Chereads / LISA IN CHINA / Chapter 9 - Felix's Stand

Chapter 9 - Felix's Stand

It was a quiet afternoon, and Felix was in his room working through a programming project. The steady hum of his computer filled the space, a stark contrast to the chaos brewing outside.

From his window, Felix heard raised voices and the sound of people gathering. Curious but not yet alarmed, he stood up and walked to the window. The sight below froze him in place.

His mother, Juan, was kneeling in front of a man, her hands clasped as she pleaded with him.

"Please, just give me three more weeks," Juan begged. "I promise I'll pay you back."

The man, a large figure with a loud voice, sneered at her. "You've had enough time, Juan! Three weeks? You'll just make another excuse. I want my money now!"

The neighbors had gathered, whispering among themselves, their judgmental gazes piercing Juan like daggers. Felix's blood boiled.

Without another thought, Felix stormed down the stairs, his footsteps loud and purposeful. He threw open the front door, the sight of his mother on her knees igniting a fury he couldn't contain.

"Mom," he said, his voice cold and commanding. "Stand up."

Juan looked up at him, startled. "Felix, please—"

"I said, stand up," he repeated, his voice unwavering.

The man who had been shouting turned to Felix, eyeing him with disdain. "Hey, boy, stay out of this. This is between adults."

Felix's eyes darkened, and before anyone could react, he stepped forward and punched the man square in the jaw. The neighbors gasped as the man stumbled back, clutching his face.

"You think you can humiliate my mother like this?" Felix growled, his voice low and menacing.

The man glared at him, but there was fear in his eyes now. Felix didn't wait for a response. He turned to his mother. "Go inside, Mom."

"Felix, stop this," Juan pleaded, but he ignored her.

Felix stormed back into the house, his mother following him hesitantly. He went straight to his room, opened a drawer, and pulled out a thick envelope.

When he returned to the front door, the man was still there, rubbing his jaw and muttering angrily. Felix shoved the envelope into his hands.

"How much does she owe you?" Felix asked, his tone ice cold.

The man hesitated, intimidated by Felix's presence. "Three hundred fifty thousand yuan," he said grudgingly.

Felix pointed to the envelope. "Count it."

The man fumbled with the money, his hands shaking slightly. When he finished, he looked up in shock.

"It's all here," the man said.

Felix stepped closer, his voice dangerously low. "Good. Now, don't ever pull this kind of stunt again. If I see you embarrassing my mother like this, you'll regret it."

The man nodded quickly, clutching the envelope as he backed away. The crowd of neighbors dispersed, murmuring among themselves about what they had just witnessed.

Back inside the house, Juan sat at the dining table, her face pale and her hands trembling. Felix sat across from her, his expression unreadable.

"Felix," Juan began, her voice shaky. "Where did you get that money?"

"Don't worry about it," Felix said curtly.

"Felix, you can't keep doing this," Juan said, tears streaming down her face. "You're just a boy. You shouldn't have to carry this burden."

Felix's jaw tightened. "I'm not a boy. I'm the man of this house now, and I'll do whatever it takes to protect this family."

Juan wiped her tears, her heart breaking at the weight her son carried.

Lisa had watched the entire scene unfold from the living room, her heart pounding. She had never seen Felix so fierce, so commanding. It was a side of him that terrified her and fascinated her at the same time.

When he walked back upstairs, Lisa hesitated before following him. She knocked softly on his door.

"What?" came Felix's sharp reply.

Lisa opened the door slightly, peeking in. "I just wanted to say... thank you. For standing up for your mom."

Felix didn't look at her, his back turned as he sat at his desk. "It wasn't for you," he said flatly.

"I know," Lisa said quietly. "But it still meant a lot."

Felix didn't respond, and after a moment, Lisa left him alone. But as she closed the door, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Felix than he let anyone see.