Chapter 2: The Beginning of Fragmented Memories

After work, Xu Huai’an walked along the road back home.

As he passed by a convenience store, a sudden commotion broke out in the distance. Curious, he headed toward the noise.

After all, gossip wasn’t just a hobby for women—men loved it too.

Several police officers were coming out of a house. Behind them, two officers were escorting a middle-aged man in handcuffs.

Listening to the murmurs around him, Xu Huai’an quickly learned what had happened.

A murder.

Apparently, the man had killed his own wife.

Xu Huai’an suddenly felt a bit disappointed.

He should’ve bought some sunflower seeds earlier at the convenience store—now his mouth felt empty, like he couldn’t properly “enjoy the show.”

While he was silently scolding himself, he suddenly heard the arrested man muttering in pain:

“I killed her… no… no… she killed me first… no… no… why didn’t I die?”

Psycho.

That was Xu Huai’an’s immediate thought.

What he didn’t know was—

above his head floated two figures, one dressed in white, the other in black.

Despite the crowd, no one else could see them.

The two exchanged a glance… then flew straight into the house.

Seeing that the “show” was over, Xu Huai’an turned and continued home.

Inside the house—

a few plainclothes officers were still processing the scene.

In a corner stood a woman, looking completely lost.

She just stood there… yet none of the officers paid her any attention.

The black and white figures approached her.

The woman lifted her head and looked at them in disbelief.

“He’s gone mad… why would he kill me…?”

As soon as she finished speaking, she broke down, crouching and sobbing uncontrollably.

Strangely—

no one around seemed to see or hear her.

Only the two figures stood silently before her.

Then, the man in white spoke:

“Don’t be too sad. It’s time for you to come with us.”

Their conversation—

her crying—

none of it affected the police officers at all.

They continued their work as if nothing existed.

Back home, Xu Huai’an ordered takeout.

He was exhausted today.

His plan was simple—eat, play some games, then rest.

After all, tomorrow his blood-sucking boss would still expect him, a corporate slave, to grind through another 996 schedule.

He turned on the TV.

At this hour, only the news was on.

A professor was being interviewed.

The host, a beautiful woman, asked:

“Professor Guo, what do you think about the recent surge in violent incidents? Many suspects claim they were ‘not themselves.’ As a psychiatrist, do you think social instability is causing a collective psychological breakdown among vulnerable individuals?”

That question reminded Xu Huai’an of the “psycho” he had just seen.

Now that he thought about it—

there really had been many strange mental cases lately.

Today was the first time he’d witnessed a murder firsthand.

Not just in other cities.

Even in his own city, similar cases had been happening frequently.

So… if it’s not a zombie apocalypse… could it be a mental-collapse apocalypse instead?

Just as that unsettling thought crossed his mind—

the doorbell rang.

Xu Huai’an snapped out of his imagination about hoarding supplies and hiding at home for the apocalypse.

He went to open the door.

It was the delivery guy.

For some reason—perhaps a side effect of his earlier thoughts—

Xu Huai’an felt like the guy might suddenly pull out a knife and attack him.

Thankfully—

the delivery guy was completely normal.

Back at the dining table, Xu Huai’an complained:

“One-star review. Definitely one-star. Didn’t even go crazy—why the bad attitude?”

But just as he picked up his phone—

he instinctively gave a five-star rating instead.

Ding dong.

The doorbell rang again.

Xu Huai’an froze.

“Wait… I already gave a good review! What kind of scam is this? Don’t tell me he’s coming back with a knife now?!”

To be fair—

Xu Huai’an wasn’t crazy.

He was just an orphan.

Having grown up alone, he had developed a habit of talking to himself for entertainment.

As he walked toward the door, he even began imagining—

If the delivery guy really comes at me with a knife… how should I counterattack in a cool way?

Ding dong.

The bell rang again.

He quickened his pace and opened the door.

At that moment—

whether he could “fight back coolly” suddenly didn’t matter anymore.

Because standing outside—

was not the delivery guy.

It was Zhang Xiaoxiao.

The same girl who had nearly driven him crazy yesterday.

She looked at him and said softly:

“Um… can I come in?”

And instantly—

Xu Huai’an felt awkward again.