Clan Building System: I'm not the Protagonist?! - Chapter 275

275: 275- Father’s daughter.

275: 275- Father’s daughter.

General Zhang Liao moved the moment Zhang Fei’s breath began to hitch.

His sleeve flicked with a whisper of qi, dissolving the invisible weight pressing down on his comrade.

In an instant, Zhang Fei stumbled backward, gasping, though Zhang Liao’s firm hand caught him by the shoulder before he could fall.

Zhang Liao stepped forward, lowering his head slightly toward General Sun, his tone smooth and conciliatory, yet carrying the authority of a senior.

“General Sun, we all carry weary hearts and restless tempers in times such as these,” Zhang Liao said, his voice calm but clear enough to cut the tension.

“Perhaps you might find it in your to forgive the juniors rash words.

He spoke out of turn, not out of malice.” Then, with a gentle but unmistakable push, he nudged Zhang Fei forward.

His eyes flicked sharply, a silent command only his junior could read.

“Zhang Fei,” Zhang Liao said firmly, “apologize to General Sun.” Zhang Fei’s jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides.

His face burned with indignation, the humiliation of being treated like a child.

His lips parted, but no apology came, only a shaky breath filled with barely restrained fury.

Zhang Liao’s grip on his shoulder hardened, fingers pressing down like iron.

He leaned closer, his voice low but cutting, meant for Zhang Fei’s ears alone yet sharp enough that the tent’s silence carried every word.

“You swore loyalty to the crown,” Zhang Liao reminded.

“That oath is heavier than your pride.

Heed it.

You will do what is best for the crown…” Zhang Fei’s eyes widened slightly as he felt the weight of his brother-in-arms’ will pressing down, heavier even than General Sun’s qi earlier.

“…and you will apologize.

Now.” The last word cracked like a whip, leaving Zhang Fei no path of retreat, no excuse to cling to.

General Sun’s smile lingered as he straightened from his bow.

“General Zhang Liao, you don’t have to force an apology out of him.

I can rest assured knowing that you stood up for me despite my… spirited actions.

I’ll take my leave.” With that, he turned and exited the tent, his presence fading like a shadow under the late sun.

Zhang Liao’s eyes followed him, then shifted to Zhang Fei, who was still simmering.

“You’re quite rash for your own good, General Fei,” Zhang Liao remarked, his tone laced with mild reproach.

Zhang Fei spat on the ground, glaring.

“You have no rights to say that to me,” he snarled, before storming off, leaving a trail of tension in his wake.

The other generals, one by one, began to file out, muttering quietly among themselves.

Soon, only General Cao remained, standing silently near the table.

Zhang Liao leaned back slightly, eyes narrowing with a wry expression.

“Looks like your brother might just be the cause of your death,” General Cao teased lightly.

Zhang Liao let out a soft sigh, shaking his head.

“Cao, I’ve told you before… we aren’t related.

Just happen to share a surname.” Cao chuckled.

“If you say so, if you say so,” and with that, he left the tent, leaving Zhang Liao alone.

Meanwhile, back at the Fang family estate, the courtyard lay bathed in silver, moonlight spilling gently over the tiled roofs and filtering through the lattice windows.

And in the stillness of midnight just outside the Matriarch’s resting chamber.

“Do we tell the Matriarch?” “But she’s resting now…” “But this is important…” Elder Sun and Elder Chen lingered with their voices hushed as they wrestled with the decision.

At that moment, light footsteps pattered across the courtyard.

Fang Mei appeared, her smile soft as she greeted, “Father, Uncle.” Fang Chen’s eyes lit up instantly, his heart swelling with joy.

“Ah, Fang Mei!” he exclaimed, almost tripping over his own words.

“How was it?

Do you feel any different?” Fang Mei nodded sweetly.

“Thank you, Father.” Her gentle reply made Fang Chen’s heartbeat quicken, how long had it been since he last heard her call him that?

The word struck deep, filling him with a warmth he thought he had lost.

On the side, Fang Sun gave her a single approving nod, saying nothing more, before quietly turning away.

Fang Mei’s gaze lingered on his back until he was gone.

Then, turning back to her father, she asked softly, polite with respect despite the weariness in her tone.

“Father… what were the two of you doing out here so late?” Fang Chen’s lips curved into a smile, though it was tinged with quiet worry.

“It’s… because of some news.” She tilted her head slightly, giving a small, steady nod.

“Are we in danger?” Fang Mei asked softly.

Fang Chen shook his head with a gentle motion.

“Then?” she pressed, her brows lifting in quiet expectation.

Fang Chen let out a low sigh.

“It’s the Azure Phoenix army.

Since early this morning, they’ve been trying to take down our barriers with everything they had.

But just now, they suddenly pulled back and left.

I can’t help but feel it’s a bad omen… perhaps they’re preparing something bigger instead.” “Father, it’s just the Azure Phoenix army retreating after their failure,” Fang Mei reassured him, her voice calm yet firm.

“Don’t overthink it.

Let’s go and take our rest too.” Fang Chen’s chest tightened, but his smile grew.

Father… She called him father again.

He loved it, he loved it!

That single word filled a hollow in his heart no victory, no title could ever mend.

Fang Chen’s lips curved into a tender smile.

“Perhaps you’re right, dear.

Alright then come, let’s go.

Father will make sure to tell you all about how I first met your mother.” Fang Mei nodded, her expression soft, though inside her thoughts ran quietly.

I wonder how long Father will continue pretending I’m her child by blood for the sake of outsiders… What if he never marries?

Outwardly, however, she simply smiled and said, “Alright, Father.” The single word nearly undid him.

Fang Chen felt his heart nearly leaving him out of joy, he felt he could probably die from the sheer happiness of hearing it again.