We moved to Golden Courtyard

And this silence represents the answer.

"Are you planning to desert?"

Perhaps now that things have come to this, there's nothing left to hide.

Delta simply nodded and said, "I just plan to work in a different place."

"Why...give me a reason. Is there something I did wrong? Is there something ETStudio, the company, has done wrong to you?"

You can tell me, and I'll help you resolve it. Is there someone you find difficult to communicate with, or a particular department that you find particularly annoying? No problem, anything is possible.

"No...no, Xu Qi, there's no...there's no problem at all, neither you nor the company."

"Then why is that!"

Xu Qi slammed his hand on the table and stood up!

Even Rita was startled; she had never seen Xu Qi so angry.

"Tell me why you changed jobs! And why did you do it in such an unacceptable way! You can ask me any questions you have!"

His voice was filled with barely suppressed anger.

Perhaps... this was the first time Xu Qi had ever gotten so angry at a girl, and this girl was none other than his most respected senior, Delta.

I bet even he himself didn't expect this...

"You directly and privately contacted their HR department—do you know what you're doing?!... So can you tell me? Huh? Give me a reason for leaving!"

"Because of money."

Xu Qi stared blankly at Delta with his mouth slightly agape, as if he had heard the most ridiculous joke in the world.

No… he felt like a joke at that moment.

"What did you say?"

"TX offered me a high salary. People naturally want to move up, right? I can't get the compensation I want at ET."

"what……"

Xu Qi put his hands on his hips and turned his back.

He took several deep breaths, and as he turned around, he pointed at Delta and said, "You're talking bullshit! You're telling me you're doing this for the money?"

Everyone else in this studio might leave for better pay, but you're the only one who won't!

Why? Because you understand me?

"What else?!" Xu Qi walked around the desk and stood in front of Delta.

"How can you expect me to believe... someone who didn't choose to switch departments during the darkest period of the Alahato IP?"

Someone who wouldn't hesitate to criticize a company president in hopes of getting them to focus more on animation... Would they switch jobs for money?!

"Because I have double standards."

That short sentence almost made Xu Qi gasp for breath.

“I wish Bronya could give up the company’s business for Alahato, which would mean giving up more profits. But I can’t do it. That’s just how I am; I demand that others do things that I myself can’t do.”

"You can actually make up jokes for me on the spot..."

Delta suddenly laughed out loud. She raised her head, and her indifferent eyes told Xu Qi that at this moment, she was serious.

"Your life has been too smooth sailing, Manager Xu... You can get what you want with a little effort. You may not have a lot of money, but you've always maintained a sufficient level."

Oh, you have an older sister who's the world's richest person. You have no idea what money means to a person, do you? In your eyes, all material things are readily available.

How wonderful...you rich young master. And what do you know about me? You think that spirit, will, and ideas are the most important things in this world.

He's always yelling about 'doing what you want'—where's the money?! His ideals? No money…you're just spouting nonsense about your mother's ideals and ambitions!

625. You are my Eden, my proudest little brother.

"Sorry, I've talked too much today, I'll head back now."

After saying that, Delta left Xu Qi standing there in silence and walked out of the office.

Rita glanced at Delta as she left, then at Xu Qi in front of her—it seemed like she'd never seen either of them so angry before…

Even Rita, who was listening nearby, could tell that both of them were really angry.

“Xu Qi, Delta is just… too angry. You know, when people are angry, they say whatever comes to mind, so don’t take it too seriously.”

“I know… Let’s call Ellie and go back first, we can talk about it tomorrow.”

······

Xu Qi remained silent throughout the journey. Upon returning to the courtyard, he went into his room without a word, closed the door, and adopted a posture that suggested he wanted peace and quiet.

Even when his beloved Gretchen greeted Xu Qi, he simply nodded in response.

Everyone in the courtyard realized that something must have happened to Xu Qi.

This is a very serious matter!

After all, no matter how big the problem was before, Xu Qi would always tell them, but this time she chose to lock herself in her room alone.

That means it's a completely private matter.

So Alicia and Rita, who came back with Xu Qi, were then entangled by everyone.

Even Eden was alerted and came over.

In fact, as soon as Xu Qi entered the door, his older sister already sensed that something was wrong with him.

Ellie and Rita exchanged a glance and then recounted the events of the day in detail.

“Actually… Miss Delta shouldn’t be that kind of person. Just like Xu Qi said, she didn’t abandon Alahato even during the most difficult times…”

Sakura crossed her arms and said calmly.

"People always change. At least based on what happened today, Miss Delta seems to be very different from the person you, or rather, the person Xu Qi remembers."

Ellie wanted to retort slightly, but seeing Sakura's expression, she swallowed her words.

Sakura... is angry.

She understood why Ying was angry—because Xu Qi was clearly hurt by it, and Ying was the kind of person who wanted to spoil Xu Qi rotten.

Besides, she didn't know Miss Delta.

"Perhaps..." Rita sighed softly.

However, she was unwilling to believe that a person could change so much.

"Where's Mei? Haven't they come back yet?"

Eden explained, "Their school has an event today, so they'll be back a little late."

After saying that, he couldn't help but look towards Xu Qi's room.

"But since he wants some peace and quiet, let him stay in the room by himself for a while."

With Mei absent, and Xu Qi's affairs at stake, Eden is naturally the most important.

What puzzled Ellie a little was that Eden seemed to be showing some emotion as well, but this emotional fluctuation was definitely not directed at Miss Delta.

It was actually aimed at Xu Qi...

······

Xu Qi entered the room but did not turn on the lights.

Stepping onto the balcony and gazing at the bright moonlight tonight, Delta's words from earlier came to mind—has life been truly smooth sailing all this time?

Delta says she has no concept of money... Is that true?

Xu Qi suddenly gave a self-deprecating laugh.

The very fact that one has such doubts is telling – it means that money is indeed not a very influential thing for them.

To put it bluntly... I've never been poor.

From childhood to adulthood, although I have never been rich, I have never experienced even a single day of poverty.

My family has always maintained a comfortable standard of living. After graduation, I won't have the pressure of buying a house or a car. As long as one person is fed, the whole family is worry-free. So naturally, I won't feel any pressure even if I earn less money.

Later, when we arrived at Golden Courtyard... there was even less financial pressure.

In addition, he is not a particularly ambitious person, so Xu Qi really doesn't have much of a concept of money, or rather, the attraction of a high salary.

So... is it because he has never experienced any economic pressure that Xu Qi has been able to consistently practice his own philosophy and do whatever comes to mind?

do not know……

Perhaps I will never experience the feeling of complete poverty in my lifetime.

Without such a prerequisite, Xu Qi is unsure whether he can continue to maintain his original intentions.

Perhaps Delta was right to criticize...

I am indeed a rich young master.

Unaware of the hardships and joys of life, they assumed that Delta should be like them, dedicating everything for an ideal or a dream.

In pursuing poetry and distant places, we forget that we still need to hold a steamed bun in our hands.

Xu Qi gripped the railing with both hands, lost in self-doubt and confusion.

……

"How long do you plan to stay on the balcony like this? Ten minutes? An hour? Or a day?"

The sudden sound startled Xu Qi, who turned around in surprise.

When Xu Qi saw Sister Eden, he felt a little guilty for no reason.

"Sister, what brings you here..."

"Do you think I should spoil you? Seeing you walk back to your room looking so dejected, you naturally assume you need some peace and comfort, is that it?"

Xu Qi's mouth was slightly open, while Eden slowly walked forward and stood beside Xu Qi.

"No, Sister Eden, of course not..."

“Very good.” Eden turned around, his sharp gaze making Xu Qi feel guilty and dare not look him in the eye.

"It seems you at least have some sound judgment. This is the only thing that makes me happy in a day when you've disappointed me."

Xu Qi suddenly clenched his fist.

"I just... I just think that Delta is right about a lot of things! I guess... my life has been too easy so far."

To the point that I couldn't even understand her...

“Xu Qi…” The calm words interrupted Xu Qi’s statement. Eden spoke with a sternness he had never shown Xu Qi before: “Look me in the eyes and say it again…”

What does it mean to say that your life has been too smooth so far?

"Well!……"

Xu Qi held his breath.

“If that’s really what you think, fine…” Eden raised his hand and pointed at Xu Qi’s nose, “Then your smooth life should have started from the moment you obeyed your parents’ decision and joined TX Group.”

"!"

"Your smooth life should begin when you indifferently watch the 914 train being destroyed during testing, and watch the 956 train carrying a whole trainload of people into hell on the main line!"

Your smooth life should begin in Hiroshima, as if nothing happened, letting Mei leave you and letting Theresa's enemies go unpunished!

Your smooth life should begin when you let go of Fu Hua and return to Mount Taixu, never to be able to leave the mountain again!

Your smooth-sailing life should begin with having absolutely no connection to ETStudio, and then in some obscure corner I don't know about! Live out your smooth, uneventful life!

"Xu Qi! Look me in the eyes and say it again—why...why are you in the Golden Courtyard, and why should I, Eden, let someone like you be my brother!"

626. I'm glad you like it, my dearest sister...