Rebirth from the Ashes

"Uncle, at least you still know that you're my uncle," Fu Qingli scoffed contemptuously. "Has it ever crossed your mind that you're my uncle, you're family, when you were out to get my sister and father?"

"Qingli, I made the wrong move. I'm accepting defeat. Kill me if you must." Taking a step forward, Fu Hannian tossed the gun he was holding onto the boat and raised his hands.

"Go over there and bring him over," Fu Qingli ordered.

Xu Xu armed himself alongside two bodyguards and boarded the vessel. He kept his guard up in case the other party decided on an open fire.

Nevertheless, they were slightly relieved that Fu Hannian did not make any sudden movement. Instead, the latter maintained a poker face throughout.

Fu Hannian was soon brought over.

Fu Qingli coldly stared at Fu Hannian. With complex emotions consuming his eyes, he clenched his fists tightly.

He had so many questions to ask the man.

The matter should be taken care of right here right now to avoid further implications.

Fu Hannian was not the least bit nervous, scared, or guilt-ridden. Still with a tender smile on his face, he extended his arms and looked at Fu Qingli. "Qingli, aren't you going to cuff me?"

Fu Qingli kept to himself as he studied Fu Hannian's face. How could the man be so calm in the face of death? Fu Qingli could not find any signs of guilt, remorse, regret of failing to run away, or anger from the man. All that was written on Fu Hannian's face was the usual friendly and composed smile.

"What's wrong?" Finding it odd, Fu Hannian gazed at him. "You know I was behind it all. Why aren't you asking me why I did it?"

Of course, Fu Qingli wanted answers. Dad was nothing but nice to Fu Hannian and treated him like a brother. How could Fu Hannian be so cruel to do that to Dad?

"Why did you do it?" Although Fu Qingli appeared unfazed, the tension in his body and burning murderous intent said otherwise.

"Let me think." Fu Hannian paced himself as he took them back to the past. "We'll start with your sister."

Fu Qingli's pupils dilated. Harking back to his sister going missing since young, the years of hope and despair searching for her, and the torment Mom went through, Fu Qingli could put a gun to Fu Hannian's head.

Still, he needed to know why Fu Hannian hurt Xixi.

"I once had a daughter. You might know about her, but she died at a young age." Fu Hannian sighed, but his eyes reflected no sadness. He lifted his head and looked at Fu Qingli before asking, "Do you know how she died? It was by an act of retaliation. Your dad was such a cowboy back then and I made a lot of enemies while working under him. Those people couldn't get close to your family so they came after mine. They killed my daughter."

Fu Qingli drew deep breaths as rage spilled from of his eyes. "So you took it out on Dad and my sister? If you want revenge, why don't you go after the ones who killed your daughter?"

Either way, the blame should not be put on Dad.

"Now you're wrong to say that. I only rubbed people the wrong way because I work for your dad. My daughter's dead because of him. Someone has to be held accountable and he's the culprit." Fu Hannian's tone was nonchalant, as though it was no biggie. "I had intended to take your sister away, kill her, and show your family her corpse when she was born, so you can feel the pain of losing your own flesh and blood."

He paused, albeit there was nothing peaceful about his voice anymore. In fact, he expressed regret. "It's a shame that those good-for-nothings told me she was taken away by a wolf. Well, you must be aware that the private hospital your mother stayed at was by the mountains."

Fu Hannian ordered a search on the mountain, but nothing came back positive. He presumed she was dead. It was not like a wolf could take a child away to nurture them.

Out of all the scenarios he had in mind, Fu Hannian never thought that the child survived and gave him hell.

If she had died, he would be exposed and uncovered by Fu Qingli.

That Li boy played his cards right and caught on to his act. Perhaps it was easier for an outsider to have a clear view of the situation. Qingli would have figured it out too had he suspected Fu Hannian.

However, Fu Qingli never once doubted Fu Hannian's loyalty. Fu Hannian was glad that his years of service led to Fu Qingli putting his guard down.

"What about my dad?" Sparks were flying in Fu Qingli's eyes.

His little sister was lucky to escape death. Fu Qingli could not bear to imagine Mom's reaction if they had found his sister's dead body back then.

"What about your dad?" Fu Hannian smiled. "Say, if given two choices, one is to be an obedient underling to a ruler who will always be wary, doubtful, and distrustful of you while risking being ditched at any time.

"The other option is aiding a young ruler to get ahead in ranks. You can help him, support him, earn his trust and respect. Others view you as the regent, an uncrowned king.

"Which would you choose, Qingli?"

"You lunatic!" Fu Qingli's heart fell to the pit of his stomach. The man before him was nothing less than terrifying and menacing.

For this reason, Fu Hannian could take out the brother he grew up with. Perhaps he never saw Dad as his brother.

"Qingli, I watched you grow up and move up the ladder. You're more decisive than your dad. None of this would have happened if your dad didn't try to shut me down when he discovered I embezzled public funds and solicited the competition. He's too emotional and soft." Fu Hannian expressed regret.

With a bloodthirsty face, Fu Qingli toyed with the gun in his hand. His voice reflected no hint of emotion. "Uncle, thank you for telling me this. I know now. Do you have any last words? If there's none, I should send you on your way."

The feud between them was irreconcilble. One person must die today, and it had to be him.

Fu Hannian was right. He was more decisive and ruthless than Dad. Dad may go soft, but he would never go easy on anyone.

"Qingli, it's almost time to say goodbye for good." Fu Hannian let out a deep sigh as he looked at Fu Qingli and smiled. "As an uncle, there's one last lesson I can teach you. Consider it my parting gift."