We moved to Golden Courtyard

When the word 'maid' is uttered, the first thing that comes to Xu Qi's mind is those sweet and lovely anime maids dressed in maid outfits in maid cafes.

But Rita...

Are you getting the wrong idea?

Xu Qi shook his head firmly, then said hesitantly, "This should just be a hobby... right?"

"Otherwise what? Besides, not the kind of maids you find in maid cafes..."

Xu scratched his head awkwardly—hadn't Miss Rita read it all out?

"She's a real maid, so of course she does all the housework, but there are many other things to be careful about as well."

"for example?"

"For example, you need to be sufficiently perceptive. When your owner is tired, you should proactively help them relax; when your owner is sleepy, you should proactively create a good sleeping environment for them; and when your owner is troubled, you should be an excellent listener..."

Being a good maid is definitely not easy.

Xu Qi stroked his chin... To be honest, when Rita uttered the word 'master,' he shamefully... felt a little aroused.

"Yes...it's really not easy. Being a master must be tough too..."

Rita almost laughed in anger at Xu Qi's words, but she quickly understood why Xu Qi had such a feeling.

No matter how much she bent over, how could any unusual parts escape Rita's eyes?

This time, the joy she felt was so overwhelming that Rita almost cried out! How adorable, Xu Qi… trying her best to hide her embarrassing state…

Hmph~~ You really don't want to embarrass yourself in front of me?

Rita touched her lips with her fingers, a wry smile playing on her lips. She couldn't help but lean closer, this time whispering in Xu Qi's ear as if she were possessing him.

"Besides... if it's a maid... if the master has that kind of need, I probably wouldn't be able to refuse... after all, I'd also worry that the master would fire me."

What kind of unspoken workplace rule is this?!

And isn't this relationship and situation exactly like... Rita and himself right now? Manager Xu Qi and his personal secretary, Miss Rita...

"Actually, it's like right now, isn't it? What if Manager Xu is planning to do something to me..."

"No...it can't be!"

Rita was taken aback, but Xu Qi, his face flushed, quickly explained, "I... I wouldn't do anything so outrageous to Miss Rita! It's a matter of principle!"

……

"puff!"

Now I really have to cover my face with my hands before I can laugh.

Seeing Xu Qi's seemingly serious expression, Rita almost laughed until her stomach hurt, and even a few tears welled up in her eyes from laughing, making Xu Qi awkwardly twitch the corners of his mouth.

I got tricked by this woman...

It took Rita quite a while to stop laughing.

She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and when she looked at Xu Qi again, her eyes crinkled with joy, and she smiled broadly.

"Although it was a joke, I still really like it. I feel very happy and lucky to have you as my boss."

Xu Qi said viciously, "I was just joking. I'll try to sexually harass you next week."

Rita didn't care at all. Instead, she turned slightly to the side, placed her hands on Xu Qi's thighs, and leaned her whole body forward towards Xu Qi.

Xu Qi stopped breathing instantly. He leaned slightly to the side, not even daring to turn his head to look at Rita, only feeling that Miss Rita had become quite aggressive at this moment.

"Really? Then how about... we give it a try?"

?

You're provoking me!?

Xu Qi immediately turned his head, but when Rita's stunning face appeared at such close range... it was almost inevitable that Xu Qi would be stunned.

Her originally snow-white face was now flushed with an unusual blush, and her wine-red eyes seemed to sparkle as she blinked at Xu Qi, her expression playful, yet... one could see a hint of sincerity in them.

The scent of rosemary has never felt so close to Xu Qi.

Their gazes met, and they both seemed to see an indescribable emotion in each other's eyes.

It was entirely subconscious; they began to gradually and very slowly move closer to each other.

It seems that they want to extract something from the other person that they currently crave.

Rita's breathing was slightly rapid, and her misty eyes revealed a hint of bewilderment—in this continuous rain, the boy before her was like a ray of gentle sunlight.

It's so heartwarming, I can't help but want to get closer...

Xu Qi felt the same way; the rosemary before him was so mysterious and beautiful, it captivated him, making him want to explore it further…

But just as the two were about to press together—a slight force of resistance gently pressed against Xu Qi's chest. Without the slightest hesitation, Xu Qi's eyes instantly regained their clarity, and he leaned back, moving away from the Rosemary-like woman before him.

……

"call……"

Rita breathed a sigh of relief, her gaze towards Xu Qi carrying a hint of strangeness.

"Thank you."

"I'm sorry, Miss Rita, I was presumptuous."

Xu Qi stood up, equally shaken – if he had truly lost control and kissed her, his relationship with Rita… might have been truly over.

Xu Qi's intuition has always been very accurate.

If Rita had kissed him just now, she certainly wouldn't have refused; she might not even have refused his subsequent, even more outrageous, actions.

But... this also means that it's over.

After today, the only possible connection I might have with Miss Rita Roseweiser will be through work... no, perhaps even that won't happen anymore.

This Miss Rosemary will definitely stay away from me without any hesitation.

Rita also had her head down, pondering her own words and actions...

why?

Just now, it felt like I was caught in some strange vortex, wanting to get closer... wanting to take...

My mind was almost blank, with only one thought remaining—to give it a try? But why? Was it because…the other person looked a lot like Lady Durandal?

Yes, they look very similar.

At this moment, Rita finally understood why she couldn't truly feel any ill will towards Xu Qi, and why she could so quickly develop a liking for him after only a little understanding and contact.

He... looks just like Lord Durandal.

Even so, Rita Roseweiser, your actions and thoughts just now were completely inappropriate. It was as if you were treating Xu Qi as a substitute for Durandal.

This is not only disrespectful to Durandal, but also... disrespectful to Xu Qi.

"sorry."

"Forehead?"

Xu Qi turned around in surprise, after all, he felt that the fault lay entirely with him.

“Mr. Xu Qi, let’s consider what just happened an accident, but… this will not be a repeat of the previous incident.”

Can this kind of thing be brushed aside with just a "this will not happen again"?

Xu Qi was unaware of this, but it seemed that Rita no longer minded and had forgiven him for his obvious overstepping of the line.

This made Xu Qi breathe a sigh of relief.

A gentle smile returned to Xu Qi's face as he said, "Yes, there won't be a next time."

Yes, this is a one-time exception. This is not only what Rita said to Xu Qi, but also what she said to herself—Xu Qi is Xu Qi, and Durandal is Durandal; neither of them is a substitute for the other.

Rita looked at Xu Qi, who could only be described as a big boy, and her smile became even gentler.

Just as she had thought, the more she understood Xu Qi and the more time she spent with him, the more she could feel his unique charm, which made her want to get closer to him.

The reason for this might be that young people have an infuriatingly high sense of propriety.

He knew when to give enough distance, and he also knew when... he should approach forcefully.

Rita remembered the words of that charlatan—a human-shaped peach blossom spirit.

Xu Qi glanced at the rain outside the pavilion; it had subsided somewhat.

"How about we run back, Miss Rita? The rain seems to have lessened a bit."

Rita tidied herself up, including her mindset, and looked at Xu Qi with a helpless smile, saying, "Xu Qi, I'm afraid I'm not very good at running."

"Ok?"

Xu Qi looked over in confusion, then suddenly slapped his forehead—he had forgotten that Rita was wearing high heels.

Are you in a hurry to go back?

"No... not..."

It's because staying here any longer feels too awkward, and... I'm also afraid I might lose control and do something I shouldn't.

But Xu Qi certainly couldn't tell Rita these reasons.

However, he may have overlooked what an incredibly intelligent woman Rita was. After a moment's thought, he understood.

Rita sighed softly and reached out her hand to Xu Qi.

"If you're really in a hurry to get back, please take my hand and lead me back. I'm wearing high heels, so it's not convenient for me to run, but if it's just to walk a little faster, that's fine too."

……

Xu Qi looked at Rita and saw that she seemed genuinely unconcerned about the earlier incident. As he relaxed completely, he couldn't help but feel a little teasing.

"Xu Qi?"

“Miss Rita, I have a better way.”

"Ugh?"

Before Rita could react, Xu Qi suddenly bent down, reached out and hugged her!

He lifted Rita up in his arms like a princess!

Rita's instinctive reaction was not to push him away in resistance, but instead to reach out and hug Xu Qi's neck.

Rita stared blankly at Xu Qi, her mouth slightly agape. This didn't seem like a maid and her master, but rather a princess and her knight...

Rita's... knight...

"you!……"

That face, which always seemed calm and serene, couldn't help but show a hint of anger at this moment. Her eyebrows furrowed, and Rita was about to speak when Xu Qi had already taken action.

"Haha! Let's go!"

He plunged headlong into the rain, and even though he was holding someone in his arms, it didn't affect Xu Qi's movements at all.

The cold raindrops fell on her body, causing Rita to curl up in Xu Qi's arms. Xu Qi immediately bent down and shielded Rita from some of the rain.

Now, most of the rain hit Xu Qi.

Nestled in Xu Qi's arms, Rita was both amused and exasperated.

"You have such nerve...aren't you afraid I'll get angry?"

"How interesting~~ I saw Rita's angry expression just now, and it was quite beautiful."

Rita kept a straight face. This kid... he was really retaliating for the actions she had provoked earlier, wasn't he? Is he just a child?

The rain had indeed lessened considerably, with only a few cool raindrops falling on her. She looked at Xu Qi; the rain had soaked his hair, forming droplets that clung to his cheeks and dripped onto her as well.

Rita was both amused and exasperated. She had originally thought that the two of them holding hands and leaning on each other as they walked forward in the light rain would be quite a romantic experience.

And now...

like……

Ok……

With her cheeks slightly flushed, Rita nestled against Xu Qi's chest, gently inhaling his scent—passionate and unrestrained, making her want to savor it a little longer.

Interesting boy...