"You've done many things, but this is the first time you've done this. You finally want to speak to me?"
"Treat your father with respect, boy."
The stoic man scowled at his son's casual tone.
"You acknowledge me as your son? Really? Only now that you've tied me up in my own room?"
The boy's father coughed awkwardly. He signaled to one of his henchmen behind him.
Henchman A: '...Is he signaling at me? '
Henchman B 'Yeah, probably...'
Henchman A: 'What does he want from me'
Henchman B: *sigh*'Isn't it obvious? His stick you fool! His back is probably killing him right now. Go, go.'
Henchman A: 'Ooooh. You're a genius'
Henchman A ran off to fetch Chairman Liu's walking stick. He wasn't gone for long. Huffing as he re-entered the room, henchman A held out the walking stick respectfully to his master.
"Please use this Chairman Liu."
Chairman Liu stared at the stick dumbfounded but he recovered quickly. With the crinkling of his eyes, a grateful smile emerged on his face as he graciously took the cane.
Feeling the cool, metal surface of the intricately made handle, Chairman Liu's smile deepened causing more wrinkles to appear on his weathered face. He uttered his words of thanks in a light tone.
"Thank you. I'll be sure to use it well."
*Whack*
Still smiling, chairman Liu spun around and struck his cane across henchman A's head. Henchman A groaned as he crumpled to the floor, unconscious.
The chairman didn't stop there.
With his eyes ablaze, he continued to beat the bodyguard and only stopped when blood began to stain the silver handle of his cane. Slightly breathless, the chairman used his other hand to beckon the other henchman over.
Henchman B walked over uncertainly, afraid he would also be victim to the same punishment. Once henchman B was close enough, chairman Liu grasped his collar and spat in his face.
"Pull this sort of trick again and I'll cripple both of you."
Releasing the trembling henchman, the chairman put a cigarette in his mouth. The henchman immediately understood and brought out a lighter.
Due to his excessive shaking, he failed many times to light the cigarette. On his tenth try, he succeeded. Bowing, he withdrew and stood back in position.
Now having a lit cigarette in his mouth, the chairman straightened his clothes and turned back to look at his son who, to his annoyance, was smirking at him.
Pushing down the rising frustrations in his chest, the chairman cleared his throat and prepared to deliver the news to his son.
"Boy." His tone was rough and without a single hint of fatherly affection, he continued.
"You're sixteen, aren't you? You're smart, you're capable, you've got a nice head on your shoulders and your looks are exceptional. You have no trouble socializing with others and, in fact, I do believe that many people come flocking to you even without you trying. You'll do well even without my support."
The boy's face did not experience any other change except for a single raised eyebrow. The flood of compliments unnerved him.
His gut-feeling told him he should free himself somehow and tackle the old man to the ground.
But if he did that, there was no doubt that the henchman would restrain him even more securely the next time he was caught.
In the first place, why did he even have to be tied up?
All that effort on the street, not to mention in broad daylight, just for this? Did they really have to attack his classmate too?
The situation seemed a bit too strange just for a simple conversation. Couldn't his father have just called him to his study or something?
Unaware of the inner confusion within the youngster, the chairman continued.
"Well... You're an abnormality. Your mother and I have talked and we came to an immediate conclusion."
Pausing to take a puff from his cigarette, the chairman stood still and white smoke swirled around him.
A sickening smell circulated around the room stinging the boy's eyes and inducing a coughing fit from him.
The chairman continued without a hint of remorse. He looked down at the boy he once loved. With hair as golden as his mother's and eyes a soft, gentle brown, the boy was indeed once his sole pride and joy. That was before. Things had changed and this was the only solution.
Eyes cold and expression solemn, the chairman delivered his verdict.
"We want you to leave this house."