Chapter 76 Extra Chapter 6 (Continuing from the Normal World Ending)
Half an hour later.
Ling Wei was wrapped in a blanket, her hair half-wet and hanging over her shoulders, holding a bowl of hot ginger soup in her hands.
Butler Zhou said apologetically, "I'm so sorry, Miss Ling. We don't have any suitable women's clothing at home. We've already arranged for someone to fetch some urgently. Please wait a moment. Give me your wet clothes, and I'll take them to dry."
He glanced at the brown housekeeping uniform that Ling Wei had temporarily found for her, "It's just that you'll have to make do with this for now."
Ling Wei waved her hand: "It was my own carelessness, it's not your fault. You don't need to dry the clothes, I'm leaving right away."
She originally intended to rush home with her clothes wet, but seeing the guilty expression on Butler Zhou's face, and considering that he might feel pressured or even be blamed, she softened and agreed to the arrangement.
She looked down at herself. The clothes fit her perfectly, not too long or too short. Except for the chest being a little tight and the waist a little loose, everything else was fine.
She's worn all sorts of stage outfits, but this housekeeping uniform is a first for her; she feels like someone might call her "Aunt Ling" any second now.
When Butler Zhou handed her the sunglasses she had dropped in the pool, Ling Wei felt like her head was spinning.
Why did you suddenly start acting all high and mighty? You've made a complete fool of yourself.
She tilted her head back and gulped down the rest of the ginger soup in one go, finally dispelling some of the chill and embarrassment.
Just then, a long-lost voice rang directly in her mind:
"Weiwei, I'm back... Huh? What's going on here? Are we about to start a role-playing game?"
Her leader is back!!
For the first time, Ling Wei found its sound so pleasant and melodious.
"Tong~" she called out in her heart, almost bursting into tears.
The system puffed out its chest in my mind, displaying its virtual badge, "Look!"
"Great, great, great, great, great, great." Ling Wei had no time to appreciate it; she had more important things to do. "System, quick, help me find Qu Mingyuan!"
The system probed out and returned: "He's already on his way back, he'll be there in about ten minutes."
Ling Wei stood up abruptly and shoved the empty bowl into Butler Zhou's hands: "Thank you, it's too late, I'll be going now."
"I'll borrow your clothes for now, and I'll return them to you after I wash them."
After saying that, he turned and tried to slip away.
Tonight's situation is too dramatic, let's reschedule for another day. Another day she'll definitely come fully armed and in her battle armor.
System: "Hey, if you go out now, you'll run right into Qu Chen. They're at the door."
Qu Chen? The...?
Butler Zhou saw the girl who was about to leave suddenly stop in her tracks, quickly scan the area, and without hesitation, slip into the side of the living room.
There stood a tall display cabinet that also served as a tea cabinet, forming an inconspicuous angle with the wall, just enough to hide a person.
She gestured for him to shush, and almost at the same time, Qu Chen's voice came from the doorway, sounding weary: "Uncle Zhou."
Butler Zhou turned around.
Qu Chen walked in, with a drunken Li Jinzhao slung over his shoulder. He frowned, put the man on the sofa, and rubbed his shoulder.
Li Jinzhao slumped into the sofa and immediately began to sob: "Weiwei... my Weiwei has changed... I'm unemployed... I used to be able to brag about being the vice president, but now I'm just a freeloader who lives off his parents and sister... Brother, what do you think this is?"
Qu Chen said expressionlessly, "At least you know your place."
Li Jinzhao choked and hiccuped, then grabbed Qu Chen: "Brother, have another round of drinks with me, let's go rock the place!"
Qu Chen slapped his hand away: "I'm not going."
He turned to Butler Zhou, "Uncle Zhou, is Aunt Wang here? Make him a bowl of hangover soup."
Butler Zhou hesitated for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the corner of the tea cabinet: "Okay, I'll go call her right away."
His footsteps faded into the distance.
Ling Wei, hiding behind the tea cabinet: "..."
She held her breath and shrank further in.
Li Jinzhao, his eyes blurry with drunkenness, looked at Qu Chen and said, "Brother, how come you're so calm? You don't seem sad at all?"
Qu Chen leaned back on the sofa, not even lifting his eyelids: "You've mistaken me for someone else."
"I've been crying like this!" Li Jinzhao pointed to his tear-streaked face. "You, as the president...aren't you going to cry? Is your heart made of iron?"
Qu Chen leaned back, sinking into the soft sofa back, gazing at the warm light flowing across the ceiling, her voice as soft as a whisper: "What's the use of crying?"
How many tears had he shed and how pathetic had he appeared in front of her?
Over the years, their relationship has grown closer. She can spot him in the airport crowd at a glance, and even through her mask, she'll crinkle her eyes and wave at him. She'll tease him, "Hey, our president, you've worked so hard!" "Grandpa and Grandma's precious darling!"
The intimacy was real; there was trust and familiarity in their smiles, but that was all.
Her intimacy with him always maintained a clear boundary. He was very close to the light, close enough to feel its warmth, but the light did not shine on him alone.
Knowing there's no hope, even venting seems superfluous.
What is she doing now?
After the official announcement today, she also made a surprise appearance in the fan group, comforting everyone with gentle words for a long time.
Li Jinzhao's incoherent sobbing and rambling sounded particularly jarring in the quiet living room, causing Qu Chen to furrow his brow in frustration.
Let's just give him a few cups of tea to shut him up.
He walked toward the sideboard where the tea set was kept.
Ling Wei heard footsteps approaching her, and the hairs on her body stood on end.
The footsteps grew closer. The gap between the cabinet and the wall wasn't wide to begin with; just two more steps and she would be in sight.
Just as her heart was pounding and she was thinking of simply coming out on her own initiative, the footsteps abruptly stopped.
"Uncle?"
Qu Mingyuan has returned.
Ling Wei's tense nerves suddenly relaxed, her legs felt weak, and she quickly shrank back further.
Secretary Sun followed behind Qu Mingyuan, and the two of them walked in, bringing with them the slightly cool night air.
Secretary Sun was clearly surprised by the scene in the living room, but still nodded politely to Qu Chen and Li Jinzhao.
Li Jinzhao, who was immersed in grief, was startled when someone else came in and let out a loud hiccup: "Ugh... my Weiwei... hiccup?!"
He tried to focus his gaze on the doorway.
The man in the lead was tall and straight, wearing a dark coat. He had a faint smell of alcohol on his face, but his eyes were calm and deep. He was looking into the living room, and his gaze seemed to be fixed on me.
Alcohol emboldened Li Jinzhao, but he also retained an instinctive awe for the important figure his parents had spoken of.
He swayed as he tried to stand up, his tongue tumbling out, "Uncle, hello! I'm Qu Chen's brother, my best buddy! Li Jinzhao! Sorry to bother you tonight!"
Qu Mingyuan's gaze lingered on Li Jinzhao's face for a moment, then he nodded slightly, his expression gentle with weariness.
Secretary Sun carefully placed the items she was carrying on the table next to Qu Mingyuan, then turned to Qu Chen and whispered, "Young Master Chen, the leader also had some drinks today. If you have any hangover tea at home..."
Qu Chen nodded: "I've already asked Uncle Zhou to make the preparations."
"That's good." Secretary Sun was relieved and said to Qu Mingyuan, "Boss, if there's nothing else, I'll head back now."
Qu Mingyuan hummed in agreement, and then Secretary Sun turned and left.
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