Chapter 163 - 3.59

The man who delivered the news soon left after being dismissed by Xu Jiaqi.

"..Rui. You're aware of my goal, right? I.. have to find my mother." The story can't be finished just now.

The fact that such a letter was directed to her probably meant that there was also another piece meant for Xu Yan. Why would a letter be addressed to her, but not the woman this man supposedly 'loved'?

Seeing this case just furthered worsened the doubt Xu Jiaqi harbored for love.

"Of course. Do you think she is still in Xian Ruo? I will immediately put restrictions on the travel services." Xie Yongrui was serious about the woman's goals. Just from hearing her speak, he could feel how big the matter was.

"...No need. In a week, I'll be going to the Empire, remember? I can just visit her place when I'm there. The things I need the most.. she probably didn't bring it here anyway."

Xie Yongrui nodded, agreeing to the decision.

Xu Jiaqi read the whole letter once again, confirming her doubts, sighing as she found the whole scenario stupid.

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A week passed. In addition to the time taken to reach the Empire, almost two weeks had passed. Xie Yongrui also tagged along with her since the business they were going to uphold was of high importance. Once they reached there, they immediately met up with He Yiyuan, who acted friendly to them.

"Long time no see. How long has it been? How are you two doing?" He Yiyuan waved, his whole being radiating with a happy energy. Zheng Jianyu was beside him, nodding his head as a simple greeting to them.

"A month or two, right? It wasn't long at all. Where are the others?"

The pressing matter they wanted to deal with required the combination of powers from all across the world. Directly going to the Empire was a bit risky, but it wasn't like the Empire could eradicate their existences on a whim anyway.

The delegates from the other two kingdoms would be coming as well.

"It might take them a bit longer to arrive. The terrains on the pathway from their place to here isn't as clear as ours."

"Hmm.. Then, I will excuse myself first. I have things to take care of." Xu Jiaqi decided that this would be a good time to deviate from their path and go see Xu Yan for a bit.

She just wanted to confirm some things and clear up the matter regarding her father's identity.

She quickly left the rest of the group and used her memory combined with the System's navigation to reach her old districts. The place where she used to live, the gloomy slums, was located right beside the night districts. She could see the many faces that she didn't recognize in the slightest. They were all devoid of life and just slumped against the wall without movement. There were some children who still moved about, but their conditions weren't all that better.

Xu Jiaqi sighed as she moved from the slums and entered the place where Xu Yan worked. They were pitiful, but she wasn't exactly in a position where she could be generous enough to extend help. This place was not Xian Ruo, it was not under her jurisdiction in the slightest.

She ignored them and signed up to for an appointment with Xu Yan, stressing her authority and using bribery in the middle of it in order to not be rejected.

It took her some time to arrange the visit, but she was given permission in the end. She was led to Xu Yan's working room. Standing in front of the door, Xu Jiaqi somehow was nervous for no reason. It was a natural reaction from her body.

She entered the room, and her presence was announced by the attendant that brought her here.

"Madam Xu, there is someone who wishes to meet up with you. I hope you don't mind." The attendant spoke up, and then left Xu Jiaqi alone with her.

"Who might you be?" Xu Yan was now in her forties, her customers had lessened, but she had gotten quite a bit of control over the service house as she was appointed to become the general manager after the previous owner left the world.

Xu Yan was hit by a wave of melancholy, presumably the result of what the previous soul's remnants were.

The original soul's sentiments were complicated. On one side, she hated Xu Yan for not being responsible after giving birth to her, for not giving her a normal and loving family. However, on the other side, she wanted to chase for her love. Wanted her mother to look at her with a gentle gaze, her attention focused solely on her. Just like any other child.

It was impossible, she knew how Xu Yan was. She just couldn't stop herself from digging the same pit and eventually falling into it, becoming increasingly filled with disappointment day by day.

Xu Yan's character at the beginning was not bad. If the mysterious father stuck to his words and took care of the pair of mother and daughter, then Xu Yan would've definitely not treated her own baby like this.

"My apologies for not introducing myself first. I am the daughter you selfishly threw out of your life. You gave me the name 'Jiaqi'." Xu Jiaqi's tone was cold as she said her name.

"My daughter is long gone. I don't know what you're talking about." Xu Yan didn't look at her in the eye and instead directed her gaze towards the documents.

"Whether you like it or not, I am your daughter, the very proof of the sin you committed in trying to save yourself." Xu Jiaqi gritted her teeth as she got closer to the older woman. "Let's see.. If you want to play it that way, then let's just say I climbed up from my grave for you, dear mother."

Xu Jiaqi stretched out her hand, pinching the tip of Xu Yan's chin and tipped it upwards. Their eyes were forced to meet.

She instantly slapped Xu Jiaqi's hand away, looking towards the side. "I did tell you to do whatever you want with the letter's contents, but I didn't say you could visit me."

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System: Host is so cool~ Bad mother, go away! 

Xu Jiaqi: System, you're my one and only mother from now on. 

System: Huh?