Why Do All the Villains Look at Me Like This? - Chapter 84

Federal Military Academy

At a certain moment, Raven and Shen Zekai simultaneously looked up at a specific point in the sky.

The inexplicable sensation felt like… some fundamental law had just been completed, and that law’s name was—Divine Name.

From that moment on, their True Form was officially named Yao Huai.

This was almost a declaration to the world. Those with strong perception, like Raven and Shen Zekai, could even sense the statues of deities trembling nearby.

Raven, “……”

Shen Zekai, “……”

What a thick-skinned deity.

The true instigator, the Silver-Haired Man, closed his eyes for a moment to savor the sensation before slowly opening them again.

His silver-white eyes turned to Meng Xuexiao.

“Say it again, please?”

Meng Xuexiao had always thought the Silver-Haired Man’s eyes resembled mercury, but now they seemed softer, gentler—as if the toxic substance had transformed into moonlight-kissed spring water.

Mixed with that was a faint hint of… anticipation.

But… what exactly was he anticipating?

Meng Xuexiao couldn’t understand.

If it were about celebrating a new name, wanting someone to solemnly pronounce it for the first time, emphasizing the ritualistic significance, Meng Xuexiao could grasp that.

But according to the Silver-Haired Man, he had always been called Yao Huai. So what was the point of saying it now?

Could it be… because he had shown skepticism when the Silver-Haired Man first revealed his name? Was this an attempt to reinforce the name “Yao Huai” in his mind?

Like a teacher making a student copy a wrong answer three times as punishment.

But Meng Xuexiao had already corrected his mistake and acknowledged the name “Yao Huai.” Why was he suddenly being asked to repeat it again?

Wasn’t this just… taking advantage of the situation?

Still, judging by the Silver-Haired Man’s expression, this matter wouldn’t be dropped unless Meng Xuexiao repeated the name “Yao Huai.”

Why is he being so stubborn…?

Meng Xuexiao couldn’t help but mutter to himself, “Stubborn as a clingy child. If he doesn’t get his toy, he’ll tug on your sleeve and refuse to let you leave.”

So…

“Yao Huai?” Meng Xuexiao asked, his tone carefully neutral, trying his best not to sound dismissive. He’d learned his lesson last time, when his perfunctory tone had given the Silver-Haired Man an opening to tease him.

“Mm.”

“I’m here.”

The Silver-Haired Man’s eyes curved into a smile—the first genuine smile Meng Xuexiao had ever seen from him. Not a cold sneer, not a dismissive scoff, but a genuine, heartfelt smile. It carried a sense of… fulfillment, a rare tenderness and softening.

Only now, witnessing this moment, could Meng Xuexiao truly believe that the Silver-Haired Man’s insistence wasn’t about retaliating for Meng Xuexiao’s earlier skepticism about the name “Yao Huai.” This man genuinely just wanted to hear him say it.

A pang of guilt struck Meng Xuexiao. He’d previously assumed it was revenge, and his tone had carried a hint of impatience when he’d called the man’s name.

Determined to make amends, he resolved to say it again.

The young man closed his eyes, his eyelashes fluttering like dancing butterflies. Then, he spoke very softly, “Yao Huai,”

“It’s good to see you.”

He added this extra line as a belated greeting.

After all, since he had first met the Silver-Haired Man, they had never properly exchanged greetings.

The Silver-Haired Man froze, seemingly surprised that Meng Xuexiao would call out to him again.

The feeling was akin to being struck on the head by a falling pie out of nowhere. Even a powerful figure would be momentarily stunned by such an unexpected event.

Meng Xuexiao couldn’t help but cover his mouth to stifle a laugh. The Silver-Haired Man’s expression reminded him of a meme—

A dazed bear with wide, staring eyes and its jaw dropped so far it dragged on the ground.

After a moment, the Silver-Haired Man seemed to recover. His lips moved, and Meng Xuexiao instinctively focused his attention to hear what he said—

“Can you say it again?”

Meng Xuexiao, “……”

This time, he clamped his mouth shut, refusing to utter another word.

He began to suspect he had just fallen into a trap…

If Shen Zekai and Raven could hear Meng Xuexiao’s thoughts, they would have assured him with absolute certainty that he had indeed been tricked, and that his True Form had even taken advantage of him.

Meng Xuexiao remained unaware, but that didn’t mean Shen Zekai and Raven were. The name Yao Huai was clearly a Divine Name the Silver-Haired Man had just chosen!

A Divine Name was unlike an ordinary human name; it couldn’t be changed casually, as it inherently carried a powerful force.

Even when spoken through another’s lips, this power would naturally seep into the speaker’s body, forging an indelible connection between the one who uttered the name and the deity it belonged to.

This was precisely why Gods rarely allowed others to invoke their Divine Names, let alone… as the first person to ever do so.

Even though Shen Zekai was merely a fragment, the instant Meng Xuexiao invoked the Divine Name, he felt a faint sense of being able to perceive Meng Xuexiao’s situation—roughly sensing his location and whether he was injured.

This connection was almost Shen Zekai’s dream come true. If he had possessed this ability sooner, he wouldn’t have spent so long searching for Meng Xuexiao, leaving him alone in such a dangerous place.

But the moment he recalled how this connection had been established, he felt… less than pleased.

Especially since… the location where the connection was anchored was his own room.

In that moment, Shen Zekai even resented the Raven beside him. If these guys hadn’t barged into his room, none of this would have happened.

Although he and the Raven had once shared a common enemy in the True Form, between fragments, and between fragments and the True Form, there could never be a genuine united front.

That was their shared understanding.

And now, he wanted to kick these people out—out of his and Meng Xuexiao’s room.

“I’m very grateful you brought Meng Xuexiao back. But now that he’s returned to school, he’ll need to continue his studies. And right now—”

He glanced at the clock on the wall.

“It’s getting late. Time to rest.”

Raven immediately recognized the dismissal in his words. He raised an eyebrow, but clearly adapted well to the sudden shift from “friend” to enemy.

He glanced at the newly created Yao Huai, the Silver-Haired Man. As fellow intruders in the room, they were now clearly the “allies.”

Ah, such fickle alliances! Raven sighed theatrically, then waited for his True Form to speak first.

When you can use someone else’s blade to kill, you should use it. Otherwise… what a waste!

But one second passed, then two…

No reaction.

Even Raven, who was accustomed to using others as his weapon, frowned slightly. Slowly, he turned his head—

Yao Huai was staring intently at Meng Xuexiao, not even blinking. He even maneuvered the wheelchair beneath him closer.

The scene inexplicably evoked the image of a wolfhound gazing longingly at its master.

If I remember correctly, the True Form wanted Meng Xuexiao to call out His Divine Name again?

What is the True Form even doing? Trying to act cute?

A chill ran down Raven’s spine.

How could such a tall, cold-faced man possibly pull off being cute? I can’t even bear to watch, let alone Meng Xuexiao!

Does Yao Huai think he’s me?! That he can transform into an adorable crow and get Meng Xuexiao to pet and cuddle him?!

Hilarious!

As expected, Meng Xuexiao wasn’t buying it.

He’d already felt tricked by that first utterance of Yao Huai’s name. Why would he repeat the mistake?

Though not particularly cunning, he wasn’t about to fall for the same trick twice.

This is an insult to my intelligence!

The young man coughed, crossed his arms, and turned away, the pale curve of his neck forming a delicate S-shape.

He resolved to ignore Yao Huai for the foreseeable future.

Even if Yao Huai wheeled his chair closer, he wouldn’t acknowledge him!

Raven, who had been feeling a chill earlier, couldn’t resist a smug grin at the sight. He momentarily forgot that Yao Huai was now on his side.

Just as he was about to speak, several sharp knocks echoed against the dormitory door before it was violently shoved open.

“What’s all the racket? It’s late! Can’t anyone get some sleep around here? The dorms downstairs have reported you!”

The shrill voice made Raven involuntarily narrow his eyes. The words he had been about to speak caught in his throat. It had been an eternity since anyone had dared to be so rude to him.

A woman stood in the doorway, dressed in worn clothes, her face set in a grim expression. A ring of keys dangled from her calloused hand. Her high cheekbones and sharp features betrayed a harsh and unforgiving nature.

How utterly vulgar!

To have his words interrupted by such a person was an insult beyond measure. A murderous intent gradually clouded Raven’s eyes.

Meng Xuexiao immediately recognized the woman as the Dorm Auntie of their building.

This auntie was known for her unwavering defiance of authority. In her eyes, all students were equal; anyone who violated dormitory rules would face her wrath and disciplinary action.

It was precisely this reputation that emboldened her to barge into Shen Zekai’s room late at night to issue a warning.

When Chu Sinian first gave Meng Xuexiao the mech keys, the Dorm Auntie had delivered them on his behalf, sternly warning him against vanity and seeking status.

At the time, the auntie had clearly misunderstood the situation. After all, the Alliance Military Academy was full of students trying to climb the social ladder, and such individuals often met a tragic end.

Those so-called “high branches” never truly valued those who sought favors through flattery.

So, despite the Dorm Auntie’s blunt and somewhat harsh tone, Meng Xuexiao hadn’t taken offense.

Moreover, having been away for so long, seeing her face again now stirred a mix of nostalgia and melancholy.

Even so, Meng Xuexiao hadn’t forgotten who was currently in his dorm room. Apart from Shen Zekai, everyone else present was a dangerous individual.

He quickly seized control of the conversation, eager to get the Dorm Auntie to leave.

“Uh, that… I’m sorry! We’ll quiet down right away!”

But the Dorm Auntie wouldn’t listen. She only trusted her own eyes, which were as sharp as a hawk’s. Like a gaunt, bony eagle, she could always spot troublemakers in the dorm, no matter how well they hid.

Her gaze lingered on Meng Xuexiao’s face for a moment. Meng Xuexiao was genuinely panicked, his face pale and his body trembling anxiously.

This kid looks like he hasn’t gotten any rest either, she thought, just like those poor souls downstairs who were disturbed by the noise.

No, to be precise, he was even worse off than those downstairs. At least they had the floorboards to muffle the noise, while Meng Xuexiao was right in the middle of the commotion.

“Wait a moment,” she told him. “It’ll be quiet soon.”

Then, the Dorm Auntie turned to Shen Zekai, Raven, and Yao Huai, who stood in a triangular formation. “You three were making all that noise, weren’t you?”

She glared particularly hard at Raven and Yao Huai. “You’re new faces here. From another dorm? Don’t you know this violates the dorm rules? Huh?”

“And Shen Zekai, you’re supposed to be the student representative? Tsk tsk tsk, your father must be ashamed of you!”

The Dorm Auntie was merciless in her scorn, caring nothing for these students’ backgrounds. She unleashed a furious tirade, “You won’t be sleeping tonight! You’re all being punished to stand in the hallway all night!”

Standing as punishment! All night long!

Meng Xuexiao’s mind crashed like a hammer blow.

Let alone all night, Raven and the others probably hadn’t even been punished to stand before!

Almost as soon as the thought crossed his mind, Meng Xuexiao’s peripheral vision caught a glimpse of something dark—a few sleek, oily feathers—peeking out from behind Raven’s back.

He’s about to strike!

Meng Xuexiao quickly stepped forward, but in his panic, his foot slipped, nearly sending him sprawling. He barely managed to regain his balance by leaning forward swiftly.

Even so, his ankle joints collided, emitting a barely audible “click”.

To Raven’s hyper-sensitive ears, that tiny “click” sounded like a thunderclap.

Raven immediately turned around, scanning Meng Xuexiao from head to toe using the connection established by Yao Huai. But that wasn’t enough; he also scrutinized the youth with his eyes, paying particular attention to the ankle that had just made the “click” sound.

The unexpected incident had left Meng Xuexiao slightly shaken. Two strands of hair clung to his forehead, beads of sweat glistened on his nose and cheeks, and his lips were slightly damp as he panted softly.

A minor scare, but… he should be fine.

Raven stared at Meng Xuexiao for a moment longer before guiltily turning his head away.

This incident served as a wake-up call for Raven.

It was clear that Meng Xuexiao cared about the Dorm Auntie.

Though Raven couldn’t fathom what made this vulgar woman worthy of Meng Xuexiao’s concern, he knew that if he had accidentally killed her just now, Meng Xuexiao would have been furious.

He couldn’t afford to do something that would cost him so many points.

But that didn’t mean he had to let the Dorm Auntie off the hook. If he couldn’t kill her himself, he’d find someone else to do it.

Raven’s gaze fell once more upon his True Form.

Even Raven, who was accustomed to such rudeness, felt offended by the Dorm Auntie’s crude behavior. How much more so must the True Form feel? In the past, whether human or beast, all had bowed in worship before the True Form. How dare such a person act so brazenly in its presence?

Moreover, Meng Xuexiao had just rejected the True Form, explicitly refusing to call upon its name. Wasn’t this the perfect moment for the True Form to vent its anger on the Dorm Auntie?

Whether driven by its inherent arrogance or a need for emotional release, the True Form’s killing of the Dorm Auntie was inevitable.

As for Raven, he simply needed to wait.

One second, two seconds, three seconds…

Nothing happened.

Even the Dorm Auntie seemed to be growing impatient, knocking on the door. “What are you still standing there for? Do I have to drag you out here to stand as punishment?”

Hearing this, Raven finally lost his composure and glanced at the True Form again.

But the True Form didn’t return his gaze, nor did it make any sign.

Silence stretched out until Meng Xuexiao couldn’t help but take a small step forward.

The moment Meng Xuexiao lifted his foot, Raven’s heart pounded in his chest, terrified the boy might stumble again.

Fortunately, this time the young man’s foot landed firmly on the ground.

Raven finally felt relieved, but Meng Xuexiao’s anxiety only intensified. The Dorm Auntie’s words had clearly pushed his worries to another peak.

Meng Xuexiao’s gaze darted repeatedly between the Dorm Auntie and the main gate. For a moment, he even considered taking Raven, Yao Huai, and Shen Zekai’s places to stand punishment outside.

If he could resolve this awkward situation, he’d endure not just one night of punishment, but a week, a month—anything!

Just as Meng Xuexiao’s gaze fell on the gate again, a flash of silver-white appeared at its edge—Yao Huai.

The person Raven had placed so much hope in, who had remained motionless until now, was finally moving.

He maneuvered his wheelchair out of the dormitory, heading… into the corridor.

His long, silver-white hair arced gracefully with his movements, yet this didn’t slow him down by even a second.

Meng Xuexiao’s eyes widened involuntarily.

What… what’s going on here?

Meng Xuexiao didn’t understand, but Raven did.

That’s why Yao Huai didn’t act earlier!

Yao Huai clearly didn’t want to kill the Dorm Auntie. He probably shared the same concerns as Raven.

For example… worrying that Meng Xuexiao would be upset.

Now that Yao Huai had chosen to go outside, he was undoubtedly looking for Meng Xuexiao’s blind spot to… eliminate the Dorm Auntie.

Although it was taking longer than Raven had anticipated, it didn’t really matter.

So Raven followed Yao Huai out.

If Yao Huai’s departure had surprised Meng Xuexiao, Raven’s exit left him utterly stunned.

These two… those notoriously difficult people… are actually going outside so obediently?

This can’t be right! Could there be some kind of conspiracy?!

Meng Xuexiao felt his anxiety spike.

Shen Zekai glanced at Meng Xuexiao’s conflicted and anxious expression, then swept his gaze over Yao Huai and Raven’s retreating figures. His brow furrowed slightly.

Finally, he murmured to Meng Xuexiao, “I’ll go check on them.”

Meng Xuexiao’s gaze toward Shen Zekai immediately lit up as if he’d found a kindred spirit. Yao Huai and Raven didn’t fall within the realm of normal humans, but Shen Zekai, as a fellow student at the Federal Military Academy, would surely share a more similar mindset.

At that moment, Shen Zekai’s decision to go outside was undoubtedly driven by concern for the Dorm Auntie’s safety.

Meng Xuexiao immediately felt like he had found his group, “I’m coming with you!”

Letting Shen Zekai go alone would be far too dangerous!

In Meng Xuexiao’s eyes, Shen Zekai, Yao Huai, Raven, and the others were meeting for the first time, and Shen Zekai wouldn’t know how dangerous those two were.

Shen Zekai paused suspiciously, “Uh… no.”

He knew Meng Xuexiao was only saying that because of his earlier remark about wanting to “go see what they’re up to.”

But in truth, he had left out half of his thought: he planned to check what his True Form and the other gourd-fragment were plotting. Were they trying to seize the opportunity to steal his bed?

After awakening to 2s-Class and fully realizing he was a fragment, he was no longer the same Shen Zekai he once was…

At least… he was far less righteous and kind than before.

But he dared not reveal this side of himself to Meng Xuexiao.

Because both Meng Xuexiao’s affection and the way others treated him were based on the assumption that he was still the “Senior Shen Zekai” they knew.

Adopting Senior Shen Zekai’s persona, he spoke rapidly, “It’s too dangerous over there. I’ll just observe from a distance. If anything goes wrong, I can retreat immediately with my abilities. I won’t be harmed, so don’t worry.”

Then, he gave Meng Xuexiao Senior Shen Zekai’s reassuring, signature smile.

Meng Xuexiao was genuinely convinced, but still felt uneasy. “If anything happens, you have to call me!”

At least he was more familiar with Yao Huai and Raven than with Shen Zekai. Greater familiarity meant a higher chance of survival.

Sensing Meng Xuexiao’s thoughts about being closer to Yao Huai and Raven, Shen Zekai’s gaze darkened momentarily, but the shadow vanished in an instant.

He quickly regained his smile, ruffled Meng Xuexiao’s hair, and said, “Alright, I understand.”

Then, Shen Zekai left as well.

The last to leave was the Dorm Auntie. Maintaining her usual stern expression, she gave Meng Xuexiao a slight nod. “Rest well. I’ll handle them.”

Meng Xuexiao, “……”

Damn it, why do I suddenly feel even more uneasy?!

…

Corridor

Although the Federal Military Academy’s facilities were decent, the corridor was narrow compared to the exceptionally spacious dorm rooms.

The light was dim here, blocked by several academic buildings ahead. The walls were adorned with potted plants grown by the students themselves, adding to the corridor’s eerie atmosphere.

The door to Meng Xuexiao’s room slammed shut, further reducing the light in the corridor. At the same moment, four new shadows suddenly appeared on the floor.

They belonged to Yao Huai, Raven, Shen Zekai, and the Dorm Auntie, who had just emerged from the room.

Perhaps due to the dim lighting, three of the shadows were unnaturally elongated, bending at the corners and stretching in unknown directions like grotesque, unbound monsters.

It’s time, Raven thought, glancing at Yao Huai again.

Now that Meng Xuexiao was out of sight, surely this proud and ruthless man would finally make his move?

Yao Huai sat in his wheelchair, half his face shrouded in shadow, making it impossible to discern the focus of his gaze. Raven could only make out the faint line of his tightly pressed lips in the gloom.

The only glimmers of light reflecting off Yao Huai’s body came from the metallic parts of his wheelchair above the seat.

This aura… he’s definitely going to make a move! Raven thought.

The silence was finally broken by a voice that immediately snapped Raven’s mind into high alert.

“You bunch of lazy brats! Stand properly and don’t slack off!”

The speaker wasn’t Yao Huai, but the Dorm Auntie.

Immediately afterward, Raven heard her heavy footsteps retreating.

Raven, “???”

Wait, True Form, what’s going on?!

At that moment, a sliver of silvery moonlight pierced through a gap in the window, flashing briefly across the room.

Then Raven heard a soft chuckle.

Yao Huai lowered his eyes and smiled. The belated moonlight nearly split his face into two halves, unexpectedly softening the part exposed beyond the shadows.

“He still didn’t call me by my name a second time.”

Raven, Ah…?

As a mercenary, he had almost never been so utterly bewildered.

What on earth is the True Form talking about?

Then he heard the other man continue,

“But he did call me by my name once.”

Now that he had said this much, how could Raven possibly misunderstand?

So, all that time, the True Form had been pondering and agonizing over this?

He had been fretting about when the True Form would make his move, only to realize the True Form might not have even noticed the Dorm Auntie’s presence!

Or perhaps he had noticed her, but simply didn’t care…

Earlier, the True Form had criticized Raven for being embarrassing. Now, having failed to get Meng Xuexiao to say his name a second time, he was actually thinking that Meng Xuexiao had already done him a favor by saying it once…

Isn’t that even more embarrassing?!

All this over a name…

A name he had only just adopted…

Raven couldn’t help grinding his teeth.

Meng Xuexiao had never called him by his full name with such solemnity before!

Not even when he transformed into a fluffy little raven and nestled in Meng Xuexiao’s arms!

How could this be? 

In this form, I’m undeniably cuter and more lovable than my True Form!

The raven trembled with jealousy, its wings aching at the roots.

Yao Huai seemed to still be savoring the moment, while Raven continued to sulk. The two of them were lost in their own little world.

Shen Zekai quietly shifted a few steps away from the pair.

He glanced sideways and inadvertently met Meng Xuexiao’s gaze.

The dormitory door had been quietly opened a crack, and half of a young man’s face peeked out from the narrow opening. The room’s warm, bright light cast a soft, apricot-colored glow across Meng Xuexiao’s features.

Noticing Shen Zekai’s attention, Meng Xuexiao’s almond-shaped eyes flickered. He subtly extended a hand, gesturing vaguely toward Raven and Yao Huai, and whispered,

“How… are they doing?”

The corridor was too dark for Meng Xuexiao to see anything outside, so he had to rely entirely on Shen Zekai.

Shen Zekai suddenly felt a weight settle on his shoulder—the full weight of Meng Xuexiao’s trust. This trust wasn’t given to Raven, who was trying to take advantage of the situation, nor to Yao Huai, who was easily pleased by a few words from Meng Xuexiao. It was given to him.

Meng Xuexiao trusted him most.

In that instant of realization, Shen Zekai unconsciously straightened his posture. Though he knew Meng Xuexiao couldn’t see him, he couldn’t help but wear a warm smile.

He replied in a soft, breathy voice, as if whispering secrets to Meng Xuexiao on a night when they were the only two in the world.

“I’ll keep a close eye on them.”

For you.