Evil People Have Their Own Evil Mothers [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 16: I Loathe Your Radiance, Yet Resent That You Don't Belong to Me

Chapter 16: I Loathe Your Radiance, Yet Resent That You Don’t Belong to Me

Cao Weidong suddenly smiled.

The target wasn’t Xu Jiu.

Xu Jiu lifted his leg, forcibly inserting himself into Cao Weidong’s line of sight.

He turned to look in the direction of Cao Weidong’s gaze, where a young girl stood wearing a pet hospital uniform. She wasn’t particularly beautiful or refined, but made up for it with cleanliness and an unassuming student aura.

This? Both hardware and software are quite ordinary.

Xu Jiu glanced at the pet grooming mirror on the wall, reached up to adjust his pink layered bangs, and clicked his tongue twice. Still more satisfied with himself.

Upon seeing Xu Jiu, the girl politely extended her hand: Hello, are you Cao Weidong’s friend? I’m Yu Tian.

Xu Jiu ignored her, instead shoving Cao Weidong while knitting his brows and wrinkling his nose fiercely: Not answering calls, ignoring messages – are you hiding here because you’re afraid I’ll kill your dog?

Hearing this, Cao Weidong slowly turned to stare at Xu Jiu – not at his face, but at his neck.

His gaze was like a knife, silently slicing through the high collar of Xu Jiu’s sweater, attempting to glimpse the wretched wound concealed beneath.

When Xu Jiu’s eyes met his, the world suddenly spun in his head, as if being forced to stare by a pair of cold hands pressing on his skull.

How had this smile become so familiar—

How could it so resemble that eerie, mask-like smile from the hallucination in his dream that night when he was being strangled?!

Xu Jiu clenched his back teeth, using all his strength to break free from the invisible hands restraining his head. He closed his eyes and reopened them—

But Cao Weidong was expressionless, his gaze directed at the dog on the ground, with no trace of that shadow about him.

Cao Weidong wasn’t smiling, nor was he looking at Xu Jiu.

As if everything was just Xu Jiu’s crazy delusion from an unclear mind.

Xu Jiu felt genuine dread, turning to ask Yu Tian: What’s your relationship?

Yu Tian naturally replied: I’m the veterinary assistant responsible for caring for Classmate Cao’s dog.

Xu Jiu forced a dry laugh, Oh? Classmate Cao? Seizing the opportunity to look at Cao Weidong, Xu Jiu deliberately rolled his eyes upward, overdoing it into a contemptuous glare.

Yes, Cao Weidong answered.

But I think Cao Weidong really likes you! Xu Jiu turned back, his expression returning to normal as he hypocritically offered flattering words to Yu Tian:

I’ve never seen him smile at anyone before, except you.

Maintaining a friendly distance, Yu Tian softly emphasized: Classmate Cao is a very good person. He’s just emotionally reserved – smiling doesn’t necessarily mean something is good.

Just as Yu Tian said this, Xu Jiu happened to be fake-smiling.

Xu Jiu turned to look at Cao Weidong again, and as Xu Jiu wished, this time Cao Weidong was indeed looking at him.

But all that remained for Xu Jiu was stagnant, hollow darkness and an extremely indifferent gaze.

Yu Tian walked around Xu Jiu to continue speaking with Cao Weidong: I’ve already explained the dog’s condition to you. Don’t put too much psychological pressure on yourself – no one could have prevented this kind of thing. Anyway, I’ll help wherever I can, I’ll do my best.

Thank you.

While speaking with Yu Tian, Cao Weidong naturally shifted his gaze away from Xu Jiu.

Xu Jiu reached out and violently grabbed Cao Weidong’s broken right arm, forcibly pulling that gaze back to himself.

Cao Weidong groaned heavily in pain.

Xu Jiu smiled with a wicked satisfaction.

In the blink of an eye, Cao Weidong’s hand suddenly moved upward, stopping just short of touching Xu Jiu’s neck.

Mmm…

Cao Weidong’s lips parted into a dark slit. The moment Xu Jiu saw that gap, his mischievous gaze instantly cleared, turning timid and flustered.

Xu Jiu spun around abruptly like a wind-up doll, pressing his hands against his neck to check if his collar fully covered the wounds.

By the time Xu Jiu realized he had been fooled by Cao Weidong again, Yu Tian had already escorted Cao Weidong out of the pet hospital’s entrance.

Yu Tian waved goodbye, saying, Alright, go ahead if you have things to do.

Xu Jiu dawdled along behind the two of them.

After Cao Weidong left, Xu Jiu remained standing in place.

Yu Tian asked in surprise, Why didn’t you go back to school with Cao?

Xu Jiu pointed inside the pet hospital. I came here to escort my senior.

He then asked, By the way, what’s wrong with Cao Weidong’s dog?

He noticed the dog’s collar only had the character for dog on it. Cao Weidong hadn’t even given it a name—or perhaps its name was simply Dog.

His dog is very old, with organ failure, but it’s very important to Cao.

And then?

Yu Tian replied, Cao spends all the money he earns from part-time jobs and his scholarships on the dog. It’s been with him for over ten years. It should have passed away naturally, but Cao is forcibly keeping it alive. Honestly, I think it’s torture for the dog.

Suddenly, Yu Tian’s hand hovered just inches from Xu Jiu’s lips as she held her breath nervously. Don’t you dare tell Cao Weidong I said that! Even though I said it, I still want what’s best for him.

Xu Jiu’s malicious thoughts surged like a massive splash after hearing Yu Tian’s words.

His mind bubbled with sinister schemes.

Abruptly, his expression shifted dramatically.

He nervously grabbed Yu Tian’s arm, lowering his voice to a whisper. Didn’t you know he’s an animal abuser in secret?

Yu Tian shook her head in disbelief. How could that be? He treats his dog so well.

Xu Jiu said earnestly, It’s true. Everyone at school knows. If you don’t believe me, go ask around. He took out his phone, pulled up a pinned hot topic on the forum, and shoved it in Yu Tian’s face.

Yu Tian read it carefully, her hands trembling as she scrolled. After seeing the photos in the forum, she was horrified, muttering under her breath, How could he be that kind of person?

Don’t you think that old dog is suffering just by being alive?

Xu Jiu stepped back from Yu Tian, his feigned smile completely wiped away. He crossed his arms, watching with a mocking expression as Yu Tian grew increasingly terrified and shaken.

For a moment, Xu Jiu understood why Cao Weidong had leaned in to whisper that question in his ear—watching someone lose control over a single remark was indeed thrilling.

Xu Jiu retrieved his phone, dangling it casually in front of Yu Tian like a cigarette pack.

How much did you spend on him? I’ll pay you back.

But…

Xu Jiu clicked his tongue impatiently, cutting off Yu Tian’s but.He simply pulled down his collar and showed it to Yu Tian, lowering his voice mysteriously. He has severe violent tendencies and bullies classmates. This is what he did to me. That’s why I didn’t dare leave with him.

Xu Jiu had delicate skin and was prone to scarring. Even though several days had passed since that dream-filled night, the wounds on his body showed no signs of healing. Instead, they seemed etched into his cells like tattoos.

What’s your relationship with him? Yu Tian asked cautiously.

Xu Jiu remained silent, pulling his collar up and smoothing it flat.

Thank you for the reminder, I’ll be careful. Your injuries must be very painful, right?

Xu Jiu retracted the sharp teeth in his mouth, drawing out a questioning Hmm?

I have some травмы medicine here.

Xu Jiu ignored him and turned to leave.

As he walked outside the pet hospital, Yu Tian continued following behind, speaking with unusual seriousness:

Are you really alright? You look badly injured. If needed, I can help gather evidence and report to the police. If you’re trying to persuade me to stay away, I can definitely tell you that Cao and I are just ordinary friends, absolutely not what you’re thinking.

Xu Jiu paused mid-step, leaning against the stone lion statue outside the hospital entrance. He lit a cigarette and beckoned Yu Tian closer.

He took a drag from the cigarette, gently blowing smoke toward Yu Tian’s face. As he waved the smoke away, he used the opportunity to pinch Yu Tian’s cheek, saying with a playful smile:

Don’t like him anymore. Come like me instead.

I don’t like men, Yu Tian refuted earnestly.

Xu Jiu let out another Hmm? before realizing—she was pitying him.

Then help me instead. Stop helping him, drive his dog away, and never contact him again, alright? Otherwise, whenever I see him doing well, these wounds on my body ache constantly.

Xu Jiu’s eyes grew misty, his skin pale and bloodless from fever. As he spoke, he began pulling his collar down again.

Outside the hospital, there was no shelter from the fiercely blowing wind.

Seeing this, Yu Tian quickly stopped him, repeatedly emphasizing: Alright! I’ll listen to you! Please stop crying!

Watching Yu Tian’s retreating figure, Xu Jiu’s tears instantly vanished. He flicked the nearly burnt-out cigarette in his hand, lowering his head with a soft chuckle.

In high spirits, Xu Jiu unusually decided not to take a taxi back.

He lit another cigarette, strolling leisurely through the 10-degree Celsius streets of H City, stepping on fallen red leaves that crackled beneath his feet.

His smoking was unhurried—not rushing to finish before the wind could blow the ashes away, but rather letting it dangle by his hand, taking slow puffs himself while allowing the wind to take its share.

Half the pack was generously shared with the bleak northern wind accompanying him.

The wind smoked cigarettes, while he smoked the wind.

Many girls along the way noticed Xu Jiu. His extraordinary beauty overcame their shyness, and they gathered in groups, mustering courage to approach him, taking out their phones to ask for his contact information.

Like a minor celebrity, Xu Jiu found himself surrounded, stuck near the school gate for a long time.

He wasn’t bothered though, instead proactively offering his face for admiration, enjoying the pleasure of being the center of attention.

You can look, but no touching.

Beyond the crowd, beneath the dark shadows of trees, stood a tall man. For every step Xu Jiu took, the man followed half a step, trailing closely like a shadow pressing behind him.