"Mr. Chen?"
Chen Mo turned his head at the sound.
He saw Xu Qingyi in white under the ginkgo tree, holding a stack of books, looking at him from afar. The breeze gently stirred her skirt, making her look like a swaying iris.
"Director Xu, long time no see." Chen Mo waved with a smile.
Xu Qingyi gracefully approached.
She carefully examined him, making sure he wasn’t missing any parts, and then withdrew her glance, asking, "When did you return?"
"Yesterday," Chen Mo replied.
Xu Qingyi pursed her lips and softly said, "I heard you caused quite a stir this time, not only destroying the Gu God Sect but also a Barbarian Tribe. Even His Majesty holds you in high regard and wants you to participate in the Prince Consort selection."
It seemed Her Majesty the Consort hadn’t told her about what happened in the Qingzhou Secret Realm.
After all, the matter was too deep; the more one knew, the more dangerous it became. Chen Mo didn’t want to involve her, so he jokingly said, "What if I really become the Prince Consort, then Director Xu will have to move to the Princess Mansion and warm my bed."
"Pah, in your dreams!" Xu Qingyi glared at him indignantly, spitting the words out.
"This is the Crown Prince’s order. Are you planning to default?" Chen Mo folded his arms and said, "Besides, it’s not like we haven’t slept in the same bed before..."
"You stop talking!"
Xu Qingyi hurriedly reached out to cover his mouth, furtively looking around with a guilty conscience, blushing as she said, "There are too many people in this Imperial Palace, and walls have ears. If someone hears, how will I face anyone?"
Chen Mo didn’t speak, his deep eyes fixed directly on her.
Xu Qingyi felt a little flustered under his gaze, took a step back after releasing her hand, and whispered, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"There’s something on your face."
"What is it?"
"Something beautiful."
"..."
Xu Qingyi bit her lip, feeling her ears burn hotter.
This guy always speaks nonsense with such seriousness, making her heart a mess.
Seeing that she was nearly overwhelmed, Chen Mo decided not to tease her further. Noticing the books and periodicals she was holding, he asked, "What’s this?"
Xu Qingyi steadied her mind and said, "The magazine you asked me to print last time sold out as soon as it was released. All major bookstores have reprinted thousands of copies and are now clamoring for the second issue. You haven’t returned, so I had no choice but to design a few deluxe editions to hold them over. These are the newly made samples..."
Talking about it, Xu Qingyi was full of grievance.
This man gave instructions and left her with the mess, making her run around the palace all day, overwhelmed by the workload.
"In the original plot, Her Majesty as the final boss, had unmatched power in her era, but limited by the world’s shackles, still met a bleak end."
"Now I possess Dragon Qi and the top-notch dual cultivation technique ’Nine Heavens Supreme True Heart Scripture.’ I have everything ready except the final push. Once I reach the First Grade, I can help Her Majesty take that final step..."
"By then, I’ll have an even stronger backing. In absolute strength, I don’t believe Wu Lie can make any waves!"
Seeing him silent, Xu Qingyi asked in confusion, "What are you thinking? Why aren’t you talking?"
Chen Mo returned to his senses, shaking his head, "Never mind, let’s not disturb Her Majesty’s peaceful cultivation... It’s still early, why not start working on the second issue at your place?"
"At my place?" Xu Qingyi hesitated upon hearing this.
"What, is it inconvenient?" Chen Mo stroked his chin, "You haven’t been hiding someone from me, have you?"
"Get lost, what nonsense are you spouting!" Xu Qingyi gave him a glare and whispered, "Did you forget about the last time the Empress caught us? Plus, Her Majesty doesn’t want me too close to you. If she finds out, she’ll be angry again."
"Rest assured, the Empress is resting, and Her Majesty is in seclusion, who will know we’re together?" Chen Mo waved dismissively.
"Well... alright."
Xu Qingyi hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded in agreement.
After all, it had been a long time since they last met, and she truly missed him, having so many things bottled up that she wanted to share.

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