Seeing this, Zhou Yue could only laugh and cry at once.
He never would've thought his own Pokémon's failure to break through was actually because of sneaking food.
"Many thanks, Teacher Guo."
After recalling Ninetales into its Poké Ball, Zhou Yue offered Guo Yi a word of thanks.
As for Ninetales—since Zhou Yue himself didn't even know how it was stealing snacks, he could just keep it in the ball for three days.
Simple and effortless.
"It's nothing. Just a small matter."
"Are there many among the T.A.s who know my strength?"
Guo Yi asked curiously.
Zhou Yue thought for a moment, then nodded.
"There should be quite a lot!"
"After all, that day you didn't particularly hide your identity, and some busybodies spread it around."
"As long as a family has a bit of clout, they more or less know you have a Ninetales at Elite Four-tier strength."
"I see."
Guo Yi dipped his chin, thoughtful.
"It's fine if they know."
"Most T.A.s here are young masters from big families."
"Once they know my strength, it can head off a few farcical dog-blood incidents."
Not that Guo Yi was afraid—but the fewer such things, the better.
"Guo Yi, you're here."
Just then, Director Tang Ming's voice came from the doorway.
Guo Yi stood up. "Director Tang, what brings you?"
Tang Ming walked in with a smile.
"I was just passing by and thought I'd take a look, and ask how your speech is coming along."
If, before, Tang Ming had only thought of Guo Yi as promising clay to be molded—now, in his eyes, Guo Yi was a heaven-sent prodigy.
That's right—Guo Yi possessed at least an Elite Four–level Ninetales.
This news—Tang Ming had heard it too.
Hence the dramatic shift in his attitude.
Facing the inquiry, Guo Yi replied, "Don't worry, Director Tang. I've already finished writing the speech."
"Good."
"If you run into any problems on campus, call me anytime."
Receiving the answer, Tang Ming left Shanghai Pokémon University all smiles.
"Hahaha!"
"With Guo Yi this year, who could possibly compete with us in the national elite universities' teacher evaluation?"
Tang Ming's courtesy toward Guo Yi wasn't only because of his strength—it was also because that strength could bring tangible benefits to the school.
Teachers who own Elite Four–level Pokémon aren't lacking at Shanghai Pokémon University.
But teachers as young as Guo Yi already owning an Elite Four–level Pokémon? Not many.
With him on board, the competition a few months from now would have one more layer of assurance for their university.
Don't underestimate that national elite universities' teacher evaluation.
It concerns a school's reputation and prestige.
The better the reputation, the higher the prestige—and the better the caliber of students you can recruit.
That determines whether a virtuous cycle can take hold; it's no small matter.
After Director Tang left, Zhou Yue praised Guo Yi, "Teacher Guo, as expected of you!"
"This is the first time Director Tang has personally come to our T.A. office."
"Every other time he wanted us to do something, it was just a phone call."
As expected—the stronger you are, no matter where you go or what position you're in, you receive the respect due a strong one.
At the same time, Zhou Yue couldn't help sighing inwardly: "A T.A. taking the stage to give a speech—Teacher Guo is probably the first!"
When had T.A.s ever received treatment like this?
...
As time passed, more T.A.s gradually filtered into the office.
Under Zhou Yue's introductions, Guo Yi met quite a few colleagues.
Most of them behaved just like Zhou Yue had at first—once they learned who Guo Yi was, they became eager to please.
Those who come to be T.A.s at Shanghai Pokémon University generally aren't from poor families.
But in the broader power structure of Shanghai, they're second- or third-tier at best.
An Elite Four–level Pokémon is often the strongest asset in their families.
So in front of a big shot like Guo Yi, none of them dared the slightest offense.
You have to understand—big family scions aren't lacking for anything, except they have many offspring.
Since these people had come here to live a semi-retired life, in a sense they'd been half-abandoned by their clans.
All the more reason they wouldn't randomly provoke Guo Yi.
Surrounded by the crowd, Guo Yi was faintly becoming the office boss.
It left him a bit speechless.
"I came here to teach, you know."
He shook his head helplessly.
He hadn't expected that just releasing Ninetales would cause such a stir.
If he revealed his true identity—forget it!
Director Tang might have to step aside.
Of course—those flocking to Guo Yi tended to be from families neutral or friendly with the Azure Dragon Society.
As for T.A.s on good terms with the Flying Eagle Gang, they gave Guo Yi the cold shoulder.
Pick a fight with Guo Yi? They wouldn't dare.
But fawn over him like Director Tang? Also not happening.
Come lunchtime, a whole group started vying to treat Guo Yi to a meal.
They nearly got into a fight over who had the honor.
Thankfully, Guo Yi stepped in promptly.
"I already promised to eat with my students. Next time, if there's a chance!"
With that—Guo Yi bolted from the office as if his shoes were on fire.
Huff
"If I'd known, I would've worn a mask back then."
Finally free of the swarm, Guo Yi let out a long breath.
He really hadn't expected the T.A.s to be this fanatical—no worse than brainless superfans.
Shaking his head, he turned toward the campus dining halls.
But he'd only taken a few steps when a figure instantly snagged his attention.
"Wu Yao."
"Interesting. Didn't think I'd run into you this fast."
That's right—the figure Guo Yi saw was none other than Wu Yao, who had brought a Gengar to snatch someone not long ago.
He'd planned to look into her in a few days.
Didn't expect to meet her directly now.
At the moment, Wu Yao was serving as a volunteer on the athletic field with her bestie.
"Xiao Yao, look at that junior—so handsome!"
"And that one—check out those muscles. Too tempting!"
"And that…"
Wu Yao's friend Ding Pan stared at the newly arrived handsome juniors, eyes turning to hearts.
Sigh.
Seeing this, Wu Yao let out a helpless breath.
"Ding Pan, you dragged me into being a volunteer."
"And now look—I'm doing all the volunteering while you're focused on ogling pretty boys."
If Ding Pan hadn't hauled her in, Wu Yao wouldn't have bothered with such a thankless task.
Hearing her bestie complain, Ding Pan hurried to console her. "Alright, Xiao Yao, don't be mad."
"I'll help right now."
Saying so, she reluctantly put away her phone.
"Hello, classmate, could you tell me how to get to Dining Hall No. 1?"
At this time, Guo Yi stepped forward to ask.
Wu Yao lifted her head on reflex. "Dining Hall No. 1?"
"Just head… wait—you?!"
Recognizing Guo Yi's face mid-sentence, Wu Yao couldn't help a gasp.
Guo Yi played dumb. "Classmate, have we met?"
"N-no, never!"
Snapping to, Wu Yao shook her head again and again, ducking her head at once—like a quail.
As if terrified Guo Yi would recognize her.
Seeing her like this piqued Guo Yi's interest.
He pressed on, "Classmate, you still haven't told me how to get to Dining Hall No. 1."
Without raising her head, Wu Yao pointed in the cafeteria's direction. "Go straight this way, then turn right, then left—you'll see it."
As she spoke,
Wu Yao kept screaming inside:
Why is this monster at school too? What do I do, Gengar?
However—the Gengar usually linked to her mind seemed to have vanished, giving no response at all.
Watching Wu Yao still keep her head down, a glint of teasing crossed Guo Yi's eye.
He feigned sudden realization. "Classmate, you look a bit familiar!"
"Like I've seen you somewhere."
"Where was it? Let me think."
Hearing his muttering, Wu Yao's whole body went taut.
Terrified that Guo Yi would truly recognize her.
If he did—she'd be done for!
Just when Wu Yao was at a loss, her best friend finally stepped in.
Ding Pan planted herself squarely in front of Guo Yi, face full of indignation. "Classmate, there's a way to strike up a conversation, and this is not it."
"Didn't you see you scared my best friend?"
Ding Pan widened her eyes, puffed out her cheeks, and stared straight at Guo Yi, putting on a look that said she was not to be messed with.
In that moment, Wu Yao was crying on the inside.
Woo!
Ding Pan, you finally came.
Right now, in Wu Yao's eyes, Ding Pan looked like an angel.
Guo Yi glanced at Wu Yao shrinking behind Ding Pan, then smiled. "Classmate, I was just asking for directions."
"Since you're not welcoming me, I'll be going."
He'd only taken a couple of steps when he stopped and added, "Oh, and classmate—I'm not a student. I'm a teacher."
With that!
Guo Yi turned and headed toward the dining hall.
"Hmph."
"A teacher? Who are you trying to fool?"
Ding Pan snorted, unconvinced.
She knew every handsome teacher on campus by face.
Guo Yi was nowhere in her memory.
"Xiao Yao, don't hide anymore."
"He's already gone."
Seeing Guo Yi's figure disappear, Ding Pan called back to Wu Yao.
Huff
Only then did Wu Yao lift her head again.
"He's finally gone."
Not until Guo Yi had completely vanished did she feel even temporarily at ease.
"Didn't expect he actually came to the university as a teacher."
"Sigh. What am I supposed to do now?"
Wu Yao let out a helpless sigh inside.
To be fair—she had imagined running into Guo Yi again.
After all, Su Qingxue was also a student at Shanghai Pokémon University.
If her luck ran bad one day, they might cross paths.
But Guo Yi becoming a university teacher—that, Wu Yao had never anticipated.
A powerhouse who could even take on a divine beast head-on, coming to be a teacher?
Too free with his time?
…It's possible.
Seeing her bestie like this, Ding Pan felt the scent of gossip prickling at her nose.
"Xiao Yao, hurry up—what's this handsome guy's surname and given name, whence does he hail, who's in his family?"
"Out with it, no dithering."
Ding Pan deliberately put on a fierce expression and pressed Wu Yao with questions.
Faced with gossip-hound Ding Pan, Wu Yao could only roll her eyes helplessly, grumbling inwardly: If I tell you he's your idol, the 'Bug Master,' will you believe me?
Back when Guo Yi commanded Beedrill to race lightning and saved an entire plane full of passengers, that feat made him the dream lover of many a young girl overnight.
True, Guo Yi had altered his voice then, but certain features hadn't changed.
Some busybodies analyzed the video frame by frame.
Their conclusion: the "Bug Master" should be around thirty to forty.
A mysterious, powerful uncle at that age—his pull on girls in their flower season is hard to describe.
It's just—Wu Yao didn't dare reveal Guo Yi's identity.
She was afraid that if she said it aloud, the other party would silence her for good.
So Wu Yao steadied herself and said, "That person just now—I don't know him."
"It's just that what he did was a bit rude, and it scared me."
Ding Pan frowned, suspicious.
"Really?"
Her sixth sense told her this was not as simple as Wu Yao made it sound.
"Rude behavior"?
If Wu Yao were a Breeding or Medical major, Ding Pan might believe it.
But Wu Yao was pure Battle Department.
In the past, at the first sign of that, she would've sent out a Pokémon and taught the guy a lesson.
How could she shrink her neck and duck her head? That didn't fit her bestie's personality at all!
Feeling Ding Pan's scrutinizing gaze, Wu Yao pretended to be annoyed, shoved the stuff in her hands into Ding Pan's arms,
"Put these away yourself. I'm leaving."
And with that—she gave Ding Pan no chance to speak; in a blink she was gone.
"Something's up."
"Definitely something's up."
Watching Wu Yao leave like that, Ding Pan felt she'd stumbled onto a massive piece of gossip.
Given the chance, she'd feast on it.
After leaving, Wu Yao went straight to a deserted corner.
Once she was sure no one was around, she faced the wall and cursed, "You disloyal thing—playing deaf the moment I needed you."
As she ranted, Gengar's face showed an awkward look as it slowly poked out from the wall.
As a Ghost-type Pokémon, hiding in shadows is basic kit.
Gengar was no exception.
It had always lived in Wu Yao's shadow.
"Ii-hee, ii-hee~~"
Gengar wore an embarrassed expression as it apologized to Wu Yao.
[Xiao Yao, I'm sorry!]
[I was mainly scared that if I spoke up, he'd notice—and then we'd be exposed.[
[But you're different. He's never met you; he probably wouldn't notice.]
Hearing Gengar's flimsy explanation, Wu Yao let out a cold snort to show her displeasure.
Only—she also knew staying silent had been the right choice for Gengar.
After all—even if Guo Yi recognized her, he probably wouldn't be absolutely sure.
But Gengar was different.
At Elite Four tier, there was no way it could escape his eye.
She'd just been too rattled by the sudden encounter.
Lost her composure for a moment.
"Gengar, what now?"
"Withdraw from school and run?"
Once she calmed her nerves, Wu Yao began thinking about next steps.
With such a big shot in her vicinity, she couldn't eat or sleep in peace.
However—Gengar offered a different idea.
[No.]
[Xiao Yao, you don't need to run.]
[On the contrary—you should go to his class.]
Gengar's shocking suggestion made Wu Yao wave her hands in immediate refusal.
"What—go to his class?"
"Isn't that walking into the trap myself?"
"No way, no way!"
What a joke!
Right now she couldn't hide from Guo Yi fast enough.
How could she possibly deliver herself to his door!