We moved to Golden Courtyard

"Let's go, I'll lead the way this time."

512. What you can't have always seems more alluring.

The term "opening the way" is, of course, literally what it means.

Xu Qi walked ahead, passing through the dormitory, and the next place was a toilet.

Countless white cloths hung down, frightening Mei and Delta into thinking that behind each cloth, a vengeful ghost might jump out and startle them at any moment.

But only Xu Qi knew... there was no one here.

She's quite adept at psychology.

After experiencing the previous dormitory scene, this level doesn't even need a single NPC to create a sense of oppression.

Xu Qi then found a hidden passage in one of the stalls, and the moment he led everyone out of the restroom, the vengeful ghost jumped out from the secret compartment!

This time, Delta finally couldn't hold back and threw a punch in fright! But Xu Qi, with quick eyes and hands, stopped her.

Actually, the vengeful ghost was originally going to capture someone and make them act alone later. But out of gratitude to Xu Qi, the person simply left.

Working in a haunted house must be really tough...

Further ahead, there was another long corridor, where a petite female ghost dressed in black stood before everyone.

Even though the person was just standing there quietly, Mei was still startled when she turned the corner and saw them.

Hmm...good, Xu Qi was hugged tightly again.

If you were to ask what people think of this haunted house?

The evaluation is very mild...

Perhaps because the female ghost also appeared petite and delicate, Delta was no longer afraid this time and was about to step forward to bypass the black-clad female ghost and head to the corridor.

As a result, Delta stopped the other person when they reached out.

"Huh? What does this mean? You're not letting me through?"

The female ghost in black did not answer.

Delta seemed to want to prove to Xu Qi that she hadn't been scared, so she glared at him and said, "I'm going anyway! Do you think I'm easily frightened?"

But no sooner had he finished speaking than...

Heavy footsteps echoed at the end of the corridor.

The dim lights gradually came on, and a tall figure dressed as a skull-crushing doctor, holding a blood-stained spiked club, paused for a few seconds...

It charged towards Delta in an instant!

"what!!"

Another scream erupted, and Delta fled in a panic in another direction.

Seeing this, Xu Qi had no choice but to follow—of course, he knew that this was the way to go.

This time, however, they arrived at a funeral hall where a coffin was placed.

Delta looked completely exhausted. She trembled as she clung to Xu Qi's arm, no longer caring about her image as an older sister. At this moment, only Xu Qi's presence gave her a sense of security.

So Xu Qi went from having one person hanging on him to having two people hanging on him.

The review is that it's small and cozy—I mean, the haunted house.

Just as everyone was searching for a way out, they heard some noises behind them.

Startled, Delta and Mei quickly turned around, and as if in perfect unison, the coffin lid behind them suddenly opened the moment they turned, giving them another fright.

The two little girls were also quite frightened. Seeing that their older sister was holding Xu Qi, they rushed over to her as well!

The result was that when the NPC playing the female ghost stood up from the coffin... she suddenly started to question the meaning of life...

What kind of scene is this? One man and four women? And three little girls!?

How can she have so many children?

"Uh..." Xu Qi looked at himself, who was practically covered in people, and had no choice but to ask, "Hello, is there anything I can help you with?"

Why are you asking me what I need in this haunted house?

Are you alright?

Fortunately, this is indeed a part where you can interact with NPCs.

The female ghost jumped out of the coffin—and surprisingly, she was kind of cute. Oh no, Xu Qi felt she could no longer immerse herself in any of the scary atmosphere.

She looked around, then pointed at Xu Qi, and then at the coffin.

"Um...does that mean I should lie down in a coffin?"

The female ghost nodded.

Xu Qi was about to agree when Delta stopped him in an instant!

"Wait a minute!...Xu Qi, I heard from the staff at the entrance that there might be situations where people are forced to leave inside. From now on, you'll be traveling alone."

Are you sure...you want to go?

Xu Qi blinked.

"But I'm not afraid!"

But I'm scared!

Fortunately, Delta didn't need to say those words, because Mei tightened her grip on Xu Qi's arms and quickly said, "No, no! Xu Qi, don't go, stay with me..."

Her words were full of a tender longing to be protected, and the fact that the other person was holding her tightly, the voluptuous touch made Xu Qi feel as if her body was about to go limp.

"Okay... alright... cough!... Sister ghost, look, can I not go?"

As he spoke, Xu Qi revealed a faint smile and looked at the female ghost.

Beneath that eerie wig… the female ghost suddenly blushed—he seemed kind of handsome…

So he reached out and only touched the boisterous Rosalia.

"Ugh!? No way, it's too scary to be alone... Lilia! Come keep me company!"

"No matter how you look at it, there's no way anyone could be there for this kind of thing..."

Before Lilia could finish speaking, she saw the ghost move her finger toward herself again.

It seems that sometimes, we shouldn't speak too absolutely.

After watching the two little girls slide down the coffin like they were on a slide, the rest of the journey became Xu Qi accompanying Mei and Delta.

Throughout the journey, Xu Qi was either being held tightly by Mei or Delta.

He really couldn't believe that Miss Delta, who was usually so dignified, could have such a cute side.

But there's one thing Xu Qi finally understands.

For couples, haunted houses are indeed a great dating spot, provided they are scary enough.

After experiencing all the scenes, Mei and Delta ran faster than anyone else when they saw the lights at the exit. It truly felt like they had been redeemed.

The two bent over, supporting themselves on their knees, and gasped for breath at the exit of the haunted house.

It was indeed quite scary. NPCs were dressed as ghosts everywhere along the way, and later they even maliciously gave them a light bulb that looked like a red candle.

In the pitch black, most people can't help but turn on their lights and walk around, thus becoming easy targets for NPCs...

I led the two to an empty table and they sat down. Now I finally understood why the outside of this haunted house was decorated like a tea restaurant.

"Take a break, how was it?"

Mei nodded frantically. Seeing Xu Qi sitting beside her, she grabbed his arm and leaned close to him. Now she really couldn't live without Xu Qi.

Upon seeing this, Delta's eyes flashed with envy, but she quickly composed herself and frowned as she asked, "Where are the two little ones?"

"They're still inside and haven't come out yet. I just asked the staff, and they're having a blast and don't want to leave."

"..."

Mei stared with her big, watery eyes.

"Xu Qi, I was so scared just now..."

Now she really looked like a three-year-old child, her face pale, and her delicate and helpless appearance was truly pitiful.

"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, I'm still here with you."

Seeing Xu Qi holding Mei and comforting her, Delta lowered her eyes.

It's so nice to have someone to lean on at times like this.

"Delta, do you want me to take you home later?"

Delta looked up, slightly taken aback. Xu Qi's smile seemed exceptionally bright to her...

"I...can't..."

What isn't hers, ultimately, is not the warmth that belongs to her.

513. Alicia? Time for some discipline!

After leaving the haunted house and parting ways with Delta and the others, Mei watched the petite girl walk away, and couldn't help but glance at Xu Qi beside her—what kind of charm does she have...?

"what happened?"

"It's nothing, I was just wondering, do you usually interact with her a lot?"

"Of course. Although not many people would say that, I still believe that Director Delta is definitely a gem of our ETStudio."

Mei blinked; she hadn't yet recovered from the excitement of visiting the haunted house.

She's still like a young Mei, with some lively and playful antics.

"What does it mean?"

"In the animation industry, those who are hailed as geniuses or as unsellable talents are often key animators, animation directors, directors, and so on—positions that require a great deal of artistic talent."

Take, for example, Ms. Celine, who is currently on loan to our company. She is an all-rounder, and in each of her areas, she is top-notch in the industry! She is a true genius.

But for me... talents like Delta are truly irreplaceable. I can hardly imagine how the Seed Studios would function without Delta.

This was undoubtedly disastrous for the overall progress of the animation.

In other words, she's a management talent; such a person would have a place anywhere, even outside the animation industry. Delta is no less capable than anyone else.

Mei touched her lips and suddenly said, "Then you'd better keep a close eye on him."

"Ok?"

“Miss Sirin is not for sale by MH Company, so what about Miss Delta for you?”

"Of course she's not for sale! No matter how much other companies offer, I won't let her be poached."

A smile appeared on Mei's face.

"But you should also know that any so-called 'not for sale' item is simply because... the price isn't high enough. Perhaps you absolutely won't let Delta go."

But there's no guarantee that other companies won't be interested in Delta's capabilities, and they might offer exorbitant prices. Can you influence the company's or Delta's own decision?

This……

Mei only gave a slight hint, and Xu Qi immediately understood.

The appearance of any "not for sale" item is simply because the bidding price is not high enough.

If other companies can offer more generous compensation, it's hard to guarantee that Delta herself won't want to leave ETStudio to pursue a better life.

"There is a way to prevent this from happening."

"Ok?"

"Make her your woman!"

Xu Qi rolled his eyes; he had thought it would be some good idea.

"Forget it, I'm already struggling to cope with everything, why would you add more? Please, have mercy on me."

Mei remained noncommittal.