Chapter Three: Who Is Truly at Fault?

"Name."
"Du Fang."
"Height and weight."
"Height, 178 centimeters; weight, 123 pounds."
"Major."
"Jiangling University, Department of Business Administration."
…
Chen Xi was taking notes, her long eyelashes trembling lightly, her youthful face carrying a cool detachment.

Du Fang was equally straightforward, answering every question without hesitation.

"I'm twenty years old."
"Single, unmarried, with one daughter."
Du Fang added a few more details.

Chen Xi lifted her gaze slightly. "That... that's not necessary for you to mention."

She held a thick stack of documents in her hands, all related to Du Fang. To her astonishment, this man before her had not been drawn into a dream disaster for the first time.

Chen Xi arched an eyebrow. "According to the records, you were pulled into a 'Specter Level Nine' dream disaster a month ago. As the sole survivor, your mind suffered severe trauma, and you received treatment from a psychiatrist..."

She flipped through the file, closed the folder at last, and looked at Du Fang. "Are you still taking your medication?"

"Three days ago, Dr. Lin stopped the meds," Du Fang replied with a cheerful smile. "She said my mental state was very good and suggested I try stopping the medication for observation. I was even allowed to return to school."

Chen Xi nodded, the severity in her brows easing considerably, a hint of a smile even appearing on her face. "Sorry about earlier. We didn't mean to point a gun at you."

"I understand. Last month, when I walked out alive, there were even more gun barrels aimed at me—not to mention tanks, fighter jets, and rocket launchers."

"This time the reception was rather lacking; I almost want to leave a complaint," Du Fang said, beaming as if telling a lighthearted joke.

Chen Xi: "..."

You think you’re amusing?

Chen Xi spread her hands, an apologetic look on her face. "We have no choice. Anyone who survives a dream disaster could have been possessed by a dream demon. In today's world, the harm caused by dream demons surpasses even that of the dream disasters themselves. As Dreamwalkers, we must eliminate any possible threat at the source."

"I understand, I understand…" Du Fang nodded vigorously, fully cooperative. Maintaining social harmony and world peace is everyone’s duty.

In the distance, a staff member finished packing up the equipment, nodded, and reported to Chen Xi, "Genetic screening is complete. No mutations detected. Dream energy is low. Mental fluctuations are within the normal range. Preliminary assessment: no evidence of dream demon possession, but continued observation is required."

After Chen Xi gave an "OK" gesture, she turned to Du Fang.

"We’ve already notified your psychiatrist. She’s on her way," Chen Xi said.

At her words, Du Fang’s face showed a trace of anxiety. "How much longer do I have to wait? My daughter’s at home waiting for me to cook dinner. If she gets hungry, she’ll be quite upset."

"It might even affect our relationship!" he added earnestly.

Chen Xi paused, caught off guard. "You truly have a daughter?"

"It's hard to believe you became a father so young. You started making mistakes early, didn’t you..."

"Don’t worry, I notified Dr. Lin before we started. She’ll be here soon."

Still, Du Fang was anxious, even a bit uneasy. "I promised to make cola chicken wings for her tonight…"

Yet Chen Xi, concerned about his mental state, would not let him leave.

Du Fang could only sit in his chair, head in his hands, fingers tangled in his hair.

His gaze seemed to drift, his nerves taut as he stared at the fluctuating measure of familial affection on the panel before him.

…

A shrill whistle interrupted Du Fang’s thoughts.

In the distance, a red luxury sedan came to a stop. The frameless car door swung open, and a long leg, encased in a black high heel and revealing a fair instep, stepped out.

A tall woman in a beige trench coat strode toward Du Fang.

"Jiangling First Hospital, Department of Psychiatry. I am Lin Liuli."

"Can I take him with me now?" she introduced herself to Chen Xi, offering her a business card.

Before Chen Xi could respond, Du Fang sprang to his feet with delight. "Dr. Lin, you’re here!"

"I need to hurry home—Luo Luo is hungry and can’t wait any longer!" Du Fang said anxiously.

Dr. Lin was momentarily surprised; her red lips pressed together, and the coolness on her face gave way to an unprecedented gravity and seriousness. "Alright, right away."

From the other side, a middle-aged man in a black trench coat approached.

"Captain Zhang," Dr. Lin greeted him with a nod.

She recognized him: Zhang Changlin, captain of the Jiangling Dreamwalker Squad.

"You plan to take him home?"

"Though he’s passed the initial screening, we still can’t rule out dream demon possession. Continued observation is necessary," Zhang Changlin said calmly.

Dr. Lin’s expression did not change in the least. After a moment’s thought, she pointed to Chen Xi. "If you’re concerned, Captain Zhang, your team member can come along as well."

Zhang Changlin glanced at Chen Xi, hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

"Alright."

…

…

The sky gradually darkened. The sunlight vanished completely, and starlight climbed the night sky.

Jiangling City.

Zhongliang Community.

The elevator’s indicator lights flashed as it rose floor by floor.

"Ding—thirteenth floor."

A crisp chime sounded, accompanied by a mechanical female voice.

The elevator doors slid open.

Du Fang, Chen Xi, and Lin Liuli stepped out together.

Du Fang carried two bags: one with frozen chicken wings from the supermarket, the other with a bottle of cola.

Eagerly, he hurried to a door, unlocking it with his fingerprint.

Beep—

The door opened.

Du Fang’s eyes softened instantly.

"Daddy!"

As soon as the door opened, a delighted, childish voice rang out at his ear.

Inside, a delicate little girl in a pleated skirt, holding a pink pig plushie and looking every bit the fairy-tale princess, gazed at Du Fang in joy. Then, with a flurry of small steps, she rushed headlong into his arms as he crouched down to receive her.

"Daddy’s making cola chicken wings for you tonight," Du Fang said, ruffling Luo Luo’s hair.

Her eyes sparkled even brighter, her chubby, rosy-cheeked face breaking into a joyful smile. Even the pink pig in her arms seemed to grin wide.

"These are Auntie Lin and Auntie Chen. Say hello to them," Du Fang said, pointing to Lin Liuli.

Lin Liuli knelt on one knee, her icy aloofness melting away, replaced by a hesitant but gradually radiant smile, like an iceberg thawing.

"Have you been a good girl at home, Luo Luo? Big sister came to see you," she said, reaching out to gently stroke… the air.

At the doorway, Chen Xi froze, bewildered.

She watched as the two interacted with the empty air, laughing and speaking as if nothing were out of the ordinary.

The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.

She felt a chill run up her spine.

Were they… miming with nothing at all?

Both of them could see it?

Was she the only one who couldn’t?

Did that mean there was something wrong with them—or with herself?