Crimson Instinct

Chapter 154: The sound of something breaking inside him

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Ying Yue didn't grasp the displeasure in his tone. 

"I don't like Yang Mo," she plainly said without much emotion.

And Rodey believed it. It was impossible not to when Ying Yue said it without feeling any ounce of sadness. It didn't seem like she was hiding any pain in her gaze or looked flustered at the mention of Yang Mo. On the contrary, she seemed like she didn't even care about it at all.

The ridicule in Rodey's gaze lessened. Somehow, he felt more comfortable.

"That bitch is having too many delusions," Rodey sneered.

Ying Yue somewhat understood his personality a bit. She softly said, "Cursing, somebody is not good."

Rodey stretched his arms. "And do you know that your cousin was calling you a bitch too? She even declared that whatever is yours will always be hers, and she will always snatch it away from you, whether it is money or love. Such a nice sisterly bond. I'm so jealous."

Ying Yue froze. She lowered her gaze.

Why would Jingjing say that about me? I don't recall doing anything that could make her hate me.

"Maybe she doesn't like me because Uncle paid for my surgery. That was why it took a toll on his loan for his home, and he couldn't pay back his installment. Then he passed away in an accident, and the bank seized their home. That is when they started living with us. I see. Then it makes sense. She must be blaming me."

Ying Yue thought she wouldn't feel much about it, but a pang of sadness still surged in her heart.

"What was the surgery for?"

"I got into an accident ten years back. Jingjing, her friends, and I were playing together, but we went too far until the road. I tripped and fell, and a car hit me. I was badly bleeding and immediately taken to the hospital by some kind passers-by. Mom could raise a million through her and Dad's savings, but she was short of two million for my treatment. If Uncle hadn't paid that two million for it, then I could have died. So we are in his debt." Her gaze softened. "Uncle was a nice man."

Rodey narrowed his eyes. Some thoughts were swirling in his mind, but he kept that to himself.

He let it be at that.

"So, how do you plan to take the money back from her?"

Ying Yue said, "It's alright. I will add that money as a part of paying my debt."

"Che. Such a disappointment you are. You should bang her head on the wall or stab her in the gut and then force the confession out of her. That will also get your money back and send a message that you aren't a pushover. I really wonder how you survived with these greedy wolves until now."

"Technically, banging her head on the wall or stabbing her in the gut can put me to jail for at least ten years. According to the law, it will be considered as an attempt to murder. Mom will also be disappointed and sad." Ying Yue seriously said.

Rodey rolled his eyes. "You should learn the art of blackmailing, babe." He shifted the food plate towards him and took a bite of the curry rice.

Rodey stiffened a bit as the taste of spicy curry settled on his tongue. "Who made this?"

"My mom."

Nobody knew what he was thinking. He just lowered his gaze and kept on eating. "It's tasty."

Ying Yue faintly smiled and nodded. "Mom is a good cook."

"Who cooked these prawns?"

"Me."

"It's terrible."

"..."

Ying Yue had a faint sense of anticipation for his praise, but it all got drowned.

"Mom said it was good."

"She was being polite."

Strike two!

"Didn't you taste the prawns yourself?" He asked.

"I did."

"And? Did you like it?"

"I found it okay."

"Clearly, there is a problem with your taste buds too."

Strike three.

That was brutal, but she didn't mind it.

But Rodey continued. "I see you didn't inherit her talent at all."

"..."

Another strike. Fourth.

But Ying Yue seemed earnest and determined. "I admit I am not a good cook like Mom. I will try harder next time and give you a better dish next time."

Rodey's hand stopped in mid-air as he shot a glance at her.

Next time? Is there going to be a next time?

Ying Yue asked, "What were you saying about blackmailing? Apart from the fact that it is illegal too like an attempt to murder, I don't know what I can blackmail Jingjing with."

Rodey chuckled. "That's because you are dumb."

She pursed her lips. Strangely enough, she didn't feel bad when Rodey said such things. Her classmates in school and sometimes Jingjing made fun of her inability to express herself or understand something easy for others. She used to feel just a bit sad and lonely.

"Yue is so stupid."

"Yue is dumb. Didn't you see that Fanfan liked that boy?"

"Idiot."

"Our team won but see how Yue is standing there like a dumb person. Doesn't she feel happy?"

"What is with that dead expression on her face?"

"Yue is so boring!"

Rodey's voice snapped her out. "There is a reason to blackmail her, but you like to paint everyone white as if they are angels. No wonder they could exploit you this long."

She frowned and didn't understand.

"What reason?"

"Figure it out yourself, babe."

Then she asked, "How did you get hurt?"

He was silent for a long time.

Rodey narrowed his eyes. "You can say that I got my revenge today. It is an old story of years back. Unfortunately, that bastard still had some last thread of strength left, so he attacked me as I was rejoicing. But he still died, and I am alive. I won."

"Who was that man?"

Ying Yue suddenly felt embarrassed. She didn't want to ask this because, somehow, from his silence earlier, she thought that she shouldn't pry. But the question was out of her mouth even before she knew it.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to ask-"

"My father."

Ying Yue jerked her head in surprise. This time, there was the true expression of shock and bewilderment on her face.

"A-ah?"

Rodey smiled. "Yes. That bastard was my father. My rapist father."

It completely took her aback.

Rapist? That means he

Rodey already read her question from her gaze, which was as clear as daylight.

"Yup. My mom was raped, and I am the disgusting and unwanted fruit of that one fateful night." He carelessly said as if it didn't even bother him.

Ying Yue was in a dilemma. She suddenly didn't know what to speak. She felt a strange sense of tightening in her throat. She wanted to say something, but words failed her.

She fiddled with her fingers. "Do you want to tell me about it?"

Rodey laughed. "You want to listen to such a boring story?" He popped in another tasteless prawn in his mouth.

Something stirred inside her.

'Yue is so boring!'

She intensely stared at him with dead seriousness. "Please don't laugh it off as boring. It's your life where you must have suffered. You have passed through that sad and tough phase. It must be...hell for you. I cannot imagine nor understand that. But I know for the fact that you managed to emerge through it despite the circumstances."

Rodey widened his eyes, and he slowly raised his head towards her in disbelief. His hand was trembling a bit.

"I see, so that's why you have that principle that you wouldn't ever rape a woman not because you feel that you can get any woman, but you don't want to turn out to be like your father. That is a big achievement if you could understand that. Even if just a little bit, feel proud of yourself. So...so don't speak so carelessly as if it doesn't affect you."

Rodey stared at her as if she was an alien. "You want me to feel proud of myself? Don't you know I am a criminal? Do you know how many people have I murdered and also drove towards their death?"

"But, you didn't drive any woman to suicide."

His mind suddenly felt blank to him. Even with his utmost resistance, he felt something breaking inside him. The first time in years, something so hard and impenetrable that had formed long ago in his heart was beginning to crack.

Ying Yue continued. "Of course, you have committed serious crimes letting innocent people die. That is unjustified, and you... should be punished. But I want to let you know that even if it may be just 1%, there is still a little conscience in your heart. So there is a 1% goodness in you. That is much better than being 100% evil."

Rodey couldn't make sense of anything.

Who is this woman? Why is she saying things like this? Is she dumb? I have killed people. What conscience? What goodness?

He wanted to laugh out loud. But at the same time, why did he have an urge to cry?

Suddenly, his phone buzzed, disrupting him from his thoughts.

He took it out in a daze and stiffened as he saw the caller name.

Incoming call - Boss.