Spare the rod and spoil the child.

Su Yang closed the bedroom door and returned to the living room sofa, sitting down. He grabbed a bottle of water and gulped down half of it in one go. "This is really something," he muttered.

"First time encountering someone with dissociative identity disorder... Hmm, I wonder if Xu Zilin will switch back when she wakes up tomorrow. If she does, I’ll ask her more about it."

"But if I fight one of her personalities, would the other one feel it? Oh, right—no. Damn, she said the other personality is dormant when not active."

"Ugh, what a shame. Missed opportunity!"

After taking some time to process these unfamiliar circumstances, Su Yang got up, took a quick shower, and went to bed.

The night passed without incident.

At eight the next morning, Su Yang was woken by knocking at the door.

Knock knock knock—

Bleary-eyed, he lifted his head and called out, "Who is it?"

"It's me, Xu Zilin~"

Hearing the familiar voice, Su Yang immediately sat up. She’s switched back.

"Come in, the door’s unlocked."

"Okay~"

Click—

The bedroom door opened from the outside, and Xu Zilin walked in with a smile, her hands clasped behind her back.

She grinned at Su Yang and got straight to the point. "Su Yang... you... know now?"

"Yeah," Su Yang nodded. "Your sister told me a bit last night. Oh, and she kicked me too. I’m the type to hold a grudge, so you owe me."

"Ah... sorry about that. I’ll apologize on her behalf. Let me treat you to a meal when you’re free. She told me everything that happened last night."

Su Yang started to throw off the covers to get up but then realized he wasn’t wearing pants. He quickly pulled the blanket back over himself.

He wasn’t sure if Xu Zilin had seen anything, but she stood by the door with an awkward smile.

Rubbing his still-groggy eyes, Su Yang gestured for her to come closer. "Come here."

"Uh, sure." Xu Zilin obediently sat down on the beanbag chair beside the bed.

"So, what’s the deal with your dissociative identity disorder?"

Xu Zilin thought for a moment before answering honestly. "When I was eight, my school organized a spring outing to a scenic spot. While playing with friends, I accidentally fell down a steep slope. I was lucky to survive, but after that, my other personality appeared—Xu Zining. That’s the name she chose for herself."

"At first, I didn’t realize I had another personality. It wasn’t until later that I gradually became aware of her existence."

Su Yang listened quietly before asking, "Then why does she call you her older sister?"

Xu Zilin sighed. "I know very well that she is me, and I am her. Medically speaking, it’s a disorder, but it’s practically untreatable, so we’ve learned to accept each other."

"Still, I’m used to it now. Even if there were a way to cure it someday, I wouldn’t take it."

Su Yang nodded. "I get it. You’ve grown accustomed to each other. Neither of you would want to erase the other."

"Mm-hmm, exactly."

"So, as the primary personality, under what circumstances does she come out?"

Xu Zilin pondered before replying, "Usually when I’m in danger or unconscious. She’s really strong, though I don’t know why."

Su Yang mused, "No wonder she just opened her eyes out of nowhere last night."

"You were worried I might’ve drunk myself to death, so you stayed close. She must’ve sensed that and took over..."

Su Yang chuckled. "Yeah, I called your name a few times, but you didn’t respond at all. I was about to check if you were still breathing when she suddenly opened her eyes and scared the hell out of me."

"Heh, sorry about that." Xu Zilin gave an embarrassed smile.

Su Yang waved it off. "No big deal. I think I understand now. Anyway, let’s drop it for now. Could you step out for a sec? I’m not wearing pants."

"Oh... sure~" Xu Zilin giggled and stood up, leaving the bedroom.

Su Yang put the matter aside for the moment. After getting dressed and freshening up, he walked out to the living room.

Xu Zilin was sitting quietly on the sofa, scrolling through her phone.

"Hungry?"

"A little~ I drank way too much last night. Actually, I threw up a bit this morning. Heh, my stomach’s completely empty now."

"I thought you had a high alcohol tolerance. Didn’t expect you to just pass out like that. I’ll make breakfast—wait here."

"Okay, thanks."

"No problem."

Su Yang headed into the kitchen and quickly prepared two bowls of egg noodles, along with a glass of warm milk.

He carried the food over and sat down beside the sofa.

"Dig in."

"Wow, smells amazing~" Xu Zilin eagerly picked up the chopsticks resting on the bowl and started mixing the noodles.

"Take your time. Drink some milk after."

"Mhm, okay~"

Ten minutes later, they finished their meal. Xu Zilin promptly got up and took the empty bowls to the kitchen to wash them.

Su Yang smiled to himself. She’s really a sweet girl. Huh? Wait—last night, Xu Zining was so skilled in combat. Why didn’t the system detect her before?

—System, can’t you detect dissociative identities?

[No detection possible. Only one personality can be scanned.]

—Did you know she had DID from the start?

[No.]

—Tch, fine.

—If the other personality emerges, can you scan her then?

[Yes. Each personality is effectively a separate individual. When the dormant one surfaces, scanning becomes possible.]

—Should’ve scanned Xu Zining last night when I had the chance.

—Whatever. I’ll do it next time she shows up.

The clatter of dishes came from the kitchen, and soon Xu Zilin walked back out.

She smiled at Su Yang. "Su Yang, I should get going now. Thanks for taking care of me last night."

Su Yang stood up and returned the smile. "No trouble at all. Let me walk you out."

"No need, don’t worry about it. I’ll just grab a cab."

Remembering he had things to do later, Su Yang didn’t insist.

"Alright then."

"Heh, by the way, since my sister kicked you last night, let me treat you to a proper meal when you’re free. I was supposed to pay for dinner yesterday, but I got too drunk. So now I owe you two meals~"

Su Yang grinned at the adorable Xu Zilin. "Deal. I’ll make sure to collect both."

"Great! Well, I’ll head out now. See you~"

"See you."

......

"Next time we meet, I’ll find a way to get her sister to come out so I can scan her. I have a feeling her combat stats must be impressive."

"It’s so weird—one personality’s completely defenseless, and the other’s like a trained killer."

"Ah, whatever. No point overthinking it. Time for a haircut."

After muttering to himself, Su Yang took his time using the bathroom before finally leaving the apartment.

By ten in the morning, he’d gotten a fresh, stylish haircut at a nearby barbershop.

Just then, his phone rang.

Pulling it out, he saw Pan Ning’s name on the screen.

"Hello."

"Hey, where are you?"

Pan Ning’s voice came through the receiver.

"I'm near home, just got a haircut."

"Did you pack your stuff yet?"

"What stuff?"

"What do you mean, 'what stuff'? The outdoor gear~"

"Oh, right. I don’t have much, and it’s all still packed. I’ll just toss it in the car later," Su Yang said with a laugh.

"Alright. Let’s meet at Qianxiang Mall at one and head out. I’ll notify the others in the group chat."

"Got it~ Can’t wait to share a tent with you~" Su Yang grinned.

Pan Ning rolled her eyes on the other end of the line. "Bye."

Beep beep beep—

"Seriously? Just hangs up like that? Little miss, you’re asking for trouble. Two days without a spanking, and you’re already climbing the roof."