I slowly bent over, and the figure in the shadows mirrored my movement. Then, I spread my legs, and the figure did the same. I lowered my head slowly until my face was parallel with the ground, and sure enough, the figure followed suit, allowing me to catch a glimpse of its face in my periphery.

I deliberately tilted my eyes upward, abruptly glancing over, and a horrifying, grotesque visage appeared before me. It, too, was rolling its fierce eyes to stare directly at me.

Ah! I shrieked, nearly collapsing to the ground, only managing to catch myself just in time with both hands braced against the earth. Then, as if I had seen a ghost, I fled forward in a frantic rush.

When I could run no further, the figure still stood silently behind me, but the mere thought of that dreadful face sent a shiver of ice down my spine. Staring at the flat ground, bright as a mirror, I sank into profound despair.

Suddenly, the figure moved on its own, slowly walking toward me, yet I was rooted to the spot, unable to move. The terror in my heart peaked with every deliberate step it took.

It was now less than a single centimeter away. I yearned to pass out, to stop this endless fear, but my mind was unnervingly clear, intensifying the agony.

The figure abruptly halted, then violently spun its head around. I finally saw the face in its entirety: a face stripped of skin, with several dark, gaping holes oozing a foul stench, and greedy desires dripping from its gleaming white teeth.

I let out a bloodcurdling scream and blacked out.

In the haze of unconsciousness, I heard Professor Michel’s voice: “You are a fish; the water is your true home. Return, to the river of time, here...”

My body rapidly shrank, transforming back into a fish, then plunging into the river of time. I opened my dazed eyes and saw Professor Michel’s hand.

Michel closed his fist, and I snapped fully awake.

“Who was that figure?” I asked immediately upon regaining consciousness.

“It was you, or perhaps another version of you,” Michel’s voice was even, devoid of any hint of jest.

“So, I really am a pervert?”

“Everyone harbors different personalities; these personalities are like different ‘yous.’ However, it is difficult for these traits to coalesce into a concrete individual. They mostly flicker in and out, never lingering long, much like a wave—forming in an instant, then vanishing just as quickly.”

“If that’s the case, why did I see it?”

“Because once it has formed, it is no longer just a ripple, but a tide. The ocean is boundless, the waves rise and fall ceaselessly, and it will accompany you your entire life.”

The mere thought of that skinless face sent a chill through me. If that thing was with me every second, could I ever live in peace?

“Why did it mimic me and approach me?”

“Because it wants to become you.”

My heart violently shuddered. It wanted to become me? If it truly succeeded, what kind of person would I become?

I dared not delve deeper into that thought, stopping abruptly and pressing on, “I don’t want it to become me. Is there a way?”

Michel met my gaze directly. His naturally blue eyes were somewhat like the sky. “Of course. Everyone possesses the right to choose, but behind every choice lies the arrangement of fate.”

Now fully alert, I relaxed my posture, leaning back lazily in the chair. “That’s telling me nothing; you might as well just say it’s all destiny.”

Michel appreciated me best in this state. He pulled up a chair, sat beside me, and said, “Fate is capricious, which is why the power of choice is given to you. Do you understand? When you face major decisions in life, different choices lead to different destinies.”

“So, the moment a criminal commits a crime, if they made the opposite choice, they would alter their entire life path. Is that what you mean?”

“Precisely.”

I felt a vague sense of unease. After all this talk, Michel hadn't mentioned my condition. Knowing his personality, I could practically deduce what that implied. But since I was here today, there had to be a conclusion. So, I asked directly, “What exactly is my illness? Please be straightforward.”

“Well, your condition is very similar to that policeman from ten years ago, but…”

Michel paused, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. For me, that single instant of bewilderment was a crushing blow. If the world-renowned psychologist was confused, did that mean I was beyond help?

“Your case is highly unusual. I cannot yet determine the precise cause, but one thing is certain: the root cause is also extremely peculiar, and it is not hereditary.”

Not hereditary, then it must be acquired. Yet, from childhood, I hadn't experienced anything bizarre or occult, nor had I encountered aliens or anything similar. This didn't add up.

“I’ll take some blood samples. I’ll study them carefully when we return home and notify you immediately if I find anything,” Michel said.

As the blood left my body, I felt cold. This was my only hope; if it proved fruitless, my life would effectively end.

“What, scared? Don’t you want to see what God looks like? If you go first, remember to call and tell me,” Michel suddenly smiled. This smile momentarily made me forget my fear of death.

“Haha, I won’t be dying. I’m still waiting to see the US become a little brother to China.”

After that joke, a sense of relief washed over me. What was death, anyway? At least I wouldn't have to face so many strange and bizarre things, nor worry about You Qiaolin’s terrifying smirk.

Just as the cold needle was withdrawn from my arm, my phone rang. I glanced at it—it was Wang Xuyang.

I froze. Why would that kid call me? While hesitating whether to answer, I suddenly remembered he was investigating a case with Xiao Cuo. If it was urgent, it should have been Xiao Cuo calling...

When I answered, Wang Xuyang’s voice was frantic: “Xiao Cuo is missing.”

I instantly recalled You Qiaolin’s eerie laugh, and a chill shot through me. “Slow down. What exactly happened?”

“Today, Xiao Cuo and I went to Changqing Street. We were together when we left, but he vanished in the blink of an eye. His phone is off. We don’t know what happened. I know you two are usually the closest, do you know where he might be?” Wang Xuyang sounded genuinely nervous, making his tone unusually serious.

I checked the time; it was just past one in the afternoon. Around this time, Xiao Cuo usually stayed in the archives room, as it was farthest from the stairs and the quietest.

“Go check the archives room first. I’ll be right there,” I told him before hanging up. I didn't even have time to invite Professor Michel for a quick lunch before rushing off toward the archives.

Normally, I wouldn't have worried, but I couldn't shake the memory of You Qiaolin’s strange smile. I truly feared losing anyone close to me again.

Twenty minutes later, I arrived at the archives. I knew Xiao Cuo favored the first reading cubicle on the left, as it offered the most seclusion.

Before entering, I heard sounds from inside. Pushing the door open, I saw Wang Xuyang draped over Xiao Cuo’s back; the two were laughing and chatting happily.

Anger immediately flared up in my chest. I tiptoed over and firmly smacked both of them on the head simultaneously.

They both jumped. Wang Xuyang let out a sound like a pig being slaughtered: “Assaulting an officer! Assaulting an officer!”

“Assaulting your head! You startled me half to death. Turns out you two were just hiding in here having a grand time.”

Wang Xuyang rubbed his head, swinging his legs—which he often referred to as ‘little chicken legs’—and retorted, “I just got here. The moment I arrived, I saw Xiao Cuo.”

Xiao Cuo quickly chimed in, “Hehe, my phone died. Sorry, Brother Lei, for making you worry.”

Since I lent him money, his tone had become much more polite, which actually made me uncomfortable. I plopped down and drawled, “Worry about you? Please. I was worried that if you disappeared, I wouldn't have anyone to pay back my hard-earned money.”

Wang Xuyang leaned in conspiratorially, a mischievous look on his face. “Pay back money? Who owes whom?”

I immediately slapped him again without warning, but this kid was surprisingly quick; he ducked his ‘chicken neck’ and dodged it.

“If you keep asking nosy questions, watch me fry your mouth up to go with some drinks.”

Wang Xuyang put up his hands and laughed. “Brother Lei, I didn’t know you were into that. Next time, bring me along. Don't say anything else, but I’m the best at being a drinking companion; I guarantee no one else drinks too much.”

Dealing with this cheeky fellow gave me a headache, but seeing how friendly Xiao Cuo was with him just now, maybe he had better methods than I did?

I changed the subject abruptly. “How is the case coming along?”

Xiao Cuo’s expression immediately sobered. He said, “After investigating for this period, we have basically ruled out the possibility of human involvement.”

The moment those words left his mouth, the surroundings fell silent, even Wang Xuyang quieted down, as if ‘Death’ itself was standing nearby.

I pinched my arm, frowning. “Are you certain?”

Xiao Cuo nodded, his expression deeply somber, as if he had actually encountered that thing.

Then, his voice drifted out, “That day, I went to Changqing Street alone, intending to interview the deceased’s neighbors. Suddenly, a sound came from inside that house, so I rushed over immediately.”

My heart clenched. Could ‘Death’ be reappearing?

Xiao Cuo continued, “Just as I reached the door, it suddenly swung open, and two figures bolted out. I immediately pursued them and asked what happened. It turned out the two were relatives of the deceased. Because someone had died in the house and the neighbors were spreading frightening rumors, the property was unlivable and no one dared rent it. So, the deceased’s wife had hired two brave relatives to stay there, hoping to suppress the bad luck before they tried to rent it out again.”

Hearing this, Wang Xuyang’s ‘little chicken legs’ stopped swinging. He shifted his body and moved to sit on the other side, hooking his arm over Xiao Cuo’s shoulder. “Did they run into a ghost?”

When the kid mentioned ghosts, he acted as if one were crawling up his back, instinctively looking over his shoulder, which made me feel jumpy too.

Xiao Cuo, however, seemed fearless. He remained calm and continued, “The two men were taking a nap when one suddenly felt something in the room. He opened his eyes and saw a black shadow clinging to the ceiling. He tried to scream but couldn’t make a sound, vaguely thinking he was dreaming. Then he heard movement on the other bed and looked over, only to see the person lying there turning their head to look at him. Only then did they realize it wasn't a dream. When they looked back, the black shadow had already slid halfway down the corner of the wall, almost reaching their beds…”

Wang Xuyang let out a sharp shriek that nearly broke me on the spot. I wiped the cold sweat from my forehead and cursed, “You manage to cause trouble even when nothing’s wrong. Go sit somewhere else.”

Wang Xuyang immediately shrank back. “Not going. I’m not going anywhere.”

Ignoring him, I turned back to Xiao Cuo. “Did you investigate inside?”

Before Xiao Cuo could answer, Wang Xuyang interjected from the side, “Go inside? Are you nuts? Wouldn’t that be suicide?”

Xiao Cuo showed a hint of embarrassment. I patted his shoulder. “Not going in was the right move. Anyone would have done the same.”

After hearing this account, my conviction began to waver. Are there truly ghosts in this world? But then, what about the murder of the priest at the church? That was clearly a brutal killing. Then again, ‘Death’ doesn't necessarily have to kill in only one manner!

I glanced toward the door and suddenly noticed the similarity between the archives room and the church—both were dimly lit, vast, and devoid of human figures. Moreover, the numerous filing cabinets here created countless blind spots, and these unseen dark corners inevitably bred fear in one’s mind.

My body grew cold. I looked at Xiao Cuo with grave seriousness. “You need to be extremely careful recently. If it really is ‘Death,’ it could harm you just as easily as it harmed the priest.” Then I shot a glare at Wang Xuyang.

Though I disliked the kid, when facing ‘Death,’ we were all in the same boat.

Wang Xuyang actually nodded seriously; it seemed he had been thoroughly frightened too.

Suddenly, I felt a pair of eyes watching me from a corner. I quickly looked out past the door. Ahead was a row of filing shelves, with only about an inch of space between each level, allowing a view of what was behind, but the angle prevented a full view. Was it hiding there, or was it just my imagination?

I stood up and walked toward the shelves, inspecting row after row. Xiao Cuo and Wang Xuyang followed. We went all the way to the end, finding nothing.

I looked up sharply at the ceiling. A black shadow lay motionless up there, completely terrifying me. I cried out in panic, “Where is it!”

The other two rushed over, asking anxiously, “Where?”

“I saw it just now; it’s gone now.”

At that moment, Wang Xuyang blurted out, “Brother Lei, everyone knows you hallucinate in broad daylight. Don't scare us.”

I was close to physically assaulting him on the spot, but Xiao Cuo restrained me and snapped at Wang Xuyang, “What nonsense are you spouting? If you keep this up, I won't be polite.”

Wang Xuyang pouted and walked away, clearly displeased.

Xiao Cuo quickly explained to me, “Brother Lei, I absolutely didn't say that.”

I managed a wry smile. “It’s fine. Everyone knows about my last leave; I don't blame you.” Then I added, “This place isn't clean. Come here less often, and if you must, always bring Wang Xuyang with you.”

I didn't say this to put Wang Xuyang in danger, but because having two people together offered more safety. Just like the incident Xiao Cuo described, if only one person had been in the house, tragedy might have struck again.

After leaving the archives, I took out the business card Michel had given me and called him to apologize for my abrupt departure. Michel chatted with me humorously for a while, then informed me that there was an emergency at the academy and he had to return immediately, looking forward to meeting again in the States.

After hanging up, it suddenly struck me that Michel and Chen Yujia were two completely different types of people—so different they seemed unlikely to share the same master-disciple lineage. However, it was clear Chen Yujia held immense respect for Michel. At the hotel today, he maintained the demeanor of a student from beginning to end, speaking only when necessary and showing minimal expression.

A strange thought surfaced: If I had studied under Michel back then, perhaps I would have fully inherited his mantle and achieved even greater success than Chen Yujia.

I laughed self-deprecatingly. With my academic record back then, I probably couldn't even have scraped the doorstep of Stanford University, let alone become Michel’s student. Furthermore, Chen Yujia’s innate talent was the highest I had ever witnessed; I doubted even Michel surpassed him.

Just then, a graceful figure appeared before me. I focused my gaze—it was Zhang Hemei.

The Zhang Hemei before me was identical to the one at the International West Wing—like a transcendent woman untouched by worldly concerns. Yet, I knew there was a core of rebellion beneath her composure.

“What, you’ve left the Lan Guiren establishment and don't recognize me?” Zhang Hemei’s soft voice drifted over.

I rushed forward. “Did you come specifically to find me?” My voice trembled slightly, because if so, it meant she had remembered something.

Zhang Hemei nodded, then said, “I thought carefully about what happened last time and recalled a place. I remember when You Qiaolin was troubled, he always went to Willow Island. It’s sparsely populated and has a small wooden cabin there. He once said that being there calmed him. I went twice, but I found it too gloomy, so I never went back.”

Willow Island is in the suburbs of Anyang City, separated from the airport by the river. It’s called an island because the Song River splits into two branches here, rejoining after a stretch, thus forming a piece of land surrounded by water on all sides. Due to the abundant water source, the vegetation on Willow Island is dense, and the trees are exceptionally tall.

On an island so isolated and shrouded by deep woods, it was indeed an excellent location for hiding or disposing of bodies. More importantly, the fact that You Qiaolin felt his mood calm there must have a reason, and that reason was likely irrational. Therefore, aside from hiding the body of his wife or other victims there, I could conceive of no other explanation.