Harold's Residence.
Bathing Sprigatito was much simpler than Li Wei had imagined.
At least it wasn't a hellish difficulty like Feebas or Arcanine.
Specifically, it wasn't about bathing, but about resolving a mental block.
After Li Wei fed Sprigatito an Energy Cube and observed its state, Li Wei decided to let Harrod bathe it himself.
This was a good way to foster their relationship.
In Li Wei's opinion, Harrod and Sprigatito had a problem, a common issue between parents and children: Harrod hadn't been able to fully convey his intentions and thoughts to Sprigatito.
In simple terms, it was a lack of communication.
From Sprigatito's perspective, it didn't like bathing, or bathing brought back painful memories...
From Harrod's perspective, Sprigatito absolutely needed a bath, so he would try every possible method to bathe Sprigatito.
In short, Sprigatito couldn't fully understand why Harrod always forcefully bathed it.
Li Wei looked at the middle-aged man who was eagerly watching him, "Mr. Harrod, you should know how to bathe Sprigatito, right?"
Although Harrod had already shown his scratched hands from bathing Sprigatito, that was proof that Harrod had bathed Sprigatito, not proof that he knew how to bathe Sprigatito.
Bathing a Pokemon also requires technique, especially for a sensitive type like Sprigatito, which has been hurt before.
Harrod hesitated, "I can, but..."
Harrod's voice carried a deep sense of frustration; after all, he had never received feedback from Sprigatito.
"Then you do it."
"Me? Really me?"
Harrod repeatedly confirmed this with Li Wei.
Even if Sprigatito's claw attacks weren't fatal, they still hurt.
Butler Ron also disagreed with this.
He frowned, "This is too dangerous."
Li Wei comforted him, "Don't worry, the more you worry, the more you will convey that feeling to Sprigatito."
"What you should convey to Sprigatito is that you are its Trainer, and you will not hurt it or abandon it."
"Our most important task today is not to bathe Sprigatito, but to resolve its mental block."
Hearing Li Wei's words, Harrod looked at Sprigatito, who was lying on the ground, eating an Energy Cube as if no one else was around.
"Understood."
Once Sprigatito finished eating, Harrod mustered his courage and picked it up.
Sprigatito looked up, its large eyes fixed on Harrod.
"Look at it, don't show fear, convey your kindness to it."
The two gazed at each other for a long time, and Harrod could feel Sprigatito's body gradually relaxing...
"It works! It really works!"
Harrod was overjoyed like a child.
"Next, take Sprigatito to the bathroom."
Li Wei had been constantly monitoring Sprigatito's condition with his Identification Eye.
It had been very calm, which was why Li Wei said it wasn't difficult.
The Pokemon bathroom in Harrod's Residence was even more luxurious than the one at Zhuqing Breeding Center.
Sunlight streamed through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, filling the Pokemon bathroom with warmth.
When they reached the bathroom, Sprigatito struggled slightly, its fur gradually bristling, but fortunately, it hadn't used its claws yet.
[Status]: Nervous
Li Wei softly said, "Mr. Harrod, talk to Sprigatito, tell it everything you want to say."
Harrod's words came out spontaneously,
"Don't be afraid, I won't abandon you, trust me."
Harrod's voice wasn't loud, but it was firm enough.
Sprigatito looked up, its amber eyes on Harrod, seemingly sparkling with a faint light.
Its trembling body gradually calmed, and its bristling fur slowly smoothed down.
Perhaps because their two hearts were close enough, Harrod's intentions were conveyed very well to Sprigatito.
"Meow~"
Sprigatito gently rubbed its small head against Harrod's chest.
Harrod's eyes were filled with surprise; in the past, when Sprigatito was brought to the washroom, it was good enough if it didn't bristle.
Noticing Sprigatito's change, Li Wei adjusted the water temperature and filled the bath basin.
"Mr. Harrod, now bring Sprigatito over."
This was a very crucial step.
As long as Sprigatito didn't bristle the moment it touched the water, they would succeed.
Sprigatito was very light, and Harrod could easily hold it in his arms.
His other hand slowly stirred the water.
Mr. Ron and Lucario held their breath.
Outside the bathroom, Metagross, Arcanine, Dragapult, and Milotic watched with a strong sense of stealth.
They also remained silent.
Milotic felt a sense of empathy; she could understand the feeling of taking that first step.
It required immense courage.
At that time, Li Wei, Cynthia's Milotic, and the people from the Breeding Center had given Milotic immense courage.
It was with their encouragement that Feebas took its first step, like a carp leaping over the dragon gate, evolving into Milotic.
Now it was Sprigatito's turn.
Milotic felt that Sprigatito could succeed.
Sprigatito had a Trainer who loved it very much.
"Shall I bathe you?"
Harrod slowly immersed Sprigatito's body into the warm water, and the moment its paws touched the warm water, Sprigatito's body involuntarily trembled.
"Don't be afraid, I'm just bathing you."
Harrod gently comforted Sprigatito.
"You'll be even prettier after a bath."
This man, whose net worth was in the billions, spoke with a very gentle voice at this moment.
Under Li Wei's guidance, Harrod slowly bathed Sprigatito.
Harrod was incredibly excited, but he tried his best to suppress his excitement, to avoid affecting Sprigatito's state.
The bathing process went very smoothly.
So smoothly that Harrod and Ron couldn't believe it.
Even Li Wei was a little surprised; it seemed that the communication between their hearts had made Sprigatito fully understand Harrod's actions.
Sprigatito no longer had to worry about being abandoned.
When the clear water rinsed away the foam, revealing Sprigatito's fur, damp and shining with a healthy emerald green luster under the light, Harrod's eyes were filled with unspeakable emotion and sentiment.
Harrod and Butler Ron exchanged glances, speechless for a moment.
Compared to before, it was like a completely different cat.
It had transformed from an ordinary cat into a noble, elegant cat.
What surprised Harrod even more was that Sprigatito actually made a sound.
"Meow~"
The sound was soft and gentle.
Completely different from its previous threatening sounds.
Sprigatito even actively rubbed its small head against Harrod's chest.
Even though Harrod's expensive custom-made suit was dampened by its fur, he didn't mind at all.
Sprigatito lay in Harrod's arms, looking so gentle and lovely.
Watching this scene, Butler Ron, a tough man, shed tears, "I am truly so touched!"