Chapter Fifty-Five: Digging a Pit, Waiting for You to Fall In

How many trainers would share half of their earnings with their Pokémon partner? Staring at the bank card in her hand, Ralts couldn’t help but wonder.

Although Ralts had basic trust in Tang Yi’s character, and she’d been happy when he’d promised to split the money with her last time, after the joy faded, a trace of worry would resurface—what if her trainer went back on his word?

Now, it seemed she’d worried too much.

Ralts glanced up at Tang Yi’s face, which was beaming with enthusiasm. She had a nagging suspicion he was up to something—no doubt plotting some new challenge for her.

“Alright then, from tonight on, I’ll try to use psychic power for all my daily activities. I’ll reluctantly agree to your request,” Ralts replied, working hard to keep her tone calm and barely willing, not wanting to let him see how pleased she really was. If he got too smug, he’d surely push his luck.

Tang Yi chuckled inwardly; the subtle curve at the corner of Ralts’s mouth betrayed her delight.

Fine, he’d let her keep her dignity.

Since he’d made the promise, Tang Yi would keep his word. The bank card had actually been prepared days ago—he’d just waited for a day when Ralts seemed in good spirits to hand it over.

Ralts cherished the card. She scampered back to her own room to put it away, forbidding Tang Yi from following. In truth, as she’d grown older, Tang Yi had hardly set foot in that little bedroom.

A dozen minutes later, she returned with a look of satisfaction.

“Did you put it away?” he asked.

“Mhm! And you’re not allowed to get any ideas about it!”

“Don’t worry, I won’t touch your money. However, now that you have your own funds, you can’t avoid your responsibilities anymore,” Tang Yi’s smile grew wider.

Ralts immediately grew wary, a sense of foreboding rising within her. “What do you mean?”

“Did you forget the cup you broke with psychic power a couple of days ago? That was my last one. I’ve been drinking water from a bowl lately. So, tell me—who should pay for a new cup?”

Ralts stared, speechless. Couldn’t he let her savor the moment a little longer? The speed of his change in attitude was dizzying.

And he was so stingy! Why did he love bringing up old grievances?

But Ralts had a kind heart. Although Tang Yi’s unexpected return home had startled her that day, and she’d accidentally smashed the cup with her psychic power—hurting her trainer in the process—she knew she bore some responsibility.

Plus, she’d broken several cups before while learning to control her abilities. Strictly speaking, every cup Tang Yi had owned had fallen victim to her.

She pressed her lips together and declared generously, “Alright, I’ll pay for a new one. But I have to be present when you buy it!”

She was still cautious—no way would she let Tang Yi trick her. A cup only cost twenty yuan or so, and she had over three thousand now; it was nothing.

But Tang Yi wasn’t finished. “Don’t forget what you just promised. From now on, you’ll eat and drink using psychic power. If you break anything while practicing, you’ll have to pay for replacements.”

Ralts froze, disbelief written all over her face.

Was this man a devil?

No, he was a sly Ninetales, wagging his tail!

No wonder she’d found his sudden warmth suspicious today.

Hmph! How could she have been touched by a trainer like this?

Impossible!

Fuming, she exclaimed, “You’re terrible! You set me up! You did this on purpose!”

Tang Yi grinned, “But you agreed to everything, didn’t you? Studying Hypnosis, training your psychic control, and even splitting the prize money.”

It was true—she’d agreed, even initiated some of it herself. Still, something didn’t feel right. How had she managed to stumble into his trap so blindly?

Though Ralts was growing up and maturing, she was no match for Tang Yi. She’d long suspected he was up to something, but she hadn’t expected him to dig such a deep pit for her to fall into.

“Can I change my mind?”

Tang Yi’s expression turned stern. “Ralts, that’s not something you should say. Remember, either don’t make promises, or if you do, you must keep them.”

“Sorry,” Ralts replied softly. She realized she couldn’t feign ignorance—not like a certain thick-skinned trainer.

She could only accept it.

Having fallen into the trap, there was no climbing out for Ralts now.

She sat gloomily, counting on her fingers—the price of a bowl, a cup, and if she broke a window or something else, how much would that cost to replace…

It was all her money!

She’d been indifferent about money when she had none, but now, with a small fortune, her heart twisted at the thought of losing any of it.

Still, a promise was a promise.

Tang Yi often joked with her, but he never made light of important principles. He wanted Ralts to develop a sound sense of right and wrong from an early age.

That evening at dinner, Mother Tang watched in puzzlement as Ralts carefully manipulated her chopsticks with psychic power, wobbling as she tried to pick up food.

“What are you two up to?” Mother Tang’s suspicious gaze shifted between Tang Yi and Ralts.

“Nothing, just training—psychic training,” Tang Yi explained with a smile.

“That counts as training?” Father Tang was skeptical.

“Yup, a secret training method.”

“Fine, do as you like, but don’t take it too far,” Father Tang shook his head, offering a word of caution.

After all, Ralts was Tang Yi’s partner, and as parents, they didn’t have much experience to share. At least when it came to raising Pokémon, they knew better than to interfere.

Bang!

Before the words had faded, a bowl crashed to the floor, shattering.

Ralts had tried to use psychic power to move the bowl closer but applied a little too much force. The bowl flew off the table before she could catch it.

Everyone at the table stared at each other in silence.

Tang Yi calmly got up to clean the mess, fetched another bowl, and scooped some of his rice into it. “No need to worry, I’ve already ordered a whole new set of bowls and chopsticks. The delivery should arrive tomorrow.”

Ralts glared at him wordlessly.

So he’d planned all this in advance, even buying replacements ahead of time. Of course, the bill would end up on her account in the end.