We moved to Golden Courtyard

Then why...?

“I thought about it a lot before. The main reason I said those things to you earlier was because I’ve always thought of you as another Mei.”

If I accept you, it's tantamount to accepting another Mei, which would be the greatest betrayal for both me and Mei.

really……

Mei's eyes held an undisguised disappointment, like a knot that stubbornly prevented her from being with Xu Qi.

"But this idea was wrong from the start."

Xu Qi held Mei's hand tightly the whole time, and when he said those words, he tightened his grip even more.

The intense touch made Mei, despite her previous disappointment, turn around to see what expression he had on his face as he made this intimate gesture.

What Mei saw was Xu Qi's apologetic eyes, and a hint of tenderness that made her heart tremble.

"You were never Mei, you are Dr. Mei, the captain of the Ptolemy. Without your cover, I wouldn't have made it to Mount Taixu so easily."

You readily agreed to tutor Gretchen this time, so you've done me a great favor.

Even without considering these factors, I felt very comfortable and happy spending these ten days together. In fact, I... never disliked you.

You are Mei, not Mei, but I've always treated you as a substitute for Mei, and by talking to myself... I've sentenced our relationship to death.

You're right to criticize me. Don't I know my own situation? Why do I have to pretend to be a good person and a devoted lover at a time like this...?

He's clearly a scumbag who's had countless girlfriends; he's incredibly hypocritical.

Mei's heart skipped a beat. She was about to refute Xu Qi's words when she saw Xu Qi shake his head.

"You're right, and you should scold me too. From beginning to end, I've only hurt you, and I've only ever hurt you."

I stopped pretending a long time ago. I am a player, I am a jerk, and when I meet a girl I like, I just don't want to let go! It's so unfair to you like this.

But I really am Mei... However, just as Mei was about to say this, she remembered what Mei had said to her earlier.

Why not try to fall in love with Xu Qi again as Mei?

……

"So I put aside those distracting thoughts that shouldn't exist, and I thought carefully about my feelings for you. I thought carefully about whether I like you?"

Mei's heart suddenly started racing.

She glanced at Xu Qi with a hint of anticipation, then quickly lowered her eyes again.

"I like you, but that's all."

Xu Qi spoke very frankly, even with a hint of rejection, but Mei's eyes still practically sparkled with joy after hearing it!

He... likes me...

I don't like Mei, I like Mei.

"What I said to you before was too harsh. I apologize. I shouldn't have said those things. You made me feel bad for Mei. There's no future for us."

Dr. Mei, you are really wonderful, just my type. And these ten days together have been so pleasant; being with Gretchen truly feels like being with family.

That feeling is amazing... You don't know, I've always longed for that scene—the wife helping the kids with their homework, the husband sitting beside her working, the whole family happily together..."

Mei pursed her lips, her face flushed, yet she couldn't help but reveal a happy smile.

How could she not long for... to live with Xu Qi like family?

She did so much, rewrote the rules of fate, and created a world where Xu Qi lived. Was it all just so she could see Xu Qi one more time?

Mei wants to be with Xu Qi, of course...

"So I'm really sorry, I'm so sorry... but I also can't understand why you had to pretend to be Mei? It really made me..."

Xu Qi looked confused, trying his best to avoid saying anything that might hurt Mei's feelings.

But Mei grabbed Xu Qi's hand in return. This time, she looked at Xu Qi with gentle yet firm eyes and said with a hint of apology.

"I apologize for this as well. I didn't consider your feelings and just did those things without thinking... I caused a lot of trouble for you and Mei. I'm sorry."

After Mei finished speaking, she felt much more at ease.

But now, looking into Xu Qi's eyes again, it felt like everything was different.

There seemed to be an unspoken understanding and a hint of joy in their eyes.

Before they knew it, their hands, which had been clasped tightly together, were now intertwined.

Xu Qi seemed surprised to receive an apology from Mei. For a moment, he felt as if he had found the same gentleness and generosity in Mei.

This... really touched his heart...

"Then we..."

"Just like before."

"before?"

Mei smiled gently, just like an older sister, showing Xu Qi a lot of tolerance.

"Don't forget, I'm still Gretsch's tutor. When I come to tutor the child again, you'll have to be there to watch."

"No problem! This can definitely be done!"

Rather, this is exactly what Xu Qi was thinking.

Xu Qi likes Mei, but that's all.

But doesn't any deep feeling start with liking someone?

The two looked at each other, concealing their joy, their smiles subtle yet reluctant to part, their fingers already clasped together.

It's strange, it feels like... I've returned to the feeling of my first love with Mei.

No, I should say... it was that period when I was in a daze with Mei, it felt like love, but it also felt like just liking her.

But Xu Qi knew in his heart that she was Mei, not Mei.

"But I never expected that after we'd been so close, all I got in return was a liking, not even love. It's really heartbreaking."

"Forehead?"

What intimacy? Xu Qi was about to ask when he suddenly realized.

Ah...that seems so. When Mei was dressed up as Mei, I even took off her clothes...hmm?

Xu Qi's gaze froze.

"You're not saying that from the very beginning... it was just you, without Mei?"

Mei glanced shyly at Xu Qi and nodded.

Doesn't that mean you did both things you should and shouldn't have done?

Xu Qi's gaze unconsciously fell on the other person's mature figure, which had a more married woman-like charm.

"If I make you leave in anger, wouldn't I really become an irresponsible jerk?"

Does that mean you're not a scumbag now?!

488. I just want to know what this lipstick tastes like.

Having both resolved their unresolved issues, their time alone together inevitably felt strangely ambiguous.

Xu Qi was especially aware that he had already been intimate with the other person countless times, and they were currently holding hands.

Take another look at Dr. Mei.

Her noticeably fuller figure stretched the clothes to create a perfect silhouette.

Like a ripe peach, it gives the impression that you could squeeze its juice out with a gentle touch. Clad in tight clothing, the taut fabric evokes endless, beautiful fantasies.

Yet she is gentle and graceful, charming but not seductive.

She is as beautiful as a peach blossom in spring and as pure as a chrysanthemum in autumn.

She exudes a strong sense of domesticity.

If it weren't for the fact that Mei's kissing skills were completely novice level and that she was often shy, Xu Qi would have mistakenly thought that she was already married.

This feels like this is exactly the kind of situation Mei and I will be in a few years after we get married.

A shy, innocent...married woman?

Holy crap, I suddenly got excited!

Could it be... that I also harbor ambitions of becoming a traitor like Cao Cao?

Xu Qi quickly shook his head – No, no, I'm a warrior of pure love!

Seeing this, Mei looked puzzled. Since just now, Xu Qi's expression had been changing inexplicably, and she wondered what he was thinking. Could it be... related to me?

Then I noticed him glancing at his own body every now and then...

With her face flushed, Mei gently patted Xu Qi and scolded, "What...what are you looking at?"

This moment of shy charm is exactly the same as Mei's back then, but with less of the naivety and more of a mature allure.

It looks even more tempting!

Xu Qi sensed something was wrong—he truly had no resistance to Mei, and to make matters worse, this Dr. Mei looked so much like her…

It won't even take ten days; if they get to know each other seriously, it might only take two days! Xu Qi will be completely captivated by the gentle embrace the other person has created.

Of course, Xu Qi is no longer the same naive college student he once was.

Seeing this, he, now a seasoned veteran, leaned forward and said softly, "I thought you were beautiful and wanted to take a few more glances. But now I realize that Dr. Mei's beauty is breathtaking."

!

Feeling deeply ashamed, Mei quickly lowered her head, speechless—how could this person be like this! He was clearly a little brother before, never saying such provocative things…

How could she know?

Xu Qi, a player known for his womanizing ways, naturally adopts a completely different attitude once he has decided that Mei is his target.

Calling him a scumbag is no exaggeration.

But when he saw a mature, beautiful woman with a unique charm, like a married woman, he lowered his head shyly like a young girl.

That fleeting moment of charm captivated Xu Qi, making his eyes widen in amazement.

Mei...please come back soon! At this rate, your husband won over in no time—one night is enough!

"But, Miss Mei, this might sound a bit narcissistic, but I've always been curious—why did you seem to have such a good impression of me from the very beginning?"

What is it about you that I like so much? I'm clearly head over heels in love with you...

But she couldn't bring herself to say it, so she just rolled her eyes with a charming expression.

Does Mei need a reason to fall in love with Xu Qi?

If I had to pinpoint Xu Qi's many virtues, they would simply be positive attributes. As for why I love him? Because Mei and I share a similar experience, because…

You are Xu Qi.

There's never any particularly specific reason for falling in love with someone.

Mei stared intently at Xu Qi, her eyes burning with an intense love that seemed to want to completely envelop him—"Perhaps it's love at first sight?"

Xu Qi's face showed a strange expression.

Love at first sight is inevitable...

"After all, if you think about it carefully, you're a womanizer and you always keep your distance from me. You'd call me whenever you thought of me, but I didn't expect you to go more than a month without contacting me."

He's fine being affectionate with other girls, but he gets angry with me after just a little bit of intimacy. Xu Qi, tell me, if it wasn't love at first sight, how could I possibly like such a terrible person?

Stop scolding, stop scolding, or the child will cry.

"But thinking about it carefully... you never hide it, you've had so many girlfriends, and everyone knows each other inside and out. Once you've got them, you'll never let go..."

Strong sense of responsibility and justice. Always treats everyone in this world with a sincere heart, giving people hope and light…

Is it... really that good?

Xu Qi scratched his head.

"Most importantly, you are Xu Qi. That's why I fell in love with you, it's that simple."