Pokémon: I just became a Gym Leader, and Cynthia proposed to me.

Chapter 9 Invitation

Li Meining quickly finished her chocolate ice cream, her eyes crinkling like a crescent moon. "Give me another mango ice cream!"

Li Shuwen tapped her on the head. "You're only allowed to eat one."

"You stingy person!"

"Eating too much ice cream is bad for your health. If you like mangoes, I can make you other mango desserts."

If there's no restriction, Li Meining will definitely keep eating one after another.

Li Meining's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"You should know my skills."

Li Meining turned to the intellectual beauty and said, "Sister, why don't you come to our house too and try my brother's cooking? His desserts must taste delicious."

"Our house is right next to the Curtain Dojo; it's just around the corner, not far at all."

The sophisticated beauty lowered her head and ate her ice cream, concealing her surprise.

The Curtain Dojo! Siblings!

So the handsome red-haired guy in front of her is none other than Xinlinbao, who loves to sing!

Yesterday, Xinlinbao, who loves to sing, shared his ideal type of outfit. This morning, Shirona came to the Curtain Department Store to discuss the store's anniversary celebration in two weeks.

After discussing with the general manager, I inexplicably bought the outfit from a shop assistant.

When she put it on, Cynthia could hardly recognize the sophisticated beauty in the mirror; it was actually her.

This is completely different from the usual wild and domineering Cynthia.

After she puts on makeup and round black-rimmed glasses, even acquaintances who don't see her often wouldn't recognize her.

With this thought, Cynthia immediately calmed down.

"Okay, then I won't stand on ceremony."

I drove to Veil City on a whim and unexpectedly ran into my good brother. This must be fate. It would be nice to try his cooking.

While they were chatting on the forum, his good friend enthusiastically extended an invitation, telling Cynthia that if she passed through Veilwall City, she must visit him at the Veilwall Gym, as he was an expert in all kinds of cuisines.

They were determined to serve the most luxurious dishes, but Cynthia didn't want to reveal that she was a girl and kept making excuses.

Now that we've met, and my good friend has no idea who she is, I'll take this opportunity to find out about her living environment and what she usually does.

It seems pretty good.

On the way to the Veil Dojo, Li Meining chattered incessantly.

"Sister, my name is Li Meining, what's yours?"

"Me...?" Cynthia suddenly had a bright idea. "My name is Cabbage."

Cabbage? Upon hearing this name, Li Shuwen subconsciously sized up the cabbage in front of him.

Her blonde hair was styled in a high ponytail, but she didn't have the ancestral side-swept bangs that covered her left eye, nor did she have any Lucario ear-shaped hair accessories.

Most importantly, the faces don't match.

Eighteen-year-old Cynthia is already a well-known figure in the Sinnoh region. She is one of the Elite Four, and the news reports her as the top seed for the championship, with the potential to become the champion within a year.

Cynthia is naturally beautiful and never wears makeup.

Compared to Cynthia, the cabbage in front of me is still slightly inferior.

"Is Sister Cabbage visiting Veil City?"

Cynthia nodded. "Yeah, the company gave us a holiday, so I took the opportunity to get out and have some fun."

"What does your older sister do?"

"I am a historian who studies Sinnoh history and mythology."

Li Shuwen's heart skipped a beat. He remembered that his good brother had a hobby: studying Sinnoh history and mythology.

Li Meining's eyes lit up. "Sister, have you booked a room? My house is very big. If you don't mind, you can stay at my place!"

"This...isn't this a bit inappropriate?" Cynthia glanced at Li Shuwen.

Li Meining elbowed Li Shuwen and whispered a reminder, "Brother, say something!"

Li Shuwen nodded quickly, "Yes, the Curtain Dojo has many empty rooms. If you don't mind, Miss Baicai is welcome to stay temporarily."

Li Meining shook her head, "Not just temporary stays, long-term stays are fine too."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony."

Cynthia smiled slightly. She hadn't been very bold in their online chat yesterday, and had even asked her to take her to that kind of place.

I met a pretty girl today, why didn't I say a word?

He only dares to talk big online, but when he actually meets a girl, he can't even speak properly. No wonder he doesn't have a girlfriend.

"I still don't know your name?"

"Excuse me, my name is Li Shuwen, the eldest son of the Weimu Dojo family."

Li Meining rubbed her forehead. "Brother, could you be any more oblivious? You actually have to wait for a girl to ask you her name."

Li Shuwen, that's a pretty good name, but where's the energy I get when chatting with her online?

Take it out!

That's it? You still want to find a girlfriend? ???

Even if we could find it, we'd let it escape.

My good buddy is so introverted. He wants to meet girls but doesn't dare to. He's obviously never been in a relationship. He's a complete virgin.

Thinking of this, Cynthia inwardly cursed.

That's not a reason to go to that kind of place.

As a man, how pathetic it would be if you could only go to places like that to find an hour of romance.

It's so pitiful to be chatting with your online buddies alone at night.

Bro, I've got your happiness in my hands. Let me teach you how to get along with girls.

Li Meining quickly spoke up, "Does sister like mangoes? Should brother make some other kinds of tea snacks?"

Cynthia shook her head, her high ponytail swaying back and forth, and Li Shuwen's heart swayed along with it.

"I'm fine with either. I don't usually have afternoon tea."

Li Meining skipped around, "Then I'll give it a try today. Maybe I'll fall in love with afternoon tea."

Cynthia smiled brightly and said, "Okay."

Upon arriving at the Veiled Dojo, Li Shuwen silently breathed a sigh of relief.

Interacting with girls really put him under a lot of pressure.

Sure enough, he only dared to talk nonsense online.

Li Meining pulled Cynthia directly to the back of the dojo, to the living room of her home, instead of the dojo's reception room.

"Sister, please sit wherever you like, make yourself at home. Brother, hurry up and make some dessert!"

"Okay." Li Shuwen smiled. "Miss Baicai, would you prefer tea or coffee?"

"Tea bar. I grew up with my grandmother and developed a habit of drinking tea. My grandmother once said that drinking tea can keep you healthy."

Li Shuwen nodded. His grandmother had said something similar before, and the phrase sounded familiar.

"Then let's have some jasmine tea; it suits Miss Cabbage's temperament perfectly."

Is that so? Cynthia watched as Li Shuwen skillfully brewed two cups of tea.

They were served to Cynthia and Li Meining respectively.

Then they took out plates, filled two trays with tea and snacks, and served them on the table.

"Osmanthus cake and cookies? Would you like to pair these two desserts with jasmine tea?"

Li Shuwen nodded. "Jasmine tea has a refreshing aroma and a mellow taste, while the osmanthus cake's subtle osmanthus fragrance complements the jasmine aroma."

"The rich aroma of the cookies contrasts sharply with the delicate fragrance of jasmine, offering tea drinkers a novel experience."

It's astonishing how Li Shuwen becomes eloquent and persuasive the moment he enters his professional field.

Cynthia smiled brightly.

Li Shuwen was instantly drawn in, but quickly turned his head away.

"Miss Cabbage, please wait a moment. I'll go make some dessert now. Is there anything you particularly like? I have all the ingredients here, and I can make most kinds of pastries available in the market."

Cynthia smiled sweetly. "I don't have any dietary restrictions, so you can make your best dessert. It'll be a good opportunity for me to test your skills. I've been to many places and tasted many kinds of desserts."

Li Meining, unusually, wasn't focused on the tea and snacks in front of her, but earnestly praised her brother's skills, saying, "Don't worry, sister, my brother's cooking skills are among the best in Sinnoh!"

"Is it that amazing?" Cynthia smiled at Li Shuwen. "Then I'll definitely have to try Mr. Li's cooking. I hope Mr. Li won't disappoint me."

Under Cynthia's gaze, Li Shuwen's face visibly flushed red, and he turned and quickly walked into the kitchen.

"I'll go now."

Cynthia chuckled inwardly; it felt really good to tease her good buddy while pretending to be someone she wasn't.