Chapter 10 Wrath

"As a father, I can't even protect my own daughter. To leave her in the care of a businessman's household, to raise her like some stray—it's a grave dereliction of duty on my part."

"It's my fault!"

Feng Xu clenched his teeth, letting out a deep sigh.

"Alright, alright then. But if you bring Feng Xiaoxiao back, you won't be able to stay in Dragon Country for long. So, what about the child?"

Li Yunan lowered his voice as he looked at Feng Xu, his words laden with meaning. He wanted to know what Feng Xu intended for Feng Xiaoxiao. Was he going to take her to Leaf Country as well? That was impossible.

Leaf Country had used despicable means to make Feng Xu their official. If he took his daughter there, he'd only face greater troubles.

"Didn't you just say so yourself?"

Feng Xu smiled calmly. The Li family's willingness to care for Feng Xiaoxiao brought him a wave of relief. After all, the Li family had the educational resources and protection that would let him devote himself to his research without worry. For him, it was a tremendous help.

"What?"

Li Yunan was startled for a moment, then a wave of anticipation washed over him. He had just proposed to Feng Xu that if he brought Feng Xiaoxiao back, they should transfer her to the Li family. But he hadn't expected Feng Xu to actually agree.

...

Qi Family's Old Residence.

"Auntie, I'm hungry."

A little girl, her cheeks sculpted like porcelain, eyes bright and shining, wore an expression tinged with loneliness. Her wrinkled clothes were covered in dust, her hair dry and disheveled.

"Didn't you just eat yesterday morning? Why are you hungry again? Are you a pig?"

The housekeeper's gaze flickered with contempt as she sneered, shoving Feng Xiaoxiao aside.

"Woo... woo..."

Feng Xiaoxiao wiped tears from the corners of her eyes, her stomach growling hungrily.

"Crying, always crying! How dare you cry! Do you know your father is a traitor?"

"Who knows how much he's done for Leaf Country, how much he's damaged our interests?"

"To us, he's nothing but a scoundrel! And you, a little brat, disgust me. None of your family is any good!"

The housekeeper sneered. Feng Xu had become Leaf Country's official, developing countless weapons that threatened them. And as for Pang Shuyi, the girl's mother, she hadn't divorced Feng Xu yet, but had already gotten involved with the Qi family's young master. To her, Pang Shuyi was no different from those women who frequented the nightlife, and as for little Feng Xiaoxiao, even less so.

"Daddy isn't a traitor, Daddy isn't a traitor! Auntie, Daddy isn't a traitor!"

Feng Xiaoxiao cried out, clutching her little fists whenever she spoke of Feng Xu.

"You brat, who do you think you are? Just because you say your father isn't a traitor doesn't make it so. Say it now—Li Daddy is a traitor, a dog who betrayed our country, and I'll give you food!"

The housekeeper sneered, grabbing Feng Xiaoxiao and pushing her into a corner, her eyes cold.

Feng Xiaoxiao shrank against the wall, staring up at the towering figure, biting her lip, her small hands calloused and rough.

"No, no! Daddy isn't a traitor!"

Clear tears welled at the corners of her eyes, her thin frame trembling in the corner, skin and bones.

"Damn you! Your father is a traitor, your mother is worthless, and you're no better! Hungry, are you? Fine, I'll feed you now. Yesterday's leftovers are still in the bucket."

The housekeeper sneered. Since she was Feng Xu's child, she'd received special treatment and gifts, all of which could be taken away in an instant.

Feng Xiaoxiao was light as a feather; the housekeeper placed her next to the slop bucket.

"See this? Normally you get plain greens and rice, but here there's even meat. See that finger-width of grease? Imagine eating your fill with this—then you'll have strength. Eat!"

The housekeeper's lips curled in a cold smile, pressing Feng Xiaoxiao's head down.

"No, no! I want to tell Daddy, I want to tell Mommy!"

Feng Xiaoxiao's eyes widened, her small body helpless under the housekeeper's grip, her face inching toward the foul-smelling slop bucket.

"Your father is a traitorous dog, Li Mommy is no better, and as for you? No one cares whether you live or die! Still want to complain? You little brat, eat!"

The housekeeper sneered! In the old residence, she was the senior maid, almost a steward. The little Feng Xiaoxiao wanted to threaten her position? Then she couldn't be blamed for being ruthless.

"Stop!"

A furious voice rang out. The door of a black car burst open and a string of figures dressed in black rushed out.

"Who are you? Shouting on Qi Family property!"

The housekeeper trembled, quickly turning around.

"Bang!"

A figure in black appeared in front of her, slamming his fist hard.

"Bang!"

Blood sprayed from the housekeeper's mouth, a yellowed tooth flying out as she crumpled to the floor.

"Ah! Help! Someone's causing trouble at the Qi Family! Hurry!"

The housekeeper endured the blow, glaring furiously at the newcomer.

"Someone dares cause trouble for us entrepreneurs? Seems they don't want to live. Grab that man!"

A cold voice rang out. An elder dressed in traditional attire smiled icily, and at once, a group surrounded them.

"You brat, how dare you come to our Qijiang elders? I'll break your bones!"

"Do you know what the Qi Family is? Even the Buddha would show us respect here!"

...

In an instant, the crowd rushed at the man holding Li Xiaoxiao.

"Damn you! Do you people know what you're doing?"

Li Yunan was startled by Feng Xu's speed, and as he approached, he found Feng Xu's movements growing even swifter!

This was no ordinary speed. Every turn and motion carried an ineffable aura, as if he were a grandmaster of martial arts.