Upon hearing Zheng Hongde's words, the researchers present felt a pang of shame and uncertainty. After all, the results of this table seemed to bury all existing research.
The office fell silent for a moment, then Zheng Hongde said, "Publish this table as soon as possible. As for the credit, let's use his name."
Seeing Zheng Hongde pointing at him, Xia Hu Nao quickly shook his head, "No, no, I only..."
Before he could finish, Zheng Hongde interrupted him, "What's wrong with a bit of youthful spirit? It's settled, no one can object."
Seeing the boss so unilaterally confirm the use of his name, Xia Hu Nao had no choice but to accept. A researcher sitting beside him whispered to Xia Hu Nao, "You don't understand Old Master Zheng. That's just his temper; you'll get used to it."
"Kunwu, what are you muttering about?"
The researcher called Kunwu quickly shook his head, "Nothing. I was just telling him that the integrity of our research institute does not allow us to claim the discoveries and research results of others as our own."
Xia Hu Nao didn't believe a single word of Kunwu's statement. He had seen too much online in his past life...
After arranging this matter, Zheng Hongde looked at Xia Hu Nao, "Xia boy, are you interested in becoming a researcher?"
At these words, everyone present was stunned. Xia Hu Nao was so young, and he was already being offered a researcher position?
"President Zheng, he is too young. Even if his discovery regarding attribute compatibility is significant, our institute's intern researchers must be university graduates."
Xia Hu Nao smiled and politely declined Zheng Hongde's offer, "Thank you for your kindness, but I would rather be a trainer. You see, I already have my junior trainer certificate."
"Alright, then you can't refuse an honorary researcher title."
As he spoke, Zheng Hongde coughed twice, as if to emphasize his point. Xia Hu Nao, seeing Zheng Hongde's somewhat theatrical demeanor, couldn't refuse again and agreed.
Zheng Hongde arranged a few more things and then said to Xia Hu Nao, "Let's go, Xia boy. We're going somewhere else."
Xia Hu Nao couldn't figure out Zheng Hongde's intentions and followed the old master out of the institute. The car drove through the streets of Liuling City. Looking at the scenery, Zheng Hongde asked, "How is it, Xia boy? What do you think of Liuling City?"
"It's very good. It truly lives up to its reputation as one of the most historically rich cities in the Minglong Kingdom."
Zheng Hongde smiled but said nothing.
The car drove all the way to the entrance of Liuling Pokémon University and went straight in. Xia Hu Nao looked at the scene of Liuling Pokémon University and asked, "Old Master, what are we doing here?"
The car drove around the campus of Liuling Pokémon University, eventually stopping in front of a small house.
"Come on, Xia boy, accompany an old man home for a visit."
Xia Hu Nao got out of the car and entered the house with Zheng Hongde. Although it was the home of Zheng Hongde, the president of the Pokémon Research Association, the decoration was very simple, surprisingly so for someone of his status.
Not long after Xia Hu Nao and Zheng Hongde entered the house, the door opened again, and a woman with a sharp and capable demeanor, yet brimming with youthful energy, walked in.
Seeing Zheng Hongde sitting at the table, the woman pounced on him like a swallow returning to its nest, "Grandpa, you're back."
Zheng Hongde looked at her dotingly, "Xia boy, let me introduce you to my granddaughter, Zheng Xiaoxiao. Don't let her appearance fool you; she looks like she's in her thirties, but she's only in her twenties. You must have had a meeting today, or you wouldn't be dressed like this."
Zheng Xiaoxiao pouted in dissatisfaction at Zheng Hongde's words, "I have to dress like this to have some authority in front of the students. It's not like I *want* to dress like this."
After speaking, Zheng Xiaoxiao looked at Xia Hu Nao, who was sitting there wide-eyed, "Who are you? Why are you at our house?"
...
By the dinner table, Zheng Xiaoxiao, who already knew Xia Hu Nao's background, and Zheng Hongde were having dinner together. Xia Hu Nao, completely unfazed or perhaps just thick-skinned, was shoveling food into his mouth, "Sister Xiaoxiao's cooking is truly exceptional. But I never expected you to be the principal of Liuling Pokémon University."
Zheng Xiaoxiao smiled and swallowed her food, "The principal of a Pokémon University is different from other schools. There's only one strict requirement: the trainer's level. Any trainer at the Champion level can apply to be the principal of a Pokémon University."
"Champ-Champion level? Sister Xiaoxiao, you're a Champion-level trainer?"
"Didn't expect that, did you? I'm the youngest Champion-level trainer in the entire Minglong Kingdom. Pretty impressive, right? But you're even more surprising; discovering something so significant at such a young age."
Zheng Hongde coughed lightly from the side, "Ahem, well, Xiaoxiao, the main reason I brought him to our house is that I want him to become a teacher at Liuling Pokémon University. See if you can arrange it."
Zheng Xiaoxiao put down her chopsticks, "What? Become a university teacher? How old is he?"
Zheng Hongde looked at Zheng Xiaoxiao displeasedly, "Why do you have the same issue?"
Then, Zheng Hongde turned his gaze to Xia Hu Nao, "Unexpectedly, the same joke can be seen twice in one day."
Xia Hu Nao naturally understood what Zheng Hongde meant. The first time was the joke he saw at the institute. The expression management of that researcher was terrible. Let alone an experienced figure like Zheng Hongde, even a novice like Xia Hu Nao could see what he was thinking. He was afraid that Xia Hu Nao becoming a researcher would threaten his position.
However, regarding the second joke, Xia Hu Nao couldn't agree. Even he himself found Zheng Hongde's suggestion too outrageous. A high school dropout becoming a university teacher – who would believe it?
If this actually happened, when he wrote his autobiography, he would definitely title it: Shocking! A Dropped-out High School Student Becomes a University Teacher—Unveiling Xia Hu Nao's Mysterious Life.
Thinking of this, Xia Hu Nao couldn't help but smile.
"Little Xiazi, what are you smiling about?"
"Sister Xiaoxiao, let me tell you..."
Listening to Xia Hu Nao talk about his future autobiography, Zheng Hongde and Zheng Xiaoxiao also laughed.
After their laughter subsided, Zheng Xiaoxiao said to Zheng Hongde, "Grandpa, it's not that I don't want to listen, but you know the students nowadays. At our Liuling Pokémon University, only the old professors in the Pokémon research department can manage them. Even if Little Xia has the title of honorary researcher and the achievement of the attribute compatibility chart, they won't seriously listen to his lectures."
Hearing Zheng Xiaoxiao's words, Xia Hu Nao also said to Zheng Hongde, "I think Sister Xiaoxiao is right. What if I go to teach in the research department and end up misleading students?"
"Who said I wanted you to teach in the research department? I want you to teach in the battle department. Don't you want to be a trainer more? Then being a teacher in the battle department would also be good experience."
Xia Hu Nao hadn't expected Zheng Hongde's idea to be even bolder. If it were the research department courses, Xia Hu Nao could theoretically manage with his knowledge from his previous life and the system's collection of information on Lingyao Star. However, the battle department courses were entirely different.
It was possible that some battle-crazed students would emerge from some classes, constantly seeking battles. If they won, it would be fine, but if they lost, the consequences could be dire.
However, Zheng Xiaoxiao seemed quite interested in Zheng Hongde's proposal. She initially thought her grandfather had found a promising researcher to teach in the research department, but she didn't expect him to be assigned to the battle department.
After a few more bites of food, Zheng Xiaoxiao put down her bowl and said to Xia Hu Nao, "Little Xiazi, come on, let's spar. Let's see if you have the qualifications to be a teacher in the battle department of Liuling Pokémon University."
After saying this, she grabbed Xia Hu Nao and prepared to battle. Xia Hu Nao was completely taken aback. If the old master had such an idea, fine, but why was Sister Xiaoxiao also getting caught up in the excitement?
Old Master Zheng Hongde watched Zheng Xiaoxiao drag Xia Hu Nao out and also got up to leave the house to observe the so-called sparring match.
As Zheng Xiaoxiao led Xia Hu Nao through the campus of Liuling Pokémon University, they attracted countless gazes. After all, even with her intentional efforts to dress up, the young and beautiful principal couldn't hide the fact that she was a beauty. Zheng Xiaoxiao, the dream girl of countless teachers and students, walking hand-in-hand with a boy who looked eight or nine years younger than her on campus was bound to attract attention.
Zheng Xiaoxiao quickly led Xia Hu Nao to the battle arena within the school. Looking at the battle arena, which was clearly a notch above the Pokémon Center, Xia Hu Nao murmured, "As expected of Liuling Pokémon University; the facilities are truly extraordinary."
"Quick, quick, send out your Pokémon."
Xia Hu Nao gave a wry smile, "Sister Xiaoxiao, I haven't finished dinner yet. Do we need to be in such a hurry?"
Zheng Xiaoxiao waved her hand, "Don't worry about dinner. We can eat after the battle. If necessary, I'll cook you some noodles after the battle. My noodles are just as good as stir-fries."
"Sister Xiaoxiao, but you need to digest first. Vigorous exercise right after eating isn't good for your health."
"It's fine. Battles are the best way for me to digest."
"No, but I still can't beat you. You're a Champion-level trainer. How could my Pokémon possibly match yours!"
Zheng Xiaoxiao took out a Poké Ball, "It's alright. I have a Pokémon I recently caught. It'll be at most an assessment level; I won't be bullying you."
Xia Hu Nao was almost breaking down. You're a perfectly respectable principal, a dignified Champion-level trainer, why are you picking on a newbie like me?
Just then, Zheng Hongde's voice came from the side of the battle arena, "Xia boy, stop struggling. You can't escape this battle. My granddaughter is a Champion-level trainer with the title of Liuling Valkyrie, and privately, she's known as a battle maniac."
"Grandpa, don't bring up my shortcomings in front of Little Xia!"
Zheng Xiaoxiao was a little annoyed. She didn't know who spread this nickname. She just liked battling; why did she have to have such an outrageous title?
Xia Hu Nao gritted his teeth and stomped his foot. It's just a battle, right? Come on, let's go all out!