No ghosts. No drug lords. This was all a trap set by a deranged killer—just for me.

But then another thought crept in…

If everything really unfolded exactly as I imagined…

Could today’s chat with this “Liu Xiaozhen” actually mirror what happened to the real Liu Xiaozhen moments before she was murdered over ten days ago?

A stranger pounding on the door outside. A girl, utterly alone, clutching her phone, crying for help with nowhere to turn—only to meet a brutal end…

I pictured that decomposing corpse in the room again. A chilling wave of immersion washed over me, sending shivers down my spine.

—I’d grown even more withdrawn…

“Sorry to keep you waiting! Need to wash your hands?”

Lizi Sa plopped down in front of me, grinning cheerfully, arms dangling loosely.

“Mm…”

After washing up, several plates of grilled skewers were already on the table. Lizi Sa had started eating alone.

“Want some iced beer?”

Face glowing with delight, she waved me over as I approached.

“So psychologists have a hobby of pressuring high school girls to drink beer? Wow. Truly eye-opening.”

I replied, annoyance sharp in my tone.

“Never mind, then…”

She mumbled around a mouthful of food.

“Let me tell you—anyone who lived through today’s mess wouldn’t sleep a wink tonight!”

Lizi Sa took a sip of beer, cheeks flushed. The polished psychologist facade was fading fast.

I clinked my can against hers and downed another.

For me, beer was like water—my body just wouldn’t get drunk.

But Lizi Sa? Half a can in, and she was already swaying slightly.

“Seriously? With that tolerance, you *dared* to brag about drinking? Half a can and you’re already like this?”

I sneered, dripping with sarcasm.

“Don’t even! You said ‘no’ three times—then *poof*, three cans gone. What’s humanity’s true nature again?”

She tapped her chopsticks against the plate.

Truth was, she wasn’t *that* drunk—just loosening up under the alcohol’s influence.

“By the way… did the officers explain today’s incident clearly to you?”

She sipped tea, patted her cheeks, shifting into serious mode.

I shook my head silently.

“What’s *your* definition of ‘clearly explained’?” I countered.

“All the case details!”

“As your psychologist now, it’s my duty to walk you through every single detail!”

She pressed a hand to her chest, brimming with confidence.

Her expression suggested she knew something.

After all, she’d been inside the police cordon—someone the authorities trusted.

Could she really have insider intel I didn’t?

Free intel? I wasn’t refusing it.

“I feel… fuzzy about it. Not quite clear…”

I shook my head, feigning confusion.

“First, a proper reintroduction! I’m Lizi Sa—one of the police’s officially designated psychologists!”

“‘One of’?”

“Don’t interrupt me!”

“Summary time: You went to meet an online friend but stumbled on the murder-and-hidden-corpse case in Wanxiang Residential Area. Right?”

“Uh…”

I opened my mouth to add something, but she shot me a *silence* gesture.

I fell quiet and listened.

“The victim’s identity is confirmed—it’s Liu Xiaozhen, biological daughter of drug lord Liu Wutao!”

Lizi Sa announced, face still flushed.

The news startled me… but not as much as it should have.

I’d already pieced it together: if that corpse *was* Liu Xiaozhen, then a killer must’ve hijacked her identity to lure clueless people like me into a trap.

She cleared her throat.

“So you’re wondering—Liu Xiaozhen’s dead. How could she message you?”

“Because someone else is pulling the strings behind the scenes!”

She leaned in with theatrical mystery, eyes gleaming with smug triumph.

Honestly? Every word matched my own theory. With a quiet sigh, I took a bite of the hot dish simmering in the grilled fish and waited.

“That’s why police asked for the online ID and location of the ‘Liu Xiaozhen’ you chatted with. They’re investigating discreetly. Relax—the suspect’ll be caught soon!”

She grinned, sipped beer, and let out a tiny burp.

“So why was *I* targeted? Any conclusions?” I asked, voice edged with doubt.

“Probably random. You said he added you via ‘nearby players’ in-game…”

“Maybe your profile fit his victim criteria. So he picked you.”

She answered briskly.

*Is that it?*

I nodded doubtfully, racking my brain over my in-game profile details—

Nothing came to mind.

“Will he target me again? Do you know his past cases? Does he fixate on one victim and never let go?”

I fired off three questions.

Lizi Sa blinked slowly.

“Clarification first: I’m not police. Just a cooperating psychologist. So internal files? Not my lane.”

“Liu Xiaozhen was barely twenty. After Liu Wutao’s execution for trafficking, she vanished. Accomplices claimed she used drugs too—police had her on the wanted list.”

“So this case? Kinda criminals eating criminals. Liu Wutao had *countless* enemies. Police can’t pinpoint the killer yet.”

She took another sip.

I frowned, scratching my head in frustration. Realizing how deep this went, a cold dread slithered down my spine. An odd sense of smallness bloomed inside me.

“…Could the killer be sitting nearby right now? Watching me from some shadowy corner…?” I whispered to Lizi Sa.

Without deep trust in the police, I might’ve even suspected *her*.

“That’s why *I’m* here! Don’t worry—Big Sis Sasa’s got your back these next few days. Disaster? Warding it off!”

She wiped her nose proudly. High heels kicked off, one foot propped on the chair, arm draped over her knee.

Her black stockings kept slipping—she shifted positions constantly.

Watching her antics, I twisted my mouth sideways.

*Can I really trust this person?*

I muttered under my breath.