Chapter 111: Yan’er, Father Has Failed You

Chapter 111: Yan'er, Father Has Failed You

At this moment, Xiao Yan's heart was in shambles.

And the worst part?

He had no one to share his pain with.

For the past three years, the only person he could rely on was his father.

But now

Even his father had abandoned him.

Suddenly, the world of Dou Qi no longer seemed filled with emotions.

There was only one thing left

Self interest.

…

Sitting motionless on the bed, Xiao Yan stared blankly ahead.

His face was pale, his mind a storm of conflicting emotions.

But deep inside

There was still a tiny sliver of hope.

"Maybe Wu Tian was lying."

"Maybe my father hasn't really abandoned me."

"Maybe this was all just a cruel joke."

"Maybe… my father still cares."

Even if it was a fragile hope,

Even if it was the last straw he could cling to

It was still something.

…

Then

Footsteps.

Xiao Yan's body stiffened.

He quickly laid back down and closed his eyes.

There was only one person who could be visiting him now

His father, Xiao Zhan.

And so

Xiao Yan made his choice.

He would pretend to still be unconscious

Just to see if Wu Tian's words were true or false.

…

If his father truly cared

Then Xiao Yan would stay in the Xiao Clan and fight for his future.

If not

Then he would leave this place forever.

He would set out on his own.

He would show the world

"Never underestimate a young man just because he is down on his luck."

…

But then

Something unexpected happened.

The footsteps stopped.

Right at the door.

Yet…

The door never opened.

Xiao Yan's heart pounded in his chest.

He resisted the urge to open his eyes.

He wanted to look.

But he was afraid.

Afraid of what he might see.

So instead

He listened.

…

Standing outside the door was

Xiao Zhan.

His father.

…

Xiao Zhan had just finished his meeting with the three elders.

He had been ecstatic about obtaining the Jade Finger Technique.

So much so that he had even copied the technique for the elders.

Despite their usual conflicts, the elders were loyal to the clan.

Their internal struggles were meant to motivate the younger generation, not weaken the Xiao family.

So today

They had set aside their differences.

They had come together.

Because the Jade Finger Technique was a rare opportunity

One that could strengthen the entire clan.

…

And then

They began training immediately.

Each of them prepared a large water basin,

Dipped their aged fingers into the water

And began practicing.

…

Of course

After decades of wear and tear,

Their fingers weren't as nimble as they used to be.

Even so

They tried their best.

They moved their fingers as quickly as they could,

Following the technique's guidance.

…

The result?

Four grown men

Locked in a secret room

Each with their hands in a tub of water,

Moving their fingers up and down in synchronized rhythm.

The sound of the water…

Was…

"Unique."

If anyone had been listening outside the room,

They would have definitely misunderstood.

…

Eventually

The elders finished their training session.

Each left the room, their fingers still twitching involuntarily.

Each wore a satisfied expression.

They had made progress.

And now

Each elder returned home to his wife.

As for Xiao Zhan?

Well

Xiao Zhan had no wife.

So instead, he decided to check on his unconscious son.

…

Walking toward Xiao Yan's room,

Xiao Zhan felt a pang of guilt.

He had chosen the clan over his son.

But what choice did he have?

As the patriarch,

The Xiao Clan's survival had to come first.

He had wanted to buy the Golden Wound Pill.

But Wu Tian had made it clear

"The pill or the technique. You can't have both."

And if he had tried to forcefully take it

That would have been the end of the Xiao Clan.

Even a fool could see

Wu Tian's background was unfathomable.

A man who casually gave away Xuan rank techniques

Was not someone you could mess with.

…

So now

Xiao Zhan stood at the door of his son's room.

But when he lifted his foot to step inside

It suddenly felt too heavy to move.

After hesitating for a long time,

He finally admitted to himself

He couldn't face his son.

…

But deep inside

A part of him still tried to justify his actions.

"Yan'er was my most talented son."

"He was supposed to be the brightest star of the Xiao Clan."

"And then… he fell."

"I still love him, of course."

"But love alone won't help the clan survive."

…

Xiao Zhan sighed heavily.

His pride as a father had been shattered.

But the responsibility of a patriarch had to come first.

This was the path he had chosen.

And there was no turning back.

…

After a long moment of silence

Xiao Zhan spoke softly.

"Yan'er… Father has failed you."

Then

He turned and walked away.

…

Inside the room,

Xiao Yan's eyes slowly opened.

For a long time,

He just stared at the ceiling.

His chest ached.

Not from physical pain

But from something far worse.

…

His father had been right there.

Right at the door.

Yet

He hadn't even stepped inside.

He hadn't even tried to check if his son was still alive.

And now?

Now, he was gone.

…

The last bit of hope Xiao Yan had

Shattered.

…

(End of Chapter)

Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.

Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Canserbero10