There are women in this world who, one moment, are as delicate and captivating as Xi Shi, seemingly fragile and moving, and the next, transform into utterly cold-blooded assassins.

The transformed Wen Shu no longer wept. A cold sneer replaced her innocent expression, as if she were an entirely different person. Throwing her head back, she let out a long, resonant laugh, then turned to Wang Jue and said, "Have you asked enough? Don't assume I am still the person I was, and don't presume you can still lecture me by virtue of seniority. And you," she shifted her gaze to Zhang Yuqiu, "Let's state this upfront: you don't even know who you are. If there's a future for you, I suggest you act with more discretion and stop acting like a shrew, thinking no one is your match."

Wang Jue was stunned speechless by her words. He had never realized that the Undead Body of the Puppet might meticulously retain the humiliating memories acquired during its moments of clarity. Perhaps this was the Puppet King's method of control: infinitely magnifying the hatred and resentment within them, using vengeance as the tether to bind their souls, separating them from their normal personalities and leaving only malice within that physical form.

If a person remembers only the harm done to them, perpetually ignoring the kindness shown, regarding another's efforts as expected entitlements—when you show even the slightest dissatisfaction or neglect, they will retaliate tenfold, perhaps twentyfold. Hoping such a person remembers your past efforts is merely a luxurious wish. For friends or relatives like this, one can only keep a respectful distance and depart early.

However, at this moment, Wang Jue still clung to a sliver of hope. He could not believe the Wen Shu before him would toss aside their years of collegial feeling into the vast blue sky, nor could he believe she would actually plunge the dagger in her hand into his chest. As far as he was concerned, this was merely a friend afflicted by some dark influence. If only he could root out the mastermind behind this, or sever the thread the Puppet King held controlling the puppet, his friend could return to her former self, back on their side.

So, he moved Zhang Yuqiu's arm away from blocking his view and slowly walked toward Wen Shu. As he advanced, he spoke gently, "Don't you remember? We worked together, researching Ming Xiaoyu's condition. To give him a chance at a normal life, you devised the plan for me to find his missing sister and process his discharge papers. These are things we did together, paths we walked together, all for Xiaoyu! I don't believe you've become this way, because just moments ago, you told me you wanted to be with Xiaoyu forever. We are all his friends; no one wants to be your enemy."

Saying this, Wang Jue took two more steps forward, drawing closer to the dagger Wen Shu clutched, until only an arm’s length separated them. Wang Jue closed his eyes and surrendered himself to Wen Shu's grasp. "If you believe hurting or killing me will make Xiaoyu love you more, then do it! I am already a criminal on the wanted list. Whether those acts were my intention or not, this body must pay the price for those sins. You are doing what I once did. We are friends, so I place my life in your hands. When you awaken, you will understand how I felt then."

Wen Shu's almond eyes widened as she stared at Wang Jue, and the hand gripping the dagger began to tremble involuntarily. Yet, Wang Jue acted as if he saw nothing, stepping forward until the dagger pierced deeply into his abdomen, finally stopping with a pained gasp. He looked at her with eyes full of sorrow and disbelief, unable to accept that what was happening before him was real.