As Xiao Xun entered, Sister Mei greeted him, "President Xiao, you've been drinking. Do you need me to make you some hangover soup?"
He waved his hand, "No, I only had a little. I've already sobered up."
With such a large explosion, how could he not sober up? He was instantly awake.
Seeing that Sister Mei had no intention of leaving, Xiao Xun waved his hand again, "Go rest! Don't mind me."
Sister Mei agreed and, still worried, went into her room.
Xiao Xun returned to the second floor. Mu Jiahe was there playing on her phone. Seeing Xiao Xun looking tipsy, she asked, "Who were you drinking with?"
Without changing his clothes, he lay down on the bed, "Yu Shiwen..."
Mu Jiahe was extremely surprised and looked at him with disbelief, "Yu Shiwen came to G City just for you?"
"Yes!"
Mu Jiahe gently nudged Xiao Xun's arm and asked with interest, "Tell me, how did you two meet?"
Xiao Xun initially felt he wasn't that drunk, but the red wine's after-effects were making him feel a bit dizzy. He couldn't clearly hear what Mu Jiahe was saying.
"What did you say..."
"I asked, how did you meet that big star?"
"We just... together before... *huff~ huff~ huff~*"
Mu Jiahe kicked him lightly, "What?"
Seeing that Xiao Xun still didn't react, she directly placed her foot above Xiao Xun's nose and then laughed heartily. She retracted her foot, shifted her body, and kissed him lightly.
When Xiao Xun opened his eyes again, he had arrived in another world. The sun was high in the sky, and it was broad daylight.
He got up and patted his head, still feeling the effects of the hangover, and began to recall what had happened last night. He thought for a long time but couldn't remember anything.
He got out of bed, naked, and went to the small tea table in the bedroom. The mutton soup he had brought yesterday was still there. He blew away the thin layer of oil on top and took a sip. "Mmm! It tastes good even when cold, incredibly delicious."
He put on his clothes and used the spatial ring to teleport to the seaside, to his castle.
There was no one in the bedroom, nor in the dining room. The entire castle seemed empty.
Suddenly, a song drifted from the garden behind the castle. Xiao Xun followed the sound; it was Seraphine.
She had set up a stage in the backyard. The gardeners, servants, and maids, including the six Star Envoys, were all her audience.
As she reached the emotional climax of her song, her voice began to tremble, resonating deeply with the audience.
The song stopped abruptly halfway through. In a moment of daze for the audience, Seraphine suddenly rushed down from the stage and into Xiao Xun's arms.
With tear-filled eyes, she said, "I thought you didn't want me anymore."
Xiao Xun gently patted Seraphine's back, "How could I? I like you so much."
Seeing that Xiao Xun had returned, everyone stood up and bowed.
Xiao Xun smiled and nodded at them, then, holding Seraphine's hand, returned to the castle.
Seraphine held Xiao Xun's hand tightly, as if afraid he would disappear if she let go. "How did you come back?"
Xiao Xun jiggled Seraphine's hand, "I came back in a 'whoosh'."
Seraphine buried her head in Xiao Xun's chest, "You're lying. If you really had that kind of ability, why are you only visiting me today?"
Xiao Xun stroked Seraphine's hair, inhaling her scent, and his eyes became hazy for a moment. "If only this moment could be eternal."
Seraphine looked up and kissed Xiao Xun's lips, "Then let's never separate, okay?"
"Mmm! Never separating."
Just then, a familiar voice sounded, "Excuse me, am I disturbing you two?"
Xiao Xun turned to see Delvana. "You have quite fast news. I only arrived here less than five minutes ago, and you already know."
Delvana smiled proudly, "You must understand, I have been in control of this area all along. Any slightest movement cannot escape my notice."
Delvana looked at Xiao Xun with a peculiar gaze, "Are you back for good this time?"
Seraphine also wanted to ask the same question.
"Before dark, I need to return to the capital. This visit is partly to see you all, and partly to check on the progress of the research institute's construction."
Delvana replied, "It's mostly completed. Working and experimenting inside is fine. What's left are just minor finishing touches, which don't affect its usability."
"Have Zeppelin and his assistant arrived?"
Delvana answered, "They arrived yesterday and are already at the research institute today. Zeppelin's female assistant seems to be suffering from acclimatization. She's been vomiting since she got off the train and hasn't eaten much."
Xiao Xun nodded, "Alright, I understand. If there's nothing else, I'll head to the research institute first."
"Yes."
Seraphine was reluctant to let go and asked cautiously, "Will you be eating lunch at home?"
Xiao Xun lightly flicked Seraphine's nose, "Yes, get ready to eat!"
Seraphine flashed a sweet smile, "Mmm!"
Xiao Xun then remembered that he should bring some mutton soup for them to try. However, the Deep Sea Legion sent seafood daily, which was also quite good.
"Have the Deep Sea Legion been visiting frequently recently?"
Delvana replied, "They barely come anymore. It's as if they've vanished."
"Have you seen Posiedel return? We haven't seen her since she defeated Soul Eater last time."
Both of them shook their heads simultaneously, indicating they hadn't.
At noon, Xiao Xun had lunch with Seraphine and then rested with her for a while.
In the afternoon, accompanied by Delvana, he arrived at the newly built research institute by the sea.
The research institute had a huge pipe extending into the sea, publicly claimed to be for the study of seawater purification.
Xiao Xun entered the research institute and went to the laboratory, where he saw Guan Jiawen, dressed in a white lab coat, busy at work.
Pushing open the laboratory door, Guan Jiawen was engrossed in her experiment, paying no attention to who had entered.
Looking at her pale complexion, he wondered if it was due to motion sickness or lack of sleep.
"His Highness Swain..."
Zeppelin, standing nearby, noticed him first and hurried over to pay his respects.
Guan Jiawen still ignored them. Only after completing her experiment did she look at Xiao Xun and casually utter two words, "You're here!"
Xiao Xun knew she was very dissatisfied with the current situation. "I told you, as soon as you finish your research, you can go home and will be given an excellent job position."
"I am working hard."
Xiao Xun had no intention of forcing her, he just hoped it would be soon. He didn't want to continue fighting anymore; peaceful development was much better.
As dusk approached, Xiao Xun returned directly to his bedroom in the main castle of the capital. The Empress had not yet returned. At this time, she should be eating. He wanted to create the illusion that he hadn't gone anywhere all day.
About an hour later, Mu Jiahe pushed the door open. Seeing Xiao Xun lying on the bed, she frowned slightly, "You didn't sleep the entire day, did you?"
The entire nation was restless to win this war. Some people even defied the law and hadn't slept for three days. Yet, as the Empress's fiancé and the country's most important military commander, he was lying here. It felt infuriating no matter how one thought about it.
Xiao Xun opened his eyes and saw a Mu Jiahe at the peak of her anger, "I was too tired."