"Ethan, what's wrong? Didn't sleep well?"
I looked at Mo Yu, distracted and absent-minded, and shook my head. Xu Fu is skilled at using just a single sentence to shake someone's resolve and slowly destroy their thinking. I absolutely cannot let Xu Fu lead me by the nose.
Yet, just thinking about what Xu Fu said to me in last night's dream makes me restless again, and the anxiety in my heart returns.
"Let's go for a walk."
After breakfast, Mo Yu suggested it. I got up and followed her out of the clinic. As we walked down the street, I looked around and saw that, every now and then, there was some kind of conflict—typical in a neighborhood with poor security.
As we walked, I saw plenty of people greeting Mo Yu.
"Ethan, what do you think of this place?"
I stopped, surrounded by the crowd. It's hard to say—on the surface, this place looks pretty rough, but in reality, the people here seem to be doing quite well.
"A lot of people here were vicious criminals in life. When they came here, they kept doing the same evil things they did before. But as time passed, many of them abandoned their wickedness."
I looked around in surprise. Mo Yu motioned for me to follow her.
We arrived at the entrance of a shop, and I saw Mo Yu go in and greet the people inside, who all looked fierce and intimidating.
But after Mo Yu went in, these people were surprisingly polite to her, which made me curious.
Did you know? These people used to be a bunch of bad guys, but over the years, they've lost that hostility.
Suddenly, I realized something. The Emperor God and his people created three spaces, especially the second one, where emotions are managed. The people inside probably have to consume certain emotions every day to ensure they only feel one emotion. Maybe their anger, murderous intent, and other negative feelings are being drained by the Emperor God.
What are you thinking, Ethan Zhang? Do you think the rulers of this world have done something?
I stared at Mo Yu, her eyes clear and pure, as if she could see right through me. She wore a faint smile.
'Human nature is inherently good, there's some truth to that. Ethan, you may not say much, but I feel you harbor some hostility toward strangers—even toward me.'
I swallowed, looking at Mo Yu. I hadn’t noticed this before, couldn’t feel it at all. I remember waking up in this body, feeling close to death and desperately hoping someone would save me. Even when people in this neighborhood saw me, none of them stopped—only Mo Yu did.
After that, Mo Yu took me around the streets, telling me about the neighborhood. We wandered until dusk before heading back.
'Big Sis, where did you go? I was busy all day, nearly worked to death.'
Mo Yu smiled, went over and said a few nice words to Leo. He pouted and glared at me. I smiled and shook my head.
Don't be fooled by Leo—he's just a kid, but when he was alive, he killed someone at age ten.
My heart skipped a beat. Mo Yu sat across from me. I didn't know what she wanted to say, but I did realize that I instinctively felt hostility toward strangers.
Ethan, you seem like a beast right now, but you're not a beast, are you?
I hesitated for a moment, then nodded awkwardly.
Humans are thinking, intelligent animals—not beasts. Most of those who do evil do it to survive, some for profit, and a tiny fraction for pleasure.
I stared blankly at Mo Yu. Her expression was a little serious as she looked at me.
Ethan, you must have been pretty formidable before, right?
I didn't know how to answer this question. I nodded, then shook my head.
Are you human or ghost?
Once again, all I could do was nod and shake my head.
Mo Yu seemed to understand and nodded.
Stay here, Ethan. You’re missing something crucial. Maybe once you understand it, your past won’t weigh on you like a stone anymore.
Mo Yu left to take care of things in the warehouse, and I went up to the rooftop, quietly looking down.
What am I now? Am I dead or alive? I’ve lost everything. Whenever I think about Rachel Lan’s situation, it feels like my heart is being cut apart.
When it was time to sleep, I lay down in bed, feeling at ease. Drowsiness made me yawn endlessly. I blinked, recalling everything Mo Yu told me today, and her words about me missing something important.
I was a bit afraid to fall asleep, because if I did, Xu Fu might come for me. Just one sentence from him in last night's dream had already shaken my resolve.
The wish I had always believed would succeed now showed cracks.
'Ethan Zhang, what's wrong? Don't you have any doubts at all?'
Xu Fu appeared again. I held my forehead and glared at him.
Cut it out.
Xu Fu burst out laughing and walked over step by step.
Do you really not suspect anything? Or do you want me to tell you directly—about Little Cat, do you think he doesn’t want your instincts?
My heart skipped a beat and I stood up. In an instant, all the pressure, fear, anxiety, and those negative emotions overwhelmed me. I felt dizzy, as if I was about to lose consciousness.
Sigh, as expected, you’re full of contradictions. You force yourself to believe, but deep down, you’re doubtful and distrustful. Ethan Zhang, you really are strange—your existence in this world is a miracle.
I don’t need you to say it—I trust Grandpa Cat.
Well, it’s already been more than a month. If they really cared, maybe they would have come to find you by now. Things aren’t as simple as you think.
Xu Fu’s every word seemed to push me, making me question everything.
Ethan Zhang, in this world, there are very few things you can truly trust. Only yourself is worth trusting. Trust has led to countless tragedies, but only relying on yourself is truly trustworthy.
My mind was a mess. Xu Fu’s words were like a demonic chant, echoing in my ears and stimulating every nerve.
No, it's not like you say.
I roared, stood up, and grabbed Xu Fu by the collar. He smiled wickedly, his voice cold and sinister.
I've lived far longer than you, Ethan Zhang. The reason you fail, the reason you're forced to make choices, is because you lack experience. You've only seen things once or twice, but I've seen them hundreds, thousands of times. I see through things much more clearly. If you can't see the essence of things, you'll get lost. Admit it—you can hardly see clearly anymore...
I stared wide-eyed at Xu Fu. A fog seemed to fill my mind, and the strangeness made my head ache.
You're missing the most important thing. Let me tell you, Ethan Zhang.
Xu Fu’s figure twisted before my eyes. My vision was blurry. I was afraid, yet I yearned to hear something from Xu Fu that I couldn’t see for myself.
It’s ruthlessness—that’s essential. Anyone who wants to fully grow must possess it, or else they’ll be toyed with, just like you now. You don’t want to pay attention to me, but you still crave something from me. Think hard, Ethan Zhang—what will you do next? If you keep your old mindset, your luck might run out next time.
I stared blankly at Xu Fu. Suddenly, I heard a voice—someone was shaking me awake. I opened my eyes wide in surprise. It was Leo, crying.
What’s wrong?
Big Sis has been taken away, and you’re still here sleeping.
My heart skipped a beat when I saw Leo—he looked very sad. There were marks on his cheeks from being hit. I couldn’t speak, couldn’t make a sound, so I cried out, mumbling.
Leo told me that just now, some people he’d never seen before came and took Mo Yu away without saying a word. The reason was the crystal cat.
Leo had already contacted some friends in the area, and they all started searching. He mentioned that the people who came had some crimson insignia—I could only think of the Scarlet Night group.
In a panic, I followed downstairs. Outside, a crowd had gathered, all speculating that it must be the Scarlet Night group. Many people jumped in cars and started searching everywhere.
I was burning with anxiety, looking at my crippled hands. A wave of helplessness surged in my heart.
By dawn, people were still searching for Mo Yu, but I could only sit motionless at the pharmacy entrance, waiting, unable to do anything.
In the distance, a small figure approached—it was Leo. I quickly stood up and ran over. He shook his head, looking dejected.
There was still no sign of Mo Yu. More than ten people had come last night. Didn’t the Scarlet Night group already move to Phantom’s territory? Why were there still Scarlet Night people here in Xiaoyan’s territory? As for their purpose, the only thing clear was the crystal cat that sealed Xu Fu.
But something was strange. Mo Yu can use some spells in this world, yet she didn’t resist at all and was taken away.