Chapter 126: Red Meat

After saying this, Qin Feng withdrew his hand and returned to his room, acting as if nothing had happened and without sparing the man another glance.

Almost the instant Qin Feng stepped into his room, Ji Linmo’s tense body immediately went limp. Cold sweat trickled from his palms. He knew all too well that with his broken hand, he was completely defenseless. If Qin Feng had wanted to, he could have snatched the phone away with ease.

"So... that little lunatic... was he angry again just now?" Although he didn't know what had provoked him this time, Ji Linmo couldn't help but feel that perhaps Qin Feng had seen through his story about the phone. Still, for the moment, it was best that they both knew the truth but kept the paper window unpierced.

Back in his bedroom, Ji Linmo tucked the pink phone away against his body and curled up on the bed, playing with his own device. Although no one would be sending him a "goodnight" message to lull him into an instant sleep anymore, his body seemed to have grown accustomed to this regular sleep schedule, and he found himself drifting off before he knew it.

Why not... just sleep for a while?

The man slowly closed his eyes and drifted into a light slumber. Yet, this sleep turned out to be unexpectedly deep.

He didn't know how much time had passed when a vague sense of killing intent from nearby startled him awake. He opened his eyes, alert, only to see an axe swinging directly down toward his head!

*Whoosh—*

Ji Linmo tried to roll away to dodge, but to his shock, his hands were handcuffed to the bed frame!

Damn it, what was going on?!

To avoid the axe, Ji Linmo gritted his teeth and exerted all his strength. With a sickening *crunch*, his right fingers dislocated and bent at a horrifying angle, allowing him to slip his hand out of the cuff just in time to narrowly evade the lethal blow.

Who was it?

Ji Linmo looked up to see "Father," his expression dark and gloomy, wiping blood from the head of the axe.

"Ha, you're awake. It's already seven in the morning; I thought you'd never wake up!"

Ji Linmo looked at where he had been lying just moments ago—the bed frame had been split clean in two by the axe. How could he have slept so soundly, and until seven o'clock, no less? He quickly composed himself and looked at "Father."

"Dad... what's wrong with you, so early in the morning?"

Watching the man raise the axe again, his face twisted in rage, Ji Linmo’s tone remained calm.

"Don't you dare ask me! Tell me, what were you doing in the utility room last night!?"

"Father," now re-wrapped in clean bandages, held the axe high, his face hideously distorted. He had likely checked the surveillance and seen that Ji Linmo had spent a considerable amount of time in the utility room, which had sparked his suspicion.

[Warning! You have provoked the opponent. Please act immediately to avoid death.]

Looking at the bloodstains on the axe, Ji Linmo calmly reached into his nightstand and pulled out a hairdryer.

"Dad, I went into the utility room yesterday to look for this. Look, I even fixed this broken hairdryer."

Saying this, Ji Linmo plugged in the hairdryer and pointed it at his father’s hair. The black hairdryer let out a whirring sound, blowing his father’s sparse hair about.

"You... were looking for a hairdryer?"

"Father’s" expression changed instantly. He took the hairdryer and realized that the broken one he had tossed into the utility room had indeed been repaired by his son.

"That's right. Last night, I wanted to wash my hair but couldn't find a dryer, so I spent quite a while searching the utility room. Dad, why don't we keep it in the bathroom from now on? It would be convenient for everyone in the house."

Ji Linmo’s expression was sincere; he didn't mention a word about his father trying to hack him to death earlier that morning.

Looking at his eldest son, "Father" stood there with a livid face, seemingly lost in thought. After a long time, the bandaged man spoke.

"Son, I will warn you only this once. Whatever you are doing, stop it. This family cannot withstand any more turmoil."

Ji Linmo could tell there was more to his father's words. He had likely checked the attic or the basement and found something suspicious. But since he was certain he hadn't left any evidence behind, he decided to play dumb.

"Dad, I don't know what you're talking about? It's so early, I really don't understand... but whatever you say is right, Dad. I will definitely be more obedient in the future."

Ji Linmo looked at his father with earnest sincerity, appearing every bit the perfect son. But to his surprise, this backfired.

"Father" suddenly dropped the axe and grabbed Ji Linmo’s arm.

"Son, you... you really don't understand what I'm saying? As I thought, your brain must be broken. No, you must get treatment! You cannot end up like her... you must take your medicine quickly and get well!"

"Father" suddenly unlocked the handcuffs and dragged him toward the stairs.

Take medicine?

Ji Linmo didn't speak. According to the rules, he could not defy his father. For now, he had to simply follow his father's lead.

However, when he saw "Father" open the refrigerator, take out several pieces of meat from a tightly sealed black plastic bag, slice them with a blade, and place them on a plate, Ji Linmo’s expression faltered.

"Dad... are you asking me to eat 'medicine'?"

Looking at the raw red meat, Ji Linmo’s composure began to crumble.

"Son, you’ve been doing foolish things lately, but I know it's not your fault. You’re just like her, you’ve fallen ill! Eat! Once you eat, you'll get better! Don't worry!"

"Father" stared unblinkingly at Ji Linmo, pushing the chopsticks toward his hand.

Ji Linmo looked at the red meat, hesitating. But the next second, "Father" flew into a thunderous rage and slammed his hand heavily against the table.

"Eat! Why are you just like her, refusing to take your medicine! Do you know how precious this medicine is? Your mother and I can't even bear to eat it; even your younger brother doesn't have the blessing to have any!"

[Warning! You have provoked the opponent. Please act immediately to avoid death.]

Seeing the alert, Ji Linmo picked up the chopsticks and picked up a piece of raw meat. The blood-red flesh was so raw that the muscle fibers were clearly visible.

*It’s nothing...*

Inhaling the familiar scent of blood, Ji Linmo slowly opened his mouth, trying to reassure himself. But in an instant, the smell of blood became overwhelming, as if he were submerged in a sea of gore. The meat seemed to ooze fresh blood, dripping down the chopsticks.

[Ji Linmo, eat...]

[Eat me.]

As his hand trembled uncontrollably, Ji Linmo began to retch violently at the table as if in a spasm. The plate filled with blood-red meat shattered to the floor.

[Warning! You have thoroughly provoked the opponent. You are about to die!]