning exaggerated grievance, "The pit in Goldenrod City is still fresh in my mind; I don't want to jump into another fire pit."

"You!" Bilan's cheeks flushed, silenced by his words, she glared at him, then ordered the Kou Dai Hua, "Kou Dai Hua, release."

The Vine Whip loosened, Huo La immediately got up, brushed dust from his body, and without hesitation plopped onto the chair opposite Bilan, looking as if "since I'm here, I'll make the best of it."

At that moment, Li Jia entered, carrying a bowl of fresh melons and fruits.

She had witnessed the whole fiasco of Huo La turning to run and Bilan ordering him bound, but she only smiled gently, politely refraining from asking further, placed the fruit on the coffee table between them, and sat aside.

Huo La thanked Li Jia, grabbed a plump sweet melon, took a big bite, and asked vaguely, "Tell me, why are you here?"

He wasn't asking "why in Yuhong City," but "why in the reception room of the Rainbow Gym."

Bilan naturally understood, her fingertips lightly brushed the leaves of the Kou Dai Hua beside her, her tone softened, "I'm here to pick up this little guy."

Huo La then squinted, carefully examining the Kou Dai Hua: its leaves were glossy, its lips a vivid red, even the tips at the top gleamed with healthy luster, clearly having been meticulously cared for.

He nodded, speaking frankly, "Indeed, it's a fine little creature; it doesn't look like you raised it yourself."

"Huo La!" Bilan instantly flared with anger, glared at him fiercely, then turned to Li Jia, her tone carrying a hint of insecure retort, "Hmph, this was specially cultivated for me by Li Jia Jie, is that not okay?"

"No wonder, if it comes from Gym Leader Li Jia's hand, its quality is naturally unquestionable." Huo La nodded, his tone full of affirmation.

Li Jia herself is a Breeder; her skill in raising herb and plant‑type Pokemon is already somewhat renowned in the Kanto Region.

Bilan was about to retort again, but Li Jia spoke first, gently cutting off their bickering, "Bilan and I are close sisters; she told me about the Goldenrod City Silph Company matter. I called you into the reception room just now to thank you in person."

"Hmm? The Goldenrod City thing?" Huo La's brows knit sharply, his gaze instantly flicked to Bilan, with a hint of wariness he asked, "Thank me for what? I didn't do anything in Goldenrod City that would merit a Gym Leader's special thanks."

"Thank you for saving my father, Hongzhi." Li Jia's voice remained gentle, but now carried a few more genuine thanks.

"Hongzhi? The researcher who was held by the Rocket Team?" Huo La was truly astonished now; he never imagined that the middle‑aged, glasses‑wearing researcher was connected to the Rainbow Gym's Gym Leader.

"Yes, we didn't expect it to be so coincidental; Mr. Hongzhi is actually Li Jia Jie's father," Bilan added from beside, her eyes a bit evasive.

Huo La, however, didn't let go of that hint of unease, his gaze locked on her, his tone bearing some gravity, "Our identities… have been exposed?"

After all, the Masked Child's identity had always been tightly concealed; if Bilan hadn't leaked it, how could Li Jia link him to the person who "saved Hongzhi"?

"Um… this…" Bilan's ears flushed slightly, her gaze drifting toward the window, clearly embarrassed, stammering without words.

"Let me speak then." Li Jia smiled, taking over, easing Bilan's situation, "Actually, a few years ago, a little girl wearing a mask came to the Gym to steal herb essential oil; I caught her red‑handed. When I lifted the mask, it was Bilan."

She paused, recalling the scene, a smile surfacing, "A few days later she returned, saying she wanted to work at the Gym. Over time, we became sisters who got along very well."

Huo La propped his forehead with his hand, sighing helplessly—just as expected.

He had thought Bilan's uniqueness meant she couldn't have "normally known sisters," but it turned out the bond formed from that early theft and capture.