Chapter 119: Chapter 117: Kill the Alter Ego?

"Sister Wen Ying, don’t you think you’re going too far?"

Wen Ying nodded. "It is pretty excessive."

Zhang Wenliang was speechless.

"Little Wen Liang, don’t you think there might be something wrong with you?"

"What could be wrong with me? I’m perfectly healthy, I excel at my studies, I have a solid moral compass, and I maintain a positive outlook. Everything is great. If anything, Sister Wen Ying, maybe you’re the one who should get a check-up."

Wen Ying shook her head. ’This kid. He’s a genius when it comes to his studies, but sometimes he’s really a bit dense.’

"Don’t you notice anything different about yourself compared to just a moment ago?"

"What’s different about me—" Zhang Wenliang suddenly froze.

He stared at Wen Ying, falling silent. The silence stretched on and on, and he never spoke another word.

"A true genius, just as I thought. You catch on quick."

Zhang Wenliang looked at Wen Ying, still silent, but his mind was filled with doubt.

’Are we thinking about the same thing?’

’Is Wen Ying the real deal, or is she just a charlatan?’

"Why don’t you tell me, Sister Wen Ying. What exactly is my problem?"

"Don’t worry, Sister Wen Ying. If what you say is true, I won’t deny it. I’m not that kind of person. I’ll pay you. If not, I’ll help you find a new job. I hope you’ll go and get some work."

"Xiaoliang, where are your parents!" Aunt Zhang called out as she came in from outside, carrying a bag of fruit.

She glanced around but saw no sign of Zhang Wenliang’s parents.

"That couple! They didn’t even wait for me, running off so fast! Xiaoliang, you and Sister Xiao Ying chat for a while. I’ll go wash some fruit for you." Muttering to herself, Aunt Zhang headed to the backyard to find the kitchen.

Throughout the entire exchange, Zhang Wenliang didn’t get a chance to say a word.

Wen Ying looked at Zhang Wenliang, her interest suddenly piqued. "Impressive, little genius. Back at school, you must’ve had at least a dozen girls chasing you, right? A few even wrote you love poems last week?"

Zhang Wenliang was surprised, but he nodded.

"You actually developed a bit of a crush on one of them, but you felt your ambitions lay elsewhere—that your future held bigger and better things. That spark between you didn’t even last a day before you extinguished it."

A blush spread across Zhang Wenliang’s face. He lowered his head slightly, recalling what had happened that day.

"It’s a good thing you want to study hard and focus on your research. The country needs talented people like you, and I fully support it. But haven’t you noticed? Or have any of the girls who like you ever told you? That sometimes, you seem like a completely different person?"

Wen Ying’s words were blunt, and Zhang Wenliang understood perfectly.

"So, do you believe I’m a psychologist now?" Wen Ying asked with a smile.

Zhang Wenliang shook his head. "No."

’Figures. Geniuses aren’t easy to fool.’

"Believe it or not, I’m a psychologist. If you want me to treat you, then pay up."

’What an un-cute kid.’

This time, Zhang Wenliang promptly scanned the QR code taped to the table and paid the one thousand.

Seeing the one thousand yuan that had just arrived in her account, Wen Ying thought with relish, ’I’ll order some spare ribs later.’

Sensing Zhang Wenliang’s expectant gaze on her, Wen Ying quickly composed herself, put on a serious expression, and asked, "Do you believe in second personalities?"

"I’ve studied it."

"Good, that makes things easier. You’ve developed a second personality. Since you’re familiar with the concept, I don’t need to explain it, right?"

Zhang Wenliang nodded. "Then what’s the treatment?"

Zhang Wenliang recalled his own past suspicions. His classmates and friends had indeed said that he would sometimes, for no apparent reason, seem to become a completely different person. If not for the fact that his face remained the same and they were always around him, they would have truly grown suspicious.

Fortunately, it had only happened seven or eight times.

’This meant his second personality hadn’t taken control. He was still the one in charge.’

"It’s simple. Just kill it."

Hearing these utterly insane words, Zhang Wenliang once again fell silent.

’Kill it?’

’Would that be killing the second personality, or would it be killing me?’

’Can a second personality even be killed?’

’This topic had been discussed in psychology, but most research indicated that what was needed between personalities was coexistence.’

So, upon hearing Wen Ying’s brutally simple answer, Zhang Wenliang was, for a moment, at a loss for what to say.

Wen Ying felt that communicating with a top student like Zhang Wenliang was actually quite simple. It saved her from having to explain a lot of things.

"What, are you hesitating? In that case, think about it. If you decide you want to kill it, come and find me then."

"Xiaoliang, are you leaving already?" Aunt Zhang asked, walking out just then with a plate of sliced fruit.

"Have some fruit! You young people must have a lot to talk about, so there’s no rush to leave, right? Little Ying doesn’t have many friends here, so you two should chat more! I’ll go find your parents and tell them not to worry about you! I’ll be here keeping an eye on you!"

Zhang Wenliang watched the whirlwind that was Aunt Zhang depart, then fell silent once more.

’This whole situation feels unexpectedly strange.’

"That’s just how Auntie is—enthusiastic. She’s trying to set us up. But I’m not your ideal type, and love isn’t what your world needs right now. And you’re not the person I’m looking for, either."

Hearing Wen Ying state it so bluntly, Zhang Wenliang still felt a bit embarrassed.

’Still, I didn’t think Sister Wen Ying would be so uninterested in me. Was this really all just to earn that one thousand yuan?’

This made Zhang Wenliang, who had been about to leave, change his mind. "There are probably a lot of people at my house right now, and I don’t want to deal with all of them. Is it alright if I stay here at your place for a little longer, Sister Wen Ying?"

"Of course... No problem. Suit yourself."

After speaking, Wen Ying picked up a small fork and ate a few pieces of dragon fruit. Then she looked up. "I’m actually pretty interested in seeing the square dance competition. How about we go now?"

Zhang Wenliang wasn’t really interested in that sort of thing, but since he was home, his school’s dean had already notified his parents. At some point, he was expected to make an appearance for the reporters, get his picture taken, and say a few words. It was a matter of pride for Wenxiang Street, and he was their poster boy, after all.

As someone born and raised in the area, Zhang Wenliang naturally wouldn’t refuse.

If he could inspire the local children to strive for better things, that would be for the best.

He considered himself a responsible young man and hoped for a better future for his hometown.

The two of them went to the public square together. The group of girls who had been about to leave after seeing Zhang Wenliang walk off with Wen Ying now froze in their tracks.

They all swarmed over in a rush.

After a cry of "Brother Wen Liang!", Zhang Wenliang quickly backed away a few steps. "Sorry, everyone, please don’t crowd me. I’m just home on leave for a few days and I have no intention of dating. Besides, I hope my future partner is someone who shares my values and with whom I have things in common."

"Brother Wen Liang, we have things in common! Don’t you remember we used to play together all the time when we were little? I even made a little clay man and gave it to you!"

"I remember. Thank you for the clay man, Qianqian. Although you later snatched it back and gave it to someone else."

"Brother Wen Liang, I make over ten thousand a month now! I think we should try dating. Is there any gift you want? I can buy it for you. I’m not in a rush to get married; I can wait for you to graduate before you come to my family with a marriage proposal."