Chapter 643: Man Up, Stop Being Dramatic
Tears streamed through the gaps of the crippled man’s fingers as he covered his face. His shoulders trembled slightly. He couldn’t say it. As Li Xiaofei’s brother, he hadn’t stood up to fight when the foreigners had invaded. He hadn’t died defending his homeland.
Instead, he had fled for the sake of his family. He felt like a coward. A pitiful shadow cast beneath Li Xiaofei’s blazing glory; a clown who had no right to stand in the light. What right did a clown have to even speak the name Li Xiaofei?
After arriving in Haijing City, he had heard whispers of Li Xiaofei’s legendary deeds. It only made him more ashamed. Even when he was impoverished, struggling, and desperate, he had never once mentioned his connection to Li Xiaofei. He had never used that name to seek aid and his wife had understood. She had supported his choice without question.
But now, Li Xiaofei was here. That bastard had appeared right in front of him. The fragile thread of pride, shame, and guilt that had kept him together finally snapped.
"Where the hell did that thick skin of yours go?" Li Xiaofei walked up, and without waiting for an answer, wrapped him in a tight, crushing hug. "A man of high standards never bows his head. Look at you; what the hell happened to you? You let Sister Youwei and Little Du Juan suffer alongside you for this?"
The crippled man couldn’t hold it in anymore as he broke down in Li Xiaofei’s arms. He sobbed uncontrollably, letting out the kind of gut-wrenching, soul-crushing wail that only a man who had held everything in for far too long could unleash. He cried like a child, as grief, regret, and shame competed within him.
"Alright, alright, I’m here now. Everything will be taken care of," said Li Xiaofei, patting the crippled man’s shoulder. "Quit being dramatic. You’re a grown man, and after a few words of comfort, you start crying like a cat pissing itself? Where’s your dignity, huh?"
Then, he turned to Little Du Juan and winked playfully. He asked, "Little Du Juan, do you still remember Uncle Li?"
"I do." Little Du Juan looked nervously at her parents, then hesitated before asking, "Uncle, did you come to save us?"
Back in Liuhe Base City, Li Xiaofei had spoiled her like she was his own child.
Li Xiaofei nodded. "Yep. I came to see you guys. Am I welcome?"