"I am just an object, a tool. My existence is to please others. If you want me to please you, bring your money and come to me."
Xiaoxing was scared again.
Many people have such moments, facing others’ concern, they deliberately say hurtful things. They long to escape their plight but are afraid of the disappointment of failing to do so.
As long as they can push people away, as long as they can extinguish that sliver of hope, it’s as if there is no such thing as dashed hopes.
The conversation on March 4th ended here.
Because after saying this, Xiaoxing’s avatar on the social software went gray.
That day, during various domestication processes, Xiaoxing was somewhat absent-minded.
...
...
Hujiang’s tragic song began with hope.
March 5th.
Morioka Immortal’s little fan started a new chat.
"Today my brother helped someone with a terminal illness recover! With my brother’s encouragement, that person rekindled their hope for life!"
"Did you see that? My brother is really handsome!"
Although always ridiculed by others, Morioka Hitomi didn’t mind.
Because it seemed everyone gradually acknowledged the existence of Morioka Immortal.
Compared to initially denying even Morioka Immortal, at least now everyone knew, it seemed there really was a Morioka Immortal, and this Immortal could truly help people.
Of course, people were already used to suppressing and ridiculing Xiaotong.
Xiaotong didn’t care; as long as she listened to everyone discussing her brother’s matters, she felt happy.
Today’s staple discussion in the chat group didn’t change.
People received another photo of Xiaoxing pretending to be a dog.
Only this time, people didn’t know that Xiaoxing was somewhat reluctant.
She was trying to persuade the man.
"You are shyer than yesterday, this is not a good thing, Xiaoxing. Shame has no meaning; you need to consider yourself as a real dog."
"Would a dog mind performing various actions in public? It wouldn’t."
The man spoke in a heartfelt tone, appearing quite gentle.
But his words were pushing someone to become a beast.
"Without me, you would have starved to death. Do you know how many people starve to death each year?"
"Do you know that the greatest happiness for a prostitute is to serve someone wealthy enough?"
"I have never mistreated you; at least here, I filter out much garbage for you. Those who can buy you are genuinely rich."
"Aren’t you better than your mother?"
The man always used a few words to turn his actions into "good deeds."
Xiaoxing always felt it was wrong, but she had long solidified some thoughts under such a life and doctrine. The man was fully aware of this.
After all, under his name, there were more "pets" than just this one.
But few were as pure and beautiful as Xiaoxing.
One had to admit that Akiyama Rika’s genes were strong. Her daughter, Akiyama Sachi, was beautiful enough. When he got bored of treating her like a beast...
He wouldn’t mind, in the next cycle, trying to turn her into some star.
The man often thought—
Rather than taming a person into a beast from the beginning, would it be more interesting to elevate her first, then tame her into a beast after experiencing a fall from grace?
His thoughts were suddenly interrupted.
"Recently there seems to be someone called Morioka Immortal... who can make people happy. What he teaches seems different from yours."
This was really a sentence spoken with great courage. Xiaoxing’s desire was exposed at this moment.
The man smiled:
"I see, so it’s because you’ve glimpsed a way for others to attain happiness... that you’ve become greedy."
"But since you mentioned it, I will look into it."
"I will investigate Morioka Immortal. If possible, I will let you be happy."
Xiaoxing looked at the man gratefully.
...
...
At the Morioka Residence.
Due to continuously absorbing others’ misfortunes for several days, Morioka Hitomi became increasingly weak.
His whole body was covered with pitch-black spots.
"Brother, you came to see me... Will my voice scare you?"
"How... how could that be, little brother, my good brother. Everyone is grateful to you, everyone thinks you are an angel." Morioka wanted to hug his brother.
But he ultimately couldn’t bring himself to do so, fearing those black spots might be something contagious.
Afraid that misfortune might contaminate him.
So he just stood there, trying to make his expression as kind as possible:
"Oh right, tomorrow there is a person who has always thought himself very unfortunate. He cares deeply for the country and our people, he is a representative of our Hujiang, with great ideals. He will bring new reforms for our country and Hujiang."
"You know, there have been many strange tales lately, with more and more uncertainties appearing in this world... According to that representative, humankind needs to evolve."
"That representative plans to conduct an experiment in Rokkasho. But the experiment has sparked significant controversy."
"He is striving for our future, such a person, of course, cannot be allowed to become unfortunate!"
"Little brother, are you willing to help us?"
Morioka Hitomi wanted to agree immediately. But he felt... he was increasingly becoming a—monster. And his body was getting weaker.
"Brother, I feel so tired lately. Can I take a break? The day after tomorrow..."
He saw Morioka’s expression, saw the slowly fading smile, saw the disappointment in his eyes.
At that moment, Morioka Hitomi felt very sad and sensibly said: