Empire (Xichen X OC)

Chapter 33

At the same time, while our three heroes were searching for answers; others were discussing about it. Lan Xichen had been invited over to Corp Tower by Yao, to discuss as per, usually over tea, what had taken place.

Xichen openly talked to Yao, trusting him with everything. He voiced out his opinion on that demonic arm and how resentful it truly felt, despite working his cleansing music on it. As per usual, Jin Yao listened to everything and showed true concern and interest for Xichen.

After the death of Tengchao, it had taken him a while to bring Xichen out of his shell and make him talk more. However, with her gone, Yao had no true obstacle in the way to being in his company as much as he wished.

Needless to say, while he had not planned her demise; it did work in his favour of him. Just like his plan of sending Jin Ling to the mountain for evil spirits, hoping to also get rid of him and ensure his claim as the next Jin Clan Leader.

However, there was one thorn still by his side. One that was always in Xichen's mind, despite the estranged relationship.

"I worry about Yue" Xichen admitted, once again his mind going to his daughter.

As a child, they used to be so close together and she would follow him everywhere. Even make her attend some meetings he had with Yao, simply because the little girl wanted to be in his presence.

However, after the death of her mother, Xichen isolated himself to mourn. When he had come out once again, she was no longer that little girl he knew her for. She had grown distant and cold, not truly wishing to be in his presence unless she had to win something.

At the same time, her training got intensified due to her quickly developed Golden Core that she had formed; much earlier than expected. This limited, even more, the time they could spend together, especially with his Clan Duties and the often invites of Yao to discuss important matters.

That did not mean that he was not aware of her progress or the comments his elders made about her unique character, or how they compared her to the deceased Tengchao to point out the wrongs she did.

Those words always did not settle well with him and he had voiced out his worries to Yao as he had just done. However, the man only advised him to let them be because they were elders and they would never truly harm her. Yet, sometimes he did feel that his pieces of advice only made father and daughter grow more distant than they should be.

"Why do you worry? Did something happen to her?" Yao asked, realizing he had started to focus too much on his tea, something he did when he was deep in thought.

"Wangji has taken her with him, to find more answers about this demonic arm. As her father, I am naturally concerned over what they might encounter" he admitted, having full faith that Wangji would keep her safe.

Both males cared for her deeply, even though their way of expressing it was not always clear. XIchen hoped that as she grew older, she would start to recognise that. Now, she was at a very risky age when many things changed and it was hard to truly understand why adults act the way they do, sometimes.

"Oh, I see" Yao commented, taking a sip of his tea. "I am sure Hanguang-Jun will keep her safe and both shall return quickly"

Xichen gave a nod, taking a few sips of his warm tea. "I like to believe so. Thank you for listening to me, brother Yao" He lifted his cup slightly as a small toast.

The man smirked in victory, hearing those words while he lifted his cup. "I am always here for you, brother Xichen"

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