Bronya nodded.
She had only heard "go to the company," and hadn't noticed the word "play."
The noodles in the bowl steamed in the cool, early morning air as autumn deepened.
Bronya's mind was racing with too many thoughts. She mechanically put the noodles Ye Feng had made into her mouth and was instantly revitalized.
"Mmm, so delicious!"
"Right? Mei also likes to eat the noodles I make."
"...Sister Mei?"
Ah, right.
Since they were married, Sister Mei and the idiot Kiana must have sent their blessings.
But something felt a little off.
What did he mean by "Mei also likes to eat the noodles I make"?
For a husband to refer to his wife's best friend so intimately, and even cook for her?
Cooking for another girl—is that a topic a husband would bring up with his own wife?
Bronya was a little curious about the kind of relationship "she" had with her husband before.
Bronya nodded woodenly. Beneath the table, the black-stockinged soles of her feet rested on the cold, white ceramic tiles, swinging slightly and unconsciously.
This feeling of her feet planted firmly on the ground... Bronya hadn't experienced it in a very long time.
---o---
The wind was crisp, the air clear.
It was another beautiful, clear autumn day.
Bronya's figure was full and tall. Dressed in a neat OL uniform paired with high-quality black silk pantyhose, her entire being radiated a brilliant charm.
Ye Feng drove Bronya to the E.T. Studio company in a silver sports car.
It was a skyscraper standing in the most prosperous section of Arc City, the world's largest entertainment production center.
Bronya was the general manager of its subsidiary, Reason Studio, an electronic development group.
Her silver hair flew in the wind. Bronya, in the passenger seat, watched the scenery recede and couldn't help but think: if she could ride her beloved motorcycle to the company she yearned for, to fulfill her dream...
What a wonderful thing that would be.
"Your motorcycle license was revoked. For the time being, just let me drive you, alright?" Ye Feng said suddenly.
"Eh?"
License revoked?
So, the "old Bronya" really used to race through the city.
But having her license revoked was a bit annoying... even without the memory of it, Bronya was still annoyed.
Before nine o'clock, Ye Feng and Bronya stepped into the company building.
The company was larger than she had imagined; it could only be described as magnificent.
It was just that the "company culture" that greeted her left Bronya a little baffled.
In a lobby as large as a public square, people came and go. On one of the plaques, written in a slanted, cute loli-style font, were what seemed to be the company's core principles.
"The Five Virtues of a Gentleman?" Bronya read softly.
Ye Feng explained, "A third-rate company relies on management, a second-rate company relies on systems, and a first-rate company relies on culture. This is the core culture of our production group."
"Ah?"
Bronya stared blankly at the so-called "company culture":
[A gentleman has five virtues.
To like soft-voiced lolis, and to pity the lonely and the weak, this is Benevolence.
To like the girl next door, a beauty coming of age, and to wish to accompany her as she grows, this is Righteousness.
To like married women, in the style of Cao Wei, and not to hide one's intentions regardless of her marital status, this is Sincerity.
To like mature women, and not to abandon them as their age increases, this is Perseverance.
To like 2D wives, and not to resist their beauty just because they are not of our world, this is Wisdom.
Therefore, with Benevolence, Righteousness, Sincerity, Perseverance, and Wisdom, what is there to fear?]
Bronya: (ᗜ ˰ ᗜ)
No, are you serious?
"This is just how we in the 2D world are."
"..."
"Oh, but the Reason Studio development group, which Big Duck Duck is a part of, isn't like this."
Big Duck Duck put on her work ID. The blue and white card, hanging from her chest, was propped up at a 45-degree angle.
Next, Ye Feng took Bronya up the elevator to her work area.
This entire floor was the game development area. It seemed to still be early, as only a few people were scattered at their workstations.
As soon as Bronya entered, they proactively greeted her.
"Good morning, Chief." This was a girl with pink hair.
"...Hm? Boss. You're early?" This was a girl with long, straight black hair.
Bronya responded to each of them.
Why do they look a little familiar?
Putting that aside for a moment, Bronya saw an organizational chart posted on the wall. Her husband... seemed to be her subordinate?
Bronya looked at Ye Feng. He walked to the frosted glass door of a private office, skillfully took a key from his pocket, turned it, and opened the door.
"Boss?"
Her husband called out to her, and it took Bronya a moment to realize he was addressing her.
Bronya immediately understood. That must be her private office.
On this floor, Bronya was the big boss.
Bronya lifted her feet, her long, black-stockinged legs striding forward, the heels of her shoes making a crisp sound on the floor.
As Bronya entered the office, she felt a sense of familiarity.
The layout inside was simple, fitting a rugged Russian style.
On the desk was a computer and an assembled model of Aratoh. In a hollowed-out display cabinet behind it sat a limited edition golden Homu.
Bronya walked slowly along the edge of the desk, her fingertips brushing against the surface, before sitting down in the boss's chair.
Although Bronya had no memory of it, she felt at a glance that this was exactly how her office should be.
There was just one thing missing.
"Ah, right, Big Duck Duck. I took the game console home. We're in the final stages of wrapping up, so you can't get distracted anymore."
"Mmm..."
Yes, that's right. The game console.
Bronya stared at Ye Feng in a daze.
She had an illusion, as if Ye Feng was some kind of in-game tutorial guide. He always seemed to appear with a timely explanation whenever she had a question.
Just as the duck was thinking this, with a click, the office door was closed and locked by Ye Feng.
"?"
Why close the door? And lock it?
Ye Feng said, "Why does Big Duck Duck look so confused? Or... are you looking for something more exciting... like not locking the door?"
"?"
In her confusion, Bronya saw Ye Feng approach with a wide grin...
"Wh-What are you doing...?"
Bronya instinctively sensed that something was wrong. Sitting in the chair, her body straightened unconsciously, and she crossed her legs, striking the pose of a powerful career woman.
"Hehe, since Big Duck Duck is asking, my answer, of course, is... I'm going to do you."
Ye Feng stepped forward, grabbed Big Duck Duck's ankle, and her shiny black high-heeled shoe slipped off easily.
"Kyaa~~~"
Bronya let out a small cry.
She seemed to have been startled by Ye Feng's action.
But mostly, it was very ticklish.
In the experiments of her early years, Bronya had lost all sensation in her legs.
Now that she had regained her healthy ability to walk the earth again, they were naturally extremely sensitive.
The moment Ye Feng gently squeezed her, she couldn't help but squirm.
Through the hazy stockings, her tender pink toes and bright red toenails were faintly visible.
"Wh-What are you doing... It's working hours..." Bronya said, curling her toes.