Chapter 358: I’m Worried
Xu Youyou pressed the Imperial Jade Seal against her chest for a full thirty minutes. During this time, Xu Fang knocked on the door several times, but Xu Youyou brushed her off each time.
“Is it done yet?” Xu Youyou asked.
The Imperial Jade Seal was quite large and heavy. Holding it for half an hour had already left her hands sore.
“Almost. This damn thing seems to be absorbing energy,” the Imperial Jade Seal muttered, confusion in its tone.
“Absorbing energy? How does it do that?” Xu Youyou asked, curious.
“How else? These people who dabble in dark arts naturally use human lives to fuel their rituals,” the Imperial Jade Seal replied casually.
Xu Youyou’s heart clenched as if someone had gripped it tightly. “So, just to cast a spell against me, they sacrificed several lives?”
The Imperial Jade Seal had existed for thousands of years. Just from Xu Youyou’s tone, it immediately understood what she was thinking. Using its dignified yet kind voice, it reassured her, “Evil people will always do evil things. This isn’t something you can stop. Don’t take on guilt that isn’t yours.”
“But I didn’t kill them, yet they died because of me…” Xu Youyou whispered.
“Little girl, being too kind will only bring you suffering. If you didn’t personally cause their deaths, don’t take responsibility for them,” the Imperial Jade Seal said.
Xu Youyou felt like, despite its formal way of speaking, the Imperial Jade Seal was advising her not to torment herself with guilt.
“Alright, I’ll try.”
Just as she finished speaking, a “ding” sound rang in her ears.
It was the system notification.
[Detected: The host has completed all system-assigned tasks. Now calculating the final mission reward: A Bank Account Balance 5x Multiplier Card (Note: No limit on the amount that can be multiplied. Valid for 24 hours. The host may activate it early, but if unused, it will automatically apply when the timer runs out).]
Xu Youyou felt warmth in her heart. Before she could respond, the system displayed another message.
[Host, before detaching from this world, the system has reviewed all data and discovered an unredeemed reward. As per our agreement, this reward will be converted into a Billion-Level Account Balance Multiplier Card.]
Xu Youyou blinked in surprise, wondering which reward hadn’t been redeemed. Then she saw it—her “Punishment Exemption Right.”
She had completed every mission successfully without ever needing to use it. Now that the system was leaving, it was converting it into a monetary reward.
She didn’t have time to dwell on the system’s generosity. Instead, she anxiously asked, “System, do you really have to leave? Is it happening now?”
[The system’s tasks are complete. I cannot stay in this world for long. I have received the Supreme God’s summons. Host, no matter how far we travel together, all journeys must come to an end. I wish you strength and resilience, so you may face all of life’s challenges like a warrior!]
Xu Youyou was stunned. Unlike the usual “I wish you happiness” or “stay safe,” the system’s farewell felt uniquely fitting.
[Host, I’ve thought it over—so long as you have the ability and courage to face life’s risks, even if hardships come, you will endure them and find the light beyond.]
Tears streamed down Xu Youyou’s face as she nodded. “You’re right. Relying on others is unreliable. I have to rely on myself.”
[Ten… Nine… Eight…]
A countdown appeared in front of her. She knew the time had come. Her tears fell like broken pearls. “I know you’ll find another host. I hope you and your future hosts have as smooth a journey as I did.”
A faint mechanical voice whispered in the wind: “Thank you.”
The light screen before Xu Youyou shattered into fragments and disappeared into nothingness.
She reached out, but the unseen interface was gone. The familiar mechanical voice was gone. There was no one left to chat with.
She had lost an invisible friend.
A knock sounded at the door for the fifth time. “Boss, are you okay? Do you feel unwell?” Xu Fang asked from outside.
Xu Youyou slowly wiped her tears with a tissue. Though reluctant, she pulled herself together and raised her voice. “Come in.”
Xu Fang immediately noticed her boss’s reddened eyes but quickly averted her gaze, bringing in a bowl of hot water and handing Xu Youyou a warm towel.
“Boss, if you don’t want to return today, we can stay here a couple more days. You’ve been busy all morning and missed lunch. I got some local snacks—want to try them?”
Xu Youyou nodded.
She recalled something the Imperial Jade Seal had mentioned earlier. Though she didn’t know the exact nature of the curse against her, it had been cast using the blood of a close relative.
Her only blood relatives were the Gu family. She didn’t know if they had done it willingly or if they had been forced, but they were no longer family to her. There was no need to waste energy worrying about them.
She had survived yet another scheme. Though she had lost the system, she still had the Imperial Jade Seal—her powerful safeguard against supernatural threats.
“Tomorrow morning, we’re heading back. No flights, no trains—we’ll drive,” she instructed Xu Fang.
It was a grueling choice. Driving was far less efficient and much more exhausting for both the driver and passengers. The rental fees alone would be expensive, making it the least cost-effective option. But Xu Youyou was the boss, and Xu Fang had no choice but to comply.
The next morning, before they had even left the hotel, an unusual commotion echoed through the hallway.
Xu Youyou’s heart tensed. She thought Red Dragon King’s men had come for revenge. Before she could call her bodyguards, Xu Fang’s voice came from outside.
“Boss, Mr. Lu is here to pick you up.”
Xu Youyou’s wandering thoughts suddenly settled.
When she opened the door and saw that familiar face, she felt an unexpected urge to cry.
Even though she had told herself that nothing lasts forever, the system’s departure had left an emptiness in her heart.
But now, seeing Lu Jingyao’s familiar face, she felt like she had found a ray of light.
When Lu Jingyao opened his arms, Xu Youyou, like a bird returning to its nest, threw herself into his embrace.
“You… why are you here?”
Lu Jingyao’s embrace was warm and steady, just as it always was.
With a gentle voice, he replied, “I called Xu Fang yesterday. She said you were feeling down. I was worried… so I came to pick you up.”
