Ji Cheng's roar echoed through the cramped Entryway, making Fang Youcheng's ears ring.
With his collar gripped tight, a dull ache spreading through his back from the cold wall, and fury in his father's eyes that threatened to burn him alive, Fang Youcheng felt suffocated by fear.
Yet perhaps that fear had reached its limit, or perhaps the frustration and hurt of the past few days had finally spilled over. An unprecedented surge of courage, mixed with anger and resentment, shot up from deep inside him.
He had no idea where he found the strength, but he suddenly raised his hands and pried Ji Cheng's grip off his collar. His voice trembled with emotion, yet his shout rang out with startling clarity:
"Because I don't want to! I don't want this!!"
That cry stunned not only Ji Cheng but Fang Youcheng himself-he had never spoken to his father in that tone before.
But the words were out. Like floodwater bursting through a dam, they could no longer be held back.
His chest heaved and his eyes reddened. Meeting Ji Cheng's incredulous gaze, he continued:
"I don't want to get ahead by framing other people! I don't! Mom never taught me to do that! Neither did my teachers! We're supposed to live honestly! To have a conscience! These things you want me to do... they make me sick inside! I can't live with them!"
Those words struck Ji Cheng's ears like a sledgehammer.
He could hardly believe what he was hearing! This son of his, always so obedient and sensible, who had never questioned a word he said, actually dared to speak to him like this? To question his methods? And even trot out that ridiculous nonsense about having a conscience?
His brief astonishment gave way to an even fiercer rage