Chapter 11: The Old Cow Eats the Young Grass
"Where is this place?"
Liu Shuyun looked around the dark, narrow alley she had been led into. Her eyes, filled with wariness, fell on Renjiro. Hugging her chest protectively, she took a cautious step back. "Little brother, you aren't thinking of doing something... animalistic to your sister, are you?"
Renjiro didn't answer immediately. He was observing Liu Shuyun up and down, taking in her appearance under the dim light. It would be a lie to say she wasn't attractive—her figure, her elegance, even her defiant posture would draw the gaze of any man. But despite what she feared, Renjiro wasn't the kind to lose himself just because he saw a beautiful woman.
"I have no interest in an old woman like you," Renjiro said flatly, folding his arms.
"Little brat!" Liu Shuyun's eyes widened, and she delivered a light smack to his head, unable to hold back her indignation. "How can you call me old?! I'm only 28—not even 30 yet! Where do I look old, huh? Have you ever seen such a beautiful 'old' woman?!"
Her cheeks puffed out slightly in frustration, but Renjiro remained calm, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
"By the way, where exactly are we?" Liu Shuyun finally asked, calming down a little after the playful bickering. She reached out and tugged at Renjiro's sleeve, curious now that she had a chance to really look around.
"This is my home. A relatively safe place, for the time being," Renjiro replied as he led her through the narrow alley into a small, rundown building at the end.
"Your home? You live here?!" Liu Shuyun's voice was filled with disbelief as she took in the sight of the place. The walls were cracked in places, and the door creaked on its hinges as Renjiro pushed it open. "How can anyone live in a place like this?"
"Yeah." Renjiro nodded simply, unfazed by her reaction. He stepped inside, holding the door for her. "Come in. Sit down for a bit. I'll go get you a potion for your ankle."
Reluctantly, Liu Shuyun entered, her limp causing her to lean slightly on the nearby furniture as she looked around. The furniture was old and worn, but surprisingly clean and neatly arranged. It was humble, but there was a sense of warmth and order that made her feel strangely at ease.
She settled on a battered sofa and gazed around curiously. "So this is where he lives..." she muttered under her breath. Despite the poverty, there was something about the place that felt genuine—honest. For a brief moment, her fears of assassins and betrayal faded.
Renjiro returned after a moment, holding out a small bottle of Potion spray. "Here. Use this on your ankle. It should ease the pain and swelling."
Liu Shuyun took the bottle, eyeing it with suspicion. "Will this really work?" She glanced at the unfamiliar label. "Devon Company? I've never even heard of them."
"Just try it. There shouldn't be any problem," Renjiro replied, though he himself wasn't entirely certain. He'd received the item from his system's inventory but had never actually used one before.
Still doubtful, Liu Shuyun sprayed the Potion on her ankle. Instantly, a cool, soothing sensation spread across the injured area, easing the ache and reducing the swelling. A sigh of relief escaped her lips. "Hey... this is pretty good stuff! Where did you buy it? If this works on Pokémon this well, it'll sell like crazy in the human market too."
Renjiro waved off her enthusiasm. "It's from a small company. Technology isn't mature enough for mass production."
"Oh..." Liu Shuyun's excitement dimmed. "That's a shame. I was hoping to stock it in the Century City store."
The two of them fell into an awkward silence after that. Liu Shuyun fidgeted with the Potion bottle, stealing glances at Renjiro. The boy before her was so young—barely old enough to be called a man—but the way he carried himself, so steady and composed, made him seem older than his years.
Finally, she broke the silence. "Aren't you going to ask me anything? About what's going on... why I was targeted?"
Renjiro met her gaze with quiet intensity. "Don't worry about that right now. We can talk after we've eaten."
His calmness, his refusal to rush, only made Liu Shuyun feel more flustered. Her mind wandered back to earlier—when Renjiro had carried her to safety. His arms around her, the determination in his eyes... it had been the first time a man other than her father had held her like that. Her cheeks flushed pink at the memory.
She quickly shook her head, trying to dispel the inappropriate thought. What's wrong with me? I'm old enough to be his elder, and here I am thinking like this... The old cow wants to eat the young grass?!
As if to distract herself, she watched as Renjiro summoned his Beedrill. The Pokémon buzzed softly, brushing affectionately against its trainer's side. But despite its loyalty, it was clear Beedrill was exhausted, still recovering from the fierce battle against Salamence.
"Thank you, Beedrill. You fought well," Renjiro said gently, stroking its head. Quietly, he channeled the energy of Everlight, restoring some of Beedrill's vitality without drawing attention to the true nature of his power.
Liu Shuyun studied the Beedrill with interest. "It looks... ordinary. Nothing special at all." She frowned slightly, confused. "Is this really the Beedrill that battled Salamence? The one that jumped 30 levels in that fight? If I hadn't seen it myself, I wouldn't believe it."
Renjiro gave a small smile but said nothing. He recalled Beedrill into its Poké Ball. "Get some rest. I'll make lunch."
He moved into the small kitchen space, preparing a simple meal. The rich aroma of cooking rice and stir-fried vegetables soon filled the tiny home, creating a sense of peace amid the storm of troubles outside.
Liu Shuyun watched him from the sofa, feeling oddly content despite everything. She realized that this young trainer, Renjiro, had already become someone she couldn't easily ignore—not because of obligation, but because of who he was.
And she knew: whatever came next, they would face it together.
---