Bai Wu stayed with Qian Kefu at the hospital for a while longer, confirming that he was alright before going to pick up Cheng Miao.
He and Cheng Miao had arranged to visit the homes of the victims together that afternoon.
Since they had borrowed Li Xiang’s name before, they went to his house first.
As soon as Bai Wu picked up Cheng Miao, he sensed something strange about him. He was wearing a suit today.
He rarely wore suits, especially in the summer. He was also holding a book.
“Micro-expression psychology? What are you looking at this for?”
Cheng Miao fastened his seatbelt and picked up the book again, “We need a reason to visit people’s homes. We can’t just go as police officers, right?”
“Then you are…”
“A psychologist.”
“I also know this?”
“No, that’s why I’m learning now.”
“But wouldn’t it be strange for me to barge in with this image?”
Cheng Miao pushed up the non-prescription glasses he was wearing to look more professional. “Now I am a psychology expert, curious about some of the things they experienced, so I’m visiting. And you are my assistant.
You have already communicated with their families in advance. Except for one family who refused, the other two agreed.”
“It wouldn’t happen to be Li Xiang and Guan Xianzhang’s brother, would it?”
“You’re right, it’s them. Let’s go.”
Bai Wu had already investigated the addresses of their families in advance and followed the address.
Li Xiang’s house was in an ordinary residential area, with tall buildings. It was almost the time for people to get off work in the morning, and there weren’t many people outside the residential area.
Bai Wu and Cheng Miao went to Li Xiang’s house according to the address.
After ringing the doorbell, someone quickly came to open the door.
It was a woman who looked to be in her forties. As soon as she saw the two of them, she understood, “Dr. Cheng?”
Cheng Miao raised his hand, “It’s me, I’m here to see Li Xiang.”
The woman raised her hand to shake his hand and made way for them to enter, “Please come in.”
There was a shoe cover box at the door. Bai Wu and Cheng Miao put on shoe covers before walking inside.
It was a simple three-bedroom apartment. The living room was clean, and there was a family portrait of several people hanging on the wall.
Judging from the age in the photo, it should have been taken when Li Xiang had just started elementary school.
“I’ll go get some fruit. You guys sit down first. He’s in his room, I’ll go call him out.”
Cheng Miao quickly said, “No need. If it’s convenient, let’s go to his room. Being in a familiar environment can make him feel more secure.”
The woman nodded in agreement and went to the room on the far right, knocking on the door, “A Xiang, Dr. Cheng is here.”
There was a sound of movement from the room. Soon, the door was opened, and a young head poked out. This should be Li Xiang. He said impatiently, “I don’t want to see any doctor!”
“A Xiang, they’re already here, just take a look,” she said softly, “And they don’t charge any money, there won’t be any loss.”
Li Xiang clicked his tongue impatiently, “I really don’t want to see him, I’m not sick.”
“A Xiang…”
“Mr. Li Xiang,” Cheng Miao saw that his mother couldn’t persuade him, so he said gently, “You can just treat me as a friend. We’re just chatting casually.”
Li Xiang still looked impatient. Cheng Miao’s voice remained gentle, “We have professional ethics and keep everything we hear confidential.”
Cheng Miao then looked at Li Xiang’s mother, “During our treatment, could you please excuse yourself as well? If there is anything else later, I will call you.”
Li Xiang’s expression changed slightly, as if he was somewhat moved.
The lady was filled with confusion hearing this, “Dr. Cheng, do parents have to excuse themselves for something like this?”
“It’s best to do so, him and I chatting will better help him open his heart.”
The lady heard this and had some hesitation.
Until Li Xiang said, “If it’s just us chatting alone, perhaps we can chat.”
His sudden change in attitude surprised his mother, and even Bai Wu.
Cheng Miao looked at the lady, “Then, please excuse yourself first. We’ll chat and come out later.”
Although the lady was a bit uncomfortable, she agreed for the sake of her son’s health.
“Be sure to tell me if anything happens.”
Cheng Miao nodded, “Please rest assured.”
Li Xiang turned around and returned to his room when he saw his mother leave.
Bai Wu and Cheng Miao followed him inside.
His room only had a bed, a wardrobe, and a desk. The desk had shelves, and the shelves were filled with books.
Contrary to Bai Wu’s expectations, his room was quite tidy, not at all like the room of someone who had been mentally broken by a monster.
There was also a book on his desk, which he must have been reading just now.
Bai Wu looked over curiously and saw that it was a manga, which he had seen on Cheng Yan’s desk before. She said it was a very popular manga. But he wasn’t very interested in these things.
Li Xiang sat uneasily on his chair, “What do you want to ask?”
Of course, Bai Wu wanted to ask directly, but Cheng Miao stopped him and said gently, “We’re not asking any questions. You can say whatever you want.”
Li Xiang was a little puzzled, “I don’t know what to say if you suddenly say that.”
“Then let’s talk about my college life, there is something that makes me feel concerned about.”
Li Xiang didn’t understand, “My college life, there’s nothing to it. It’s very boring. Except for class time, I’m sleeping at other times…”
Li Xiang began to talk about his college life. At first, he was still hesitant, glancing at Cheng Miao from time to time. Cheng Miao nodded to show that he was listening, and told him to speak boldly.
He seemed encouraged and spoke more and more enthusiastically.
Bai Wu was not a good listener. He asked Li Xiang if he could read his manga. Li Xiang nodded to show that he could.
He picked up the manga and stood aside to read it.
He originally just wanted to pass the time, but he suddenly found that it was a pretty good manga.
The protagonist of the manga is a girl.
The girl was born with a weak body and many diseases. Because her parents heard that there was an abbot in the temple that day who had very good medical skills, she was arranged to recuperate in the temple.
During this time, she met a group of senior brothers who were very kind to her. But during a trip up the mountain, they encountered a monster.
The senior brothers were killed by the monster to protect the girl. At that time, the girl awakened her ability and killed the monster.
But then the girl discovered that what she killed was just a shell of the monster, and the real monster still existed in the world. So she embarked on the road of hunting down that monster.
The monster also seemed to be targeting the protagonist, and would appear at every stage of her growth, killing the most important people around her.
Bai Wu was absorbed in reading when he suddenly heard Cheng Miao’s gentle voice, “It’s okay, we believe whatever you say.”
Bai Wu looked up and saw Li Xiang’s troubled face.
After a while, he seemed to have made a big decision, “I didn’t see it wrong, it was indeed a huge monster, its voice was like a baby.”