41 A Sorrowful Fathers Love (1/2)

She... She was the daughter of Yue Shangwu?

Aside from being royal advisor... Khan Bojing once mentioned Yue Shangwu was a deeply feared sorcerer. Li Wei gently massaged her temples. She was not new to his identity, but her identity was a shock.

Yue Shangwu's lips pressed into a thin line after hearing no response. ”I... Forgive me, child.”

All her life, she lived as an orphan. Recently, she learned to embrace those who love her. Now Yue Shangwu claimed she was his daughter. Li Wei shook off the incoming headache. ”I-I need to talk to my aunt first.”

Li Fahrin, who was currently reading in the study, was dragged by Li Wei to the pavilion in the garden without warning. Nonetheless, she stood in front of the two guests and spoke in a rather normal tone, ”Darling, these handsome men are?”

Li Wei stood by Aunt Rin's side, fully believing the older woman should be a better judge of character than her. ”Aunt Rin, is that my father?”

”Your father?!” Li Fahrin, after taking a closer look, of course knew who Yue Shengwu was. During her adventures over the years, she had met him before. To claim Li Wei as his daughter... That is unexpected to say the least. ”Yue Shangwu, long time no see.”

Yue Shangwu recognized her voice right away and also understood the situation. His daughter's caregiver was this woman. ”Li Fahrin? What a small world.”

Li Fahrin's encounters with Yue Shangwu could not be more than four. All of which were unpleasant. Her impression of him was not great. ”Strange to see you here. A new treasure in Na'an?”

Yue Shangwu ignored the mockery in Li Fahrin's voice. ”If not for my daughter, I wouldn't step foot here.”

”Aunt Rin, aren't my parents dead?” Li Wei asked with urgency. Aunt Rin's dislike for the sorcerer can be discussed at another time.

She needed to know the answer. Her life was unravelling uncontrollably off script. Not that she was following it anyway, but this felt like an entire new person's life. Never before had she come across someone who claimed to be her parents.

”Indeed, that's what the head of the orphanage told me.” On that fateful day on her way back to Na'an, Li Fahrin met Li Wei in the streets of Yu'an selling flowers. To live in such poor circumstances, yet, still smiling so brightly... The little girl reminded her of a time in her youth when she fought for her dreams. She decided to adopt the little girl and gave the child a name, Li Wei.

Li Wei stood in front of the old sorcerer. She had been carrying herself calmly, but she too, secretly longed to have parents like others. For a moment, she desperately wanted to believe Yue Shangwu. If Yue Shangwu is really her father...

Still, the reality couldn't be denied. She refused to chase after a dream doomed from the beginning.

”Yue Biya, I gave you this name myself.” Yue Shangwu stood up and held out his hand, sensing her hesitation. ”My child, I've come to welcome you back home.”

Yue Biya, the daughter of Yue Shangwu from Hai'an. Li Wei's head started spinning. She couldn't step away, but also couldn't make herself accept his hand. To stay safe, one must tread with caution.

She intentionally asked, ”Master Yue, you claim to be my father. If so, may I ask where my mother is?”

Yue Shangwu shook his head at the mention of his wife, sorrow evident on his face. ”I'd like to have a talk with my daughter alone, if that's alright.”

. . .