After they finished speaking, Wong Qifu and Xu Ke went downstairs for a meal. Zhou Yi Yi and Wang Qiya were already gone, having apparently left right after eating.

That probably has something to do with me, Xu Ke thought. After all, Zhou Yi Yi can't stand me, so if we ate together, there would've inevitably been friction.

Meanwhile, Lin Qinghua and Wang Wu, who had to do their morning training, had already eaten. Wang Wu was currently arranging Wong Qifu's outing, while Lin Qinghua was in the kitchen brewing Xu Ke's medicine.

Xu Ke and Wong Qifu sat facing each other at the dining table. On it were two bowls of white congee and a few simple side dishes.

Seeing this, Xu Ke was taken aback.

"Not to your liking?" Wong Qifu couldn't help but ask when she saw his dazed expression.

"Not at all," Xu Ke shook his head with a smile. "I just figured someone of your status would have a Western-style breakfast. I didn't expect you to be so down-to-earth."

A smile touched Wong Qifu's lips. "I don't have the refined tastes of you young people. I grew up drinking congee and soy milk. During my busiest times, I got by on bread."

With that, Wong Qifu picked up her chopsticks and began eating the side dishes.

Xu Ke rubbed his nose. "You're not that old. Why do you keep calling us 'young people'?"

"The age gap is right there. Is there a problem?" Wong Qifu chuckled.

"But now that we're together, doesn't that sync us up?" Xu Ke also picked up his chopsticks and put a piece of food in his mouth.

"Sync up?" Wong Qifu paused, her slender eyebrows arching slightly. "Does using the same bath towel mean we're in sync?"

"Cough, cough..." Xu Ke almost spat his food out. "How is that the same thing?"

Wong Qifu's smile widened, but she didn't answer him. Instead, she switched to a soup spoon and lowered her head to eat her congee with focused attention.

After his coughing fit, Xu Ke also switched to a spoon and began his congee. He found himself occasionally glancing at Wong Qifu's beautiful face, his focus wavering.

In the kitchen behind them, Lin Qinghua quietly brewed the medicine with a smile on her face. I can't believe the Young Mistress and Mister Xu have already reached this stage!

***

"After you finish eating, stay here, take your medicine, and then wait upstairs. If you absolutely have to go out, go with Uncle Wu. Remember, don't go anywhere alone," Wong Qifu instructed him again and again after she finished her meal.

This time, she was determined to keep Xu Ke cloistered away.

Xu Ke nodded seriously. "I'll remember."

Wong Qifu gave him a look. "I hope so."

Xu Ke felt helpless.

Soon after, Wong Qifu left with Lin Qinghua. Mai Qing followed them out the door.

Wang Wu emerged from the kitchen carrying a bowl of medicine. "Mister Xu, here is your medicine."

"Thank you, Uncle Wu." Xu Ke quickly stood up and took the bowl from him.

After drinking the medicine, Xu Ke regulated his breathing to absorb its effects. By the time the medicinal power was mostly assimilated, it was already ten o'clock.

He pulled out his phone and saw he had quite a few messages. From being in his room to out on the balcony, he had been with Wong Qifu the entire time until bed and had completely forgotten to check his phone. Only now did he have a moment to look.

***

A message from Qian Hong, sent at 12:30 a.m.: "Little Ke, Sister Hong is terrified. They sent me another threatening message! I already helped you, please, you have to help me soon."

Xu Ke didn't reply and skipped to the next one.

***

A message from Lin Chu, sent at 12:45 a.m.: "Old Xu, Qiang Zi and I are really worried about you. How did everything go with that Jincheng Hotel incident? Are you in any trouble? You have to tell us if you need help."

Xu Ke replied, "It's fine. Yesterday's issue is resolved! No repercussions."

***

A message from Jiang Yi, sent at seven in the morning: "Boss, when can Yuk Dalong and I get the antidote?!"

To show his deference, he had even included a "Pouring Tea for the Boss" sticker.

Xu Ke replied, "Three-thirty this afternoon. Meet me in the urban village. Bring everything."

Jiang Yi replied in seconds, "Okay!!"

Truthfully, he could have just summoned Jiang Yi here. But he didn't want anyone to know about this place, so he decided it was better to head back to the urban village later.

***

Next, Xu Ke took the initiative to send a message to Zhang Qiming. He still hadn't thanked Zhang Qiming in person for helping with his act the night before last. They were supposed to meet yesterday, but Zhang Qiming had said he was busy, which was why Xu Ke had gone to the gathering at the Jincheng Hotel. He had intended to call but worried he might interrupt a surgery, so he sent a message instead.

"Dr. Zhang, it's Xu Ke. I'd like to schedule a time to meet. I want to thank you in person for your help and also to discuss acupuncture techniques."

Xu Ke chose his words carefully. I have to be careful, or he'll seize the opportunity to ask me to be his master! I don't think I'm ready to take on disciples yet. Besides, considering my own master's feelings, I'd better not!

Half an hour later, Zhang Qiming replied, "Mister Xu, I'm available anytime, anywhere."

Despite the emotionless text, Xu Ke could sense a palpable eagerness from him.

"Then let's meet at a restaurant for lunch!"

Zhang Qiming: "Okay!"

***

「Eleven o'clock in the morning. The living room.」

Xu Ke was putting on his shoes.

"Mister Xu," Wang Wu began, seeing that Xu Ke had finished his meal, taken his medicine, and sat still for an hour only to immediately prepare to leave. "If you go out now... won't the Young Mistress be upset when she finds out?"

"It should... be fine. If she asks, we'll just say we're still at home," Xu Ke said, hesitating.

A look of hesitation also crossed Wang Wu's face.

Xu Ke sighed in resignation. "It can't be helped. I think it's riskier to ask them to come here. It's safer to meet outside. It's just more trouble for you, Uncle Wu."

Wang Wu waved his hand dismissively. "Mister Xu, don't be a stranger."

Xu Ke nodded and said cheerfully, "Alright, then let's he—"

RING RING RING.

The sudden sound of a phone ringing sent a chill down Xu Ke's neck. He looked down. It was Wong Qifu.

Xu Ke gulped. "Hello, Sister Wang..."

"Where are you now?" Wong Qifu's emotionless voice came from the other end.

"Still at home," Xu Ke replied.

"Have you put your shoes on?" she asked.

Xu Ke held his breath and ultimately managed a faint, unconvincing "mhm."

He instinctively glanced around. She installed surveillance cameras, didn't she?!

Wong Qifu's cold voice came through the phone. "Stop looking. I did."

Xu Ke was speechless.

No wonder!

"I knew you couldn't stay put. Go on, go out..." Wong Qifu's cold tone softened into resignation. "I'm completely helpless when it comes to you."

"Heh heh..." Xu Ke chuckled twice. "It's all the same, really."

"No need to explain. Go do what you need to do. I have to get back to work," Wong Qifu interrupted.

"Okay!" Xu Ke said.

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.

Wong Qifu hung up.

Xu Ke lowered his phone. An embarrassed look appeared on Wang Wu's face. "Mister Xu, I forgot to tell you. The Young Mistress had surveillance cameras installed in the living room for security."

Xu Ke waved it off with a chuckle. "No worries, no worries. Sister Wang already knew what I was up to."

"That's good, then," Wang Wu nodded.

After putting on his shoes, Xu Ke was about to grab his dirty clothes when he saw they had already been washed and hung up to dry.

"Let's go."

After a quick check to make sure he hadn't forgotten anything, Xu Ke turned before leaving and waved to his surroundings. He was saying goodbye to Wong Qifu. He had no idea where the cameras were, so he just waved in a full 360-degree circle to make sure he covered all the angles.

After waving, Xu Ke left the apartment.

***

「Wang Family Corporation」

Wong Qifu had been watching Xu Ke putting on his shoes on the surveillance monitor, her face clouded with displeasure.

I knew he wouldn't listen to me.

But when he made his 360-degree wave, she couldn't help but laugh despite her annoyance.

What an idiot...

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