MIMI 165 The Ugly Duckling

Unlike President Gu, who had been the previous individual to be ruined by the masked man, Yu Feng's connections weren't secure.

It was not easy to stay up in this industry. Thus, he aligned with Hiro Corps to help support his small company.

If it were to experience the slightest setback, it would undoubtedly collapse!

Yu Feng hesitated to ask, "What exactly have the Hirogori done for you to go through such means?"

Shen Jue was not surprised by his question. He lazily tilted his head into his palm.

"Let me tell you a story."

Mimi who stood quietly on the side held back a snort. Wow, he didn't even ask whether or not he wanted to hear it. But Yu Feng didn't mind, silently listening to Shen Jue speak.

"Once upon a time, there was a little gray duckling. All the other birds ignored the gray duckling because it was different compared to the rest."

Both Mimi and Yu Feng stared at Shen Jue dumbfounded.

Wasn't this the story of 'the ugly duckling?'

As if not sensing their strange gazes, Shen Jue continued, his voice filled with reminiscence.

"Out of all the birds, the only one who ever showed kindness toward that little gray duckling was a beautiful, white swan. To the duckling, the swan was its only light among the dark, sinful world. The little duckling and the swan lived harmoniously, until one day, a pack of wolves disturbed the land and came to kill the birds. To save themselves, the others planned to sacrifice the little gray duckling, but the swan wouldn't allow it. So, in the process, the swan was killed and devoured by the wolves - abandoning the ugly duckling."

Listening on the side, Mimi was taken by surprise. This story…it sounded somewhat familiar. A thought dawned on her, and the hands in front of her trembled.

No way. Was he talking about her? And the swan…was it her sister, Emily?

Mimi clenched her trembling fists and looked at the back of Shen Jue's head intently.

"After that, the little gray duckling was left all alone to fend for itself. The last light in its heart was extinguished, leaving nothing but shadows and remnants of lost love. The little ugly duckling became a lost, hollow sh.e.l.l. But as its ultimate act of life, it decided to seek revenge on the ones who hurt the beautiful swan. Do you know who they were, Mr. Yu?"

The sudden question caught him off guard, and Yu Feng swallowed his saliva. Perhaps it was his imagination or nervousness, but he could feel the girl behind Shen Jue's burning, inquiring eyes on him filled with a cutting coldness.
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"The wolves?"

Shen laughed softly. "While it may be true, the wolves did eat the swan. But, they were only following natural animalistic impulses. They don't know the difference between right or wrong. Only what's prey and what's not."

Yu Feng nearly coughed blood.

How was he supposed to know?! He thought this was a fictional story, not based on the realistic characteristics of wolves!

Shen Jue continued, "Though the wolves killed the swan, the one who steered it to its death was the other birds. So, the little gray duckling sought to dedicate its meaningless life and seek revenge on the other birds. While on its quest for revenge, it met a black crow. Seeking pity on the duckling, it a.s.sisted it in its quest for revenge. Gradually, they rid of all the other bird's food, water, and shelter until nothing but a single weed was left. The end!"

Yu Feng blinked dramatically in shock. Mimi as well was taken by surprise.

That was it?

"That…What happened to the duckling and the crow?"

Mimi mentally nodded her head in agreement and looked at Shen Jue with a probing gaze.

Shen Jue laughed, "How am I to know? It's just a fictional story, Mr. Yu. The ending for the characters is never thoroughly explained."

His laughter ceased, and he slowly leaned forward in his seat. "Mr. Yu, you seem to have made lots of money from aligning with the Hirogori's, haven't you?"

Yu Feng hurriedly explained. "Y-Yes, but so what? I said I was willing to cut it all off if you'll..."

"Really?" Shen Jue's voice dropped, still laced in a playful tone. "Then what was the recent transaction you and Henry Hirogori made six hours before we met?"

Yu Feng's entire body trembled, his face blanched white. The smiling mask Shen Jue wore stared at him fixedly, causing every bone in his body to shake.

He was feeling highly remorseful, hating himself for having been too careless and underestimating the man.

Although Shen Jue's opposing words gave him the impulse to run, Yu Feng maintained his ground. "N-No, t-that was..."

Leisurely, Shen Jue stood up from his seat and hunched over to the trembling middle-aged man. "I understand. You're a small company in need of quick cash. So you thought that being a mole for the Hirogori would save you. But let me tell you something…"

He bent over even closer toward Yu Feng until the smiling mask was a few inches away from his sweating face.

He could practically feel the man's malicious eyes on him!

"All of you will be hauled to h.e.l.l. Starting with you."

Yu Feng yelped loudly in a panic and his body hit the floor. He glanced up and cried out, "D-Do it! Do it now! He's going to kill me!"

Behind his mask, Shen Jue narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashed by. A strange look came over his face for a fleeting moment before he whirled his body around toward the girl behind him.

"Little one—"

Hmm?

Mimi noted his abnormal reaction and furrowed her brows. Before she had time to understand the situation, a shadow hovered over her.

Mimi was shocked. A group of tall, burly men standing behind her, she couldn't help but widen her eyes.

Ah…not good.

Shen Jue's eyes behind his mask widened. When the man sent by Tobias also noticed the s.h.i.+fting situation, he sprang into action.

Both men rushed toward the girl, however, they weren't given the chance as one of the men elevated his hand slightly and struck toward her.