Severe trauma could indeed trigger dissociative identity disorder, but it was rare for someone to develop more than a dozen personalities at once. And according to Madam Ruo, she had formed her new personalities by absorbing the personalities of people she'd met. In a sense, she'd lost her sense of self. Her other personalities were modeled on other people, more like parasites living off them.
"No wonder you switch between personalities so quickly," Xu Huo said. "Is your original personality still alive?"
"She's already dead." Madam Ruo looked somewhat wistful. "My parents weren't content to stay inside my body. They wanted to kill their own daughter, and she died taking them with her."
"The benefactor who died saving you was your original personality." Xu Huo paused. "Why lie to that personality?"
Madam Ruo lifted her eyelids and glanced at him. "Don't you know?"
"Even though we have so many siblings, not all of them can accept themselves and stay strong. We've already lost our parents and eldest sister. We don't want to lose her too."
"What about you? How many siblings do you have?"
"An older brother and a younger brother," Xu Huo replied.
Madam Ruo looked intrigued. "Then call them out so I can see them."
Xu Huo smiled. "They're not here."
Madam Ruo tilted her head as she looked at him. "Are your brothers so shameful that you can't let anyone see them?"
"There's only me inside my body," Xu Huo said. "You've forgotten—I told you I studied psychology, so I understand your situation."
Madam Ruo didn't believe him. "You're all full of lies."
Xu Huo turned slightly to the side, propped one hand against his jaw, and said, "It's not exactly a lie. Our situations are completely different."
Madam Ruo narrowed her eyes, studying and scrutinizing him.