Xiao Chen was already eighteen. He was even half a head taller than Xiao Yuanhe. If Xiao Chen resisted, Xiao Yuanhe would not even be able to touch him.
“We’ve already severed our father-son relationship. I’m warning you seriously one more time. Don’t touch me again in the future,” Xiao Chen said in a low voice. “Otherwise, I won’t be polite.”
“You rebellious brat, what are you trying to do? Are you planning to hit me?” Xiao Yuanhe roared angrily.
The authority of the head of the family had been challenged. What he could not accept even more was that the one challenging him was his own son, the one he had always ignored.
The son who used to be timid and obedient, never daring to defy him, was now resisting and might even strike back.
Xiao Chen shoved him aside. Xiao Yuanhe staggered and nearly fell to the ground.
He stared at Xiao Chen in disbelief, trembling with anger.
“You unfilial—”
“Xiao Chen, what happened to your face? Who hit you?” Song Ziyan rushed over.
Seeing half of Xiao Chen’s face swollen and blood at the corner of his mouth, she exploded with anger.
She pulled out her phone to call someone. Xiao Chen thought she was going to call the police and quickly stopped her.
“I’m fine. Don’t call the police.”
“But your face is swollen like this.” Song Ziyan’s voice trembled with suppressed fury. “I don’t care who he is. He has to pay.”
At that moment, as the daughter of the Song family, Song Ziyan’s aura was fully unleashed.
Even Chen Chao, who had spent years navigating all kinds of people in the streets, felt a slight shiver.
“Ziyan.” Xiao Chen stopped her. “I’m really fine. Let’s end this here.”
“But you’re hurt.” Tears fell from Song Ziyan’s eyes.
In her mind appeared the image of the boy who had once been bullied while protecting her.
His nose had been bleeding, his lips injured, yet he still made funny faces to cheer her up.
She had been only eight years old then, crying nonstop as she said, “Brother, when I grow up, I’ll protect you too. I won’t let you get hurt again. I won’t let anyone bully you.”
Now she had grown up. She could not stand by and watch him get hurt.
“It’s just a minor injury.” Xiao Chen forced a relaxed smile.
“You’re the one who hit Xiao Chen? Give me an explanation, or else.” Song Ziyan pointed at Xiao Yuanhe, her presence overwhelming.
No one doubted that if Xiao Yuanhe failed to provide a reasonable explanation, she could make it impossible for him to survive in Jiangcheng the next second.
In fact, as the beloved granddaughter of Song Yunming and the heiress of the Song Group, she had that power.
The Xiao Group was nothing more than a lone boat in the sea, while the Song Group was an aircraft carrier in the ocean.
The immense pressure made even Xiao Yuanhe, who had weathered over twenty years in the business world, tremble.
Then came even greater anger.
He laughed in fury. “Good, good. Xiao Chen, you’ve really grown capable. You can even join forces with others to threaten me.”
“I’m not threatening you,” Song Ziyan said coldly. “You’d better give a reasonable explanation and apologize to Xiao Chen.”
“Apologize to him? Me?” Xiao Yuanhe felt it was absurd.
Since when did a father apologize to his son?
Especially to this son he had always disliked. That would never happen.
“Song Ziyan.” Xiao Chen slightly raised his voice and stopped the tense confrontation. In a gentle tone he said, “Forget it.”
“I can handle my own matters.”
“He is my biological father. So this time, I won’t argue with him.”
“He’s your dad?” Song Ziyan was stunned.
After being separated from Xiao Chen back then, she had focused all her attention on him and had never paid attention to his family. She had no idea the man in front of her was his father.
“He used to be. We’ve already cut ties,” Xiao Chen said with a faint smile. “There won’t be a next time. I promise.”
Only then did the pressure around Song Ziyan slowly fade, and she returned to being the gentle and shy girl again.
She took out a tissue and carefully wiped the blood from the corner of Xiao Chen’s lips.
“Does it hurt? I’ll take you to the infirmary.”
Xiao Chen nodded and left with her.
As he passed Xiao Yuanhe, he glanced at him indifferently. “Xiao Yuanhe, in the future, you and the Xiao family should stop interfering with my life.”
After leaving those words behind, Xiao Chen walked away with Song Ziyan.
“You dare call me by my name?” Xiao Yuanhe was furious, but by the time he reacted, Xiao Chen was already gone.
“You’re his father?” Chen Chao glanced at Xiao Yuanhe.
“I’m his father. So what?” Xiao Yuanhe lifted his chin.
“You can’t recognize a treasure even when it’s inlaid with gold. Such a good son, yet you treat him like an enemy.”
Chen Chao shook his head in disbelief. He was certain Xiao Chen was not ordinary.
But his father clearly had problems with his judgment. This story is hosted at g.com.
Having such a capable son and not valuing him, treating him like an enemy instead.
Chen Chao left with his men, leaving Xiao Yuanhe standing there alone.
He felt he had lost face in front of Xiao Chen.
In the infirmary, the doctor prescribed medicine to reduce swelling and relieve pain.
Song Ziyan brought an ice pack and carefully pressed it against Xiao Chen’s face.
“Is it better?” Seeing the redness and swelling, she looked even more distressed.
“It’s much better. I’m fine. Don’t worry.” Xiao Chen felt a bit embarrassed and tried to take the ice pack from her.
But Song Ziyan stubbornly continued applying the cold compress.
“Why does your dad treat you like that?” Song Ziyan bit her lip and asked.
“Because of prejudice. Because they need an outlet to vent their own incompetence,” Xiao Chen replied coldly.
“But I’ve already cut off all ties with them. This is the last time.”
“If there’s a next time, I will fight back.”
Song Ziyan nodded silently. She had taken note of the Xiao family.
Anyone who dared hit her brother, regardless of status, she would never let it go.
“The way you looked just now…” Xiao Chen suddenly remembered how she had been earlier.
She had not looked like a seventeen-year-old girl at all.
Her powerful presence was no less imposing than an adult’s.
Like an enraged kitten, ready to fight desperately to protect what mattered most.
“Was I fierce?” Song Ziyan’s face flushed red.
“No. You were adorable,” Xiao Chen said with a smile.
He looked at her and said softly, “Other than Grandma, you’re the only one who tries to protect me when I’m hurt.”
Something tightened in Song Ziyan’s chest.
She could not imagine what kind of life Xiao Chen had lived all these years.
Seeing her eyes redden again, Xiao Chen quickly smiled and comforted her. “Alright, it’s over. It’s all in the past.”
“Don’t mention this in front of my grandma. I don’t want her to worry.”