Chapter 17: Such a Cliched Plot

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【Ding! Today’s science popularization is complete. You have gained 263,159 popularity points. System shop upgrading... Upgrade complete. Popularity points required for the next stage: 500,000.】

Qian Lin, who was only in a light sleep, opened his eyes instantly. He immediately turned his attention to the system shop. As expected, besides a few more types of Berries, two new items had appeared: "Poké Ball Crafting Technique 2" and "Introduction to Poffins."

Without hesitation, he purchased both and closed his eyes to carefully process the new memories flooding his mind.

"Poké Ball Crafting Technique 2" was the method for crafting Great Balls, also based on Hisuian craftsmanship. "Introduction to Poffins" provided a comparison of the effects and preparation methods for various Berries. With this knowledge, even if Qian Lin couldn't claim to make high-end Poffins yet, he was certainly capable of making them.

And this was only the "Introduction"? What would the advanced level be like? Would the Pokémon glow after eating them?

At the thought of that image, Qian Lin looked with a strange expression at the Swablu sleeping beside him. Perhaps sensing something, the Swablu’s face broke into a smile in its sleep, a drop of crystal-clear drool leaking from the corner of its beak.

"Glutton," Qian Lin said, torn between laughter and tears. He gently pulled the quilt over the Swablu and closed his eyes to go back to sleep.

The night passed just like that.

Early the next morning, Manager Che knocked on Qian Lin’s door. Qian Lin, who was in the middle of washing up, didn't think much of it and opened the door while holding the Swablu. Seeing Manager Che standing outside, he was taken aback, his expression turning serious: "Manager Che, has something happened?"

He thought something had gone wrong.

However, Manager Che laughed: "No, no. Everything is progressing quite well. I didn't come here because there was a problem."

Qian Lin was stunned: "Then..."

"It’s like this: I noticed you haven't had much rest lately. Now that the Pokédex is finished and all the data has been integrated, basically everything that needed to be done is done. So, I thought you should take a break," Manager Che said with a smile. "Coincidentally, there’s a cultural exhibition at the central plaza today. Although it’s not large in scale, it’s quite rich in content. I wanted you to go and relax."

So that was it. Qian Lin nodded in realization, then rubbed the back of his head: "I’m actually a bit of a homebody, so maybe I'll pass."

It wasn't that he was afraid to go out, he was just too lazy to bother. Wasn't it better to stay home, play games, and watch TV?

Manager Che shook his head helplessly: "You should go out and walk around. You’ve been holed up at home for half a month. Look, even Swablu is becoming lazy."

Qian Lin subconsciously looked at the Swablu in his arms. The Swablu blinked its innocent, large eyes at Manager Che, as if to say: "How can you tell I’ve become lazy?"

However, Qian Lin knew Manager Che meant well, so he stopped refusing and nodded with a smile: "Alright, I have been staying in for quite a while. It might be good to take Swablu out and introduce it to the human world."

The Swablu’s eyes brightened instantly: "Chirp! ヾ(@^▽^@)ノ"

Actually... staying home for half a month wasn't long at all. As long as there was internet, he could go half a year without leaving, and other than taking out the trash, he was sure he would be perfectly fine—even very happy—staying inside for months.

He couldn't help it; that was just who he was. Unless necessary, he didn't want to go out. Playing games at home was perfectly fine.

But since Swablu was so happy, he would go. The central plaza wasn't far, and walking around would help revitalize his body so he wouldn't look too embarrassing during his next livestream.

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After gathering his things, Qian Lin headed out with the Swablu in his arms. Before boarding the bus, Qian Lin told the Swablu: "Swablu, try not to make any noise or move around too much later. Most humans haven't accepted the existence of Pokémon yet. If you scare them, we might end up spending the night at the police station."

After all, his livestream only reached a small fraction of people. Tens of thousands were a drop in the ocean for a country with such a large population. Even with official promotion, the popularity of Pokémon was still very low; old notions were hard to change.

In the eyes of the vast majority, Pokémon were monsters—monsters that threatened their lives. That was why Qian Lin had to warn the Swablu. If it were discovered, he would likely have to stay home for a long time afterward.

...Actually, that didn't sound too bad.

"Chirp!" the Swablu promised with conviction.

Qian Lin gently stroked the Swablu’s head. The Swablu wore a look of comfort, but a second later, the bird froze, immediately becoming vigilant. It didn't make a sound throughout the process. Seeing this, Qian Lin couldn't help but laugh.

Once on the bus, the driver glanced at the Swablu but didn't say anything. It was just a plush toy; he’d seen plenty of those. It was actually quite cute, though it was a bit pathetic for a young man to be holding such a cute doll.

The driver shook his head in disdain.

The bus started moving. Qian Lin sat at the very back. Next to him, a little girl on holiday stared straight at the Swablu. She then seemed to realize it was impolite and turned away, but her eyes drifted back over a moment later.

The Swablu felt the little girl’s gaze, and after holding back for a long time, it couldn't resist turning its head. Two pairs of curious eyes met in the air.

The little girl was startled, then cried out with great excitement, tugging at her mother’s clothes: "Mom, Mom! A toy! That toy moved!"

The girl’s mother was also surprised. She had noticed the girl’s gaze and had been glancing over occasionally, having seen the Swablu move its head just now. She subconsciously pulled the girl into her arms, her eyes filled with questions.

Qian Lin watched the scene with amusement. He placed his hand on the Swablu’s head, stroking it gently, and smiled at the little girl: "Isn't it cute? My brother bought this from overseas. Not only can it move, it can even talk!"

"Chirp! (๑´ㅂ`๑)" The Swablu cooperated by chirping.

But immediately after, it froze, remembering Qian Lin’s warning. It hurriedly flapped its wings to cover its little beak, peeking at Qian Lin with wide, anxious eyes.

Qian Lin didn't mind. Panicking wouldn't solve anything in this situation. He generously held the Swablu out in front of the little girl: "See? Doesn't it look just like a real one?"

"Yeah!" The little girl broke free from her mother’s embrace, staring at the Swablu with wide, curious eyes. She tentatively reached out her right hand and gently touched the Swablu’s soft wing, becoming even more excited: "It’s so soft! So cute!"

Perhaps Qian Lin’s explanation had convinced the mother, as she sighed in relief and looked at Qian Lin apologetically: "I'm sorry, Xiao Yu is a bit mischievous."

"It's fine, it's fine," Qian Lin said, not minding at all. "Children should have curiosity; it keeps their minds active. And besides, Swablu really is very cute."

Xiao Yu’s mother smiled as well.

Xiao Yu leaned in toward the Swablu, staring with cute, wide eyes without blinking: "Uncle, is its name Swablu?"

"That's right," Qian Lin nodded. "Though, I’d prefer it if you called me brother."

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"Okay, Uncle," Xiao Yu agreed happily.

Qian Lin: "..."

The bus ride wasn't entirely successful. The Swablu’s disguise wasn't seen through—it only chirped occasionally or made small movements, immediately freezing afterward, which actually made others less suspicious.

It was high-tech, after all. Robots could be made these days, let alone a cute little bird. Wouldn't the stiff movements just prove it was a machine?

The logic was flawless.

As for why it wasn't a "success," it was because once Xiao Yu’s mother realized Qian Lin was a decent person, she started chatting with him enthusiastically. The conversation eventually drifted toward marriage, starting with whether he had a girlfriend, then asking when he planned to find one, and finally ending with earnest, lengthy advice.

Qian Lin accepted the sentiment, but he really wanted to ask: "Sister, you look only about five or six years older than me. Is it necessary to act like the previous generation? Is the generation gap between an 80s baby and a 90s baby really that big?"

After getting off the bus, Qian Lin was dazed, and the Swablu was bewildered. The two strangely confused beings stood at the bus stop, stiffly waving goodbye to Xiao Yu and her mother on the bus.

Why did I start that conversation in the first place?

With a hint of confusion, the man and the bird stepped into the cultural exhibition booths. The Bamboo County cultural exhibition was held several times a year, mainly to promote local heritage. It was mostly stuff Qian Lin had seen since he was a child.

After all, the main target for these exhibitions wasn't the locals. How did that saying go? "Tourism" is just leaving the place you’re tired of living in, to go to a place someone else is tired of living in.

It was just that simple.

However, the Swablu was having a great time, occasionally letting out "chirps." Fortunately, Qian Lin had warned it earlier, so it didn't chirp too loudly. When someone occasionally heard it, Qian Lin would just give a smile, and that person would "understand."

As for what they understood, Qian Lin had no idea.

By noon, Qian Lin bought some snacks and sat in a less conspicuous spot, eating and feeding the Swablu. The Swablu, which had only ever eaten cafeteria food, tried more flavors and was so happy it flapped its wings.

Fortunately, this spot was relatively hidden.

However, just as they were enjoying their meal, they suddenly heard a scream from afar: "Ah!!! A monster!!!"

Qian Lin froze and turned to look. He saw the formerly harmonious crowd suddenly erupt into chaos. Countless faces were filled with terror as people scrambled to run out of the exhibition. In the distance, a flash of light appeared out of thin air, followed by a massive roar.

Looking at the collapsed booths and the rising dust in the distance, Qian Lin immediately picked up the Swablu—which was still enjoying its food—and ran swiftly toward the rising smoke and dust.

He had to save people, and if possible, he wanted to save that unknown Pokémon as well.