9:00 AM, Discipline Office.
"Sit."
Officer Huang sat in the director's swivel chair, leaning back slightly with his legs crossed, hands resting on his stomach. His posture was relaxed yet imposing, as if he were back in his own interrogation room.
Gao Yang sat properly across from him, silent.
Officer Huang smiled. "Don't be nervous, it's just us. I'm only going to ask a few questions."
Ugh... Gao Yang thought, That's exactly why I'm nervous!
"Did you hurt your face?"
"Oh, insect bite." Gao Yang casually touched his face.
"Alright, let's begin." Officer Huang took out his notepad. "Student Gao Yang, what was your relationship with the deceased, Li Weiwei?"
"We've known each other since kindergarten. We were very close — childhood friends," Gao Yang answered.
"Were you with Li Weiwei all afternoon yesterday?"
"Yeah, we watched a movie, had dinner, hung out at Dawan Mall until pretty late, and then I went home."
"What time did you part ways?"
"Almost 11, I think." Gao Yang knew better than to be too precise — too accurate would raise more suspicion.
"That late and you didn't walk her home?"
"I walked with her part of the way. She said she'd be fine from there, so I didn't insist."
Gao Yang knew the security cameras on that last stretch had been destroyed by Qing Ling, so he asked on purpose, "You can check the surveillance footage. It should confirm it."
Officer Huang paused, eyes narrowing slightly. "Truth be told, the cameras on that street were broken."
"What?!" Gao Yang feigned shock.
"This might've been premeditated." Officer Huang observed Gao Yang's expression, hoping to catch a flaw.
"It could be someone she knew. Just a theory for now — no weapon, no witnesses, no real leads."
"No clues at all?" Gao Yang asked.
Leaning forward, Officer Huang asked, "Did Li Weiwei have any conflicts? Anyone who disliked her?"
Gao Yang shook his head. "She was really nice. Everyone in class liked her. I can't think of anyone who'd want to hurt her."
"What about jealousy? Anything like that?"
Gao Yang thought for a moment and shook his head. "Not that I remember."
Officer Huang nodded, never looking away from Gao Yang's face. "You liked her, didn't you?"
Gao Yang paused. "Yeah… I guess."
"For the investigation, I looked at Li Weiwei's chat logs. You confessed. She said yes…"
"Yeah. Yesterday was our first date. I didn't expect it to be the last…" Gao Yang lowered his head. The sadness wasn't all an act.
Officer Huang said nothing more. He stood up and patted Gao Yang's shoulder. "That's enough for today," he said, his voice layered with meaning. "My condolences."
—
When the questioning ended, Gao Yang finally exhaled. That was close.
He walked back toward the classroom.
"Gao Yang!" someone called.
Before he could turn around, a strong arm suddenly locked around his neck in a tight chokehold.
"Cough! Cough—!" Gao Yang choked.
"Hahaha, weakling!"
The blond guy with a lip piercing let go. It was Wang Zikai.
Wang Zikai had been Gao Yang's classmate — until a week ago. After splitting a classmate's head open for merely looking at him, he'd been expelled.
He was rich, drove a sports car to school every day, and had the looks to match. A typical spoiled, good-looking rich kid. But with a violent streak and no self-control, he was the school's resident delinquent.
For reasons unknown, he'd been unusually friendly to Gao Yang since freshman year. Zikai had even insisted more than once: Gao Yang was his best — and only — friend.
Gao Yang had been both flattered and confused, but with no choice under the threat of violence, he nervously accepted the role. Over time, he realized Zikai wasn't all bad — when he wasn't fighting or being crazy.
Zikai seemed to be in a great mood today, probably here to complete the expulsion paperwork.
"What's with the long face?" Zikai asked.
"Li Weiwei died," Gao Yang said.
"What?!" Zikai was shocked. "How?"
"Robbery. Murdered…"
"Damn! That's unlucky." Zikai clicked his tongue. "And I just helped you confess to her! Wait, did she say yes? Nah, no way — a girl liking you? Haha!"
Gao Yang rolled his eyes. This idiot always misses the point.
"Cheer up, bro," Zikai said, slapping his shoulder. "Look on the bright side — now you don't have to worry about her getting snatched by someone else."
"…," Gao Yang resisted the urge to curse him out.
"After school, I'll drive us and we'll duo queue some games! Channel that grief — we're getting you to Silver this season!" Zikai grinned.
"Can't. I'm going to Li Weiwei's funeral tonight," Gao Yang replied.
"No way," Zikai jumped back theatrically. "You still holding out for some ghost romance or something?"
"Get lost!"
Gao Yang was speechless. This was just how Zikai was — never said anything a normal person would.
"Later!" Zikai ran off, waving.
—
7:00 PM. Shanqing District. Funeral home.
Gao Yang, along with over a dozen classmates and their teacher, attended Li Weiwei's memorial.
On one hand, Gao Yang had truly liked Li Weiwei. Even though she turned into a monster the night before, he still wanted to say goodbye. On the other, he was curious — why hadn't they cremated her immediately? That didn't fit with what he knew of this world.
The mourning hall was dim and somber. Li Weiwei's portrait sat atop the altar, her smile radiant in the photo. Her body lay in a transparent, refrigerated glass coffin, surrounded by lush white flowers.
Her parents, in black suits and dresses, bowed repeatedly to each visitor. The mother sobbed uncontrollably while the father supported her, his face twisted with grief.
The homeroom teacher led students to light incense and shake hands with the parents, then they circled the coffin. That marked the end of the farewell.
As Gao Yang approached, he studied the body closely. She wore a traditional black funeral gown, face fully made up. She looked as though she were merely sleeping — no different from when she was alive.
But remembering how she almost crushed his skull the night before made his skin crawl.
While the teacher talked with the parents, Gao Yang, feeling dry-mouthed, slipped away to the break room beside the hall.
He pushed the door open — Qing Ling was there too.
Avoiding her gaze, Gao Yang moved to pour himself water, but she approached. "Did the police ask you anything?"
"Nothing important."
"Tell me everything," she ordered.
Gao Yang looked around, made sure they were alone, and dropped the act. "Why stop pretending?"
Qing Ling blinked. "Pretend what?"
"That little act earlier. You played it so well!" Gao Yang sounded annoyed.
Qing Ling's eyes sharpened. "You saw her?"
"What do you mean?"
"My other personality?"
Gao Yang was stunned. Then it clicked. "You… have a split personality?"
"Yes."
Gao Yang didn't respond.
Qing Ling softly closed the door. "To survive in this world, lying to yourself is necessary. Over time, a secondary personality formed — my younger sister, Qing Ling. I'm usually in control, but sometimes she slips out. Li Weiwei's death shook her badly."
Gao Yang's eyes were wary. "I don't even know when you're telling the truth."
"Doesn't matter."
"Give me a reason to trust you."
"A reason?" Qing Ling raised a brow. Her fingers flicked, and a razor-thin blade shot from her chest pocket, pressing against Gao Yang's neck.
"If I wanted you dead, it'd be easier than Li Weiwei killing you. Is that reason enough?"
"…Yes." Gao Yang forced a nod.
Better alive than heroic.
He briefly recounted his conversation with Officer Huang.
Qing Ling nodded slowly. "You did okay — didn't give yourself away."
"Just a cop," Gao Yang said smugly. "What could he see?"
Qing Ling chuckled coldly. "You really don't get how dangerous your situation is. Do you know how many beasts live in this city?"
"How many?"
"One in ten thousand?"
"No — only one human in every ten thousand."
"What?!" Gao Yang almost shouted. "You're joking!"
"I'm not."
"That's impossible!" Gao Yang was shaking. The idea was absurd.
"It's the truth. Understand now?"
Gao Yang's hands trembled.
"The fact that both of us are human — in the same school — is already a freak occurrence." Qing Ling stepped closer, eyes icy. "Your family, friends, neighbors — 99.99% of them are beasts. All kinds of beasts."
Gao Yang stood frozen. Cold fear wrapped around him like a snake.
Grandma, Dad, Mom, little sister, teachers, classmates, friends… All of them — beasts?
And he'd been living among them for twelve years since crossing into this world!
His stomach churned. He wanted to vomit.
"I'll tell you the truth," Qing Ling said. "You're the third human I've ever met. The other two were stronger than me. Both are dead."
Gao Yang clung to one last hope. "No way… if everyone around me is a beast, I'd be dead already."
"Because you hadn't awakened. Beasts don't attack unawakened humans. They only kill awakened ones — like us."
"Why?"
"I don't know." Qing Ling shook her head. "They seem to follow some kind of rule. But I only know bits and pieces…"
"What are you two talking about?"
Gao Yang and Qing Ling both jumped.
The break room door swung open. Officer Huang stood smiling at the threshold.
"What's this about beasts?"