"Honestly, you can't do this anymore!"
As Big Duck Duck emerged from the restroom, she adjusted her collar while glancing left and right, scanning her surroundings.
The entire building was silent. The green glow of the safety lights cast an eerie luminescence, and the leaves of a person-high potted plant at the corner swayed gently.
Bronya let out a sigh of relief. Thank goodness, no one was here.
Then again, at this hour, all the company employees had long since gone home, and security wouldn't come up to this floor without a key card.
But her heart still pounded with fear.
If an employee had discovered them just now, it would have been a true social death.
It might even make the headlines tomorrow:
[SHOCKING! SCANDAL! Valkyrie Who Saved the World, Bronya Zaychik, Head of Reason Studios' E-Development Project Team, Caught Doing [REDACTED] With a Subordinate in the Restroom!]
Bronya quickened her pace.
"—Ah~!"
The soles of her feet inside her high heels were incredibly slippery, as if they'd been oiled.
Bronya fell backward.
"Careful."
Ye Feng caught Big Duck Duck with his chest.
Bronya fell into her husband's arms. His firm, broad embrace was like a warm harbor, and her racing heart began to calm.
But feeling the sticky, slippery sensation on the soles of her feet, Bronya couldn't help but lift her gaze and shoot Ye Feng a fierce glare.
"You… idiot! I told you not to put it inside my shoes…"
As expected of Big Duck Duck, even her angry glare was filled with amorous charm.
It didn't seem like she was having a tantrum, but rather like she was teasing, seducing.
Ye Feng supported Big Duck Duck's shoulders and whispered with a chuckle in her ear:
"Then where should I put it? I can't just have you eat it all, can I?"
"You… you…"
Burning with shame and indignation, Bronya stomped back to the office in her high heels, leaving uniform wet prints on the spotlessly clean floor.
---o---
Despite her dissatisfaction, when it was time to go home, Big Duck Duck still waited for Ye Feng in the basement where the motorcycle was parked.
Pouting, she leaned against the motorcycle, an unhappy expression on her face.
The scene couldn't help but remind Ye Feng of a four-panel comic: an elderly couple, having quarreled over something trivial, were giving each other the silent treatment, but when it started to rain, they would still hold an umbrella for one another.
Arc City was known as the city that never slept. The multicolored lights illuminated the bustling nightscape.
On the elevated highway, the engine roared, and the red taillight traced a smooth arc before vanishing in a flash.
Ye Feng sat behind Big Duck Duck, being uncharacteristically well-behaved.
His hands were just wrapped around her waist, his body and face pressed against her voluptuous and beautiful back.
Listening to the wind whistling past his ears was exceptionally pleasant.
Bronya steered the bike into the slow lane and eased off the throttle, the previously speeding scenery stabilizing.
She slowed down not because there were traffic police ahead, but because she needed to lay down some ground rules with her husband.
How could he continue being so… absurd?
It was one thing at home.
But at the company, they had to act like they were at the company. He was not allowed to bully his superior.
"Um…"
"Hm? What's wrong, Big Duck Duck?"
"At the company from now on, you are to address me by my title," Bronya said with a stern, straight face.
Yes, titles were important.
They determined the hierarchy between two parties.
"Yes, Title Big Duck Duck."
"Don't be a smartass."
Bronya continued, "At the very least, before Aratoh goes into open beta, you are not to always… always, you know…"
"Uh-huh? You know? What is 'you know'?"
"…Y-You know what…"
"Ehhh~~~ If Big Duck Duck doesn't say it, I won't understand at all~~"
Ye Feng drew out his words.
Big Duck Duck's body stiffened.
Ye Feng could clearly feel the motorcycle itself trembling slightly.
Bronya pursed her lips.
Her husband was perfect in every way, except sometimes he was just too improper.
What was even more infuriating was that Bronya found she actually didn't mind it…
Damn it!
After silently cursing herself, 'You're so useless, Bronya,' she finally said, "You wouldn't want our years of hard work to go to waste, would you?"
"Big Duck Duck, the way you say that has a bit of a Far East flavor to it."
"??"
"It's nothing, don't mind it."
Bronya said, "Aratoh is about to go into open beta. Bronya needs to focus her main energy on this project."
"Is Bronya getting too nervous? We have the best tester doing the closed beta, and an unbreachable programmer preventing all sorts of hacker attacks and bugs. The game even runs smoothly on mobile…"
"It's always better to be more careful."
"Alright, I'll listen to whatever my dear wife says. After all, this is our precious and memory-filled first time."
"…"
Bronya fell silent for a moment.
She had no memory of initiating or developing the project.
To be honest, a sense of regret did indeed fill her heart.
However, the game's production was almost complete. All Bronya had to do was some finishing touches and handle the publicity matters.
The Valkyrie responsible for coordinating the publicity was named Susanna.
Bronya didn't know her, but her husband said she was very reliable, so there probably wouldn't be any major issues.
"By the way, I contacted Kiana this afternoon. Chong Chong wants to come to our company too."
"Chong Chong?"
Bronya frowned slightly. Last time he mentioned Sister Mei, her husband had used her proper name.
This time he was directly using a nickname?
Bronya raised an eyebrow. "You seem very happy about it?"
"Of course I'm happy that Bronya's good friend is coming over."
"Why are you happy that Bronya's friend is coming over?"
Ye Feng hugged Big Duck Duck's soft waist from behind. "Are you angry?"
"Strange. Why would Bronya be angry?"
"Because I called Kiana 'Chong Chong.' You're not happy about it."
"I'm not. What you call her is your business."
"How could it be just my business? We're husband and wife. If Big Duck Duck doesn't like it, I won't call her that in front of you anymore."
"I don't dislike it, I'm not unhappy, and I'm not angry. Hmm…?"
Wait, what does he mean, "won't call her that in front of Bronya anymore?"
Does that mean he'll still call her that when he's with Kiana?
But if it's a nickname he's already used to, it would be strange to suddenly change it.
Tsk, this was a little annoying.
However, this minor annoyance was quickly "counseled" away by Ye Feng once they got home.
But she was still a little curious. What exactly was the relationship between her husband and Kiana?
---o---
…
"Bronya, look out! Neko charge!"
A rift opened in space, and a giant, white, silicon-based cat paw descended from it, smashing away the Knight-class Honkai Beast behind Bronya.
The immense wind pressure ruffled the hair of the distracted Bronya.
Kiana, having delivered the high kick, landed smoothly, back-to-back with Bronya.
"Little one, what are you spacing out for! You can get hurt even in simulated training."
"Bronya… is not a little one!"
Bronya raised her palm, and the mechanical arms of Project Bunny 19C synchronized with her movements, the lines of steel unleashing a violent aesthetic.
An 80mm cannon barrel extended from the mechanical palm, firing three consecutive missiles that blasted the charging Honkai Beast into data particles.
"Idiot Kiana, a Honkai Beast of that level wouldn't have been able to harm Bronya in any way."
"Hey! I was the one who saved you! How can you still call me an idiot?"
"Because idiot Kiana is idiot Kiana."
"Hmph!"
Kiana placed her hands on her hips, watching the aftershock of the missile explosion.
"Your attacks aren't all that, little one. If it were me, I could have sent it flying with one punch."
In reality, ever since Kiana had been etched with Ye Feng's "Pattern," she had been holding back her strength.
Otherwise, she might actually break the equipment.
"Bronya is not Kiana, with a brain full of muscle."
"That's called being full of spirit! As long as Mei is by my side, I have a hundred times the strength!"
Kiana then pouted and said, "Wait, do you have a problem with me? You've been targeting me especially today."
Bronya froze for a moment, then came up with an impeccable reason. "Because idiot Kiana ate the pudding Bronya was hiding in the fridge."
"You found out? Ehe."
Kiana scratched the back of her head.
"Even if you act cute, Bronya will not forgive you."
"Eeeh? Don't be so stingy! I just ate one of your puddings, is it worth getting so angry over? At worst, I'll buy you another one when we have a day off tomorrow. No, two!"
"Kiana."
"Hm?"
"Do you understand that feeling? The feeling of looking forward to it all day, only to open the fridge when you want to eat it and find it's been stolen… that moment of dark emotion."
"Ugh… I'm sorry."
As a fellow foodie, Kiana could empathize.
But whether this was the real reason for Bronya's mood was hard to say.
She felt irritable and confused.
Was she being influenced by the dream?
Bronya shook her head.
Don't overthink it. Calm down.
After finishing the day's training, Bronya turned on her game console, controller in hand, and sat on the floor, leaning against the sofa.
Drinks and snacks were placed beside her.
Tomorrow was the weekend. Even if she pulled an all-nighter, she wouldn't get scolded by Teacher Himeko.
But… she felt like she was lacking motivation.
Bronya suddenly realized that the thrill from playing games didn't seem as intense as when her husband dragged her into the restroom.
She stared blankly at the screen. Her reflection in it seemed to transform into the face of her husband from the dream.
She jumped in fright and rubbed her eyes hard, only for it to turn back into her own reflection.
What was going on?
Bronya didn't know, but she felt that if this continued, she would really have to see a therapist.
However… half of the things in the dream were too embarrassing to speak of…
"I'll just watch Homu anime instead."
Bronya floated onto the sofa, hugged a Homu pillow, and started the animation.
It was very interesting.
At least, that's what Bronya thought.
But as she watched, she groggily fell asleep.
---o---
…
The office was brightly lit at night.
In the quiet room, only the clacking of a keyboard could be heard.
Bronya stared at the proposal on her computer with a blank expression, the cold light of the screen reflected in her pupils.
Ever since waking up this morning, Bronya had been in the office handling the progress of Aratoh.
The closer it got to the open beta, the more nervous she became.
She hoped it would be popular, yet feared it would flop.
For this, Bronya worked day and night.
She even refused her husband's advances as much as possible.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Come in."
Bronya said without looking up.
The sound of the door opening followed, and a pair of long, beautiful legs in high heels appeared. It was a girl with an elegant temperament.
Her three thousand strands of dark hair fell naturally down her back, and her features were refined and otherworldly.
Although she was wearing a modern OL uniform, she still exuded the gentle grace of an ancient court lady.
"Boss, here are the documents you requested."
Ji Lin stood before the desk, holding a file.
Bronya still didn't look up, completely focused on the finishing touches. "Mm, just put the documents on the desk."
The documents were placed down.
At the same time, a smartphone was placed on top of them. The screen was on, seemingly paused on a short film.
Ji Lin stood silently in place.
Her posture was ramrod straight, like the unsheathed Sword of Xuanyuan.
Catching the figure in her peripheral vision, Bronya stared at the screen and said, "You may go."
Ji Lin's slightly raised chin was reflected on the glossy surface of her high heels. She took a step forward. "Boss, aren't you going to take a look?"
"Hm?"
Bronya stopped her work, her gaze inevitably shifting to the phone screen.
"—!!"
Big Duck Duck's face changed dramatically, her pupils constricting violently.
"This is…"
"That's right."
Ji Lin, who had always been gentle and virtuous, now had a different kind of air about her.
There wasn't the slightest trace of the "ancient hero" who guarded Shenzhou.
But if she didn't do a good job, Master would call Cangxuan over… to serve alongside her.
Therefore, Ji Lin could only do her utmost.
And the facts proved it.
Excellent people are excellent at everything they do.
A faint smile hung on her lips, her long, fair fingers moving with an elegant rhythm as she tapped the image on the phone screen.
"It's a video of the boss and your assistant in the restroom. It's quite intense."
"You…"
Ji Lin said, "What, is the boss also shocked by the exquisite camera work? This uses an upward-angle shot, combined with a triangular composition of the pose. It really highlights the boss's curves and soft beauty. If this were posted on Little Blue Book, it would surely go viral overnight."
Bronya stared at Ji Lin.
This employee looked a little familiar, but she couldn't quite place her at the moment.
However, that wasn't important.
Because the employee was also staring back at her, the corners of her lips slowly turning up. "Boss, you wouldn't want a video like this to get out, would you?"
"I see. Understood. What do you want?"
Bronya calmly looked at the elegant female employee who was threatening her.