We moved to Golden Courtyard

At least take your water bottle with you when you go out!

I took a bag of chocolates out, and when I came back, the chocolates were gone...

Even if you're going to lie, can't you at least put some effort into it?

However, Seele now knows that Sirin might not really be trying to lie; her behavior should be called—tsundere. Yes, that's the word.

Just like another version of myself.

……

"Go find Xu Qi on Monday, and leave the rest to me. As for that girl named Xilin..."

"Don't hurt Sirin."

"Fine? Then you can come, Seele. Everyone in the world can think you're weak and need someone to protect you from being bullied, but only I know... you don't need anyone's protection at all."

……

"Has Xilin fallen for Mr. Xu Qi?"

Xilin, who had been happily sitting down at her workstation, suddenly froze. She stiffly turned her head to the side and saw Xier still quietly drawing at her workstation, just like always.

For a moment, she even had a slight illusion—did Seele really say something just now?

"Judging from the appearance, it should be something that ○ likes ㈧ ...

This time, Sirin was certain that it was Seele speaking!

Her cheeks flushed red, and she waved her hands frantically.

"No, no, no! Of course not! ...Me! ...How could I possibly like such a womanizing scumbag! And! ...And! Friends...Yes! We're just friends!"

"friend?"

Seele persisted, but her tone wasn't aggressive; it was as if...

She was just chatting casually.

"I'm afraid not. Xilin clearly disliked Mr. Xu Qi so much before, always calling him a jerk, but now she's telling me they're just friends?"

"I...I just suddenly felt that he seemed to..."

Seele picked up where Sirin left off.

"He's not that bad, is he? It seems that Sirin has fallen for him after all."

"no!"

After being told this repeatedly, even Seele and Sirin couldn't help but get a little angry.

She stood up from her workstation and said seriously and sternly, "I said no, and that's final! Seele, what's wrong with you? Why do you keep talking to me about this kind of thing!"

……

In the concept artist's office, many concept artists had already noticed what was happening over there.

However, Sirin and Seele ignored them.

Faced with Miss Sirin's unusually serious rebuttal, Seele simply smiled faintly.

"I'm sorry, Celine. I didn't mean to say these things. I just wanted to confirm your feelings."

That's just how Xilin is; she responds better to gentle persuasion than force.

Xier had barely apologized when Xilin's expression softened considerably, and she quickly said, "No...it's okay, it doesn't matter to me if it's Xier, hehe..."

Sirin said something that she thought would win Seele's favor.

I never thought that annoying guy could be used for something like this, hehe~~ When Seele and I become the kind of best friends who can talk about anything, I'll give him all the credit!

"Really? But I like Mr. Xu Qi."

Seele's voice wasn't particularly loud; it was still soft and gentle, which was soothing to listen to. But what she said almost left Sirin speechless.

"It's not just ordinary liking, it's the kind of liking you're thinking of, the kind of liking that makes you want to live with Mr. Xu Qi, do you understand?"

Sirin didn't reply. She looked at Seele in front of her and suddenly felt...

It felt as if I didn't recognize the other person for a moment.

A strange pang of sadness welled up inside her. When Xier said, "I like Mr. Xu Qi," Xilin felt she should be sad.

But she thought the reason for her sadness was that Seele, whom she had finally managed to become friends with, had a man she liked and would definitely not be able to play with her as often in the future.

But what confused Celine was...

Her reason for being sad doesn't seem to be that.

A question involuntarily popped into my mind—why? Why do you... also like Xu Qi?

But she couldn't ask that question...

"Is...is that so..." As if she had suffered a great blow, Xilin slumped back into her seat, her face very pale.

Xier couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness, but she knew that now was the best time to make Xilin give up on Xu Qi completely.

"You like Mr. Xu Qi too, right, Xilin..."

"No...no...you're overthinking it, Seele."

"So, Sirin, we're still good friends, right?"

……

"Ah...yes." Xilin forced a smile, but little did she know that to others, that smile looked worse than crying.

"Of course we are, best friends. We'll be best friends for life..."

Where Sirin couldn't see, Seele clenched her fists tightly.

She was also very upset because her actions were essentially a betrayal of her friends.

But she didn't want to stop!

Whenever she saw Xilin laughing and joking with Xu Qi, she couldn't suppress the bitterness in her heart!

I was the one who started it...

Whether it's getting to know Mr. Xu Qi or working for him, I was the one who came first!

But why...why, why! Why is she able to get so close to Mr. Xu Qi! Why can she play around with Mr. Xu Qi without any restraint!

Why is it that Xier wants to do things but can't, while Xilin can do them all?

why!

Seele herself didn't know when she had started feeling jealous of Sirin. As a friend, she was truly terrible...

"Cirin, I have a request."

"You...you tell me, Seele."

"Could you please not stand between me and Mr. Xu Qi?"

Xilin lowered her head, her arms slumped on her workstation, like an unconscious shell. She only reacted when she heard the name Xu Qi.

"What... what are you talking about, Seele?" Sirin forced a laugh. "I... didn't do anything, so how am I standing between you?"

"It's okay, Xi'er. You're my good friend. If you like Xu Qi, then... go for it! Yes, go for it! I support you! You will be happy, Xi'er, you will be happy."

However, Sirin's words did not seem to alleviate Seele's inner emotions.

Even at that moment, boundless guilt seemed to crush her heart!

What am I doing? Can I still be considered Xilin's friend like this? Will Mr. Xu Qi really... like this...

"He will like you, Seele."

Within the ocean of consciousness, with a wicked smile, Black Seele drifted over and touched Seele's cheek.

"As long as I'm here, I will grant all your wishes... Seele."

818. A Plan to Recruit Sirin's Harem

She stretched in her chair.

The once azure pupils have finally been replaced by a crimson hue—now this body is completely under my control…

Opposite her, Celine maintained that smile that looked more like a grimace.

Seele felt disdain.

However, she stood up and gently hugged Xilin, saying, "Thank you, Xilin. You are my friend forever. I was worried that you might also like Xu Qi."

Thankfully, none of that happened. "Cilin, don't worry, even if Mr. Xu Qi and I were together, you would still be my friend."

Xilin broke free from Seele's embrace, suppressing the inexplicable sadness in her heart, and forced herself to say, "Okay, that's for the best. Don't worry, Seele, I will definitely... support you."

Do you really support it?

Why do I say things that don't reflect my true feelings?

I didn't want to say it, and it felt like I had a fire burning inside me that I wanted to vent.

Clearly... she didn't agree with anything Seele said at all.

But she couldn't refute it.

How can I refute this? Could it be... could it be that I've really fallen for Xu Qi?

Celine found it ridiculous; it was simply impossible! Those were just... just expressions of gratitude from a friend!

As for being hugged, my heart started pounding wildly.

That's just because I haven't experienced it before! Being made so pathetic by a man, is this really me, Celine?!

So be it.

Just as Seele was about to say something else, she saw Sirin suddenly stand up.

"Xier, I'm feeling a bit unwell, I'll go out for a bit."

As she walked past him, she lowered her head and whispered, with a complex mix of emotions that no one could understand, "I wish you happiness."

······

Behind Fu Xian'er's back, Xu Qi, who had been holding back all weekend, gave the feverish maid a good beating in the office. All that can be said is that Xu Qi's desire was terrifyingly strong.

After all, Rita was also a member of that bathroom group activity on Saturdays.

How could he have recovered from being unable to walk without support in just one day?

If it were someone else, it's not impossible that they would be terrified of women after just one month.

As a result, early Monday morning, he pinned her down on his desk and bullied her for a while, which at least proved that his body still had a strong attraction and allure for Xu Qi.

Rita didn't know whether she should cry or laugh.

In reality, these women greatly underestimated their own charm, always worrying that Xu Qi might only be infatuated with them for a short time.

how come?

Rita's figure was remarkable, with her long, shapely legs, slender waist, and towering breasts that showed no signs of sagging.

Just that one thing is enough for Xu Qi to enjoy for a lifetime. Even without all of that, Rita's stunning beauty and alluring charm during her pleasure would be enough to make Xu Qi linger.

Besides, she was born with a seductive body...

It's hard to imagine that there could be such a perfect woman in the world, and there are many like Rita in the courtyard.

Who would mind having this happy trouble following them for a lifetime?

Xu Qi is not someone who doesn't appreciate his good fortune.

"Button up your shirt one button at a time," Rita said, sitting at her desk.

"I've drafted an acquisition plan and sent it to you on WeChat. Remember to check it. Also, next time, could you perhaps target a slightly lower area?"

Rita pointed to her neck, where the red mark was still faintly visible.

"How am I supposed to go out and meet people like this?"

Xu Qi slumped in his chair, looking at the person in front of him who looked radiant and refreshed, and couldn't help but feel a surge of tenderness in his heart.