Evil People Have Their Own Evil Mothers [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 36: The Ending of the First World

Chapter 36: The Ending of the First World

How could Cao Weidong answer this question?

He couldn’t.

Cao Weidong wasn’t made of wood; on the contrary, he was highly sensitive and had long sensed that Xu Jiu’s existence was meant to destroy everything he possessed.

So when the topic of love was brought to the table, once love was confirmed, Xu Jiu’s existence would also be categorized among Cao Weidong’s possessions.

Cao Weidong’s indifferent voice sounded before Xu Jiu: Do you want to hear it?

The extinguished candle released white smoke, like a translucent veil draped between them, cautiously spreading and dissipating.

Xu Jiu gazed into Cao Weidong’s eyes, those deep black pupils filled entirely with his own reflection.

That hair—neither black nor pink nor yellow—floated clearly in the calm, deep pool of his eyes, looking utterly ridiculous.

Xu Jiu laughed first, raising his hand to run forcefully through his hair, boldly breaking the uneasy stalemate between them.

One didn’t dare speak, the other didn’t dare listen—acoincidentally, they’d collided.

This topic was fundamentally rootless duckweed, finding no foothold in the barren river of Xu Jiu and Cao Weidong’s emotions, so it drifted away with the wind.
It merged with the candle’s white smo
ke, with the fireworks’ white mist, blending into the air to become haze that pressed down heavily, entering through the nose and clinging to the throat, swallowed down with a weary cough, successfully merging into the bloodstream yet never to be spoken aloud again.

The two tacitly skipped past this conversation, lowering their heads to divide the cake in half, then looking up to watch the fireworks until the crowd dispersed before packing up and returning to the dorm.

Xu Jiu settled into Cao Weidong’s dorm. Later, discovering Cao Weidong had replaced his phone and SIM card, he immediately added the new number and WeChat.

Tossing the new phone in his hand, Xu Jiu accused righteously: Got money but won’t spend it on me?

A teacher gifted it. You can have it if you want.

Cao Weidong sat at the desk reviewing materials, not even glancing at Xu Jiu as he spoke.

Tch, junk. I don’t want it.

Cao Weidong checked the time, closed his laptop, slung his bag over his shoulder, and told Xu Jiu before leaving: I’m going to teach my class.

Xu Jiu spat out, cursing impulsively: None of my damn business.

Cao Weidong closed the door and left.

An hour later, Cao Weidong’s phone rang.

999: Where are you? What are you doing? Not secretly being happy behind my back, are you?

Cao Weidong sent his classroom location and a photo with his students.

In the picture, Cao Weidong looked much more spirited than when Xu Jiu first met him, the lifeless aura around him seemingly scorched away by Xu Jiu’s fiery chili pepper temper, even his bangs repeatedly trimmed shorter.

999: McDonald’s Crispy Chicken.

Cao Weidong didn’t reply promptly during class, and his phone erupted like it had been struck by lightning—a chaotic concerto of ringing calls, WeChat call alerts, and countless text message tones blending together.

Under the curious and gossipy eyes of his students, Cao Weidong calmly pressed the mute button, letting the phone on his desk light up and dim repeatedly until after class, when he finally replied with a single Okay.

In return came Xu Jiu’s grinning two-word response: Hehe.

Xu Jiu parasitized Cao Weidong throughout the entire winter break, eating his food, wearing his clothes, using his things, occasionally throwing tantrums and breaking stuff, living completely without burdens.

Cao Weidong looked at Xu Jiu like he was observing a chirping little bird—noisy and restless, yet capable of only limited mischief. Thus, he indulged Xu Jiu far more often than he restrained him.

As the new semester approached, Xu Jiu slipped a hand into Cao Weidong’s pocket and declared, “I don’t have money for tuition. Give me some.”

Cao Weidong went ahead and paid Xu Jiu’s tuition fees. Before Xu Jiu could even ask for living expenses, Cao Weidong handed him an extra sum.

Cao Weidong knew Xu Jiu could blow through that amount in a single night, so he didn’t give more.

He had also been quietly saving up. Before his dorm mates returned to campus, he rented an off-campus apartment. Though old and cramped, it had a door, windows, and a security guard—a proper unit in a dated residential complex, with vendors setting up stalls outside every morning, noon, and evening.

Around mealtimes, the air filled with the scent of life, a tangible warmth that settled the restless soul and made one feel grounded.

Alive.

But when it came time to pay the deposit and first month’s rent, Cao Weidong hesitated. “Let’s wait a bit longer,” he said.

The landlord accepted the deposit and agreed.

Then, the very next day, the inevitable upheaval arrived.

Pan Yu, who had vanished all winter break, suddenly reappeared. He stormed into Cao Weidong’s dorm with a group of burly men. At that time, Cao Weidong was off-campus coaching students for exams; only Xu Jiu lay asleep in bed.

Pan Yu yanked the blanket away. Xu Jiu, jolted awake by the cold, snatched the covers back and snapped, “Cao Weidong, have you lost your mind?!”

Pan Yu’s eyes widened in shock, as if they might pop out. “Xu Jiu?! What are you doing here?”

Clutching the blanket around himself, a bewildered Xu Jiu stared back. “What are you doing here?” he retorted.

“Perfect timing. Come with me to the police station.”

Under the gaze of Pan Yu and his companions, a drowsy Xu Jiu dressed and let Pan Yu drag him by the wrist into a car, headed straight for the local precinct.

Seated in the mediation room, Xu Jiu faced Pan Yu, several tough-looking men, and uniformed officers.

Pan Yu slid a cup of hot tea toward him. “I’ve obtained evidence that Cao Weidong kidnapped you. If you press charges, he’s definitely going to jail.”

From his leather bag, Pan Yu produced a USB drive and placed it on the table, tapping it with a cold, sharp sound.

“This is surveillance footage from the night you disappeared. It shows you following Cao Weidong into the urban village near campus—after which you never reappeared.”

Next came a thick A4-sized envelope. Pan Yu pulled out stacks of documents that nearly covered the entire table, leaving no room for Xu Jiu’s teacup.

“And this—I searched the whole urban village and finally found the rented place where Cao Weidon held you captive. This demolished warehouse. Here’s the lease agreement with Cao Weidong’s signature.”

He then presented a hospital-issued document.

“Lastly, hospital surveillance confirms he was the one who brought you in. Your foot was injured, and you admitted yourself that Cao Weidong was responsible.”

Pan Yu grew more animated as he spoke, half-rising and slamming the table. His looming figure cast a shadow over Xu Jiu like a crushing mountain, his face contorted with fervor as he shouted:

“As long as you sue him as the victim, it’s a serious crime!”

Xu Jiu froze in disbelief, his eyes flickering like headlights before a massive truck, not daring to look up at Pan Yu looming over him.

Just then, the door to the mediation room opened. Cao Weidong naturally took a seat beside Xu Jiu, who immediately shot him a pleading look.

Cao Weidong caught the gaze but remained indifferent, as if they were strangers.

Pan Yu’s aggressive demeanor deflated significantly upon Cao Weidong’s arrival. He sat back down but couldn’t resist adding a spiteful jab: You want me to go to prison? Hah, I think you’re the one who should be locked up.

Clutching his teacup, Xu Jiu watched Cao Weidong with anxious unease, his bright eyes misted by the steam like shattered mirrors.

The moment Cao Weidong’s gaze shifted away, Xu Jiu’s foot shot out from under the table, kicking so hard that the chair legs emitted a sharp screech.

What was that noise?

Pan Yu frowned in confusion, scanning the room for the source.

Cao Weidong pressed down firmly on Xu Jiu’s restless shoe, pinning it in the narrow gap between their seats. Xu Jiu became like a fish scaled on a chopping board—exposed and utterly still.

While restraining Xu Jiu, Cao Weidong expressionlessly picked up the documents on the table, his slender fingers brushing against the paper with soft rustling sounds.

Pan Yu’s attention drifted around the table, still searching for the suspicious noise.

Xu Jiu’s ears flushed crimson. He rapped his hand on the table, pulling Pan Yu’s curiosity back to the case: So you ignored me because you were investigating this?

Pan Yu thumped his chest twice, then pointed at Xu Jiu with a look of exaggerated loyalty. Of course! I didn’t want you to see this and get upset, so I kept you out of it.

Xu Jiu’s troublesome foot trembled as it pressed against Cao Weidong’s calf, pushing back in warning.

Only then did Cao Weidong ease his pressure, granting Xu Jiu a reprieve.

Xu Jiu immediately retracted both legs, properly aligning them and placing his hands on his knees, locking all restlessness in place with visible trepidation.

Pan Yu lifted his chin and sneered contemptuously: Cao Weidong, anything to say?

Cao Weidong took a moment to skim through the documents. Despite Pan Yu’s fierce appearance and the densely packed text, he found the content surprisingly straightforward—no traps, just facts and truths.

Upon closer inspection, he even noticed several non-compliant phrases.

Had Cao Weidong wished to deny it, he could have easily evaded these feeble accusations with minimal effort.

After organizing the papers, Cao Weidong handed them back to Pan Yu. I admit it. I did all of it.

Xu Jiu gasped sharply, instinctively slamming the table and interrupting the discussion.

When all eyes turned to him, Xu Jiu wiped his face and offered a faint smile. It’s nothing. Please continue.

He tried to avoid attention, but someone redirected the focus to him, calling him by name: As the person involved, please describe what happened.

Should he speak? Could he speak?

Telling the whole truth about the warehouse incident would ruin not only Cao Weidong but himself as well.

[He was knocked out, kidnapped, and imprisoned by Cao Weidong, restrained with chains. After escaping and breaking his foot, he was dragged back to the warehouse and engaged in sexual relations.]

If he removed the names and basic terms from that sentence, only the punctuation marks would remain safe to utter.

Xu Jiu wanted to cast another pleading glance at Cao Weidong, begging him to save himself.

Pan Yu leaned both hands on the table, his face twisted with malicious intent, hoping only to trample Cao Weidong into the mud this time, ensuring he would never have a chance to rise again.

Cao Weidong showed no reaction, leaving the choice to Xu Jiu.

Xu Jiu could choose to strip Cao Weidong of his freedom completely this time, effectively ruining his life beyond repair.

Or he could choose to defend Cao Weidong, refuting all the accusations laid out on the table.

Standing at the crossroads, as the villain, he ought to choose deprivation, even if it meant sacrificing himself.

But then a strange thought suddenly surfaced in his mind:

If Cao Weidong leaves, what will happen to me?

Wouldn’t I become a stray dog again? With nowhere to tie myself down, wandering the streets day and night like a lost soul.

So, between Pan Yu and Cao Weidong, Xu Jiu decisively chose Cao Weidong.

“It’s nothing. He invited me to spend the New Year at his place. I accidentally broke my leg, and then he took me to the hospital.”

Pan Yu looked as if he had been struck by lightning, visibly burning with rage, his hair almost standing on end in fury.

“How is that possible! What’s your relationship with him that you’d spend the New Year together?!”

Xu Jiu glanced at Cao Weidong, then muttered under his breath, lacking confidence: “Friends, I guess.”

“But you—you yourself admitted at the hospital that Cao Weidong beat you up! At that time, the bruises on your neck hadn’t even faded!”

Pan Yu’s finger pointed straight at Xu Jiu like a knife aimed at his very person. If not for the people restraining him, he would have lunged forward to throw a punch.

Cao Weidong remained as indifferent as a stranger, his expression growing even colder after Xu Jiu’s statement.

He neither spoke up for Xu Jiu nor defended himself, sitting calmly as he watched the farce in the room unfold in waves.

Xu Jiu reached into his pocket for a cigarette case but realized he hadn’t brought any today. Out of habit, his hand slipped into Cao Weidong’s pocket and pulled out a pack of cheap cigarettes. Without a second thought, he took one and placed it between his lips.

Ignoring whether smoking was allowed, he lit up first and thought later—until an officer came to escort him out of the mediation room.

As he walked, he lit the cigarette, holding it between his fingers, and pointed back at Pan Yu, emphasizing once more: “You did hit him. Just accept your punishment and go to jail.”

A villain should act like a villain—own up to mistakes, take the beating, and let the protagonist have his moment. What’s the big deal?

“So you’re just going to accept having your leg broken by him?”

Pan Yu, still unconvinced, chased after Xu Jiu out of the mediation room, shouting, “Just one word from you, just one admission, and his life would be ruined forever!”

Xu Jiu paused mid-step, took a drag from his cigarette, then turned and blew the smoke recklessly into Pan Yu’s face.

Through the haze, Xu Jiu said, “Who said he broke it? I fell on my own.”

A fist swung out.

Shattering the smoke in an instant.

Xu Jiu stumbled backward, the injury in his right foot easily throwing off his balance.

Darkness flashed before his eyes, pain searing across his face. When he opened his eyes again, he was lying on the ground. The cold from the ceramic tiles seeped into his back, spreading until his whole body grew stiff and numb, making him reluctant to get up.

“Xu Jiu, you’re insane! Have you lost your mind? Did Cao Weidong punch you so hard he scrambled your brains?!”

Xu Jiu simply stayed lying on the ground, lips barely moving as he uttered another line in defense of Cao Weidong: “He never laid a hand on me.”

Crazy, crazy, crazy…

Three months ago, Xu Jiu had been slinging his arm around Pan Yu’s shoulders, scheming about how to take down Cao Weidong. Now, three months later, when Pan Yu saw Xu Jiu again, he was lying on the ground, mindlessly singing Cao Weidong’s praises.

Even though the choke marks on his neck refused to fade, the bruises covering his body remained, and his right foot would never recover fully.

Xu Jiu still insisted on clearing Cao Weidong of all suspicion.

In Pan Yu’s eyes, Xu Jiu had completely lost his mind.

This wasn’t Xu Jiu anymore—he was a ghost clinging to Cao Weidong, a victim who’d rather turn around and persuade Pan Yu to obediently serve his prison sentence.

Just then, Cao Weidong emerged from the mediation room.

Pan Yu lunged forward, but was promptly restrained and warned. He could only glare and shout, What the hell did you do to him?!

Cao Weidong’s gaze bypassed Pan Yu, landing on Xu Jiu on the floor as he uttered, Get up. The ground’s cold.

Xu Jiu scrambled to his feet, brushed the ash off his hands, blew on them, then lit another cigarette and brought it to his lips.

Xu Jiu, you’re Cao Weidong’s fucking dog, aren’t you? Defending him like this, obeying his every word—how pathetic can you be!

Pan Yu stabbed a finger at Xu Jiu’s back, his face flushed crimson, his eyebrows, eyes, and corners of his mouth twitching violently from sheer rage.

Having spent so much time with Cao Weidong, Xu Jiu had learned to counter such outbursts with cold indifference.

He took slow, measured drags from his cigarette, his warm lips gently brushing against his cold fingertips. Rubbing his lower lip, his thoughts drifted away, already planning to drag Cao Weidong to Haidilao later—he’d just learned a new DIY sauce station trick on his phone last night.

Pan Yu’s tantrum eventually fizzled out as he realized Xu Jiu’s stance. He pointed sharply at Xu Jiu, then flung his hand down and stormed off with a final remark.

Fine! I never had a friend like you! Go ruin yourself!

Watching Pan Yu’s retreating figure, Xu Jiu felt a genuine pang of loneliness.

He had no family left, and now he’d driven away his only friend.

Xu Jiu looked up at Cao Weidong—his last remaining emergency contact.

Thankfully, at least one remained.

Cao Weidong studied Xu Jiu, seeming to detect something subtle yet unmistakable in him.

He almost reached out to dust off Xu Jiu’s clothes, but halted mid-air and withdrew his hand. After a moment’s thought, he turned and walked away alone, leaving Xu Jiu stranded at the police station entrance.

Xu Jiu didn’t understand why everyone was leaving, but he couldn’t bring himself to chase after them. He simply sat on the steps and smoked.

The cheap cigarettes, consumed in quantity, delivered a raw, punchy kick that momentarily held back the void expanding in his chest.

After finishing the entire pack, Xu Jiu dragged his heavy feet back to the dorm, intending to confront Cao Weidong about abandoning him.

But an empty room awaited him.

Xu Jiu called Cao Weidong all night, but no one answered.

Cao Weidong didn’t return all night.

The next day, Xu Jiu marched straight to the school where Cao Weidong taught and waited in his classroom.

Students flocked around Cao Weidong as he entered. Spotting Xu Jiu, Cao Weidong ignored him as usual, pretending not to see him.

Xu Jiu, sulking, refused to speak first. He sat silently in the back row all evening.

Day one: Cao Weidong paid him no mind.

The next day, Xu Jiu fell asleep during class and had to be kindly shaken awake by a fellow student.

On the third day, Xu Jiu set an alarm for the end of class and entered the classroom solely to sleep.

By the fourth day—the fourth day of their cold war—Xu Jiu had reached his breaking point.

For four full days, Xu Jiu hadn’t spoken to anyone. Combined with his reckless spending, he’d started going hungry by the third day, starving the entire day through.

Class ended at 9 PM. The high school students attending supplementary lessons hurried home, quickly emptying the classroom until only Cao Weidong and Xu Jiu remained.

Cao Weidong packed his things, preparing to leave as well. He didn’t even consider waking the soundly sleeping Xu Jiu, instead slipping away quietly and stealthily as if fleeing.

As he passed by Xu Jiu, a hand reached out and grabbed his wrist.

How long are you going to keep ignoring me? Xu Jiu looked at him.

Xu Jiu, go home, Cao Weidong’s voice was weary.

Xu Jiu immediately retorted with conviction, But you’re all I have left!

You’re the one who made me like this. Are you planning to just abandon me now?

As he spoke, Xu Jiu pointed at his neck, then his feet, and finally rubbed his waist—indicating every place Cao Weidong had touched.

We’ve kissed, we’ve slept together. What do you mean by this now?

Cao Weidong said offhandedly:

It’s meaningless.

Cao Weidong expected his hurtful words to provoke Xu Jiu into making a scene and attacking him.

Instead, Xu Jiu froze, tears unknowingly streaming down his face until he was silently weeping.

Xu Jiu gazed quietly at Cao Weidong, tightening his grip on the warm hand trapped between his palms.

Then, from his dry, hoarse throat, he choked out a careful, pleading whisper: I have no mother, no home, no friends. I only have you.

Xu Jiu stood up from his chair. Without waiting for Cao Weidong to make a move, he opened his arms first and threw himself into Cao Weidong’s embrace.

Please, I’m begging you, don’t abandon me. Will you hold me?

Cao Weidong’s hands hung at his sides, palms clenching into fists before opening again. After a moment, they trembled and tightened once more, remaining still for a long time.

Xu Jiu tilted his head back, crying as if he wished his tears could flow through their connected gaze and melt into Cao Weidong’s eyes, staining those deep, dark, merciless pupils with his sorrow.

I’m begging you—hold me!

Xu Jiu wept, his voice trembling helplessly.

After a long sigh, a large, strong hand came to rest on Xu Jiu’s shoulder.

Xu Jiu knew Cao Weidong had once again succumbed to his tears and couldn’t help burying a secret smile in Cao Weidong’s chest.

I’ve rented a place outside school. Come see if you like it, alright?

Cao Weidong’s voice was less weary now, carrying a hint of concealed expectation without any trace of dejection.

Xu Jiu used Cao Weidong’s injured hand to haphazardly wipe his own cheeks, smearing tears all over his face. His tears turned to laughter as he said, Then you can’t suddenly abandon me again. You have to come home to see me every day.

Alright.

That very night, Cao Weidong paid the landlord a full year’s rent, investing all his savings into it so he could no longer afford to suddenly change his mind and run away.

Xu Jiu took his money to dye his hair and didn’t return to the rented apartment until early morning, finding Cao Weidong working on the sofa.

Xu Jiu squeezed closer, lit a cigarette, took a puff himself, then slipped it into Cao Weidong’s mouth for a drag. The two of them huddled together on the sofa, passing the cigarette back and forth as they sucked on it.

Fingertips lightly touched, arms entwined, breaths intertwined—even their lips and teeth inevitably tangled together.

Can you bring the collar? I want to wear it.

Okay.

It seemed everything had settled just like that. Cao Weidong let out a sigh of relief, as if his worries had been unnecessary.

Early the next morning.

Xu Jiu patted his pockets and realized he had no money to buy a rope, so he rummaged through Cao Weidong’s luggage bag and found a section of dog leash chain that originally belonged to the collar.

Knew this pervert wouldn’t have the heart to throw it away.

While cursing, Xu Jiu used a small knife to cut the tip of his index finger and pressed it against the snow-white wall, leaving behind a bright red smiling face. Still unsatisfied, he added a line of text.

After completing this, he put his index finger in his mouth and sucked on it. Enduring the pain, he brought over a chair, looped the chain through the decorative hollow above the doorframe, and hung his neck from the doorframe.

Xu Jiu pushed the chair backward with his two legs. With a clatter, the chair fell over.

Two slender legs dangled in mid-air, thrashing wildly like live fish being hauled ashore. Soon enough, just like those fish, he rapidly lost strength. His feet drooped listlessly like fishtails, his body swayed left and right, and before long, he pressed tightly against the door like a teru teru bōzu, occasionally swaying gently when the wind blew.

The movements were executed seamlessly, and death came smoothly.

Just the thought of Cao Weidong opening the door to see a vividly colored hanged ghost excited Xu Jiu so much that he died with a persistent smile.

Xu Jiu’s hair had been dyed the previous evening with Cao Weidong’s money, his clothes had been put on him by Cao Weidong that morning, and the collar had been fastened around his neck by Cao Weidong the night before.

Every part of him was marked by Cao Weidong, and then he died in the rental apartment Cao Weidong had leased.

Do you hate me?

At 4 PM, Cao Weidong returned to the rental apartment early, holding a warm McDonald’s paper bag containing the fast-food chain’s newest children’s toy. Thinking Xu Jiu would like it, Cao Weidong had bought it along with the food.

He had successfully secured postgraduate admission today while simultaneously receiving offers from multiple law firms. His tutoring center principal had raised his hourly wage to 300 yuan, and the school had issued a statement clarifying that Pan Yu and Xu Jiu were the ones who had maliciously spread rumors and engaged in bullying.

In an instant, Cao Weidong achieved success in both academics and career, entering a new phase of life. He rushed back eagerly to share the good news with Xu Jiu.

Thus, he arrived just in time to encounter Xu Jiu—who hadn’t been dead long, his body temperature not yet cooled—helplessly hanging before Cao Weidong, meeting him face to face when the door opened.

Xu Jiu’s corpse was smiling.

Cao Weidong could even hallucinate hearing what Xu Jiu was laughing about before death.

Xu Jiu certainly had reason to laugh. He had used emotions as chips and his life as a wager, going to such extremes—why wouldn’t he laugh?

Hadn’t Cao Weidong successfully been deceived by him? That alone was something worth celebrating.

Cao Weidong calmly retrieved Xu Jiu’s body. When he embraced Xu Jiu’s nearly cold form, he felt something wet on his face. Wiping it away, he found moisture on his fingertips.

Tears.

The teardrops fell on Xu Jiu’s cheeks, making it seem as if Xu Jiu were crying too.

Cao Weidong ruthlessly wiped them away.

No, Xu Jiu wouldn’t cry.

——-

[Mission Accomplished! After your death, the protagonist’s career soared and his life became smooth sailing!]

Oh.

Xu Jiu responded indifferently, rubbing his still sore and swollen neck while thinking, Aren’t there any more comfortable ways to die?

Next mission, I’m definitely not dealing with gay men anymore. If I do this again, I’m a dog.

The system gave Xu Jiu not even a moment to react, immediately dragging him and tossing him into the next world.

Next mission: You are the pampered fake young master in an ABO world. The protagonist is the true young master who suddenly returned home. You know how it goes—how can a fake tolerate the real one? You must drive him out of the household, making the protagonist realize that only a self-made CEO can be called the—big—male—lead! Then you can just wait for your family to be ruined.

What is ABO? Xu Jiu asked, confused.

Blood types. Don’t worry about it.

Xu Jiu opened his eyes and saw a man standing before him, head perpetually bowed and shrinking timidly. The man’s hair was somewhat long, obscuring his face and expression when he looked down.

Xu Jiu’s new parents were pulling their hands together, forcing a handshake, then patted Xu Jiu’s shoulder as they introduced, Baby, from now on, this is your older brother—Xu Yicheng. Let’s not mention his old name or past anymore—that’s all behind us.

I consulted a fortune-teller, and this name is auspicious for the Xu family’s children. The master said the name means the Xu children will have a brilliantly shining future, leaving behind the darkness of the past for a bright path ahead!

Xu Yicheng.

That was the new name of this unfamiliar man whose face remained unclear and who seemed anything but happy.

His past, his old name—like a full stop—were quickly glossed over, never to be mentioned again.

As if they were some unspeakable taboo.

The moment their parents released their hands, the man lowered his head and turned to leave.

What was your name before? Xu Jiu chased after him.

The man acted as if he hadn’t heard.

Xu Jiu refused to let him go, shoving him against the wall.

Answer me! What was your name before! Xu Jiu’s voice rose sharply, edged with danger.

With a loud thud, the impact silenced the world.

The man kept his head down—it wasn’t that he leaned close to Xu Jiu’s ear, but Xu Jiu, accustomed to speaking this way with Cao Weidong, instinctively moved his ear closer as the man bowed.

The man’s voice held none of the emotions a human should possess, light and weightless as a passing breeze, he uttered:

I hate you.