Chapter 620: The Killer Is an Acquaintance

Zhou Xiao was too shocked to speak. Wang Ying went to the bedroom and brought out a notebook with a sketch he had drawn of her. She said proudly, “Look, you drew this for me!”

“It’s better than I usually draw,” Zhou Xiao remarked. “How far have we gotten in our relationship?”

“Don’t you remember what happened last night?” Wang Ying asked in return.

Chen Shi said, “The Zhou Xiao who came to see you late last night mentioned his ‘landlord’ being troublesome. By ‘landlord,’ does he mean…” He glanced at Zhou Xiao.

“I get it! It’s her, the one I’m actually dating is his alternate personality. He may seem honest on the outside, but inside he’s incredibly attractive and manly,” Zhou Xiao said, looking out the window in amazement. “I often wonder where my girlfriend is and what her name is, and it turns out she lives next door. No wonder I often wake up feeling drained. Can I ask, how many times a night?”

“The trash from last night hasn’t been taken out yet. See for yourself,” Wang Ying replied.

Zhou Xiao ran to the bathroom to check the trash can, then returned, counting on his fingers in increasing shock.

Chen Shi asked Wang Ying, “Miss Wang, here’s the situation: Zhou Xiao witnessed last night’s murder, but as a rare dual personality with confused memories, perhaps his other personality saw the killer’s face. Do you recall him saying anything important last night?”

“He didn’t say anything particularly special, but he seemed especially excited,” Wang Ying said, glancing at Zhou Xiao.

“Is there a way to bring out his alternate personality?” Xu Xiaodong asked.

“I’m not sure, but we can try!” Wang Ying called Zhou Xiao over to sit next to her. Slowly, she leaned in and kissed him. Zhou Xiao’s eyes changed slightly, and just as everyone was eagerly anticipating, Zhou Xiao said, “Your lipstick tastes like cherry!”

“Is this the alternate personality?” Chen Shi asked.

“Clearly not. His tone is different,” Wang Ying replied.

“How often does his alternate personality appear?” Chen Shi continued.

“It’s not certain. Sometimes it appears consecutively; sometimes it takes three or four days to show up again. I don’t have his contact information. Can you give me your WeChat ID?” Zhou Xiao asked.

“Can I save your contact as ‘girlfriend’?” Zhou Xiao asked.

“Sure, but don’t contact me; let him contact me,” Wang Ying replied.

Zhou Xiao felt disheartened, realizing that Wang Ying preferred his alternate personality. He thought for a moment, “So strictly speaking, we aren’t a couple, right?”

“Correct.”

“Then I’m still single and can date other girls?”

“Absolutely not!” Wang Ying said sternly. “That would be two-timing, and I won’t tolerate it… Sister, you wouldn’t tolerate it either, right?” She sought Lin Dongxue’s opinion.

“Right, zero tolerance!” Lin Dongxue answered with a smile.

“This is crazy! This is crazy!” Zhou Xiao clutched his head in frustration. “How long until I’m no longer single?”

“Legally, you’re not single,” Lin Dongxue said. “You are the main personality, and if your alternate personality commits a crime, you would still go to jail. The law views you as one person.”

“Can’t the law give dual personalities some benefits?”

“At least it doesn’t tax you double,” Chen Shi joked.

Wang Ying shyly said, “Occasionally, we can go shopping together. I mean with you, but at night, let him come. To me, you’re still half a stranger!”

After some more conversation, Zhou Xiao said goodbye.

The four discussed whether to follow Zhou Xiao all day but decided it was inefficient. They concluded that the alternate personality only appears at night and arranged with Wang Ying to contact them if it reappears.

They let Zhou Xiao go home for now. After he left, Xu Xiaodong said, “Isn’t dual personality fascinating? They don’t know each other’s actions?”

“You could say that. It’s like a computer with two user accounts; they share many things but can’t see each other’s desktops. Personality A knows about childhood and all learned knowledge, and so does Personality B. But regarding recent events, they are unaware of each other. Wang Ying’s description suggests the alternate personality knows it’s the alternate personality, probably created from Zhou Xiao’s repressed desires—a new, happy, and daring personality,” Lin Dongxue explained.

“Could his alternate personality be the Zhou Xiao we’ve been looking for?” Xu Xiaodong asked.

“I thought about that, but the ages don’t match, and that Zhou Xiao was an alias,” Chen Shi said.

“It’s scary to think about! If I had a dual personality, my brain would automatically fill in the missing memories. I’d never know unless someone told me,” Xu Xiaodong said.

“Your CPU couldn’t handle two systems,” Lin Dongxue teased.

“Haha, then I’m relieved!” Xu Xiaodong laughed.

Chen Shi said, “I have an idea. Why would the killer spare Zhou Xiao? How would he be non-threatening? Would you find me threatening if you saw me?”

“Of course not, we know each other well… Oh! I get it. He knows the killer!” Lin Dongxue exclaimed.

“Investigate Zhou Xiao’s social circle!” Xu Xiaodong clapped.

Chen Shi checked the time. “We just let him go; calling him back now? Let’s eat first; it’s already 2 PM and I’m starving.”

“Let’s invite Zhou Xiao too and ask about his social circle,” Lin Dongxue suggested. She found Zhou Xiao amusing.

The four went to a nearby restaurant. Originally planning to have spicy hotpot, Xu Xiaodong complained it was too spicy, so they opted for Hunan cuisine.

Their stomachs growled as they eagerly dug into the stir-fried pork, tofu, eggplant, and steamed fish head with chopped chili.

Chen Shi had chosen the restaurant for its specialty fish head dish. The fish head was stuffed with marinated cherry peppers, steamed to a perfect spiciness that went well with rice.

The only regret was that they couldn’t drink alcohol since they had work in the afternoon.

“I always felt that steamed fish head with chili is like a funeral for the fish head,” Zhou Xiao said.

“You’ve got a point,” Chen Shi laughed. “By the way, do you have any friends around 190 cm tall?”

“Um…” Zhou Xiao pondered while chewing his chopsticks. “I don’t have friends in Long’an. I only stay in touch with former classmates online, and none of them are 190. Sorry for the wasted meal.”

“Could that person be someone the alternate personality knows, like Wang Ying?” Lin Dongxue suggested.

Chen Shi pondered and said, “After we eat, let us check your communication devices.”

“For the sake of the fish head, okay!” Zhou Xiao agreed cheerfully.