Chapter 178: Doubts
"So... I'm really that naive?" Xiaoyuan mumbled, slightly crestfallen despite understanding Xiu's point about the staged scarcity.
"Hahaha," Xiu chuckled, patting her shoulder lightly. "Not stupid, Xiaoyuan. Just inexperienced. You learn."
His attempt at reassurance didn't quite land, leaving her looking rather depressed as they continued their observations. They visited several more large stores and markets, observing the same pattern: prominent 'Purchase Limit' signs, conspicuously empty shelves for staple goods, long queues composed partly of anxious citizens and partly, Xiu suspected, of hired hands circulating to maintain the appearance of high demand.
"But Xiu," Xiaoyuan worried, watching another person 'buy' the maximum allowed quantity of rice, "even if it's staged, won't this work? People are panicking. If this continues, they'll buy up everything eventually, real or not. Our own stock..."
"Look closer," Xiu instructed again, his voice low. "Ignore the signs, ignore the empty front shelves. Watch the people in the queue. How many are genuinely shopping versus... performing? Watch where they go after they 'buy'."
Xiaoyuan focused, observing more critically this time. She noticed it then: the relatively small number of actual shoppers inside compared to the queue length; the way certain individuals went straight to the 'limited' items without browsing; how some of those who exited with full bags would discreetly circle around the block and rejoin the queue minutes later, their bags seemingly lighter or empty.
"They're... recycling?" she whispered, astonished.
"Precisely," Xiu confirmed with a cold smile. "Creating the illusion of demand. It's all theatre." He shook his head. "They're just setting the stage right now, building anxiety. The real move will likely be announcing 'supply chain disruptions' soon, followed by significant price hikes. That's when we make our move."
Xiaoyuan fell silent, processing the calculated cruelty of the scheme, a new layer of understanding dawning about the world beyond their relatively straightforward (if illicit) printing business.
Having seen enough, Xiu steered Xiaoyuan away from the scene. "Let's go. Let them play their games. It only benefits us in the long run." Instead of heading towards their newly acquired warehouse, he led her back towards the Pokémon Center.
"I need to see Head Nurse Joy," he stated simply upon reaching the front desk.
The nurse on duty, looking haggard amidst the Pokémon Center's tense atmosphere, recognized Xiu and nodded immediately, disappearing into the staff corridors without question. They waited barely two minutes before she returned, beckoning them to follow.
The staff corridors were busier than before, buzzing with urgent activity. Staff rushed back and forth, medical carts wheeled past carrying injured Pokémon – clear evidence of the previous night's clashes. The air hummed with controlled tension.
They reached Head Nurse Joy's office again. This time, Xiaoyuan felt more prepared and less intimidated. Xiu gave her a brief, reassuring nod. "Remember what we discussed."
"Mm," she confirmed quietly.
Xiu knocked and entered. Nurse Joy was at her desk, looking exhausted but composed, dark circles under her eyes betraying a sleepless night. She looked up as they entered. "Mr. Xiu. Yuan. What can I do for you?" Her voice was weary but steady.
Xiu gestured towards Xiaoyuan. "My friend believes she might be able to offer some assistance regarding the... supply situation," he stated directly, cutting to the chase.
Xiaoyuan stepped forward, adopting her professional demeanor. She concisely reiterated her own analysis of the market, then presented their 'offer': as a new business entity seeking to establish itself in Viridian, they had secured independent supply lines for basic goods (thanks to the Pewter City run) and were prepared to sell these goods at reasonable, pre-crisis prices at designated points within the city, helping to stabilize the market and alleviate public anxiety – provided they received official sanction and perhaps some security from the city authorities. It was, essentially, the plan Xiu had formulated, presented as a timely business proposal beneficial to the city's stability.
Xiu stood silently beside her, observing Nurse Joy's reaction.
After Xiaoyuan finished, Nurse Joy regarded her thoughtfully for a long moment, her sharp eyes assessing the young woman. Finally, she gave a slow nod. "Your proposal is... timely, Yuan. And potentially beneficial. The details will need review, of course, but in principle... expedited approval seems warranted given the circumstances. My office will be in contact regarding any concerns you face." It wasn't an enthusiastic endorsement, but it was acceptance. A pragmatic solution offered at a critical time.
Emerging from the office minutes later, Xiaoyuan practically vibrated with suppressed excitement, though she forced herself to maintain a serious expression. "She agreed!" she whispered as soon as they were clear.
"Good," Xiu replied calmly. "Don't celebrate yet. Execution is everything." He quickly gave her instructions: "Coordinate with Fushun's drivers for the incoming shipments. Oversee setup at the warehouse. Liaise with Nurse Joy's staff regarding permits and distribution points and keep meticulous records." He handed her the Poké Ball containing Scizor. "Take this. For self-defense at the warehouse. I've briefed Scizor; it will obey your commands in an emergency."
Xiaoyuan took the Poké Ball hesitantly. "But... what about you? Won't you need protection? Especially if Team Rocket..."
"The Pokémon Center personnel assisting you will primarily be focused on protecting the supplies, not necessarily you," Xiu cautioned sternly. "Stay vigilant. As for me," he added dismissively, "don't worry. I have my own ways." He needed to investigate something else, a persistent doubt nagging at him.
He left Xiaoyuan to manage the nascent food distribution operation, trusting her competence, and slipped back out onto the streets of Viridian City alone.
Something still felt wrong. The official response to Team Rocket's escalating attacks felt... lacking. Yes, Team Rocket might have planned this meticulously, achieving surprise.
But Xiu had given the authorities, via Head Nurse Joy, advance warning, however vague. They knew something was brewing. Yet the response seemed reactive, localized, lacking overwhelming force. The Pokémon Center seemed to be bearing the brunt of the response, while the police and the Gyms seemed less visibly involved than expected.
Either Team Rocket is far stronger than anyone realizes, Xiu pondered, or the official institutions here are weaker, perhaps more compromised, than they appear.
He found himself walking towards a quieter part of the city, guided by a map he'd studied earlier. He entered a serene, park-like area filled with well-tended trees and neat pathways – a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere elsewhere. Birdsong chirped from the branches. At the heart of this small urban forest stood a large, traditional, low-slung building surrounded by manicured lawns where several Oddish grazed peacefully.
Xiu recognized it from his research: one of Viridian City's three official Pokémon Gyms. This one, he recalled, was a family-run institution specializing in Grass-type Pokémon, with roots stretching back centuries, long before the modern Pokémon League structure.
The Gym appeared closed today, quiet and deserted. As Xiu stepped onto the edge of the lawn, however, he immediately sensed eyes on him. A young boy, no older than seven or eight, emerged from the side of the building, a Bulbasaur trotting faithfully beside him. It was the first time Xiu had seen one of the iconic Kanto starters up close. He found himself studying the small plant Pokémon with professional interest.
The boy, however, looked wary. "The Gym is closed today," he called out sternly, puffing out his chest slightly. "Please leave."
Xiu shifted his gaze from the Bulbasaur to the boy. "When will it reopen?" he asked mildly.