We moved to Golden Courtyard

……

Alicia stuck out her tongue as she moved closer to Xu Qi.

"Look? It's all because of you that I got hit on the head by Aponia."

"You'd better look for the reason within yourself."

"How could that be? A girl as cute as me, Aponia would never have the heart to hit me."

Xu Qi rolled her eyes, but... Ai Li was right—she really is cute.

"Sigh... But Qianjie is gone, what are we going to do about breakfast? Even a beautiful girl can't skip breakfast... You agree, right, Xu Qi?"

Looking into Ellie's big, watery eyes, which were staring at him with a pitiful expression, Xu Qi...

Xu Qi said expressionlessly.

"I ordered takeout myself."

"Can't you just order one for me?"

"I have no money."

"Xu Qi!!"

Xu Qi was filled with joy, but he couldn't show it on his face, otherwise Alicia would catch him in that moment of tenderness and tease him for a week.

Don't ask Xu Qi how he knew.

He slumped onto the sofa, about to turn on his phone to see what the clueless netizens were talking about... when his phone suddenly rang.

?

Xu Qi was a little puzzled. Who would call him at this time?

Upon seeing the caller's name, Xu Qi fell silent.

The originally cheerful atmosphere gradually became heavy. Alicia seemed to sense something was wrong. She stopped joking and walked to Xu Qi's side with concern.

A quick glance revealed the caller's contact name: Mom.

……

Aren't you going to answer?

Xu Qi hesitated for a long time before finally answering the phone.

"Hello? Mom?"

"son."

Two brief greetings were exchanged, followed by a long silence.

Ai Li sat down next to Xu Qi. Upon seeing this, Xu Qi turned on speakerphone and placed the phone on the coffee table in front of the sofa.

"Mom...is something the matter?"

"...It's nothing, I just wanted to ask if you're doing well these days?"

"Hmm, not bad."

"That's good...that's good..."

"Mom, what happened?"

Xu Qi frowned, his heart racing instinctively, as if something bad was about to happen.

"Xiaoqi, your father...your father he..."

The woman's voice, tinged with sobs, was clearly audible even through the phone. Xu Qi's eyes widened, her panic and fear rising to unprecedented heights.

"Father! What happened to Father!?"

“Your father… he twisted his ankle while going downstairs, and the doctor said it was fractured. Now he can’t move much and can only use a wheelchair. He needs to rest for a month.”

……

Xu Qi breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but scold.

"That's it? Then why are you crying, Mom? Do you want me to arrange a hospital visit? I know a doctor who's very professional."

"Can't I just cry? You've been away from home for over half a year without a single phone call! And... wasn't that you the one who was there a little over a week ago?!"

"..."

"Okay, Mom, I know. I... I'll go back and check on it today. I'll hang up now, bye."

After hanging up the phone, for some reason, the call that he had initially thought might be a bit too hot to handle actually made him feel relieved, and a lot of the pressure seemed to have lessened considerably.

"Is that your aunt?"

"Ah."

Alicia's gaze softened involuntarily, as if she had suddenly realized that Xu Qi was just a young man in his early twenties.

“You moved here because you had some conflicts with your family, but half a year has passed, Xu Qi… you really should go back and visit them.”

"Well, actually... I don't blame them that much anymore. After all, I've already hit those two brats and that adult, and I've already vented all the resentment in my heart."

"Pfft! Just like something you would do."

"Right?"

"I'll go back with you."

"Huh?" Xu Qi was taken aback. Looking at the gentle-looking Ai Li in front of him, he was about to refuse, but suddenly realized... there didn't seem to be any reason to refuse.

"You also need to let your aunt know who her son has been living with for the past six months, don't you think? Xu Qi."

"...Okay, then I'll pack my things, and you can come back with me."

At that moment, Fu Hua, who had just come downstairs to have breakfast, unsurprisingly overheard the entire conversation at the bottom of the stairs.

Her eyes widened, and her mouth was so big it looked like a meat bun could be stuffed inside.

This... Alicia... Xu Qi... they're... meeting the parents!?

Miss Mei! Your house has been burgled!

57. Even Alicia gets nervous meeting her parents.

The car drove into the neighborhood where Xu Qi used to live. Since it was his way home, he didn't dare choose any luxury cars. Otherwise, people might think he was being kept by a rich woman.

Hmm... though it doesn't seem to make much difference.

Moreover, it's really hard to find a decent car in the underground parking garage of Golden Courtyard. There was no other way but to bring out Ellie's pink Beetle.

"But don't you think... something seems a little strange?"

"Hmm? What's strange?"

"Hmm... Do you think I need to buy some more gifts? After all, it's my first time meeting your parents, and even if you don't mind, it wouldn't be good to go empty-handed."

"Then bring some fruit... This is my home, why are you being so reserved?"

Alicia blinked at Xu Qi, and seeing that he really didn't seem to notice anything, she couldn't help but smile.

Since it was Alicia's car, Xu Qi was happy to sit in the passenger seat like a boss, enjoying the treatment of having someone drive for him.

It was drizzling. Xu Qi told Ai Li to stay in the car while he opened an umbrella and helped her out.

This made Ellie feel even more uneasy.

This...this isn't exactly like...

A slight blush crept onto her pretty face. Ai Li pursed her lips and obediently stayed by Xu Qi's side, sharing an umbrella with him.

Although there were definitely still umbrellas in the car, it seemed that neither Ai Li nor Xu Qi had any intention of taking them out again.

Xu Qi was also a little surprised. He felt that Ai Li seemed unusually well-behaved today. She was never usually so quiet. Not to mention on the way here, she would definitely be chattering away like a lark right now.

But... no.

She even spent a long time getting ready before going out. She wore a pure white pleated long skirt, and her long pink hair was tied up behind her. Although it was simple, it was just right and made people's eyes light up.

She even specially chose a pair of mid-heeled shoes when she went out, which would make her appear taller and unconsciously show off her alluring figure.

So today, Ellie... is absolutely gorgeous.

"Let's go?"

"Ok!"

Why do you seem a little nervous?

Xu Qi's question was originally just a joke, but Ai Li was taken aback. She asked seriously, "Do I... look really nervous right now?"

"Um...maybe."

"Phew... Don't scare me, Xu Qi. I don't want to leave a bad impression on my uncle and aunt."

No, is that important?

To be honest, Xu Qi also sensed that something was wrong, but... but she was Alicia! Can you imagine? A girl like Alicia could actually experience love.

And the object is...

Xu Qi was at a loss for words.

She was so innocent and beautiful, and Xu Qi didn't want his worldly thoughts to taint her.

As she approached the door, Ellie suddenly stopped.

"what happened?"

"I...I need to calm down."

"what?"

Then Xu Qi saw Alicia standing at the top of the stairs, her hands on her chest, her eyes closed, and she began to take deep breaths—she was too nervous!

After waiting for about two minutes, she finally composed herself, opened her eyes, and mustered her courage to say, "I'm ready!"

"Why do I feel like you're heading to your execution? Is my house that scary?"

"..."

Xu Qi sighed, then suddenly stepped forward, took Ai Li's delicate hand, and bent down slightly, his eyes meeting Ai Li's.

“What’s wrong? You’re so nervous… At first I thought you were joking with me. This isn’t like you, Alicia, this is my home, you are my…”

At this point, Xu Qi suddenly stopped talking.

Ellie, on the other hand, suddenly became brave. She grasped Xu Qi's hands in return, looked him straight in the eye, and said, "What am I to you?"

……

"My most important friend..."

……

The light in Ellie's eyes dimmed slightly, which made Xu Qi feel a pang of heartache.

Damn it! Xu Qi! You fucking deserve to die!

He wanted to look away, but he was afraid that doing so would cause Alicia even more harm. No one... no one could hurt the girl in front of him!

But what have I been doing?

But... where is Mei?

Xu Qi felt as if his heart was being torn apart, the pain making it hard for him to breathe.

What am I... what am I thinking? What am I...?

"!"

Just as Xu Qi was caught in his dilemma, a sudden soft touch on his body made him freeze in place. Alicia... hugged him.

This was an unprecedented level of intimacy.

The two of them were downstairs at Xu Qi's house, where a light rain was falling. They embraced each other there.

After only a moment's hesitation, Xu Qi turned around and pulled Ai Li into his arms.

The girl hugged Xu Qi very tightly, as if she wanted to merge Xu Qi into her own body.