9 AM, School Administration Office.

"Sit."

Officer Huang sat in the principal's chair, leaning back slightly, legs crossed, hands clasped over his abdomen. He looked relaxed but exuded an aura of authority, as if he were in his own interrogation room.

Gao Yang sat obediently in front of him, silent.

Officer Huang said with a smile, "Don't worry. This is a lonely place. I only have a few inquiries.

"Uh...," Gao Yang thought to himself, "I'm nervous precisely because there's no one else here!"

"Is your face injured?"

"Oh, I got bitten by an insect." Gao Yang pretended to touch his face casually.

"Alright, let's begin." Officer Huang took out his notebook. "Gao Yang, what was your relationship with the deceased, Li Weiwei?"

"We've been friends since elementary school." Gao Yang answered, "We were very close, like childhood sweethearts."

Taking notes, Officer Huang inquired, "Were you with Li Weiwei all afternoon yesterday?"

"Yes, we spent a good amount of time eating, socializing, and watching a movie at Da Wan Mall. At midnight, we left for home."

"When did you break up with her?"

"I believe it was around eleven p.m." Gao Yang was aware that giving away too much about the time would lead to suspicion.

"You didn't walk her home, even though it was so late?"

"Since it was en route, I strolled alongside her. She advised against going all the way, so I didn't."

Gao Yang was aware that Qing Ling had compromised the surveillance for the final stretch of the trip. "Officer Huang, you can check the surveillance footage," he added with purpose. It will validate my narrative.

Officer Huang's eyes shifted slightly as he considered for a second. "To tell the truth, it was a conveniently broken surveillance system on that route."

"How is that possible?" Gao Yang pretended to be shocked.

"There's a good chance this was a planned crime." Officer Huang looked closely at Gao Yang's face, trying to find any indication of guilt.

"It's possible that it was created by someone she knew, but this is only a conjecture. As of right now, we lack a murder weapon, witnesses, and leads."

"No clues at all?" Gao Yang asked.

Officer Huang uncrossed his legs and leaned forward. "Did Li Weiwei have any classmates she didn't get along with, or anyone she might have offended?"

Gao Yang shook his head. "She was very nice. Everyone in class liked her. I can't think of anyone who would hold a grudge against her."

"What about people who were jealous of her, or any other possibilities?"

Gao Yang thought for a moment, then shook his head again. "I can't think of anyone."

Officer Huang nodded, his gaze never leaving Gao Yang's face. "You liked Li Weiwei, didn't you?"

Gao Yang hesitated for a moment. "I guess... I did."

"As part of the investigation, I reviewed Li Weiwei's WeChat records. You confessed to her, and she accepted..."

"Yes, yesterday was our first date. I never thought it would also be our last..." Gao Yang lowered his head, genuinely feeling sad.

Officer Huang asked no more questions. He stood up. "Alright, that's all for today." He stepped forward and patted Gao Yang's shoulder, his tone somewhat meaningful. "My condolences."

With the questioning over, Gao Yang breathed a sigh of relief, feeling like he had just dodged a bullet.

He left the office and headed back to his classroom.

"Gao Yang!" someone called out.

Before Gao Yang could turn around, a powerful arm abruptly encircled his neck and choked him.

Gao Yang was breathing heavily. "Cough... cough..."

"Hahaha, weakling!"

A boy with a lip piercing and bleached blonde hair let go. Wang Zikai was the one.

Gao Yang used to be a classmate of Wang Zikai, but that was a week ago. He was ultimately dismissed after hitting a boy in the adjoining class in the head N times.

The other guy had looked at him, which sparked the brawl.

Wang Zikai drove a sports car to school every day, and his family was wealthy. He was also very attractive, the ideal fusion of good looks and money. Still, he had squandered his chances and turned into one of the school's most feared bullies.

Since their first year together, for whatever reason, this bully had developed a special fondness for Gao Yang, often claiming that Gao Yang was his closest friend and only buddy.

Gao Yang was both flattered and confused by this. Gao Yang gave in to Wang Zikai's intimidation and awkwardly became friends with him, only to find that despite his penchant for fighting and sporadic odd behavior, Wang Zikai was a genuinely good man.

Wang Zikai was happy today, most likely because he was here finishing up his withdrawal process.

Why is the face off? Wang Zikai remarked, "You look like you ate something disgusting."

Gao Yang declared, "Li Weiwei is dead."

"However?" It stunned Wang Zikai. "How did she pass away?"

"She was robbed and killed..."

"Oh no! That's incredibly unfortunate, "Wang Zikai said with a tongue-click. "A few days ago, I assisted you in telling her the truth. Did she say yes? You know, she must have rejected you!

What kind of girl could a person like you have?"

Gao Yang rolled his eyes. This idiot always missed the point.

"Bro, my condolences." Wang Zikai casually patted Gao Yang's shoulder. "Look on the bright side. You don't have to worry about someone stealing her from you anymore."

"...," Gao Yang held back his urge to curse.

"I'll pick you up after school today, and we'll duo queue! Turn your grief into motivation. We've got to hit Silver this season!" Wang Zikai said.

"No, I'm going to Li Weiwei's funeral tonight," Gao Yang said.

"No way," Wang Zikai exaggeratedly jumped back. "You still want to have a ghostly love affair?"

"Go away!"

Gao Yang wanted to kick him and was at a loss for words. However, Wang Zikai was only that. You could never count on him to have a typical conversation.

"I'll see you!" With a wave, Wang Zikai took off.

---

7 PM. Shanqing District. Funeral Home.

Gao Yang and over ten classmates, along with their homeroom teacher, attended Li Weiwei's memorial service.

On one hand, Gao Yang did have feelings for Li Weiwei. Despite her turning into a monster last night, he still wanted to see her off one last time. On the other hand, he was curious why Li Weiwei wasn't cremated immediately after her death, which didn't match his understanding of this world.

The mourning hall was dim and solemn. Li Weiwei's photo was placed on the altar, the girl in the picture smiling brightly. Her body lay in a transparent glass coffin with a freezing function, surrounded by lush white flowers.

The parents of Li Weiwei stood by the casket, bowing to the people who had come to pay their respects. They were clothed in black suits and skirts.

The wife's tears would not stop. With a dejected expression on his face, the spouse helped her.

After leading a small group of pupils to present Li Weiwei with incense, the homeroom teacher proceeded to greet her parents. The ritual came to a conclusion when they clustered around the glass coffin.

Gao Yang trailed behind the team. He walked over to the coffin and examined Li Weiwei's body closely. Wearing a black funeral robe, her makeup made her appear as though she was only napping, giving the impression that she was alive.

But a profound terror sprang up from his feet, making his hair stand on edge, recalling that this girl had nearly crushed his head the night before.

The homeroom instructor approached Li Weiwei's parents and struck up a conversation. Feeling thirsty, Gao Yang steered clear of the throng and made his way to the tea shop at the side of the hall.

When he opened the door, Qing Ling was there.

Gao Yang proceeded to get himself some water without daring to glance at Qing Ling. But it was Qing Ling who went up to him first. "Did the police make any inquiries of you?"

"Nothing much."

"Tell me everything," Qing Ling demanded.

Gao Yang glanced around, ensuring no one else was in the tea room, then laid it all out, "Why didn't you keep acting?"

Qing Ling was slightly taken aback. "Acting?"

"What you did during the day. You were pretty good at it!" Gao Yang was a bit angry.

A flicker passed through Qing Ling's eyes. "Have you seen her?"

"What do you mean?"

"My other personality?"

Gao Yang was shocked, then understood, "Are you saying you have... a split personality?"

"Yes."

Gao Yang remained silent.

Qing Ling gently closed the tea room door. "To survive in this world, you can't deceive yourself. Over time, I developed a secondary personality. She is my sister, Qing Yu. Most of the time, it's me, but sometimes she comes out on her own. Li Weiwei's death deeply affected Qing Yu."

Gao Yang looked wary. "I can't tell when you're telling the truth or lying anymore."

"Does it matter?"

"Give me a reason to believe you."

"A reason?" Qing Ling raised an eyebrow. The fingers of her right hand, holding a disposable tea cup, moved slightly. A blade, thin as a cicada's wing, suddenly flew from her chest pocket, pressing against Gao Yang's neck.

"If I wanted to kill you, it would be easier than Li Weiwei killing you. Is that reason enough?"

"It's enough..."

As long as there is life, there is hope.

Gao Yang briefly recounted his conversation with Officer Huang.

Qing Ling listened, then fell into thought.

"You were smart enough not to slip up."

"Just a cop," Gao Yang said deliberately. "What could I slip up on?"

Qing Ling gave a cold smile. "It seems you still don't understand your situation. Do you know how many beasts are in this city?"

"How many?"

"The ratio is one in ten thousand."

"One in ten thousand people is a beast. That's quite high," Gao Yang said.

"No, it's one in ten thousand beasts per one person."

"What?!" Gao Yang nearly shouted, "You... you're joking, right?"

"No."

"That's impossible!" Gao Yang found it hard to believe, his scalp tingling. This was too absurd.

"That's the reality. Do you understand your situation now?"

"..." Gao Yang's hand trembled.

"For our school to have both you and me, two humans, is already a small probability event," Qing Ling stepped forward, her gaze icy. "As for your family, your friends, your neighbors, 99.99% of the people you've interacted with your entire life are beasts, of all kinds."

Gao Yang stood frozen, terror wrapping around him like a cold, poisonous snake.

Grandma, Dad, Mom, Sister, teachers, classmates, friends... all of them could be beasts. Gao Yang had been living with them since he crossed over, for twelve years!

His stomach churned, and he felt like vomiting.

"To be honest, you're the third human I've met. The previous two were stronger than me, but they both died."

Gao Yang still clung to a shred of hope. "It's impossible. If everyone around me were beasts... I would've been dead long ago."

"That's because you never realized their existence before. Beasts don't harm unaware humans. They only kill those who are awakened, like us."

"Why?"

"I don't know," Qing Ling shook her head. "They seem to have their own set of rules. My knowledge is limited..."

"What are you two talking about?"

Gao Yang and Qing Ling were startled.

The door to the tea room was pushed open, and Officer Huang stood there, smiling broadly.

"What's this beast you're talking about?"