"The truth," Cynthia replied instantly.
"Of course we're friends. I've never considered Tian Guan Breeding House a rival, so naturally, I wouldn't ask you for help."
At that moment, Cynthia felt an immense confidence radiating from Li Wei.
It was like Garchomp standing in the arena, the way it felt to Cynthia.
Cynthia thought about it and realized Li Wei could make perfect-quality Energy Cubes, and even Garchomp was satisfied with his care.
Why would he need to fear Tian Guan Breeding House?
"Speaking of which, I've always had some questions. Aren't you curious about anything regarding me?"
"What do you mean?"
Cynthia was somewhat curious about Li Wei's changes.
She vaguely felt that Garchomp and the others' progress was related to Li Wei's cooking.
Cynthia was curious how Li Wei had made such great progress in such a short time.
But Li Wei never asked her anything.
"We haven't seen each other for four or five years, yet I'm always the one asking questions. Aren't you curious about anything at all regarding me?"
Li Wei shook his head, "It's not that I'm not, but I was afraid of bothering you, so I didn't show my curiosity."
A big question mark appeared above Cynthia's head.
"Bother?"
She couldn't understand what that had to do with anything.
Li Wei mused, "This might be my problem. I was thinking, if I ask too many questions, would it be considered over-caring?"
"Not wanting to cause you trouble, I simply didn't ask."
Cynthia was a bit exasperated.
"It wouldn't go that far, would it?"
"That's why I said this might be my problem, or rather, a flaw."
After they had eaten their fill, Cynthia made a suggestion.
"Want to go see a movie?"
As she said this, Cynthia's eyes were filled with a joyful smile.
Before being entrusted by Roland to go to the Breeding Center, they had actually not seen each other for four or five years.
But in this world, some people just click when they talk, even if they don't discuss battles or ancient history, which Cynthia was most interested in.
Is this what Kaluni called 'eye-edge' (affinity at first sight)?
Cynthia couldn't help but recall something Kaluni had once said.
"Eye-edge has nothing to do with hobbies or personality. There's nothing more wondrous in this world than eye-edge."
Li Wei was a bit surprised, "This late?"
After dinner, it was already eleven o'clock.
At this hour, Li Wei had no problem, but it was different for Cynthia.
She was a public figure, and with her fame, she could easily be recognized.
Although Cynthia had appeared at the Breeding Center and Li Wei had provided care for Garchomp.
But no one thought Cynthia and Li Wei were in that kind of relationship; at most, a small portion of people thought they indeed made a handsome couple.
Watching a movie with Cynthia was certainly very appealing; it would be hard for anyone to refuse.
But Li Wei didn't want to cause Cynthia any trouble because of it.
"Not a movie theater, but an outdoor cinema, the kind where you watch from inside the car. I've never tried that before."
When talking about such novel and untried things, a smile naturally appeared at the corner of Cynthia's mouth.
She was completely unaware of what it meant for a suitable man and woman to watch a movie together at eleven o'clock at night.
Though she called it an outdoor cinema, it should actually be called a drive-in theater, where the car is the seating.
Li Wei thought about it; at least it was indeed safer than Cynthia going to a regular movie theater.
"Okay."
Cynthia had her own car, a tough off-road vehicle, large enough for Garchomp to sit in.
Garchomp and Lucario sat in the back seat, then still chose to return to their Poke Balls.
Even Li Wei's Lucario.
The two got into the car, Cynthia put on a baseball cap, buckled her seatbelt, and pulled out her phone.
Because Li Wei was much taller than Cynthia, he adjusted the seat for a while and then adjusted the rearview mirror to a suitable angle.
"For an outdoor movie, do you have any preferences?"
If Li Wei threw Cynthia's question back at her, they probably wouldn't end up watching anything.
"I prefer movies with good special effects. As for the plot, as long as it's not a bad movie, it's fine. But I guess outdoor cinemas don't offer much choice, right?"
The silver-gray eyes beneath the brim of her cap gazed at Li Wei's profile, and she nodded softly, "You're right. Then we'll go to this one."
Cynthia, uncharacteristically, didn't have trouble making a choice.
An outdoor drive-in cinema naturally wouldn't be showing movies currently in theaters.
But even so, Cynthia still seemed very enthusiastic.
Because watching a movie was a rare experience for her.
"Is it too unreasonable for me to ask you to accompany me to a movie this late?"
"You're mistaken."
Cynthia was somewhat taken aback.
"Go ask anyone on the street, who wouldn't want to watch a movie with Cynthia?"
Cynthia couldn't help but smile, "It seems my fame isn't all bad."
As the SinnohChampion, Cynthia was very popular, which inevitably brought her some trouble.
She didn't feel disheartened by this; this was the path she had chosen after all.
By the time Li Wei drove to the outdoor cinema Cynthia had located, it was almost midnight.
This place was a Pokemon exchange plaza during the day and an outdoor cinema at night, which was quite efficient use of space.
There were still quite a few people here, but luckily, tickets could be purchased without getting out of the car.
If one were to look down from the sky, various cars were parked in front of the large screen, yet it was peacefully quiet here.
This was the feeling Hearthome City gave Li Wei; it was indeed a livable place.
Cynthia was genuinely there to watch the movie, especially since the movie being shown was quite interesting to her.
Perhaps because the light from the screen was too dazzling, Cynthia's eyes were exceptionally bright.
...
Li Wei hadn't seen this movie before, and even when it ended, he still didn't understand what it was about.
The movie was mediocre, but his joyful mood was enough.
Cynthia's tone was very light, "Let's go."
The movie was indeed average, but it was a very novel experience for her.
Two-thirty in the morning, watching a movie with a man her age at an outdoor drive-in cinema.
This kind of novel experience would likely be hard to replicate.
Although Li Wei was younger than Cynthia, because of his remarkably mature personality, Cynthia never felt that Li Wei was younger than her.
The memory of that 13 or 14-year-old naive figure gradually disappeared, replaced by the profile of the man currently driving.
For safety, Li Wei was always very focused when driving and didn't realize Cynthia was currently studying the contours of his profile.
At this hour, Li Wei naturally couldn't drive back to Jubilife City, so he stayed overnight at Cynthia's villa.
...
The next day.
After eating breakfast together, Cynthia had to leave.
"I need to go to Mt. Coronet. There have been sightings of Pokemon Hunters there."
As the Champion, Cynthia bore many responsibilities.
Among the Pokemon Hunters, there were individuals like Hunter J, whose strength rivaled that of an Elite.
Only Cynthia, Palmer, and others could deal with them.
"Be careful, I also need to return to Jubilife City and work hard."
Cynthia waved with a smiling expression.
"Let's keep in touch by phone. I'll visit again when I have time."
"Mm."