Li Tiangang could hardly believe it. His father had actually slapped him.
The tenderness and affection on his father's face a moment ago had given way to nothing but anger and anguish, his eyes filled with disappointment... disappointment?
Li Tiangang's face was pale. He knew his abilities were lacking, that he had failed to look after the Divine General Residence and his brothers. Yet his father had not been disappointed in him for that, and had instead comforted him gently.
Now, however, over the matter of Li Hao, his father had shown him anguish and disappointment.
The burning pain in his cheek left Li Tiangang somewhat dazed. It was not that the slap had been particularly heavy, but that an image from that courtyard had suddenly flashed through his mind.
That slap he had delivered in anger.
The boy's eyes had seemed to hold that same disbelief.
Li Tiangang suddenly felt his heart contract. An indescribable emotion spread through him. He could not name it. It felt something like... fear?
"Eldest Brother..."
Li Xiaoran hesitated, then swallowed his words and sighed inwardly.
He had not wanted his eldest brother to learn of this, but now that he knew, it was too late to stop him.
Besides, he too found Li Tiangang's handling of Li Hao difficult to understand. Leaving aside the child's talent, his temperament was nothing like the reports circulating through the family: idle, dissolute, and unruly.
At most, one could call him unconcerned with trifles.
Li Muxiu merely stood to one side with a cold expression, saying nothing. He even felt the slap had been too light.
"No wonder I always sensed something awkward when that child looked at me. So this was why. He had already left the Li Family. He... he didn't want to acknowledge me