Lost in the Otherworld

As he recalled the past twelve years with Li Weiwei—their shared moments of going to and from school, eating meals together, doing homework side by side, even setting off fireworks together on New Year's Eve, witnessing her laughter, her tears, her anger—all those familiar and beautiful memories had been shattered by the "beast" of last night. Gao Yang wished desperately that he were facing two distinct beings: a pure and lovely human girl and a vicious, unknown monster. Yet, the two were one and the same. Gao Yang found this truth unbearable.

By the time morning self-study ended, Li Weiwei's seat remained empty. A few girls in the class began whispering to each other; they must have already heard that something had happened to her. Gao Yang, who had barely slept the night before, had too many questions he wanted to ask Qing Ling. To his surprise, as soon as the class ended, Qing Ling walked over to him, loudly demanding in front of the other students, "Gao Yang, where is Li Weiwei?"

Gao Yang was stunned: What’s going on? Is she acting?

"I don't know," Gao Yang replied.

"Don't know?! Wasn't she with you yesterday?"

"Yes, but we went home separately at night..."

"What’s going on? She’s not answering her phone, not replying to WeChat, and now she’s not even coming to class." Qing Ling frowned in frustration and left after getting no answers.

The first period was math, and the math teacher was also the class teacher. He walked into the classroom with a somber expression, placed the textbook on the podium, and adjusted the high-prescription glasses perched on his low nose bridge.

"Before we begin class, I need to tell you something."

"Li Weiwei from our class... was killed last night."

The whole class was in an uproar.

"What?!" Qing Ling stood up in shock.

Gao Yang was taken aback, suddenly feeling a strange admiration: Life is indeed like a play, and acting is everything.

Qing Ling's reaction was natural; after all, she spent almost every day with Li Weiwei, and they were very close. This reminded Gao Yang that as her childhood friend, his reaction was far too unusual.

Gao Yang quickly stood up, feigning shock and confusion: "Impossible! I just saw her yesterday afternoon!"

"She was attacked late last night on her way home, apparently by a robber. She was stabbed in the chest and died instantly..." The class teacher sighed, "That's all I know."

"Oh my God! How could this happen?"

"So pitiful, who would've thought something like this would happen to her?"

"The killer must be sentenced to death!"

"Woo...woo..."

The boys who liked Li Weiwei were furious, shouting in anger, while the girls who were close to her began to cry quietly, their eyes red.

"Students, I am also deeply saddened and outraged by what happened to Li Weiwei. The police are doing their utmost to capture the murderer and bring him to justice. Those of you who wish to pay your last respects to Li Weiwei can come with me to the funeral home tonight... Now, let's calm ourselves and continue with the lesson."

The math teacher opened the textbook, then remembered something: "Qing Ling, Gao Yang, you two come to my office."

Gao Yang became alert: "Is there something wrong, teacher?"

"The police are here, they need your cooperation to answer a few questions."

With reddened eyes, Qing Ling rushed out of the classroom, seemingly eager to meet the police, and Gao Yang followed behind. As they walked through the corridor, Gao Yang, who was trailing behind, quickly caught up to her when he saw no one around. "We need to align our stories."

"Align what?" Qing Ling turned her head, her gaze filled with both sorrow and anger.

"About Li Weiwei."

Qing Ling froze for a moment, then grabbed Gao Yang by the collar: "You do know something! Did you kill her?"

"Huh?" Gao Yang was bewildered.

What now? Is she still acting?

"Now's not the time for this! Stop pretending!" Gao Yang said.

"Who's pretending?" Qing Ling's expression was serious. "You’re definitely suspicious. Why didn’t you walk Li Weiwei home last night? Why did she end up dead? I bet you had something to do with it!"

No way! This isn’t what we agreed on!

What is Qing Ling trying to pull?

"Say something! Didn’t you want to be with Li Weiwei? She didn’t like you, didn’t accept you, so you killed her out of spite, didn’t you?" Qing Ling pressed on.

Gao Yang’s mind was racing, and he considered the possibilities:

First, this Qing Ling isn't the same Qing Ling from last night, which seems highly unlikely.

Second, Qing Ling is still acting and has decided to sell me out to save herself. She did say last night, after all, not to trust anyone.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Gao Yang said, lowering his head as he walked past Qing Ling. He decided to remain silent, knowing that the more he spoke, the more mistakes he might make.

"Stop pretending! I'll make sure the police investigate you thoroughly! If you killed her, I won't let you get away with it!" Qing Ling angrily stormed into the office.

Just as Gao Yang was about to follow her in, a tall figure blocked his path.

Gao Yang looked up; it was a man in a police uniform, about thirty-something, with a clean crew cut, a broad chin, and sharp, experienced eyes.

"You are... Officer Huang?"

"Haha, we meet again." Officer Huang smiled, but his eyes were devoid of warmth.

Three nights ago, the officer who had shot and killed the "madman" and "saved" Gao Yang was none other than him, Officer Huang Qi.

Officer Huang patted Gao Yang on the shoulder: "Come with me to another office."

Gao Yang's heart sank: It's over, the prisoner's dilemma.