Chapter 406
“Only those who can’t have it feel such jealousy, such loathing, because they need to numb themselves in this way. What a cowardly and timid act, admit it, you’re just jealous of those you call ants and pigs and sheep, jealous that they have someone who loves them and live happier lives than you. You can’t stand others being happier than you, compared to them you’re like a foul rat living underground, unsightly.”
Xu Ke’s words were sharp as knives, unexpectedly tearing away the veil of dignity that the old man shrouded himself with, shredding it to pieces and flushing it down the toilet, leaving him no chance to cover up even the slightest bit.
An elder is not very heavy, Xu Ke unexpectedly kicked the old man toward the stairs. The old man only felt a metallic taste at the back of his throat, and with an open mouth, he coughed up a mouthful of blood.
A white-haired old man spat out fresh blood, he first stared with slight bewilderment at the blood he spat out, and then the next moment, he began to laugh insanely, the laughter starting low and gradually rising higher and higher, until finally it sounded like a raven or a creaky bellows, grating to the ear.
“I really didn’t expect, there would be a day like this for me. You’re right, I’m jealous of them. Why do they have someone to love them and I don’t? Why do those who claimed to love me all later wished me dead? The word ’love’ is truly fickle. Clearly, they were saying they loved you, but if you don’t meet their demands, they can retract that love in an instant, completely disregarding all you’ve given over the days.”
The old man’s voice was low and deep, carrying an indescribable sorrow.
Xu Ke’s kick seemed really heavy, requiring a great effort from the old man just to get up from the ground. Xu Ke could even hear the sound of his labored breathing, one breath after another, which inexplicably evoked a slight sense of pity.
“When I was young, I once liked a girl.” The old man finally stood up from the ground, his hand gripping the stair railing, turned around, and looked at Xu Ke with a face full of desolation.
“Really liked her, I gave her whatever she wanted, everything I could give I gave without reservation. Back then, I was even willing to give my life for just one word from her.” The old man took one tentative step in Xu Ke’s direction, seeing Xu Ke’s lack of response, he continued forward.
“But how did she repay me? I worked hard and scrimped for a whole month to buy her favorite little dress, getting injured along the way, and the next day after receiving the dress, she told me, ’I’m sorry, I’ve never liked you; you’re really too foolish.’ Then, in front of me, she kissed a boy from a wealthy family, and I became the laughingstock of the whole school.” The old man’s voice carried a hint of tears.
“This truly sounds like a heartbreaking story,” Xu Ke said unemotionally.
“Do you think that’s the whole story? It’s not. This is just the first half of the story. Since she said she didn’t like me, I didn’t intend to force it, I didn’t even hate her, till I later found out that it was a scam from the beginning. She was playing me all along; that man had a necklace she really liked, so they bet on it, and I was that fool, the sacrifice.” The old man’s gaze at Xu Ke was filled with unspeakable sorrow.
“It sounds like you had a very tragic experience, but I have to remind you, keep a safe distance between the two of us, there’s no rule against hitting an old man here, if you cross that line, I’ll take action.” Xu Ke remarked with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile as he eyed the diminishing space between them.
The old man’s sorrow paused for a moment, then he leaned over towards Xu Ke seemingly overwhelmed by his deep sadness.
Just as Xu Ke had stated, he mercilessly kicked out immediately, aiming for the old man’s side; one could imagine that if this kick landed on the old man, the bones in his side would have no chance of staying intact.
Yet the previously seemingly unaware old man moved like a serpent, dodging Xu Ke’s kick with an angle impossible for an ordinary person, then he lunged toward the two unconscious women, forming his hand into a claw and grabbing Ariel’s neck, while the sharp knife cut off the stray hair by her ear and stopped at her neck.
“Ah, finally, I’ve found an opportunity, now you better behave, the knife in my hand doesn’t have eyes, I’ll definitely cut her carotid artery open before you attack me, so you better be careful,” the old man said, grinning toothily.
“Let her go and I’ll let you leave, I won’t tell anyone what happened here today,” Xu Ke said, staying put, brow furrowed, looking at the old man.
“You seem to be mistaken, I’m the one in charge here. If anyone’s letting someone go, it’s me letting you go, not the other way around,” the old man’s expression was cold and slippery, like a poisonous snake, making one feel nothing but a chill at the sight.
“Then what do you want?” Xu Ke’s eyes remained fixed on the knife in the old man’s hand, brows knitted tightly, body taut and not daring to relax for a moment.
This old man is a lunatic. Who knows what kind of foolish thing he’ll do once pushed to the limit.
“How about you kill yourself? As long as you die, I’ll let these two go. How about that? Don’t you like them? Then give up your chance to live so they can continue to live, or you can watch as I kill them both and then you can kill me to avenge them,” the old man said with a slightly deranged expression.
At the same time, his knife inched forward, and in almost an instant, blood began to ooze from Ariel’s neck, though luckily the cut wasn’t deep, the act still roused her from unconsciousness.
Just opening her eyes, Ariel was unaware of the situation, her throat feeling dry like having swallowed a mouthful of sand from a desert, prompting a few coughs which attracted the attention of the two still locked in a standoff in the room.
“Where is this, and what’s going on now?” Ariel asked, her voice slightly hoarse.
Her dry throat made speaking uncomfortable and painful, wanting to move her hand to ease her throat, only to realize there was a Swiss Army Knife at her neck, and at this moment, an old voice rang out from behind her.