Chapter 193: The Memories

"Killing someone cannot be justified simply because her behaviour suddenly became strange..." Xie Rong stopped himself, the frustration that had been building inside him threatening to burst.

His hands slowly clenched beneath the table.

"She was completely sane when she did it, Father. She knew exactly what she was doing."

His voice became heavier as he continued, "And someone’s life... someone’s life cannot simply be erased because you made a promise to her mother."

Master Xie remained silent.

Xie Rong took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down before he said something he would regret.

"This son understands that you want to protect her. But protecting her does not mean pretending that the person she killed never existed."

Xie Rong swallowed hard, forcing down the anger that had risen in his chest.

"What if another life is lost simply because you choose to turn a blind eye this time?"

His voice trembled slightly, not from fear, but from the weight of the thought.

"Will you still tell yourself that this was the last time?"

Master Xie remained silent for a long moment before finally lifting his gaze toward his son.

"It will not happen again."

His voice was firm this time, without the hesitation he had shown earlier.

"This father will make sure of it. Whatever An’an has done, whatever she believes she has experienced in that strange dream of hers, this father will not allow another innocent person to lose their life because of her."

Xie Rong stared at him, his expression still tense.

Master Xie slowly exhaled.

"I am asking you to let this matter rest not because I believe what she did was right, nor because I wish to erase Madam Liu’s life. I simply..." He paused, his voice becoming heavier. "I have already lost too much. I cannot bear to lose An’an as well."

Xie Rong’s clenched hand slowly loosened, yet the anger in his eyes had not completely disappeared.

"Lost too much? Does that include Mother?"

His voice was low, but the anger beneath it was impossible to miss.

"You decided to bring the daughter of your white moonlight into this family, the very woman whose existence caused Mother’s heart to break throughout her entire marriage to you, and it eventually became one of the reasons that led to her death!"

Wang Gege’s eyes widened slightly.

She was stunned by what she was hearing.

’Wait... his mother... his father’s white moonlight... and the daughter being brought into the family?’

For some reason, the situation sounded eerily familiar.

Almost exactly like Ethan’s parents’ story.

Wang Gege’s gaze slowly shifted toward Xie Rong.

’There can’t be...’

Before she could finish the thought, Xie Rong suddenly rose from his seat.

His palm slammed hard against the table, making the teacups tremble.

"This son will still report Madam Liu’s death to the authorities tomorrow."

Master Xie’s expression changed.

"Rong’er—"

"I have remained silent enough." Xie Rong’s voice was cold, every trace of hesitation disappearing from it. "This son has listened to Father, respected your promise to her mother, and even allowed you to decide how this matter should be handled."

He slowly withdrew his hand from the table.

"But this time, this son will not turn a blind eye."

Master Xie stared at him.

Xie Rong’s expression remained frighteningly calm.

"If Father wishes to protect Xie An’an, then protect her."

His gaze hardened.

"If Father wishes to carry all the consequences of her actions, then carry them."

He took a step back, his voice dropping into something almost devoid of emotion.

"But do not expect this son to stand beside you and pretend that another person’s life meant nothing."

The room fell completely silent.

"From this moment onward, whatever Father chooses to do for her has nothing to do with this son."

Master Xie’s face turned grim.

Xie Rong turned toward the door, his decision already made.

"This son will seek justice for Madam Liu." He paused for a moment without looking back. "And if anyone tries to stop me..."

His voice was quiet, yet the warning in it was unmistakable, "Then this son will consider them standing against me as well."

Xie Rong turned toward the door and gestured toward it with one hand.

"Father should return and rest. There is nothing more for us to discuss tonight."

Master Xie remained seated for a moment, his expression heavy as he looked at his son. Eventually, he pushed himself to his feet.

But just as he was about to leave, Xie Rong’s voice sounded behind him.

"And there is one more matter."

Master Xie stopped.

Xie Rong’s expression remained cold.

"About the servant’s death as well... this son will dig through every hole and uncover whoever was behind it."

His gaze hardened.

"And if the investigation proves that it was her..." He paused, his voice carrying no hesitation. "Then she will bear full responsibility for it."

Master Xie slowly turned his head toward him.

Xie Rong met his gaze without flinching.

"This time, Father, no promise will make this son stop... not even that stupid promise."

Master Xie’s expression changed slightly.

Xie Rong did not wait for a response. He turned away, his expression cold and resolute.

The matter was no longer something he was willing to negotiate. This time, he had chosen his side.

"Qing’er..." Xie Rong called, reaching for Wang Gege’s hand and gently holding it in his.

He turned his head slightly toward the door.

"Show Master the way out."

Wang Gege blinked, momentarily caught off guard by how decisively he had dismissed his own father.

Master Xie remained standing where he was, his gaze lingering on his son for a long moment before finally turning toward the door.

Qing’er immediately stepped forward and bowed.

"Master, this way, please."

Master Xie did not say another word as he followed her out.

Once the door closed behind them, Wang Gege slowly turned back toward Xie Rong.

"Husband..."

Xie Rong squeezed her hand. "Hmm?"

"I don’t know... but isn’t it kind of... rude... to send your father away like that?"

Xie Rong stood still for a moment before slowly opening his mouth.

"This husband completed one of the hardest missions before just to obtain the memories of the original owner..."

His voice gradually became quieter. "And Furen... his painful memories while growing up..."

He paused, pressing his lips tightly together, "They were almost the same as mine."

Wang Gege’s expression softened.

Xie Rong lowered his gaze, his fingers unconsciously tightening around hers.

"The neglect, the feeling of being unwanted in your own family, watching the person who was supposed to be your father give his affection to someone else..." He swallowed hard. "This husband thought I had already forgotten what that felt like."

He let out a bitter breath.

"But after seeing his memories, this husband realised I hadn’t."