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Chapter 32: When it came to shamelessness, Xie Zijing was in a league of his own.
Based on a report from Tang Cuo’s alarm call and advice from Lei Chi, the police originally planned to bring Bi Xingyi in for questioning on charges of damaging public property and temporarily separating him from Bi Fan.
However, Bi Xingyi had gone missing. Bi Fan stated that he had been living in her house, claiming to be a relative, and forcefully moving in, which changed the nature of the case.
Bi Xingyi and Bi Fan lived in the same apartment building, with Bi Xingyi on a lower floor than Bi Fan. Both the property management and neighbors believed that Bi Xingyi was referring to Bi Fan as his “sister” recently, and given that their last names were the same, nobody suspected anything.
Compared to Bi Fan’s apartment, Bi Xingyi’s place was notably simple. The landlord provided basic furniture, and apart from that, Bi Xingyi hadn’t added anything else.
Shortly after the police began their investigation, they discovered that Bi Xingyi had withdrawn money from an ATM near Shunyi Subway Station.
This location was far from the center of Beijing and even farther from where Bi Xingyi lived. However, this route was a necessary one to get to the 267th Hospital.
Yan Hong hesitated for a moment on the phone and then told Qin Ge something else he had learned from Bi Fan’s treating doctor.
After conducting some inquiries, the police discovered that Bi Xingyi had a history of mental instability dating back to his high school days. At that time, he had developed severe non-consanguineous delusions.
Qin Ge felt a strange sense of confusion and curiosity but couldn’t immediately grasp it. After a moment of contemplation, he asked, “Does his family have any issues?”
“Bi Xingyi’s parents divorced when he was very young, and he lived with his grandmother. After his grandmother passed away, his mother took him back, which increased contact with his biological father,” Yan Hong said. “During his high school years, his parents remarried.”
Family and friends saw this as a good thing, but it didn’t necessarily make Bi Xingyi happy. At first, his classmates often heard him say, “My parents are no longer here,” and later, his teachers noticed that he had written “deceased” in the “parents” section of his family situation registration form.
Gradually, Bi Xingyi became afraid to go home. Even if his parents tried to bring him inside, he would struggle, scream, and claim that the couple before him were not his real parents; his true parents were either dead or missing, replaced by these two strangers.
His parents grew exhausted, and their recently repaired marriage began to fall apart again. Shortly after their separation, Bi Xingyi’s non-consanguineous delusions started to fade away. When he went for a psychiatric reevaluation, all the assessments were normal, and he could clearly and normally answer questions and describe his relationship with his parents. He seemed to be cured.
“Non-consanguineous delusion refers to his belief that he had no biological connection to his parents. So why does he now think that he and Bi Fan are siblings?” Yan Hong was deeply perplexed. “Is this some form of consanguineous delusion?”
Qin Ge thought to himself that this was indeed very unusual. Bi Xingyi had grown up without the presence of his parents, and for him, that was the real balance. His parents’ remarriage disrupted that balance, and he couldn’t adapt. In the end, in the midst of his conflict and confusion, he chose a comforting way to bring his life back to the equilibrium he was used to: treating his parents as outsiders.
But why did he think Bi Fan was his sister?
“Does Bi Xingyi have a sister or a brother?”
“His household registration records don’t indicate it,” Yan Hong said. “Even the treating doctor couldn’t provide a reasonable explanation. So, I wanted to consult with you.”
“Are you inquisitive?” Qin Ge responded. “The treating doctor is Bi Fan’s doctor, and he doesn’t have Bi Xingyi’s medical history. He hasn’t personally met with Bi Xingyi for diagnosis and treatment, so how could he give you a conclusion out of thin air? I can’t answer your question either.”
Yan Hong sounded disappointed. “I thought you had some special insights.”
Qin Ge replied, “We don’t have mind-reading abilities. Just because you told me about a few childhood traumas doesn’t mean I can deduce the current issue. Human psychological and mental development don’t correspond to a straightforward set of multiple-choice questions. Even if the same thing happens to us, it doesn’t mean our responses will be the same as someone else’s.”
Yan Hong chuckled, “Ah, you’re giving me a motivational talk again. Anyway, I’ve informed you of this information, but there’s not much you can do.”
He was right. After Qin Ge hung up the phone, he briefly informed Xie Zijing and Bai Xiaoyuan about the situation. Bi Xingyi was likely to go looking for Bi Fan, and Bi Fan was currently under police and hospital protection. The Psychological Adjustment Department wasn’t involved in the investigation or apprehension; their knowledge of these developments was already good enough.
Xie Zijing insisted on driving him home, his face filled with concern that Qin Ge hadn’t fully recovered. Qin Ge couldn’t help but feel that Xie Zijing had ulterior motives, but he didn’t bother arguing with him. The two of them walked toward the parking lot, one after the other.
Qin Shuangshuang and Lu Qinglai emerged from the hotel’s back door, conversing as they headed toward the parking lot. Watching Lu Qinglai’s figure from behind, Qin Ge suddenly had a revelation. The strange sense of confusion he had experienced earlier became clear.
Since Bi Xingyi had a history of mental instability dating back to high school, why didn’t Lu Qinglai, who conducted the “sea area” assessment during his hiring, discover it?
“Sea area” was similar to a wooden board. As long as there had been trauma, especially the intensity of mental instability, there would always be traces within it. Therefore, mental instability was something that could never be completely cured. It was like cutting wood with a knife or an ax; once the wound was inflicted, it couldn’t be closed.
Tang Cuo, holding his work ID, was explaining his department’s work to several consultants and the receptionist. “Of course, most people’s issues don’t reach such severity. With a little adjustment, they’ll be fine. We’re the ones who adjust ‘sea area.'”
…Well, not “we,” just Qin Ge. He added that in his mind.
Today, he had come to the gym, following Bai Xiaoyuan’s advice, and he first presented his Crisis Management Office work ID.
The work ID indeed proved to be effective. The consultant had initially brought him a cup of warm water, but upon seeing his credentials, it was promptly replaced with coffee.
The ID read “Psychological Adjustment Department,” a department nobody there had ever heard of. Once he touched upon Tang Cuo’s expertise, he spoke fluently and logically, resembling a young teacher who frequently gave lectures.
When Gao Shu arrived, Tang Cuo had already succumbed to the prodding from those around him and released his spiritual body.
A panda spiritual body was extremely rare.
The spiritual bodies of sentinels and guides didn’t necessarily become the animals they wanted to be. Typically, the form’s appearance was shaped by the child’s most vivid and beloved memories. The spiritual form was a materialization of the spiritual world, and it was always generated based on the sentinel’s or guide’s preferences.
However, there were a few extremely rare exceptions, such as large aquatic animals like pandas, golden snub-nosed monkeys, and other rare creatures.
The moment the panda appeared, it captured the hearts of everyone at the gym. It was smaller than a regular panda, timid and gentle, and as soon as it saw a sea of unfamiliar faces smiling at it, it immediately clung tightly to Tang Cuo’s legs, keeping its head lowered.
Tang Cuo comforted it by rubbing its ears, and when he looked up, he saw Gao Shu leaning against the front desk, seemingly amused.
“Are you a Crisis Management Officer?” Gao Shu walked over, holding up Tang Cuo’s work ID. “The Psychological Adjustment Department, huh?”
Tang Cuo was about to explain the department and his specific role, but Gao Shu had already set the ID aside.
He didn’t seem interested in his work. Tang Cuo quickly concluded this, and his heart sank.
“I’ve heard about it,” Gao Shu said. “The new department in crisis management.”
Oh, so he knew. Tang Cuo felt happy again. “Coach, you’re quite knowledgeable.”
Gao Shu nodded again, with a somewhat enigmatic smile, and took a seat across from Tang Cuo. The people who had gathered around Tang Cuo and the panda had dispersed, and the consultant quickly approached, handing two copies of the agreement to Gao Shu before retreating swiftly.
Tang Cuo subtly felt that the people here seemed to be somewhat afraid of Gao Shu.
“Are you the best coach here?” Tang Cuo thought about Gao Shu’s high private coaching fees and sketched out a triangle in the air. “You’re probably the top and the most expensive, right?”
Gao Shu responded, “Yes, I’m the best here. Mr. Tang finds it expensive, doesn’t he?”
Tang Cuo admitted, “A little.”
Gao Shu said, “Then you should think it over.”
Tang Cuo was left baffled.
Gao Shu’s attitude today wasn’t very pleasant; it seemed he harbored a lot of discontent and resentment. Tang Cuo noticed that Gao Shu’s gaze sometimes fell on his work ID, so he quickly held the ID in his hand and dryly chuckled, “I’ve thought it over; I want to take the class.”
Taking the contract, he noticed there was no pen in front of him. The pen was in Gao Shu’s hand.
“We no longer offer the discounted rate for Crisis Management Officers here,” Gao Shu said. “Make sure you’ve thought it through.”
Tang Cuo thought that Gao Shu must have received many crisis management officers before who felt they were being ripped off. He hurriedly explained, “I’ve genuinely thought it over; I want to get stronger!”
Gao Shu: “…”
Tang Cuo awkwardly scratched the panda’s head and asked, “The pen…”
Gao Shu handed the pen to him.
As Tang Cuo began to fill in the information on the contract, he noticed the corner of the private coaching agreement. The gym’s logo was there, an image of a swimming fish.
“Coach, do you spend a lot of time here at night?” Tang Cuo inquired. “Have you seen a shark here?”
“…What’s wrong?” Gao Shu, who was looking at his phone, raised his head upon hearing the question. “Have you seen one?”
Tang Cuo hesitated for a moment. He hadn’t told anyone that he had seen that giant shark at night. He was now beginning to doubt whether it had all been a hallucination.
However, for some reason, he felt that Gao Shu might also appreciate such aquatic creatures; otherwise, he wouldn’t have used one as the logo.
“I’ve seen one—a very, very large one,” Tang Cuo tried to describe the scene from that night to Gao Shu. How he had stood in a dark alley, how he had just broken free from a scuffle with some thugs, and how he had followed the giant shark through the streets and alleys, watching it until it disappeared completely.
Neon lights and street lamps illuminated the shark’s skin and its aquatic protective layer. It moved through the air as if it were swimming in the ocean. It was elegant and beautiful, like a free-spirited king.
Gao Shu paused for a long time before asking, “Do you find it beautiful?”
“Exceptionally beautiful!” Tang Cuo replied loudly. “Incredibly beautiful… It’s my savior! It’s the most beautiful spiritual body I’ve ever seen in my life.”
Tang Cuo’s eyes were sparkling as he talked about the giant shark. He was excited and eager to share his experience, wishing he could grasp Gao Shu and transport him through time and space to witness the enormous, dominating fish that had virtually ruled the entire area that day.
A smile gradually formed on Gao Shu’s face. He looked at Tang Cuo with a keen interest, as if he was seeing something new and intriguing, combined with a touch of amusement.
“Is the contract filled out?” he asked. “Let me add a few more classes for you.”
Tang Cuo nodded and wondered why the coach, like Bai Xiaoyuan, was so changeable. How did his attitude suddenly become so friendly again?
Gao Shu made a bold stroke, adding “+50” right next to his own signature.
“An additional 50 yuan?” Tang Cuo asked.
“Add 50 more sessions,” Gao Shu said, “and I’ll personally be your instructor.”
Tang Cuo was stunned. This meant a total of 80 sessions, even cheaper than the Crisis Management Officer rate.
“Why?” Tang Cuo asked, his head spinning. “Is there some kind of catch in this? Why are you being so generous all of a sudden?”
“…Of course not,” Gao Shu said as he handed the contract to the receptionist for approval. “Alright, let’s start with a physical assessment.”
After a brief moment of thought, Gao Shu provided an explanation, “I’m a top-tier coach, and I have the right to add sessions without increasing the price. Mr. Tang is quite interesting, so let’s consider this a way to make a new friend.”
Gao Shu smiled at Tang Cuo, who was dazed by the unexpected generosity. He thought that there couldn’t be much to lose in this situation, especially considering that this person also knew Bai Xiaoyuan. Bai Xiaoyuan’s friends might be unreliable, but they definitely wouldn’t deceive him.
With enthusiasm, Tang Cuo followed Gao Shu into the assessment room.
Gao Shu said, “First, take off your clothes.”
He handed Tang Cuo a form, filled in his name, and then glanced back at him. After a brief pause, he added, “You can just take off your outerwear; there’s no need to remove everything.”
Tang Cuo turned beet red and quickly put back on the underwear he had partially taken off.
“Tang Cuo is quite composed. He mentioned falling in love, and he didn’t even respond to my message,” Xie Zijing said from the passenger seat while looking at his phone. He noticed that Qin Ge was on the phone and didn’t reply. When he turned to look at him, Qin Ge was on the phone.
Qin Ge was trying to contact Lei Chi to inquire about the incident regarding Bi Xingyi’s entry assessment.
Lei Chi was in a dilemma. Although he was from the Criminal Investigation Division, this case ultimately fell under his jurisdiction.
“Captain Lei, could you do me a favor?” Qin Ge said it with a smile. “I haven’t followed through on my promise to treat you to dinner yet; how about we plan it for tomorrow? Our entire department will treat you to dinner.”
Qin Ge hung up the phone, stroking the steering wheel as he sank into thought.
“Tang Cuo said Lei Chi isn’t pursuing Bai Xiaoyuan?” Qin Ge asked Xie Zijing. “Is it really like this? When I mentioned that our entire department would treat him to dinner, he immediately agreed to help me with the inquiry.”
“Dinner is a big deal,” Xie Zijing analyzed. “Compared to that, Bai Xiaoyuan isn’t that significant.”
Qin Ge had mixed feelings.
Xie Zijing continued, “You can trust me. My eyes are keen, and I can easily see these subtle emotional cues.”
Qin Ge couldn’t help but think, “Heh heh.”
As they neared their home, Lei Chi returned Qin Ge’s call.
Accessing the records of special individuals was a priority in China’s population management system, and retrieving various medical examination and treatment records for Bi Xingyi from childhood to adulthood wasn’t a difficult task. However, when Lei Chi carefully inquired with the team responsible for this case, they hadn’t noticed anything unusual.
It was indeed Lu Qinglai who conducted Bi Xingyi’s entry assessment and concluded that Bi Xingyi was in a good mental state, suitable for an educational position.
Qin Ge: “…”
Lei Chi: “They also found something strange.”
According to regulations, when special individuals enter a workplace, they must undergo a comprehensive examination at the 267th Hospital, which includes the “Sea Area” test. However, according to the explanation attached to the report from the 267th Hospital, Bi Xingyi didn’t undergo the “Sea Area” test there because he presented Lu Qinglai’s evaluation report. Since the 267th Hospital’s psychiatric department had no certified spiritual adjusters, Lu Qinglai’s evaluation report was legally considered credible.
In this way, Bi Xingyi bypassed the 267th Hospital’s examination and smoothly joined the Second Middle School.
Originally, it seemed like a case unrelated to the Psychological Adjustment Department. However, the appearance of Lu Qinglai caused Qin Ge to feel extremely uneasy for the first time.
He turned to ask Xie Zijing some questions but noticed that Xie Zijing was no longer in the car.
The car was parked near a farmer’s market, and when Qin Ge got out of the car, he saw Xie Zijing picking lemons at a fruit stand.
“Lemons make a refreshing drink,” Xie Zijing said, holding two lemons as he spoke. “Wait for me; I’ll go buy some vegetables.”
Qin Ge: “You’re at a vegetable market? That’s unusual.”
Xie Zijing was surprised, “What’s so unusual about it?”
“You’re a top-tier Sentinel from the Western Division, someone who’s always hunting with a lion in the snow,” Qin Ge said. “And you don’t even know how to cook, right? Why are you buying vegetables… I mean, your place isn’t here; why are you buying vegetables?”
“I’m buying them for you.”
“… I don’t cook for myself.”
“I’ll cook for you.”
Qin Ge was astonished. He was both surprised and amused. “You?”
Facing Qin Ge’s skepticism, Xie Zijing smirked. “Don’t underestimate me, buddy. I’m a renowned wilderness survival expert from the Western Division.”
Xie Zijing pulled him through the market, and in the end, he emerged with a handful of vegetables and meat.
“Let’s go home,” Xie Zijing continued, using the night and the bags as a cover to hook Qin Ge’s hand. But Qin Ge dodged his touch.
“You’re still staying at my place?” Qin Ge reminded him. “You should be heading back tonight.”
“Don’t forget people when you get out of bed,” Xie Zijing chuckled. “I’ll make sure to freshen up before I accompany you to sleep.”
Qin Ge stubbornly stayed put.
If he agreed to stay with Xie Zijing here, his intuition told him it wouldn’t be a good idea. After all, it had been a special circumstance last night. Although he was weak at the time, he has now fully recovered.
The streetlamp illuminated Xie Zijing’s hair and eyes. A faint aroma wafted from a nearby snack shop, and people bustled about on the street, leaving the two men standing there. Qin Ge saw Xie Zijing smile sincerely, with a touch of tenderness in his slightly creased eyes.
“Just for one night,” Xie Zijing said. “You were very tired last night, and today you’ve been patrolling the ‘Sea Area’ of the little brats all day. I’ll keep you company for a little while.”
To show that he had no ulterior motives, Xie Zijing emphasized again, “I won’t be going to your bed.”
Two high school students who passed by them raised their heads in unison, looking at the two men who were discussing intimate matters on the roadside.
“…Let’s go,” Qin Ge finally gave in.
This wasn’t a sign of weakness. After getting into the car, Qin Ge told himself that he just found it very odd to be discussing these things with Xie Zijing by the roadside. After all, when it came to shamelessness, Xie Zijing was in a league of his own.
But when they returned home and Xie Zijing opened the fridge, turned on the gas, and started cutting vegetables and washing pots like a pro, Qin Ge found himself feeling a bit pleased.
Aside from Qin Shuangshuang’s family, not many people had entered his home. But Bai Xiaoyuan and Tang Cuo had been there, and Xie Zijing had even stayed for a while.
It was at this moment that Qin Ge realized he enjoyed solitude but also liked being with people.
The Barbary lion yawned on the balcony, its tail swaying back and forth. The long-haired rabbit sat on its back in a huddle, not yet asleep. The two creatures, one large and one small, gazed at the lights in the night. Qin Ge sat on the couch, writing his report, feeling calm, and even beginning to look forward to Xie Zijing’s culinary skills.
This tranquility and anticipation were shattered by the meal prepared by Xie Zijing.
“… You basically just cooked instant noodles and added some vegetables.” Qin Ge couldn’t believe it. “Wilderness survival expert?”
“This isn’t the wilderness.” Xie Zijing sat down at the dining table and pushed two bowls of noodles in front of himself and Qin Ge. “There’s no need for survival skills here.”
You’ve already said everything. Qin Ge silently retorted. He begrudgingly took his seat, wishing he could turn back time by twenty minutes to give his eager, anticipatory self a good shake.
The rabbit rolled off the lion’s back and crawled to the glass door, watching the two men eat. The lion opened its mouth, and the tips of its teeth gently touched the rabbit’s small ear. It then remembered Xie Zijing’s advice and hesitated for a moment before extending its claws to touch the round tail of the rabbit. Finally, it slowly stuck out its tongue.
Qin Ge shivered again as he turned his gaze toward the balcony.
Xie Zijing: “…It didn’t bite your rabbit’s ear.”
Qin Ge: “It’s licking!”
Xie Zijing: “Licking is fine; it won’t shed any fur.”
Qin Ge, gritting his teeth: “It’s licking its butt and tail.”
Xie Zijing, after suppressing his laughter: “Yes, I taught it.”
Qin Ge: “…”
He wanted to take the rabbit back, but the rabbit didn’t seem to mind, and oddly enough, Qin Ge also felt a subtle sense of excitement because of it.
People tend to have wandering thoughts at night. He buried himself in his bowl of noodles, intentionally ignoring the low chuckles from Xie Zijing on the other side of the table.
At this moment, Yan Hong was packing up his backpack, getting ready to finish his shift. He came to the entrance of the emergency department at the 267th Hospital, peeking in and watching the nurse he liked working busily. He was thinking about waiting to strike up a conversation with her before leaving.
The 267th Hospital was very quiet at night. Yan Hong leaned against the nurse’s station not far from the emergency department, chatted with a colleague, and stifled a yawn.
He was wondering what topic to use to break the ice when his phone suddenly vibrated. In the next instant, a red alert appeared on the computer at the nurse’s station.
[All units on high alert, an intruder has been spotted near Gate E.]
As the alert appeared, the large doors of the emergency department began to close slowly. Doctors and nurses sprang into action. Yan Hong looked at the computer screen at the nurse’s station without thinking.
The alert was accompanied by a video feed from the surveillance cameras.
A massive tentacle slowly climbed over the perimeter wall and fell heavily within the boundaries of the 267th Hospital. The tentacles spread apart, and a tall, slender man rose from the midst. He didn’t hesitate and began to drag his feet, moving toward the inpatient building closest to Gate E.
The author has something to say:
Non-consanguineous delusion is a manifestation of delusional disorder, where individuals believe that they are not biologically related to their family members. It is not a disease but a symptom, often accompanied by other symptoms such as hallucinations and auditory hallucinations. In some severe cases, women suffering from postpartum depression might experience a brief episode of non-consanguineous delusion, believing that their child is not their own and even harming their child.
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