Complete Metamorphosis Manual

Chapter 24

“He said Yang Xin’s father, so I’ve already let him come up,” Xiao Jia said.

Upon hearing this, Yang Xin immediately stood up and paced around the living room like a trapped beast, searching for a place to hide.

"Are you still so afraid of your dad?" Ding Yan said with a smile.

The doorbell rang.

"Don't open the door yet!" Yang Xin shouted, looking around before rushing towards the closet, which looked spacious enough to fit just one person.

"No!" Ding Yan lunged at the closet, but his feet landed on the closet door. The closet swayed a couple of times before toppling over with a clattering sound, as if something was breaking.

"No, no!" Sitting on the overturned closet, she waved her hands nervously: "This closet is unsafe, it's very easy for it to tip over."

"You brat! I heard your voice a long time ago! Open the door right now!" The old man was outside, slamming the door shut with his hands and feet.

Yang Xin sighed and gestured for Aunt Mei to open the door.

The old man was really spry. He rushed over with a broom in his hand, grabbed Yang Xin, and tried to pull down his pants.

Yang Xin wailed, "Don't take your pants off today!"

Only then did the old man realize there were two women in the room, so he skipped the trouser-removal procedure and spanked Yang Xin while yelling, "I'll teach you to be disobedient! I'll teach you to be disobedient! You'd better make it clear to this little madwoman today that we're breaking off all ties and never seeing each other again!"

"No!" Yang Xin cried out, repeating the same words, "I want to be with Ding Yan! I want to be with Ding Yan!"

Ding Yan initially found it amusing to see Yang Xin, a grown man, being spanked by his father, and had been covering his mouth, too embarrassed to laugh out loud. But now, hearing Yang Xin's words, he could no longer laugh.

She remembered that child, Sun Xiaoxiao. Ding Yan's only playmate in childhood; the only person Ding Yan ever vowed to marry even at the cost of his life; the only person Ding Yan ever loved—even though they were only 5 years old at the time; even though their love was merely the friendship between children.

She remembered that when Sun Xiaoxiao's mother spanked him and warned him not to play with Ding Yan anymore, Sun Xiaoxiao said the same thing.

At that time, Sun Xiaoxiao said, "I want to be with Ding Yan, I want to be with Ding Yan."

It seemed as if his childhood was being reenacted; Yang Xin was being spanked while saying the same things as Sun Xiaoxiao.

Ding Yan's eyes welled up with tears. She was the kind of person who could easily fall in love with someone because of a single sentence.

Because of that sentence, she fell in love with Sun Xiaoxiao.

It was because of that same sentence that she fell in love with Yang Xin.

Perhaps, falling in love with someone really only takes a second.

6.

Some people spend their entire lives studying aliens, yet refuse to spend a single minute understanding their own neighbors. Some people squander their entire youth chasing after and admiring an unattainable celebrity, yet refuse to glance at the loving gaze that lingers around them.

Ding Yan understood this principle deeply at this moment. Before Yang Xin said those words, she had never thought that he was such a lovely and charming person.

Yang Xin and Ding Yan believed that those who committed suicide could not have kept in touch online all the time; they must have contacted each other by phone beforehand, and the phone number of the 18th person must be in these call records.

Just as they were engrossed in the dense array of phone numbers, Xili made a comeback.

It's not the Xili in the closet of the apartment, it's another Xili, a Xili exactly the same as Xili.

That day, after Ding Yan accidentally knocked over the closet, Xi Li's condition remained unstable. He had a cut on his forehead and his physical condition had deteriorated. Therefore, Ding Yan had moved him out of the "crystal coffin" and hidden him in a guest room on the second floor, where Aunt Mei was taking care of him.

Therefore, Ding Yan was certain that the Xi Li who appeared so composed in front of the media cameras on television was definitely a fake Xi Li.

However, that fake Xili was just too professional.

His every smile, gesture, height, build, even his singing voice, personality, and eyes were exactly the same as the real Xi Li. Even Xi Li's former personal assistant, Sister Shao, and his relatives and friends did not suspect anything.

If Ding Yan hadn't known that the real Xi Li was lying upstairs, even she herself would have believed that Xi Li had been resurrected, or rather, that Xi Li had returned to life.

On television, Xi Li said that three years ago he decided to live a quiet life, which is why he took such drastic measures to leave the stage. However, he never expected that such a thing would happen three years later. He has been silently watching and reflecting on his actions, wondering if his initial decision was too selfish, if he only considered his own personal life and neglected the feelings of his fans.

On television, Xi Li broke down in tears, admitting that he bore undeniable responsibility for the deaths of 17 fans. As he spoke, everyone questioned whether it was truly a conspiracy. But Xi Li continued, tears streaming down his face, saying that his departure had triggered the fans' extreme behavior. If time could turn back, no matter how difficult or confusing things became, he would never leave the stage, never leave his devoted fans. He finally understood that his life belonged to the stage, and to his fans.

Immediately afterward, he held a massive memorial service for the 17 children and knelt before their spirits in deep repentance. He also established the "Xili Youth Mental Health Fund" to address any psychological issues his fans might have and prevent such tragedies from happening again. The large-scale memorial concert held by the fake Xili for the 17 children was deeply moving; almost every audience member, both at the venue and watching on television, was profoundly touched. Meanwhile, the mass suicide attempt had been, in effect, glorified and heroized.

Xi Li's deep care for his fans was evident even before his "death." His actions profoundly touched all his fans. The sacrifices of 17 young lives were not in vain; Xi Li has truly come back to life!

Although some media outlets questioned and suspected that the fake Xili was the murderer, the story quickly faded away.

It is said that all the media outlets that questioned the authenticity of Xili were besieged by local Xili supporters.

7.

Ding Yan was certain that the fake Xi Li was the prime suspect.

Without a second thought, she dialed Xi Li's private number from three years ago, completely forgetting that she had personally gone to the service center to cancel the number.

She smiled helplessly and was about to hang up when the other end answered. Not only did it connect, but it was Xi Li's voice, exactly the same!

“Hello? Who is this?” Xi Li said.

"Yes, yes, yes, it's me..." Ding Yan glanced nervously upstairs, suspecting that the person answering the phone was Xi Li himself, who was sleeping upstairs.

"Ah! Ding Yan? Is it really you?! I've been looking for you!" Jia Xili shouted happily. "Come back and continue being my assistant! If you want, you can continue singing. I will definitely help you!" The excitement and joy in his voice were not fake.

“Um… Xili…you really…really?…” Ding Yan spoke as she ran upstairs, panting as she pushed open the door. Xili was still lying quietly on the bed, looking haggard and pale. His usual charming smile was gone, replaced by a troubled expression. Yes, troubled.

Did Xili, who was in a coma, also know about all of this?

"It's true! Ding Yan! I'm back!" Fake Xi Li continued happily on the phone, "I'm really back! Come back to me soon too!"

“Oh…” Ding Yan looked at Xi Li on the bed. If there really is such a thing as astral projection, then Xi Li must have had his soul leave his body. His body was left in the Very Apartment, and his soul entered the body of the fake Xi Li.

This is probably the only reasonable explanation.

"Hello? Ding Yan? What's wrong? Where are you living now?"

"Where do I live now?" Ding Yan smiled. Now he was certain that this Xi Li was a fake, because the Very Apartment was Xi Li's secret property, known only to Ding Yan and himself. In fact, the matter of the property transfer agreement was also known only to Ding Yan and the real Xi Li.

"And you? Where are you? I'll come find you if it's convenient." Ding Yan immediately changed the subject, gently stroking Xi Li's forehead, and whispered in her heart, "Xi Li, don't worry, I will help you uncover the truth."

“I’m still living in my old villa,” Xi Li said. “Come over here, we can discuss the transfer of assets. I remember before I left, I entrusted all my assets to you for management.”

Ding Yan was completely dumbfounded.

8.

Ding Yan went with Dami. With someone by her side, she felt safe.

She originally wanted Yang Xin to accompany her, but there were many things she really couldn't let him know. Besides, if Yang Xin's identity as a police officer were exposed, it might alert the enemy.

Xi Li's villa remained unchanged, as if he had lived there for the past three years. His scent lingered, and traces of his life remained. Xi Li, as always, gracefully rose, gently embraced Ding Yan, and said tenderly, "Little girl, it's been so long."

Ding Yan deliberately snuggled into his arms, looking up to observe his eyes, his nose, and his mouth. If it weren't for the absence of the scar on his forehead from the accident Zhen Xili had suffered a few days ago, she would have thought that it was Xili from home who had run away.

"Xi Li, is it really you?" Even though she knew it was fake, seeing the real Xi Li standing right in front of her still brought tears to her eyes. "Xi Li, you've really come back..."

“It really is me, I’m really back.” Fake Xili smiled, his signature charming smile.

"May I touch your face?" Ding Yan asked cautiously.

"You're still so special, girl!" Jia Xili smiled indulgently. "Okay."

Ding Yan tiptoed and gently stroked his forehead, eyebrows, eyes, nose, and mouth...

It's real, not a robot.

"Have you finished greeting everyone?" Sister Shao came out of the restroom with a smile. "Xi Li was so happy when she heard you wanted to watch it. I remember you two used to be like siblings."

“Yes, like siblings…” Ding Yan murmured as she released the fake Xi Li. “Do you remember that place we used to go to?”

"I remember!" Jia Xili said. "Once at that barbecue stand, we almost got recognized by fans, but luckily you were quick-witted!"

"You even remember the barbecue stall you frequent..." Ding Yan took a step back, suddenly feeling that the whole thing was terrifying, like the real and fake Sun Wukong in Journey to the West, perhaps even the Buddha himself couldn't tell them apart.

Perhaps both are real? Or... is there a secret twin in Xili?!

"Silly girl!" Xi Li playfully pinched her nose as usual. "I just went into seclusion, I didn't lose my memory, how could I not remember?"

"Alright! Let's get serious!" Sister Shao gestured for them to sit down and said, "Ding Yan, about the transfer of assets..."

"No rush, no rush!" Xi Li hurriedly said. Yes, Xi Li. At this moment, Ding Yan had already removed the word "fake" from his mind, because this Xi Li was no different from the real Xi Li at all.

Xi Li smiled and said, "No rush, Sister Shao. I don't think it's necessary. I feel at ease leaving my assets with Ding Yan. Besides, I'm planning to ask her to come back as my assistant. She will handle my personal finances."

"That would be perfect!" Sister Shao looked at Ding Yan. "Ding Yan would definitely want to come back, wouldn't she?"

“Yes…” Ding Yan actually had no idea what he was saying.

The three of them chatted all evening, as if they had returned to the wonderful past.

On the way home, Dami asked as she drove, "Any new discoveries?"

Ding Yan shook his head: "I even think that the Xili in the family might be fake, or just a substitute. Maybe from the beginning, Xili not only deceived everyone, but also me."

Did he mention the Very Apartment?

Ding Yan shook his head again.

Yes, Xi Li didn't mention the Extraordinary Apartments at all. That apartment was very important to Xi Li; as mentioned before, business had been bad ever since Ding Yan took over. The reason for the bad business was that the apartment was inhabited by people like Xi Li who had mental problems and were immersed in their own twisted worlds.

Xi Li and Ding Yan share the same idea: they are both willing to give those pitiful perverts a real living space.

But Xi Li didn't mention this important apartment at all.

Could it be that it's inconvenient to say because Sister Shao is present?

Ding Yan thought that was very likely the case.

9.

As soon as Ding Yan and Dami returned to the apartment, Lao You and Aunt Mei couldn't wait any longer and shouted loudly, "Xi Li is awake!"

Xili is awake!!!

Xi Li awoke, pale-faced, with cracked lips and empty eyes, as if her life had been drained away. Yes, blood is life, which is why vampires firmly believe that drinking blood can grant immortality. Ding Yan had taken far too much of Xi Li's blood, Xi Li's life-giving blood.

"Xi Li! Xi Li!" Ding Yan cried out, throwing himself onto the bed. "Xi Li!"

Xi Li slowly moved her eyes. "Ding Yan... why am I alive again? Or did I not die at all? Ding Yan... I had a very, very long dream, but I've forgotten the details. Even though I've forgotten the details, I feel very sad... very heartbroken... It seems like many voices are saying to me, 'Xi Li, resurrect... Xi Li, resurrect...'"

Xi Li's voice was muffled and hoarse, completely different from before. Moreover, due to being in a coma for three years, his muscles and motor nerves had gradually deteriorated, and he was unable to stand up after just waking up.

She hesitated for a moment, then decided not to tell him about the fake Xili yet. Three years had passed; for someone who had been "dead" for three years, the current personnel changes would probably be too much for him to bear.

"Xi Li, it's so good that you've woken up!" Ding Yan said. "Don't die anymore, live on, go back to the stage, go back to the stage!" Ding Yan said.

"Back to the stage?... Oh..." Xi Li sighed softly, closing her eyes. "The stage... Now that you mention it, I suddenly... really miss the stage..."

“Aunt Mei!” Ding Yan turned to Aunt Mei and said, “Go find the best doctors and nurses and have them help Xili recover her health and vitality as soon as possible… You must…”

Aunt Mei frowned. She knew why Ding Yan said that. Ding Yan couldn't bear the thought of the most important person to her being imitated and deceived. She hoped that Xi Li would recover as soon as possible. Only then could the true face of the fake Xi Li be exposed.