OFTLHFRO C97

Chapter 97 He Fell on His Own

The moment he saw Huo Yuhui, Liu Jinbao wanted to order his guards to drag the boy over and beat him into the ground.

But catching sight of his own father and remembering his warning, Liu Jinbao grudgingly held himself back.

At first, Huo Xiang felt a bit scared seeing that Liu Jinbao had so many people on his side. But thinking of how powerful his two fathers were, he straightened his little back with determination.

The Ming family’s guards escorted Luo Mingchen and his group to Old Master Ming. Gao Jiabao, Chen Yunhao, and Liu Shangyu were already there.

Surveying the situation, Luo Mingchen greeted, “Old Master Ming.”

“Forgive me for troubling you all to come. This landlord Liu claims my grandson Yuanjing beat his son into serious injury. I’d like you to tell me what truly happened.”

At those words, Gao Jiabao and the others froze.

Liu Shangyu instinctively blurted, “That’s obviously—”

Luckily, Gao Jiabao had kept a sliver of wit about him. He hurriedly cut him off: “That’s obviously because he fell on his own.”

The moment the words left his mouth, everyone was dumbfounded.

But Gao Jiabao doubled down, speaking seriously: “Yes, he fell on his own.”

Landlord Liu hadn’t expected such shamelessness. With those obvious wounds, how could this boy brazenly spout such lies?

He had known that going after Huo Yuhui and Huo Xiang wouldn’t yield much—at best, some compensation. That was why he had come to Old Master Ming, hoping to stir things up and force them to admit Huo Yuhui had struck his son.

Never had he imagined that Gao Jiabao would claim his son had fallen on his own.

Utterly absurd!

Landlord Liu glared. “Who would believe such nonsense? Do you take my son for a fool, to cripple himself like this?!”

Seeing this, Luo Mingchen tugged Gao Jiabao to the side and said, “With all due respect, your son was never very bright. If you’ve raised him into a fool, that’s hardly surprising. Even an old horse stumbles now and then—let alone your son.”

Old Master Ming listened quietly, not speaking.

Everyone knew Huo Yuhui had dealt the blows. Liu had come to the Ming household only to escalate the matter.

Gao Jiabao’s refusal to admit anything had smashed apart Liu’s little scheme.

Landlord Liu glared at Luo Mingchen. “You’re being unreasonable!”

Luo Mingchen smiled lightly. “I only speak reason.”

At first, Landlord Liu didn’t understand. Then, after mulling it over, his face darkened. “Say that again!”

Feigning surprise, Luo Mingchen asked, “So you did understand me?”

When it looked like Landlord Liu might lose control, Old Master Ming finally spoke:

“Landlord Liu, they all say your son’s injuries came from a fall, yet you insist my grandson beat him. My grandson’s five viscera were damaged, his right hand crippled. Even if he recovers, the doctor says he may not be able to hold chopsticks again. Tell me, after being beaten so badly by your guards, how could he possibly have struck your son? Unless, of course, your son really is so stupid he injured himself.”

Old Master Ming’s tone was calm, but anyone could hear the anger simmering beneath.

At those words, Landlord Liu faltered, staring in disbelief at his own son.

Liu Jinbao lowered his head, guilty, muttering, “He insisted on protecting that brat. If he dies, he deserves it. At worst, we’ll just pay more.”

The words left Landlord Liu’s head buzzing.

He had assumed Ming Yuanjing’s injuries were minor, the sort that would heal after a few days. But to learn his son had actually crippled Ming Yuanjing’s hand—!

That was Ming Yuanjing!

The sole grandson of Grand Tutor Ming!

Landlord Liu had hoped Old Master Ming might overlook the incident, perhaps even arrange a bright future for Liu Jinbao out of pity for his wounds. Now everything was ruined…

“I… I thought Young Master Ming was only lightly injured. Boys fight—roughhousing is normal…”

The more he spoke, the guiltier he sounded. If his son hadn’t lied, he never would have dared come here.

Old Master Ming said, “If it had been your son alone, perhaps he would have lost to so many. But the guards you gave him—were they mere children?”

Landlord Liu wanted to sink into the earth. But there was nothing he could do, so he carefully pleaded: “Old Master Ming, Jinbao didn’t mean it. He’s still a child, with exams next year. Could you… show leniency? I can pay generously.”

Luo Mingchen gave him a look usually reserved for idiots. Did the Ming family, with its vast estate, look short of money?

Even if they lacked funds, Old Master Ming would never forsake his beloved grandson for a handful of silver.

“Precisely because he is young, he must learn his mistakes deeply. Since everyone is here, I’ve already sent for the county magistrate to judge the matter. Please wait a while.”

Landlord Liu was struck dumb. His mind went blank—he didn’t know what to do.

But Liu Jinbao said lazily, “So what if you call the magistrate? At worst we’ll pay more. Do they really think I’ll go to prison? My family isn’t poor.”

Hearing that, Landlord Liu shook with fury. Glancing at Old Master Ming’s icy expression, he slapped his son hard across the face. “Kneel and apologize at once!”

Liu Jinbao froze, then roared, “Father! You dare hit me?!”

“I’ll hit you if I like! Kneel!”

Landlord Liu was truly panicked now. The man before him was no forgiving soul. Once the magistrate came, even death might not be out of the question.

But Liu Jinbao was as stubborn as ever. “I won’t kneel to that old codger! So what if his arm is ruined? At worst we’ll pay his medical costs. Why should we be afraid of him?”

That nearly drove Landlord Liu mad.

Seizing the chance, Luo Mingchen leaned down to teach Huo Xiang: “See that? That’s what it means to be pigheaded and bullying. You mustn’t ever treat others like that, understand?”

Huo Xiang nodded earnestly. “Little Daddy, I’ll never turn into a big-headed fool like him.”

Wasn’t it ridiculous?

Clearly his fault, yet he refused to admit it and thought throwing money would solve everything. Too stupid.

Such a person was both vile and brainless — he wanted nothing to do with that.

Satisfied, Luo Mingchen patted his little head. “Good boy.”

That remark infuriated Liu Jinbao. He leapt from his chair, charging to strike Luo Mingchen. “You whore, how dare you insult me?!”

Landlord Liu felt as if his world had collapsed. He tried to stop his son, but it was too late.

As Liu Jinbao lunged, Luo Mingchen swung his fist, knocking a mouthful of water from him. Seizing his collar, he slapped him several more times.

Landlord Liu panicked, ordering his guards to pull them apart, but Ming family’s guards blocked the way.

Old Master Ming spoke evenly: “Landlord Liu, you failed to raise your son. Now someone else teaches him, and you should be grateful. Better he be taught than go around spouting filth, offending the wrong person. To offend us is small. To offend true nobles is ruin.”

Hearing this, Landlord Liu forced a pained smile. “Old Master Ming is right.”

So Luo Mingchen struck Liu Jinbao several more times. Even through the bandages, his face swelled like a pig’s head.

At first, Liu Jinbao begged his father to save him. When he realized no help would come, he started cursing viciously. His mouth was so swollen in the end he could no longer speak.

Only then did Luo Mingchen toss him back to Landlord Liu like a dead dog. Smiling, he asked, “Landlord Liu, do you want me to pay your medical costs?”

Landlord Liu hesitated, glancing at Old Master Ming, eyes full of hatred but voice restrained. “No need…”

“Well, you said it. Then I won’t pay.”

When beating Liu Jinbao, Luo Mingchen had actually considered throwing a handful of copper coins at them afterward.

But now that they themselves refused compensation, all the better — after all, even copper coins were money.