"… Are you saying that the human world has been invaded by aliens? They disguise themselves as humans and quietly replace our friends and family? So, our family and friends may no longer be the people we know?" Bai Qing's eyes widened. Although she said that she was willing to believe what Zhang Heng said, as an ordinary person with a normal IQ and nine years of compulsory education, it was the first time she heard such a thing. It was hard to believe.
"Yes, I heard from you at KFC that your father has been acting a little strange recently. He came home early after work, and he was looking through photos alone in his room. I thought the person who was replaced was your father," Zhang Heng said. "And your mother's description last night was very similar to the victim I met before. Because of the similarity, I became suspicious of her. I knew that those things were trying to deal with me, so I didn't rush to a conclusion. I went home to get my equipment and drove back here."
"You were here? Last night? "
"Yes, I arrived at about 12: 48 and parked outside your neighborhood. I was too sleepy, so I slept for a while." Since he was not sure what this quest had to do with him, Zhang Heng did not tell Bai Qing about the strange dream he had.
"Then according to what you said, the person who was replaced should be my father. My mother found out about the abnormality, so my father … that thing killed my mother to silence her."
"No, as far as I know, those things have always been very cautious. Except for the time when the three children drowned, they didn't kill anyone directly. In fact, compared to this simple and crude method, they prefer to use the rules of human society to achieve their goals."
Zhang Heng paused and continued, "Take the college student as an example. Through continuous psychological oppression, they create the illusion that the target is mentally abnormal. The college student once caused a riot in the community with a knife. Once the outside world accepts the image that he is insane, those things can send him to a mental hospital. After that, no one will believe his words again. This time, the method they used has evolved."
"What do you mean?"
"When your father and your mother quarreled earlier, your mother purposely disturbed the bystanders and called the police. That way, the bystanders and the police would know that your father had the intention to hurt your mother. This was the foreshadowing of what would happen later. When your mother died in the living room covered in blood, and your father was found with a fruit knife in his hand, no matter what he said, no one would believe him. I should have realized earlier that this was actually an upgraded version of the university student knife incident."
"But the person who acted strangely just now was indeed my father, and the cameras he secretly installed, how do you explain that?"
"Your father should have discovered your mother's abnormality. After all, no matter how much they quarreled, they were a couple who had lived together for twenty years. Judging from your father's behavior of looking through old photos, he might have suspected that your mother had an affair. So, he looked through the old photos and recalled their past relationship. He installed the cameras to catch her in the act. This is also how a normal person would think. Including the fact that he came home from work early, he must have wanted to salvage their relationship. This also explains why their conflict broke out at night. But when the police arrived, your father kept quiet about the conflict."
Bai Qing thought about it, "What you said makes sense. My father is a person who values his reputation very much. If he suspected my mother of cheating, he would never want outsiders to know about it. But … I did see him standing there with a fruit knife in his hand. "
"As long as one is prepared for this kind of thing, it's easy to do it unintentionally. For example, when your father came out and saw your mother killing herself, he would definitely rush to snatch the fruit knife from your mother's hand. But if your mother was fast enough or strong enough, she would be able to kill herself. In the end, your father snatched the knife, and that's what you saw." Zhang Heng said, "Of course, this is just my speculation. The specific situation needs to be investigated further."
"So, that thing sacrificed itself to send my father to prison?"
"I don't think it sacrificed itself. We know too little about them now. We don't know what they are, how they replaced themselves, and what their survival conditions are," Zhang Heng analyzed. "Perhaps the body is to them like clothes to us. Throwing away the body is just like changing clothes for them."
"Have you been investigating this kind of thing? You always looked sleep-deprived in class. Is this the reason?" Bai Qing asked.
"Yes, I am tracking the whereabouts of the college student and the drowning of three children by the river," Zhang Heng admitted.
"Why? You said that you didn't know the college student very well, and those things warned you. Why did you take the risk? "
"Well … I am from the Alien Species Invasion Prevention Association. This association specializes in dealing with some abnormal phenomena." Zhang Heng lied about this issue, borrowing the name of Shen Xixi's organization.
"It sounds like a mysterious organization that only appears in movies. Is there anyone else in this association besides you?"
"Yes, but they are not here. They have other things to deal with, so we can only rely on ourselves," Zhang Heng said.
"Sorry, I am trying very hard to keep up with your pace, but …" Bai Qing held her head, "This sounds so unbelievable. Alien invasion? My mother is not actually my mother …"
"It doesn't matter. You can take your time. I know you are feeling very sad now, so you can stay here and rest, or go to your grandfather's house. Leave the investigation to me," Zhang Heng said.
"No, I will go with you," Bai Qing said. "Don't leave me alone." She reached out and grabbed Zhang Heng's hand as she spoke. "The scene in the living room keeps appearing in my mind, over and over again. It is like a nightmare. I … I can't rest. If what you said is true, can we find my mother?"
"It is possible, but I have to say that the probability is very slim. However, we may have a way to clear your father's name."
"If you can really prove that my father did not kill those people, I am willing to do anything," Bai Qing said without hesitation.
"Okay, then let's start with the body and see if we can find anything," Zhang Heng said.
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