Chapter 363: A Thrilling Criminal Chase (2/2)

”Do I look like a policeman in this outfit?” Xiaotao asked, worried.

”Your temperament can’t be changed,” I smiled.

”I should probably learn from the Imitator. How does he hide himself so perfectly?”

”I think he’s an extremely insecure person who’s disgusted with himself and lives based upon the evaluation of others,” I theorized. “He’s also likely to suffer from a mental illness.”

”Are you making a psychological assessment of the Imitator?”

I nodded, ”After reviewing the cases, I have a rough outline of the man in my head although he’s been switching personas this whole time.”

I couldn't categorize this sort of mental illness. The man might have suffered an inferiority complex from an early age and was eager to be recognized by others. So he imitated the words and deeds of the people around him. This sort of imitation gave him a sense of security. And over time, he lost himself in the process...

Philosophers endeavored to answer the ultimate question: ”Who am I? Do my experiences define me? Or is it my body or my consciousness?” The self isn’t created at birth, but a concept gradually forms.

Children do not use the word ”I” when they first learn to speak. For example, they might say, ”Yangyang is thirsty,” or ”Yangyang wants to play for a while,” which suggests they have yet to form the concept of ”I.”

With the continuous development of the brain and a deeper understanding of the world, children eventually realize one thing–the name others call them refers to themselves. Thus, they gradually learn to use the word ”I” and gain their own reflective consciousness.

The Imitator was a person who had no self-identity. Like a computer without a program installed, he could easily “load and unload” someone else’s personality.

We circled around the neighborhood, looking for the property and inquiring about the tenants. Then we ”trespassed” several homes but failed to find the Imitator’s hideout.

Thus, we headed to the next location–a street filled with restaurants and food stalls.

”I'm starving,” cried Xiaotao. “Won’t you treat me to some beef soup!”

”It’s still a little early, isn’t it?” I said, glancing at my watch.

”I only had a glass of soy milk in the morning to lose weight,” pouted Xiaotao.

”Let's go have something then!”

We visited the restaurant the officer frequented. During checkout, I asked the restaurant owner, ”Does an officer come here often?”

”You mean Xiao Wang? He comes every day,” answered the restaurant owner.

”Have you noticed anyone observing him?” I continued.

The restaurant owner hesitated, ”What a strange question you ask. Who the hell are you?”

Xiaotao quickly dragged me away and chided, ”How can you ask him like that? You cautioned me, but it looks like you haven’t forgotten your consultant status either!”

On our way out of the restaurant, I noticed several windows on the second floor of the opposite building. I immediately turned around and asked the restaurant owner, ”Is there a unit for rental across the street?”

”Yes, are you looking to rent a space?”

”Do you have the landlord's number?” I added.

I keyed in the contact number but left it at that. Xiaotao walked straight to the opposite building that was already occupied by vendors on the first floor while the second floor was a residential space. There was a staircase in the back leading to the corridor on the second floor lined with doors.

I checked them one by one, finally stopping in front of a door that was covered with advertisements and leaflets. My intuition told me that this was the one! Glancing around to ensure there was no one else, I grabbed my lock-picking tools and unlocked the door.