Cold

The atmosphere became tense. The henchman prepared to silence the boy on the chance that he would release a torrent of indecencies towards his father. Chairman Liu looked silently at his son. He had detected a slight change in that detestable face. Before he could pinpoint the exact difference, the boy spoke up.

"Why?"

That one question held a lot of emotion. Defeat, loneliness and ...something close to liberation. The boy stared long and hard at his father with his soft brown eyes. The only feature that recognised him as chairman Liu's son.

Everything else, from each strand of hair to his stature, figure and presence, reminded chairman Liu of his wife.

"Your actions towards your mother and I have been unacceptable. We've tried to help you, but you just can't be changed. We're tired and we can't let our lives be ruined just because you feel miserable. This is, I'm afraid, the only way." Chairman Liu's grip around the cane's handle tightened. The boy's face, just moments ago on the brink of breaking down, had become completely devoid of emotion.

Looking coolly up at his father, the boy spoke in his enticingly low, husky voice.

"I've listened to all your excuses. Now I want to make a few things clear to you. If that's fine with you of course, Chairman Liu."

His father gestured for him to continue.

"Thank you, Chairman. Here are a few things I'd like you to remember. Firstly, Madam Su is not my mother and I refuse to address her as such. Secondly, you have never tried to help me. Unless of course, locking me up in my room every day is your way of helping me. Lastly," The boy's eyes reddened as he was overcome with emotion.

"Do you really think that you're the only ones who are tired? I'm tired too! Probably even more than you! Every day, I worked hard to maintain this family's reputation. Every day, I tried to be a son you could be proud of. But all you ever see, is my mother."

The boy breathed in deeply.

"From now on, I, Liu Feng, am no longer the son of Liu Xing. My father died when I was five. He died along with my only mother, Fu Miao. What's gone is gone. Why can't you just accept that and move on? And if you were just going to take it out on me, you should have sent me away long ago, then I wouldn't have had to deal with all your b*llsh*t!"

Sighing, Liu Xing turned and pointed at henchman B.

"Take him to the hospital. Leave us alone for the rest of the day".

Henchman A bowed and hurriedly dragged his partner out of the room. He took a quick glance at the two people in the room before shutting the doors behind him.

'Should I call an ambulance for the young master too?... Just in case... No. I better not.' Though henchman A was worried about the young master, he ultimately decided that angering Liu Xing would bring dire consequences. Without a second glance, he left swiftly, not forgetting to carry his partner on his shoulders.

...

Liu Xing returned his focus onto his son again. Seeing that his cigarette had burned out, he dropped it on the floor and snuffed the last embers of flame out with the sole of his shoe. Sickly white ash was left everywhere on the pristine flooring.

He coughed again.

"Being kicked out is for your own good. I've had the servants pack your things. If there's anything missing, you can just add them to your suitcase." Liu Xing took out a thick white envelope from his jacket.

"This is my parting gift to you. Use it wisely."

He then walked forward and untied the ropes binding Liu Feng.

All this time, Liu Feng had not moved, spoken or reacted to anything. His eyes just stared fixated at the space in front of him - at the ashes on his bedroom floor.

Feeling his arms being freed, Liu Feng stretched his limbs and enjoyed having the numbness fade away.

Slowly, he stood up and looked quietly at his father. Due to having foreign blood in him, he was quite tall - just one head taller than his father.

His eyes lifeless and cold, liu Feng uttered his final farewell. The last words he would ever say to his father.

"Your patience is admirable. You actually endured for so long." His smile was self-loathing. That sight was enough to break any maiden's heart. It was a smile that revealed the overwhelming loneliness he felt inside of him.

Liu Feng took the envelope that his father held.

"Your first gift to me since that day... I'll use it well."

Taking steady, measured steps, he headed for the door. Taking a last look at his room, the drawings he had taken so much pride in, the mahogany desk he had worked so hard on, the bed he had slept so comfortably on and finally, a single family photo. One that he had secretly hugged to sleep. One that he had talked to. One that he must leave behind. Pain flitted through his eyes. He would have to leave all this behind.

"Chairman Liu, I have one request." Liu Feng looked at his father.

"Go on then." Liu Xing looked back at his son wearily. Depending on the request, he might have to call for his bodyguards.

"Just this once, can you call me by my name?" Something crossed the chairman's face as he heard the request.

"That... is impossible." Liu Xing's face was firm as he spoke those cold words.

"Ha ha ha...I knew it." Liu Feng chuckled though there was no mirth in his eyes. He no longer looked at the father he had once revered and respected.

Taking a deep breath, Liu Feng opened the door and stepped out of the room. Before the door could fully shut, he turned his head and gave a heart-wrenching smile. One of innocence. One that he had always bore when he was younger. He parted his lips and waved farewell.

"Stay healthy. Goodbye."