Pokémon: Start with a Dragon-type Gym Leader, and pick up Guroton.

Seemingly noticing Xijiana's fixed gaze, Li Luochen's lips curled into a slight smile.

However, he didn't point it out. He simply walked slowly behind Higana, naturally reached out his arm, and gently put his arm around Higana's waist from behind.

Higana froze.

Li Luochen remained calm, while simultaneously feeling the sensation around Xijiana's waist.

Higana's skin tone is a light brown that has settled from years of sun exposure, giving her a healthy and neat sporty vibe. At first glance, she seems like a breezy and carefree girl.

But once you actually touch her, you'll find that her skin is surprisingly well-maintained, delicate, smooth, and soft to the touch, creating an irresistible contrast with her dashing appearance.

However, Li Luochen didn't mean anything by it; he was just curious and wanted to experience the feeling of Xijiana hugging him.

The hand that had been resting on her waist quickly released itself, and then naturally took Higana's wrist, leading her towards the pool in the backyard.

.......

The afternoon sun warmed the pool of clear water.

Li Luochen was the first to jump into the water, and the splashing water startled Xijiana, who was still in a daze.

Xijiana stood by the pool, took a deep breath, and then slid into the water. The cool pool water instantly enveloped her whole body, washing away all the strange movements from before.

"Cousin, could you teach me how to swim?"

Xijiana emerged from the water, her wet bangs plastered to her forehead, and looked at Li Luochen with anticipation.

"You can't swim?"

Li Luochen raised an eyebrow slightly, his tone filled with undisguised surprise.

He had a good memory; this girl had previously infiltrated Shui Wutong's crew as a sailor.

Trying to become a sailor when you can't swim? Isn't that a joke?

"I only know a little bit," Higana said shyly, looking away as she poked her two index fingers together underwater, her voice growing softer and softer. "It's the kind of water that doesn't sink but also doesn't swim very far."

Li Luochen glanced helplessly at Xijiana and sighed.

This girl is really bold. She's only a half-baked swimmer, yet she dared to board Water Wutong's pirate ship. I don't know whether to praise her courage or call her stupid.

He didn't say anything more, but simply reached out his hand to her, gesturing for her to swim over.

When Xijiana clumsily swam over to him, Li Luochen really took on the role of coach.

With one hand supporting Higana's waist and abdomen, he helped her find her balance in the water, while his other hand occasionally corrected her swimming movements.

"Relax your arms, don't act like you're fighting—yes, that's it, make the stroke a little bigger."

"Don't kick your legs randomly. Use your thighs to generate power and drive your calves."

Li Luochen taught diligently, and his hand movements were also very precise.

He personally helped her with everything, from supporting her waist and arms to adjusting the angle of her kicks, showing a level of patience that was completely unlike his usual quiet and reserved self.

After a while, Higana's movements finally changed from wild, flailing motions to a set of proper paddling.

She gradually found her rhythm, her arms stretched out, her legs kicked up and down rhythmically, and her body no longer sank like a stone, but floated steadily on the water and glided forward.

"Cousin! Look, look! I can swim!"

"Cough cough cough..."

Xijiana excitedly turned her head, wanting to show off her achievements to Li Luochen, but in her haste, she choked on her water, causing Li Luochen to shake his head helplessly by the pool.

Seeing Xijiana thrashing about in a flustered manner and starting to sink again, Li Luochen reacted quickly and pulled her out of the water.

He quickly dragged her ashore and settled her on a deck chair by the pool.

Xijiana slumped in her chair, wiped the water off her face, and chuckled a little sheepishly, "Cousin, I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

"No need to apologize, but you can't be impatient when it comes to things like swimming."

Li Luochen smiled and shook his head, then gently patted Xijiana's wet head: "You should rest first, don't overexert yourself."

After saying that, he turned around and walked back to the poolside, diving back into the pool with a clean and decisive entry.

Water splashed up and fell back down, his figure gliding smoothly underwater like a fish, his arms paddling alternately with a steady and powerful rhythm.

Higana, wrapped in a bath towel, nestled in the lounge chair, trying to calm her breathing while her gaze unconsciously followed the figure moving back and forth in the pool.

"Cousin~♡"

......

......

Time flew by and it was evening.

"We're back!"

Rukia's energetic voice came from the entrance hall, followed by the serene Lillie.

The two shopped all day and made a lot of purchases. They were carrying shopping bags of all sizes, but their faces didn't show much fatigue.

As soon as I entered, I smelled the aroma of food. Following the smell, I arrived at the dining room, where several steaming dishes were already laid out on the table.

Just as Rukia was about to put the shopping bag down, she stopped.

Sitting at the dining table was a girl she had never seen before. Her wet black hair had been dried and was loosely draped over her shoulders. She was wearing a home dress that was obviously not very fitted—it was something Li Luochen had found for her to change into.

"Who are you?" Ryukia tilted her head.

Higana stood up from her chair and bowed slightly to Lucia and Lillie.

"Hello, my name is Higanbana, and I am a Legacy Trainer of the Meteor Dwellers—well, not officially yet."

Xijiana scratched her head and smiled somewhat shyly, "I'm also Li Luochen's cousin. I just came from Meteor Falls today, and my cousin is taking me in for a while. Please take good care of me."

"So she's Brother Luo Chen's cousin!"

Rukia placed the shopping bag on the chair next to her, and the curiosity on her face instantly turned into a bright smile.

She was naturally outgoing, and the initial awkwardness she felt upon hearing that they were Li Luochen's family members immediately vanished.

Lillie, standing beside her, also bowed slightly and gave Higana a gentle and polite smile.

The three of them were having a great time.

Meanwhile, in the Donghuang region, it was also approaching night.

Mingyi and Huayi were still strolling under the neon lights of a commercial street in Rongcheng, their arms covered with shopping bags of all sizes, their faces still showing their lingering interest.

However, before they knew it, a faint chill crept into their hearts. They couldn't explain why, but they both stopped in their tracks.

Mingyi rubbed the hairs that had stood up on her arms, then turned to look at Huayi beside her.

Hua Yi was also looking at her. Their eyes met, and they both saw the same confusion in each other's eyes.

"You felt it too?"

.......

While outwitting and outmaneuvering Aunt Chongyun, you'll find everything you want to do.

Please urge me to update more, give me some free gifts, and I'll give you a five-star review!