Elf: Rewriting the script, starting with Black Stocking Hanako

The doors to the luxurious conference hall slowly closed, shutting out the tense and serious atmosphere that had just been there.

Mihoko walked along the deep red carpeted corridor in her ten-centimeter stilettos, her face full of impatience as she tugged at the hem of her low-cut dress. She had been sitting upright for over an hour, and the dress was making her chest feel tight.

"It's that kind of unfounded rumor again!" She rolled her eyes, her voice ringing out clearly in the empty corridor.

"We'll provide the funding and send an elite search team? Do you think those legendary Pokémon are so easy to find?"

She turned to look at Yayo beside her, her tone mocking: "The dream you talked about last time? I haven't seen a single hair of it."

"What kind of lightning-powered legendary beast is it this time?"

"The information is written in fantastical terms, but it's just a few blurry photos where you can't even make out the outlines, and a few records of energy fluctuations that are hard to tell if they're real or fake?"

Ya Dai walked with graceful steps, the hem of her skirt swaying gently as she moved.

She was also holding a document in her arms, and upon hearing this, she said gently, "That's not how it works."

"The data chain provided in the documents is actually quite complete; this time it might really be true..."

She paused, lowering her voice slightly: "Several top PhDs within the alliance have jointly submitted a feasibility report. If we can actually capture it, even just obtaining some organizational samples, the subsequent benefits... would be enough to elevate the strength of both our companies to the next level."

Mihoko clicked her tongue, took her crocodile-skin handbag from her attendant, took out a slender cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag.

Smoke slowly escaped from her red lips.

"Of course your family cares." She glanced at Yayoi sideways, her tone tinged with a hint of sourness.

"Your family has a king now, and your influence in the Quartz Plateau is growing."

"And then there's your precious genius daughter...tsk tsk, I heard she's recently gained access to advanced courses, right? Her future is limitless."

She flicked her cigarette ash, her expression languid: "What about us here? Just a few dojo owners, each doing their own thing. And that old man at home... humph, he's about to die, and lately the division of the inheritance has caused a huge uproar. His good-for-nothing sons from his concubines are making a ruckus outside the hospital room every day."

Mieko took another drag of her cigarette, squinting her eyes. "To be honest, my presence here this time is just a formality. The family sent me to show their face, to indicate that we're still 'involved' in this project. In reality? I really have no intention of getting involved."

She suddenly laughed, a laugh laced with naked desire: "The main reason I'm here is to enjoy this luxury cruise ship—I heard the top-floor suites have fully automatic sensor-controlled jacuzzi bathtubs and mattresses made of Carlos-imported intelligent temperature-controlled memory foam..."

She leaned closer to Ayayo, the scent of her perfume mingling with the smell of smoke: "Besides, with such a big ship and so many trainers, maybe... we'll encounter some wonderful young surprises?"

Yayo glared at her, annoyed, and gently pushed her face away with her fan: "You... are your desires that great? Are you that... desperate?"

She spoke the last few words very softly, her fair cheeks slightly flushed.

"Yes!" Mieko said decisively, but her voice was low and hoarse with a hint of hunger.

"I've been diligently and obediently serving that old man for years! Every day I face that withered, bark-like face, that limp, lifeless body..."

She paused, took a deep breath, and calmed herself down: "I finally made it to the point where he was about to pass out, and this is the first time I'm really going to get out and enjoy myself."

She stubbed out her cigarette in the wall-mounted ashtray in the corridor and clapped her hands. "Alright! I'm going to get some late-night snacks. The rooftop restaurant should still have ice cream foie gras and Galar grilled ribs flown in from Sinnoh at this hour. Want to come?"

Yayoi shook her head, clutching the file box in her arms tightly: "I need to go back and check my daughter's course report. This child... I don't know what triggered her recently, but within a week she applied to unlock seven advanced combat theory courses, four practical simulation modules, and two advanced training topics."

She frowned slightly, her tone filled with worry: "I need to keep in touch with her constantly to check on her course progress and mental state. Otherwise, I'm afraid she'll be under too much pressure and develop physical or mental problems."

Upon hearing this, Mieko's eyes revealed genuine envy: "Having such a hardworking and talented daughter... Masayo, you are truly blessed. Her future is limitless."

Yayo smiled, her eyes gentle: "If you're envious, why don't you have one too? Hasn't your family always hoped for a stronger heir?"

Mihoko was taken aback at first, then burst out laughing as if she had heard a joke.

She swayed her ample hips, accentuated by her tight-fitting dress, and turned to walk towards the exclusive restaurant for the luxury suites, glancing back and giving a flirtatious wink as she went: "Me? I was just 'an old hunter hunting a lion'!"

Yadai asked in confusion, "What do you mean?"

Mieko had already reached the corner of the corridor, waved her hand dismissively, and her voice drifted over: "If the lion is going to die, all we can do is hope someone else shoots it~"

Yayo stood there, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, and muttered to herself, "Someone else fired the shot...?"

She pondered for a few seconds, still puzzled.

But based on her understanding of Mieko, the subtext of that sentence was definitely not a good thing!

Most likely...

Yadai's cheeks burned, and she quickly shook her head to banish those filthy thoughts.

She went into her top-tier suite, which occupied half of the ship's cabin, locked the door, carefully placed the file box on the desk, and immediately started a video call with her daughter.

..............................

A private restaurant on the top floor.

The design here is extremely luxurious.

A crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling, each crystal meticulously cut to refract a soft light. The walls are made of dark mahogany with gold trim, and the carpet is so thick it almost reaches your ankles.

It was already 11 p.m., and there were very few customers in the restaurant.

Only three or four tables of guests were seated on the curved sofa by the window, all talking in hushed tones.

Mieko walked in wearing high heels, and a waiter immediately greeted her and respectfully led her to a perfect spot overlooking the sea.

She took the gilded menu and flipped through it casually.

Sinnoh Foie Gras with Ice Cream, Galar Grilled Gigantamax Farfetch'd Ribs, Alola Tropical Dragon Fruit Salad, Padia Baked Lobster with Secret Spicy Sauce...

The names of the dishes are all very tempting.

But Mieko showed little interest.

Her mind was still filled with the tedious documents from the meeting and the annoying power struggles within her family.

and also……

The emptiness and hunger deep within my body, which had been suppressed for several years, had become increasingly difficult to ignore recently.

She closed the menu, intending to order a few dishes to make do, when her gaze inadvertently swept over the entrance on the other side of the restaurant.

Then, she stopped moving.

The pupils dilated slightly.

That is……

The black-haired boy I saw in the battle lobby this afternoon?

How did he end up here?

Mihoko quickly sized up Jiang Chuan—he was wearing simple travel clothes, the style was ordinary, and the material didn't look like anything high-end. The total cost of his entire outfit was probably less than 100,000 Alliance Coins.

But this is a restaurant exclusively for the top floor.

Only guests staying in the top-tier suites are eligible to dine here at this time.

"A noble trainer...?" Mieko licked her lips, her eyes lighting up as she realized, "He must be the kind who likes the 'ascetic' style?"

She thought of Yadai's daughter—the genius girl who desperately unlocked all the courses.

"Is this the new trend among newcomers to the clan? Pretending to be weak while actually being strong? Hiding their identities and training diligently?"

The more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

Otherwise, how can you explain how an ordinary-looking boy can stay in a top-tier suite and have such a well-bred Butterfree?

The fire in Mihoko's heart suddenly ignited.

She watched as Jiang Chuan, led by a waiter, sat down at a table not far from her.

The boy's face showed a hint of fatigue, but his eyes remained clear and sharp. After sitting down, he first asked for a glass of water, then quickly browsed the menu and ordered four or five main dishes—grilled ribs, baked lobster, creamy mushroom pasta, seafood fried rice, and a huge fruit salad.

They have a large appetite.

It's like replenishing energy after excessive physical exertion.

Mihoko's gaze involuntarily shifted downwards, landing on Jiang Chuan's legs encased in training pants.

The lines are solid.

Keep your back straight.

Broad shoulders.

I noticed it during the afternoon match; when the clothes clung to the body during the movements, you could vaguely see the outline of the muscles.

young.

Energetic.

Good physical strength.

Mieko felt her breathing become slightly rapid.

...........................

Jiang Chuan was indeed hungry.

And I was very hungry.

The reason is simple: after returning to the suite from the battle hall, Xiaoxia, for some reason, took a shower, wrapped herself in a towel, and lay down on his bed, chattering incessantly.

As they talked, their bodies pressed together.

The bath towel slipped off.

Then came a thrilling and exhilarating battle.

Although Xiaoxia is always shy about this, once she gets there, she's as energetic as a tireless little female leopard.

It took almost two hours of effort.

Afterwards, Xiaoxia began to talk about the various privileges of the ship's top suite, among which the one she missed the most was the 24-hour special restaurant.

Jiang Chuan felt hungry after hearing what she said.

After all, the series of battles, coupled with the strenuous exercise just now, had indeed taken a toll on his physical strength.

So he took a shower, changed his clothes, told Xia to rest first, and went to the restaurant to find food by himself.

…………

After ordering, Jiang Chuan leaned back on the sofa and closed his eyes to rest.

When Mihoko saw Jiang Chuan, her heart skipped a beat. She licked her lips and immediately lost all interest in the dishes on the menu.

At this moment, she wanted to eat something even more delicious.

So she put down the menu, and with an elegant yet alluring gait, walked towards Jiang Chuan…