Chen Yujia regarded me calmly, his black pupils holding the mystery of the night sky, before gradually shifting back to human eyes. Returned to human form, the mystery vanished, and he looked at me with what seemed like a touch of confusion.

For some reason, a small, almost wicked sense of schadenfreude sparked within me. “I saw a lot of strange things in your mind,” Chen Yujia said slowly.

You find it strange too, I muttered silently to myself, then asked aloud, “What was strange?” “Your mind seems different from others; there are many small black specks. No matter how I tried to guide or coax them, they wouldn't resolve.

It’s truly peculiar.” Chen Yujia’s tone was absolute, and I believed he wasn't lying, but if what he said was true, I was a strange person, or perhaps a psychopath. “Black specks?” I frowned.

All my life, I believed I was the most ordinary among ordinary people. How could I suddenly be a psychopath, and have been one for twenty-five years?

I found it hard to accept. “Other people don’t have them?” This question absolutely had to be clarified, or it would become a heavy psychological burden for me.

Chen Yujia replied, “Very few. It usually only appears in those who are psychologically deviant.” My heart plummeted to the bottom.

His words pierced my heart without the slightest hesitation, and because of my trust in him, I couldn't mount the slightest resistance. I struggled feebly one last time: “So, you mean I—I am psychologically deviant?” Although I desperately didn't want to utter those final four words, I forced them out for a thorough struggle.

Unexpectedly, Chen Yujia didn't answer immediately. His face displayed an expression that, for the first time since he entered, gave me a sense of relief—it was one of confusion, a confusion born from the betrayal of his own experience.

After a long pause, Chen Yujia spoke, word by deliberate word: “If, according to normal psychological views, you are indeed psychologically deviant.” My heart was tossed to the abyss once more, then mercilessly stomped upon, leaving blood pooled on the floor. Just then, Chen Yujia added, “However, perhaps your situation cannot be judged by normal psychological standards.” I sat there, suddenly gripped by the urge to lunge forward, pin this fellow down, and beat him severely.

What did he mean, ‘cannot be judged by normal standards’? Doesn't that judgment still imply abnormality?

This damnable word game! This guy must have studied liberal arts, using tricky language to fool people.

Thinking this, a sudden light dawned in my mind. Right, he must be deliberately being cryptic.

My earlier thoughts were correct—what else could an office set up in a place like this be but a fraudulent company? I suppressed the anger rising in my chest, feeling a sense of release.

Because this guy was a fraud, I naturally wasn't a psychopath. Chen Yujia hadn't noticed my shift at all.

His brow was twisted into half a pretzel, as if deep in thought. You think away, I thought smugly.

By the time you figure it out, you’ll just say my condition is bizarre, something ordinary psychiatrists can’t treat, and that you alone can save me… Just as I thought this, I heard Chen Yujia say, “Your condition is extremely rare. Ordinary psychiatrists cannot treat it, but fortunately, you met me.” I laughed, my eyes filled with the look of a cat playing with a mouse, but Chen Yujia paid no mind to my expression, continuing as if to himself: “I once heard Professor Michel discuss a situation like this while I was studying in America…” I had no patience to listen to his nonsense any further and interrupted him quite rudely: “Do you know I’m a criminal detective?” Chen Yujia froze at my impoliteness, then nodded, “Yes, why?” “Then what do you think the consequences will be if you try cheap parlor tricks in front of an excellent Chinese criminal detective?” Chen Yujia looked utterly bewildered, saying with some confusion, “That doesn’t seem to be the topic of discussion right now.” He then looked at me with an extremely puzzled gaze, as if he had suddenly discovered my condition had worsened or mutated.

I stood up and told him very seriously, “You saved me once before; consider this repayment. You know what to do—close this office quickly and find a proper job.

Otherwise, if I run into you again, I’ll handle it officially.” With that, I turned and left. Walking through the cluttered shell company that resembled an alleyway, descending the steep, narrow staircase that felt like a mountain path, I emerged back onto the main street.

Looking up at the clear blue sky, my mood lightened considerably. I pulled out my phone and found Zhang Jiewei’s number, intending to tell him I wasn't a psychopath.

I decided to call him first because I always felt he kept too many things hidden. Usually quiet, he had, however, expressed a clear opinion on the matter of my sanity.

This struck me as abnormal; I couldn't quite fathom what he was thinking. As I, suspicious and uneasy, was about to press the call button, a voice interrupted my action.

“Officer Wang, Officer Wang, wait up!” Chen Yujia rushed down the steep stairs and called out, “Officer Wang, you must have misunderstood just now.” Misunderstood? You figure that out now?

Your IQ must be too low. With that IQ, you expect to trick people?

I wonder who really tricks whom—the smart person fooling the fool, or the fool fooling the smart person? At that moment, Chen Yujia extended his hand.

In it was a small, golden booklet—a certificate. He flipped it open; it was an English version.

Luckily, I hadn't completely forgotten all my English, so I could barely recognize the school name: Stanford University, the famous institution in America. Rumor had it this was the world's best college of psychology, the alma mater of many psychological masters.

Out of habit, I reached behind my waist, only then remembering I was in plainclothes and hadn't brought my handcuffs. I had already offered him a reprieve once; now here was a second time, and he’s forged a diploma from a world-class university?

This time, I absolutely couldn't let him off. Even a pig could figure this out: would someone from a world-class university hang out in a place like this?

But then, looking at Chen Yujia’s sincere expression, I felt a wave of confusion. A genuine con artist would never dare to lie to a police officer, let alone twice in a row with less than five minutes in between.

If such a bizarre sequence of events had truly occurred, there were only three possibilities: either this con artist was a super-idiot, the officer was a super-idiot, or the super-idiot con artist thought the officer was a super-idiot. Was I the super-idiot?

Or did I look like a super-idiot? That left this fellow in front of me, who looked like a scholar from ancient times.

My body started to assume the stance of a vigilant officer ready to apprehend a culprit. Just then, Chen Yujia, as if by magic, pulled a photograph from the certificate and pointed to a cluster of heads on it, saying, “That’s me.” The photo was dense with tiny heads, each no bigger than a fly’s eye—completely unrecognizable.

And in this day and age, a photograph proved little more than that the subjects were human or animal. Just as I placed my hand on his elbow, he suddenly stated, “Officer Wang is my friend; he can confirm.” Officer Wang.

There are countless Officer Wangs in the world. Who knows which one you mean?

Without hesitation, I wrenched his arm. “It’s Officer Wang Mingxue!” Chen Yujia cried out in pain.

My hand instantly loosened. Wang Mingxue was the most famous psychologist in the entire municipal police system.

Many rookies who had taken a life for the first time had undergone his guidance—myself included. “You know Wang Mingxue?” I said, rubbing his arm.

This wasn't an apology for my earlier action, but purely out of consideration for Wang Mingxue. Although Wang Mingxue was only a psychologist, he knew more about every officer in the city than the Chief of the Public Security Bureau.

Especially guys like me who couldn't cope after their first kill; all my youthful failings were etched clearly in his memory. One of the fundamental duties of a doctor is to resolve difficult situations for their patients, but Wang Mingxue was certainly no good doctor in this regard.

I recall once when the Chief of the Bureau was furious with him over some matter, he simply said, “Don't put on airs with me. I remember everything from back then.” The Chief instantly transformed, offering apologies and self-criticism.

Initially, the police circle suspected he had proof of corruption, but they later learned the Chief had also been one of those who 'didn't hold it together the first time,' and Wang Mingxue had been his counselor. The thought that my first kill was known to such an unscrupulous individual sent chills down my spine.

If I had the chance, I would request a transfer out of Anyin City immediately. Since Chen Yujia was Wang Mingxue’s friend, he was someone I could not afford to offend.

So, I rapidly started apologizing, “Dr. Chen, I am truly sorry for what just happened, for the imposition.

Please, don’t take it to heart…” I don't know how my vocabulary suddenly became so rich and flattering as I rubbed his elbow. Chen Yujia seemed overwhelmed by my eagerness and quickly stepped back, saying, “No need, no need.” “Right, how did you two meet, Officer Wang?” I leaned closer.

This question absolutely had to be answered clearly. If this was true, then today I’d be letting a murderer slip away while trying to haul this kid into the precinct first.

“Oh, nothing much. He just drops by for a chat sometimes, so we got acquainted,” Chen Yujia said dismissively, entirely unaware of Wang Mingxue's true influence.

I frowned. “Why does he come over here for no reason?” Chen Yujia replied, “We just talk casually.” As I remained suspicious, a police car screeched to a halt one meter away from me.

Who dares drive so aggressively? Even the Chief of the Bureau wouldn't dare drive like that.

Just as I was about to shout a reprimand, the car door opened, and a stout, fifty-something man in a uniform that seemed painfully stretched over him stepped out. Seeing the situation, I was about to slip away when the plump man boomed out, “Little Lei Zi, what are you hiding for?

Come help me carry something.” He pressed a button, and the rear door popped open. This fat man was the person I feared most in my life, second only to my own father—Wang Mingxue.

I immediately scurried over, only to hear the old man say, “Carry out that box of apples.” Then he walked over to Chen Yujia and said, “Yujia, the unit just distributed a few boxes of apples. I brought you two boxes right away.

I’m treating you well, aren’t I?” Chen Yujia smiled, “Uncle Wang, you are too kind. Come upstairs quickly; I’ll brew some tea.” They turned and headed up the steep staircase, while I followed behind them, carrying a heavy box of apples, looking utterly miserable—a truly pathetic sight.

Passing through the narrow corridor back into the office, which now seemed refreshingly airy, my mindset was completely different from before. I stood there, feeling rooted to the spot, desperate to escape.

“Little Lei Zi, why did you come running over here when you had nothing to do?” the fat man asked casually, his legs crossed. “Because I have nothing to do, I’ll take my leave now,” I used his words to craft an excuse, preparing to depart.

“Perfect. There’s one more box of apples; you might as well carry that up too.” I truly regretted coming here for no reason, but I never imagined running into this nemesis.

Accompanied by thirteen thousand silent curses, I sullenly hoisted the second box of apples up. The moment I stepped inside, I noticed the fat man’s expression had changed.

I quickly approached him, “Uncle Wang, it was a misunderstanding just now, I, I…” This stout man, whom I couldn’t physically match, patted my shoulder with his fleshy paw and said, “Kid, you’ve got excellent judgment, managing to find this place.” I hurried to explain, “No, I, I just didn’t want to disturb your venerable self.” “Go on, stop sucking up. What I said just now was genuine.

I come to Yujia’s place often to learn from him. And you, you little rascal, you just marched right in here yourself.” Hearing this, I finally understood.

It turned out Wang Mingxue regarded Chen Yujia as his master from whom he sought wisdom, coming here to learn the craft. And I nearly dragged this Tang Monk-like master back to the station as a demon.

This sin was certainly grave enough to warrant an audience with the Great Buddha himself. I shot Chen Yujia a pitiful look, hoping for leniency.

Fortunately, this young man’s heart was as gentle and refined as his appearance. He didn’t rub salt in the wound but smiled, “Officer Wang is an upright, good man, just a bit too impulsive, but that’s a necessary trait for a passionate policeman.” Thank heavens.

Those three sentences from him sent my heart soaring and crashing three times before it finally settled back into place. I cautiously eyed him, thinking I should never see him again in this life, lest my delicate heart lose its way completely.

Chen Yujia smoothly shifted the conversation back to my condition. I supposed that was also a necessary trait for a passionate doctor.

Once these two started discussing medicine, they became absorbed like children playing a game, and naturally, I became the monster or strange creature in their game—a rare treasure for two scientific eccentrics to study. Finally, after deliberation by the two great experts, my condition was diagnosed as ‘Pending.’ Because my illness was an extremely rare variant, completely different from typical psychological deviance, whether I was a psychopath or not remained undetermined.

Hence, ‘Pending.’ Internally, I was quite unhappy. Having an illness is having an illness; not having one is not having one.

What was ‘Pending’? Did whether or not I was sick really require someone else to decide?

Still, I felt incredibly lucky just to leave the ‘Yujia Psychological Consultation Office’ alive, and I vowed never to set foot in there again, even if I were beaten. However, one question lingered persistently in my mind: that skeletal figure I saw during hypnosis—was that me?

Chen Yujia did not answer this question directly, merely imparting a profound saying: “The outward form shines, while dust scatters.”