Moving into the Golden Courtyard

Leaning close to Xu Qi, Elysia stuck out her tongue.

"See? It's all because of you that I got a head-chop from Aponia."

"You'd better look for the reason within yourself."

"How could it be? Aponia wouldn't bear to hit a cute girl like me."

Xu Qi rolled his eyes, but… Elysia was right—she really was cute.

"Sigh… but Kalpas is gone, what are we going to do for breakfast? Even a beautiful girl can't skip breakfast… Right, Xu Qi?"

Looking at Elysia's watery eyes, which were staring at him pitifully, Xu Qi…

Xu Qi said expressionlessly.

"Order takeout yourself."

"Can't you order one for me?"

"No money."

"Xu Qi!!"

His heart was full of joy, but Xu Qi couldn't show it on the surface, otherwise Elysia would catch that moment of softness and tease him for a week.

Don't ask how Xu Qi knew.

He flopped onto the sofa, ready to open his phone and see what the moronic netizens were chatting about when… the phone suddenly rang.

Xu Qi was a little puzzled. Who would be calling him at this hour?

When he saw the caller's name—Xu Qi fell silent.

The joyful atmosphere gradually solidified, and Elysia seemed to notice something. She stopped joking and walked to Xu Qi's side with concern.

A glance at the caller ID revealed the contact's name—Mom.

"Aren't you going to answer it?"

Xu Qi hesitated for a long time, but finally answered the phone.

"Hello? Mom."

"Son."

Two brief greetings, followed by a long silence.

Alysia sat down next to Xu Qi. Seeing this, Xu Qi turned on the speakerphone and placed the phone on the coffee table in front of the sofa.

"Mom… is something the matter?"

"…Nothing, I just wanted to ask if you're… doing well now?"

"Yeah, not bad."

"That's good… that's good…"

"Mom, what's wrong?"

Xu Qi frowned. His heart instinctively beat faster, as if something bad was about to happen.

"Xiao Qi, your father… your father, he…"

The woman's voice was slightly tearful, clear even through the phone. Xu Qi's eyes widened, and the panic and fear in his heart rose to an unprecedented level.

"What about Father! What happened to Father!?"

"Your father… he wasn't careful going downstairs and twisted his ankle. The doctor said it's a fracture, and he can't move easily now. He can only sit in a wheelchair and needs to rest for a month."

Letting out a long sigh of relief, Xu Qi couldn't help but complain.

"That's it? Then why are you crying, Mom? Do you want me to arrange a hospital? I know a doctor who's very professional."

"Can't I cry? You've been away from home for more than half a year, and you haven't even made a single phone call in between! And… was that you a week ago!"

"…"

"Okay, Mom, I understand. I… I'll go back and take a look today. I'll hang up now, bye."

After hanging up the phone, for some reason, the phone that he had thought might be a little hot to hold actually made him feel relieved, and even many pressures seemed to have been reduced.

"Was that your mother?"

"Yeah."

Elysia's eyes softened involuntarily. It was as if she had suddenly realized… Xu Qi was just a young man in his twenties.

"You moved here in the first place because you had some conflicts with your family, but it's been half a year, Xu Qi… you really should go back and take a look."

"Yeah, actually… I don't blame them that much anymore. After all, I've already beaten those two brats and that adult, and the resentment in my heart has long been vented."

"Pfft! That's just like something you would do."

"Right?"

"I'll go back with you."

"Huh?" Xu Qi was stunned, looking at Elysia's gentle expression. He was about to refuse, but suddenly realized… it seemed like there was no reason to refuse.

"Your mother needs to know who her son's been living with for the past six months, don't you think? Xu Qi."

"...Okay, I'll pack some things. Come with me."

At that moment, Fu Hua, who had just come down from upstairs to have breakfast, overheard the entire conversation at the staircase, completely unsurprised.

Her eyes widened, and her mouth opened so wide it could probably swallow a whole steamed bun.

This... Elysia... Xu Qi... are they... meeting the parents?!

Miss Mei! Your house has been robbed!

57,Even Elysia Gets Nervous Meeting Parents

The car drove all the way into the residential area where Xu Qi used to live. Because he was going home, he dared not choose those luxury cars to drive back. Otherwise, people might think he was being kept by a sugar mama.

Well... although it seems like there's not much difference.

Besides, it was really hard to find a car of average quality in the Golden Courtyard's underground garage. There was no other way but to drive Elysia's pink Beetle.

"But don't you think... there's something strange about this?"

"Hmm? What's strange?"

"Well... do you think I need to buy some gifts? After all, it's my first time meeting your parents. Even if you don't care, it's not good to go empty-handed."

"Just bring some fruit... This is my home. Why are you so nervous?"

Elysia blinked her eyes as she looked at Xu Qi. Seeing that he didn't seem to notice anything, she couldn't help but curl the corners of her lips into a smile.

Since it was Elysia's car, Xu Qi was happy to sit in the passenger seat like a boss, enjoying the treatment of having someone drive him.

It was raining lightly in the sky. Xu Qi asked Elysia to stay in the car first. He opened an umbrella and picked her up from the car.

This made Elysia feel even stranger.

This... isn't this just like...

Her pretty face couldn't help but blush slightly. Elysia pursed her lips and obediently stayed by Xu Qi's side, sharing an umbrella with him.

Although there must be an umbrella in the car, it seemed that neither Elysia nor Xu Qi had any intention of taking it out again.

Xu Qi was also a little surprised. He always felt that Elysia was being too well-behaved today. When would she ever be so quiet usually? Not to mention on the road, she would definitely be chirping like a lark now.

But... she wasn't.

Even when she went out, she had dressed up for a long time. She was wearing a pure white pleated long skirt, and her pink hair was tied up behind her. Although it was simple, it was just right and made people's eyes light up.

She also specially picked out a pair of half-heels when she went out, which made her look taller and unconsciously showed off her enchanting figure.

So today's Elysia... was really beautiful.

"Let's go?"

"Yeah!"

"Why do I feel like you're a little nervous?"

Xu Qi was just asking jokingly, but Elysia was stunned. She said seriously, "Do I... really look that nervous?"

"Uh... maybe."

"Phew... don't scare me, Xu Qi. I don't want to leave a bad impression on your parents."

No, is this important?

To be honest, Xu Qi also felt that something was wrong, but... but she's Elysia! Can you imagine? A girl like Elysia would actually have feelings like love.

And the object is...

Xu Qi couldn't think about it.

She was so pure and beautiful, and Xu Qi didn't want his worldly thoughts to tarnish her.

When they were almost at the door, Elysia suddenly stopped.

"What's wrong?"

"I... I need a moment."

"Huh?"

Then Xu Qi saw Elysia standing at the staircase, her hand on her chest, her eyes closed tightly, taking deep breaths—she was too nervous!

After waiting for almost two minutes, she finally adjusted her mood, opened her eyes, and mustered up the courage to say, "I'm ready!"

"Why do I feel like you're going to the execution ground? Is my house that scary?"

"..."

Xu Qi sighed. He suddenly stepped forward, took Elysia's soft little hand, and bent down slightly, his eyes meeting Elysia's.

"What's wrong with you? You're too nervous... I thought you were joking at first. This isn't like you, Elysia. This is my home, and you're my..."

At this point, Xu Qi got stuck.

But Elysia, she became brave at this moment, held Xu Qi's hands back, and looked directly at him and said, "I am your what?"

"The most important friend..."

The light in Elysia's eyes dimmed slightly, causing Xu Qi to feel a pang of heartache.

Damn it! Xu Qi! You're so damn dead!

He wanted to look away, but he feared that such an action would cause even greater harm to Elysia. No one... no one could hurt this girl in front of him!

But what am I even doing?

But... what about Mei?

Xu Qi felt his heart being torn apart, the pain making it hard to breathe.

What am I... what am I thinking? What am I...

"!"

It was at this moment, as Xu Qi was caught in turmoil, that he suddenly felt a soft touch. He stood there, stunned. Elysia... had embraced him.

This was an unprecedentedly intimate contact.

The two of them were downstairs from Xu Qi's house, with a drizzle of rain falling outside. They stood there, embracing each other.

After only a moment's hesitation, Xu Qi returned the embrace, holding Alysia tightly in his arms.

The girl held on tightly, as if trying to meld Xu Qi into herself.