We moved to Golden Courtyard

……

“Aili…”

"Ok?"

Xu Qi sighed, sat up, and placed a hand on Ai Li's shoulder, saying, "You think I won't resist, right?"

Ellie's face stiffened—oh no… she'd gotten too cocky…

Xu Qi leaned close to the girl's ear and said through gritted teeth.

"I hope you won't beg for mercy too quickly tonight."

"Wait! Wait a minute, Xu Qi, I was wrong, I was wrong, ugh!... Waaah... Slow down, please~~"

······

Although Xu Qi said that, he was still reluctant to actually conquer his little Ai Li.

After about three or four times, he took Ellie to take a bath.

Even while taking a bath, she couldn't help but act up, lying in the bathtub and sobbing, "Waaah... Xu Qi, you don't cherish me at all, you don't love me anymore."

When she said these words, Ai Li was still in Xu Qi's arms.

"Stop acting normal..."

A little bit of emotion comes quickly and goes quickly.

After making a fuss in the bathtub for a while, Ellie suddenly splashed water on Xu Qi's face.

"Hmm!...Are you a child!?"

The prank was a success, and Alicia chuckled.

Xu Qi helplessly reached out and ruffled Ai Li's wet, pink hair. Mei said that sometimes she just spoiled Ai Li too much... What could she do? Who else would she spoil if not her?

After taking a shower, Li seemed still very excited and wouldn't stay still in bed.

Left with no other choice, Xu Qi could only hug her, hoping to calm her down.

"Stop messing around, I have to go to work tomorrow."

"Hmph? I have to go to work tomorrow, and you still...so many times tonight..."

Xu Qi blushed, but then realized something was amiss.

Normally, Ellie would be exhausted and wanting to sleep by now, so why is she so energetic today?

"Hmph! You didn't know, did you? I've been drinking goji berry tea to nourish my body."

Hearing these words from Ellie's mouth was truly unsettling.

"Speaking of which, Ellie... there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

"Ok?"

That's really strange. Xu Qi wants to discuss something with me? Ai Li was a little confused. What could she possibly want? She's just a small-time online streamer…

"I'd like to go home in a few days."

"Going home? Oh... I mean going back to see your aunt and uncle."

"Ah."

Since Ai Li accompanied Xu Qi home last time, the relationship between Xu Qi and his parents has basically improved.

In just six months since moving out, he has become increasingly accustomed to living away from home.

In addition... Golden Courtyard had long been Xu Qi's second home, so he had no plans to move back.

That house is also meant for my parents to use in their old age.

"Do you want me to come with you? Hehe~~ You usually seem fearless, but when you go home to see your parents, you still need me to come with you."

"Well! Last time... you left a good impression on the two elders. They keep urging me to bring you back again, and they even said..."

"Still talking?"

"He also said... he wants to have a grandson as soon as possible."

……

Alicia remained silent in Xu Qi's arms.

It wasn't until much later that she finally spoke softly.

"Xu Qi..."

"Ok?"

"Um... if we don't get a marriage certificate... can we get married once?"

……

Xu Qi kissed Aili on the forehead and said softly, "What are you saying? My silly girl, isn't that obvious? But we have to wait until Mei."

"Ok!"

Ellie smiled and kissed Xu Qi.

"Hehe?~~ You're so good to me, Xu Qi..."

……

"Silly girl, is this what you call being good to me? I'm just... making up for what I owe you..."

"It's okay, Xu Qi, I understand." Ai Li nestled in Xu Qi's arms, closed her eyes, and prepared to drift off to sleep. Before falling asleep, a sweet smile involuntarily appeared on her lips.

"Being with you makes me so happy..."

403. Only seeking solace in Eden.

The next day at work, before I could even settle into my office, Delta came in and kicked me out.

"Have you finished practicing the opening theme? You're the only one missing for the first episode. I've already prepared the content for you, and you're telling me the song isn't finished yet? Are you kidding me?"

"no?"

Xu Qi was puzzled.

“He can’t rush these things. And right now, you’re only able to come over and urge him because the person singing the opening theme is right next to your office. What if they weren’t here?”

"Then I can't rush it."

"You fucking..."

Xu Qi was completely helpless against the production manager's bluntness.

"Okay, okay, I know. I'll practice, but don't rush me. The more you rush me, the more anxious I get, and the more anxious I get, the worse I'll sing. Do you understand?"

Delta curled his lip, his face showing disdain.

"How many times do you think I've heard similar words when I'm urging the original artist to finish the project?"

"..."

"Especially the animators whose original drawings were sent back for revisions by the animation director, they say this kind of thing the most."

"..." Xu Qi took a sip of water, his eyes darting around. "People's physical constitutions are different, and this kind of thing is closely related to their state of mind."

"How many times do you think I've heard that line?"

"..."

Delta stared at Xu Qi with exasperation and said, "You guys never know your potential unless you're pushed!"

And they even say you have to paint from the heart, that fluctuations in your mindset will affect your work—you haven't even reached the level of a master yet, and you've already reached that level in mindset?

"Uh... okay, okay, I'll go practice right away, I'll go practice right away, alright?"

Seemingly realizing that her attitude might have been a bit too harsh, Delta calmed herself down and said somewhat stiffly, "I'm sorry, I was also wrong, I shouldn't have yelled at you..."

In short, I hope the supervisor can release the first opening theme as soon as possible, by April next year... no, at the latest by the middle of next month! The publicity team definitely needs to release the first PV.

I hope that part of the original, energetic opening theme song can be used in our PV1. Goodbye.

After saying that, Delta turned and left the office, while Xu Qi seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and leaned back in her chair. At that moment, the attentive maid handed her a cup of black tea.

Xu Qi pursed her lips and said, "Rita, why didn't you try to persuade Director Delta for me just now?"

“However, Rita thinks Delta is right. Although the animation industry is a very subjective and idealistic industry, most people can’t actually reach that level.”

Xu Qi gave a wry smile.

"In fact, even Director Delta himself is the same."

"Hmm?" Xu Qi sipped his black tea and looked at Rita with some confusion.

As Xu Qi's thoughtful secretary, Rita dressed herself up exceptionally well for work today. She stood quietly by his side, her eyes lowered, and spoke.

"Initially, when Delta was still a student, she wasn't actually involved in production; she worked as an illustrator. But later... she gave it up."

"why?"

"Even someone as proud as Delta has moments when he is completely outmatched in terms of talent, leaving him feeling utterly dejected."

As a concept artist, you can only grow by drawing fast enough. The faster you draw, the more tasks you get assigned, the more you draw, and the more you draw, the more you grow, and the faster you draw again—it's a virtuous cycle.

Xu Qi remained silent...

Conversely, if you draw slowly and draw less, you will grow slowly and receive fewer orders, thus being completely expelled from the industry due to a lack of talent.

This is a vicious cycle.

"But how can we ensure quality if we draw quickly?"

Rita fell silent, and Xu Qi instantly understood.

He opened his mouth dryly, feeling the cruelty of the original art industry more acutely than ever before.

Those who can't even guarantee quality naturally have to be eliminated...

No industry will pity a person without talent.

If you don't meet the standards, get out.

"In fact, this applies to all industries. Only those who are good enough can obtain more resources and become even better... while those who are not good enough will naturally have to find another way out."

This excellence can refer to various things: talent, background, even luck, your silver tongue, your flattery...

After Rita finished speaking, she looked at Xu Qi and said with a smile.

"Director Delta's attitude toward you, Bronya, and many talented people is terrible, not out of jealousy, but because he feels sorry for you."

They clearly possess enviable talent, so why aren't they working hard? Why are they giving up on themselves? This leads to feelings of frustration and disappointment…

"Stop talking, Rita..."

Xu Qi sat dejectedly in his seat, feeling as if Rita's words were like sharp thorns piercing his heart, making him restless and uneasy.

"I understand. I'll go practice now. Actually, I already had a bit of a feel for it yesterday, and I feel that I'll definitely be able to make a breakthrough today."

"Rita, congratulations in advance, sir."

"And also... am I considered one of the talented types?"

Rita spread her hands, gesturing to the office, then to Xu Qi's age, and finally said, "At least I've never heard of anyone being able to practice to the point where people stop and listen to their songs in just about a week."

Xu Qi blushed.

"You knew all along yesterday..."

"Sir, the last thing you should doubt is whether you are capable of doing such a thing. After all, do you think Miss Eden is the type to patiently teach a fool?"

"no!"

Xu Qi was quite certain of this, because Ai Li had once wanted to learn to sing, but Eden only taught her for one day before giving up. The reason given was... "Too stupid, she can't learn."

I remember that Ellie was indignant about this for a long time.

"So, the manager is talented."

Inspired by Rita's words, Xu Qi instantly felt full of confidence!

"Understood, Rita! I'll go practice now."