Chapter 33: Repairs

"What has he been doing these past few days?" Reyner sat on his customary leather bench, eyes closed, asking Lei Huan, who stood beside him.

The "he" to whom he referred was, naturally, Lei Bin.

For the past few days, Reyner had been occupied with various pressing matters and had been unable to return home, leaving him unaware of how Lei Bin had been faring. On the surface, the Federation appeared calm, but in reality, it was rife with undercurrents. His family, the Lei clan, stood at the very epicenter of this turmoil.

Consequently, Reyner had been constantly on the move, working to consolidate the family's existing power. Already, some individuals were becoming restless, sensing that the Lei family was losing its hope, and thus, they had begun to harbor disloyal intentions.

While not yet openly apparent, if this trend were not nipped in the bud, the consequences would be unimaginable. Reyner knew all too well how many people wished for the downfall of the Lei family and how many were waiting to kick them while they were down.

Tall trees attract the wind—an eternal truth. As the largest tree in the Federation, the Lei family naturally bore the brunt of the storms. This was a trial any family must face if it intended to stand tall.

Reyner was like the trunk of that great tree; no matter how many storms or strikes he encountered, he remained standing straight, unyielding.

Lei Huan knew better than anyone the sheer amount of blood, sweat, tears, and suffering Reyner had endured over the years to secure the family's legacy. He had once thought the tragedy of twenty years ago would be Reyner's deepest scar, yet he had not expected another, even more fatal wound, to be inflicted now.

Even a trunk as sturdy as Reyner's could hardly withstand such heart-wrenching pain.

Fortunately, at this moment, a new branch had finally emerged to help shield Reyner from this shocking wound. That branch was Lei Bin.

Although Lei Xingfeng held more prestige and currently played a greater role in the family, the future rested on Lei Bin. Only when Lei Bin grew could this great tree regain its vitality. Lei Huan understood this clearly, which was why he knew how much importance Reyner placed on the youth.

"The young master is young and impetuous, and some rebelliousness is inevitable," Lei Huan said in a firm tone. "However, his talent is the most exceptional I have ever seen. It is precisely because of its branches that a tree possesses vitality. We only need to prune him slightly, and this tree will grow vigorously, becoming a towering giant that stands at the highest point of the forest, supporting the very sky."

Reyner was slightly taken aback by Lei Huan's words, as he had never heard Lei Huan hold anyone in such high regard. He could tell that Lei Huan was not merely trying to console him, but was genuinely impressed by Lei Bin.

"Very well, then he is yours. You must instruct him well and help him integrate into the Lei family as soon as possible. In a little while, it will be... the day to bid them farewell. As the only remaining heir in the house, he will have to perform the kowtow to return the respects of the guests. You must teach him the proper etiquette; there must be no mistakes." As Reyner spoke of this deeply painful matter, he could not help but feel his shoulders tremble slightly.

The Lei family originated from the Huaxia clan of the Earth era, and a crucial part of a traditional Huaxia funeral was the *dali*, or return of respects. This involved the descendants of the family, dressed in mourning attire, kowtowing to every guest who came to pay their respects. In any civilization, a kowtow is often seen as a humiliating act. However, in ancient Huaxia custom, the act of descendants kowtowing at a funeral represented a legacy—a way for the younger generation to show respect on behalf of the deceased to the mourners. When the descendant kowtowed, the guests would often reach out as if to steady them, signifying their support for the family's future.

If a family lacked someone to perform this return of respect, it meant the family line was truly extinguished and finished. At first, Reyner had not intended to hold a funeral at all, wishing to simply lay his kin to rest, for there had been no one left to perform the rites. Holding a funeral would have only made them a laughingstock and delighted their political enemies. But now, with Lei Bin, the funeral had to be held—and held with great fanfare—to let everyone who came to mourn know that the Lei family still had survivors.

That single kowtow would be a demonstration: the Lei family had not yet fallen.

***

Although Lei Xingfeng was a member of the Lei family, because the deceased were his peers and nephews, he lacked the standing to wear mourning clothes. Only Lei Bin had that qualification.

"Understood. I will instruct the young master well," Lei Huan said, bowing.

Meanwhile, Lei Bin was lying in his luxurious bedroom, being tormented by the "Star Dream" training program. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Lei Bin pulled his consciousness back from his mind and pressed a button. A holographic projection appeared at his bedside, showing the annoying old maid.

"Young master, the Master requests your presence for dinner in the main dining hall tonight," the old maid said respectfully.

Only then did Lei Bin realize it was time to eat.

"I can't be bothered. Just bring the food to my bedroom," Lei Bin said, having no desire to face the old man.

"Young master, all members of the Lei family are required to dine in the hall. You were only allowed special treatment because of your injuries over the past few days," the maid replied.

"Tch. I'm not like the others. I'm eating in my bedroom. Bring it here, now." Lei Bin was deeply dissatisfied with the "old witch" and looked for any excuse to provoke her.

"This is the Master's order. If you insist on this, young master, I fear..." Seeing that Lei Bin had no intention of getting up, the maid invoked Reyner's name.

"Fear what? Family discipline? I’ve already had my leg broken once, what else is there to fear? At most, it’ll be broken again. Do you think I’m afraid? I’ve been beaten into a pulp before; do you really think I’m scared of a broken leg?" Lei Bin showed no fear of Reyner.

The old maid remained silent for a moment after hearing this, then turned off the communicator and walked away.

Seeing that he had successfully angered the old witch, Lei Bin felt a sense of satisfaction. *That’s for getting rid of Yuna,* he thought.

Lei Bin wasn't very hungry yet, so he returned to the Star Dream space to train. Soon, however, the doorbell rang again. Lei Bin opened the communicator to see a projection of Lei Huan.

"Young master, the Master is waiting for you to eat. Food is the source of strength; if you don't eat, you'll only be the one who goes hungry. Besides, they've prepared many of your favorite dishes tonight," Lei Huan said in a gentle, persuasive tone.

Hearing this, Lei Bin suddenly thought, *I can take this opportunity to really annoy the old man. If I do, he might just kick me out of the family sooner.*

With that thought, Lei Bin sprang from his bed and went to open the door.

"Fine. Since you put it that way, I'll go eat. You're right, I shouldn't go hungry." Lei Bin turned and walked off.

"Young master... you..." Lei Huan called out, watching him leave.

"What now?" Lei Bin asked, surprised.

"Shouldn't you change your clothes? This attire is a bit too casual," Lei Huan kindly reminded him, referring to the fact that Lei Bin was still in his pajamas.

"Change? When you eat, you have to be comfortable and in a good mood. These clothes are perfect," Lei Bin said, head held high, and walked away.

Lei Huan sighed helplessly and followed behind.

Upon arriving at the dining hall, Lei Bin saw an exceptionally long table with over a dozen seats. At the very head of the table sat a figure with a straight, rigid posture—Reyner.

***

After arriving, Lei Bin greeted him casually. "Ha, you're here early. Is the food not ready yet?"

He then pulled out a chair and sat down with a rough, swaggering motion, propping one foot up on another chair, looking every bit like a street hoodlum.

The moment Lei Bin had entered, a cold glint had appeared in Reyner's eyes. As Lei Bin sat down in that manner, Reyner's hands began to crackle; those who knew him understood that he was in a state of extreme fury.

However, Reyner did not explode immediately. He watched Lei Bin coldly, waiting to see just how much more insolent he could be.

"Serve the meal," Reyner said coldly.

Lei Huan had entered as well, but he did not sit. He stood behind Reyner, waiting silently. Seeing Lei Bin's behavior, he acted as if he had seen nothing.

At Reyner's command, servants appeared like flowing water, each carrying a tray. The entire process was seamless, and in the blink of an eye, the long table was filled with delicacies.

"Wow, how sumptuous. Well, I won't stand on ceremony. Let's eat. Help yourself, don't mind me," Lei Bin said. Without picking up his chopsticks, he tore off the leg of a suckling pig with his hands and began to gnaw on it.

Reyner watched Lei Bin's eating habits, sitting perfectly still and saying nothing.

Lei Bin felt no shame. He had never eaten such a feast before, and he set upon the food with both hands, clearing the table like a whirlwind. Although the meal was enough for four or five people, Lei Bin consumed more than half of it. His body, pushed to its limits by Star Dream, required a vast amount of nutrition.

"Hiccup... not bad. Although I'm not really used to anything else here, the food is quite tasty. Alright, I'm done. You guys go ahead. I'm off." Lei Bin stood up, burping, and turned to leave.

"Stop." Reyner barked the command at the departing Lei Bin. The entire room seemed to tremble; Lei Bin felt a buzzing in his head, as if he had been struck hard.

*Damn, he can rattle my brain just by shouting like that? He truly is a near-Saint-level monster,* Lei Bin thought, knowing he had successfully provoked Reyner.

"What now?" Despite the dizziness that made it hard to stand, Lei Bin braced himself, turned around, and looked at Reyner with an arrogant expression.

"Hmph. Do you think that just because you are the only heir left, you can act without restraint? Do you really think I wouldn't dare to punish you?" Reyner's face was icy, and his body radiated killing intent. Those who knew him well knew that Reyner had not lost his temper like this in a long time.

"Huh? When did I ever say I was a member of the Lei family? Don't be so conceited. If you don't like me, kick me out! I was already planning on opening a repair shop anyway." Lei Bin wore the look of someone who had nothing left to lose.

"A repair shop? Hmph, very well. Today, I'll 'repair' you properly so you learn the consequences of defying your elders." As Reyner spoke, his body blurred, and in an instant, he was beside Lei Bin, reaching out to grab his right shoulder.