During the half month Ya Fei spent mobilizing her people to gather information, Xia Kong remained in the residence the auction house had prepared for him, scarcely venturing outside.
The people the Ao Ba Family sent to watch him could not find their target and returned empty-handed time after time. As for whatever punishment the two Ao Ba Family servants who had previously guarded the entrance to Xia Kong's old home received upon returning, that no longer had anything to do with him.
Given how highly Ya Fei valued Xia Kong, the accommodations she arranged were naturally exquisite: a private courtyard with a two-story residence, artfully placed rockeries, a lush garden, and an artificial lake. The surroundings were tranquil, perfectly suited to practicing the intermediate Black Tier movement Dou Technique, Green Leaf Wandering Steps. Xia Kong was happy to enjoy the peace, devoting most of his attention to experimenting with delicious dishes and honing his Dou Technique.
Over that half month, Ya Fei came in person roughly once every three days. Ostensibly, she came to update Xia Kong on the investigation's progress, but her true purpose was most likely to get a free meal.
Even Ya Fei, who had always been proud and scorned dinner invitations from the vast majority of men, could no longer resist after tasting a meal Xia Kong prepared with level-two farm ingredients. For one thing, these level-two spirit foods provided tangible benefits to her cultivation. For another, Xia Kong's cooking methods were unique even on the Dou Qi Continent. Though Ya Fei had sampled delicacies from across the world, those distinctive flavors still moved her.
Judging by her usual schedule, it was almost time for Ya Fei to arrive. Xia Kong finished cultivating early, consolidated the four-star Dou Zhe realm he had recently reached, then took fresh farm ingredients from his backpack and prepared a table laden with dishes made from level-two spirit ingredients. Then he quietly waited for his guests.
Looking at the delicious spread and the two empty seats opposite him, Xia Kong found a strange thought rising unbidden in his mind. Why do I look like a little wife waiting at home for her husband to return?
Xia Kong silently shook his head and gave a helpless, wry smile.
Before long, Ya Fei arrived with her maid, Xiao Qin. Thanks to her connection with Xia Kong, Xiao Qin's standing had risen like a boat on a rising tide, and she had become Ya Fei's closest confidante.
Although Xia Kong had never specifically said anything, the perceptive Ya Fei had still noticed the faint trace of pity in his eyes whenever he looked at the maids. She did not understand why, but she was trying to.
"You're here. Have a seat."
Xia Kong extended his usual invitation.
"Mm." Ya Fei's captivating eyes settled on Xia Kong, a barely perceptible flicker of sympathy passing through them. An instant later, a radiant smile concealed it, and she answered with her usual soft laugh before sitting directly beside him.
After spending so much time together, the two had already become good friends and dispensed with much of the ceremony and polite formalities.
"Let's eat first. We can discuss business afterward."
"All right."
Ya Fei seemed to enjoy this relaxed, gentle atmosphere, as though they were family. Yet even she failed to notice that she did not scramble for the food as she usually did during this meal. Instead, she repeatedly placed dishes she liked onto Xia Kong's plate, her gaze carrying a faint tenderness that was almost maternal.
Sitting opposite them, the quick-witted Xiao Qin had already noticed Ya Fei's unusual behavior, but she only dared lower her head and keep silent, not venturing a single word.
She understood perfectly well that once Xia Kong invited her to share their meals and Ya Fei gave her approval, her fate had become firmly bound to Ya Fei's. Whatever happened in the future, she was destined to stand before Ya Fei and die protecting her. Even so, she felt no resentment, only gratitude. Especially after seeing Xia Kong's true face, she could barely suppress the urge to offer herself to him.
Unfortunately, the falling blossoms yearned for the flowing stream, but the stream had no affection for them.
The meal gradually ended amid that subtly peculiar atmosphere. Xiao Qin stayed behind to clear the dishes, while Xia Kong and Ya Fei went to the rear garden and entered the pavilion beside the artificial lake to talk.
"Sister Ya Fei, just tell me what you found. There's no need to hold anything back."
Xia Kong spoke in an even tone that betrayed no emotion. He might have overlooked the fleeting oddness when Ya Fei entered, but how could he have failed to notice all her incongruous behavior at the table?
"Oh, you noticed?" Ya Fei paused slightly, then smiled in understanding. "Of course. You're so clever. How could I hide it from you?"
Her tone gradually grew somber. "We've uncovered your origins, as well as the reason your adoptive parents suddenly disappeared a year ago."
"Go ahead. Don't hide anything," Xia Kong replied calmly. His expression remained composed, showing not the slightest agitation, as though the matter had little to do with him.
"Little Brother Xia Kong, please accept my condolences. After your adoptive parents eloped and left Wutan City a year ago, they died not long afterward. The people behind it were none other than the Ao Ba Family."
The result differed little from what Xia Kong had expected. Though it stirred no great waves in his heart, his body's instincts were beyond his control. His pupils abruptly contracted, and a scalding tear slipped down his cheek against his will, striking the ground and scattering tiny droplets.
Ya Fei could not perceive his true indifference. She merely assumed he was forcing all his grief deep into his heart. Seeing that falling tear only intensified her sympathy. Instinctively, she stepped forward and gently drew Xia Kong into her arms, lightly patting his back as though comforting a child who had been wronged.
Knowing Ya Fei meant no harm, Xia Kong did not evade her. But the moment she embraced him as though he were a youngster in her care, bewilderment and confusion still appeared on his face.
Wait, weren't we just talking? Why is she suddenly hugging me? Did Ya Fei hear that my parents died violent deaths and decide to adopt me as her godson because I'm an orphan? Absolutely not.
On second thought, however, he immediately realized that Ya Fei had misunderstood his feelings, leaving him unsure whether to laugh or cry.
A moment later, Xia Kong gently pushed Ya Fei away. "Sister Ya Fei, there's no need for this. I had a premonition about their fate a year ago. I'm doing well on my own now, so you don't need to comfort me like this. Please tell me the rest."
Only when he pushed her away did Ya Fei come to her senses and realize that she had overstepped. Yet an inexplicable sense of indignation rose in her heart. Are my looks and figure really that poor? I rarely take the initiative to comfort someone. It's one thing not to appreciate it, but he actually pushed me away. Is this young man even a normal man?
Naturally, Xia Kong could not guess the tangled thoughts in Ya Fei's mind. At that moment, he cared only about the remaining findings.
"We discovered that your adoptive mother was once the star courtesan of a brothel in Wutan City."
At this point, Ya Fei softened her voice, carefully watching every change in Xia Kong's expression. Only after seeing no displeasure on his face did she continue.
"The owner behind that Pleasure House was the Ao Ba Family. The women there were all subjected to cruel procedures that left them completely unable to bear children..."
Xia Kong raised a hand to interrupt her. "You mean I wasn't their biological child?"
If that was the case, a great many things suddenly made sense.
He did not dwell on it, but he had firmly nailed the Ao Ba Family to the list of those he would have to settle accounts with in the future.
"Then are there any other clues about my true origins?"
Only after learning that he was not his adoptive parents' biological child did he take a little genuine interest in his own origins.
"I'm sorry, Little Brother Xia Kong. There are no more clues. What happened outside Wutan City fifteen years ago is too far in the past, and your adoptive parents were the only ones who knew about it. Now that both of them are dead, that trail has gone completely cold."
Deep apology showed in Ya Fei's water-soft gaze, but there was even more sympathy for Xia Kong.
"It's fine. Finding this much is enough. Thank you, Sister Ya Fei. Let's leave the matter here. I should have moved out, but going back to that house is inconvenient now, so I'd like to impose on you a little longer."
"What imposition? I'm the one benefiting from your presence. Stay as long as you like. Better yet, treat this place as your own home."
Upon learning that Xia Kong not only would not leave but intended to stay with Mittel for some time, Ya Fei finally let out a long sigh of relief. An inexplicable joy welled up in her heart, and she spoke with a radiant smile.
"Then I won't keep you from your cultivation any longer. If you need anything, just come to me or Xiao Qin. I'll be heading back now."
Before you continue