Academy.
Li Andy touched the mark on his neck and, led by a secretary, arrived at the lower level of the tower.
After not seeing her for a night, Ms. Mapel's weariness was even more pronounced than his, like an old ox that had plowed three acres of land overnight.
“You're here?”
Ms. Mapel took off her gloves, threw a stack of documents onto the table, then leaned back in her chair, rubbing between her brows as she said,
“The content of their experiment is the refining technique of blood coal crystal, which began about half a year ago.
“Heh, I didn't expect that two of the raw materials for that thing are the blood and spirituality of living beings. They really dared to…”
Li Andy raised an eyebrow. He already had some suspicions, but was still surprised by Mapel's search efficiency.
Irene was in a daze, yet they could still extract so much information?
He glanced at the document and asked,
“This information isn’t confidential?”
“Not to you.”
Ms. Mapel exhaled, opened her eyes, and stared at him.
“Besides, I don’t think you know nothing.”
“……”
Li Andy was silent, neither admitting nor refuting.
“How will you deal with Irene?” he asked again.
Mapel frowned and replied,
“She doesn't remember anything, but that doesn't mean she can escape her past and bear no responsibility. We will continue to keep her confined and extract every last clue.”
Li Andy nodded slightly, not finding anything wrong with it.
Although it sounded a bit cruel, “mental proofs” like amnesia and becoming foolish should indeed not be a means for her to escape her crimes.
Some things, once done, are done. Amnesia cannot erase the traces left by reality.
What if, one day, she regains her soul?
Li Andy secretly complained, but then saw Mapel's gaze fixed coldly on him, vigilant, wary, scrutinizing....
“Mr. Li Andy, you seem to know a lot about ‘Domains’?” As she spoke, the air involuntarily grew colder.
“Not particularly.”
Li Andy replied fearlessly,
“But compared to many people, I’m still somewhat of an… expert. The specific level of expertise depends on this.”
Saying that, he raised his finger and rubbed the “rice.”
“Heh.”
Mapel chuckled, and the air temperature rose a few degrees.
“I certainly won't disappoint you with the reward.
“But regarding that ‘Domain’ in the Library, aren't you going to explain? Although not inquiring about the details within a Domain is an industry rule to prevent memetic contamination. But you wouldn't want to be targeted by some lunatics in the circle because of some rumors, would you? We still have the Library sealed off.”
Li Andy feigned hesitation and spoke the excuse he had long prepared:
“That ‘Domain’ is a mental Domain that materializes ‘memories.’ We found Irene’s clues deep within her memories.
“The current Library is just a node entrance to that ‘Domain,’ not the actual reflection site. The node has probably already moved and disappeared, so there’s no need for you to continue the blockade.”
Mapel frowned and pondered for a few seconds, seemingly judging the veracity of Li Andy’s words.
“Then where is the actual reflection of this Domain?”
“Qingzhou,” Li Andy said. “I just happened to have seen it before, which is why I was able to identify it here.”
“Qingzhou?!”
Mapel's brows furrowed tightly, a hint of unease flashing in her eyes.
The older the civilization, the more bizarre things lurked in its shadows.
That land, closed off to the world, was full of various secrets in the eyes of those in the know.
Looking up at the black-haired, black-eyed youth again, Mapel's eyes held an added layer of apprehension and caution:
“Why did you come to New Continent?”
Li Andy shrugged:
“For survival, I guess. My hometown is… quite chaotic right now.”
Mapel only half-believed his words, but seeing his indifferent attitude, her heart gradually eased, and she no longer dwelled on his past.
After all, this was New Continent, full of people who had drifted here from other lands.
Even an empire as powerful as this one merely colonized and exploited, rather than incorporating lands as its own territory.
Mapel nodded and said in a pleasant tone,
“In the future, there may be some good and bad things that will be entrusted to you. I hope that if the reward is sufficient, you will not refuse.”
“If it’s truly sufficient, I certainly won't refuse,” Li Andy said with a cheerful smile.
Whether it was enough or not was up to him, wasn't it? However, to take on subsequent commissions, he indeed needed the Academy's connections. The firm's reputation would likely greatly improve after this incident.
After discussing the rewards and future prospects, the atmosphere in the room immediately became much more harmonious.
Before leaving, Mapel kindly reminded him,
“Regarding the blood coal crystal matter, I hope you don't spread it outside, nor do you privately investigate it out of curiosity. This matter involves the three great empires, and it’s not something an individual can get involved in.”
Upon hearing this, Li Andy’s eyes suddenly blurred into a trance.
Without warning, one scarlet scene after another exploded in his mind: gunshots, cannon fire… towering dust, flying severed limbs… shattered corpses and blood mixed with dirt, a scene so tragic it was suffocating.
The familiar tower before his eyes turned into ruins amidst the sound of cannon fire.
What's going on?
Li Andy stood frozen in place.
Had the coin's 【Fate Premonition】 been triggered?
“What’s wrong?” Mapel frowned.
“Nothing… Thank you for the reminder.”
Li Andy composed himself and followed the secretary out of the tower.
.....
Back at the firm, after lunch, Youxi and Sophia went out shopping, but Jasmine ran to Li Andy by herself.
“Andy Gege, I… want to go home for a bit,” the girl timidly asked, sounding a bit like she was asking a heartless boss for time off.
This made Li Andy feel a little amused:
“Go if you want to, you don’t need to ask me.”
Jasmine stared at him faintly, as if that wasn't what she meant.
Li Andy was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized that this girl wanted him to accompany her.
Alright, let's go.
After all, he had… thoroughly known her daughter.
Arriving at the Harveys residence, Mrs. Harveys happened to return from a business discussion. But the moment she saw Jasmine, her body inexplicably trembled, and her eyes gradually blurred.
Jasmine also suddenly felt a mysterious lump in her throat and said with a smile,
“Mom, I’m home.”
Mrs. Harveys stumbled over and hugged Jasmine, tears streaming down her face,
“It’s good you’re back, it’s good you’re back…”
Li Andy, who witnessed everything from the side, couldn't help but marvel at the magical power of emotion.
No matter how long her daughter had been away, she still recognized her at a glance.
Her intuition, though she was just an ordinary woman, surpassed that of countless divine servants and attendants.
Li Andy didn’t disturb them. He skillfully went to his guest room, preparing to rest for a while.
He didn't know how much time had passed when he felt something crawl into his bed.
Opening his eyes, he saw a beautiful young girl's face, with a slight, sickly blush.
This scene felt familiar, as if he had seen it before.
“Andy Gege,” Jasmine lightly pursed her moist lips, “I’ll stay here with Mom tonight.”
Li Andy smiled:
“No problem, you don't need to ask me, you can go home anytime. Hmm… both places are your home.”
The girl paused slightly, her smile blooming like a flower, sweet and overflowing with endless happiness.
Li Andy couldn't help but stare, seemingly seeing Jasmine's emotional fluctuations so vividly and intensely for the first time.
The girl wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and whispered close to his ear,
“Then… can you help me stabilize a bit in advance, Daddy?”
“???”
“You can be rougher, the Jasmines are yours for the taking.”
The girl's voice carried a hazy polyphony, the gears in her smiling eyes faintly reversed in a phantom image, and her delicate little face was flushed and captivating.
Li Andy's breathing slowed by half a beat. Even though his reserves weren't abundant, he remained honest and straightforward.
He swallowed, inwardly gritting his teeth and deciding that he absolutely couldn't let the child go hungry!
As for resting, he'd rest when he got back tonight.
Let those two at home play by themselves.
Inside the room, the temperature rose slightly, and the thin curtains swayed gently.
Gears turned lightly, mainsprings cast hearts, and jasmine flowers bloomed.