Luo Yuan remained unfazed.
As a model young man of great discipline, he wouldn't be swayed so easily.
Sabrina raised an eyebrow in response.
"Ah~" she murmured, stretching her arms in a catlike yawn.
…
Luo Yuan: "..."
…
"Did you enjoy that?" Sabrina asked with a playful glance.
To be honest, Sabrina wasn't as composed as she appeared. She was feeling a bit self-conscious—this idea had been a sudden whim, and she was now feeling unsure of herself.
Luo Yuan, ever perceptive, picked up on her shift in attitude, and an audacious idea sparked in his mind.
He ran his hand through his hair, leaning in and wrapping his arms around her.
Sabrina hadn't anticipated the move. Startled, she tensed up in his embrace, trying to regain her composure as she stammered, "If you ever change your number again without telling me, I won't let you off next time!"
"Won't happen," he reassured her.
Had she said this a few days ago, he might have panicked, but now… her tone carried a very different vibe.
Sabrina quickly sensed the lack of authority in her current position and collected herself, turning the conversation in another direction.
"By the way, when did you awaken your psychic powers?"
Luo Yuan, though momentarily disappointed as the moment shifted, obliged. "You noticed?"
"Of course. That day back at HQ, I could feel the psychic energy radiating from you."
He paused, then gave a slight nod of understanding.
If all the world's psychics were ranked, Sabrina would undoubtedly be number one.
She was, without question, an authority on psychic power.
"It was recent, really. One day, I just sort of awakened it."
With a wave of his hand, he summoned a glass of water from across the room.
Sabrina observed him, closing her eyes to gauge his abilities. "Hm… your strength doesn't seem weak at all."
"Well, I did use it to control a Gyarados."
"Interesting…" Sabrina muttered, smoothing her hair thoughtfully. She raised her hand, and a small pouch floated over to her.
After rummaging through it, she pulled out a notebook and handed it to him.
"This notebook details my research on using psychic techniques like Hypnosis and Teleportation. Try practicing with it."
The notebook still held Sabrina's light lavender fragrance, a unique scent that brought a slight warmth to Luo Yuan's nose.
This notebook contained the methods for humans to use moves like Hypnosis and Teleportation. If psychic enthusiasts got their hands on it, they would go mad with excitement. But Sabrina handed it over without a second thought.
"Seems like I'm practically being pampered by you at this rate," Luo Yuan joked.
"And would that be a bad thing?" she countered, tilting her head with a smirk.
"No complaints here. But since you're pampering me, could I ask for another favor?"
"What is it?"
"I recently acquired around 3% of Silph Co.'s shares, and with your Gym based in Saffron City, you'd be the perfect representative for me at their shareholder meetings."
Luo Yuan grinned.
Sabrina's reaction was priceless, her eyes widening in disbelief.
---
By the time Luo Yuan and Sabrina finished preparing, it was already late afternoon.
She was still taken aback that Luo Yuan actually owned a 3% stake in Silph Co.
Living in Saffron City and serving as its Gym Leader, she understood better than anyone the worth of such shares.
But alongside the shock, she also felt a hint of happiness, realizing the trust he was placing in her by sharing such a responsibility.
"When do we set off?" Sabrina asked.
Though her time with Luo Yuan was enjoyable, she hadn't forgotten their mission.
"This evening. I got us tickets for a luxury suite, which lets us board the ship early."
"A luxury suite… are you sure you're here for a mission?"
Sabrina gave him a dubious look.
Her own ticket was just for a standard ocean-view room.
"Of course! Giovanni is covering the expenses, and this way I can scout things out early. It's all for the mission," Luo Yuan said, feigning seriousness.
"..."
Sabrina remembered Matori's complaints about how Luo Yuan's expense claims alone outmatched all the other Rocket executives combined.
At the time, she'd thought it an exaggeration, but now she was beginning to see where all that money was going.
"Then again, maybe he has a point," Sabrina thought. "Giovanni's paying, and Team Rocket certainly isn't hurting for funds…"
---
"Ready?"
Luo Yuan, now wearing a blond disguise, turned to Sabrina.
"All set."
Her usually purple hair was now dyed a vibrant red, with matching colored lenses for her eyes.
Their appearances were completely altered; even those closest to them would struggle to recognize them.
This was only the first layer of disguise to distance them from their true identities. During the actual operation, they would put on masks and switch to Rocket uniforms for a second round of cover.
"Let's go…"
Luo Yuan led the way to the S.S. Anne, with Sabrina holding his arm, posing as his partner.
As they approached the ship, the crowd began to thicken.
Though no new passengers were boarding here in Vermilion City, those already on board were free to roam, many of whom were taking in the sights of Kanto. The area surrounding the S.S. Anne was bustling with people.
Meanwhile, a line had formed at the regular boarding gate as passengers were checked in.
Naturally, Luo Yuan's luxury suite ticket allowed him to skip the line.
"Welcome aboard the S.S. Anne. We hope you enjoy your journey."
After having their tickets scanned, Luo Yuan and Sabrina were directed to an elevator by a friendly staff member.
"Wow, I wish I could use the VIP line."
"Must be nice to have that kind of money…"
Nearby, envious murmurs floated over from the crowded regular check-in line.
The luxury suite was on the S.S. Anne's top floor.
It boasted the best views, a private pool, and from the glass railings, they could look down at the public pool and deck below.
"I've always wanted to experience this! Totally worth the money," Luo Yuan remarked, lounging back on the bed.
He was starting to regret not having traveled back from Hoenn on the S.S. Anne.
Though he was finally aboard now, it didn't look like he'd be on the ship long.
Sabrina rolled her eyes at him, closed her eyes, and extended her psychic senses.
Moments later, she opened her eyes, her expression serious. "I've located Drake's room, but… something seems off."
"Besides Drake and the expected security, there are others in the room!"
---
T/N: BLONDE ALERT
Also! Sundays will now be an off day! So no updates on Sundays! 🥺
Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
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