Red Line Resurrection Chapter 10

Chapter 10

I’m not angry anymore.

Shen Lingjun thought that maybe he should just say he left the learning device at school and would ask the person to return it tomorrow.

But that person might not be willing to give it back.

And one lie always requires countless others to cover it up, just like how he said he would study hard but only put in half the effort, or how he claimed to only play games for an hour a day but always doubled that time. In the dead of night, he occasionally thought that the good life he was currently living seemed to be constantly shadowed by anxiety, but he was even more afraid of returning to the days of unpredictable hunger and fullness.

Perhaps sensing his prolonged silence, Liang Ji’an narrowed his eyes and asked, sounding slightly puzzled, “What’s wrong?”

Shen Lingjun wiped the sweat from his palms behind his back and decided to confess honestly, “Brother… I’m sorry.”

“I sold the learning device.”

The moment the words left his mouth, the atmosphere in the study dropped to freezing point. Liang Ji’an closed his computer screen. He didn’t appear angry; his tone remained gentle as he asked, “Didn’t you say you were going to study hard?”

“Why did you sell the learning device?”

Shen Lingjun shivered, startled by the lack of emotional fluctuation in the question. Liang Ji’an, of course, knew he was lying and could easily guess why he sold the device, but he insisted that Shen Lingjun answer himself. Seeing that the boy refused to speak for a long time, his patience ran out, and he said coldly, “Look up.”

Shen Lingjun steeled himself and met his gaze. Liang Ji’an was not nearsighted, but having removed his glasses, his eyes, now unobstructed by the lenses, looked as sharp as a hawk’s. “Why aren’t you speaking?”

Shen Lingjun pursed his lips, his mind a chaotic mess, daring not to answer anything. He just looked at Liang Ji’an with red-rimmed eyes, stammering, still trying to apologize.

But Liang Ji’an didn’t give him the chance. He let out a small laugh and pronounced his guilt, “Lying.”

“And breaking promises.”

Even though these were things he had done, undeniable and set in stone, hearing Liang Ji’an say it felt like the sword hanging over his head had finally struck, leaving no room for reversal.

Liang Ji’an didn’t expose all his lies, nor did he ask why he sold the learning device, and he didn’t even deliver any excessive reprimands. Yet, Shen Lingjun was already overwhelmed. He actually wished Liang Ji’an would yell at him; that would at least show that Liang Ji’an cared. This unsettling calmness only made him feel that Liang Ji’an was utterly disappointed in him, perhaps believing soon that he wasn’t fit to be his brother.

He took a few steps forward and explained haltingly, “I’m sorry, Brother. I didn’t know it had the study materials you prepared for me… I sold the learning device because I wanted to buy a game skin. I didn’t want to ask you for money using that reason.”

“If I didn’t buy it, my old friends would mock me.”

Liang Ji’an paused upon hearing this. “Old friends.”

“Was it the person who walked you home that night?”

Shen Lingjun nodded.

Liang Ji’an was so angry he laughed. He had given Shen Lingjun too much freedom. He should have installed a monitor on his phone to track his every move. He thought that by unilaterally preventing Ji Yuxuan from contacting Shen Lingjun, he would solve the problem once and for all, but he underestimated the communication abilities of children these days.

The question from that night was now asked in a different way, “Are they a friend or a boyfriend?”

Shen Lingjun dared not hide anything further. “A boyfriend.”

“Brother, please don’t be angry. I’ll break up with him very soon.”

Shen Lingjun had long since forgotten Ji Yuxuan, completely forgetting about the need to break up. But Liang Ji’an felt a surge of inexplicable anger. This child, Shen Lingjun, was severely lacking in discipline, both in conduct and moral character. While not entirely corrupt, he was certainly not an honest child. Even now, who knew if his promise to break up was sincere remorse or merely a feigned submission?

Liang Ji’an had always disapproved of hitting children, but now that he actually had such a child in the house, he found it truly difficult to quell his anger without resorting to it. All reason and patience were thrown to the wind. His voice was so cold it seemed to drop ice shards. “Come here.”

Shen Lingjun shuffled three steps to the desk. Liang Ji’an was still dissatisfied. He tapped the desk, signaling him to stand right beside him. “Hold out your hands.”

Shen Lingjun complied, palms facing up, ready for a beating. But Liang Ji’an delayed, taking no further action, simply leaving him suspended there. It felt less like he was about to strike him and more like a silent act of violence meant to discipline him.

There was no convenient tool nearby, and Liang Ji’an had just realized that if he truly bruised the boy’s palms, he would likely feel distressed.

Having not grown up by his side, discipline should be administered gradually.

Shen Lingjun’s hands were held out for so long they started to stiffen. He wiggled his fingers to try and ease the tension, but a glance from Liang Ji’an instantly froze him again. Tears were genuinely starting to well up from fear. He felt his brother was terrifying right now, his face grim like a living King of Hell, because he couldn’t predict his next move.

Liang Ji’an sighed softly and unclasped his wristwatch. Shen Lingjun didn’t understand why, but the next second, he was abruptly pulled forward and sprawled over the desk. A hard slap landed squarely through his trousers.

It was delivered without mercy. Shen Lingjun jolted in pain, nearly tumbling off the desk, but Liang Ji’an effortlessly held him down. Two more strikes followed immediately. This method of spanking, like disciplining a three-year-old, not only inflicted physical pain but also thoroughly humiliated his self-respect. Tears streamed down Shen Lingjun’s face. He couldn’t even stand steadily and, without Liang Ji’an helping him, he sank down, his legs weak, kneeling at his brother’s feet.

Liang Ji’an had held back some strength, but his hand was too powerful. Shen Lingjun’s backside first stung, then went numb, and finally felt hot and miserable. Still afraid that his brother hadn’t calmed down, he kept his head bowed and apologized repeatedly, “Brother, I know I was wrong, I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”

Liang Ji’an pinched the web of his hand to suppress his overly agitated nerves and asked in a deep voice, “How many times did I hit you?”

Shen Lingjun choked out, “Three times.”

Liang Ji’an asked again, “Why three times?”

“Because I sold the learning device, because I lied about studying hard, and because I was dating.” He had to admit his mistakes again, and he was surprisingly grateful that Liang Ji’an gave him a chance to repent. Tears splashed onto the carpet, spreading small wet stains. Liang Ji’an handed him a handkerchief. Shen Lingjun looked up at him, his tears still falling, his expression utterly desolate. He tried to speak several times, finally asking pitifully, “Brother, are you still angry with me?”

He didn’t even dare to reach out and take the handkerchief.

Liang Ji’an seemed to notice for the first time a small mole on Shen Lingjun’s eyelid. It was more prominent because his eyelids were red from crying so hard. Before they swelled, his eyes were beautiful almond shapes, but the thick, dense lashes at the outer corners made his eye shape appear slightly downturned, giving him an innocent yet flirtatious illusion. Liang Ji’an bent down and gently pressed the handkerchief to the corner of his eye. Shen Lingjun gripped his wrist, calling out to him again with a trembling voice, “Brother…”

His fear was practically overflowing from his eyes, yet for some reason, Liang Ji’an felt even more stimulated. He said calmly, “I’m not angry anymore.”

Shen Lingjun’s lower back still hurt a little, but he didn’t dare let Liang Ji’an help him up. He gripped the edge of the desk with his fingertips and managed to stand. “Thank you, Brother.”

This thanks was completely sincere. He confirmed that Liang Ji’an would react emotionally to his actions and would forgive him if he obediently admitted his mistakes. Liang Ji’an was willing to manage him. This established fact was branded onto his nerves, just like the slap that had just landed.

“Brother, I’ll go now.”

Liang Ji’an watched him slowly shuffle toward the study door. “Uncle He will bring you medicine later.”

He looked down at his own dress pants, then subtly crossed his legs, holding the crumpled, damp handkerchief in his hand, his expression quite complex.