Faced with his father's scolding, Qi Huan merely smiled faintly. "So this is what has Father in such a rage."
"What kind of attitude is that! Shouldn’t I be furious about this?!" Qi Tianxiang was seething, kicking the nearby table with such force that it toppled over with a loud crash.
Qi Huan didn’t even blink. "Dad, do I need to remind you again? You rely on me for every meal, every piece of clothing, every expense. Even if you’re dissatisfied, you should keep it to yourself. How dare you confront me like this?"
Qi Tianxiang’s eyes widened. "Because I’m your father!"
Qi Huan chuckled softly, speaking deliberately. "You should be grateful you’re my father. That’s the only reason I haven’t laid a hand on you—just cut off your living expenses."
"You’d dare raise a hand against your own father?!" Qi Tianxiang’s veins bulged on his forehead, his chest heaving with barely contained fury.
"You ungrateful brat! You’re just as unreasonable as your mother!"
At the mention of his mother, Qi Huan’s expression turned icy. He motioned for Cheng Jing to hand him the investigation files, then flung them expressionlessly at Qi Tianxiang. "Qi Tianxiang, how dare you criticize my mother? Take a good look at this—see why I smashed Qi Yu’s kneecaps!"
Qi Tianxiang bent down angrily to pick up the scattered documents. When he saw the paternity report on Qi Yu, his eyes widened in shock.
"Qi Huan, you investigated me behind my back!"
"If I hadn’t, how would I have known you were shameless enough to parade your illegitimate daughter into our home and expect me to raise her?" Qi Huan’s voice was colder than ever. "Clearly, I’ve been too lenient with you, letting you think you could freeload with arrogance."
Qi Tianxiang retorted, "Qi Yu is my illegitimate daughter, but she’s still your sister—your half-sister! Taking care of her is your duty!"
Qi Huan laughed humorlessly. "You have the audacity to flaunt such a big secret and still act entitled? It seems you’ve grown too comfortable leeching off me. You rely on me for everything, yet you deceived me and still expect my respect?"
Qi Tianxiang scowled. "Stop calling me a freeloader! I’m your father—filial piety is your obligation!"
"My respect is earned. And you, Father, have done nothing to deserve it." Qi Huan’s gaze was piercing. "In fact, I’m starting to wonder—was Qi Yu’s kidnapping part of your plan too? An attempt to eliminate me? So you could take my place in the Qi family and legitimize Qi Yu without opposition?"
A flicker of guilt flashed in Qi Tianxiang’s eyes, but he quickly masked it with indignation.
"Now you’re just spouting nonsense! Do you think I’m as heartless as you? Willing to harm my own son? You’re my flesh and blood—how could I ever want you dead?"
Qi Huan watched his theatrics with amusement. "Whether you were involved or not, you know the truth. But even if you succeeded, do you really think you, Qi Yu, or Qi Yue could hold onto the empire I’ve built for the Qi family? Do you think Grandfather is blind? That he’d hand everything over to you? The Qi family has too many vultures circling. The moment I fall, your siblings would tear you apart until there’s nothing left."
Qi Tianxiang’s face twisted with resentment. "Oh? So you look down on me and your brother that much?"
Qi Huan smirked. "In our world, respect isn’t given—it’s earned. Even as Grandfather’s son, when you achieved nothing, did he ever favor you? Did the other elites ever spare you a second glance?"
Qi Tianxiang pointed a shaking finger at him. "Fine, you’re the capable one! But don’t forget—no matter how great you are, you’re still my son! Without me, you wouldn’t even exist!"
Qi Huan remained unmoved. "Qi Tianxiang, tread carefully. Out of respect for our bond, I’ll ensure you live comfortably in your old age. But if you push me, don’t expect mercy."
With that, he signaled Cheng Jing to leave, turning his back decisively.
Qi Tianxiang trembled with rage, kicking the overturned table again.
Just wait and see!
He refused to believe that he and his son Qi Yue couldn’t replace this crippled heir!
---
Qi Huan returned to his room, dismissing Cheng Jing before sitting silently in his wheelchair for a long while, steeling himself against the sting of betrayal. Finally, he pulled out his phone to message Jiang Youli.
Coincidentally, a new message from her appeared.
[Little Huan, how did your scumbag dad react after you crippled Qi Yu and Qi Yue?]
The pain in Qi Huan’s eyes melted into amusement.
[Furious enough to nearly drop dead. Pity he didn’t—saves me the trouble of disowning him later.]
Jiang Youli replied swiftly.
[No rush. Once I fix your legs, seeing you up and about will infuriate him all over again. Half-dead + half-dead = almost fully dead.]
Qi Huan’s smile deepened. [You’ve got it all planned out, Little Li.]
Jiang Youli: [Of course.]
[By the way, remember how Uncle Zhou’s son Zhou Yi arranged a meeting about my last novel’s adaptation? Guess who his friend is?]
[Jiang Yonghe.]
Qi Huan: [Well, well. Talk about fate having a sense of humor. Tomorrow’s meeting just got interesting.]
Jiang Youli: [Right? I wonder how Jiang Yonghe and Jiang Xing will react when they see me.]
After a pause, Qi Huan sent two emojis.
---
Jiang Youli nearly spat out her drink at the sight of Qi Huan’s reply, startling Xiao Lü—who was busy provoking Xiao Hei and Xiao Bai—into hiding under her pillow.
[Sun + dog]
Wasn’t that the equivalent of "screwed by fate"?
[Little Huan, who knew you had such a wicked sense of humor?]
[Just practicing. Wouldn’t want you to call me dull later.]
[No need. As long as you keep that face and body, I’d be happy staring at you all day—no words required.]
Xiao Lü peeked out triumphantly as Jiang Youli shooed away Xiao Hei and Xiao Bai, sticking out its tongue in victory.
Little Green never expected her moment of triumph to be cut short as Jiang Youli grabbed her by the scruff and tossed her toward Little Black and Little White.
Little Green: "…"
