Leaving the Hospital

"Mm, you've met the criteria for discharge."

Doctor Cheng, Bai Yanliang's attending physician, set down the medical chart and looked up at him. "Yanliang, live well after you leave. If you run into any trouble, remember to contact me in time; don't be a stranger. After all, Uncle Cheng has watched you grow up..."

Doctor Cheng looked with a complex expression at the delicate-featured young man sitting upright before him.

Bai Yanliang, male.

He was once involved in an extremely brutal murder case; the victim was his only relative—his older brother, Bai Yanren.

Ten years ago, that case shook all of Ye City, not only because of the horrific state of Bai Yanren's body, but also because the only person with the greatest suspicion was his own younger brother, Bai Yanliang.

When the police arrived at the crime scene, aside from the corpse in the room, there was only Bai Yanliang sitting blankly on the floor. Furthermore, from the walls to the floor, and even on the murder weapon left at the scene, there was nothing but Bai Yanliang's blood-red handprints.

What was even more hair-raising was the victim's time of death.

The autopsy report revealed that Bai Yanren had been dead for a full day, which meant that the young Bai Yanliang had spent an entire day and night alone with the corpse.

No one knew what he had done, and no one knew what he had been thinking.

No grief, no tears, no fear; just a blank expression.

His youthful face seemed to wear a lifelike mask, revealing not a shred of emotion.

Later, psychological experts discovered that he appeared to have antisocial personality disorder.

This personality disorder, also known as sociopathic personality disorder, is most notably characterized by high aggression, a talent for lying and manipulating others' emotions, a disregard for social moral norms, and a tendency to commit acts that most people find difficult to accept.

Ordinary people might commit impulsive acts—such as murder or excessive self-defense—only when severely harmed or frightened.

After causing serious consequences from such actions, ordinary people often feel anxiety, guilt, or regret.

But those with antisocial personality disorder do not.

They can commit acts that harm others with a clear conscience, completely unable to perceive the victim's pain, let alone lose sleep over it.

They lack empathy, carry out evil deeds with ease, and weave lies by exploiting the kindness and trust of others without the slightest prick of conscience.

The incident caused a massive stir. The police opened a case, and the evidence left at the scene, combined with Bai Yanliang's personality disorder, pointed to him being the murderer.

In the end, Bai Yanliang was committed to the Ye City Psychiatric Hospital, to be discharged only after his personality disorder was "cured."

In truth, this was merely another way of saying life imprisonment.

Because, a personality disorder is a condition that has no possibility of being cured.

However, an accident occurred.

Starting in the third year after Bai Yanliang's admission, his monthly mental health evaluations began to change slowly—in a positive direction, of course.

He was no longer reticent or restless; compared to dark corners, he grew increasingly fond of watching the vast sky.

Except for the first three years after admission, Bai Yanliang never had a physical altercation with anyone, nor did he even get into a verbal argument.

He self-studied all the basic curriculum and borrowed many dry, academic books from the doctors.

"He is a normal person; he shouldn't be locked in a psychiatric hospital for the rest of his life."

This realization was gradually accepted by all the doctors and nurses as Bai Yanliang's behavior became increasingly gentle and friendly.

Eventually, he even became the only "patient" who could roam the entire psychiatric hospital independently without supervision.

Moreover, as far as Doctor Cheng knew, more and more young female interns had been so charmed by him that they didn't know which way was up. After all, he not only had a gentle temperament but also possessed a delicate face; judging by the celebrities young people liked recently, his face was clearly a very popular type.

"Thank you, Uncle Cheng." Bai Yanliang stood up, shook hands with Doctor Cheng, and said with a smile, "Although it sounds a bit strange, this place is my second home. I will come back to visit everyone often."

Doctor Cheng looked at the young man, reached out to pat Bai Yanliang on the shoulder, and also smiled. "Go on, take good care of yourself."

Bai Yanliang nodded, turned, and left Doctor Cheng's office.

Watching his departing back, a strange thought suddenly flashed through Doctor Cheng's mind.

Antisocial personality disorder, skilled at deception, camouflage...

"How could that be..." Doctor Cheng smiled, patted his own head, and shook off that unrealistic thought.

If all of Bai Yanliang's behavior was just an act, wouldn't that be too terrifying? To start performing and camouflaging from childhood, and to keep it up until now?

Over there, Bai Yanliang turned slightly, and at the very last moment before the office door was pulled shut by him, he suddenly said with a smile, "Thank you, Doctor Cheng."

Doctor Cheng froze and looked up abruptly, but all he saw was the door already closed by Bai Yanliang.

"Little Bai, you're leaving the hospital..."

"Will you come back to see me?"

"Don't forget me, Little Bai..."

Several young nurses tugged at Bai Yanliang's sleeves with longing eyes, following him all the way to the main gate.

"Mm, you all should work hard. I will come back to visit everyone." Bai Yanliang looked at these youthful, vibrant faces and said with a smile.

"Mm! It's a promise."

Amidst a crowd of reluctant gazes, Bai Yanliang waved his hand and finally stepped out of the place where he had spent ten years.

"Ten years, Brother."

Bai Yanliang looked up at the sky and murmured softly.

"Out already?"

A deep, gravelly baritone voice sounded from Bai Yanliang's right.

He turned his head to see a man in his forties with a full beard and casual attire leaning against a car, smoking as he watched him.

"Uncle Yang?" Bai Yanliang called out, somewhat surprised.

"Not bad, I thought you only remembered the little girl and had forgotten about me." Yang Wanlong tossed his cigarette butt to the ground, grinding it out with his foot as he chuckled.

"How could that be? Over all these years, only Uncle Yang has taken the time to visit me at the hospital every year. Police work is already so busy..."

"Don't talk about that, get in the car." Yang Wanlong waved him over, unconcerned.

Bai Yanliang nodded with a smile, not refusing Yang Wanlong's kindness, and climbed into the man's SUV with his luggage.

"You don't have a place to stay since you just got out, so come to my place first." Yang Wanlong spoke casually. In a moment, he pulled out another cigarette, but just as he was about to light it, he caught sight of Bai Yanliang in the backseat. He tossed the cigarette aside and changed the subject: "Don't say no. Once you find a job, I won't keep you. Besides, there are some things of yours at my place that should be returned to you."

"Things?" Bai Yanliang's brow furrowed slightly, then, as if realizing something, he looked intently at Yang Wanlong's profile.

"Yeah, your brother's belongings. The police have been keeping them safe, it's time to give them back to you."