Chapter 7: Sudden Change
With a sinister look, Leng Feng stepped toward Xiao Fan's father.
Originally a ruthless bandit who robbed and killed for money, Leng Feng had stumbled upon the real Leng Feng's family letter after killing him. Learning that Leng Feng was seeking refuge, he decided to assume his identity.
His initial plan was to infiltrate the Xiao family, make a substantial profit, and leave. However, when Xiao Fan's father took him in as an adopted son and entrusted him with the family business, he changed his mind.
Why continue living the precarious life of a bandit when he could live comfortably as Leng Feng?
He began secretly winning over the shopkeepers and servants of the Xiao family. Due to Xiao Fan's father's unwavering trust and favoritism, he never suspected Leng Feng, believing him to be capable and trustworthy.
Within six months, Leng Feng had control over most of the Xiao family's business.
Despite his meticulous facade of being courteous and kind-hearted, Xiao Fan's mother remained wary of him.
He had long lusted after his graceful and beautiful adoptive mother. Tonight's scheme was his plan to finally conquer the woman who dared to disdain him.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Fan's father, who had been dead drunk, woke up at this critical moment.
No matter—Xiao Fan's father's continued existence was a threat. If he didn't act now, he'd never be the rightful master of the Xiao family.
With this resolve, Leng Feng pulled out a dagger from somewhere and approached Xiao Fan's father.
Filled with regret, Xiao Fan's father realized he had never questioned Leng Feng's identity. He had been too careless.
Under the moonlight, the blade's cold gleam was bone-chilling.
Fear filled Xiao Fan's father's eyes. His strong will to live made him shout, "If you kill me, aren't you afraid the authorities will come after you?"
Leng Feng sneered.
"A bandit kills you. What does that have to do with Leng Feng?"
"Besides, the governor is soon to be my father-in-law. Do you think he'll suspect me?"
"Father, rest in peace. I'll soon send Mother and Xiao Fan to join you!" With that, Leng Feng plunged the dagger into Xiao Fan's father's heart.
Regret filled Xiao Fan's father's eyes. He struggled briefly, then fell silent.
Turning to Xiao Fan's mother, Leng Feng prepared to finish her off.
But to his surprise, she looked at him with a smile, her eyes devoid of hatred.
She walked towards him, smiling seductively. "Leng Feng, the Xiao family is yours now. Xiao Fan and I will rely on you."
As she spoke, she began to undress.
Leng Feng was bewildered.
Under the moonlight, her graceful and alluring figure was particularly enticing.
His lust ignited instantly.
No matter if she was genuinely yielding or pretending, he had no mind to think about it now.
...
As Leng Feng indulged himself, he failed to notice Xiao Fan's mother glancing purposefully towards a certain direction.
After confirming that the small figure had left, tears streamed down her face.
She suddenly pulled out a hairpin and stabbed at Leng Feng's neck.
But Leng Feng had anticipated this and easily caught her wrist.
"I knew you wouldn't truly submit to me," he said coldly, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
Only the dead were truly safe.
He never intended to let her live, leaving no potential threat behind.
Leng Feng tightened his grip, turning the hairpin towards her neck.
The hairpin slowly pierced into her fair skin.
She struggled desperately, but as a woman, she couldn't match his strength.
Watching her struggle, Leng Feng's expression was manic, his excitement evident.
Eventually, the hairpin plunged into her neck, and she fell silent, her body collapsing and knocking over a nearby candleholder.
The flames quickly spread, igniting the room.
Leng Feng made no move to stop it. He would claim that Xiao Fan's father, in his drunkenness, accidentally set the fire that caused this tragedy.
Soon, the entire courtyard would burn, eliminating Xiao Fan as well.
From now on, he would be the sole legitimate heir of the Xiao family.
Although he had drugged the family's food, Xiao Fan should still be unconscious, but the unexpected turn of events made Leng Feng cautious.
He decided to confirm it.
As he looked towards Xiao Fan's room, he froze.
The door was open!
He distinctly remembered it being closed earlier.
Could it be...
Leng Feng hurried to Xiao Fan's room and found it empty.
This was a problem!
His brow furrowed as he recalled Xiao Fan's mother's strange behavior.
She had waited before attacking him, clearly to buy time for Xiao Fan to escape.
Leaving the courtyard, Leng Feng immediately sent his men to secretly search the city for Xiao Fan, with orders to kill him on sight.
The next morning, the fire had reduced the courtyard to ashes, and the entire city was shocked by the sudden disaster that befell the Xiao family.
In a small hut outside the city, young Xiao Fan sobbed uncontrollably, his eyes burning with hatred.
The previous night had been hot, and he hadn't felt like eating, only drinking some lotus seed soup his mother made.
He didn't realize it would be the last time he tasted her cooking.
Awakened by the noise when Leng Feng brought his father home, he had witnessed everything.
Leng Feng had killed his father, assaulted his mother, and seized the family business.
He hated himself for being too afraid to act, for being unable to stop the events, and for only escaping through a secret passage at his mother's urging.
"Ah! Ah!! Ah!!!" Young Xiao Fan screamed in anguish.
"Father! Mother! What should I do? How can I avenge you?"
Despite being a prodigy, such a traumatic change was too much for his young mind to bear.
He wanted revenge but knew he couldn't defeat Leng Feng now.
The city was likely filled with Leng Feng's men. Returning would be a death sentence.
Exhausted from the night's ordeal, he finally fell asleep in a haystack.