Chapter 18: Long Haochen: Grandpa, Can I Have a Different Father?

After hearing Balza’s explanation, Long Xingyu gave an embarrassed smile. “So that’s how it is. When I saw the boy come back with two bottles of Peiji liquid, I worried he might be learning bad habits at such a young age, so I corrected his behavior. I didn’t expect I was mistaken.”

Long Xingyu’s casual dismissal of the misunderstanding never once considered how deeply his actions had wounded Long Haochen’s heart.

“Lord Xingyu, Long Haochen is a well-behaved and sensible child. He often helps his mother with chores. In Odin Town, children his age tend to be little tyrants, mischievous and unruly. It’s rare to find one like Haochen,” Balza said with a smile.

He couldn’t understand why, under normal circumstances, a parent finding an extra bottle of Peiji liquid on their child wouldn’t first ask where it came from, but instead immediately suspect the child of theft.

But since Lord Xingyu was a true knight, Balza dared not offend him. He could only gently defend Long Haochen, explaining the boy’s good reputation in Odin Town.

Long Xingyu glanced at Long Haochen and Bai Yue but said nothing, not even an apology.

Bai Yue had long seen through Long Xingyu’s nature, so she had no expectations. But her son, Long Haochen, was different.

That night, before falling asleep, Long Haochen tossed and turned under the covers, recalling the day’s events. He felt so wronged and heartbroken. Why couldn’t his father trust him unconditionally like his mother did?

He had clearly said that the Peiji liquid was given to him by Instructor Balza, yet his father thought he was making excuses.

The Peiji liquid seemed to be very precious. He had taken two bottles, which was why his father had been so furious—each person was limited to one bottle. The extra bottle in his hand was given by Uncle Balza out of kindness, knowing his family was poor and his mother was weak.

Uncle Balza was a good man, but his kindness had caused Long Haochen to be misunderstood and even scolded by his father. If it weren’t for his mother’s timely arrival, Long Haochen felt as if his father would have devoured him.

From his pocket, Long Haochen took out a jade token, bit his finger, and let a drop of blood fall onto it. He cried softly, overwhelmed with sorrow.

The ethereal figure of Feng Xiu shimmered above the jade token. This was a newly developed communication jade token created by the tech-savvy Star Demon Clan. Using one’s own bloodline as a conduit, it allowed conversations across thousands of miles. A pair of tokens was held by two parties; activation required only a drop of blood and was limited to direct blood relatives within five generations.

“Haochen, missing your grandfather after just one day apart?” Feng Xiu teased with a smile.

The moment he connected the token, he saw his precious grandson shedding tears.

His expression darkened instantly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. “Haochen, tell your grandfather who bullied you. Grandpa will teach them a lesson!”

“Grandfather, yesterday at school I met a teacher who came to visit our home. Mom said he was my father. I should have been happy because I never had a father before—other kids all have dads,” Long Haochen sniffled and continued.

“But grandfather, I really dislike this father. He doesn’t believe me and thinks I’m a thief. He wouldn’t listen to my explanation. I told him that Instructor Balza gave me two bottles of Peiji liquid, but he insisted I stole them.”

“Other children’s fathers always believe their precious kids, but mine only falsely accuses me. Grandfather, can I have a different father?”

Children are highly sensitive to others’ likes and dislikes, and Long Haochen clearly sensed that his father did not like him.

“Whether you can have a different father, you’ll have to ask your mother. Grandpa can’t decide that for her,” Feng Xiu replied cautiously. Though Bai Yue had said she had no feelings for Long Xingyu, Feng Xiu knew better than to meddle in this matter. Bai Yue had even moved to Odin Town specifically to await Long Xingyu’s arrival, after all.

Still, Long Xingyu’s audacity in accusing his grandson of theft deserved a good scolding. Not punishing him would leave Feng Xiu’s anger unquenched.

“Haochen, don’t be sad over someone unworthy. If you don’t like him, tell Yue’er clearly. Your mother cares deeply for you and loves you. She will make the right choice,” Feng Xiu advised gently.

Long Haochen’s eyes brightened. Mom cares about what I think. She will surely stand by me.

They quickly ended the call, and Long Haochen, wearing slippers, hurried off to find his mother. Instead, he found his father and mother lying on the same bed. Bai Yue was dressed in winter pajamas, wrapped in blankets like a dumpling.

“Dad, Mom, what are you doing?” Long Haochen asked.

Long Xingyu was just about to relive a beautiful night from years ago. As he entered and lay down, he saw Bai Yue had prepared two blankets and frowned slightly. Before he could speak, Long Haochen ran in.

His mood spoiled, his tone was sharp: “Long Haochen, entering without knocking? Where is your manners and upbringing?”

Bai Yue’s face darkened. The anger she had bottled up all day exploded in that instant.

Smack—
Smack—

She slapped Long Xingyu hard on both cheeks. The clear handprints left symmetrical marks on Long Haochen’s cheeks.

“Long Xingyu, Haochen is still a child. You slandered him as a thief during the day and harshly scold him for lacking manners at night. As his father, you’ve never fulfilled your responsibilities. What right do you have to blame my child?” Bai Yue sneered.

A mother’s strength is fierce; she had long wanted to slap Long Xingyu hard.

“Bai Yue, what happened today was just a misunderstanding with Haochen, a trivial matter. Must you keep holding onto it?” Long Xingyu’s face turned dark as the bottom of a pot. As a proud Divine Seal Knight, he considered it beneath him to quarrel physically with a woman.

Frowning, he stared at Long Haochen and Bai Yue, then said, “Haochen, I apologize for misunderstanding you today. You will forgive your father, won’t you?”

Long Haochen blinked and looked at Bai Yue thoughtfully, then nodded. “Dad, I forgive you, but next time, you must listen to my explanation.”

He didn’t want to make his mother’s situation difficult, so he chose to forgive his father, though a lingering bitterness remained in his heart.

Why would a father not believe his own child?

Long Xingyu raised an eyebrow at Bai Yue, as if to say, “Our son has forgiven me; why do you still hold on to this?”

Bai Yue glanced at Long Xingyu, then took Long Haochen and left the room to sleep in Haochen’s room.

She felt that two slaps were too lenient for Long Xingyu. She decided to contact Brother Anran the next day. After all, in their past lives, Long Xingyu had been beaten into bed many times by Anran, so a few more beatings wouldn’t matter.

Her only request was not excessive: to keep Long Xingyu from harassing Haochen, all he had to do was hand over his Inheritance Ring.

As for the timing of the beating, Bai Yue had already chosen—it would begin after Haochen’s sixth birthday.