Multiple Personalities

The night was as dark as ink, the moonlight thin, and the villa was so quiet that only the ticking of the clock on the wall could be heard.

Shen Jingqi sat alone in the dimly lit laboratory, the soft glow of the monitor illuminating his focused face.

Shen Jingqi's fingers lightly tapped the tabletop, his mind racing with thoughts. He recalled his conversation with Professor Zhang, whose wise eyes seemed to still be in front of him: "Cong Nanxue's existence may be a brand new window for us to understand human consciousness. But remember, we are stepping into unknown territory, and every step may hide unknown dangers."

Danger? Shen Jingqi felt a chill in his heart, but was immediately overwhelmed by his thirst for the truth. He took a deep breath and focused his attention on the monitor again. On the screen, waveform patterns flowed slowly, like dark currents in the deep sea, hiding countless unknown secrets.

Just then, an unprecedented change occurred. The waveform patterns suddenly became exceptionally clear, each peak and trough meticulously crafted like works of art, revealing an indescribable beauty and order. Shen Jingqi's heartbeat involuntarily accelerated, and he realized that this might be the critical moment to establish direct contact with Cong Nanxue.

"Cong Nanxue, is that you?" Shen Jingqi asked softly, his voice echoing in the silent laboratory.

The waveform patterns on the screen seemed to tremble slightly, as if responding to his call. Shen Jingqi held his breath, staring at the screen, afraid of missing any detail. Just then, a strong dizziness hit him, and the world before his eyes began to blur.

The illusion had begun.

Shen Jingqi found himself standing in a vast white world, silent except for his own breathing and heartbeat. He looked around, trying to find a trace of Cong Nanxue. At that moment, a blurry figure slowly emerged from the mist, gradually becoming clear.

She was wearing a plain white long dress, her hair cascading over her shoulders, her eyes empty and distant. Shen Jingqi stared in a daze, momentarily forgetting to speak. Cong Nanxue seemed unaware of him, just walking on her own, as if lost in this void world.

"Cong Nanxue." Shen Jingqi called tentatively.

Cong Nanxue stopped, slowly turned her head, those empty eyes penetrating through time and space, directly looking into the depths of Shen Jingqi's soul. Shen Jingqi felt a mysterious chill, but he did not flinch, facing her gaze resolutely.

"Who are you?" Cong Nanxue's voice was hollow and ethereal, as if from another world.

"I am Shen Jingqi, I am researching your consciousness." Shen Jingqi tried to make his voice sound calm and firm.

Hearing this, Cong Nanxue showed a puzzled expression. She seemed unable to grasp the meaning of "research," just staring blankly at Shen Jingqi. Shen Jingqi's heart moved, realizing that Cong Nanxue might not understand the rules of this world.

"Why are you here?" Shen Jingqi continued to ask.

Cong Nanxue lowered her head, silent for a long time before slowly speaking: "I don't know. I only remember wandering in darkness until I met Li Baiyu. Her consciousness was like a lamp, lighting my way forward. But... now I am trapped in her body."

Hearing this, Shen Jingqi felt a surge of inexplicable sympathy. He imagined Cong Nanxue wandering alone in that endless darkness, yearning for a glimmer of light. And now, she had finally found that lamp, yet was trapped inside the lampshade, unable to escape.

"Do you want to leave here?" Shen Jingqi asked softly.

Cong Nanxue raised her head, a flash of longing in her eyes: "I do. But... I can't."

Shen Jingqi's heart sank, but he knew that now was not the time to give up. He took a deep breath, trying to find a way to solve the problem: "I believe we can find a way to help you leave. But first, you need to tell me more about yourself."

Cong Nanxue was silent again. She seemed to be recalling something, a pained expression on her face. Shen Jingqi did not disturb her, just waited quietly. After a long time, Cong Nanxue finally spoke slowly: "I... I'm actually a dead person. In another world, I lost my body, with only my consciousness drifting. Until one day, I was attracted by Li Baiyu's consciousness, and then came here."

A dead person? Shen Jingqi was startled, but quickly calmed down. He knew that in the realm of science, nothing is impossible. However, this discovery was too shocking, requiring more evidence to support it.

"Cong Nanxue, do you remember how you died?" Shen Jingqi asked tentatively.

Cong Nanxue shook her head: "I don't remember. I only know that in that world, I had no relatives, no friends, no body... only endless loneliness and darkness. Until I met Li Baiyu, I felt a trace of warmth."

"I will find a way to help you leave." Shen Jingqi promised solemnly.

Cong Nanxue raised her head, a grateful glow flashing in her eyes: "Thank you..."

Just then, a strong dizziness hit again. The world in front of Shen Jingqi began to blur, and Cong Nanxue's figure gradually disappeared into the mist.

"Cong Nanxue!" Shen Jingqi shouted loudly.

But only silence responded to him. Cong Nanxue had vanished, as though she had never appeared.

The door suddenly opened. Li Baiyu walked in, seeing Shen Jingqi slumped on the ground, a concerned look on her face: "Jingqi, what's wrong? Why do you look so pale?"

Shen Jingqi raised his head, a warm current surging in his heart as he looked into Li Baiyu's clear eyes.

"I'm fine." Shen Jingqi forced a faint smile, "Just a bit tired."

Hearing this, Li Baiyu sat down beside him: "Have you been researching too hard? Why not take a break?"

Shen Jingqi shook his head: "No need. Cong Nanxue... she appeared."

Upon hearing this, Li Baiyu showed a surprised expression: "Really? What did she say?"

Shen Jingqi recounted his conversation with Cong Nanxue to Li Baiyu. After listening, Li Baiyu remained silent for a long time before speaking: "She is so pitiful, unable to escape."

Shen Jingqi nodded: "Let's call Professor Zhang again."

After hearing this, Professor Zhang took a long time to respond: "Cong Nanxue's existence is indeed a mystery."

"However," Professor Zhang shifted his tone, "this is an unprecedented attempt, full of unknowns and dangers. We need to make thorough preparations to ensure everything is foolproof."

Shen Jingqi and Li Baiyu both nodded.

"Jingqi, continue to analyze Cong Nanxue's waveform patterns and find more information. I will research some new theories and techniques."