"You are mine."
The alternate personality's words, carrying an undeniable declaration, echoed in the silent lounge, cold and resolute. Those dark eyes were fixed on Su Nian, as if trying to imprint their mark on her soul.
Alarm bells rang in Su Nian's mind, but she maintained the composure and restraint expected of an assistant. She did not back down, nor did she show any fear; she simply looked back at him calmly, as if looking at a sulking child—even though this "child" possessed a manic power capable of destroying everything.
“I am Mr. Xie Chen’s psychological observer and temporary life assistant, Su Nian.” She clearly repeated her identity and drew a clear line, “My responsibility is to ensure his physical and mental health and assist him in completing his work smoothly.”
"Mr. Xie Chen?" The alternate personality sneered, stepping closer with a dangerous aura emanating from him. "That good-for-nothing who trembles even in front of an audience? What makes him worthy of having an assistant like you?" He reached out, seemingly wanting to touch Su Nian again, but paused slightly when he saw the still-present red marks on her wrist and the unyielding determination in her eyes.
“He’s not a good-for-nothing.” Su Nian’s tone was calm, yet carried a strange power. “He is the genius pianist who created that wonderful performance just now. Without him, there would be no music that moved everyone.”
The alternate personality's eyes suddenly turned fierce, as if a sore spot had been touched. "Music?!" he growled, his voice filled with suppressed rage. "Those weak, struggling, melodramatic things! True power is control, is conquest! Just like I'm controlling you now!"
He suddenly raised his hand, but not towards Su Nian, but instead slammed his fist hard onto the piano lid next to him!
"Thump—!"
A dull, loud thud echoed through the lounge, followed by the strained hum of the piano. Fine cracks instantly spread across the expensive lacquered surface, centered on his fist.
[Host! He...he...he smashed the Steinway!] 088's voice trembled with shock. [That destructive power! No wonder he's a manic secondary personality!]
Su Nian's heart skipped a beat at the sudden violence, but she forced herself to steady herself. She realized that the alter ego's mania was not without reason; he seemed to vehemently reject the "weakness" of the primary personality, regarding that artistic sensitivity and vulnerability as shameful. This inner conflict was the core of his personality split.
“It seems you really dislike ‘his’ music.” Su Nian didn’t show any panic, but instead tried to guide the conversation, “Can you tell me why?”
The alternate personality, panting heavily, his chest heaving, stared intently at Su Nian, as if trying to determine if she was mocking him. After a few seconds, he gritted his teeth and said, "That stuff...it's disgusting! It's full of useless emotions and pleas! A true strong person doesn't need to confide in anyone!"
His words were broken and full of hostility, yet they revealed a crucial message—he abhorred vulnerability and the outward display of emotions, viewing them all as weakness.
Just then, there was a knock on the dressing room door, and the stage manager's anxious voice came from outside: "Mr. Xie? Are you alright? We heard a lot of noise inside..."
The alternate personality's eyes flashed with anger, and he abruptly turned to look at the doorway, his face displaying extreme impatience and violence, as if he were about to rush out and tear the person who disturbed him to pieces.
Su Nian immediately stepped forward, blocking him from the door, and said quickly and clearly to the person outside, "Director Wang, it's nothing. Mr. Xie was just too engrossed in his performance and got a little emotional, so he accidentally bumped into something. Please give us a little time to calm down. We will leave through the private passage shortly."
Her calm and composed voice successfully soothed the anxieties outside the door.
The alternate personality watched Su Nian's retreating figure with some surprise. The surging violence in his eyes subsided slightly, replaced by a deeper sense of inquiry and...interest. Not only was she not afraid of him, but she was also helping him deal with the outside world?
Ultimately, under Su Nian's arrangement, which was half-guiding and half-forceful, the alternate personality—who seemed to have accepted that he had no name, or rather, disdained to use the name "Xie Chen"—followed her and left this place that annoyed him through the concert hall's private passage.
The corridor was dimly lit and deserted. He walked silently beside Su Nian, his tall figure exuding an invisible sense of oppression, but the restless aura seemed to have subsided somewhat.
The vehicle that picked them up was a black van. The driver was clearly aware of Xie Chen's "situation." When he saw Su Nian bring out "Xie Chen," whose demeanor and eyes were completely different, he didn't ask any questions and silently opened the car door.
After boarding the car, the alternate personality went straight to the innermost seat, closed his eyes, seemingly dozing, or perhaps fighting against another consciousness within him. Su Nian sat near the door, keeping her distance, while secretly having 088 continuously monitor his mental state.
[Host, his mental fluctuations are very chaotic right now. His primary personality is being strongly suppressed, but it hasn't disappeared; it's like he's asleep.] 088 reported. [Furthermore, we detected an extremely strong soul resonance signal from him towards you, even stronger than when his primary personality first met you. This guy... although he's irritable, his obsession with you runs deep.]
Su Nian gazed at the neon lights of the city rushing past the window, lost in thought. The emergence of the alternate personality, though dangerous, was also a potential breakthrough. He was direct, violent, and his emotional expression was more primal and intense; perhaps she could learn about Xie Chen's deepest trauma more quickly from him.
The car drove smoothly, and the interior was completely silent.
Suddenly, the alternate personality opened its eyes, its dark pupils appearing exceptionally sharp in the dim light, staring directly at Su Nian.
"Aren't you curious about my name?" he asked, breaking the silence.
Su Nian turned her head: "If you're willing to tell me."
He smirked, a hint of wickedness in his smile: "They're all afraid of me, calling me a 'monster,' or simply ignoring me." He paused, his gaze fixed intently on Su Nian, "But you're different. The way you look at me... is very interesting."
"I'm just doing my job."
"Work?" He chuckled. "Just work wouldn't give you the guts to stand in my way." He leaned forward, closing the distance between them, his voice low and seductive. "Tell me, who exactly are you? Why... do you seem so familiar?"
His gaze seemed to have hooks, trying to pry open Su Nian's defenses.
Su Nian's heart stirred slightly. Indeed, the attraction at the soul level could not be completely concealed.
"I am Su Nian," she repeated, avoiding the main point. "As for the sense of familiarity, perhaps it's because I'm better at communicating with people?"
The alternate personality stared at her for a few seconds, seemingly trying to determine the truthfulness of her words. Finally, he leaned back in his seat and gave an ambiguous snort: "Cunning."
The car drove into the underground parking garage of a luxury apartment building. Following the instructions, Su Nian guided the alternate personality towards the elevator.
The apartment is located on the top floor with excellent views. The interior is decorated in a modern minimalist style, with black, white and gray as the main colors. The lines are cold and hard, lacking a sense of life, and it is more like a beautifully designed showroom. The only exception is the grand piano in the center of the living room, which is half covered with a dust cloth, indicating the owner's status.
As soon as the alternate personality entered, it went straight to the liquor cabinet, took out a bottle of strong liquor, and without even using a glass, drank several mouthfuls directly from the bottle. The alcohol seemed to calm the restless emotions within it slightly, but its eyes remained deep and unfathomable.
Su Nian didn't stop him, but silently observed her surroundings. She noticed that the apartment was very clean, almost spotless, but lacked photos, decorations, or anything that carried personal sentiment. It didn't feel like a "home," but more like... an exquisite cage.
"It's too quiet here." The alternate personality put down the bottle, frowned, and scanned the empty living room before finally fixing his gaze on Su Nian. "You, come here."
Su Nian stood still: "Mr. Xie, it's getting late, you need to rest. I should also..."
“I said, come here.” The alternate personality interrupted her, his tone carrying an unquestionable command, his eyes narrowing dangerously. “Don’t make me say it a third time.”
Su Nian knew that provoking him in this state was not a wise move. She took a deep breath and slowly walked over.
When she was two or three steps away from him, the alternate personality suddenly reached out and pulled her in front of him! His movements were incredibly fast, and his strength was perfectly controlled, so that she couldn't break free, yet he didn't hurt her.
"Are you afraid of me?" He lowered his head, bringing his breath close to Su Nian's ear, his hot breath mixed with a faint smell of alcohol spraying onto her neck.
Su Nian could feel the vibrations from his chest and the aggressive masculine aura emanating from him. She forced herself to calm down and analyze his behavior. His approach was less of an invasion and more of a... test, an act of confirming ownership.
"I'm not afraid," Su Nian replied, her voice steady.
"Why?" He seemed very insistent on this answer.
“Because violence won’t get you what you really want.” Su Nian raised her eyes to look into his eyes, which were so close to hers and filled with obsession and chaos. “What you’re trapping is just an assistant carrying out his duties, not… what you really want to grasp.”
Her words, like a fine needle, gently pierced his frenzied exterior.
The alternate personality's body suddenly stiffened, and the grip on Su Nian's arm unconsciously loosened. The dark color churning in his eyes seemed to freeze, and a deeper, more profound sense of confusion and pain, originating from the depths of his soul, vaguely emerged.
"What do I want to grasp..." he murmured, as if asking Su Nian, or perhaps asking himself.
Just then, his brows suddenly furrowed, a look of pain flashed across his face, his body swayed, and he subconsciously let go of Su Nian, grabbing the back of the sofa next to him for support.
[Host! The primary personality has been detected awakening! A mental switch may be imminent!] 088 issued a timely warning.
The alternate personality rubbed his forehead, his breathing becoming somewhat rapid. He raised his head and glanced at Su Nian with a struggling look in his eyes, his gaze filled with lingering obsession and a trace of... regret for not being able to grasp something.
"Don't...go..." he managed to utter a few words before his body went limp and he fell forward.
Su Nian instinctively reached out and supported him.
His body felt heavy, slightly tipsy from the alcohol and exhausted from the intense emotions he had just experienced. His head, resting on her shoulder, unconsciously nuzzled against her, his breathing gradually becoming steady and long.
After a while, he slowly raised his head.
His eyes have changed.
No longer that bottomless, menacing black, but restored to a clear, gentle light brown. Only now, those eyes were filled with bewilderment, weariness, and a deep…fear and guilt.
"Assistant Su... Assistant Su?" Xie Chen (the main personality) looked at Su Nian, who was so close to him, and then at his own posture, which was almost half leaning against her. He jerked away as if he had been burned, his cheeks instantly flushing red. He stammered, "I'm sorry! I... I didn't mean to! I... Is he... out again?"
He lowered his head in a panic, not daring to look at Su Nian, his fingers twisting nervously together, looking so fragile that he seemed like he would shatter at the slightest touch.
This is completely different from the domineering alter ego who just declared "you are mine".
Looking at him like this, Su Nian sighed softly in her heart. These were the two personalities she had to face simultaneously. One was as volatile as a storm, the other as fragile as glass.
“Yes, he came out for a while.” Su Nian’s tone was calm, without blaming or excessive comforting, as if stating a fact. “He was a little emotional after the performance, but he’s fine now. We just got back to the apartment.”
Upon hearing this, Xie Chen trembled slightly, lowered his head even further, and whispered, "I'm sorry... I've caused you trouble... Did he... hurt you?"
“No.” Su Nian shook her head. “He just… said a few things.”
Xie Chen suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with tension and fear: "What did he say?"
Looking into his uneasy eyes, Su Nian didn't directly answer the possessive declaration of the alternate personality. Instead, she asked, "Mr. Xie, do you know... what his name is?"
Xie Chen froze, his eyes flickering as if he were caught in some kind of memory and struggle. Finally, he shook his head, his voice bitter: "I don't know... I... I don't dare to understand him. Every time he appears, I feel... that I'm going to disappear."
He hugged his arms, looking incredibly lonely and afraid.
Looking at him, Su Nian's goal of "healing" became even clearer. She needed to help Xie Chen face the side he dared not confront, and she also needed to help that manic alternate personality find a way to reconcile with the world, besides violence and possessiveness.
“Mr. Xie,” Su Nian’s voice was gentle yet firm, “It’s getting late, you need to rest. Tomorrow, if you are feeling well, we can talk.”
Xie Chen glanced timidly at Su Nian, nodded, and whispered, "...Okay."
Su Nian helped him check the doors and windows before preparing to leave.
Just as she reached the entrance and grasped the doorknob, she heard Xie Chen's hesitant yet somewhat dependent voice behind her:
"Assistant Su...you'll be coming again tomorrow, right?"
Su Nian turned around, met his eyes which were like those of a startled fawn, and nodded:
Yes, it will.
Upon hearing her answer, Xie Chen seemed to breathe a slight sigh of relief and revealed a very faint, yet much more genuine, smile.
The door closed gently behind me.
Su Nian stood in the quiet corridor, recalling everything that had happened tonight—the gentle and dependent main personality, the manic and possessive secondary personality, and the irreconcilable conflict and deep-seated shared trauma between them.
"[Host, how are you feeling?]" 088 asked. "[The difficulty of this world is practically a hellish start.]"
Su Nian rubbed her temples, but a challenging smile curved her lips:
"Isn't it interesting?"
The night was deep, and the mystery surrounding the pianist had only just begun to unfold.
(End of Chapter 126)
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