Chapter 31

Xiao Yulong's words made Xiao Lie's whole body tremble, his pupils suddenly constricting, and he stood there in a daze.

Seeing Xiao Yulong's sinister sneer, how could he not understand that the whispers he had made at his son Xiao Ying's grave... had all been heard by him!

Xiao Yulong's words instantly caused a commotion on the scene. Everyone's mouths were wide open, and their eyes turned to Xiao Lie. When they saw Xiao Lie's extremely unusual reaction, their shock was magnified several times, and the voices of discussion grew louder.

Xiao Chong was completely stunned. When he noticed Xiao Lie's reaction, he was completely dumbfounded. Xiao Lingxi also had a blank expression, staring at Xiao Lie in a daze.

"Yulong! What's going on?" Xiao Yunhai frowned and asked in a deep voice.

Xiao Yulong turned sideways and said respectfully, "Father, a few days ago, when I went to the back mountain cemetery to pay respects to our ancestors, I happened to meet the Fifth Elder. At that time, he was standing in front of his son Xiao Ying's tombstone, muttering something to himself... I heard it very clearly. He was saying... Xiao Chong is not Xiao Ying's biological son!"

From Xiao Yulong's words and Xiao Lie's reaction, people vaguely guessed this fact, but when Xiao Yulong said it so bluntly, it was like a thunderbolt in the air. Everyone in the Xiao family was completely stunned, and those who were familiar and friendly with Xiao Lie had their eyes wide open, their faces full of disbelief.

"This... " Xiao Yunhai also had a shocked expression and immediately said seriously, "Yulong! This is a matter concerning bloodline, you must not speak recklessly!!"

Xiao Yulong said solemnly, "For such a big matter, I certainly dare not lie. To find out the truth, just ask the Fifth Elder... Fifth Elder, I believe you have heard my words clearly. If you have no guilt in your heart and Xiao Chong is really your biological grandson, then dare you swear by all the honors your son Xiao Ying had in life?"

All eyes were focused on Xiao Lie. He stood there stiffly, his expression becoming increasingly bitter. After a long time, he did not speak, did not defend himself... Xiao Ying was his greatest pride in life, and even if he were to die, he could not swear by all the honors Xiao Ying had in life.

Xiao Chong opened his mouth but could not say anything. A heavy sense of oppression quickly spread throughout his chest.

"Father, how can Xiao Chong not be your biological grandson... Father, speak up, tell them!" Xiao Lingxi shook Xiao Lie's body forcefully, shouting in panic.

But Xiao Lie was like a statue, silent for a long time. His face gradually became dejected, and he seemed to have aged several decades in the blink of an eye.

"Fifth Elder, what's going on? Is what Yulong said true?" Xiao Yunhai frowned deeply, his face full of agitation as he spoke to Xiao Lie.

Xiao Lie slowly raised his head and took a deep breath. Xiao Yulong was forcing him to swear by his son Xiao Ying... This was something he could never do. Therefore, the secret he had hidden for sixteen years was destined to no longer remain hidden. He had thought this matter would be hidden until the day he died, but he never expected it to be exposed so quickly, in such an unimaginable situation, and in front of so many people.

Xiao Lie's appearance was already an acknowledgment. Otherwise, he could have sworn without any hesitation, silencing Xiao Yulong. Everyone in the Xiao family was speechless. Even Xia Qingyue's eyes were full of surprise. Xia Hongyi, who had been standing silently on the periphery, also had a shocked expression... Xiao Chong is not Xiao Ying's son? How... could this be...!

"Grandfather..."

Xiao Chong walked to Xiao Lie's front, each step heavy. Looking at his face, which seemed to have aged suddenly, Xiao Chong felt a wave of bitterness in his heart. He tried to remain calm and asked in a soft voice, "Grandfather... Is this... true?"

Xiao Lie's head drooped, looking at Xiao Chong. He smiled bitterly, his somewhat turbid eyes filled with a complexity that Xiao Chong could not see through: "Although you are not my biological grandson, over the years, I have always treated you as my own..."

The previous silence was an acknowledgment, and this sentence was a clear admission that everyone could hear!

The Xiao family was instantly in an uproar. This was undoubtedly the most explosive news they had heard in the Xiao family for many years.

Xiao Chong stood there, speechless for a long time, as if he had lost his soul. Xiao Lingxi was also stunned. She shook her head forcefully and shouted at Xiao Lie in agitation, "Father! What are you saying... Xiao Chong grew up with me, he is my brother Xiao Ying's biological son, how can he not be your biological grandson... You must be joking... right!?"

A hand reached out and grabbed Xiao Lingxi's hand. Xiao Chong's face had returned to normal. He looked at Xiao Lingxi, a faint smile on his face, and shook his head gently, "It's okay, Aunt. Grandfather has always been my grandfather, and you have always been my aunt. We have always been the closest family, whether or not we share blood. Our feelings will not change... So, does it really matter if we are biological?"

"Xiao Chong..." Xiao Lingxi's eyes became misty.

On the other side, a few mad dogs who had suddenly found a huge "weakness" in Xiao Lie were barking wildly.

"Absolutely outrageous! Outrageous! A descendant we have raised for sixteen years is not even a member of our Xiao family, but a bastard from another clan... This is the biggest joke in the history of our Xiao family!" Elder Xiao Li roared in anger.

"Xiao Lie! You brought a bastard into our Xiao family and let us raise him for sixteen years! How can we even describe you... Sigh!" Elder Xiao Ze sighed heavily.

"Knowing he was a bastard, you still kept him in the Xiao family, enjoying the treatment of an elder's grandson! Xiao Lie, you have deceived our entire clan for sixteen years. If not for the fortunate discovery by Yulong, you might have deceived us for life. By then, the bloodline of the Xiao family would have been mixed with outsiders! Xiao Lie, do you know how great a sin this is!" Elder Xiao Cheng pointed at Xiao Lie, his face flushed with excitement.

Elder Xiao Bo cursed, "No wonder our Xiao family's descendants all have excellent talents, but suddenly there appeared a crippled waste of a spirit vein! It turns out that this waste, raised by the Xiao family for sixteen years, is actually a bastard! If this gets out, our Xiao family will become a laughingstock in Liuyun City!"

Not only the four elders, but also the middle-aged generation and the various executives and managers under the four elders' factions all stood up, mercilessly accusing Xiao Lie. For a moment, Xiao Lie became the target of everyone's criticism.

"Fifth Elder, this... this... sigh!" Xiao Yunhai's face changed, and he sighed deeply.

"Ha ha, what a ridiculous show I have witnessed. The Xiao family, which has developed to today, actually has a bastard mixed in from who knows where! I feel ashamed for you!" Xiao Kuangyun said, his voice still sharp and unpleasant. He glanced at Xiao Chong and said coldly, "Today is the Xiao family's assembly. Besides the members of the Xiao family and guests allowed to enter, no one else is allowed to be here! Head of the Xiao family, what are you waiting for? Drive this bastard out and never let him step into the Xiao family again!"

"Ah... this..." Xiao Yunhai's face showed a "reluctant" expression, but after hesitating, he gritted his teeth and said to Xiao Chong, "Xiao Chong, the Fifth Elder has admitted that you are not his grandson, and you do not have the bloodline of the Xiao family... Although our Xiao family has raised you for sixteen years, you were unaware of it. If we were to demand something from you, it would be unfeeling and petty... Leave now, leave our Xiao family immediately, and from now on, have no ties with our Xiao family, and never step into our Xiao family again!"

Everyone's eyes focused on Xiao Chong again, and many people silently sighed. Xiao Chong's face did not show any signs of pleading or sadness. After hearing Xiao Yunhai's words, he only smiled faintly, a smile that was calm and ironic: "I don't need the head of the family and the elders to worry. Since I don't belong to your Xiao family, I will leave... and leave immediately!"

He stood in front of Xiao Lie, his eyes trembling. After a long time, he asked somewhat dazedly, "Grandfather... If I am not your grandson, then who are my biological parents?"

Xiao Lie had long known he would ask this question. He closed his eyes and slowly shook his head, "I don't know. You were picked up by Ying'er from outside, and even he doesn't know who your biological parents are..."

"..." From the complex light in Xiao Lie's eyes, Xiao Chong knew this was not Xiao Lie's true words. He must know something about his true identity, but in front of so many people, he could not say it.

With a "thud," Xiao Chong knelt heavily in front of Xiao Lie and said sincerely, "Grandfather, although I am not your biological grandson, over the past sixteen years, you have treated me better than a biological grandson. You raised me, nurtured me, and protected me, spending countless efforts and energy on me. The sixteen years of kindness can never be repaid in a lifetime. I have always been incredibly grateful to have a grandfather as good as you. Even though I learned today that I do not have the bloodline of the Xiao family, so what? You are my grandfather, and I am your grandson. Even if our bloodlines are different, this family bond will always exist in my heart! As long as Grandfather does not mind, I will always be your grandson!"

His words made everyone's hearts tremble. Xiao Lie's eyes moistened, and he nodded heavily, his voice hoarse, "Good," and he reached out to lift Xiao Chong up.

But Xiao Chong avoided his hand, bowed down, and knocked three loud heads on the ground.

"Grandfather, Aunt, after I leave, no matter what happens, take good care of yourselves and stay healthy..."

When Xiao Chong stood up, his forehead was already bruised. But the smile on his face was still as warm as a spring breeze. He turned around and walked toward the door with a composed step. He did not want to leave... because Grandfather and Aunt were still here, and he still wanted to protect them with his life... But he had to leave, otherwise, Grandfather and Aunt would be implicated in unpredictable ways. Moreover, even if he wanted to stay, he would certainly be forcibly driven out.

"Xiao Chong!!"

Behind him, Xiao Lingxi's voice, tinged with sobs, called out. Xiao Chong's steps paused slightly but did not stop. He did not look back, and resolutely walked toward the door... No one knew that beneath his calm and peaceful exterior, he was hiding deep anger, resentment, and a desire for revenge...

He had extraordinary intelligence and composure, but he lacked power... Without power, he could not resist, could not protect Grandfather and Aunt, and did not even have the strength to struggle... He could only be driven away...

On the day he was reborn, he yearned for power, which was just a natural human desire for great strength. But now, his yearning for great strength was hundreds of times stronger than then...

He wanted to obtain great power to protect Grandfather and Aunt, to wash away all the shame, to make all those who showed their ugly faces today regret, to make Xiao Kuangyun die a miserable death... and even to make the entire Xiao clan pay a price that would never be forgotten!

"Protect Grandfather and Aunt's safety... please..."

As he passed by Xia Qingyue, Xiao Chong said in a voice only she could hear.

This man, who exuded mystery and pride, revealed a deep plea in his eyes when he said this... Perhaps he had never pleaded with anyone in his life, so his plea was particularly piercing. Xia Qingyue's heart trembled heavily, and she felt a moment of suffocation... Almost involuntarily, she slowly nodded.

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