In the plain, unremarkable private office, Bronya poured Xu Qi a cup of hot water.
The two sat facing each other across the desk. Somehow, the scene gave Bronya a little fantasy—it made her feel as though Xu Qi had already joined E.T. Studio.
"I really didn't expect you to come here today. You didn't even give me any warning, so I wasn't prepared at all."
"I just happened to be passing by."
"Such a coincidence?"
"That's right, a coincidence. Since I saw the place, I thought I'd come up and take a look."
Bronya didn't suspect anything and merely smiled. "Then you and we really are fated to meet... So, how is it, Great Hero? Is your current life quite the center of attention?"
Xu Qi wore a bitter smile.
"Don't tease me, Bronya. If I were really famous, I'd have to wear sunglasses whenever I went outside."
"To be honest, there really was a moment when I was worried you might die there."
"You were worried about what would happen to that proposal afterward, weren't you..." Xu Qi saw through the little scheme in this woman's heart with perfect clarity.
Bronya: (? ? ?)
"Fine, fine, you were worried about me."
"We're friends!"
Xu Qi imitated Bronya and put on the same (? ? ?) expression, then pointed at the item in her hand.
"When you say that, you really shouldn't be holding that proposal document."
"Tsk!" Bronya smacked her lips. "We're friends..."
"Using that as an excuse is a little too convenient, don't you think..."
"Regardless... Perfect timing! You came today. Hurry! Give me a name. What should this Alahato be called?"
Xu Qi looked at the still-empty name field on the proposal in front of him and fell speechless for a moment.
"Xu Qi, perhaps sometimes, going out and seeing what's beyond your usual world isn't a bad choice."
"Seed."
"Hmm?"
"Alahato SEED!"
47. Xu Qi, Just Do What You Want to Do
Late at night, Xu Qi sat at his computer desk, his expression somewhat vacant.
He seemed to be spacing out, or perhaps thinking about something on his mind. As luck would have it, a knock on the door interrupted his continued daze. Xu Qi scratched his head—it felt as though this scene had already happened many times.
When he opened the door and saw Mei standing outside in pale yellow sleepwear that clung to her body, a pillow in her arms, Xu Qi fell into a daze once again.
"Wh... Why are you looking at me like that...?"
"Damn!"
"Huh?"
"Uh, no, that's not what I meant." Xu Qi shook his head. Even though they were already boyfriend and girlfriend, he could still occasionally be captivated by the charm this girl revealed.
Oh no, I think I've fallen into Mei's beauty trap.
He stepped aside, and Mei naturally walked in.
During the time since she had moved to the Golden Courtyard, she often visited Xu Qi's bedroom. She had simply never come over at night before.
Mei sat down on Xu Qi's bed, but she didn't immediately explain why she had come. She just sat there silently, clutching her pillow and lowering her head without saying a word.
Xu Qi raised an eyebrow.
He sat down beside Mei, their bodies pressed closely together on the bed. Xu Qi could feel that her body was somewhat stiff—she was nervous.
He couldn't help laughing.
"What are you laughing at?"
"Nothing. I was just wondering why you suddenly came over in the middle of the night."
"You're still awake in the middle of the night too, aren't you?"
"I was thinking about something."
Mei wore an expression that said she had known it all along. Her body gradually relaxed, and she couldn't help saying, "You seemed distracted during the day... You're never like this."
"Am I not?"
"Mm... It seems like you're trying to decide something. It's obvious that you're conflicted."
Mei... She really is incredibly perceptive. She can even see through this.
A warm feeling spread through Xu Qi's heart. No wonder she came over with a pillow in the middle of the night. She wanted to comfort me? My little Mei is just too adorable.
"Mei..."
Mei blinked and looked at Xu Qi. She didn't interrupt him and proved to be an excellent listener.
"I think... I want to quit."
"?"
"You might be confused... After all, following the 956 incident, I could be considered a hero of merit. I should be on the fast track to success at the company from now on."
Indeed...
Mei nodded.
"But I really do want to... quit. I never had this thought even when things were so miserable before, yet now I suddenly want to resign. Why do I feel so pathetic...?"
Mei shook her head. She took Xu Qi's tightly clasped hands in hers and said seriously,
"You've simply fulfilled an obsession in your heart, Xu Qi... I heard about it from Aponia. I heard about what happened to you when you were young."
"Romieu saved you and allowed you to survive in that desperate environment. You were grateful to him, and grateful to the Mode Capital Metro, so even after those memories were sealed away, you still chose to join the company.
"But Xu Qi... that choice doesn't mean this is truly the career you want deep down. So I'm not surprised at all that you now want to quit."
Xu Qi looked up at Mei. He had never imagined that this girl in front of him could understand him so well—perhaps even better than he understood himself.
Everything Mei said... was right.
"So, Xu Qi, what are you conflicted about?"
"Because I'm afraid..."
"Afraid?"
Xu Qi took a deep breath.
"I only graduated two years ago. I... I don't know what kind of place my next workplace will be after I resign from this one. It'll be an entirely new working environment, and an entirely new job.
"I... I don't know. And now I have you too, so I thought that perhaps a stable job would let me spend more time with you."
Mei's pretty face flushed. She truly hadn't expected this to be Xu Qi's reason.
At the same time, her heart filled with both embarrassment and delight. Honestly, what does Xu Qi mean by this...? Could he... Could he already be thinking about marrying me...?
Hehe...
"Mei, do you know? I'm really a little afraid. I'm afraid I'll have a hard time at the next company. I'm afraid I'll make the wrong choice. I..."
"Xu Qi!"
Mei suddenly hugged him, pulling Xu Qi into her chest.
The sudden softness seemed to soothe the panic in Xu Qi's heart at once. Like a child, he sank deeply into Mei's warm embrace.
As she gently stroked Xu Qi's broad back, Mei couldn't help feeling distressed. Xu Qi wasn't all-powerful after all; he was only a young man who had graduated from university two years ago.
He could be afraid too, and he could feel lost about the future.
"It's all right, Xu Qi... Just do what you want to do. Whatever you decide to do, I'll support you. After all, you're my... great hero."
After a long while, Mei finally let go of Xu Qi, and Xu Qi also straightened up with some reluctance.
Looking at Mei in front of him, Xu Qi felt that having such a girlfriend was truly one of the rarest strokes of luck in his life...
Xu Qi couldn't help leaning forward.
Mei seemed to realize what he wanted to do as well. Her cheeks flushed, and she instinctively raised both hands to push him away, but they were soft and lacking in strength.
In the end... they kissed without the slightest surprise.
Mei found herself increasingly unable to resist it...
That slight contact alone made her completely fall into it.
The two sat at the head of the bed. The pillow Mei had been holding had long since been thrown aside by Xu Qi. They embraced and kissed each other, feeling as though even their souls were faintly ascending at that moment.
When they finally parted, Mei could clearly see the heat in Xu Qi's eyes.
"I... I'm not ready yet... Can we do it next time?"
What do you think?
Xu Qi's expression turned strange. He truly hadn't expected his girlfriend to be this adorably silly.
Xu Qi leaned forward. This time, he didn't kiss her. Instead, he moved beside Mei's ear and said, "Then tell me, what should I do?"
Mei's body trembled.
But at that moment, her mind suddenly flashed with inspiration!
She gently pushed Xu Qi away, then closed her eyes and reached down to grab him!
"Hiss! W-Wait! You grabbed... the wrong place! It hurts! It hurts!"
"Eh? B-But that's what the book said..."
"What kind of book were you reading...? Slow down, let's try to find the right feeling."
"Huh? We... We should probably not do this... Ah!"
"Take it slowly. Yes, right there. Hiss! Your hands are really cold."
"Stop talking!... Hurry up already!"
"Uh... This really can't be hurried."
48. You Have to Learn to Be Ruthless in a Place Like That
At dawn, when Xu Qi slowly opened his eyes, he could even hear the faint snoring of the person in his arms. He lowered his head and saw that Mei was still sleeping soundly.
She had really worked hard last night. He had to say... the details were truly difficult to describe.
He wondered what it would be like if they really... Ahem! Xu Qi shook his head. Girls, after all, don't reach that point so quickly. What happened was already quite good. They could spend more time together and give her time to prepare.
Besides, Xu Qi was rather surprised too. He hadn't expected Mei to be so bold.
Actually, he had only been saying it casually. Xu Qi had already planned to tease Mei a little and then send her back. At worst, he could take care of things himself that night.
But perhaps... Mei cared about Xu Qi too much.
Looking at the sleeping girl in his arms, Xu Qi couldn't help showing a little more tenderness in his eyes.
With a girl like this, just how foolish had he been to think he should take things slowly?
If he really let her get away, he would probably regret it for several lifetimes.
Xu Qi didn't stay in bed for long. He could already vaguely feel something stirring, and a man's urges were strongest in the morning.
Xu Qi neither planned to do anything in broad daylight... nor did he want to make Mei feel pressured.
He got out of bed as quietly as possible. After making sure he hadn't woken Mei and pulling the blanket over her, he walked out.
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