Mei secretly glared at Xu Qi and mouthed something.
Translated, it meant...
Wait for me tonight!
Xu Qi raised an eyebrow. That brazen? Then he really would have to see what Mei had up her sleeve tonight.
51. Elysia Spilled the Vinegar Jar
At dinner, it was rare to see Kevin and Yae Sakura come home from work on time. Unfortunately, Su had just called to say he needed to work overtime tonight.
"Griseo, Kosma, remember to wash your hands properly."
"Okay, Mommy Aponia."
"..."
"Hey, stupid cat, if you dare sneak a duck leg before dinner, I'll tie you up and throw you in the river."
"Ehehe... Don't, Jie Ge. I'm leaving, I'm leaving."
"Come on, Mei~~ Don't look so down. Kalpas never lets anyone into his kitchen. The fact that he's teaching you to cook proves he thinks very highly of you~~"
"Indeed. Look, when I tried to enter the kitchen just now, Jie Ge nearly killed me. So keep it up, Mei!"
"Shut up, you damn Xu Qi!"
"Hello? Yes, I've already fixed that bug. You can take it directly to demonstrate for the client tomorrow. Mm... Okay... Don't worry."
"Hmph! I clearly won! I had thirteen shots on target, which was much better than yours."
"Tsk, but you still didn't score, did you? In the end, it was still zero-zero. Vil-V, I think you really ought to study some football knowledge before competing with me again."
"Hua, I'll carry the dishes. Go sit down first."
"Hm? It's fine, Yae. You've worked all day. I can handle this little thing."
Before every dinner, everyone in the Golden Courtyard was always bustling with activity.
Everyone gathered around a large table covered with sumptuous dishes. A scene like this played out in the Golden Courtyard every day.
No one knew when the tradition had begun. In any case... dinner was best eaten together.
It was just like a large family, and Mei was now one of its members.
She sat beside Xu Qi with flushed cheeks. Even after living in the Golden Courtyard for several days, scenes like this still filled her with a strange, touching warmth.
"What's wrong? Eat. You made these sweet-and-sour ribs, didn't you? Have some more and reward yourself."
"Ah! I can serve myself..."
Xu Qi considerately put food in Mei's bowl, making everyone at the table exchange knowing smiles.
Pardofelis couldn't resist tempting fate.
"Boss, boss! I want fish!"
Mei narrowed her eyes in a smile as she looked at Pardofelis, who was sitting directly opposite her, and gently asked, "What do you want to eat? Shall I get it for you?"
Xu Qi silently mourned Pardofelis for three seconds. It feels like she's about to finish this bite and be sent on her way.
"N-no... no... no need. I was only joking, hehe..."
Beside Xu Qi, Elysia's eyes shifted. She tugged at Xu Qi's sleeve and said, "Xu Qi, I can't reach the cabbage."
"Hm?" Xu Qi had just prepared to help Elysia get some when he saw Kevin move the plate of hand-torn cabbage in front of her. In his usual cold tone, he said, "No need to thank me."
Yae Sakura and Fu Hua hurriedly covered their mouths! Their shoulders shook violently, showing just how hard they were laughing.
Vil-V and Mobius sighed at the same time and shook their heads. There's no saving him. He's already beyond help.
Kalpas was inspecting the quality of his meal and didn't notice.
Griseo asked curiously, "Mommy Aponia, what happened?"
Aponia remained as loving as ever. She stroked Griseo's head and said, "You'll understand when Little Griseo grows a little older."
Elysia looked at Kevin with an utterly pitying gaze.
"Kevin."
"Hmm?"
"There's a reason you've been single for so long."
Kevin: ???
Mei narrowed her eyes helplessly and looked past Xu Qi at Elysia.
"Elysia..."
Elysia immediately began whistling guiltily.
Xu Qi let out a long sigh, still serving Elysia some cabbage with his chopsticks. "Eat properly. Stop causing trouble."
"Hehe~~ I knew Xu Qi was the best to me!"
Of course, the price was a sharp pain in Xu Qi's right side. Mei had instinctively found the soft flesh around his waist and pinched it.
The vinegar jar had been knocked over...
Xu Qi grimaced and tried to hide it. He quickly leaned over to kiss Mei on the cheek and whispered beside her ear, "Don't make a scene. Everyone's watching."
Mei's face flushed. She glanced around the table like a thief. Everyone tactfully turned their attention elsewhere, which made her feel somewhat better.
She glared at Xu Qi, but the jealousy in her heart had lessened considerably.
Yae, sitting diagonally across from them, had taken everything in. She shook her head and sighed, "A master."
Afraid Elysia might dig another hole for him, Xu Qi cleared his throat and said, "I... resigned from my job today."
Everyone at the table paused. Mei wasn't surprised, after all. Last night... last night... Oh no, her brain was overloaded. She couldn't keep thinking about it.
"Have you decided what you'll do next?"
Kevin was always the most straightforward one. Compared with the others, he was more concerned about Xu Qi himself.
"Mm. I'll be working at E.T. Studio. But the resignation process takes a month, so I was thinking..."
Before Xu Qi could finish, clever little Pardofelis immediately understood! She raised her head, eyes shining, and said, "We're going out to play!?"
"Mm... yes."
"Oh-ho!~~ Long live Boss!"
Griseo was just as excited as Pardofelis. Her eyes sparkled like the stars as she asked, "Th-then where are we going to play, Big Brother Xu Qi?"
"We haven't decided yet. We'll have to discuss it with everyone. After all, for a trip like this, we need to see whether everyone has time off."
"I don't mind. I call the shots at the construction site." That kind of freedom was truly enviable...
Aponia also nodded.
"The church can give me time off whenever necessary."
Several people who hadn't started work yet—Fu Hua, Griseo, Kosma, and Mei—didn't mind either. They were already on summer vacation, so they had plenty of time.
Elysia minded even less. She was a VTB, completely self-employed! The moment she heard Xu Qi's suggestion, she began considering whether she should make a vlog and cash in on the traffic.
As for Vil-V and Mobius...
The two great researchers raised both hands in agreement.
"Perfect. I've nearly grown mold from staying indoors."
"I don't care. Any place can be a laboratory."
So the only people who really needed consideration were Kevin, Su, and Yae. Oh, and Eden... She was the most difficult one.
"According to universally accepted theory," Kevin said coolly, "I happen to want to relax too. But you'll have to wait a week. Once I finish my project, I should be able to go."
Yae smiled.
"That really is a coincidence. So do I. I was already planning to travel in July, and the company hasn't been busy lately. I can spare half a month to go out and have fun."
Xu Qi was overjoyed. He hurriedly said to Kevin, "Call Su. I'll contact Sister Eden."
"Su should be fine too. He told me last time that a professor specializing in surgery would be coming in July for a month-long surgical seminar, while also working at the hospital during that time."
"He can cover Su's shifts perfectly. So even if you hadn't brought it up, he was already planning to travel in July."
Really?
"Th-then doesn't that mean..."
"If Eden can come too... won't everyone from the Golden Courtyard be able to have a little group trip?"
Xu Qi looked at his phone and suddenly felt... the weight of responsibility on his shoulders.
52. Do Me a Favor
"Hello? Elysia, what's up?"
"It's me! Sister Eden!"
"Xu Qi?"
Eden had been about to go to sleep in the middle of the night. The moment she heard Xu Qi's voice, her eyes lit up, and all traces of drowsiness vanished.
She was wearing silk pajamas. Even while sitting on the bed, her ample chest still proudly displayed its healthy curves. Unfortunately, no one was there to appreciate such beauty.
For a woman as noble as Eden, it was difficult to imagine any man getting the chance to see her lying on a bed in her pajamas.
"It's unusual for you to call. Did something good happen?"
Her tone was calm and unhurried, as though nothing in the world could ever make this noble woman lose her proper grace.
"Sister Eden, everyone at the Golden Courtyard is planning to travel in July. Are you free?"
Eden froze and instinctively asked, "Are Su, Kevin, and Yae free?"
She had really hit the nail on the head... After all, apart from Eden herself, those three were the busiest people in the entire Golden Courtyard. They had to work overtime every day.
"They're all free!"
Hearing the excitement and anticipation in Xu Qi's voice, Eden couldn't help smiling.
"They aren't free. They're only accommodating you because you finally have a long vacation."
Hearing Eden's words, Xu Qi couldn't help glancing at Kevin and Yae.
Thinking back to what they had said earlier... it did indeed seem as though they had forced some time out of their schedules. They had simply made it sound easy so Xu Qi wouldn't find out.
At that thought, Xu Qi felt a warmth spread through his heart.
"What month did you say it was?"
"July, Sister Eden. Are you free?"
"They're all free. How could I not be? Just tell me where you decide to go, and I'll fly over directly."
"Great! I won't disturb your rest, Sister Eden. Bye-bye!"
"Mm. Goodbye, Xu Qi."
After hanging up, Eden thought of that excited voice and couldn't help smiling.
She checked her schedule and made a call.
"Hello? Boss."
"Anna, cancel all the activities scheduled for July."
Before you continue