Moving to the Golden Courtyard

"Then why aren't you going?"

"Me? If I went, I'd have to punch him, no matter what."

Xin An couldn't help but smile, and it was at that moment that Xu Qi realized his colleague truly lived up to her reputation as the school beauty back in the day—she really was beautiful.

"You're going to resign, aren't you?"

Xu Qi was stunned. He opened his mouth wide, almost thinking that Xin An had also awakened as a New Type and could see through him, even into his heart.

"No need to be so surprised, is there? You said you'd punch him, and I don't think that's a joke—doesn't that mean you're planning to resign?"

She really understands me...

Xin An took a deep breath.

"So I think, rather than seeing him off, it's better if I see you off."

Xu Qi grinned and said, "Then you'd better be prepared to be targeted."

"Doesn't matter..." Xin An stepped forward and helped Xu Qi pack up his things. "I just think it's not right that a hero who saved so many people should end up like this."

"..."

"That day in the command hall, I heard... The branch leaders didn't dare to say it on the surface, but it wasn't hard to see that they had a lot of opinions about you. You come from the grassroots, you lack seniority, and they have too many ways to obstruct you."

Xu Qi didn't expect that Xin An could see through even this kind of thing, and that she would care about him for this reason. It was really a bit...

"I always thought you... were a rather pragmatic person."

"Actually, I still am. I'm what you'd call a sophisticated egoist. I'll do whatever actions bring me tangible benefits without hesitation.

Whether it was following your orders back then, or immediately switching to Li Fucong later, even now, I don't regret any of it."

"Then what about now? What benefit do you get from helping me?"

She carefully placed the Alahato model that Xu Qi had on his desk into bubble wrap to protect it. She knew how much Xu Qi liked that thing.

"The benefit is that it can clear my mind, it can make me feel happy, it can keep me from being so suppressed while continuing to work at this company. That's the benefit."

Such a stubborn person, I wonder if she's soft when you kiss her.

Xu Qi shook his head, throwing away these inappropriate thoughts. He was Mei's boyfriend now, and he had to keep that in mind at all times.

"Okay... Are you going to the personnel department later?"

"No, I'm just here to pack up some things. As for the resignation letter... I'll hand it directly to Chief Engineer Xia."

Xin An understood... Indeed, although Xu Qi was still at the grassroots level, a small Repair Department Six didn't have the right to accept Xu Qi's resignation.

"Have you thought about where you want to work?"

"E.T. Studio."

Xin An's expression froze. It was such a high-end place? Boy... if you could get into a company like that, why didn't you do it sooner?

"It seems I don't need to wish you a bright future."

"But I have to give you this blessing." Although there had been some unpleasantness with this woman in the past, now... Xu Qi had already let go of a lot.

Moreover, Xia Ya's matter, including the conversation just now, had changed his view of Xin An a lot.

"I hope that the next time I see you, you'll be the technical supervisor of Repair Department Six."

"I appreciate your kind words."

Holding a cardboard box, Xu Qi turned to leave.

"Wait! You forgot something."

Footsteps came from behind, telling Xu Qi that Xin An was coming up. Her footsteps were a little hurried, but Xu Qi didn't suspect anything. He turned around to see what he had left behind, and then... crowd funding group 456127940...

"Mmph!"

The woman, across the obstructive cardboard box, hooked Xu Qi's neck and kissed him...

Xu Qi was stunned, and the cardboard box in his hand fell to the ground with a thud. He stared blankly at Xin An, who had forcibly kissed him.

He hesitated for a moment, then put his arms around her.

He closed his eyes and used the still immature kissing skills he had practiced with Mei to respond to her—fortunately, Xu Qi found that Xin An also seemed to be a beginner.

From the initial hint of apprehension to the current confusion, it was exactly the same as Mei back then.

She wouldn't... still be a first-timer, would she?

This kiss didn't last too long. Xin An gently pushed Xu Qi away, the flush on her face making her look particularly alluring at this moment.

"You... don't get me wrong! I'm just... expressing my gratitude for you saving me last time... Don't get any other ideas! Got it?"

Her mouth is still so stubborn... but it felt pretty soft when I kissed her?

50. If you dare step into the kitchen, I'll cut you up! Slice you! Chop you!

"Have you decided? To resign."

"Yes, Chief Engineer Xia. I've decided."

"That's a real pity... but I respect your choice. In any case, I'm proud that Mode Capital Metro once had an employee like you."

"Thank you, Chief Engineer Xia."

"I'll handle the formalities, but... after all, the company has to consider public opinion, so the process for your resignation might take a bit longer."

"I understand."

"Well, take a good month to rest before starting your next job. Consider it a vacation for yourself."

"Of course, I'm already figuring out where to travel."

"Oh? Haha! As expected, you young people are more open-minded than we are. I wish you a bright future, Xu Qi."

"Thank you for your kind words, Chief Engineer Xia. Well... goodbye."

Stepping out of the group's building, Xu Qi immediately called Bronya.

"Are the procedures done?"

Without even a chance for pleasantries, Bronya asked the question she cared about most the moment she answered the phone. This shows how much she truly cares about Xu Qi.

"Yes, but there should be some trouble with the process. I estimate it'll take a month before I can officially resign and terminate my labor contract with the company."

"Good! Come to E.T. Studio to work directly after a month. I'll take care of all the contract aspects for you."

"So urgent?"

Xu Qi raised an eyebrow. After all, in a state-owned enterprise, he had never encountered a boss with such a swift and decisive style.

"Are you kidding me? This is Alahato's chance to turn things around. Chairman Welt has already given the go-ahead. The company's key project next is Alahato SEED."

Xu Qi scratched his head.

"And your position has also been determined. The company will set up a project studio specifically for Seed, and you will be the director of this studio, with me as your direct supervisor.

Furthermore, all of the company's resources will be tilted towards us as much as possible. The company's elites will gather in this studio. You have to lead them well..."

"Wait! Wait a minute! Me? Di... Director?" Xu Qi was a little stunned. So she wasn't joking with him back then. "Is... Isn't this a little too fast? After all, I..."

"Huh? Dare to repeat that sentence again?"

Xu Qi closed his mouth and didn't dare to speak.

"Listen! Xu Qi! At E.T. Studio, ability is always the top priority! I know that seniority comes first in state-owned enterprises, but you better understand! This is E.T. Studio! Not playing house with you!

I'm letting you lead an entire studio because I trust you! If it turns out that you don't have the ability to complete this task, I will fire you without hesitation! I mean what I say!

So you better adjust your state and mentality in a month before rolling over to work! You have to understand that this is a job that must be completed even if it means gambling your life!

Do you understand!? Xu Qi!"

Xu Qi subconsciously stood up straight. It was at this moment that he finally felt the majesty and pressure that Bronya, as the company's executive director, brought.

Even on the phone, he didn't dare to be the slightest bit careless...

"Yes! Bronya! I will definitely adjust!"

"Very good, newcomer. Consider this month your last vacation. Don't you dare complain about working overtime until dawn then."

How scary... E.T. Studio...

"Understood, Bronya."

"Xu Qi, as a friend, I'll give you one last piece of advice. I don't know what your previous income was, but as the director of a project studio, your annual salary is guaranteed to be at least 300,000.

And what matches this high salary is your work ability! Remember! Not work attitude, not work state, but ability!

At E.T. Studio, results are paramount! If you are in this position but cannot achieve corresponding results, then wait to be fired by me! Understand? Xu Qi."

"I fully understand, Bronya."

"Very good, then I wish you a pleasant holiday, goodbye."

The phone hung up, and Xu Qi let out a long sigh of relief.

What terrifying pressure... Before joining E.T. Studio, when they were simply friends, he couldn't feel it at all.

So Bronya's aura is so strong...

By the time Xu Qi returned to Golden Courtyard, it was almost dinner time.

As soon as the door opened, he smelled a rich aroma wafting from the kitchen. Walking into the living room, Elysia was sitting on the sofa, looking like she was live-streaming.

Vtubers mainly focus on chatting, and how could a cute girl like Alysia have low popularity?

Mobius and Vil-V were playing games... Hmm?

Xu Qi raised an eyebrow and went over to see what they were playing – Pro Evolution Soccer.

It felt like a very strange scene. First of all, these two women playing games together was already scary enough, let alone playing Pro Evolution Soccer.

Do you think it's appropriate for you girls to play this kind of game?

He was originally planning to see what Mei was doing, and then he saw her and Kalpas both wearing aprons in the kitchen. Kalpas was clearly the head chef, while Mei could only help with odd jobs.

"Slice the white radish into slices, thin enough for me to see your face through them, and hurry up!"

"Yes!"

"Shred the potatoes, and make sure they're all the same thickness."

"Yes!"

"Too slow! Twenty seconds!"

"Oui chef!"

Great, Hell's Kitchen, and a French Hell's Kitchen at that, but they're cooking Chinese food.

The kitchen was open, and Xu Qi watched from outside as Mei, under Kalpas's instructions, looked completely flustered. It was quite a surprise to him...

After all, it was rare to see Mei in the kitchen, much less looking so sweaty. This was her domain, but it seemed Chef Kalpas was the better cook.

Mei caught Xu Qi in the corner of her eye.

Seeing her boyfriend standing outside, watching without a care in the world, she couldn't help but say, "Are you just going to stand there and watch?"

Xu Qi turned to Kalpas.

"Brother Kalpas, can I come into the kitchen?"

"If you dare step one foot in here, I'll chop you up! Slice you! Mince you!"

Xu Qi shrugged.

Mei, thoroughly defeated, flipped Xu Qi the middle finger—to see the gentle and virtuous Mei make such a gesture showed just how much pressure Chef Kalpas was applying.

"Stop flirting with your little boyfriend! Is the beef ready yet! Huh!? If you don't want to learn, then get out!"

"Oui! chef!"

Xu Qi gave Mei a thumbs up, but he couldn't hide the gloating on his face no matter how hard he tried.