Chapter 36: Calculated Intrigues

33 hours. Was that the time you meticulously planned?

Our police never located the informant – you were the one who made that call, weren’t you?

Everything you did was meant to arouse suspicion, to make the police think the killer was someone else, and to make your primary personality appear innocent. No – your primary self was always blameless. Not even he realizes that this case was the work of your alter ego.

The polygraph registered no lie, affirming his truthfulness. And with the timeline not matching up, his innocence was confirmed.

Xiao Yu sighed, “I must admit, that was brilliantly calculated!”

It was all too perfect.

He Xia’s face, twisted with resentment, now showed a trace of confusion as he asked, “How did you figure that out?”

“Adding unnecessary details!”

Xiao Yu sneered, “You shouldn’t have left your fingerprints on those murder tools. I know you wanted the police to think the killer was mocking and provoking them…”

“What’s wrong with that?”

He Xia frowned, his eyes turning icy, “That’s not a valid reason to suspect me.”

“Sure, anyone would think the killer was taunting, and you nailed it.”

Recalling the fury of the Special Investigation Team members, Xiao Yu smiled. “Who drills locks, clears crime scenes, and climbs onto rooftops in the dead of winter? Such a person wouldn’t leave such obvious clues – fingerprints… Does that even make sense?”

“That’s not a valid excuse,” He Xia shook his head.

“Isn’t it enough?”

Xiao Yu’s gaze shifted to He Xia’s hands. “And your hands.”

“My hands?”

He Xia looked down in shock at his handcuffed hands.

“They’re too steady.”

Xiao Yu’s expression grew eerie. “Because of your hands, I remembered that multiple personality murder case. The suspect, who suffered from multiple personality disorder, had hands just like these. And it was only after the case was solved – after the alter ego committed the crime – that his hands began to tremble…”

This bizarre phenomenon only occurs in individuals with multiple personality disorder.

Investigations reveal that every personality in such patients is accompanied by a distinct trait.

This trait acts like an enhanced neurological signal focused on a specific part of the body.

For instance, look at how steady He Xia’s hands are.

When an ordinary person raises a hand with fingers spread, they naturally tremble and sway.

But someone with multiple personality disorder can keep their fingers completely still – truly remarkable.

Xiao Yu recalled that, in a past life, a medical scholar had published a paper

stating that most individuals with multiple personality disorder have a primary personality with remarkably steady hands.

When someone extends their hand, fingers spread wide,

there’s no trembling or shaking.

Be careful…

“So that’s how it is.”

A look of sudden realization crossed He Xia’s cold, grim face as his eyes moved from his hand to Xiao Yu, who smiled strangely and said, “So what if you figured it out? It’s just your theory—it doesn’t count as evidence!”

In an era ruled by law, what’s the use of mere speculation without evidence?

Without proof, it’s worthless!

Quick on his feet, Xiao Yu swiftly devised a counter-strategy, his expression growing complex.

Not everyone is destined to develop such a disorder.

Typically, the primary personality in such cases is extraordinarily intelligent.

So, it’s not bluster that silences a criminal—it’s solid evidence!

“Evidence?”

Xiao Yu shook his head, “The evidence from the massacre is enough to prove you did it.”

“What do you mean?” He Xia was stunned.

Suddenly, his expression shifted dramatically.

During the investigation, all the evidence originally pointed to him.

He even planted some ‘inconsistencies’ to mislead the police into thinking he was innocent and that there was another killer.

But once he was identified as the culprit, there was no need for further evidence.

The existing evidence was more than enough.

It backfired!

“You know, you should never have shown up,”

Xiao Yu taunted, “Once you appear, everything falls apart!”

Yes, if He Xia’s other personality had never surfaced,

Xiao Yu’s theory would have remained nothing more than suspicion.

His primary personality is indeed innocent, and the polygraph confirms it.

Even with ample evidence, the police would have a hard time convicting him.

But then, that conceited personality decided to reveal itself.

He brought it on himself—who can blame him!

“So what?”

Once it all clicked, He Xia, both terrified and angry, said, “At worst, I’ll be locked up—no death penalty.”

Mental illness spares you from the death penalty—that’s his biggest shield!

“We’ve seen foot-binding, but brain-binding?”

Xiao Yu smirked, “You think death is the worst?”

“Is there anything scarier than death?” scoffed He Xia.

“Do you know what it means to live a life worse than death?”

Xiao Yu snorted, “Imagine this: every day locked in a tiny room, chained to a hospital bed, forced injections, endless medication and treatment with no sign of daylight. In that state, even the best of people would lose their sanity. How many can bear such physical and mental torment? You might even consider suicide, but you won’t get the chance. This suffering will haunt you until… you die naturally!”

“……”

He Xia turned ghostly white, his scalp numb, hairs standing on end.

Just the thought of that scenario sent shivers down his spine.

It might be better than being dragged to the execution ground—it would at least mitigate the misery…

“What goes around, comes around.”

Xiao Yu stood up, staring at the pale, lifeless He Xia, “The heavens spare no one.”

Remember this in your next life.

When it gets cold, bundle up and don’t wander off!