Mei, I Absolutely Won't Let Go (Continued)

"Then why aren't you going?"

"Me? If I went over there, I'd have to punch him at least once."

Xin An couldn't help smiling. It was also at that moment that Xu Qi realized his colleague truly lived up to her former reputation as the campus belle—she really was beautiful.

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

Xu Qi froze and opened his mouth wide. For a moment, he almost thought Xin An had awakened as a New Type, capable of seeing straight through to his thoughts.

"Is there any need to be so surprised? You said you'd punch him. I don't think you were joking—doesn't that mean you're planning to resign?"

She really does understand me...

Xin An took a deep breath.

"So I think, rather than seeing him off, I'd rather see you off."

Xu Qi grinned. "Then you'd better be prepared to be given a hard time."

"I don't care..." Xin An walked over and helped Xu Qi pack his things. "I just feel that it isn't right for a hero who saved so many people to end up in this situation."

"..."

"That day in the command hall, I heard it... Those branch leaders didn't dare say anything openly, but it wasn't hard to tell that they had a lot of objections to you. You came up from the grassroots and have little seniority. They have plenty of ways to obstruct you."

Xu Qi hadn't expected Xin An to see even this sort of thing. And that she would actually care about him for such a reason was rather...

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

"I still am, actually. The term 'refined egoist' describes me perfectly. If an action can bring me tangible benefits, I'll do it without hesitation.

"Whether it was obeying your orders back then or immediately switching sides to Li Fucong afterward, I don't regret any of it—not even now."

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

She carefully placed the Alahato model Xu Qi had set on the desk into bubble wrap. She knew how much he liked the thing.

"The benefit is that it clears my mind, lifts my mood, and lets me continue working at this company without feeling so repressed. That's the benefit."

Such a stubborn woman. I wonder if she's soft when kissed.

Xu Qi shook his head and threw away those inappropriate thoughts. He was Mei's boyfriend now, and he had to remember that at all times.

"All right... Are you going to Human Resources later?"

"No need. I'm only here to pack up some things. As for my resignation... I'll submit it directly to Chief Engineer Xia."

Xin An understood. Indeed, although Xu Qi was still technically a grassroots employee, a small department like Maintenance Department Six didn't have the authority to accept his resignation.

"Have you decided where you'll work?"

"E.T. Studio."

Xin An froze. That was such a prestigious place? Kid... If you could get into a company like that, what were you doing before?

"Looks like I don't need to wish you success in your future career."

"But I have to give you this blessing." Although he had once had some unpleasant friction with this woman, Xu Qi had already let go of much of it.

Besides, Xia Ya's matter and their conversation just now had greatly changed his opinion of Xin An.

"I hope that the next time I see you, you'll already be the technical director of Maintenance Department Six."

"I'll take your word for it."

Holding a cardboard box, Xu Qi turned to leave.

"Wait! You forgot something."

Footsteps came from behind, telling Xu Qi that Xin An had walked over. Her steps sounded somewhat nervous, but Xu Qi didn't suspect anything. He turned around to see what he had left behind, and then...

"Mm!"

The woman hooked an arm around Xu Qi's neck over the annoying cardboard box and kissed him...

Xu Qi froze. The cardboard box in his hands fell to the floor as he stared blankly at Xin An, who had forcefully kissed him.

After hesitating for a moment, he still wrapped his arms around her.

He closed his eyes and used the immature, still-unpolished kissing technique he had practiced with Mei to respond to her. Fortunately, Xu Qi discovered that Xin An seemed to be a beginner as well.

From her initial nervousness to her current helpless confusion, she was exactly like Mei had been back then.

Could this really be her first kiss?

The kiss didn't last long. Xin An gently pushed Xu Qi away. The flush on her face made her look especially alluring.

"You... Don't misunderstand! I just... wanted to thank you for saving me last time... Don't get any other ideas! Got it?"

Her mouth is still so stubborn... Even though she felt pretty soft when she kissed me.

50, if you dare set foot in the kitchen, I'll chop you up! Cut you open! Mince you!

"Have you really made up your mind? About resigning."

"Yes, Chief Engineer Xia. I've made up my mind."

"What a shame... 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 procedures, but... the company has to take public opinion into account, so the resignation process may take a little longer."

"I understand."

"Good. Before starting your next job, take a month to rest properly. Consider it a vacation."

"Of course. I've already started thinking about where to travel."

"Hm? Hahaha! As expected, you young people are more open-minded than we are. I wish you success in your future career, Xu Qi."

"I'll take your word for it, Chief Engineer Xia. Well then... goodbye."

······

After walking out of the group headquarters, Xu Qi immediately called Bronya.

"Are the procedures all done?"

Bronya didn't even give him a chance to exchange pleasantries. The moment she answered, she asked the question she cared about most. It was clear from this alone how much she cared about Xu Qi.

"Yes, but the process will probably be troublesome. It looks like I'll have to wait a month before I can formally resign and terminate my employment contract with the company."

"Good! After a month, just come straight to E.T. Studio to work. I'll take care of the entire contract process."

"That soon?"

Xu Qi raised an eyebrow. After all, he had never encountered a superior in a state-owned enterprise who acted with such decisiveness.

"Are you kidding? This is Alahato's comeback battle. Chairman Welt has already made the final decision. From now on, the company's key project is Alahato SEED."

Xu Qi scratched his head.

"Your position has also been decided. The company will establish a dedicated project studio for SEED, and you'll be the director of that studio, while I'll be your direct superior.

"Furthermore, all the company's resources will be tilted toward us as much as possible. The company's elites will gather in that studio by then, so you'd better lead them properly..."

"Wait! Wait a minute! Me? The... director?" Xu Qi was somewhat dazed. So she hadn't been joking with him back then. "This... isn't this a little too fast? After all, I..."

"Huh? Do you dare repeat that?"

Xu Qi shut his mouth and didn't dare say anything.

"Listen, Xu Qi! At E.T. Studio, ability always comes first! I know that seniority comes first in state-owned enterprises, but you'd better understand this! This is E.T. Studio! We're not playing house here!

"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'll fire you without hesitation! I mean what I say!

"So after this month, you'd better adjust your condition and mindset, then get your ass over here to work! You need to understand that this is a task that must be completed even at the cost of your life!

"Do you understand, Xu Qi?!"

Xu Qi instinctively straightened up. Only at that moment did he finally feel the majesty and pressure that came from Bronya's position as the company's senior executive director.

Even over the phone, he didn't dare show the slightest disrespect...

"Yes! Bronya! I'll definitely adjust myself!"

"Good, rookie. Treat this month as your last vacation. Once you get here, you'll be working until midnight, so don't complain."

E.T. Studio is terrifying...

"Understood, Bronya."

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

"And matching that high salary is your ability to work! Remember! Not your work attitude, and not your state of mind, but your ability!

"At E.T. Studio, results come first! If you hold this position but can't achieve the corresponding results, then wait for me to fire you! Do you understand, Xu Qi?"

"I understand completely, Bronya."

"Good. Then enjoy your vacation. Goodbye."

The call ended, and Xu Qi let out a long breath.

What terrifying pressure... Before joining E.T. Studio, when I interacted with her simply as a friend, I couldn't feel it at all.

So Bronya's aura is this powerful...

······

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

The moment he opened the door, he smelled a rich aroma drifting from the kitchen. When he entered the living room, Elysia was sitting on the sofa, apparently livestreaming.

VTubers were all about chatting, and how could a cute girl like Elysia possibly lack popularity?

Mobius and Vil-V were playing a game... Hm?

Xu Qi raised an eyebrow and went over to see what they were playing—live-action soccer.

The combination felt incredibly bizarre. First of all, the fact that these two women were playing games together was already frightening enough, let alone the fact that they were playing live-action soccer.

Do you two really think it's appropriate for girls to play this sort of game?

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

"Slice the white radish. Make it thin enough for me to see your face through it. Move!"

"Yes!"

"Julienne the potatoes. They must all be the same thickness."

"Yes!"

"Too slow! Twenty seconds!"

"Yes, chef!"

Wonderful. Hell's Kitchen—and a French Hell's Kitchen at that—but the dishes being prepared were Chinese cuisine.

The kitchen was open-plan. Xu Qi leaned around the entrance and watched Mei flail about under Kalpas's instructions. It was truly surprising...

After all, it was rare to see Mei covered in sweat in the kitchen. This was her home turf, yet it seemed Chef Qian was still one step ahead.

Mei noticed Xu Qi out of the corner of her eye.

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

Xu Qi spoke to Kalpas.

"Jie Ge, can I come into the kitchen?"

"If you take even one step into the kitchen, I'll chop you up! Cut you open! Mince you!"

Xu Qi shrugged.

Mei, too, gave Xu Qi the finger in complete agreement. The fact that gentle and virtuous Mei had been driven to make such a gesture showed just how much pressure Chef Qian was putting on her.

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

"Yes, chef!"

Xu Qi gave Mei a thumbs-up, but the schadenfreude on his face was impossible to hide.