Li Junjie opened his eyes, and the scene turned back to the current timeline. The child who could only lay down on the floor with injured legs or hands wasn't there anymore.
There were so many things he failed to do. Li Junjie remembered how he gradually gave up trying to save himself from the pain. Even if he knew Li Caiyi was mistreated inside the house, he didn't dare say anything about it.
Li Junjie had had enough of the pain and the pressure. However, whenever he looked at Li Caiyi, his guilt would manifest. So much that he had to avert his eyes from what happened in the house and bury his feeling inside.
It was better if he didn't feel too attached to anything. Li Junjie didn't even mind if Li Caiyi hated him forever for this.
He was convinced that everything that went wrong within the house came from Li Jirong's twisted obsession with the family's honor and prestige. No, not the family, but his own.
If that was the cause of all this unhappiness, then Li Junjie wanted to destroy it at all costs. To do that, he killed every unnecessary emotion and only strived to achieve his goal.
His plan was to elevate the family name before revealing his father's deed to the public. That way, no one would have a good impression of the family again. However, doing that would take years until it could be done appropriately.
That was when Li Caiyi came to him, bringing a good weapon he could use against his father. He wouldn't waste this opportunity to settle this.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Father, I want to claim my right for inheritance." Li Junjie said without beating around the bush.
"What?"
"Based on the family rule, I can ask for my right for inheritance once every requirement has been fulfilled. I'm sure I don't need to tell you what the requirements are because you also do this when you are young."
Li Jirong frowned in displeasure, and his voice became several tones colder. "I can see now there are many things we need to talk about today. First, let me ask you, how do you know about that?"
"It is recorded in the Li family's book, which Grandfather showed me long ago." Li Junjie replied calmly. "From there, I also knew that I was supposed to have an uncle from my father's side."
Li Junjie didn't miss the subtle change in his father's expression when he said that. His entire countenance darkened as his eyes narrowed down dangerously. "I see. Then? Why do you want to claim your right of inheritance?"
"I will be direct here. You are unfit to be the head of the Li family, Father."
Li Jirong snickered. "You have been obedient for so long. It deluded me into thinking that you have gone tamer, but it seemed I was wrong. You are still as rebellious and cheeky as you used to be. Jie, you must have held it on for so long. I'm impressed."
"Thank you, but there's no need to praise me. I can become like this thanks to your teaching, Father. It is only natural that I also follow your way of doing things."
His words felt like a low blow to Li Jirong. He could sense a trace of mockery in his son's tone, making his blood boil in anger.
First, it was her timid daughter, and now it was his indifferent son. His children kept rebelling against him and caused trouble every time. He raised them for naught!
"Jie, I don't know what you are trying to do, but the rule clearly states that it can only be inherited from the head of the family to his successor. If I refuse, there's nothing you can do about it."
"You're wrong this time, Father. Please take a look at this first." Li Junjie pulled out his phone and sent something to his father. "Open it."
Li Jirong's frown deepened. He didn't like where this was going but still checked his phone. Suppressing his impatience, he tapped on the new incoming email from his son, only to gape in shock upon looking at the content.
A sense of rage assaulted his every being. He stood up angrily and roared. "What's the meaning of this? Are you trying to blackmail your father?!
"Yes, I'm blackmailing you, Father."
"Jie! Y-you…!" Li Jirong was so angry his whole body shook as he pointed his finger at his son. Looking at Li Junjie's unbothered face made him even more furious.
"I'll make this short to save both of our time. Father, you are an abusive husband and father. I have evidence of all your abuse towards me throughout the year, and I can use this against you in court anytime. Actually, I planned to collect the debt slowly, but I don't think that's necessary now. If you agree to transfer the family assets to me, I'll keep this information to myself."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmLi Junjie scoffed. "What are you trying to achieve by doing that? Do you seriously think that I will agree after you blackmail me? You took me for a fool, Jie."
"No. I appreciated your cunning self so much that I came up with this plan. Aren't you very concerned about our family's reputation? Child abuse is a serious crime punishable by law. Imagine what people thought of our family once this became the headline news."
Li Jirong let out a burst of mocking laughter. "Ha. You are smart but too naive. You probably think you can drag me down with this, but there's still nothing you can do about it if I refuse. I can go down, but you will not get what you want. It will only negatively impact your and your sisters' future!"
However, Li Junjie was unperturbed by it because he had expected Li Jirong to react this way. He fiddled with his phone once again before saying casually. "No, you will give it to me. Check on your email once again."
"What is it this time?!"
"Just check it. You will regret it if you don't check it now." Li Junjie didn't even bother to speak politely anymore.
Li Jirong was angry but simultaneously curious about what his son had just sent. If this was bad news for him, he ought to know about it. While clicking his tongue, he raised his phone again to check.
In the first place, Li Junjie planned to use himself as the evidence of Li Jirong's abuse of his family member. However, he knew it wouldn't do much against his father.
Even if Li Jirong was sentenced by law, as long as he still had his wealth, he could bail himself out and go abroad until the rumor settled down.
In the end, the ones who would suffer would still be Li Junjie and the rest of the family. Nevertheless, he believed that this evidence would come in handy in the future and kept everything with him.
He used to think it'd be best if there was something more he could use to corner his father further. Just one more thing.
The evidence brought by Li Caiyi was the final puzzle he needed.