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

Breathing in the faint floral fragrance lingering in her long hair, Xu Qi was helplessly intoxicated by it.

"It's all right, Xu Qi. It's all right..."

Elysia gently embraced Xu Qi, her eyes filled with affection.

Elysia liked everyone and loved everyone, but when it came to Xu Qi... that fondness and love seemed somehow... heavier.

"You're the one who was nervous beyond belief, so why are you comforting me instead?"

"Because I could feel it."

"Feel what?"

"I could feel the struggle in your heart. As long as that exists, I'm already satisfied."

At least it proved... that he occupied more than not even the slightest place in her heart.

Xu Qi patted her back, signaling that Elysia could let go.

"Alysia."

"Hmm?"

"Are you willing to trust me?"

"Of course I'm willing to trust you~~"

"Why?"

"You're Xu Qi, and I'm Alysia. Alysia will always trust Xu Qi. It's as simple as that~~"

This girl seemed like God's most perfect creation. Sometimes, Xu Qi would even wonder: if there really were a god in this world, then that god had undoubtedly favored him.

Because God had let him meet Mei, then Alysia, and even everyone in the Golden Courtyard.

With something so fortunate happening to him, what right did he have to complain about the world?

I've long been surrounded by love.

"I'll find a way to accomplish what Yae mentioned."

"Huh?" Elysia blinked in confusion. After all... what did this have to do with Yae?

Of course, this was a secret he couldn't tell Elysia—or Mei.

"Let's go. I'll introduce you to my parents first."

Elysia's normally composed face immediately flushed at Xu Qi's words.

"You... you realized it already..."

Xu Qi smiled knowingly.

"I'm not a blockhead. It's just... just hard for me to believe."

"Hmm? Believe what?"

"Nothing."

"Don't start acting all mysterious like Su! Always speaking in riddles."

"Get out of Gotham, Riddler!"

"Why are you the one complaining? Isn't this the pot calling the kettle black?"

58, Elysia: He's bullying me!

Though there had been some twists and turns along the way, Xu Qi ultimately still brought Elysia to ring his family's doorbell.

Half a year...

Even when he was young, he probably would have found it hard to imagine leaving home for half a year without returning.

Perhaps it was the anxiety of returning home after a long absence. Xu Qi actually felt a little nervous as he looked at the extremely familiar door before him and took a deep breath.

Thinking about it now, half a year ago, after the neighbor's child broke his figurine, Xu Qi had chosen to move out because no one had understood him.

He certainly didn't regret any of it. Rather... if he hadn't chosen to go to the Golden Courtyard back then, that would have been what he truly regretted.

That said, Xu Qi hadn't actually been angry when he left home.

He had merely felt that... perhaps he really was no longer suited to living with his parents.

But speaking of it, after not returning home for half a year, he had brought back a—female friend? Well, if she wasn't his girlfriend, it really would be difficult to explain her presence to his parents.

If Mei hadn't gone to participate in the mathematical modeling competition, Alysia definitely wouldn't have suggested coming along. Mei would certainly have come instead.

That would have been perfectly aboveboard, but now...

Something felt strange. Hopefully, his parents would be able to accept this arrangement later—a confidante? Yes! That was it, a confidante!

······

"So... you and Xu Qi are living together?"

"Yes! That's right, Uncle. I go to his room every night to play games."

Living together meant living under the same roof. It sounded right enough, but it wasn't!

In Xu Qi's family's living room, Xu Qi's father, Xu Youde, couldn't help glaring at his son, who could only smile sheepishly beside him. He then hurriedly asked Elysia, "Oh, dear... you've suffered. Has Little Qi ever bullied you?"

Elysia froze, and Xu Qi's heart tightened. He hurriedly signaled to Elysia in secret.

Unfortunately, Elysia didn't see him and answered instinctively.

"Of course! He bullies me every day!"

"Smack!" Xu Qi slapped his forehead and dragged one hand down to cover his face. I'm so screwed.

"Little Qi, that's not right."

Xu Qi's mother, Lin Lai, set a plate of fruit on the coffee table. Then she sat down beside Elysia with a beaming smile, the satisfaction in her eyes completely undisguised.

Xu Qi knew that there was no way he could explain himself now...

Though he should have expected it, and though this situation was actually partly of his own making... it still felt strange somehow...

"Oh? By the way, Alysia, when did you and Little Qi get together?"

"Huh?" Elysia's face flushed bright red. She hurriedly waved her hands. "No, no, Xu Qi and I... Xu Qi and I aren't together yet."

As soon as she said that, Xu Qi's parents looked at Xu Qi differently again.

Xu Qi felt that if his father's leg hadn't been immobilized in a cast, he would definitely have kicked him.

He had already thought of the reason: Such a wonderful girl is willing to come home with you. Don't just be thinking about fooling around and end up letting her down!

What kind of charm is this...

Xu Qi felt that he should change the subject quickly, so he asked, "Dad, is your leg all right?"

"It's fine. The doctor said I only need to rest for a month. I hadn't planned on having your mother tell you about it either. She insisted on making the call herself."

"All right, all right. It was my idea."

His mother's words carried a hint of helplessness.

But Xu Qi understood that his father had hoped he would come home. It was just that... it was somewhat embarrassing for an old man to admit it openly.

"Little Qi, now that you're home, can you stay for a few more days?"

Xu Qi opened his mouth, but when Xu Youde saw his son's troubled expression, he immediately waved a hand. "Stay for what? You talk too much every day."

"..."

Seeing this, Elysia hurriedly explained, "Um! Uncle, Auntie, actually... actually, it's because we already made plans to go traveling next week, so... so it isn't very convenient."

Traveling?—A honeymoon!

The older couple immediately beamed, leaving Xu Qi able only to twitch the corner of his mouth.

There was really no way to explain this. The key point was that Elysia hadn't lied either. Everything she said was true; she had simply concealed some crucial information.

Regardless, it seemed that what had happened half a year ago was already in the past.

Neither Xu Qi nor his parents had brought it up. It was as though... everyone had already come to terms with many things.

The family happily ate lunch together, after which Xu Youde called Xu Qi into his room.

"Dad."

"The person on television a week ago... that was you, right?"

"...Yes."

A long silence followed.

"Back then... we pushed you too hard. Your mother and I have thought about it a lot these past six months. You've grown up... As for where you go and what path you take, you can choose for yourself. We... won't force our interference on you anymore."

As Xu Youde said this, he seemed to age ten years in an instant, but... his mental state visibly improved.

Xu Qi couldn't help smiling.

"Even if you wanted to interfere, I'd resist."

"You little brat... still going through a rebellious phase? Aren't you?"

Father and son exchanged a glance, then burst into laughter.

"Go and do what you want. As for me... I won't keep you here. I just wanted to tell you that you'll always have a home here. When you have time... remember to come back and visit your mother."

"I will, Dad."

"Mm. And another thing... this Elysia, is she... a foreigner?"

Xu Qi froze. Come to think of it, he really hadn't considered that question carefully.

"Regardless, she seems like a good girl. Your father has been around, after all. I can tell she likes you. You can't let her down."

Xu Qi fell silent for a moment. So even his father could see what this relationship was...

"Tonight, you and the girl can stay here. Your mother has kept the room clean."

"Mm... Mm? Wait, no, uh, this..."

"What? Is something inconvenient? We don't have that many spare rooms. Otherwise, you can sleep in the living room."

Xu Qi felt that... Xu Qi felt it would be better to make do and share a room.

······

That night, in Xu Qi's room.

"Huh? Huh!? To... tonight... we're staying here tonight?"

Sitting on Xu Qi's bed, Elysia's face was flushed with embarrassment, and her expression was filled with surprise.

"Otherwise... should I take you home?"

"Would you come back afterward?"

"Yes."

"Then I'm not going back."

"?"

Elysia pursed her lips and thought for a moment before saying doubtfully, "How about... you sleep in the living room?"

"You really don't consider yourself an outsider, do you?"

"What's the big deal? You haven't even confessed to me!"

As soon as she said it, the atmosphere in the room fell silent again. Elysia lowered her head, realizing that she seemed to have said the wrong thing.

Xu Qi shifted restlessly. After thinking it over, he still chose to stand and said, "I'll sleep on the couch."

However, the moment he rose, he felt someone lightly tug at the hem of his clothes.

Elysia sat on the bed with her head lowered. After hesitating for a long while, she finally summoned the courage to say, "A... anyway, there are two quilts. We can... make do for one night."