The Xiao family was stunned. They were not a wealthy aristocratic family, but they were at least upper middle class. They also believed themselves to be people of status. Xiao Chen’s mother had come from a good background, her parents both university professors. When had she ever heard such crude and vicious words?
“A country bumpkin, how vulgar.”
“This is simply unreasonable.”
The eldest and second sisters scolded him angrily.
“Xiao Yuanhe, look at what your mother raised,” Xiao Chen’s mother trembled with rage.
“Unfilial son, I’ll beat you to death,” Xiao Yuanhe roared, raising his hand to slap Xiao Chen again.
But Xiao Chen lifted his arm and firmly grabbed Xiao Yuanhe’s wrist, stopping the slap midair.
“You dare to fight back? I’m your father,” Xiao Yuanhe said in disbelief.
“Yes, you are my father.” Xiao Chen’s eyes reddened slightly. “But from childhood until now, you and mother have always believed Xiao Ming’s weak body is my fault.”
“You believe the Xiao family nearly going bankrupt was also the disaster I brought.”
“But have you ever thought about it? I am also your son. I was also carried for ten months and born by mother.”
“Many things were never within my control. Why must all the blame be placed on my head?”
For a brief moment, Xiao Yuanhe and his wife were moved. Was it truly his fault? It did not seem so. They had only needed someone to vent their emotions on.
“Dad, Mom, don’t blame brother anymore. At worst, I just won’t go to the competition,” Xiao Ming said with tears in his eyes. “It’s my fault for not doing well. Otherwise, even if brother cheated, I could still have ranked in the top five.”
Xiao Chen glanced at him coldly. Just like in his previous life, a calculating hypocrite. With that single sentence, he had made the cheating accusation sound like a confirmed fact.
“At a time like this, you’re still speaking up for him?” Xiao Chen’s mother looked at Xiao Ming with heartache.
She turned and scolded Xiao Chen, “Look how sensible your brother is. Just like your grandmother raised you, stubborn and vulgar. How could our family produce someone like you?”
“Ever since he came back, nothing in our family has gone smoothly,” Xiao Qian snorted, her gaze filled with even greater disgust.
“Sister, don’t blame brother. He didn’t mean to break the blue-and-white porcelain vase that eldest sister bought,” Xiao Ming added softly.
With that single sentence, he fanned the flames again. Xiao Yan’s expression darkened.
Last month she had spent more than 100,000 to buy that porcelain vase as a gift, and Xiao Chen had broken it. Although she had not pursued the matter, what angered her most was that Xiao Chen had refused to admit it.
“Xiao Chen, I’ll say this one last time. Withdraw from the competition,” Xiao Yuanhe said, his patience at its limit.
“What if I refuse?” Xiao Chen curved his lips slightly.
“Then get out of the Xiao family. I’ll act as if I never had a son like you,” Xiao Yuanhe said coldly.
“Good. Is that also mother’s decision?” Xiao Chen turned to look at his mother.
“If you don’t obey, we really will drive you out,” she snapped.
Xiao Chen smiled, tears falling down his face.
He had been reborn, yet their attitude remained the same. Since that was the case, why force himself any longer?
He turned, went back to his room, took out paper and pen, and walked out.
“Have you thought it through? If you have, apologize to your brother and to our parents,” Xiao Yan said, glancing at him.
“I’ve thought it through,” Xiao Chen nodded.
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, he bit his finger and wrote a letter in blood: “Between myself and the Xiao couple, our blood ties are shallow and familial harmony absent. From this day forth, I sever all blood relations. Father’s grace and mother’s love end here.”
He signed, “Xiao Chen.”
With trembling hands, he pressed his bloodied fingerprint beneath his name and placed the letter before his parents.
His voice was cold. “Sign this declaration. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other.”
“Xiao Chen, what do you mean? You want to sever the parent-child relationship?” Xiao Yan widened her eyes in disbelief.
The younger brother who had always carefully tried to please the family had suddenly changed.
Xiao Yuanhe and his wife exploded in anger. Xiao Yuanhe trembled with fury. “Good. Very good. Xiao Chen, your wings have hardened.”
“I’ll give you one more chance. Tear this up and apologize to your brother and to us. I can forgive you.”
“Forgive me? There’s no need.” Xiao Chen smiled faintly. “Sign the letter.”
“I’ll leave the Xiao family. This jinx will stay far away from you. Isn’t that better?”
“Xiao Chen, where will you go after leaving? Don’t be ridiculous,” Xiao Yan’s expression shifted slightly.
“That’s my business. You don’t need to worry.”
“Brother, don’t do this. I know Dad and Mom favor me. The one who should leave is me,” Xiao Ming said, wiping his tears, looking pitiful.
“Xiao Chen, you are my son. My blood runs in your veins. Don’t think a piece of paper can cut that off. Even if you die, you are still my son,” Xiao Yuanhe roared.
“Fine.” Xiao Chen took out another sheet of paper and quickly wrote an IOU.
“I am eighteen this year. Although you never truly raised me, the debt of giving birth still exists.”
“Let’s calculate 10,000 per year. That makes 180,000.”
“You visited me a few times over the years and gave a few thousand in living expenses.”
“Mother suffered giving birth to me, and seeing me for eighteen years seemed to affect your mood. I’ll add another 100,000 for emotional damages.”
“Rounding it off, I’ll give you 300,000.”
“What do you mean? Why are you calculating so clearly?” Xiao Yuanhe and his wife were stunned.
“This money is what I owe you. I will repay it in the future.”
After writing the IOU, signing it, and pressing his bloody fingerprint, he handed it to Xiao Yuanhe.
He said mockingly, “300,000 to sever all ties. You’re not losing out.”
“Fine. You want to leave? I’ll let you,” Xiao Yuanhe said angrily.
He picked up a pen and signed his name. “Don’t regret it.”
Xiao Chen’s mother also signed, not even wanting to look at him.
“Don’t worry. I won’t regret it.” Xiao Chen put away the blood letter. “I’ll go pack my things.”
Seeing his father’s fury and Xiao Chen about to be driven out, a trace of triumph flashed in Xiao Ming’s eyes.
Finally, that bastard was squeezed out. Everything in the Xiao family would be his. No one would compete with him anymore.
“Someone follow him, so nothing else gets broken or goes missing,” Xiao Yuanhe said coldly. “Xiao Yan, go watch him. Once he finishes packing, tell him to get out.”
Xiao Yan hesitated for a moment, then followed Xiao Chen to his room.
This was her first time stepping inside his room. It was called a room, but in truth, it was a storage space.
The room was clean and tidy, but there was very little inside.
Aside from a bed, a desk, and a wardrobe, there was nothing else.
There were no windows, not even a proper light fixture, only a strip light on the ceiling.
She felt a flicker of surprise. She had been busy managing the company and had never truly paid attention to this younger brother.
His clothes and shoes were still the old ones he had brought when he first came. Several shirts were washed pale with wear.
Two worn-out sneakers had been patched. Other than that, there was only a school uniform.
She suddenly felt uneasy. The Xiao family might not be aristocratic, but the Xiao Group earned nearly 10 million in profit each year.
Xiao Chen was her biological younger brother, their parents’ own son. Why had he been treated differently?
A jinx? When the Xiao family crisis occurred, he had just been born. Could that truly be blamed on him?
Her gaze fell on a photograph on the desk. It was a family portrait taken half a year ago when Xiao Chen first returned. It was the only photo he had with his family.
Framed and placed in the most prominent spot on the desk, it was spotless, clearly cherished.
To Xiao Chen, that photo had once been extremely important. He had cared deeply about his family.
Xiao Chen quickly finished packing. He picked up his bag and was about to leave. The only thing he left behind was the photograph.
Because it no longer mattered to him.
“Xiao Chen,” Xiao Yan called out, grabbing his arm. “Are you really leaving?”