After the misunderstanding was resolved, Caitlin dropped her yandere-stalker persona and reverted to her elegant, high-class lady self.
Using her psychic powers, she levitated a tea set over, and as if nothing had happened, they began their afternoon tea time.
After eating and drinking their fill, the four of them were properly introduced, and Piplup was returned to Platinum (Dawn).
"Student Li Yuan, thank you so much for helping me find Piplup. If it weren't for you, I don't know what I would have done," Platinum hugged the gluttonous penguin tightly, looking at Li Yuan with eyes full of gratitude and affection. Her face turned inexplicably rosy.
Li Yuan was already handsome, and with his Aura and Affinity, his attraction to the opposite sex was naturally high. Adding the fact that he saved her most important family member, it would be hard for Platinum not to have a good impression of him.
"Verbal thanks isn't enough. Does Student Dawn have any practical expression of gratitude~?" Li Yuan grinned. Anyone who knew him knew that look: he had designs on the college girl.
Fate was mysterious. Dawn attended Sichuan University, just like him. It was clearly destiny trying to set them up. He couldn't defy heaven's will, could he?
"Um... my name doesn't have the word 'Dawn' (Guang) in it. Why do you keep calling me Little Dawn?" Platinum couldn't help but ask. If they weren't the only ones talking, she wouldn't even know he was addressing her.
"No? Sorry, Little Dawn. Your name is too long; I can't remember it. How about I just use it as a nickname?" Li Yuan spouted nonsense. He couldn't exactly say he was more used to her anime name.
Besides, "Platinum" was a mouthful. Couldn't they pick a normal name?
"Uh... whatever you like. Also, what did you mean by practical expression?" Platinum smiled awkwardly, not minding the nickname too much.
Though she wanted to retort: Caitlin also has a long name; why can you remember hers?
"Nothing much. Just wanted to ask if you have a boyfriend. Do you want to find one recently?" Li Yuan began his flirting, teasing Dawn right in front of everyone.
"Huh?" Dawn froze, then lowered her head shyly, looking flustered and heartbroken by the teasing.
This reaction was intriguing. Shyness usually only appeared in front of someone you cared about. If a random person said that, it would just be awkward.
Did this girl fall for the scoundrel at first sight?
Although Li Yuan was handsome, was she really that shallow?
Cynthia was alarmed. She was certain that if Li Yuan continued this, Dawn would fall into his hands soon.
She had experienced firsthand how formidable this man was. Dawn would be eaten alive, bones and all, and end up sexually dependent on him.
Just like her...
No! Absolutely not! He can't touch another woman in front of me!
"What did you say? Say it again if you dare!" Cynthia suddenly became anxious. Ignoring how others might see her, she stood up and glared at him.
"Uh... Sister Cynthia, you don't need to react so strongly. I was just joking~," Li Yuan didn't expect such a big reaction. From her emotional Aura, he sensed... jealousy?
So, Cynthia was jealous of him hitting on Dawn?
Hehe. Before, she claimed he wasn't qualified to be her man. Now, she was panicking because he looked at another woman.
Even the lofty Champion couldn't escape the mundane emotions of romance~.
"Joking isn't allowed either! I said Dawn is my precious sister. Don't think about targeting her, or don't blame me for being unpolite!" Cynthia realized her reaction was too extreme. It not only raised Caitlin's suspicion but also exposed the fact that she cared more than she let on.
Seeing Li Yuan's smug, meaningful gaze made her want to punch him out of shame.
So, she quickly changed her tune, playing the role of a protective sister guarding her innocent sibling from a villain.
This persona dispelled Caitlin's suspicion and served as a retort to Li Yuan.
"But Sister Cynthia, Little Dawn is 19. She's an adult. She has the right to choose her own happiness. Isn't it a bit much for you to manage even this?" Li Yuan reasoned with her.
"So what if she's 19? Her mother entrusted her to me, so I have a responsibility to care about her emotional life. Plus, she's still in school; studies should come first. If some pervert affects her grades, how will I explain it to her mother?" Cynthia argued righteously.
"So Sister Cynthia only cares about the explanation, not Dawn's physical and mental needs?" Li Yuan seized the point.
"Don't twist my words. I have a clear conscience regarding Dawn." Cynthia raged.
"Then why don't we ask Dawn what she wants?"
"Asking is useless. Do you think she'll speak for you?"
"Then don't ask Dawn. Let's ask Piplup. As the Pokémon who's been with her the longest, she knows better than us if Dawn needs a boyfriend to release her emotions, right?"
"Hehe. Ask away. Piplup, tell him," Cynthia sneered, accepting the bet. Li Yuan was digging his own grave.
Piplup was a gift she gave Dawn. Would the penguin help Li Yuan against her?
It wasn't a fair bet from the start!
"Piplup? (Ask me?)" Piplup was dumbfounded, stopping her eating.
Why are you two fighting and dragging a boneless Pokémon into it?
I'm just a silly, gluttonous penguin. What do I know?
Wait... I actually know a bit.
When Piplup met Li Yuan's meaningful gaze, her silly expression froze. She recalled the night a few days ago.
That night, Li Yuan fought three hundred rounds with Tsareena and the cat in the tent, while she listened outside and touched herself... and got caught by him.
If she didn't help the devil now, and he revealed her secret, would Dawn still love her "dirty" child?
No no no! Dawn must never know!
"Piplup! Piplup! (I think... maybe... possibly... Dawn does need a boyfriend?)" Piplup avoided Li Yuan's gaze and spoke guiltily.
"What did you say?" Cynthia was shocked. She couldn't believe her ears.
Piplup, did you forget who bought your snacks all these years?
You betrayed me???
Fine. You've all grown up. You don't listen anymore. From now on, no more snacks for you!
"Piplup! Piplup! (I was just giving an example! I don't know anything!)" Piplup was terrified. She buried her head in Dawn's chest like an ostrich. You can't see me!
"See, Sister Cynthia? True feelings win people's hearts. Even Piplup can't stand you controlling Dawn so much," Li Yuan smirked proudly.
"You really have good methods. I'll deal with you tonight!" Cynthia realized Li Yuan must have done something in secret. Otherwise, a silly penguin wouldn't dare defy her authority.
Hmph. Don't think your little tricks will work. I have plenty of time to educate Dawn.
As for Li Yuan... wait to be punished tonight!
Eh?
Wait... something's wrong.
Why am I already thinking about letting him into my room tonight???