We moved to Golden Courtyard

She stood there somewhat bewildered, suddenly regretting that she had overheard this conversation out of curiosity.

Rita is Xu Qi's woman, and she will unconditionally choose Xu Qi over destiny. So... what about Durandal? What can guarantee her stance?

Sakura glanced at Durandal indifferently.

"It's alright, Miss Durandal. This is just a warning, and you don't need to say anything."

Only after Durandal left without a word did Xu Qi reluctantly embrace Ying.

“Sakura, you don’t need to pressure her.”

"I just couldn't stand by and watch. Durandal is quite good. During my time in the courtyard, I often sparred with her. Since her best friend is unwilling to push things along, it's not bad for me to play the villain."

Now, both Rita and Xu Qi wore wry smiles.

The fleeting cherry blossoms were indeed decisive.

Chapter 1015, Chapter 1008: You are Alicia's paradise.

During the day, she accompanied Sakura and Rita on a boat trip on the lake, played songs with Eden and Aponia, and was even pulled to mediate the 1827th duel between Mebius and Vervière.

All I can say is that Xu Qi's day was incredibly fulfilling.

Interspersed with other activities, such as sparring with Fu Hua and her apprentice, and discussing with Yaya and Delta how to write the final chapter of Seed.

Occasionally, when talking about exoskeletons with Mei, we have to call on professional users like Theresa, and then make snacks with girls like Hiel and Rin.

He finally collapsed from exhaustion in the arms of his secretary, Anna.

Perhaps the real paradise is like yesterday, where all you need to do is spend time with Alicia and leisurely enjoy yourself? But Xu Qi knows…

Such a life is fine once or twice, but he himself can't stand it for long.

I still prefer doing happy things with pretty girls.

It's absolutely true that he's a show-off.

What is Mei doing?

She was preparing for what she had promised Xu Qi last night—to throw a wedding party!

"So you agreed?"

At this moment, while Xu Qi was with Alicia, a group of women who had affairs with Xu Qi gathered around Mei to listen to the fun they had had the night before.

"What do you mean I agreed? I was the one who proposed it!"

After Mei finished speaking, everyone was embarrassed.

Especially Rita, who was one of the people at the last all-white party, naturally knows how satisfied Xu Qi will be, and will probably be unable to get out of bed again.

"But...but we didn't prepare that many wedding dresses!"

Seele cautiously voiced what everyone was thinking.

Indeed, what to do if there's no wedding dress?

"No need~~ You really think I'm going to give in to his demands?" Mei said playfully, "I've said from the beginning that we're here to teach him a lesson!"

lesson?

At this point, Eden and the other older sisters listened with great interest.

Only Mei hesitated for a moment, then nudged Mei and said.

"Mei, what if..."

"Oh, it's okay, Sister Mei. You know Xu Qi. He's the most hypocritical person. He'll definitely be shouting 'no' while pounced on each girl."

That's... indeed.

Several newcomers, like Seele and Sirin, were so shy they didn't know what to say.

Do Mei and the others usually speak so bluntly?

Eden asked, "So what exactly do you want to..."

"I don't know if you've ever heard of... the test of courage competition."

Mei's words instantly piqued everyone's interest.

Especially Rin, who had always lived in Japan, was definitely no stranger to things like test-of-courage contests!

"I just saw it. There seems to be an immersive murder mystery game experience center by this lake. There are lots of costumes inside, all of them monsters and ghosts, and then..."

Xilin understood what was going on and said excitedly.

"Shall we dress up as ghosts and scare Xu Qi one by one?"

Then Xilin was punched on the back of the head by Seele, and everyone looked at her with the kind of loving gaze one would give a child.

"W-what's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"

Mei burst out laughing, and everyone else joined in the laughter.

"Actually, it's nothing. Since that's the case, why not let Pado and the others come and have fun together? They're all Xu Qi's women anyway, the only difference is whether they got on the bus or not."

Even if I witness something shameful... it doesn't matter.

Sakura suddenly interjected, "But Xu Qi's mental strength is extraordinary, how can we shield it?"

Mei looked at Aponia, who had a peaceful expression on her face.

"What's the panic? We still have experts here, don't we?"

At night, the moonlight spills onto the lake, outlining a bright arc.

Alicia, who had specially changed her clothes today, walked with Xu Qi by the lake with her hands behind her back. Her fairy-like and dazzling attire made it hard for Xu Qi to look away.

Even though she's said this many times, Xu Qi still wants to say... she looks beautiful today.

"What's wrong? Staying silent like this isn't like you."

"Really? Then what should I be like?"

"Right now you should hold my hand, say some sweet nothings to me, make me happy, and then I'll naturally fall into the flower bushes next to us, and then... do some naughty things."

Seeing how seriously Alicia was speaking, Xu Qi almost couldn't help but laugh.

"You're talking so convincingly, what's wrong? Getting hungry?"

"Hmph, I know you well, you lecherous bastard!"

You have a really good eye for people.

However, Ellie also knew why Xu Qi was acting strangely today.

"Being so fixated on my past, this isn't like you at all... But... who can blame me? My lover, my partner, my Xu Qi..."

Xu Qi took Alicia's hand without saying a word.

"But it's really a dilemma, where should I begin? I was born with knowledge, and just by opening my eyes, wow~~ I was born into this beautiful world."

Xu Qi laughed out loud. "Wow, what kind of adjective is that?"

“I was only this big back then.” Alicia gestured her height, which was about up to her thigh. “I was sleeping under a tree when a nun from a church found me and took me back.”

In the church of that small town, there were many children like me. They might be homeless, or they might have been abandoned. The day I was found in the church became my birthday.

November 11th... So that's where Ellie's birthday comes from.

"My childhood was spent in church, and it was there that I found a picture book."

Legend has it that there is a paradise in this world, a place without strife or disaster. The protagonist of the story embarks on a journey to find this paradise.

In the end, she overcame all the hardships of the world and arrived at the flawless paradise, the eternal land of happiness. People cheered and shouted the name of the paradise—Alicia!

Ellie broke free from Xu Qi's large hand, jogged forward, suddenly turned around, put her hands behind her back, and revealed her sweetest smile.

"How about that? Isn't it romantic~~"

Xu Qi stopped in his tracks, a bitter feeling welling up inside him for some reason. Tears welled up in his eyes, but after that bitterness came heartfelt blessings and relief.

"Hmm, very romantic..."

Alicia stepped forward slowly and took Xu Qi's hands in hers.

"At the beginning of my life, I met Seria, who cared for me and accompanied me throughout my childhood."

In the years that followed, I met Eden, Aponia, Kevin, Thousand Calamities… They bestowed upon me wealth, principles, courage, and the ability to fight…

And at the end of the story, I met you, who gave me something called "love"...

It is because of your existence that, even though I have witnessed the despicable and malicious nature of humanity countless times, I still like humanity and love you even more.

In the picture book, people find a paradise called Alicia, and in Alicia's story, she also finds her own paradise—Xu Qi…”

One day, she fell from the sky.

People looked up and saw the starry sky.

The stars and moon sent God's daughter, who wished to become humanity's companion.

The long wind becomes her carriage, and the four seas become her garden.

Birds bring seeds of kindness, and flowers weave hymns of love.

She was born into this world, walked on the earth, grew up alongside humanity, and sprouted with the world...

Chapter 1016, Question 1009: You're just delivering it all by yourself, aren't you?

Xu Qi's mouth was half open, a breath stuck in her throat, her eyes were red, and she didn't want to cry no matter what, because if tears dripped everywhere, Ai Li would laugh her to death.

He could only sniffle, then he pulled the girl in front of him into a tight embrace.

I felt sorry for her, but I also didn't want her to see me looking like I was about to cry.

But... Ellie had actually seen it all along...

She hugged Xu Qi back, her eyes filled with tenderness and sweetness, her small white hands gently patting his back, as if to help him soothe his emotions.

"You did that on purpose, didn't you... I'm so touched by you, you little rascal."

"You really cried? I didn't know our Xiaoqi had this side to her."

"Why do you also call me Xiaoqi?"

"Sigh, I can only say that I finally understand why Eden likes to treat you like a younger brother so much."

Xu Qi wiped away his tears, gently released Ai Li, and with his eyes slightly red and swollen, looked at the pink fairy-like girl smiling sweetly in front of him and kissed her fiercely.

They became entangled together, and the heartfelt confession naturally resulted in a passionate kiss.

"I won't treat you like an older sister."

"Hmph~~"

Alicia looked around and realized they were quite far from the cabin, so she took Xu Qi's arm and said, "Let's go back?"

"Hmm...you were picked up by the nuns at the church, and then you went on a trip all by yourself?"

Alicia nodded.

"Just like the story in the picture book, I wanted to find that paradise, and that's how I embarked on my journey."

So why did we end up at the Golden Courtyard after all that trouble?

The answer to this question was already known the moment the question was asked.

Look at Alicia's happy expression right now. No matter how carefree the days of wandering are, she still longs for a harbor where she can dock at any time.

"Just stay by my side from now on, that's fine."

"Um"

On the way back, Xu Qi was still immersed in the slightly touching atmosphere from earlier. He was holding Ai Li's hand, preparing to return to the cabin where the two of them had spent their honeymoon, when he suddenly frowned.

"What's wrong, Xu Qi?"

"What about people?"

As far as the eye could see, apart from the empty tents, there was no sign of anyone else.

Alicia blinked her big eyes in confusion, then seemed to think of something, her eyes darting around as she feigned a puzzled look.

Xu Qi was a little worried, but as soon as his mental energy expanded out, he withdrew it with a wry smile.

"what happened?"