Song Xiaoyu

Biodata

Background / History

Song Xiaoyu volunteered at Qiguang Orphanage for nearly half a year, visiting every weekend while completing her medical internship. During Shen Xing's first visit to see Lin Feifei, she guided him through the orphanage, greeted staff and volunteers, and attended to children in the corridor. Shen Xing regarded her as sincerely devoted to the children. 23

She developed a persistent scalp itch and dandruff. After Shen Xing suggested medicated shampoo and mentioned a possible skin condition, she bought Pikang Shampoo from a pharmacy. That night, the itching became severe enough for her nails to break her scalp, and she discovered abnormal hair and a pale piece of skin in her bathroom wastebasket. The skin bore a laughing face identical to her own, after which Song Xiaoyu lost consciousness. 24 25 26

After becoming affected, she returned to the orphanage on a day she was not scheduled to volunteer and unnerved Lin Feifei by smiling continuously while denying that she was smiling. She later appeared in Feifei's room and caused the volunteer known as “Big Monster” to faint through mental influence. 27 28 30

Shen Xing initially identified the figure resembling her as an Unknown Anomaly. His investigation eventually revealed that Song Xiaoyu was the host of the Skin Face: a second, rigidly smiling face hidden on the back of her head. When the anomaly took control, her own face rotated backward, her neck twisted and wrinkled, and her consciousness disappeared. 29 31 39

Shen Xing locked the Skin Face when his understanding of its traits reached 95%, causing Song Xiaoyu to collapse. She survived, though her scalp was found rotting afterward. 39 40

Appearance

Song Xiaoyu is tall and thin, with shoulder-length black hair that became increasingly disheveled as the Skin Face's influence worsened. 28 32

• Wore a light-blue Qiguang Orphanage volunteer uniform while on duty. 28 33
• Later appeared frail in floral pajamas, with a fine-toothed yellow comb in her loose hair. 37
• During possession, her skin became deathly pale and the skin of her neck formed folds resembling a wrung-out rag. 30 39
• The Skin Face was visually identical to her own face but held a stiff, artificial smile. 26 39

Personality

Before her possession, Song Xiaoyu was considerate and attentive in her volunteer work. She carefully assisted children, treated Shen Xing politely, and was pleased to hear that Lin Feifei might receive a stable home through adoption. 23 24

While intermittently free of the Skin Face's control, she was quiet, confused, and visibly frightened by her symptoms. She complained of severe head pain, did not know why laughter came from her own mouth, and panicked when Shen Xing questioned what was behind her head. 37 38 39

Abilities & Skills

Skin Face Possession

Song Xiaoyu did not consciously control the anomaly inhabiting her. The Skin Face used her body as a host and could replace her awareness when activated. 39

• Causes scalp itching in the early stage of infection, followed by abnormally rapid hair growth at the affected area. 32 33
• Produces a second face on the back of the host's head, normally concealed by hair. 39
• Rotates the host's head so the Skin Face faces forward and controls the body while the host loses consciousness. 39
• Emits an eerie laugh that the host herself may be unable to hear. 39
• Exerts mental influence strong enough to rapidly deplete Shen Xing's Mental Antibody and cause “Big Monster” to faint. 30 32 38
• Appears able to spread its abnormal condition to people who come into contact with an affected host, though the transmission method remained unknown. 33 41
• Was disabled after Shen Xing locked it; its stored traits would dissipate after ten days if not preserved. 39 40

Relationships

• Shen Xing — Met him through her volunteer work at Qiguang Orphanage. He advised her about her scalp condition, investigated her anomalous behavior, and ultimately locked the Skin Face controlling her. 23 24 39 40
• Lin Feifei — An orphanage child whom Song Xiaoyu previously cared for as a volunteer. After becoming possessed, she repeatedly approached and frightened Feifei for an unknown reason. 23 28 30 47
• Song Hao — Her father. He lived with Song Xiaoyu and later displayed abnormal, rigid behavior during the Skin Face incident. 25 34 40
• An Lifen — Her mother. She was frightened after seeing Song Xiaoyu near her parents' bed and later became affected by the same anomaly. 26 35 40
• Zheng Ruijun — Special Case Investigation Unit investigator who investigated the Song family residence and witnessed the danger posed by the affected family. 34 36 40