Chapter 14
Shi Xu remembered clearly when Shi Yan first uttered those words, and the accompanying emotions.
Sadness, fear, and the worry of being abandoned.
He didn’t understand why, as a child, he was so certain Shi Yan could abandon even his own son.
So he had to perfectly fulfill Shi Yan’s every demand, obey every order.
Having heard those words countless times, he was accustomed to them, the complex emotions gone.
Shi Xu lowered his eyes, feigning obedience. “I’ve disappointed you. I’m sorry.”
“Come here.”
He walked to the desk, standing before his seated father, his gaze fixed on the desktop, not daring to look up.
This was the result of years of conditioning, his obedience pleasing Shi Yan.
“This situation can still be salvaged. Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”
Shi Yan: “How will you salvage your mistake?”
Shi Xu: “I didn’t revive the Variant. If we investigate thoroughly, there’s still hope.”
“That’s just your claim,” Shi Yan scoffed. “The moment you admitted to showing mercy, you should have expected to be misunderstood.”
Regardless of the truth, half the people believed Shi Xu was responsible. Even if cleared, his position as captain was uncertain.
Loss of trust was dangerous. Even if everyone acknowledged his abilities, without support, things would eventually fall apart.
Shi Xu repeated, “I’ll handle it.”
Shi Yan: “You’re under surveillance. How will you handle it? Do you expect me to help you?”
Shi Xu: “I trust Tan Xiao’s capabilities. He’ll find the truth and clear my name. After that, I’ll talk to Director Shen. Considering my past contributions, he’ll give me another chance.”
“Begging Shen Qiao for mercy? You’re embarrassing me!” Shi Yan flew into a rage, slapping Shi Xu across the face.
Shi Xu could have dodged, but didn’t. His head snapped to the side, a bright red mark appearing on his cheek, a testament to Shi Yan’s force.
“I didn’t raise you to be someone’s dog. Since Shen Qiao dismissed you, stay home and reflect.”
Shi Xu remained outwardly submissive, yet dared to ask, “For how long?”
Shi Yan sneered. “Until you remember whose side you’re on, who you should obey.”
Shi Xu’s head remained tilted, not daring to move without permission.
Pleased by his obedience, Shi Yan’s anger subsided. Seeing Shi Xu’s silence, he sighed, walking over and gently touching his red cheek. His tone softened. “Does it hurt?”
Shi Xu’s lips thinned. “No.”
Shi Yan’s fingers caressed his cheek. Shi Xu trembled, like a child seeking comfort from his father.
Shi Yan’s voice grew gentler. “I’m not blaming you. I just don’t want you to be controlled by others. You’re still my best child.”
“I know.” A small smile touched Shi Xu’s lips, quickly disappearing.
The subtle movement didn’t escape Shi Yan’s notice.
He smiled, opening his arms. “You’ve been wronged.”
Shi Yan could have embraced him, but he waited for Shi Xu to initiate the hug.
A strange glint replaced the usual coldness in his eyes. His gray hair didn’t age him. He looked young enough to be Shi Xu’s brother.
Shi Xu stood frozen, staring at Shi Yan, his eyes filled with confusion and fear, as if he couldn’t believe his father could be so gentle.
His eyes reddened, like a child starved for affection, finally receiving it, yet hesitant to accept.
Shi Yan said softly, “Come here.”
Shi Xu raised his hand, reaching towards Shi Yan, then, under his father’s loving and expectant gaze, plunged the pen in his hand into Shi Yan’s neck.
Blood spurted, splattering them both. Shi Yan’s eyes widened, gripping Shi Xu’s hand. “What are you doing?”
Shi Xu’s feigned vulnerability vanished. He shook off Shi Yan’s hand, wiping the blood off with a handkerchief.
His eyes held a mocking glint, a sarcastic smile curving his lips. “You’re not worthy of being my father.”
Shi Xu’s attack was brutal. A normal person would have collapsed, but Shi Yan remained standing, the only signs of injury being the gushing blood, the pen in his neck, and his contorted expression.
His world shattered, Shi Yan’s mind went blank. He saw Shi Xu reach for him again, but he was too slow to react, watching helplessly as Shi Xu pulled out the pen and stabbed him again in the same spot.
This time, besides the blood, the surroundings shattered like a broken mirror, revealing the true scene.
They were no longer in Shi Yan’s study. This was an unfamiliar bedroom, dimly lit, but bright enough for Shi Xu to see the layout and the countless photos of himself covering the walls.
A single glance filled him with disgust.
This room’s owner was more repulsive than any pollutant.
The person before him still wore Shi Yan’s face, but with an expression Shi Xu had never seen on his father.
“Impossible!” ‘Shi Yan’ was in disbelief. He couldn’t believe Shi Xu would do this.
Shi Xu was his father’s dog, meant to beg for scraps of affection, to stand behind him, pathetically seeking his attention.
He had delved into Shi Xu’s childhood memories. He knew Shi Xu better than anyone, knew his desires, knew how to control him. He had meticulously planned everything, but how did Shi Xu escape his control?
‘Shi Yan’ murmured, “You’re the most obedient child. You would never hurt me…”
Obedient?
Shi Xu scoffed. “Memories can be fabricated.”
Used to deceive.
‘Shi Yan’: “Fabricated? Impossible!”
Shi Xu pulled the pen out of ‘Shi Yan’s’ neck. His eyes widened in pain. As Shi Xu stabbed him again, he recoiled, but too slowly. The pen grazed his nose, tearing away the disguise.
Lin Zhi’s repulsive face appeared. Shi Xu kicked his knee, forcing him to kneel. He pressed the pen against Lin Zhi’s chin.
Shi Xu leaned closer, his eyes icy. “This charade ends now, Vice-Captain Lin.”
As the illusion vanished, the wound on Lin Zhi’s neck disappeared, but the pain lingered.
Illusions could negate physical harm, but not pain. Shi Xu’s attacks had been real. The lingering pain instilled fear, the fear of another attack in reality.
Lin Zhi gasped, trembling, his mind racing, but he latched onto the most pressing question. “Did you really want to kill your father?”
Shi Xu’s lips curved into a smile.
He didn’t answer, but Lin Zhi understood.
Lin Zhi still couldn’t believe it. He had repeatedly invaded Shi Xu’s mind, reading his thoughts, during his most vulnerable moments.
Shi Xu craved paternal love. How could that obedient child harbor such dark thoughts?
He should have fallen into the trap, his wings clipped, becoming a caged bird.
“Ordinary humans are accustomed to being helpless against espers? Vice-Captain Lin, you’re too confident in your abilities.”
Lin Zhi froze, then understood.
He thought he had invaded Shi Xu’s mind, but he had only entered a fabricated world.
He had never truly seen Shi Xu’s inner world. Shi Xu had only shown him what he wanted him to see, making him believe he had leverage, while in reality, he had been played.
“Since when?” Lin Zhi chuckled self-deprecatingly. “Since we met? You’ve been guarding against me this whole time? Even while unconscious, at your weakest?”
Shi Xu: “You’re not important enough for special treatment.”
He guarded against everyone, even the most trusted Qi Yu.
Shi Xu’s expression and tone were flat, devoid of even mockery.
His reaction enraged Lin Zhi. He grabbed Shi Xu’s wrist, the pen piercing his chin. Blood welled up. Before he could stab deeper, Shi Xu broke his wrist, flinging his hand away in disgust, just like in the illusion.
Shi Xu finally looked at him, his eyes filled with revulsion.
“You disgust me.”
