-079- The Troublesome Maid (2/3)

“Crafting failed.” Tong Si stared at the bold letters on the machine, pondering for a moment.

“How could this happen?” he murmured to himself.

After a brief struggle, he decided to try again. He followed the same process, but this time, as soon as he added the eighth fruit, the machine flashed “Crafting failed” across its screen.

“My process should be correct. Could it be an issue with the fruits?” Tong Si carefully inspected them.

Based on his extensive theoretical knowledge, the fruits appeared flawless. He tasted one—it seemed just right.

“Then it must be the machine,” he concluded.

This fruit mixer simply couldn’t handle the operation required for the powder-blue energy cube.

Tong Si opened the door and stepped outside.

“Excuse me, do you have any other fruit mixing machines?”

If this machine wasn’t up to the task, he was ready to switch.

“Are you questioning the quality of our fruit mixers, sir?” One of the maids glared at him with obvious displeasure.

Tong Si had just rejected the company of several maids, making them quite annoyed. After all, the Jiujiu Energy Cube Shop relied heavily on alliance coins to operate. Where did their profits come from? Surely not just from the high fruit prices or private rooms.

Yes, those brought in money, but the main source was maid service. Of course, everything was above board; otherwise, the shop would have been shut down long ago.

Yet Tong Si refused to purchase maid service, choosing to craft energy cubes alone in his private room. This displeased the maids, whose monthly targets depended on customers like him. Guests who didn’t order maid companionship while crafting energy cubes were unwelcome.

“No, no, I’m not questioning your machines’ quality. I’m simply asking if you have a more advanced fruit mixer available?” Tong Si spoke gently, not wishing to offend the maids.

“So you are questioning our machines’ quality!” one maid stepped forward, her tone sour.

“What’s going on?” At that moment, a tall man descended from the second floor, looking as if he’d just woken from a nap.

“Boss~ Someone’s causing trouble!” A maid hurried to his side, acting coy.

“It’s you!” Tong Si immediately recognized the man as Song Xuyang, whom he had defeated before.

“Hm?” Song Xuyang was stunned. He had never expected to encounter Tong Si in his own shop.

“Tong Si! How dare you make trouble in my establishment!” Though he didn’t know the details, hearing the maids accuse Tong Si of causing trouble gave Song Xuyang the perfect opportunity to vent.

“I haven’t. I merely asked if you had a slightly better fruit mixer. The one inside seems a bit old. I found it hard to use,” Tong Si replied truthfully.

Though the Jiujiu Energy Cube Shop was spacious, the machine had indeed been difficult to operate. It didn’t look new, more like a refurbished unit.

“You say you haven’t! Yet you’re questioning my shop’s equipment!” Song Xuyang’s voice boomed, drawing other customers from their rooms.

Tong Si noticed that most patrons were men. It dawned on him what kind of establishment this was. Typically, those who crafted energy cubes were women; men rarely did so. But judging by the shop’s setup, Song Xuyang was running a business under the guise of energy cube crafting, profiting from male customers through maid service. A clever tactic indeed!

Tong Si secretly admired Song Xuyang’s ingenuity.

“Song Xuyang, I don’t want to argue. Since this is your shop, I’ll just pay and leave,” Tong Si said, preparing to settle his bill.

“Wait! Did I say you could go?” Song Xuyang had finally cornered Tong Si and wouldn’t let him off easily. He was petty by nature, and having been defeated twice by Tong Si, he had grudges to settle.

“Let’s have a Pokémon battle. If you beat me, I’ll let bygones be bygones—even waive your charges. But if you lose, you must kneel and call me father!”

Tong Si chuckled, “Ah, good son.”

Song Xuyang was dumbstruck, realizing Tong Si had just mocked him.

“You little—!” Song Xuyang lost his temper, and several maids hurried to restrain him, urging him to calm down.

“Very well, I accept your challenge,” Tong Si said, heading outside.

He had noticed a Pokémon battle arena next to the shop—a place for customers to pass the time while waiting. Song Xuyang’s business acumen was impressive, though his character left much to be desired.

His lingering resentment from their previous battles revealed his lack of magnanimity.

“Let’s do a two-on-two battle. You do have two Pokémon, don’t you?” Song Xuyang smirked, clearly mocking Tong Si.

Recently, Song Xuyang had acquired his second Pokémon. Not everyone had two Pokémon before starting university. Even if they did, few had time to train them. Being able to field two Pokémon indicated some financial means.

Through his investigations, Song Xuyang knew Tong Si was merely the owner of a rundown breeding house—not wealthy by any means.

Of course, Song Xuyang was unaware that Tong Si had set consecutive win records in the Golden Glory Club with two different Pokémon.

After his defeat, Song Xuyang never returned to the club. During the joint tournament, he had represented the Starshine Club.

“Of course!” Tong Si welcomed the two-on-two match, eager to give Potpot its first real battle.

Since capturing Potpot, it hadn’t fought yet. Song Xuyang would make an excellent test opponent.

“Let’s begin.” Song Xuyang gestured for the maid who had been rude to Tong Si to act as referee.

She took her place by the arena.

“Each side will use two Pokémon. The battle ends when both Pokémon on one side lose their fighting ability,” she announced, throwing a flirtatious glance at Song Xuyang, who ignored her.

“Go, Potpot!” Tong Si sent Potpot onto the field.

“Ba-tsi ba-tsi!” Potpot stepped onto the arena, feeling the thrill of its debut.

On the other side, Song Xuyang simultaneously threw his Pokéball.

Tong Si saw that his opponent was a Sandslash.

Using his scanning device, Tong Si checked the information panel:

Sandslash

Level: 22

Aptitude: Gym Leader grade

…

… (To be continued)