Chapter 79: A Father's Fault Lies in Failing to Teach His Son

Half an hour later, in a spacious room within the Lishui Pavilion.

Xu Mo, Qin Moutou, and Ning Yongqiang sat on the left side of the room. Xu Mo and Ning Yongqiang were quietly seated, while Qin Moutou stood behind Xu Mo.

On the right side were Wang Shunyang, Wu Boyi, and Mo Jianjia.

Wang Shunyang’s wounds had already been bandaged and tended to, but he still suffered from splitting headaches, dizziness, and a ringing in his ears like cicadas. He lay on the couch to rest, occasionally letting out groans of pain.

Wu Boyi sat on a stool beside the couch, while Mo Jianjia stood with her head bowed in the corner.

In the center of the room stood Li Changsi and Madam Yang, both feeling deeply troubled by the events that had just unfolded.

Li Changsi glanced back and forth between both sides, finally settling his gaze on Wang Shunyang’s group.

Li Changsi furrowed his brow and said, “Young Master Wang, Young Master Wu, you were far too reckless today! It was merely a minor dispute in business, nothing worthy of a life-and-death feud. Why let things escalate to such a degree?”

Wang Shunyang, whose face was swollen like a pig’s head, became furious upon hearing this. “Li Changsi, I’ve been beaten to such a state and you’re still speaking for them? Whose side are you on, anyway?”

Every word Wang Shunyang spoke seemed to stab at his aching head, and after he finished, he clutched his head, his brows knit tightly.

Li Changsi replied, “Young Master Wang, though our relations are usually cordial, today’s matter is different. You started—can’t you at least be reasonable?”

Wang Shunyang found it too taxing to argue further, so he promptly tapped Wu Boyi’s back, signaling him to speak up; he didn’t want to be left to bear the insult alone.

Wu Boyi knew well who was at fault and simply shook his head, ignoring Wang Shunyang.

Madam Yang was also furious at this point. Suddenly, she shouted angrily, “Jianjia, has water gotten into your brain? How could you get involved in such a thing? If word gets out, how will Lishui Pavilion ever do business again?”

“You—you—are truly infuriating!” Madam Yang was beside herself with rage.

If the news spread that the star courtesans and the strongmen of Lishui Pavilion were bribed to conspire against guests, it would utterly ruin the establishment’s reputation.

The more Madam Yang thought about it, the angrier she became. She strode over to Mo Jianjia and pinched her several times, hard.

Mo Jianjia wailed in pain and pointed at Wang Shunyang and Wu Boyi, sobbing, “Madam Yang, it’s not my fault! Young Master Wang and Young Master Wu made me do it. I didn’t want to, but they promised me two cakes of scented soap each if I helped. So I—so I lost my senses and agreed…”

Madam Yang grew even more furious and scolded, “Do you have a brain at all? If someone told you to hang yourself, would you just do it?”

“Madam Yang, I know I was wrong. Please forgive me this once—I’ll never dare again,” Mo Jianjia cried as she confessed her mistake.

“Hey, could you stop crying already? My head’s about to explode!” Wang Shunyang snapped impatiently, annoyed by Mo Jianjia’s sobbing.

Mo Jianjia quickly stifled her tears, but inwardly, she grew even more resentful toward Wang Shunyang.

Just then, a commotion of footsteps sounded outside the door, suggesting that many people were arriving.

Wang Shunyang perked up at the noise, his eyes turning expectantly toward the entrance.

Wu Boyi stood up as well, though his expression was one of fear and anxiety.

Xu Mo and the others also looked toward the doorway.

Soon, a handsome, imposing middle-aged man entered.

“Father!” Wang Shunyang cried out upon seeing the man, his voice filled with excitement as if he had spotted his savior.

He immediately tried to prop himself up.

The newcomer was Wang Shunyang’s father, Wang Lingshan, head of the Wang family.

Wang Lingshan didn’t rush to his son, but first greeted Li Changsi and Madam Yang with a courteous bow.

“Father, you must stand up for your son!” Wang Shunyang called out again.

Wang Lingshan’s brow instantly furrowed, and he barked, “Silence!”

Wang Shunyang fell instantly quiet, closing his mouth in grievance.

Another middle-aged man then entered.

Wu Boyi, upon seeing him, lowered his head at once, trembling slightly.

This man was Wu Boyi’s father, Wu Anmin.

“Scoundrel! Look at what you’ve done!” Wu Anmin, hot-tempered, strode straight to his son and delivered a resounding slap.

The sound echoed throughout the room, shocking everyone.

Wu Boyi fell to his knees, bowing his head deeply as he begged his father’s forgiveness, saying nothing more.

Suppressing his anger, Wu Anmin turned to Li Changsi and Madam Yang, offering them a respectful bow, and then barked again, “Keep your mouth shut!”

Wu Boyi hurriedly obeyed, falling silent.

On their way, Wang Lingshan and Wu Anmin had already learned the entire story in detail.

Both fathers knew clearly who was right and who was wrong, which explained their actions.

Wang Lingshan quietly asked Li Changsi a few questions. Li Changsi turned and pointed to Xu Mo.

Wang Lingshan then approached Xu Mo.

“Master Xu, I am Wang Lingshan. My son acted recklessly today and offended you. The fault lies with me—I failed in my duty to teach him properly!” Wang Lingshan bowed deeply, expressing his apology.

Wang Shunyang was furious to see his father apologizing to Xu Mo.

He sprang up, shouting, “Father, why apologize to him? I’ve been beaten so badly—you should report him to the authorities and have him arrested!”

“Silence! Do you dare speak another word?” Wang Lingshan turned, glaring at his son as if his eyes would burst into flames.

Wang Shunyang refused to back down. “Father, that man is nothing but a gambling addict expelled from the Academy. Why should we fear him? Just call the authorities!”

With that, Wang Shunyang staggered toward the door, shouting, “Someone! Someone! Go report to the authorities, immediately!”

Madam Yang grew anxious and hurried to block his path, pleading, “Young Master Wang, you mustn’t report this! You mustn’t…”

But Wang Shunyang continued his frenzied shouting, appearing quite mad.

Unable to bear it any longer, Wang Lingshan strode to his son, raised his hand, and slapped him.

“Ow!” Wang Shunyang cried out, falling to the ground.

He clutched his face, staring at his father in shock and confusion. “Father, you… you…”

Wang Lingshan ignored him, then turned to Xu Mo, bowing with a grave expression. “Master Xu, a father is responsible for his son’s conduct. All of today’s trouble is due to my negligence. Whatever punishment you deem fit, I am willing to accept on behalf of my son!”

Wu Anmin, seeing Wang Lingshan’s gesture, stepped forward as well and echoed, “Master Xu, I too am willing to accept punishment on behalf of my son.”