Moving to the Golden Courtyard

"Speaking of which, we've known each other for half a year now. Elysia should know me pretty well, right? Whether it's my abilities or my personality."

Elysia nodded with certainty. Not only Xu Qi, but she was quite familiar with everyone in the Golden Courtyard.

"But Bronya is different. Tonight, she rushed over on impulse, hoping to get my help. Have you ever thought about what to do if my abilities don't match?"

"But Xu Qi..."

"You see, it's because you're familiar with me that you think I'm capable, but she clearly isn't familiar with me..."

Xu Qi sighed deeply.

"If I really agree, the pressure will be immense, because I'll want to live up to that expectation, to reciprocate the importance the other person places on me.

Honestly... I can't afford it."

"But Xu Qi."

"Hmm?"

Elysia turned to face Xu Qi seriously.

"Humans only ever need to live up to their own expectations."

Xu Qi was stunned. His mouth opened slightly, and he was immersed in Elysia's words for a long time before finally letting out a long sigh. He had actually been lectured by her...

"What's wrong? What's wrong? You look like you've been thinking for a long time?~ Do you think what I said is right?"

"Yes~~ Yes~~" Xu Qi reached out and rubbed Elysia's little head. "No wonder you're a popular online streamer. You have a way with words. I'm almost moved by you."

"Hehe?~~"

Humans only need to live up to their own expectations... that's all.

It's so right that I can't refute it.

"Alright, my Elysia teacher, isn't it time to go to bed? It's so late."

"Huh?... Ah! It's almost twelve o'clock!"

"Staying up late is a girl's worst enemy—that should be something you said."

"Hmph!... Good night."

"Good night, Elysia."

Watching the girl go upstairs, Xu Qi breathed a sigh of relief.

At this moment, the phone screen lit up. He clicked it open and saw:

Xin: I've already got the 914 related investigation report. It's in my USB drive. If you want it, find a time to meet, but not at the company.

Xu Qi finished reading the message with a blank expression and silently turned off the phone.

Xia Ya...

18. Two-Timing? Are You Underestimating Me?

"To be honest, if the character setting and plot really go the way you've set them up, then I think removing the female lead and letting the male second lead become the female lead wouldn't be a problem at all."

"But unfortunately, they're men, so they can only be best friends."

"Yeah... friends with particularly deep feelings, and then in your writing, you're going to make them become enemies because of a war caused by an almost ridiculous reason."

"And..." Xu Qi said coldly, "They both killed each other's best friends."

Bronya crossed her arms. At this moment, she was sitting on Xu Qi's bed, holding a laptop in her hands, and sighing deeply.

"You really dare to write... completely occupied by the will of hatred, with only the idea of killing the other person left in your mind.

No matter how close they were as friends before, at this moment, it all disappears... You're a devil, aren't you?"

Xu Qi shrugged.

"Compared to Z Alahato, I'm already very merciful."

Today was the third day that Bronya had come to the Golden Courtyard to discuss the project with Xu Qi. It had to be said that these two guys were the type who couldn't stay idle.

And they were both extremely capable people.

Xu Qi watched as a brand-new Alahato project was gradually perfected on Bronya's computer.

This feeling... could be said to be quite wonderful.

"I also have to thank Little Griseo." Bronya took out a drawing from beside her, which depicted a woman as beautiful as a princess.

"Long pink hair, a gentle appearance, with both gentleness and a strong sense of conviction and purpose..."

Bronya tilted her head and looked at Xu Qi playfully, saying, "Are you planning to... two-time?"

Xu Qi was sitting at his desk. At this moment, he raised an eyebrow and said, "Two? Are you underestimating me?"

"Ah..." Bronya supported her forehead with one hand, letting out a sigh that seemed to say, "This person is hopeless." "How could I not see that you were such a scumbag that day."

Of course, the two were just joking with each other.

In fact, when Xu Qi received the original manuscript from Griseo, he also felt that... coincidences in the world were nothing more than this.

"It's like a combination of Elysia and Mei..."

"The way I see it, you and Mei had a son, then you and Elysia had a daughter, and their daughter would probably look something like this."

"What kind of messed-up ethical joke is that… Just stop it already."

Putting the notebook aside, Bronya suddenly jumped off the bed and moved closer to Xu Qi.

Bronya was still dressed in her OL office attire. According to her, changing clothes for work and after work was too much trouble, so she might as well just wear this all the time.

One hand propped on the table, the other rested on the back of Xu Qi's chair. She leaned down, and a few strands of her silver-white hair fell, brushing against Xu Qi's cheek, causing a slight itch…

Xu Qi immediately froze in his seat, not daring to move at all.

Don't let his words fool you; he could say all sorts of lewd things. But when it came to being teased by a sexy older woman, he was completely disarmed on the spot.

"Is that so? What if I just like to play around?"

Then play all you want… But he couldn't bring himself to say those words…

"Hmph~" A curve appeared at the corner of her lips. Bronya seemed to sense Xu Qi's stiffness, a rather… obvious reaction.

She didn't push it too far, quickly retreating and returning to Xu Qi's bed.

This made Xu Qi breathe a sigh of relief.

Her aura was too strong…

Pulling up her sleeve and glancing at her watch, Bronya said, "Alright, I won't bother you anymore. I have a meeting at the company this afternoon, so I have to go back."

Xu Qi tilted his head, signaling her to go ahead.

"I say…" Bronya stood up, flipping her long silver-white hair behind her. Her handsome appearance made Xu Qi unable to look away.

"Although it's weird for me to say this, I'm pretty good-looking, and my figure is decent."

Xu Qi: …

"I've been in your room these past few days, so don't get any inappropriate or misguided ideas about me, okay?"

Xu Qi imitated Bronya's earlier gesture, covering his forehead with one hand and letting out a desperate sigh.

No way…

"But…" Opening the door, Bronya suddenly winked at Xu Qi as she left, "If you use the sheets that smell like me to jerk off, there's nothing I can do about it."

"Enough! I really wouldn't do something like that!"

This was the first time Xu Qi had been teased like this by a woman since his mind had matured—what a loss of composure!

This woman… had she become so uninhibited after getting to know him!?

As expected of an old auntie, a pure little virgin like me is no match for her…

Shaking his head, he rested for a while, tidied up the drafts in the room, and Xu Qi walked out of the room.

In the living room, Master Qian was preparing dinner, and Kevin and Kosma were playing games. It was rare to see Kevin on a Saturday.

But speaking of which… Bronya, that girl, had to go to a company meeting even on Saturday?

Just like a corporate slave like Kevin.

The screen showed the two were playing Street Fighter 4, Ryu versus Ryu. Kevin had the upper hand and was about to win.

Especially Kosma—he looked so impatient and restless. How could he beat Kevin like that…

Shaking his head, Xu Qi calculated the time and asked, "Where is everyone else?"

Just as he asked, Kevin knocked out Kosma with one punch.

Winner—Coder!

"Ah!! …I lost again!!" This was probably the only time you could see Kosma so frustrated.

Kevin put down the controller, his face filled with satisfaction.

"Fu Hua is live-streaming outdoors with Elysia, Yae is still working overtime, Aponia seems to be going to church to pray today, and everyone else should be upstairs."

How fulfilling… for everyone.

"I'm going out to meet someone, so I won't be home for dinner. Don't wait for me."

"OK."

The door closed, and Kevin looked at Kosma—that kid was still reminiscing and muttering about the previous match… so persistent…

Sparkling Qiqi: I'm going to Xujiahui now.

Xin: Okay.

After a brief exchange, Xu Qi took a deep breath—and left.

There was a famous long corridor in the Xujiahui subway station, with a bronze statue of the Father of the Mode Capital Metro. The agreed meeting place was there.

Xu Qi looked at the bronze statue in the distance and couldn't help but laugh—how much do I love the company to choose this as the meeting place.

"You're more punctual than I expected, Engineer Xu."

A familiar voice came from behind, and Xu Qi turned around. What he saw was, of course, an acquaintance from the company, and definitely the kind of acquaintance that was surprising—Xin An.

"You brought all the 914 materials, right? This time… don't disappoint me."

19,I Choose You! Pardofelis!

Inside a Starbucks like any other, Xin An cradled a Frappuccino of indeterminate flavor, leaning back in her chair and gazing out through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows.

Her expression revealed no joy or any other emotion, and was even a little strange.

Across from her, Xu Qi was reviewing the data from her USB drive on his laptop.

The man's expression was focused and serious, a sight Xin An rarely saw.

Her looks were already quite outstanding. In college, she was considered a department flower, and even after joining the workforce, she had no shortage of admirers.

Few people could remain so calm and focused on their work when alone with her…

Even the older leaders couldn't—the way they looked at her made Xin An feel nauseous.

But… she didn't like guys who treated her like air either.

In this girl's world, she should naturally be the main character, and no one could ignore her, disregard her—no one!

Of course, Xu Qi didn't care what this woman was thinking. He was completely focused on the information Xin An had compiled regarding the 914 brake failure incident.

Although this woman had been in his project team, after Li Fucong took over, it could be said that he didn't even bother to give her face before she threw herself into the other man's arms.

But it had to be said that her professional skills were solid.

With Xin An's help, the purely watered-down reports had been filtered out, and what was presented to Xu Qi was all substance.

As for why she was willing to help h