Chapter 35 Mr. Sheng, Your Tail Is Showing 5

Chapter 35: Mr. Sheng, Your Tail Is Showing 5

The next morning, when Sheng Ye came downstairs for breakfast, Qiao Ling was already seated at the table.

Aunt Yun had specially prepared breakfast for Qiao Ling, but he still had little appetite, picking at his food like a bird.

When Sheng Ye approached, Qiao Ling lifted his pale, delicate face and gave a faint smile. "Mr. Sheng, good morning."

Sheng Ye nodded, pulled out a chair, and sat down beside him to have breakfast together.

Qiao Ling's complexion looked much better than when he first arrived at the house. Noticing his lack of appetite, Sheng Ye advised, "You need to eat more to build your strength back up. You're still not in great shape."

Qiao Ling paused for a moment, then immediately took a big gulp of porridge.

He looked like a kid looking for his dad's approval, his eyes bright with anticipation, staring at Sheng Ye.

Though Sheng Ye had never raised a child, he wasn't stupid—he could clearly see what Qiao Ling wanted.

He reached out and, a little stiffly, ruffled Qiao Ling's hair as a way to encourage and reassure him.

The moment his hand touched the youth's hair, he realized how soft it was. He couldn't help but stroke it a couple more times.

Qiao Ling's dark lashes fluttered. He looked away without meeting Sheng Ye's eyes, seeming a little shy.

But the smile at the corner of his mouth lingered, and he ducked his head and took another "gulp" of porridge.

Sheng Ye found it endearing and smiled, not saying anything more.

Aunt Yun watched the scene, a little surprised.

The Commander was always meticulous and stern, never cracking a smile. Having been raised under the old master's strict hand in the Sheng family, someone like him would usually look down on the weak.

But she never expected him to be this patient with Qiao Ling!

That really caught her off guard.

After breakfast, Sheng Ye called Qiao Ling over and said straight out, "This afternoon, I'm taking you to the courthouse."

Qiao Ling was taken aback by this and looked up at Sheng Ye.

"To see who?"

"The Qiao family," Sheng Ye said.

The Qiao family had crossed the line, and Sheng Ye had never intended to let them off the hook just because they were Deputy General Qiao's brothers.

Besides, Qiao Ling had some emotional knots that needed to be untied. If this could give Qiao Ling an outlet for his feelings, it might help him get better.

When Sheng Ye turned to look at him, he saw the youth frowning and pressing his lips together, lost in thought.

Sheng Ye patted his shoulder to reassure him and said seriously, "Don't worry. Nobody can hurt you now."

That afternoon, at the Interstellar Court

Sheng Ye held Qiao Ling's hand as they got out of the aircraft and entered the courthouse.

The two Qiao brothers were already locked up, with no chance of turning things around.

When they saw Qiao Ling, a flicker of surprise crossed their eyes.

Back when they'd sent Qiao Ling away, he'd been a quiet, uncommunicative boy, but still a delicate, fair-skinned young master.

Not like now—spiritless and gloomy, his eyes dull, his frame thin and gaunt, clearly having been through a lot.

They felt guilty now, knowing Sheng Ye was ruthless, so they could only keep begging Qiao Ling!

"Qiao Ling! I'm your uncle! I'm your father's own younger brother—you can't be so cold to your own uncle!"

Of the Qiao brothers, Qiao Ling's father had been the most accomplished, so the other two could comfortably coast on his success.

They not only enjoyed the prestige Qiao Ling's father brought but also got a lot of perks because of it.

They'd long been used to getting something for nothing and didn't want to do anything else.

If they left this place today, they'd be sent to work as laborers on some undeveloped mining planet!

At their age, suddenly facing that kind of fate was a total disaster!

Qiao Ling's gaze was as calm and still as an ancient deep well. He said in a flat voice, "I know you're my uncle. You're the one who personally threw my stuff out back then—I won't forget that."

In his memory, after the original owner had been kicked out, whatever little he had was snatched up and divided by the slum locals before he could even get settled.

Though the youth's voice was steady, Sheng Ye could feel the hand gripping his own growing cold and trembling slightly.

His gaze toward the two brothers turned a few degrees colder.

Qiao Ling left the uncle speechless, and the elder uncle also shut up, not daring to say a word.

Qiao Ling looked him straight in the eye and asked, "Uncle, you took the savings Mom and Dad left behind. You said you'd return them to me once I came of age. So when are you planning to give them back?"

The youth's voice was as emotionless as a machine—whether he'd gone numb, or was desperately holding back his hatred, was hard to tell.

His dark eyes locked on the elder uncle, but the man said nothing.

Before being arrested, he'd already covered his bases. He'd divorced his wife so they were legally separate, and all the family assets had been transferred to her name.

That way, even if he suffered here, his wife and kids could still live well.

He didn't plan to answer, but the moment he saw Qiao Ling's eyes, he couldn't help thinking of his dead younger brother.

Finally, he said flatly, "That money was spent a long time ago. This is my fault, and I'm sorry."

An apology?

Could a simple apology make up for what he'd done?

Qiao Ling sneered and said nothing. But the man, who clearly had a death wish, went on: "Qiao Ling, you're lucky to have the Commander protecting you. But have you ever thought about your cousins who are suffering? I don't blame you for not understanding, but I hope you'll show some regard for our family ties."

Whether those words were envy or accusation, Qiao Ling figured it was probably both.

Just then, Sheng Ye stepped forward.

He smirked and said coolly to the men in the cage: "You're right. Qiao Ling can't empathize with you, but I can make your sons empathize with you—let them fully experience the despair of suddenly losing their parents' protection.

Back then, you made Qiao Ling 'experience life,' so now I've decided to send your kids to 'experience life' too—to taste the joy of being helpless and bullied with no one to turn to."

Sheng Ye's words hit hard, and Qiao Ling was genuinely impressed by his reverse psychology!

This guy!

He's really going all out!

Sheng Ye watched the shock in the young man's eyes, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

Now, would he finally believe that he was a reliable protector?

The Qiao family elders in front of them were greatly alarmed, clutching the cage bars and screaming for mercy.

"We'll do anything you ask! But you can't do this to my family!"

"My son just came of age; he's never suffered a day in his life! How can you be so cruel!"