Chapter 1865 - 1863-1864: Completely At a Loss

He felt that way, but whether others felt the same, it was hard to say.

Tang Lei's face looked unpleasant, and Qing Er was even sweating nervously for Tang Rao.

"Brother, this is our father. Be a little respectful when you speak to him."

Being polite could only benefit Tang Rao without any harm. Hasn't he always wanted to reconcile with his father? Why is there no hint of flattery when he sees him, saying whatever comes to mind with complete disregard? Someone as arrogant as he would usually turn and leave.

Even Tang Qingqing thought her father would turn and leave; who would have thought he not only stayed but also smiled at Tang Rao.

"You rascal, after all these years, I thought you'd have tempered your nature quite a bit, but it's only gotten worse—your temper is fiercer than ever!"

It was hard to tell from Tang Lei's expression if he was pleased or annoyed, but what did that matter to Tang Rao?

"I think my temper is just fine. If you can stand it, fine; if not, you can leave. Anyway, only my mom cares about me. Whether you're good to me or not, I don't care."

Tang Rao could clearly see the shadow of himself in Tang Lei's actions; he was undoubtedly his biological father. A father who could be cruel, ignoring him entirely—such a person being his father, he needed to reconsider.

"Do you want a beating?"

Tang Lei raised a hand. A simple slap that seemed not very intimidating, but one that Tang Rao couldn't possibly evade.

Tang Lei said that Tang Rao wasn't strong enough to walk beside him, which seemed simple but was the truth.

He wasn't lying; indeed, the strength wasn't there. Tang Rao couldn't even avoid a slap from Tang Lei. Saying he was weaker was just an objective statement without bias.

"You want to hit me? Did my mom tell you to hit me?"

Everything revolved around his mom, knowing well that the person Tang Lei feared the most was Fang Fang. Was Tang Rao planning to tightly bind Tang Lei?

"Fine, find yourself a backer first, then come settle the score with me. You've learned well, kid."

Tang Lei was nearly spitting blood from frustration. This was his son, yet why did he seem so uncontrollable?

"Isn't it because you taught me well as a father? If it weren't for you, how could I retaliate so flawlessly?"

On the surface, it seemed like praising Tang Lei, but in reality, it criticized his inability to educate his son. The more he scolded Tang Rao, the more it proved his failure, and once Tang Rao realized this, he was never scolded again.

"Dad, while you have nothing to say, I feel I need to make a couple of remarks. You act all mighty and don't want to acknowledge me, just because I'm not strong enough? Afraid that acknowledging me will make you a laughingstock?"

Tang Rao had a private motive: he liked to think positively about bad people because only then could the world be peaceful. But the answer he wanted wasn't given by his father. Instead, the answer he received had one of the most piercing lines: "Of course, otherwise have you read too many stories and thought there'd be a miracle just for you?"

Look, look at what he said. Tang Rao suffered because of the love between Tang Lei and her.

Tang Lei saw Tang Rao suffering and wasn't even distressed. The crucial point was he watched silently. What use was watching—if he didn't step up, Tang Rao would be 'game over' again, die once more, get tormented by the Heavenly Dao again. Everyone watched patiently; he had to 'accept' it peacefully.

"Then I'll just have to recount my hardships over the years to my mom. Without a dad to feel for me, at least I have my mom."

Tang Rao lacked a father's affection, so he complained to his mom, asking her to come. She didn't need to do anything but deal with his father. Such a simple request, if not agreed upon, would feel unfair to him.

"What do you mean, without a father, you have a mother? I'm your father and will always be your father; this is a fact no one can change."

Tang Rao wouldn't acknowledge Tang Lei, giving Tang Lei the feeling that something of his was being taken away, so he hastily expressed his discontent.

"Can't change? I have been reincarnated so many times; I've long lost the bloodline from you. I don't even know who my father is."

He didn't know who his father was, so how could his father claim he was?

"I am your father, and that's a fact that cannot be changed by anyone!"

Tang Lei was angry. His reluctance to recognize his son was to protect Tang Rao, but for Tang Rao not to recognize Tang Lei was an act of rebellion.

"You were the one who didn't acknowledge me first, so what does that have to do with me?"

Was Tang Rao planning to confront Tang Lei?

"Didn't I acknowledge you? What more do you want?"

Tang Lei was the first to concede, voicing what he'd been considering and suppressing.

"I don't want anything. Just compensate me for what you owe; otherwise, everything's off the table."

What Tang Rao wanted wasn't anything else; it was the father's love that Tang Lei owed him, the status that Tang Lei deprived him of.

"What I owe you? Fine, whatever you feel I owe you, I'll make it up. Even though you're not strong enough now, I'll make an exception and bring you to the Tang Family, let you face the Tang Family's ancestors. It's about time to bring you back."

Tang Lei's words surprised even Tang Qingqing. She understood Tang Lei's principles better than anyone, so to hear such principled words from him marked the end of one phase, signifying Tang Rao's sweeping victory in it.

"Then I'll thank you in advance, Dad."

Tang Rao cupped his hands and thanked Tang Lei, adding a bit more guilt to Tang Lei until he almost couldn't bear it, nearly wanting to cover Tang Rao's mouth himself.

"Congratulations, Lord Tang. Congratulations, Lord Tang. If you and your son are heading back, have a meal here with us. Let me do my duty as a landlord and properly host you two."

The elder felt very guilty for not hosting Tang Rao well. With such good news of Tang Lei and Tang Rao reconciling, he couldn't help but celebrate as a thanks for how much Tang Lei helped their family.

"No need for hosting. We'll just stay overnight and leave first thing in the morning. We can have a visit next time without troubling you."

Tang Lei didn't want to linger long at the elder's house—they had plenty of their concerns to address. Recognizing Tang Rao's ancestry was the utmost priority.

Fine, since it was decided, the elder didn't persuade further. However, before they left, Tang Qingqing stopped Tang Lei, reminding him if there was something still unfinished.

"What haven't I done? How would I know?"

Tang Lei was baffled by the question.