When it comes to her biological mother, the first adjective Xiaoxi can think of is… mysterious.
It feels a bit strange to say that, like she’s not close with her dear mama at all.
But thinking about it carefully… it’s actually true.
She really hasn’t seen much of her biological mother in recent years.
Her biological mother, Xiao Lin, could be described as an absolute ice queen.
Even though Xiao Lin never put any pressure on Xiaoxi, Xiaoxi always felt a sense of oppression from her mother since she was little.
Add to that the fact that she grew up in a single-parent household—if it weren’t for how much she looked like Xiao Lin, Xiaoxi would’ve thought she was a kidnapped child.
Xiao Lin and Xiaoxi both had silver-white hair and bright blue eyes.
But Xiao Lin had a sharp, handsome face, and always kept a sharp, cool wolf-cut hairstyle.
Even though they were mother and daughter, they looked completely different.
Xiaoxi couldn’t remember how many times she’d been called cute as a child, but Xiao Lin had never been… oh, wait—Su Yuening would always smile and say her mother was cute.
And after all these years, Xiaoxi still didn’t know what her biological mother did for work.
All she knew was that Xiao Lin had been leaving home every few days since a long time ago.
According to Su Yuening, Xiao Lin’s job was special and required secrecy, and she often had to go on business trips to places with no signal, making it impossible to contact home.
As for how her two mothers ended up together, Xiaoxi had even less of a clue. At least her biological mother didn’t seem like the type to develop feelings for someone.
Thinking about it, Xiaoxi started to look forward to Xiao Lin coming home.
If she didn’t think about it, she wouldn’t miss her.
But now that she was reminiscing, she suddenly felt a little homesick for her mother.
Even though Xiao Lin was cold and taciturn, Xiaoxi still found her reliable.
“Okay, I’ll definitely come back with Xinglan then.”
“You should come visit me more often, Xiao Xi. You haven’t been back home much since you returned to North Blossom City.”
“Uh, work’s been busy lately. Sorry, Mom.”
Xiaoxi used the universal excuse for dealing with parents.
She had no idea that Su Yuening on the other side of the phone had pouted in dissatisfaction at the words “busy with work.”
“So that’s the kind of mom Xiaoxi has? I can’t really imagine it.”
Ye Xinglan stared at Xiaoxi, totally unable to connect her adorable little girlfriend to the image of Xiao Lin.
“You’ll see when you meet her. I’m going out today too. By the way, what gift are you planning to give Eternal Star?”
“It’s a secret! I told you not to worry. It’s not like it’s for you, so why are you so curious?” She paused.
“What’s with that look? If you think about it, you’re hiding things from me too!”
“W-what am I hiding from you?”
Xiaoxi had actually been holding back laughter at the first half of the sentence, but Xinglan’s second half made her heart almost leap out of her throat.
“It’s… hmph, forget it. Secret! If you can’t figure it out yourself, I’m not telling you!”
“Wh-what…”
Xinglan’s attitude was strangely odd, but Xiaoxi, feeling guilty herself, didn’t dare to ask further. She dropped a quick “I’ve got something to do” and hurried out.
Half an hour later, on the commercial street next to Tianqi Church, Xiaoxi sat opposite the Astrologer at an outdoor table outside a milk tea shop.
The damage from the Divine Summon Order’s attack on Tianqi Church had been completely repaired, and the area had returned to its peak foot traffic.
After all, Tianqi Church was now a fairly famous attraction in North Blossom City.
The Astrologer, dressed in casual clothes, sipped her milk tea with an elegance that made it seem like fine tea.
Xiaoxi couldn’t help wondering if the Astrologer’s real identity was something like a wealthy young lady.
In two days, the Eternal Stars Club event was coming up, and The Association certainly wouldn’t sit idly by.
Today, Xiaoxi had come to discuss it with the Astrologer.
When Xiaoxi asked about the church’s recent situation, the Astrologer let out a rare sigh.
“To say it’s been calm would be an understatement. The Association recently sent more Magic Girls to guard the church, but there hasn’t been a single trace of the Divine Summon Order.”
“Most of the higher-ups think the Divine Summon Order has shifted its target from Tianqi Church to Miss Ye Xinglan, so the reinforcing Magic Girls have been pulled back. For the club event, The Association will definitely send enough Magic Girls to support.”
“Otherwise, staying here means both working for the church and being on guard against the Archbishop’s provocations. It’s like a dog biting Lü Dongbin—can’t tell friend from foe. Next Six-Seat Council meeting, I’m definitely not giving that old… person any good face.”
Xiaoxi nodded. If The Association provided enough support, she could take Xinglan to the fake’s club event without worry.
In fact, she was a bit curious about what tricks that impostor might pull.
“By the way, how is Miss Xinglan doing lately? The news online hasn’t been favorable for her situation.”
Xiaoxi shook her head. “I haven’t let her see much of those marketing accounts or news.”
“Good. The church really ruined my plans this time. You and Miss Xinglan have been stalling in North Blossom City long enough. I was already confident I could resolve Miss Xinglan’s issue in the next Six-Seat Council meeting.”
“The reason it didn’t get settled quickly last time was internal disagreement. Two seats agreed, two opposed, and two were neutral, abstaining. Now you know the Archbishop’s church was the opposing vote. The Lady Delta from Hidden Bone Hall, whom you met last time, was originally neutral.”
“But after cooperating on the church’s investigation this time, Lady Delta has agreed to stand with me in the next Six-Seat Council meeting. That way, I could have solved the problem with a simple majority vote.”
“But now that the church has blown Miss Xinglan’s matter up, the public opinion environment is unfavorable. I’m worried that in the next Six-Seat Council meeting, some might change their minds under public pressure. After all, there are plenty of people online blaming The Association now.”
A sharp glint flashed in the Astrologer’s eyes. Tianqi Church had only thought of itself this time.
The existence of the Blood Moon Witch was supposed to be kept hidden—that was something all six seats had tacitly agreed on.
Yet the church had made a big scene, leaving The Association to clean up the mess.
On top of that, the Archbishop’s recent behavior had made even the easygoing Astrologer angry.
“If the next Six-Seat Council vote goes wrong, I’ll find a way to protect Miss Xinglan using my own and The Association’s resources.”
The Astrologer’s promise sounded reassuring, but Xiaoxi was still puzzled.
The Astrologer was being far too kind to Ye Xinglan.
To go this far for someone who was neither family nor friend… it was strange.
Facing Xiaoxi’s doubtful gaze, the Astrologer only gave a slight smile.
“There are still two days until the club event. You should rest well these two days, Miss Xiaoxi. If you have free time, go home and see your parents. After all, there’s not much work to be busy with lately, right?”