Kevin had refused the role of Operations Director.
Head of Security was perfect: stroll around the company, escort people when someone went out, and when nobody needed him he could wander over to the Equipment Development Division to see Dr. MEI. Sometimes he could fish with Su and Su Ming. Life was practically paradise.
So Kevin happily let Sakura take the Operations Director role, shoved the position of Head of Security onto Kalpas and "reassigned" him to become Head Chef, while Kevin claimed the quiet, comfortable security post for himself.
"No, no—guests drink tea. Sit," Su Ming insisted, pressing Kevin back down. "And even if you want to leave, Elysia won't. She's definitely still harassing Mei right now."
"…That's true."
As a fellow married man, Kevin knew the pain. If Elysia weren't equal-opportunity about bothering every woman in World Serpent, he would've wondered if she had a peculiar hobby involving other people's wives.
"Here—try it. I learned from Hua."
Soon, Su Ming handed Kevin a cup of hot tea.
The bowl was scalding, but Kevin accepted it like it was nothing and took a sip.
"Good tea. Honestly, it's close to Hua's."
"You've learned how to flatter people now?" Su Ming squinted. "I know exactly how far I am from Hua."
Kevin looked a little awkward. In truth, he couldn't reliably tell good tea from average tea. At tea gatherings, when Hua or Eden poured, he usually just drank it down.
"Ahem. Eden's concert is coming to Nagazora City next month. I've got two tickets—you two can go if you're free."
Kevin deployed money like a smoke bomb to change the subject.
"Eden's concert? Those are hard to get. You and Dr. MEI aren't going?"
"MEI has overtime. Actually… she's been doing overtime for two months straight. And we've seen Eden perform plenty of times."
Kevin's expression carried the faint grievance of a husband married to a workaholic.
Su Ming felt a sudden, guilty wave of gratitude.
At least Mei doesn't work overtime… otherwise I'd be finished.
He offered a consolation anyway. "Mei practices swordsmanship sometimes, so she comes home late occasionally too."
"…"
Two married men exchanged the same weary sigh.
…
"Mei my precious Mei It's been ages! Let me see if you've gotten prettier!"
Elysia grabbed Mei's arm and leaned in close, face practically inches away.
Mei couldn't help it—she really struggled to refuse Elysia's requests. A phrase floated across her mind:
Pink puppy.
"As if that happens overnight—"
"Let me look…" Elysia inspected her carefully, then gasped. "Wow! Your skin is so much better—how do you take care of it?"
"I don't do anything special. Just normal skincare…"
"Do you use ours? The one Eden and I endorse? Do you? Do you?"
Elysia clasped Mei's hands, eyes shining.
"Yes. I've been using your brand. It works really well."
"Mm-hmm! I knew Dr. Mobius's products were reliable!" Elysia was delighted—then frowned. "But that's weird. I use our products too, so why isn't my skin as good as yours?"
She leaned in to compare directly, cheek to cheek.
Mei had no answer and simply endured the affectionate nuzzling. She could hardly tell Elysia that her "glow" was helped along by a certain someone spoiling her at home.
Then Su Ming walked in—and saw Elysia latched onto his wife.
Hey. Pink menace. Step away from my wife.
He was about to bark her off, when Elysia turned at the sound and immediately closed the distance.
"Ah Su Ming! Long time no see Let me get a good look at you."
Mei: …
Haven't I heard that line before?
A sweet fragrance hit Su Ming like a wave, forcing him half a step back.
Strong pressure. So this is the pink menace's true power.
He threw Mei a helpless look.
Mei shook her head. There was nothing she could do.
Elysia looked him over with surprising seriousness.
"You look… broader. Have you been working out?"
Please don't—
"D-Do I?" Su Ming's mouth twitched. He raised both hands in surrender. He'd wanted to rescue Mei—only to get dragged into the fire himself.
Kevin, save me.
"Ehh? Why are you so scared of me?" Elysia pouted innocently. "Would a cute, beautiful girl do anything frightening to you~?"
She leaned closer, eyes wide and guileless.
I'm scared I won't be able to control myself, Su Ming thought, internally condemning her. He'd barely survived "husband-in-front-of-wife"; now she was trying to stage the sequel in full view of Mei. Completely immoral.
"Ahem—Vill-V should be almost done," Mei said quickly, stepping in. "Why don't we go over together?"
An angel. Mei is an angel.
Su Ming looked at his wife with watery gratitude. She gave him a tiny, exasperated glance—Elysia's exuberance wasn't unpleasant, but every time she appeared she somehow ended up clinging to Su Ming too, and Mei couldn't help wondering if Elysia had ulterior motives.
"Okay~ my dear Mei?" Elysia chirped, looping an arm through Mei's as if nothing had happened.
Su Ming, however, froze at the system panel.
[Name: Elysia]
[Charm: 19]
[Profile: Chairwoman of World Serpent Group; beloved beauty influencer; a girl as lovely as falling blossoms, embodying all that is good in the world. Recommended target.]
[Affection: 40]
[Bond Quest 1: Elysia is curious about you and wants to be your friend. Will you accept this cute girl's request? (Completed)]
[Reward: +2 Free Attribute Points; Talent: "Immaculate Heart (Excellent)" — improved adaptation to Honkai energy; Route Reward: +100 Sleazy Points]
Why is the route reward "Sleazy"?
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My : pat*eon*com/RuneA
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