Chapter 55: It Is Perfectly Normal for the Master of the Eastern University Dojo to Have a Side Hustle, Isn't It?

December 18.
Inside a luxury residential complex near Shanghai University.

"Mr. Xia, not only is this apartment fully renovated, but all the materials used are specially crafted for multi-Pokemon households. They are premium waterproof, fire-resistant, and high-temperature-resistant materials, and there is even an oversized balcony that provides plenty of sunlight for Grass-type Pokemon. You can sign the contract today and move in tomorrow with your bags. What do you think?"

Xia Chi tried his best to tune out the real estate agent's endless chatter while leading Floragato and Misdreavus around the two-bedroom, one-living-room apartment.

Despite being classified as a two-bedroom, one-living-room layout, the apartment spanned a generous two hundred square meters.
This was because it was a special layout specifically designed for households with one person and multiple Pokemon.
One oversized master bedroom, one super-sized Pokemon room, and one super-duper-sized training room.
This layout had unexpectedly become very popular after its release.
In fact, some residential complexes now featured exclusively this type of housing layout.
Furthermore, the Pokemon training centers and recreational facilities in such communities were fully equipped.
The complex Xia Chi was currently viewing belonged to this exact category.

"Floragato, Misdreavus, what do you think?"
After walking a full circle around the large flat, Xia Chi asked for the two Pokemon's opinions.

"Meow-ti~"
Standing by the oversized floor-to-ceiling window and looking out over the Shanghai skyline, Floragato nodded happily.
It really liked this place completely bathed in sunlight.

"Mii-yao~"
From the training room where it was floating back and forth, Misdreavus also sent back a cheerful cry from a distance.

Seeing the satisfied expressions of his two Pokemon, Xia Chi asked with a hint of temptation, "How much was the rent again?"

The real estate agent wore a money-filled smile: "For this one, it's around fifty thousand a month. The usage fee for the advanced training ground, utilities, and property management fees are all included."

Hiss...
That's a bit expensive...
Well, not entirely expensive—being able to use the Pokemon training ground for free basically justifies most of the rent.
As the saying goes, if you can't afford it, the problem isn't with the item; it's with you.
The item is great, but it's useless to me.
I can't afford to rent it.

"Uhm, do you have any units with the same layout that might be discounted due to some minor flaws?"
Xia Chi asked, "For instance, properties that are supposedly haunted and couldn't be rented out?"

Real estate agent: "......"
Do you take me for an eight-year-old child?
Everyone knows that haunted houses are prime real estate where Ghost-type Pokemon linger. Would a place like that ever make it to you?
And asking for a discount—do you want me to summon my Machoke right now and give you a discount on your legs?

Though complaining inwardly, he kept a smiling face and said, "Not at all, Mr. Xia. This layout is extremely popular. I can see you're a student in the Battle Department at Shanghai University; you're bound to run into many alumni at the training grounds here."
"It would be very convenient if you want to spar with someone!"

Xia Chi thought for a moment and said, "Well... take me to see some options under twenty thousand instead. The size and location can be slightly less ideal."

A monthly rent of fifty thousand would take up almost a third of last month's income. Even though his live-streaming career was currently booming, living in a place with this price tag wasn't very practical.
Raising Floragato and Misdreavus—oh, and the cost of the Pokemon he was about to catch soon—was also quite high.

The real estate agent offered a polite smile: "Very well, Mr. Xia, let's go check out the next property."

Leaving behind a reluctant Floragato and Misdreavus, Xia Chi listened to the agent introduce other properties inside the elevator.
Descending to the first floor, the elevator doors opened.
Xia Chi caught sight of an unexpected person: Lin Lango.

After a brief moment of astonishment, Lin Lango spoke first: "You live here too?"
As taciturn as ever.

Xia Chi shook his head and replied, "No, just came to check it out. It's a bit too expensive."
He glanced at the Servine standing by Lin Lango's feet, glaring with hostility at Floragato, and sighed inwardly.
So she hadn't released it after all. What a pity...

Noticing Xia Chi's subtle gaze, Lin Lango calmly stated, "I won't abandon my partner."
During the two days after her defeat against Xia Chi, she had thought a lot.
A meticulously raised, powerful Servine had lost to a Sprigatito that had been wandering and wasting away in the wild for over half a year.
Was this really a Pokemon issue?
Perhaps, it was far more likely that her past training philosophy had been flawed?
Was Xia Chi right after all?
People are often like this: they won't spare a second glance for someone weaker than themselves.
Yet toward the person who defeated them, they would show reverence and attempt to learn their strengths.
Even if that person was a total cheater.

Xia Chi, however, completely misinterpreted her intent.
Was she glaring just because I took a peek at her Servine out of envy? Did she really need to establish dominance like that...
He muttered inwardly and prepared to step out of the elevator.

Lin Lango suddenly asked, "What rent can you accept? Is eight hundred fine?"
Xia Chi: "?"
Real estate agent: "?"

Fifty thousand dropping down to eight hundred.
Is this some kind of humiliation using money because she's sore about losing the match?

The real estate agent chimed in amicably, "Young lady, that's not how you compete. Your parents—"
Lin Lango said calmly, "My family developed this residential complex."
Xia Chi: "?"
Real estate agent: "!"

Wasn't Lin Lango the daughter of the Gym Leader of the Guangzhou Evergreen Gym?
How did she suddenly become a real estate heiress?

The agent beside him recovered quickly, instantly adopting a standard sycophantic expression.
"Ah, you're the young lady of Guangzhou Evergrande, aren't you? Look at my memory, why would you..."

Xia Chi had a sudden realization.
So the Evergreen Gym Leader in Guangzhou was also a famous real estate tycoon.
Well, Gym Leaders in other regions had side jobs too.
For instance, Rona was a world-famous supermodel, Iono was an internet streaming personality, and Grusha... wait, Hassel was an art teacher while Larry was a public servant wage slave for the Paldea League...
So having a Gym Leader in Eastern University double as a people's entrepreneur made complete sense, right?

Beside them, ignoring the flattery, Lin Lango interrupted, "Please step outside. I need to talk to him."
"You got it!"
Not daring to linger, the agent immediately backed out of the elevator.
Before leaving, he cast a complicated look toward Xia Chi.
A young, beautiful wealthy heiress who treats you well—must be nice, truly enviable, absolutely infuriating...

The elevator doors closed.
Lin Lango pressed the button for the seventh floor. "Can you rent the apartment right next to mine?"
Xia Chi: "?"
Lin Lango said calmly, "I want to hire you as my sparring partner and training assistant."

Oh, a sparring partner.
Xia Chi finally understood. So Lin Lango was the Kevin Durant of this world.
If you can't beat them, join them, right?
So, should he accept?
Just exchanging a few blows in battles could get him near-free usage rights to an apartment. It sounded like an absolute net profit with zero losses.

"But I refuse!"
Xia Chi stated, "Sorry, you should look for someone else."

While he didn't care much about what his relationship with Lin Lango looked like, Floragato did.
Given their past history, it was unrealistic to expect Floragato to have zero misgivings in its heart.
There was no need to place Floragato in an awkward position for the sake of a tiny bit of benefit.
What was the point of making money if not to give your Pokemon a better life?

"Meow-ti!"
Floragato suddenly tugged at the corner of Xia Chi's shirt.
Xia Chi looked surprised. "You want to take the job?"
"Meow-ti!"
Floragato nodded, a resolute look in its eyes.

I want to make her watch with her own eyes as my back gets further and further away, until I am completely out of reach!

Understanding the look in Floragato's eyes, Xia Chi wore a complex expression.
As expected, deep down inside, it was still that proud and stubborn Sprigatito.
Whatever. Since Floragato had already spoken, refusing now would make him look indecisive.

He turned to Lin Lango and said, "Just to be clear, I really don't have any secret training manuals."
Everything I've achieved today comes entirely from my own bit-by-bit accumulation and hard work.
System, add points!