Pokémon Invasion: Explaining Pokémon to Save the World

Chapter 131 131: A Day in Hu Chengliang’s Life

A new day began.

Hu Chengliang rubbed his eyes as he woke up in Chen Mo's living room.

Following his usual routine, after washing up he headed to the pond in the backyard. He tossed in the feed he had prepared the night before—small, mysterious cube-shaped foods in various colors floating among the aquatic plants.

Before long, perhaps attracted by the food or the sound of the cubes hitting the water, a red Magikarp wearing a crown slowly swam up from the bottom of the pond.

"Good morning, Magikarp."

"Glub glub…"

Seeing the human who fed it every day, Magikarp calmly lifted its head and responded to Hu Chengliang's greeting.

"Try today's food first and see if you like it."

As Magikarp swallowed a pitch-black cube, Hu Chengliang quickly pulled out his tablet and began recording the Pokémon's reaction.

However—

Magikarp showed no expression change at all.

Its wise-looking eyes remained as calm and unreadable as ever.

After eating the black cube, Magikarp flicked its tail lightly and swam toward cubes of a different color.

"So… not very satisfied with that one?"

Hu Chengliang nodded thoughtfully.

He marked a big X next to the black cube on his tablet, tagging the ingredients used to make it as well.

Magikarp, a Pokémon that lives in waters all over the world—even in harsh environments—naturally isn't picky about food.

But Hu Chengliang had spent enough time with it to understand one thing:

if Magikarp didn't go back for the same type of cube, it usually meant it wasn't interested.

After working at it for quite a while and seeing that Magikarp was full, Hu Chengliang scooped the remaining cubes out of the water. He planned to categorize and analyze them later that night.

This was part of a new research project from the Pokémon Research Response Bureau.

Times had changed. Since humanity had decided to pursue peaceful coexistence with Pokémon, even the smallest details needed attention.

And Pokémon food was one of the most important topics.

Researchers at the bureau had many different directions for studying Pokémon nutrition. Most of them treated the nutritional soup formula provided by Chen Mo as the core reference.

Their ultimate goal was to optimize it and create a Pokémon food that most species would accept without resistance.

These cube-shaped foods were one of the experimental results.

However—

The bureau's researchers were known for their creativity.

Compared to Chen Mo's original soup formula, the ingredient combinations had changed… quite dramatically.

For example, the cubes designed for Magikarp included a wide range of ingredients: river shrimp, earthworms, and other foods that normal carp eat—along with Berries, the special foods that appeared alongside Pokémon in this world.

In other words: a mega mixed platter.

And the effects of these experimental foods varied greatly.

Some Pokémon loved certain combinations.

Others—like the Banette that once visited—were so traumatized after trying one that they never dared return to the bureau again.

Magikarp, on the other hand, was universally praised by the researchers.

No matter how terrible the food tasted, Magikarp would at least try one bite.

So far, there hadn't been a single Pokémon food that even Magikarp refused completely.

"Still… no matter what they experiment with, it feels like Pokémon still prefer ingredients from their original world—like berries."

Hu Chengliang looked at the data and shook his head.

Just then—

He noticed Magikarp had swum closer to the edge of the pond and was staring directly at him with those wise-looking eyes.

"I get it. No need to rush me."

Besides eating and sleeping, Magikarp had one more important daily activity.

Hu Chengliang brought over a stool from beneath the eaves, sat down, and opened a livestream on his tablet.

A familiar voice immediately filled the air.

"Yi-ge, I didn't expect you to have that skill hidden away. That Electabuzz drawing looked incredibly realistic."

Then another calm male voice responded from off-screen.

"I just happen to know a little."

"Come on, Yi-ge, don't be modest. Honestly, aside from Mo-ge, you're the man I admire most. You're good at everything!"

"…"

Yes.

This was Chen Mo's Pokémon science livestream.

Once, when Hu Chengliang was bored, he had watched the stream beside Magikarp.

At some point he suddenly noticed that the Magikarp—which had been resting at the bottom of the pond—had floated up and was staring at the screen.

After testing it a few times, things escalated quickly.

Magikarp had become a regular viewer.

And thanks to that discovery, Hu Chengliang gained many more opportunities to observe it.

In fact, he suspected Magikarp cooperated so well with all the experimental food tests partly because it got to watch the stream afterward.

"Magikarp, today is the last day."

Hearing that, Magikarp responded by blowing out a string of bubbles while continuing to stare at the screen.

Hu Chengliang smiled.

After confirming the tablet had enough battery, he returned to the living room, carried his laptop outside, and placed it on a garden table to begin another day of work.

Since the new policies had been implemented, the Response Bureau—being a core department—had become extremely busy.

Because Chen Mo had entrusted him with tasks related to the house and Pokémon here, Professor Zhou had given Hu Chengliang special permission to work remotely.

However, responsibilities were responsibilities.

All reports had to be completed.

Every meeting still had to be attended.

He buried himself in work until the sun began to set.

Having prepared in advance, Hu Chengliang walked to the front gate and waited.

High in the sky, a giant bird flapped its wings as it approached.

Soon, the roar of an off-road vehicle echoed along the road before stopping in front of the villa.

Just as Hu Chengliang was about to walk over and greet them—

The rear door of the vehicle opened first.

A snow-white figure jumped out eagerly, as if it could no longer wait.

Standing on solid ground again, surrounded by wide open space, its ruby-red eyes shone with the excitement of someone finally freed.

Hu Chengliang looked at the white figure.

Then he glanced at the young man stepping down from the driver's seat.

Curiosity filled his expression.

"Wow. When exactly did you manage to snatch Absol away from Suicune's side?" ❄️

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