I've died 47 times in this game, so I've decided to sell it.

She was wearing a Taliban uniform with the sleeves rolled up high to her forearms.

Her hair was casually tied into a bun, with a few strands falling across her forehead.

She was sleeping soundly, breathing evenly, and occasionally smacked her lips, as if she were eating something delicious in her dream.

Qi Ye bent down and examined her face closely, then silently commented in his mind:

Not bad, looks like a grown-up loli.

She has a round face, a low but soft nose bridge, and long eyelashes, giving her a completely different, girl-next-door feel compared to Fu Xuan.

However, seeing how soundly she's sleeping, I'd better try to amuse her.

Qi Ye bent down and slowly approached Qing Que's face.

He turned his head, brought his lips close to Qingque's ear, and spoke in a voice that was both teasing and deliberate.

The sound was almost as soft as a breeze passing by the ear:

"Bluebird~, little sparrow~ wake up~"

Qingque's eyelashes trembled.

She seemed to hear a sound in a dream, but didn't fully realize what it was.

Qi Ye leaned forward another half inch, almost whispering in his ear, and repeated:

"Qingque~ If you don't wake up soon, I'll have your mahjong table taken away~"

Qingque's eyes suddenly opened.

The first thing she saw was Fu Xuan's face.

So close, pink strands of hair fell in front of her eyes, and the lines of her divine eyes were clearly visible in the soft light.

Then she saw a smile in Fu Xuan's eyes that she had never seen before.

Her mind went completely blank for a moment.

"Mrs……

Her voice caught in her throat, and she leaned back, losing her balance in the chair.

She and the chair tumbled to the ground with a dull thud and a series of jumbled gasps:

"Lord Taibu?!

How come... No, no, no, I wasn't being lazy, I was really organizing the scrolls, I was just too sleepy!

So I closed my eyes for a moment and accidentally fell asleep, but I really only slept for a short while.

Wait, why are you so close to me?!

She sat on the floor, frantically trying to steady the tilted chair.

He backed away while trying to push himself up from the ground.

Those eyes were wide open, staring at Fu Xuan.

He looked like he had just been dragged out of a dream and was still in a state of extreme confusion.

Qi Ye straightened up and crossed her arms over her chest.

Looking down at the "little sparrow" struggling to get up on the ground.

A wicked smile, almost never seen on Fu Xuan's face, lingered at the corner of his mouth.

"Why can't I come? Is there any place in the entire Imperial Apothecary that I can't go?"

Qingque finally got up from the ground and straightened the chair.

He huddled behind the chair, only half his head showing, cautiously watching Qi Ye:

"But...but you never...you never stand this close to talk when you come for checkups..."

"Today is special."

Qi Ye remained unfazed.

"I have a sudden urge today to experience the thrill of personally conducting a surprise inspection."

What, you have a problem with that?

"No, no, no!"

Qingque shook her head like a rattle drum.

"How could I dare to object! The Grand Diviner's decisions are always correct!"

Your Excellency may examine me however you wish!

I just felt... that your tone of voice sounded a little different today..."

Her voice trailed off towards the end.

Qi Ye's heart skipped a beat.

He quickly cleared his throat, reverting to Fu Xuan's aloof expression:

"I had some insights while deducing the formation today, and my state of mind was naturally slightly different from usual."

"What, you've also studied my state of mind?"

"No, no!"

Qingque shook her head again.

"How could I dare to study the Grand Diviner's state of mind! I was just speaking casually!"

Looking at her still-shaken expression, Qi Ye could hardly contain his laughter.

Chapter 78 Qingque, you're fired!

But he felt it could go even further.

He took a step forward, and Qingque took a step back, her back hitting the file shelf, leaving her with nowhere to retreat.

Qi Ye raised her right hand and rested it on the shelf beside Qing Que's ear.

He leaned forward, lowered his head, and brought his lips close to her ear.

The hot breath he exhaled landed on Qingque's ear.

Qingque froze on the spot, her mind going through a storm.

Lord Fu Xuan is acting strangely today, very strangely.

That way of leaning in, that tone of voice whispering in my ear,

This is completely unlike the aloof and upright diviner he usually does.

She felt her face rapidly heating up.

An extremely bold guess popped into her head.

Does Lord Fu Xuan have any special hobbies?

Have you finally decided to expose yourself after keeping it hidden all this time?

That's why they used "checking files" as an excuse to come and see me.

He even deliberately got so close to talk to me, and called me "Little Sparrow"...

Qingque felt she was going through a difficult choice: "Should I obey or rebel?"

She's usually quite lazy, but she has absolutely no experience in this kind of situation.

Should we pretend to resist, or just give in?

Would it seem too casual to just go along with it?

If I resist, will I miss out on something?

Just as she was thinking this, what Qi Ye said was completely different from what she had imagined.

"Qingque, you're fired!"

"what?!"

She looked up abruptly, all those rosy fantasies vanishing instantly, the blush on her face still lingering.

She stared, mouth agape, for a long while:

"...Lord Diviner, what did you say?"

"You're fired."

Qi Ye took half a step back, crossed her arms, and repeated herself.

Qingque's mind went blank for a moment. Then, an indescribable surge of joy welled up from the bottom of her heart.

If I get fired, I won't have to go to work anymore.

I can sleep in until I naturally wake up every day, and then go play mahjong.

Fight until you win, and you won't have to worry about being caught by the Grand Diviner or being punished by being sent to the archives anymore.

Happiness came so suddenly that she almost couldn't hold back, and the corners of her mouth began to uncontrollably turn upwards.

But she immediately realized that she couldn't laugh.

Being expelled is something to be happy about, but as a member of the Tabushi,

She should show sadness and surprise.

She took a deep breath and forcefully suppressed the smile that was about to spill from her lips.

Then he quickly changed to a shocked expression.

"Lord Taibu..."

She even lowered her head and slumped her shoulders as she spoke.

"Although I made a mistake, I have always kept your teachings in mind."

I will never forget the care you have given me in Taipusi over the years.

You must have your reasons for firing me.

I...I accept.

As she said this, she tried not to make her voice sound too lighthearted.

She even paused deliberately, as if trying to hold back her sadness.

Then she raised her head and continued sadly:

"I will remember every word you taught me, and I will never bring shame to the Tabuan in the future."

Don't worry, I will remember your kindness to me today for the rest of my life...

She almost said "gratitude," but quickly changed her words to "...teaching."

After saying these words, she thought to herself that she had done her part, and that she should have been sad enough and loyal enough.

Next, I just need to wait to complete the resignation procedures, and then I'll be free.

She was already mentally planning which mahjong parlor to go to later. This one wouldn't do; she lost too badly last time...

"good."

Looking at her expression that said, "I am sad but I am loyal," Qi Ye nodded.

"It seems you've thought it through."

"I've thought it through."

Qingque nodded quickly, maintaining her restrained expression.

“I fully support the Grand Diviner’s decision.”

"That's good."

Qiye nodded as well.

"Since you have such a good attitude, then I have made a decision—starting today, you are promoted."