Chapter 812: Two Transformations

Hearing Qin Dingdong's question, Qi Xia stared at her and said word by word:

"I wouldn't dare speak for Chu Tianqiu, but I never doubt myself. Even if my personality has been changed, my life couldn't possibly be fake."

Qin Dingdong paused slightly upon hearing this, then turned to exchange a glance with Chen Junnan.

This was clearly an extreme idea.

No matter how sharp one's mind was, it was impossible to be so confident as to never question oneself.

Seeing the three of them at a loss for words, Qi Xia continued: "As for this matter, Chu Tianqiu probably has the most say. His change wasn't just in 'personality'—it even affected his 'abilities'."

After saying that, he looked at Chen Junnan and said softly: "Do you remember how you introduced Chu Tianqiu to me when we reunited?"

Chen Junnan thought back carefully and replied: "I said he... seven years ago, he was crying and begging to carry our shoes... and today, the moment we met... he's acting all high and mighty..."

Qi Xia nodded and pointed a finger at Chen Junnan: "Exactly that line—it's full of suspicions."

"How so?" Chen Junnan asked.

"In your memory, Chu Tianqiu was just an insignificant nobody," Qi Xia said, tapping his temple with his finger. "But from what I've observed, he doesn't seem like someone who's been obscure at all. He's not bluffing; he definitely has brainpower that surpasses the average person. So, why would Chu Tianqiu have been crying and begging to carry our shoes back then? Were you lying to me?"

"I'm not the type to lie to you over a kid like Chu Tianqiu," Chen Junnan replied. "But 'carrying shoes' is a bit of an exaggeration. He was just asking us to take him in, that's all."

"Then why didn't you feel strange when you saw him again?" Qi Xia asked. "He was clearly different from how he used to be."

"Maybe I just assumed he was 'a villain who's gotten lucky,'" Chen Junnan said. "You smart people can spot other smart people, but a rough guy like me can't."

"You've always had a bias against him," Qi Xia said. "But I've been observing him all along. Besides this change, there's also his transformation from Liang Ren Wang to a complete madman. No matter how you look at it, that's not normal. Maybe, like Qin Dingdong, he had some trigger that caused these changes."

Qin Dingdong thought for a moment and asked: "What do you think the trigger was?"

"If you can find evidence of your own 'errors' through zhū sī mǎ jì, then Chu Tianqiu certainly can too," Qi Xia answered. "All those zhū sī mǎ jì are the 'trigger' for his transformation. Maybe he discovered this trigger during his first change, turning him into someone with leader qualities. But the 'trigger' for his second change was even stronger—it came from Wen Qiaoyun. His consciousness was shattered by the person who meant the most to him, ultimately turning him into a madman."

"So you've been paying that much attention to a kid like Chu Tianqiu?" Chen Junnan frowned and said. "Is he that important?"

"I can't say," Qi Xia shook his head. "In my memory, I've consciously protected a lot of people because they were useful to me, but I don't remember ever consciously protecting Chu Tianqiu."

Chen Junnan pondered for a moment: "So, what you're saying is that Chu Tianqiu has gotten to where he is today all on his own."

"That's right," Qi Xia nodded. "I see shadows of many people in him. He's been through things that others have experienced, but none of it has truly defeated him. Besides, the fact that he's still standing here today is proof enough of his strength."

"What about you?" Qin Dingdong suddenly changed the subject and asked. "Compared to Chu Tianqiu, do you think your life is fake?"

"My life couldn't possibly be fake," Qi Xia said. "I have reasons I must believe in it."

"You're being too absolute..." Qin Dingdong said.

Chen Junnan seemed to realize where the issue lay—the idea of a "fake life" had triggered Qi Xia's resistance mechanism, and now he was in defense mode.

This state had occurred many times before, but unfortunately, no one had ever managed to persuade him.

Now that Qin Dingdong had brought up the idea of "fabricated memories," it might be a chance to probe Qi Xia's attitude again.

"Old Qi... how about you listen to a brother’s advice?" Chen Junnan said. "Whether you believe it or not, at least I won't deceive you."

"If you're going to judge my two lives, I won't listen to a word," Qi Xia said.

"You... you're being way too stubborn, aren't you?" Chen Junnan asked. "You have a vague answer buried deep inside, but you won't even lift a finger to dig it up."

"I have no choice," Qi Xia said. "This is the only way."

"You can find flaws in anyone's words... but you won't admit the inconsistencies in yourself," Chen Junnan said, furrowing his brow. "Old Qi, your state right now is really strange..."

"Stop," Qi Xia interrupted. "I've said it—my life couldn't possibly be fake. Otherwise, nothing holds up, not even me standing here."

"What...?"

"If I dig up that answer, the me standing here will vanish into thin air," Qi Xia said with a somber expression. "I'd turn into someone else on the spot—a walking corpse with no goals, no drive, no direction, and no fighting spirit. I might not even be sure if I'm still me."

Chen Junnan and Qiao Jiujin naturally understood what Qi Xia meant. They exchanged glances and then silently lowered their heads.

"So not only do I need to bury that answer, but I hope you all will help me bury it too," Qi Xia said, his gray-white eyes wide open. "Only by keeping that answer firmly pressed down in my heart can I possibly save everyone."

Chen Junnan nodded after hearing this, but Qin Dingdong clearly didn't understand Qi Xia's meaning, especially regarding Yu Nian'an.

"Qi Xia..." Qin Dingdong asked, "aren't you curious at all about what's happened to you? Like, why we have this feeling? Or why it's specifically the three of us?"

"Not curious," Qi Xia answered firmly. "And I advise you not to be either."

"How could I not be curious...?" Qin Dingdong said, frowning. "Qi Xia, we're completely different kinds of people. I really want to return to the real world and continue my own life, but if my life has been fabricated... how do we go back? Is the life I'm returning to even mine? If it's entirely made up... how can I go on?"