Chapter 66 Tangdao Bathing Beach ⑧ - Invitation Personality identity is memory...
Lan Shuyin vented her anger in the corridor for a long time before finally returning to her room and slamming the door shut after being persuaded by hotel staff who suddenly appeared.
But she slept very restlessly that night.
The dream was bizarre and fantastical, like a shattered mirror, each fragment reflecting remnants of the past.
She felt herself falling into endless darkness again, the wind howling, as if she were constantly plummeting off a cliff. But the next second, the scene abruptly changed.
She seemed to "see" Guoguo.
To be precise, it was an omniscient third-person perspective. She saw that small, thin figure trudging along the muddy country road, the worn-out medicine box on her back almost crushing her.
In the village ravaged by the plague, cries of despair filled the air. Guoguo wrapped herself up tightly, revealing only her overly bright eyes, and quietly slipped the pounded herbs under the doors of each household.
Amidst the chaos of war and the ruins, she sheltered fleeing children in a leaky, dilapidated temple. She carefully broke the bread she had begged for into small pieces and fed it to the starving, dying toddler in her arms.
She watched, from a detached perspective, that frail figure struggling through the chaos of the world, repeating the things she herself had done but hadn't finished. A bittersweet feeling welled up inside her.
Suddenly, "Guoguo" slowly straightened up and turned around—that face, in the instant of turning around, was as if its outline had been broken down and reassembled, and it actually became Kui Li!
Despite his tattered clothes, he gazed silently at her floating in his dream with deep eyes that held a hint of pity and despair.
"Ayin, where are you...?"
"Why... I can't find it anywhere..."
The sound, seemingly coming from nowhere, was like a heartbroken sob, its original tone completely unrecognizable, leaving only an overwhelming sadness that lingered deep within the dream.
So much so that when Lan Shuyin woke up, the deep-seated sadness from her dream had not yet dissipated. She lay there in the morning light for a long time, until her phone kept vibrating beside her pillow.
It was Chang Jingyu. First, he anxiously asked her if she had received the message, how she was, and where she was. Finally, almost pleadingly, he asked her to meet him.
After hanging up the phone, Lan Shuyin raised her hand to rub her throbbing temples, threw off the covers and got out of bed, letting the cool air dispel the last trace of her dazed state.
An hour later, the two sat down at a cafe on the street.
Chang Jingyu asked her very seriously, "Sister, are you and Jiang Wuyang on good terms?"
Hearing this question anytime, Lan Shuyin would have the same reaction: "Why do you ask that?"
Chang Jingyu took a deep breath. "I accidentally saw his phone a few days ago... There were a lot of photos of you on it. Not recent ones, but some from high school, college, and some... candid shots of your daily life."
“I think his behavior is… a bit abnormal. I know you two have known each other for a long time, and it might be inappropriate for me to say this, but he lacked family warmth growing up, so his way of expressing himself might be a bit… off. I just think you should know about this and pay more attention.”
After saying these words, she seemed to have unloaded a heavy burden, and also seemed ashamed of betraying her childhood friend. She lowered her head and took a big sip of coffee.
Lan Shuyin paused slightly, but did not show the surprise or anger that Chang Jingyu had expected.
"Thank you for telling me." She smiled and nodded. "I understand."
She was unusually calm, as if... she already knew.
Chang Jingyu carefully observed her reaction, hesitating to speak.
After a brief silence, Lan Shuyin suddenly asked, "Master Sheng, have you seen him these past two days?"
Chang Jingyu shook her head. "I haven't seen him since Grandpa's last visit. Is there something you need from him, sister?"
"Yes." She looked down at the brown liquid swirling in her glass, paused for two seconds, and then said softly, "But it's not that important anymore."
After sitting for a while longer, Lan Shuyin got up to say goodbye.
After leaving the coffee shop, Lan Shuyin did not return to the hotel, but went to Tangqian Alley instead.
The four-story building was tightly shut. She stood in the middle of the alley, looking up at the silent building—Sanan had clearly not returned yet.
She took out her phone, hesitating whether to ask Wei Li, when a familiar voice suddenly came from behind her.
"Worried about Sana'an?"
Lan Shuyin turned around and saw Wei Li standing a few steps away. He was wearing a dark gray cashmere coat that was casually open, revealing a neatly pressed light-colored knit sweater underneath, and he exuded a sense of autumn leisure.
He remained calm, even sporting his usual slight smile, as if he were not the one who had fled in panic last night.
Lan Shuyin patted her chest. "You scared me." She put away her phone. "A little. He was taken away because of me."
"Don't worry, he'll be fine." Kui Li took two steps closer to her. "Besides, even without you, he would have fallen into other traps sooner or later. The secrets he holds are enough to make many people covet them."
Lan Shuyin looked him over. "I thought you weren't going to show up."
"Why?" Wei Li raised an eyebrow slightly. "It's too dangerous for you to run around alone."
He paused, then naturally walked alongside her, slowly making their way along the quiet street. "What are your plans next?"
“They might go back.” Lan Shuyin turned to look at him and tentatively asked, “Actually, I was going to ask you yesterday, could the faceless spirit we dealt with on the 14th floor of Haitao Building be Ah Xue?”
“It wasn’t her, but it should also be the work of the Jiuli clan.” Kui Li answered decisively, and then said, “It’s better to stay away from these troubles. Have you bought the tickets? I’ll go back with you.”
"Do you still need to take a plane?"
Kui Li shrugged. "I'm a legitimate businessman, not an unregistered person."
"Alright." Lan Shuyin nodded, emphasizing her words, "After all, my features are still with you."
Kui Li's faint smile faded slightly.
"It's not with me."
"What did you say?"
"The Jiuli clan did indeed return your facial features and organs back then, but Feng Zhizhaoxue took them away."
Seeing her expression change drastically, Wei Li quickly said, "But you don't need to worry too much. The idea that a defective spirit is prone to misfortune is just a matter of probability. Look at people born with disabilities; many of them live peaceful lives."
"..."
Lan Shuyin's expression darkened further. She stopped and turned to him earnestly, asking, "Wei Li, have you ever been beaten up?"
Kui Li paused slightly, then seemed to understand something, a faint smile flickering in his eyes. He obediently leaned forward slightly, presenting his impeccably handsome face to her. "No. But if you want..."
He spoke softly, with a hint of indulgence, "Come on."
The warm sunlight fell on his handsome face as he approached, and her face was reflected in his affectionate peach blossom eyes. His warm breath was close at hand.
Lan Shuyin remained silent for a moment, then threw a punch.
Half an hour later, the two sat in a quiet private room at a private restaurant.
Dishes were served one after another, filling the air with their aroma. Lan Shuyin looked at the obvious red mark on his right cheek and belatedly felt a pang of guilt, but she reprimanded him sternly, "Kui Li, think before you speak next time. Who does that, always rubbing salt into someone's wounds?"
"Okay, I understand." Wei Li readily agreed, picked up a piece of steamed fish with his chopsticks and put it in her bowl. "Eat more, you just used up some energy, you need to make up for it."
Lan Shuyin lowered her head and fiddled with the fish in the bowl. The snow-white garlic-shaped pieces of meat were separated by chopsticks, revealing their delicate texture.
She took two bites in silence, then finally spoke again, "Actually, I saw some other things on Tang Island before."
She carefully chose her words and finally recounted in detail what she had seen and heard in the Kagura Bathhouse.
“That old man must be an investigator from the Special Bureau. He said that many people have spent their entire lives studying that behemoth, and he is the only one still alive who knows the truth.” What made her slightly uneasy was that “he said that the butterfly was formed from the residual energy when I summoned you at Jinmei Pavilion.”
“But I can’t remember many of the details from that time. I only remember that lightning struck Sheng Sheng and you erased Feng Zhiyuan’s three souls…” She looked up at him, her gaze questioning, “If every time I summon you, such residual energy is left behind, wouldn’t similar strange things be able to breed everywhere?”
Kui Li calmly placed a piece of green vegetable on her plate, speaking in a gentle tone, "It's not necessarily something sinister. Some people with good fortune can also use this energy to become spiritual practitioners."
"The earliest spiritual practice in the world was when the ancient people were performing sacrifices and sensing the heavens and earth. They unintentionally triggered the scattered primal energy and resonated with it, which gradually opened up a path that was different from ordinary people."
Lan Shuyin paused, her hand holding the chopsticks still. This grand question about origins was spoken of by him in such a calm tone, causing her to fall into deep thought for a moment.
Seeing that she seemed lost in thought, he continued, "The giant butterfly you saw underground is called 'Blue Spotted Beetle.' It is indeed extraordinary and can be understood as a mutated form of the mother Gu. Its eggs are highly poisonous, and if an ordinary person touches them, they will instantly lose their life force."
Lan Shuyin unconsciously recalled the caterpillars she had touched before, and frowned slightly. "Insect Gu? They look quite cute."
Kui Li gave her a deep look. "Perhaps in their eyes, you are just as lovely. But these are trivial matters, insignificant."
Lan Shuyin looked at him seriously, "Then in your opinion, what is important?"
Kui Li gazed at her, the soft light falling on his eyes. "You."
"Your safety is the most important thing."
...
Lan Shuyin booked a red-eye flight late at night and left Gangzhou quietly without telling anyone.
The cabin was dimly lit, and most passengers were asleep. She sat by the window, staring blankly at the endless darkness outside, until someone sat down in the empty seat next to her. She subconsciously turned her head and saw it was Wei Li.
He didn't ask anything, but simply placed a U-shaped pillow beside her and asked for a blanket for her. The whole process was as natural as if it had been pre-arranged.
As the plane landed, he silently helped her with her luggage. Stepping out of the arrival hall, a black sedan was already waiting by the roadside. The driver opened the door, and after a moment's hesitation, she got in.
They remained silent the entire way.
Lan Shuyin kept her head turned to look at the flickering lights outside the window, her profile appearing particularly distant in the dim light and shadow.
The car stopped downstairs at her apartment building. She thanked him quietly and got out. Just as she turned to leave, Wei Li called out to her.
“Ayin, if you feel uncomfortable…” His voice was very soft, as if afraid of disturbing something, “I apologize, I will move back to a distance where you feel comfortable.”
Lan Shuyin stopped and turned to look at him. In the dim light, his expression was serious, not like he was joking.
She suddenly twitched the corners of her mouth, a smile that wasn't quite a smile, but in the end she said nothing, turned around, swiped her card, and entered the building.
Her tense face was reflected in the elevator mirror. She stared at her reflection until a "ding" sounded, and the person in the mirror trembled slightly.
Back at her place, the first thing Lan Shuyin did was to schedule a psychological consultation before going into the bathroom.
Before going to bed, she replied to a few unread WeChat messages and habitually checked her Moments, only to be shocked.
The entire screen was filled with Wei Li's dynamic content:
Share this lucky koi fish image and forget someone within three days!
Single Sharing: Back to Basics
Scientific Proof: Why Do Humans Need Hibernation?
Ten simple tips for dealing with amnesia—you're sure to find one you can use!
The latest post was published three minutes ago, forwarding a short video about an asteroid about to hit Earth, with the caption: If we are destroyed together, then we can be considered to live and die together, right?
She stared at the chaotic scene on the screen and muttered in bewilderment, "Are they crazy?"
She turned off the light and lay down. In the darkness, those sweeping headlines still lingered in her mind's eye. She pursed her lips and suddenly felt like laughing. Realizing the corners of her mouth were turned up, she turned over irritably and buried her face in the pillow.
...
I slept exceptionally soundly for a full ten hours, and woke up in the afternoon.
After a quick wash, Lan Shuyin casually threw on a khaki trench coat and went out to the psychological clinic.
The doctor who received her, Dr. Zhou, was about forty years old, wore thin-rimmed glasses, and had a calm and gentle demeanor.
She invited Lan Shuyin to sit on the comfortable sofa, and after briefly inquiring about the situation, she asked in a gentle voice, "What do you hope to talk to me about today?"
Lan Shuyin carefully chose her words, "Dr. Zhou, I want to ask... if someone suddenly gains memories of their past life, but this body, this life, everything from birth to now, clearly belongs to this life, then who is she? Is she still the same person from before?"
Dr. Zhou leaned forward slightly, his gaze focused. "Could you be more specific? For example, how has this caused her?"
“Her previous life was filled with suffering, and even in death she found no peace; her body was even mutilated. She lived her entire life in lies and meticulously crafted conspiracies, completely unaware until her death. She was a person who hated evil and had a clear sense of right and wrong. But in this life, even though she knows all these truths, she… cannot empathize.” Lan Shuyin was silent for a moment, then asked the question that troubled her deeply, “Perhaps she should seek the truth and give herself an explanation. But she’s as cold-blooded as a bystander; that’s not right, is it?”
"So... can someone who can't feel pain for their tragic past still be considered the same person? Do those memories still belong to her?"
After listening, Dr. Zhou did not answer immediately, but gently pushed up his glasses, his gaze gentle and focused. "Identity crisis, this is a kind of confusion that many people experience when facing major life changes."
"Have you heard of the Ship of Theseus? A wooden ship that sails the seas, where every plank that rots is replaced. After several years, when all the planks have been replaced, is the ship still the same?"
She paused briefly, then used another metaphor to deepen understanding: "If a river's water is constantly changing, is it still the same river?"
“In fact, we will still call it the same ship, the same river. The continuity here does not lie in the exact same composition of matter, but in the continuation of its form, structure and memory.”
She observed Lan Shuyin's expression and continued, "From a physiological perspective, human cells undergo a complete replacement every seven years. The you of yesterday is not the same as the you of today on a physical level. But would you therefore consider yourself a stranger from seven years ago?"
Lan Shuyin asked thoughtfully, "What if they lose their memory?"
"So, in a sense, you have become a new person."
"So I'm just a series of memories. If I had all your memories, then I would be you?"
"Yes," Dr. Zhou replied clearly and firmly, "As long as your self-awareness is continuous, you are you, regardless of body or nonexistent soul."
Seeing Lan Shuyin lost in thought, her tone softened, "Actually, there's no need to worry too much. Many people who have undergone brain surgery experience varying degrees of personality changes."
"Remember, what determines who you are is not your body, nor a fixed personality trait, but that unique and continuously evolving journey of consciousness. As long as this transmission of memory remains unbroken, you will always be the complete you."
As dusk settled in, Lan Shuyin took a deep breath of the cool air, a feeling of unprecedented clarity coursing through her body.
Why insist on clarifying the boundaries between past and present lives? Why force those vague memories to have meaning in this moment?
In her past life, Feng Zhizhao owed no one anything, and in this life, Lan Shuyin has no need to bear the grudges and affections that have long since sunk into the torrent of time.
Why worry about so much? In this life, she'll live however she wants.
Lan Shuyin never dwells on internal conflicts; having figured things out, her steps unconsciously became lighter. She turned into a nearby bustling pedestrian street.
As the neon lights begin to illuminate the night, the air is filled with the sounds of people, the aroma of food mingling with the music from the shops, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere.
As she walked along the second-floor walkway of the pedestrian street, her gaze inadvertently swept across the window of a boutique across the street.
Behind the shop window, a woman in a brightly colored cheongsam smiled at a customer. The woman was stunningly beautiful, with a graceful figure, and a beauty mark at the corner of her eye added to her charm. But in Lan Shuyin's eyes, she saw more than that—behind the woman, several fluffy fox tails swayed leisurely, appearing and disappearing.
Nine-tailed fox?
Lan Shuyin's heart trembled violently, and her blood and qi surged uncontrollably throughout her body.
She knew that her dark eyes had once again seen something she shouldn't have.
A sense of stagnation washed over her, and she staggered as she grabbed onto the old-fashioned dark green mailbox by the roadside.
Just as she was leaning against the mailbox to catch her breath, a soft, hesitant voice came from behind her, "...Lan Shuyin?"
She turned around and saw Su Wei's smiling face. Su Wei had elegant and dazzling purple hair, wore a beige tweed coat over a silk camisole, and well-tailored suit trousers. She was carrying a limited-edition handbag, and her outfit was both fashionable and exuded the air of a wealthy young lady.
In just a few days, Su Wei has transformed from a sweet pink-haired girl into a mature purple-haired woman.
Upon seeing her, Su Wei quickly stepped forward, her carefully drawn eyebrows revealing just the right amount of concern, "It really is you! Why do you look so pale? Are you alright?"
Lan Shuyin was much better and waved her hand, saying, "It's nothing, I just twisted my ankle."
"It's good that you're alright." Su Wei's eyes lit up. "I've been trying to contact you everywhere these past few days! Thank goodness, it's like God is helping us!"
"Did you need something from me?"
"There's an 'Elite Social Gathering' tomorrow night. Ostensibly, it's a matchmaking event for young elites who graduated from prestigious universities. Invitations have been sent out all over high society circles." Su Wei winked playfully. "I specially asked for an extra invitation. You should come along!"
Lan Shuyin's lips twitched, and she was about to refuse when Su Wei affectionately took her arm. "Don't be in such a hurry to refuse." She leaned closer and lowered her voice. "That's just a pretext. In reality, this is a private gathering of the younger generation of Xuanmen people."
“When we played the ‘Wedding Invitation’ game last time, I could tell you definitely knew some esoteric techniques. Every family has its secrets, and I won’t pry into your background. But the people who organized this event…”
A mysterious smile played on her lips. "They're plotting something earth-shattering. Aren't you curious about what those outstanding young people of your age are up to?"
Lan Shuyin shook her head. "Not interested." She turned and left.
Su Wei panicked and quickly caught up with her, "They're going to kidnap Death!"
Lan Shuyin suddenly stopped and turned to look at her.
"What did you say?"
Seeing that she had finally reacted, Su Wei proudly raised her chin, "How about it? Interested now? This is an unprecedentedly generous offer!"
The image of Kui Li suddenly flashed through Lan Shuyin's mind, and her heart tightened.
She frowned, her tone turning serious. "I advise you not to do this."
Su Wei didn't take it seriously and simply shoved a heavy-looking invitation into her hand. "It's up to you whether you come or not. But this kind of excitement might only happen once in a lifetime."
Back home, Lan Shuyin examined the invitation in her hand. The matte black cardstock was embossed with intricate dark gold patterns, with an abstract eye emblem at the center. Inside, in elegant lettering, were the words:
We cordially invite you to visit.
"Rising Stars of the Xuanmen" Friendship Association
Time: Sunday evening at 8 PM
Location: No. 77 Feng'an Road, Beichen District, Ancient Castle Museum
She pursed her lips, internally torn. Kidnapping Death? Young people were indeed audacious and courageous. But the question remained: had any of them obtained the scroll of "The Book of Death"?
If there was anything she regretted most in her life, it was not being able to destroy that forbidden technique.
Back then, I just wanted to keep a memento, but now, will it hurt Wei Li?
She instinctively picked up her phone.
Since they parted last night, although Wei Li has been posting erratically on social media, he hasn't contacted her at all.
Lan Shuyin typed a few words, then deleted them one by one.
Whether it is the "Compendium of Death" is still unknown. Even if it is, there should be more than just Kui Li in the Temple of Truth, right? It seems inappropriate to bother him for uncertain information.
but……
Lan Shuyin put it into a hidden compartment in her backpack, having already made up her mind.
Regardless, let's go and find out what's going on.
...
Inside the bar, the bass drum of electronic music pounded against your chest, and the air was filled with the restless scent of alcohol and perfume.
In the most eye-catching spot in the center of the dance floor, Annie and Li Kailin were dancing intimately with two tall and handsome male partners.
Su Wei pushed through the crowd, nimbly squeezed to their side, patted Li Kailin on the shoulder, and whispered in her ear, "Hey! There's a gathering tomorrow, are you coming?"
The music was deafening, but Li Kailin just waved her hand casually, her eyes still glued to her dance partner. "What kind of party is this? Another boring one, forget it!"
Su Wei pulled her slightly to the side to turn the music down a bit. "This isn't an ordinary party; it's a private social gathering for rising stars in the Xuanmen (Taoist sect)!"
Upon hearing this, Li Kailin curled her lip in disinterest, her line already drifting back to the dance floor where she awaited her male partner. "It sounds so mystical, so boring."
A knowing glint flashed in Su Wei's eyes, then she casually added in a voice just loud enough for Su Wei to hear, "Oh, by the way, Lan Shuyin will be there too."
Li Kailin paused abruptly, turned her head, and the smile on her face vanished completely. "She's going?"
Su Wei blinked innocently, "I heard that's how it is."
"Heh." Karin let out a cold laugh through her nose, and without the slightest hesitation, she said, "Send me the time and place. I'm going to this event."
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