Chapter 75: The Black Smile
Scarface’s eyes were dazed as he took slow steps toward Fang Xiaocao, murmuring, “Mom…”
Upon hearing this, the corners of Fang Xiaocao’s lips curled into a triumphant smile.
As expected, just another unloved soul…
To hypnotize someone effectively, one must grasp the weaknesses buried deep within their psyche. Fang Xiaocao had taken a gamble—a risky one.
She bet that Scarface was a child who had grown up starved of love.
She had observed his scars—old wounds that had long since healed and integrated with his skin. Judging by the regrowth, the injuries were at least a decade old.
From the intact parts of his skin, she estimated that Scarface was no older than thirty.
That meant that ten or so years ago, he had still been a child or a teenager. A disfiguring injury at such an age must have subjected him to endless ridicule and rejection, leaving both physical and psychological scars.
Most people who stray onto the wrong path often have a tragic childhood and unfit parents who leave them with deep emotional wounds. Scarface was likely no exception.
So she gambled.
“Come, child. Don’t be afraid. Come to Mama.”
Seeing the flicker of struggle in his eyes, Fang Xiaocao softened her tone.
Scarface’s gaze once again turned hazy. This time, tears welled up in his eyes, streaming down his scarred cheeks and soaking his clothes.
Fang Xiaocao tightened her grip on the switchblade, cautiously approaching him while continuously whispering to reinforce the hypnosis.
His willpower was astonishing—far surpassing those of fugitives like Cancer by at least two or threefold.
Hypnotizing Scarface consumed as much effort as hypnotizing three hardened criminals at once.
Her mind was beginning to fray. A searing pain, like needles piercing through her skull, pulsed in waves, sending her consciousness teetering on the edge. Her vision darkened.
She bit down on her lip, drawing blood. The sharp pain and metallic tang kept her from collapsing.
Scarface murmured again, “Mama…”
“Mommy’s here,” Fang Xiaocao replied gently.
“Mom…” His voice trembled. “Why did you abandon me and Dad?”
“Why…”
“Wuwu… Longlong was always a good boy…”
His voice cracked into sobs.
Tears flooded down his disfigured face as he clutched his head, weeping uncontrollably.
At the same time, Fang Xiaocao felt a violent surge within Scarface’s consciousness—waves of sorrow and fury swirling into a raging storm.
A wave of dizziness struck her like a tidal wave, nearly dragging her under.
No… I can’t lose consciousness…
Fang Xiaocao bit down harder, using the pain to fight against the vertigo.
“Longlong, my dear child, Mama is back…” she whispered, her voice trembling from the backlash of her hypnosis.
Hearing her words, Scarface’s sobs softened slightly, but he no longer stepped forward. Instead, he stood in place, cradling his head, shaking uncontrollably.
“Mama doesn’t want Longlong anymore…”
“Wuwu…”
“Dad is gone too…”
Tears poured from his scarred eyes as he grieved.
Fang Xiaocao maintained her control, weaving a dreamscape—a beautiful, impossible reunion between Scarface and his lost parents.
Let him die in a dream…
Her own childhood, abandoned and unloved, made her feel an odd sympathy toward Scarface.
But she knew he had to die.
If he survived, he would become immune to hypnosis. If he lived, he would become an unstoppable nightmare—not just for her, but for Zhi Qi and everyone else.
She poured the last remnants of her strength into the illusion, weaving a dream so beautiful that he would never want to wake up.
Little by little, Scarface’s struggles ceased. A twisted, eerie smile crept onto his face.
Fang Xiaocao exhaled shakily.
She had won.
Though she could not control him as she did Cancer, she had managed to entrap him in the dream world.
But maintaining it drained her relentlessly.
It could last a day.
Or a month.
Or…
Minutes.
And when she could no longer hold on, when he awoke—he would be reborn as a true devil.
No longer tormented by past pain, he would retaliate against the world.
He would take revenge on every happy child.
He had to die.
She slowly raised the switchblade, aiming for his carotid artery.
Inside the Dream
A delicate boy, with eyes bright like stars, looked up at his blurred memories of “Mom” and “Dad.”
“I have to go now…”
The boy grew swiftly, becoming a handsome young man.
“Goodbye, Mom. Goodbye, Dad…”
The next moment, a hole burst through his chest.
His body crumpled.
In Reality
Gunshots shattered the silence.
Bang!
Bloodied and gasping, Aquarius let the empty pistol slip from his hands and spoke weakly, “Gemini… is dangerous…”
Scarface’s dazed eyes snapped into focus.
He smiled at Fang Xiaocao and whispered, “Thank you.”
Then, with his eerie, blackened smile still on his lips, he collapsed, arms wide open as if embracing the sky.
“You… when did you wake up?” Fang Xiaocao asked in shock.
Scarface coughed, spitting blood, and struggled to reply.
“…Before I entered the dream.”
Fang Xiaocao froze.
Scarface… had willingly stepped into the dream?
That was why…
The hypnosis had felt so effortless.
“There’s… a notebook… in my pocket…”
“…For you…”
With his final words, Scarface closed his eyes, the black smile still carved upon his lips.
(End of Chapter 75)
