Chapter 320: Exposing Ding Xu (1/2)

”That can wait,” I replied. “Let's visit Ding Xu's dormitory first.”

Dali was suddenly energized. ”Are you going to see Luo Youyou again? I'll get dressed right away!”

We went to the cafeteria for breakfast and bought some soy milk and fried dough sticks, then headed to the computer science dormitory. After staying up all night contemplating the case, I remained resolute about my theory that Ding Xu was merely pretending to be possessed, though I didn’t exclude the possibility of his connection to Qiu Wanxia. Determining what that connection was would be key to solving the case.

If Jiu-ge had encountered such an incident, he might have performed an exorcism without a second thought but I wanted to explore the reasons behind it!

This wasn’t a question of who was right or wrong. There wasn’t a universal truth in the world. An acknowledged set of beliefs and methods only worked within its own domain or field. Even Newton who discovered gravity believed in God in his later years.

Although I had witnessed many supernatural phenomena, I was still, in essence, a rational and objective man. Even if Ding Xu was really possessed by Qiu Wanxia’s spirit, I had to determine why her spirit fixated on Ding Xu and not the others.

When Dali and I arrived at Ding Xu's dormitory, we overheard Zhang Cheng narrating last night’s “adventure” to his roommates. Upon entering the room, Zhang Cheng quickly introduced me to everyone. The other two juniors looked at me with equal parts fear and respect in their eyes. Before I knew it, I was already in my final year. I couldn't help but sigh. The march of time was relentless and unforgiving.

”I’m here to find out more about Ding Xu's social circle,” I explained.

His roommates burst into noisy chatter as they detailed how frustrated Ding Xu usually was and how he never had a girlfriend though he was interested in a bunch of girls. In a nutshell, he was a textbook example of a loser.

”Have any of you heard Ding Xu mention the name Qiu Wanxia?” I asked.

The juniors shook their heads, but one of them suddenly interjected, ”I’ve thought of something but I don't know if it’s considered a clue.”

My eyes lit up. ”Let's hear it!”

He explained that Ding Xu was strange for a period of time two years ago, often chatting on QQ late into the night, sometimes smiling at his cell phone. They all lived together long enough to know that Ding Xu’s behavior probably meant he had a new crush.

After a moment’s contemplation, I asked, ”Was it around winter?”

”Yes, you’re right!” he exclaimed. “I remember it was almost winter vacation in our first year.”

Indeed, there was more to it than what met the eye. ”I have a request,” I began. “I’d like to take Ding Xu's computer to the bureau for our investigation.”

The three of them agreed at once. ”It’s no problem at all! Do whatever you need!”

Thus, I left their room with the computer in my arms. Dali urged, ”Aren’t you going to the girls' dormitory to investigate?”

”You can go if you want to!” I chided.

Disappointment written all over his face, Dali left with me, though we soon bumped into Luo Youyou and her two roommates who were carrying water bottles. She smiled sweetly at me, ”Song Yang!”

”Hey, don’t you have class in the morning?”

”Not today,” she laughed. “We’re just getting ready to head over to study hall.”

I elbowed Dali and urged, ”Seize the opportunity, you fool!”

”What should I say?” he anxiously asked.

”Just go with it,” I said. “If you can't think of something, ask her the same questions I did.”

”You’re the best, dude!” Dali patted me on the shoulder.