Want to Make Some Big News?

Xia Ke'an's mind was a mess inside the hospital room, and Xia Wuyou wasn't doing much better outside.

She was doing even worse—at least Xia Ke'an still had something to talk about with Xu Shi, while she had absolutely nothing to say to Su Lin, who sat beside her.

The atmosphere had frozen solid, and the pressure radiating from the other woman left her at a loss.

So, on an impulse, she held out the watermelon in her hand.

"Director Su... would you like some?"

"..."

Looking at the watermelon with a bite already taken out of it, Su Lin's gaze at Xia Wuyou turned rather strange.

Only then did Xia Wuyou realize what she had done, her cheeks flushing red. What are you doing, Xia Wuyou?!

That was far too rude... Fortunately, Su Lin eventually accepted the watermelon and softly replied, "...Mm, thank you."

But that was all. She merely held it without eating it and said nothing more. "...Director Su, do you dislike me?"

Seeing her expressionless face, Xia Wuyou tilted her head and barely managed to regain her composure before cautiously asking the question.

"..."

Su Lin paused, clearly surprised by her blunt question.

But she was straightforward by nature. Since she had been asked, she answered frankly, "Yes. I do find you somewhat unpleasant."

With the subject laid bare, the distance between them instead seemed less severe than before. Xia Wuyou even felt a little relieved. "...May I know why?"

"I think you know the answer to that question better than I do."

Meeting her gaze, Su Lin said, "But if you insist on asking, I can only say it's because of your attitude toward Young Master."

"Everyone says the master is kindhearted, but if he were the one handling this matter, you—and your aunt—would probably be dead without even a trace left."

She spoke calmly. "Yet Young Master was willing to give you a chance even after learning of your betrayal, and he even offered you such generous terms."

"Although I can't fully understand Young Master's intentions, I don't think it was entirely because of your ability."

That was true. With Serpent Coil's strength, there had been no need to treasure an A-class Ascendant like some priceless gem.

So, in Miss Su Lin's eyes, Xia Wuyou had been treated so exceptionally by Xu Shi yet remained hesitant and indecisive. It inevitably made her seem ungrateful.

"I... I just..."

Xia Wuyou couldn't refute her, because Su Lin was entirely right.

At the very least, her aunt's condition had been brought under control, and her own worries had lessened considerably.

She no longer had to deal with bills demanding payment like snowflakes, and work had become much easier as well.

Xu Shi had never restricted her freedom, either—he had never used Xia Ke'an to threaten her or anything of the sort. She could visit whenever she wanted... In fact, she had spent every night these past few days sleeping in the companion bed.

Not only could she stay by her family's side, but the environment here was far better than the place she had rented.

And that was after she had betrayed the company first... Honestly, calling what Xu Shi had done "tolerant" wasn't an exaggeration at all.

If she examined it more closely, Xia Wuyou could clearly sense the gratitude she felt for him deep down. Honestly, she had no reason to resist him... But she also knew why she did: it was nothing more than the filter she still held for her childhood sweetheart.

"Director Su, have you never encountered a similar situation?"

Xia Wuyou quietly sighed and changed the subject.

"No. I don't have those messy entanglements of yours."

Su Lin answered without hesitation. "Even if I did, I could still make the right choice."

"Because I know what it is I serve."

Then you really are... Xia Wuyou couldn't help criticizing her inwardly, feeling that she was a little too blindly loyal.

But on second thought, she was also a little envious of Su Lin. If she could truly be like her, things would undoubtedly be much easier.

The right choice... was it?

Xia Wuyou blinked and began thinking seriously.

"What are you talking about?"

However, just as she was getting started, Xu Shi's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Some work-related matters."

Su Lin answered first. "Young Master, did you have a pleasant conversation with Miss Xia?"

"Quite pleasant."

Xu Shi smiled meaningfully. "Come on, Su Lin. Let's go home and stop disturbing Team Leader Xia and her aunt's time together."

"But don't relax too much. You'll be assigned a mission tomorrow or the day after."

"What kind of... Yes, I understand."

Xia Wuyou had wanted to ask what it was, but stopped herself before the words left her mouth.

She wanted to try thinking the way Su Lin did.

Naturally, Xu Shi didn't miss her hesitation.

He looked at her, then at Su Lin, and more or less guessed what had happened between them.

It seemed Miss Su Lin always managed to give him a helping hand without even realizing it.

As for how much her nurturing would make the flower bloom, that was hard to say.

For the moment, Xia Wuyou's thoughts could be set aside. But someone else's transformation had truly become more visible by the day.

Inside a room in the basement, Gu Yi's hands flew across the keyboard as she became an elegant pianist, dominating the game.

This was amazing. Living here was seriously amazing!

Everything here was top-tier equipment she had once only dreamed of owning. For someone like her, it was practically paradise.

The living conditions were beyond criticism as well. Ever since moving in, she had eaten and lived alongside Xu Shi and Su Lin... Fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat—even the most expensive seafood in Night Sin City—were standard fare on Xu Shi's table.

Combined with Sister Su Lin's exquisite cooking, Miss Black Rabbit practically wanted to swallow her tongue every time she ate.

Over this period, she had visibly put on a little weight. At the very least, she had reached a healthy, balanced figure instead of looking as thin and malnourished as before.

And if one had to summarize her current mood, it could probably be put into four words.

This felt amazing.

So this was what life was like for filthy rich people?

Just as she was about to unwrap a lollipop, a hand rested on her shoulder from behind.

"Playing games during work hours? I'm docking a month's salary."

"...Y-you-you, shouldn't you knock before entering someone's room...?"

Caught slacking off by Xu Shi, Gu Yi stiffly turned her head and stammered in protest, "Besides, I've already finished everything I was supposed to do. What's wrong with playing some games...?"

That wasn't false.

Over the past month or so, Serpent Coil's security system had completed an upgrade and iteration through her efforts. According to Miss Black Rabbit, even the top three hackers on the rankings might not be able to breach it.

Xu Shi had no doubt about that, because he believed Gu Yi possessed that level of ability.

"But that isn't a reason for you to play games, Manager Gu."

"Then what do you want me to do...?"

"Get this straight. Even if you work from home, you're still an official Serpent Coil employee. Even if you're just staring blankly at the computer, you need to wait until after work before doing anything unrelated to your job."

"Huh? Isn't that a little... Eeeeeeeek!"

Gu Yi had just wanted to argue when the electric current from her collar interrupted her spellcasting. "I—civilized language... Eeeeeek!"

This level of electric current wouldn't actually harm the human body, but it was enough to make her suffer a little.

Xu Shi knew very well that a brat like her would start tearing up the roof if left unpunished for three days. She needed to be taught a lesson now and then.

"Wah, I-I understand, Chairman Xu... I was wrong."

When the current stopped, Miss Black Rabbit agreed miserably, while inwardly cursing Xu Shi as a huge jerk who only knew how to bully people.

"Good. Don't let it happen again."

"Oh, right. Is there something you need?"

"Yes. I have a task for you."

"...Go ahead." Gu Yi didn't dare talk back anymore.

"Do you want to return to the scene as Black Rabbit and make some big news?"