The moment Mu Li finished speaking, he saw Wang Yijia standing in front of him, looking at him speechlessly: "Should I leave?"
With that, Wang Yijia made to leave.
Mu Li's expression changed, and he immediately grabbed Wang Yijia, who was about to leave, and chuckled, "Bro, what are you talking about? What I meant just now wasn't what you thought. I meant that what I said wasn't what that classmate said. Do you understand what I mean?"
Wang Yijia sneered, "What? Are you bullying me because my Mandarin from the Greater Bay Area isn't good enough?"
"No way, bro, you know me." Mu Li's Cantonese just popped out. "They thought I was here to visit you on set."
Wang Yijia said indifferently, "What? Is it embarrassing to visit me on set?"
"No." Mu Li was almost in tears. "I'm afraid they'll misunderstand our relationship."
"Misunderstand? I don't think they'll misunderstand." Wang Yijia sneered, "Didn't you say we had no relationship?"
Mu Li almost spat out a mouthful of old blood.
However, the trainees watching from the side had already let out exclamations, and some were about to faint from excitement, still shouting, "I'm shipping it, I'm shipping it!"
"I'm shipping your mother!" Mu Li was almost swearing.
Just then, Fu Peiyao seemed to have heard the commotion and came over to join the fun, with two trainees constantly whispering something beside her.
The two trainees, while talking, would occasionally glance at Mu Li with a very ambiguous look, as if to say, "That's right, I'm gossiping about you and Wang Yijia right in front of you."
After hearing this, Fu Peiyao also revealed a hint of ambiguity in her gaze towards Mu Li, and slowly approached the two.
Seeing Fu Peiyao approach, Mu Li hadn't had time to speak when he heard Fu Peiyao say, "Teacher Mu is here to visit Teacher Wang today, huh? How enviable."
With that, a look of envy appeared on her delicate little face, making her seem pitiful.
"It's okay, Pei Pei, you still have me." Mu Qingqing suddenly popped out from the side and threw herself into Fu Peiyao's arms. "Good sister, don't be afraid of being lonely, I'll accompany you to conquer the world!"
With that, Mu Qingqing even glared provocatively at Mu Li.
Mu Li's mouth twitched: Conquer the world? Do you think you're Snow Beer?
But seeing as there were a lot of people, I won't bother with you today.
"But what exactly are you here to do today?" Wang Yijia asked.
"He's just bored and wants someone to watch his variety show debut with him." Fu Peiyao complained, "Aren't you his bro? Aren't you going with him?"
Wang Yijia was stunned, then sighed dramatically, feigning sadness: "That wouldn't be good, no one invited me, how can I go by myself?"
Mu Li almost slammed his head against a tree: "Stop acting like that! I'm inviting you, isn't that enough?"
"That's it? Is that an inviting attitude?" Wang Yijia expressed his dissatisfaction.
"Brother, bro, what do you want?" Mu Li felt like he would be driven crazy by these people sooner or later. A thought flashed through his mind, and he leaned into Wang Yijia's ear, saying mysteriously, "Let me tell you, for this party, I've specially prepared some very exciting activities! Very, very exciting!"
A glint flashed in Wang Yijia's eyes. He deliberately coughed and replied nonchalantly, "Since you put it that way, as your bro, I guess I have to go, right?"
As soon as the two finished work, Mu Li was eagerly following Fu Peiyao, ready to get into Mu Qingqing's nanny van, but Fu Peiyao directly stopped him.
Fu Peiyao pointed to Wang Yijia's nanny van behind them and said, "Go with your good buddy, this car is full."
Mu Li widened his eyes, looking at the empty seat beside Fu Peiyao: "Isn't there still a seat?"
Fu Peiyao rolled her eyes exasperatedly and leaned into Mu Li's ear, saying, "Avoid suspicion, dear, be good!"
With that, she even hooked Mu Li's chin with her slender, jade-like index finger from an angle where no one could see.
Mu Li was overjoyed and, with a silly grin, climbed onto Wang Yijia's bed—no, car.
Wang Yijia's assistant was startled to see the sudden appearance of the silly person climbing into the car: "Brother, is your friend possessed?"
Wang Yijia said exasperatedly, "Just get used to it, he'll be back to normal in a bit."
"So where are we going now?" the assistant asked.
Wang Yijia glanced at Mu Li, who was still grinning foolishly, and sighed, "Follow the nanny van in front; they should know where to go."
Not long after, Wang Yijia followed Mu Qingqing's nanny van to Mu Li's doorstep.
"No way, is your house that big?" Wang Yijia looked at Mu Li in disbelief. He was well aware of property prices in Shanghai, especially for villas in such areas; the prices wouldn't be lower than those in the Greater Bay Area.
Yet, this guy in front of him, a self-proclaimed new singer, lived here. This was more than just being rich.
Mu Li had also recovered from his dazed state by now and simply explained, "This is my parents' house; I'm just temporarily staying here."
As a handsome young man from the Greater Bay Area, Wang Yijia was more capable than mainlanders of distinguishing between his parents' house and his own house.
In his opinion, this house was bought by Mu Li's parents, and it didn't have much to do with Mu Li, at least it wasn't bought with Mu Li's own money; this was ancestral property.
"Oh, I see!" Wang Yijia nodded, just as he saw Fu Peiyao and Mu Qingqing walking over.
"Have you been to A Li's house before?" Wang Yijia asked curiously.
"This is our first time here too." Mu Qingqing was also a bit curious about Mu Li's house. "But we saw it when we watched his live streams before."
Hearing Mu Qingqing's words, Wang Yijia's mood relaxed a bit: "That's good. Since this is your first time too, I'm relieved, because like you, I didn't bring any gifts."
Mu Qingqing's beautiful eyes widened, and she feigned surprise, "You didn't bring a gift? We did, you know."
Wang Yijia was stunned: "No way? You really did?"
"Don't tease him." Fu Peiyao glared at Mu Qingqing, then said to Wang Yijia, "It's fine, you don't need to bring anything. A Li won't mind."
Fu Peiyao felt that given A Li's personality, he probably wouldn't care about such things.
But she only knew one side of the story, not the other, because Mu Li's home wasn't just Mu Li.
Mu Li seemed to have heard Fu Peiyao's words, as he suddenly turned around and walked back, looking at the three and asking, "Did you bring gifts?"
"Huh? Gifts?" The three were stunned simultaneously. Mu Qingqing and Wang Yijia both looked at Fu Peiyao, making Fu Peiyao's pretty face flush red. Finally, she could only stammer, "No, we didn't."
"Oh, oh." Mu Li nodded and shouted directly at his shadow, "Gengar, bring out the set of gifts we prepared earlier."
The next moment, to the surprise of the three, Gengar threw out a variety of dolls of different sizes, including two large Bewear dolls, a palm-sized Ninetales doll, a Sylveon doll with a ribbon, a Jigglypuff-shaped microphone doll, a Florges holding flowers, a large Arcanine doll, a Gengar keychain, a Togekiss hat, a Gardevoir-style scarf, an Indeedee apron, a Blissey doll, and so on.
Mu Li thought for a moment, then stuffed the Ninetales, Sylveon, and Jigglypuff dolls into Fu Peiyao's hands. He gave the Gengar, Togekiss, and Gardevoir accessories to Mu Qingqing. As for the remaining giant dolls, Mu Li pointed to Wang Yijia and said, "These are yours."
Fu Peiyao and the other two were completely bewildered: What's going on? Weren't you asking us for gifts?
As if understanding their confusion, Mu Li explained, "Pei Pei is right; I don't mind whether you bring gifts or not. But those inside, every single one of them is petty."
"Huh??" Three question marks appeared on their faces.
"Let me briefly introduce the power distribution in our home." Mu Li explained, "For now, there are only these Pokémon in this house, which are the Pokémon corresponding to your gifts just now. Among them, Ninetales, Sylveon, and Jigglypuff are the leaders. These three are the most jealous in the house."
"Given that Qingqing and Jia Ge, you two probably won't be coming often in the future, you don't need to specifically butter them up this time. Just remember to bring them a gift next time you come." Mu Li continued to explain.
Mu Qingqing and Wang Yijia showed an expression of incomprehension but respect, while Fu Peiyao's cheeks suddenly flushed, and she muttered softly, "Who wants to come to your house often..."
Mu Li chuckled foolishly, pretending not to hear Fu Peiyao's murmur, and continued, "Other Pokémon are fine; everyone is very docile, especially our Gardevoir, Gengar, Blissey, and Indeedee."
As he spoke of Gengar, a pair of small purple chubby hands suddenly emerged from the shadows, greeted the three, and then retreated back.
"But some Pokémon need attention." Mu Li added, "Bewear likes to pretend to be a doll and lie on the sofa, but don't actually treat him as a doll to abuse. Although he won't resist, I'll get hurt if I don't understand his situation."
At the mention of this, the three immediately widened their eyes: "Bewear?"
"That's right." Mu Li explained, "My Bewear has a very good personality. With your strength, even if you hit him, nothing will happen. He knows how to hit lightly, and even if you accidentally get hurt, it's okay. We have Blissey at home; as long as you don't consider it death, she can save you."
The three almost simultaneously showed a strange smile: "Is there anything else we need to pay attention to?"
"Also, try not to touch the flowers in the garden. Those are Florges's hard work. If the flowers are damaged, she won't get angry, but she will be very sad." Mu Li continued.
"Wow, how cute!" Mu Qingqing and Fu Peiyao exclaimed simultaneously, "Is your Florges that gentle?"
Although Wang Yijia wasn't as exaggerated, he could also feel Florges's love for flowers.
"Florges is very easy to get along with; she usually stays in the yard with the flowers." Mu Li chuckled, "The rest is, if Arcanine invites you to play, you can go to the yard with him."
"Also, if Jigglypuff invites you to Sing, you must not agree, and you must not directly refuse. Come find me immediately; you must, must remember this, otherwise, we might just pass out tonight."
"And if Sylveon invites you to play games, if you think your gaming skills are professional level, then you can play with her. Otherwise, I advise you to come find me as well, and not to directly refuse her, especially you, Jia Ge, she has a strong prejudice against males."
"Finally, there's Ninetales. Please, please stay away from her. Before she actively approaches you, absolutely! Absolutely! Absolutely do not go near her." Mu Li warned again, "If you really accidentally touch her, please do not hesitate, please immediately shout my name as loud as you can!"
After hearing all this, Wang Yijia couldn't help but swallow: "No way, bro, why do I feel like your house is so terrifying? Should we go somewhere else?"
Fu Peiyao and Mu Qingqing quickly nodded in agreement.
"Actually, it's not that exaggerated." Mu Li explained, "I'm just explaining the worst-case scenario first. Later, even if they see these gifts you brought, they'll at least give me some face. Uh, except for Ninetales."
"If you're ready, then follow me in."
The three, holding their dolls, followed behind Mu Li. Just as Mu Li was about to open the door, two Pokémon suddenly appeared in front of Fu Peiyao and Wang Yijia respectively.
In front of Fu Peiyao was her Pokémon, Milotic, and blocking Wang Yijia was a Sirfetch'd.
The two Pokémon directly blocked everyone behind them, seemingly not wanting them to enter.
"Gardevoir, what are they saying?" Mu Li asked curiously.
Gardevoir seemed to transcend from another dimension, her figure gradually appearing before everyone. At the same time, a gentle voice echoed in the hearts of the four.
"They're saying it's very dangerous inside, so don't go near."
Mu Li's mouth twitched: "Heh heh, it's fine, it's fine."
Mu Li glanced over; both of these Pokémon were Gym Level. Milotic's level was a bit lower, Gym Level Beginner, while Sirfetch'd was Gym Level Advanced, almost reaching Heavenly King Level.
However, at this moment, both of these Pokémon were trembling non-stop, clearly terrified.
A trainer knows what their own Pokémon are like, even if others don't, right?
Fu Peiyao and Wang Yijia clearly felt their Pokémon's fear.
To make a Gym Level Pokémon so afraid, could the Pokémon inside be Heavenly King Level?
"Gardevoir, calm their emotions." Mu Li said.
Dots of light blue shimmer, like falling rain, sprinkled onto the two Pokémon. The two Pokémon quickly stopped trembling and returned to their Poké Balls.
"Don't worry, it's fine." Mu Li smiled slightly at the three, then opened the main door of the house.
