Ye Ming was very grateful to Yae Sakura. At this point, he recalled what had happened during his morning run. An idea struck him, and he continued, "I heard Fu Hua say that you have a friend named Okita Souji living with you. I wonder if she's free tonight. If she is, why not invite her over too? The more, the merrier."
"I..."
Yae Sakura instinctively wanted to refuse, but she was unwilling to turn him down just like that. She looked at Keqing's warm smile, then at Ye Ming's earnest invitation. After hesitating for a moment, she nodded.
"Alright. I'll go downstairs and ask Souji. If she's free, we'll come over together tonight."
"Great. I'll go buy groceries in a bit and cook up a proper feast. Tonight, you can both have a good taste of my cooking."
Ye Ming was delighted.
Tonight's meal would not only let him thank Yae Sakura for taking care of Laffey, but if the chance arose, he could also test whether Okita Souji was truly that Okita Souji from Chaldea. It was killing two birds with one stone.
Besides, Keqing had just arrived on the continent and did not have many friends. He could use this dinner to introduce her to a couple more people, while also honoring the friendship between Fu Hua and Yae Sakura. By the end of the meal, everyone would surely be happy.
Right, he also needed to message Fu Hua in advance and ask whether she would be working overtime tonight and when she would be coming back.
After seeing Yae Sakura out, Ye Ming took out his phone and sent Fu Hua a message.
City H, Mond International branch.
Inside the tall office building, in the conference room on the top floor, Fu Hua, dressed in a professional skirt suit, took a glance at the figure seated at the head of the conference table while organizing the meeting notes after the meeting had ended.
She was an exceptionally beautiful young woman.
Her grayish-purple eyes were stern and focused. Her slightly curled golden hair was tied into a neat, efficient ponytail. With her lovely features and impeccably groomed silver-gray suit, even though the meeting was over and only the two of them remained in the office, her posture was still perfectly straight. She looked just like a dignified knightly princess from a novel.
This young woman was the true person in control of Mond International, a noble young lady said to have come from some mysterious, ancient aristocratic family in Europe: Jean Gunnhildr.
"Fu Hua, have you finished organizing the minutes?"
Jean spoke.
"Yes."
Fu Hua placed the organized meeting notes on the table in front of Jean. "Today's work schedule has already been completed ahead of time. Do you need me to move part of tomorrow's work to today—bzzzt~"
Before Fu Hua could finish speaking, the phone in her pocket suddenly vibrated.
Thinking it was a work message, Fu Hua took out her phone. When she saw that it was from Ye Ming, she paused slightly, her expression complicated.
"What is it?"
Noticing Fu Hua's expression, Jean asked curiously.
"Nothing." Fu Hua put away her phone and shook her head. "A friend sent me a message."
"A friend?"
Seeing the complicated look in Fu Hua's eyes, Jean fell into thought.
Was it someone she liked?
Though that was what Jean thought, she did not ask.
"Since today's work is already done, then you can get off work early."
Jean gave Fu Hua the better part of the afternoon off.
I hope everything goes well between you and the person you like, and that you'll end up together.
Jean offered Fu Hua her heartfelt blessing.
But...
Where was the person I loved now?
I've searched for so long without any news. In this vast world, will we ever meet again one day?
I miss you so much, Ye Ming.
Ganyu's Surprise Attack, Keqing Must Win!
Ye Ming took out his phone and sent Fu Hua a message. Fu Hua replied very quickly.
"I'm taking the afternoon off. I'll be back right away."
Ye Ming was a little surprised and asked, "You took leave? You've only been working for two days. Isn't it a bit bad to take leave already?"
"No. I happened to finish today's work, and when my boss learned that you'd messaged me, she gave me most of the afternoon off."
Unlike ordinary girls, Fu Hua's messages were almost entirely text: concise and to the point. She rarely used stickers or emoticons, and even her profile picture was a simple blue sky with white clouds.
"That's nice. Your boss is really great."
Ye Ming sincerely praised her. These days, there were not many bosses willing to proactively give their employees time off to rest. Although he did not know Keqing's boss's age or appearance, just based on that kindness, Ye Ming felt that she had to be an excellent woman.
"I also invited your friend Yae Sakura and Yae Sakura's friend Okita Souji. I'll go out to buy groceries in a bit. You can rest at home, and when I get back and finish cooking, we can all eat together."
Ye Ming sent Fu Hua another message, and Fu Hua replied with a simple "Mm."
Putting away his phone, Ye Ming helped Keqing put away her luggage, arranged her toiletries in the bathroom, and then returned to the bedroom with her. Keqing placed the clothes from her suitcase into the wardrobe, while Ye Ming took out a new quilt for her and spread it over the bed.
Laffey was also very sensible and helped out. However, while the two of them were making the bed, the muddled little Laffey suddenly realized something.
"Commander, are you going to sleep with Sister Keqing from now on?"
The little girl lay on the freshly made bed, her jewel-like wine-red eyes fixed on Ye Ming.
"Mm."
Ye Ming nodded calmly without changing expression. "Sister Keqing is the Commander's wife. It's perfectly normal for married couples to sleep together."
After hearing that, Laffey became a little unhappy and asked Ye Ming again, "Then what about Laffey? Laffey is the Commander's wife too. Does the Commander dislike Laffey and not want to sleep with Laffey anymore?"
Before Laffey could finish speaking, Keqing, who had been putting clothes into the wardrobe, suddenly stiffened. After a moment, she slowly turned around and looked at Laffey, then Ye Ming, her face full of disbelief. "You..."
"What are you thinking? Can't your mind be less filthy!? Can't you be a little more innocent?"
Ye Ming's heart skipped a beat, but his face showed the anger and disappointment of someone misunderstood by a person who trusted him. He snapped at Keqing, "What kind of person do you take me for? We're going to live together from now on. With the relationship we have, don't you even have this much trust in me!?"
"You've really disappointed me, Keqing!"
"Ah, um, sorry, I didn't mean anything by it. No, I mean, of course I trust you. I-I wasn't thinking that."
The moment Keqing saw the disappointment mixed into Ye Ming's angry gaze, she knew she had misunderstood. Panicking, she hurriedly apologized.
After apologizing to Ye Ming, she did not forget to apologize to Laffey as well. "Laffey, I'm sorry. It's all my fault. I'm sorry."
?
Looking at Keqing, who had lowered her head in apology, Laffey tilted her head. A huge question mark seemed to appear over her head.
Why was she apologizing?
Laffey did not understand, but seeing the guilt on Keqing's face, kind-hearted Laffey still comforted her. "Sister Keqing, you don't need to apologize. Laffey doesn't think Sister Keqing said anything wrong."
"Thank you, Laffey."
Keqing was touched by the little girl's generosity and kindness. She silently swore that she would cherish Laffey dearly in the future.
Seeing this, Ye Ming breathed a sigh of relief. He had intended to quickly move past the topic and go out to buy groceries, but when he remembered Laffey's slightly unhappy, pouting expression just now, his heart softened.
After hesitating for a moment, he ultimately could not bear to make Princess Laffey unhappy. Ye Ming promised, "If Laffey wants to sleep with the Commander in the future, you can sleep here too. Sister Keqing and I can sleep with Laffey."
"Really?"
Laffey opened her eyes wide in surprise and stared at Ye Ming. After receiving an affirmative answer, she broke into a happy smile.
"Laffey is so happy."
However, that happiness only lasted for a minute before Laffey seemed to remember something and shook her head. "Better not. Laffey thinks Sister Fu Hua would be so lonely sleeping by herself at night. Laffey should keep Sister Fu Hua company instead."
Though she looked like an adorable little girl, Laffey was more sensible than many adults.
Ye Ming was very proud. This was his Princess Laffey.
"Alright, the bed's made. Does Laffey want to go downstairs with the Commander to buy things? The Commander can buy Laffey's favorite chocolate liqueur candies."
Ye Ming decided to reward Laffey.
"Laffey wants to go!"
Laffey was delighted.
"Alright, everyone's going!"
After making the bed, Ye Ming stood up and turned to Keqing. "You've put away your clothes, right? Let's go downstairs and buy groceries. We can also get some daily necessities you didn't bring."
"Mm."
Keqing nodded, closed the wardrobe, and stood up, feeling rather cheerful.
At last, their happy life together was about to begin.
Bzzzt—bzzzt—bzzzt—
Just as Keqing was about to leave with Ye Ming, the phone inside the handbag she had placed on the bedside table suddenly began to vibrate.
Keqing opened her handbag, took out her phone, unlocked the screen, and casually glanced at the text message. The moment she saw its contents, she froze completely.
Before you continue