Poseidon in Arknights

"Ugh!" Xi, who was still drawing, suddenly trembled. She quickly put down her paintbrush on the shelf next to her, stood up, and looked back at Xi Yue.

"Okay, I'll be right away."

“If you keep going like this, your back pain won’t get better.” Xi Yue put her hands on her hips. “Just a couple of days ago, she was complaining that her back pain was unbearable.”

"Ugh..." Xi shrank her neck. She was starting to feel that Xi Yue was more and more like Sister Shu, but in some ways she was even scarier than Sister Shu.

However, Yu Yue is easier to handle than Shu Jie.

"I know I was wrong..." Xi immediately bowed her head and apologized to Xi Yue. She knew that as long as she apologized to Xi Yue, Xi Yue would usually not pursue such a small matter any further.

The next time, after Yuuki noticed something similar again, she was pointed out twice more and then apologized, highlighting that she was always quick to apologize but never learned her lesson.

It's worth mentioning that this set of rules was told to Xi by an angel, and it works every time. Of course, it can't be used too many times, otherwise Xi Yue might really get angry.

Although Yuuki certainly wouldn't be willing to use physical punishment, her other methods of punishment are still quite memorable.

As expected, seeing that Xi had apologized, Xi Yue immediately put away her angry expression and helplessly rubbed Xi's head: "Alright, now go wash your hands and get ready to eat, understand?"

"Okay." Xi nodded immediately. "I'll be right out."

"Okay." Xi Yue patted Xi's head and turned around to put the portrait back on the scroll.

——————Yuzuki's Room——————

The surface of the painting rippled like water, and then Xi's head emerged from it.

After looking around, Xi looked at Xiyue, who was already busy in the kitchen, and struggled to emerge from the painting.

"Hmm, this painting seems a little too small." Xi pulled her foot out of the painting. "Hmm, to match the ink bamboo forest..."

“I think you could leave this room alone for a bit~” Yuuki turned to look at Yu, who was deep in thought. “I’ve only been back for seven days, and I’ve already seen seven completely different decorating styles.”

"It makes me feel like I'm opening a blind box every time I come back from outside."

"I... I was just experimenting..." Xi turned her head away. "At present, the ink bamboo forest style doesn't seem to suit Miss Xiyue very well."

"I don't really care." Xi Yue turned back and continued cutting the tomatoes in her hand. "Just don't get too carried away. Last time, Hong thought she had gone into the wrong room."

"Mom clearly thought she was in the wrong room too, didn't she?" Hong's voice came from the doorway. She had just come in when she heard her mother talking about her. "How can you only criticize me?"

"Oh~" Upon hearing Hong's voice, Xi Yue continued chopping vegetables without changing her expression. "Hong's back? How was business today?"

"It's alright~" As soon as this was mentioned, Hong immediately changed the subject. "But I didn't get to touch many comfortable tails today."

"Red, don't you think there's something off about what you just said?" Exusiai's voice came from behind Red, "But it seems that this is the real purpose behind you opening that beauty salon."

“Hmm.” Texas, who was following behind Exusiai, bit off the Pocky in her mouth. “But Red’s cooking skills are truly unparalleled.”

Texas went to support Red's beauty salon when it officially opened a few days ago. However, Texas already knew about Red's skills, so she wasn't particularly surprised.

"Oh, right~" Exusiai pushed someone into the room, "Yuzuki, look who's here as a guest?"

"Hmm?" Yuzuki turned her head to look in the direction of the gate, and raised an eyebrow after seeing who it was. "Good afternoon, it's been a while, Miss Mostima."

"Good afternoon~" Mostima waved her hand. "It has indeed been a while, Miss Yuzuki."

"Even though it's been so long, I'd still like to exchange pleasantries, but here's a letter you need to sign for."

"A letter?" Yuzuki turned her head in confusion. "And it's for me?"

Chapter 190: The Invitation of the Year

"Huh?" Before Mostima could reply, Exusiai looked at Mostima in surprise. "I had no idea. I thought you were just here as a guest."

“Because there’s no point in telling you, Xiao Le~” Mostima shrugged at Exusiai, “This letter needs to be received by Miss Yuzuki in person.”

After finishing, Mostima casually took out a letter from the inside pocket of his trench coat.

Xi Yue raised an eyebrow at the chili pepper pattern on the letter: "Who sent this?"

“I don’t know,” Mostima shrugged. “It seems the boss got it from a friend, and then asked me to bring it to you when I came to Rhodes Island.”

"Just passing by," Yuuki said, taking the letter. "It's something quite important, yet you're being so casual about it."

Yu Yue shook her head helplessly, but she also knew the Emperor's character: "Alright, that's in line with the boss's usual practices."

But Yuuki didn't rush to open the letter. Since the Emperor's attitude was to have Mostima deliver it when she came to Rhodes Island, it meant that the matter wasn't that urgent, so...

Xi Yue placed the letter on the cabinet beside her: "Come on, let's not worry about that now, let's eat first."

"Those who need to wash their hands should do so, and then sit at the table."

Xi leaned over and glanced at the letter that Xi Yue had placed on the table. She just looked at the picture on it and then curled her lip.

Who else could use this icon as an identifier? It must be Nian, but then again, Nian has indeed disappeared for quite some time now.

'This time, he sent a letter back…' Xi looked at the letter, 'It's not even sent directly back to Rhodes Island, what is this guy thinking?'

"Alright, stop thinking about it." Xi Yue gently tapped Xi's head. "Let's eat first. You didn't send this letter directly or come back to talk about it all year."

"That proves that this matter is not too serious, and it will be fine when we see it later."

"Hmm." Xi touched her head. "But I always feel uneasy about something."

"Don't worry." Xi Yue patted Xi's head. "I'm here. Nothing will happen. Let's eat first. Of all things, eating is the most important."

"Well."

"Oh, so it's the New Year?" Hearing their conversation, Exusiai realized who had sent the letter. "What could it be about?"

"Anyway, it won't be anything good." Xi pouted. "Eight out of ten things related to that guy are bad, and the other two good things are mostly done in the form of pranks."

“Oh, it seems that the relationship between Miss Xi and Miss Nian…” Mostima stroked his chin, a slight smile playing on his lips, “is somewhat like that of a bickering couple.”

"Who's her love-hate relationship with?" Xi immediately reacted upon hearing Mostima's words, "She's always causing trouble and running around everywhere..."

Mostima smiled as she watched Xi's reaction. They were clearly best friends, the kind who would tease each other, but it seemed that Miss Nian liked Miss Xi more.

"Are you still chatting here?" Yuzuki placed the food on the table. "Aren't you going to eat?"

"Oh, right, Mostima left in a hurry last time without even getting a chance to try my cooking. Today, I can finally have a proper taste."

“Then I’ll gladly accept your offer.” Mostima smiled. Although he didn’t reply to Exusiai’s messages often, Exusiai would send Mostima her work account on Penguin Logistics every day, wanting to share some things.

This naturally includes the meals that Yuuki makes for them every day. Every day, Exusiai would take two photos whenever she remembered and then post them to Mostima's work account.

Therefore, Mostima had been looking forward to the taste of Yuuki's cooking for a long time, but he just hadn't had the time. The reason he chose this time to come today was not without this reason.

“You won’t be disappointed.” Yuuki smiled at Mostima, then looked towards the door. “But, is the other friend alright?”

Mostima paused slightly upon hearing Yuuki's words, then decisively shook her head: "No need to worry, she'll find food herself."

"Hmm?" Exusiai tilted her head and looked at Mostima, then ran to the door in three quick steps and looked outside, but there was no one there.

"What were you talking about just now?" Exusiai turned to look at Mostima and Shiozuki. "Was someone outside just now?"

"Don't worry about it." Mostima stepped forward and pulled Exusiai back. "Alright, let's eat. You've posted so many pictures on my account; I've been wanting to try them for ages!"

------------

"Oh, Miss Yuzuki's cooking is indeed quite good~" Mostima ate the food on the table elegantly, but her speed was by no means slow.

“Miss Mostima, I’m glad you like it.” Yuzuki smiled, but her eyes caught sight of Exusiai, who was drinking water. “Exusiai can’t eat spicy food, so put down your chopsticks. Drinking water with every bite of food is bad for your stomach.”

"Hehe~" Exusiai chuckled and put down her water glass. "Yuzuki, where did you get this chili pepper? It's so spicy, but it's so flavorful. I can't stop eating it once I start."

“Oh, these chilies are dried chilies that were given to me last year,” Xiyue picked up a piece of meat and threw it into her mouth. “I made hot pot for him last time, and there were some left over, so I just threw them into my clothes.”

"Then I recently realized that if it had been sitting for a long time, I should use it right away."

"Oh, that." Exusiai's lips twitched slightly as she recalled the bright red smoke that had been visible when they cooked hot pot last time.

"Only she likes to eat such spicy food every day." Xi rolled her eyes. "Luckily he's not here, otherwise most of the dishes on this table would be spicy."

"It's alright." Xi Yue patted Xi's head. "I have the final say on what to cook. I decide what dishes to make."

"So don't mess with Yuuki either~" Exusiai patted Yuuki's shoulder, "Otherwise Yuuki will make you realize how painful it is to have a table full of delicious food but not want to eat any of it."

“It’s impossible to do that.” Yuuki tapped Exusiai on the head. “If that really happens, I think it might be a good idea to cure her picky eating habits.”

"Hehe~"

——————Rhodes Island · Accommodation Area · Corridor——————

"As expected, the food at the window where there's no queue just doesn't taste good." Fiameta stuck out her tongue. "This vegetable juice tastes really weird."

"Oh, there you are~" Mostima walked over to Fiameta with a small bag in her hand. "Hmm, what's that blue drink of yours?"

"Juice of tomatoes, greens, and other vegetables." Fiameta frowned, downed the remaining half-cup of vegetable juice in one gulp, and then stuck out her tongue again.

"Oh~" Mostima said in a drawn-out tone, "You didn't just go to a window where there was no line when you went to the cafeteria so you could easily spy on me, did you?"

"Otherwise what?" Fiameta rolled her eyes. "You absolutely cannot leave my sight, and then you turned around and walked away with Exusiai."

"I definitely need to find you as quickly as possible."

"Sigh~" Mostima shook her head helplessly, then handed over the bag she was carrying. "Alright, alright, stop torturing your tongue~"

"Look how good I am to you! I packed you lots of delicious food!"

"Hmm?" Fiameta looked up at the bag Mostima handed her. "What a hassle. What excuse did you give for packing this?"

“Miss Yuzuki gave it to me herself~” Mostima shook the bag in her hand. “She had already noticed you, so when I left, Miss Yuzuki just gave me this takeout order~”

Before Mostima could make a move, he simply took the half-eaten lunchbox from Fiametta and placed the bag in Fiametta's hand.

"Alright, stop torturing your tongue. This thing in your hand is practically legendary in Rhodes Island."

"Really." Fiameta sighed and opened the lunchbox Mostima had brought.

——————Accommodation Area · Yuzuki's Room——————

"Honestly." Exusiai walked back with a hint of regret. "You left me behind after just two turns. You've only been back a short while, and you don't even want to have a proper chat with me?"

“Anyway, this isn’t the first or second time you and Mostima have done this,” Texas said, leaning back on the sofa. “Aren’t we going to go look for them?”

"What are you looking for?" Exusiai shook her head helplessly. "That guy disappeared in the blink of an eye, we can't catch him, and even if I go looking for him, won't he just run away?"

"You two," Texas shook her head speechlessly, "you two just keep playing like this."

"Sigh, never mind." Exusiai shook her head helplessly, then looked at Yuuki beside her, "Instead of this, do you have any fun for the two of us?"

"For example, that letter sent by Miss Nian~"

"That's not the kind of fun you should be having." Yuuki shook her head helplessly at Exusiai. "Going to have fun indiscriminately can lead to trouble, you know."

"Eh, really?" Exusiai looked at Yuuki with some confusion, then immediately understood what Yuuki meant. "Hmm, Miss Nian's letter to you wasn't about those things concerning you, was it?"