Chapter 426: The Clouds Over Great Metropolis (7)

"Oh, yes, I see—you devoted an entire chapter of your latest paper to this issue, though I notice you primarily focused on the philosophical and ethical aspects..."

Lionel clasped his hands together, beaming, and said, "This is a bit hard for someone like me, a mere commoner with limited education. You understand—we merchants with little formal schooling prefer to focus on more practical matters..."

As he spoke, Lionel's expression grew slightly uneasy, as if he wanted to ask but dared not. Shi Le understood at once and said, "It's fine, Mr. Lionel. I'm here precisely to answer your questions, aren't I?"

Lionel placed his hands beneath the table, chuckled twice, then said, "You're remarkably approachable—far more easygoing than many experts I've met."

At that moment, a waiter entered. Shi Le turned to look at him, and Lionel explained, "Sorry—I called him over."

The waiter brought two wine glasses and a bottle from a cart behind him. Lionel said, "I originally planned to share this classic vintage with the mayor, but who knew..."

"But it doesn't matter, Mr. Shi Le—may I call you that? It's an honor to drink with a scholar like you."

The richly colored wine looked like a gem frozen in the glass. Seeing Shi Le's practiced gesture as he lifted the cup, Lionel's smile deepened.

He then pulled a box of cigars from his side bag, had the waiter trim them, and lit one for Shi Le. Shi Le drew in a puff, exhaled thick smoke, and leaned back in his chair with relaxed ease, while Lionel remained leaning forward, chatting with him about basic psychological concepts.

As the conversation grew warmer, it returned to the earlier topic. Lionel asked, "As I mentioned before, I have no intention of questioning your academic credentials—but transferring one person's personality into another's body... it sounds utterly fantastical."

"Setting aside the philosophy and ethics that give me a headache, I'm simply curious about one ordinary question: How is this even done?"

"Mr. Lionel, I know you're curious—but let me ask you something in return." Shi Le glanced at the glowing tip of his cigar. "I hear you built your vast Lu Se business empire from nothing. How did you do it?"

"This..." Lionel opened his mouth, unsure how to answer. He didn't know whether, if he gave Shi Le a vague, polite reply, Shi Le would respond to his own question in the same way.

"This is the kind of question outsiders ask experts. When someone achieves extraordinary success in a field, many who know nothing about it insist on asking, 'How exactly did you do it?'"

"They desperately want a concrete, actionable method—but only insiders understand that there's no standard answer. In most cases, even a sincere reply yields only a superficial one."

"Like effort, a dash of inspiration, a touch of luck—you were about to answer me that way, weren't you, Mr. Lionel?"

Lionel's expression stiffened briefly, then quickly melted back into a smile. "Indeed, many want to know my secret to success—but what secret is there? Everyone knows how business works, yet very few become truly wealthy."

"Of course, I understand. Outsiders see psychology as mysterious, thinking we all read minds—that one glance reveals what people are thinking. But that's not true."

"It's a discipline requiring vast theoretical study, followed by constant practical experience, systematic training, and scientific refinement to achieve mastery."

"As for your earlier doubt—whether it's possible to transfer one person's personality into another's body—I can state clearly: yes, it can be done. But if you truly want to understand the principle, you'd have to start from the beginning."

Lionel's smile didn't fade. "Look at me—I've been so engrossed in conversation I nearly forgot today's main matter. About Leks..."

"Psychological treatment is a long process. I can't turn him into a socially adept, normal person overnight. As for the exact treatment, I first need to conduct a basic assessment."

"Mr. Lionel, I won't hide it—I can see you're desperate for results." Shi Le took another puff of his cigar; as he spoke, smoke drifted slowly through the air.

"Just like everything else in this world—if you're willing to pay enough, there's always a faster way..."

Lionel understood at once, raised his glass, and lightly clinked it against Shi Le's. "That's the best news I've heard in years."

After a while, the red-haired boy Leks was brought back into the parlor. He sat across from Shi Le. Standing beside him, Lionel asked hesitantly, "Uh... should I step out?"

"No, you don't need to."

Shi Le's reply surprised Lionel. He blinked, then suddenly realized and added, "I thought outsiders were supposed to leave."

"This is just a preliminary check—not formal treatment. You may wait here."

Shi Le sat across from Leks and began the initial assessment. It was simple: basic questions like name, height, weight, age; simple single-digit addition and subtraction; and basic shape descriptions.

Lionel watched silently from the side. Leks sat with hands resting on his knees, answering mechanically—no questions asked, no extra movements. Shi Le asked; Leks answered.

"Strange..." Shi Le glanced at the paper he was using to record, then looked up at Lionel. "Are you certain the previous diagnosis was autism?"

Lionel's smile faded slightly. He hesitated, glancing at Leks several times, then said, "Yes—the previous doctors all told me the same."

Shi Le frowned, silent. The room grew still. After a few dozen seconds, he murmured to himself, "Probably atypical autism."

"What's going on, Professor? Did the earlier doctors misdiagnose him?"

"No, not exactly." Shi Le scribbled on the paper. "Did the previous doctors explain to you that autism spectrum disorder has many subtypes? The common form with communication difficulties is typically classic autism."

"But there are also atypical forms. Symptoms vary widely among these patients—no single pattern applies. It seems your son's case is complex..."

"Excuse me, Professor." Lionel interrupted. He glanced at Leks. "Is he autistic? Could it be...?"

Shi Le looked at him oddly. "Mr. Lionel, you seem..."

At that moment, Lionel realized he'd slipped. He was about to adjust his expression when Shi Le said, with sudden clarity, "Oh, I see..."

Lionel's fingertips trembled slightly. Leks's blank expression flickered with a subtle change. Then Shi Le suddenly spoke:

"I've met many parents like you—convinced their children aren't ill, distrusting doctors, teachers, even their own family."

"They think the diagnosis is meaningless. In their eyes, their children are no different from anyone else."

Shi Le walked over and patted Lionel's shoulder. "I understand that feeling. No father wants his child to be sick."

"But Mr. Lionel, denial won't help. My diagnosis may differ slightly from the previous doctors', but without question, your son, Leks Lu Se, exhibits psychological abnormalities."

"The most likely diagnosis remains autism spectrum disorder—but the specific subtype requires further detailed evaluation to determine."

In that instant, Lionel's rigid expression softened. He sighed, wiped his eye with a finger, and put on a sorrowful face. "Indeed, I wish Leks were like a normal child—even if he were a playboy like a Wayne."

Shi Le noticed that at the mention of "Wayne," Leks's blank expression shifted slightly.

Shi Le lowered his gaze and nodded to Lionel. "Don't worry, Mr. Lu Se. Everything will improve. I guarantee your son will return to normal."

Lionel hesitated. "Really...?"

"Remember what I said earlier? I can even transfer one person's personality into another's body. Autism does require long-term treatment—but..."

Shi Le smiled, locking eyes with Lionel. "As I said before—there's always a faster way, isn't there?"

Shi Le saw a flash of cold calculation in Lionel's eyes—then it vanished, replaced instantly by a smile.

Suddenly, a flurry of footsteps echoed down the hallway—someone was running. Shi Le and Lionel turned their heads together, but Leks sat motionless, as if he hadn't heard a thing.

The door burst open with a crash as a waiter rushed in. Lionel frowned. "What's going on? What do you want?"

"Mr. Lu Se! You'd better come down quickly! Officer Benjamin is asking you to come down at once!"

"What's the hurry?" Lionel snapped at the waiter. "Why the panic?"

"Someone's dead!... Another person's dead!"

Shi Le frowned. Lionel stepped forward. "Who?"

"I... I don't know. But I heard it was an agricultural distributor... called... called..."

The waiter stammered, unable to speak clearly. Lionel waved his hand impatiently. "Take Leks back to his room. We'll go down and see."

As he walked with Shi Le, he added, "An agricultural distributor? Could be old Parker—he's the largest on the East Coast, so he was invited to this banquet..."

Lionel frowned deeply. "Damn it. Mayor White's death hasn't been solved, and now another murder? Is this damned estate cursed?"

No security

When Shi Le and Lionel reached the ground floor, they saw a corpse lying in the center of the banquet hall. Lionel stepped forward to speak with Benjamin. Shi Le descended the stairs and stood at the landing, showing no intention to approach.

Benjamin glanced at Shi Le, then walked over, meeting his eyes. "I heard you've helped solve many famous murder cases."

"Correct. Are you hiring me?"

Benjamin's brow furrowed deeply—but before he could answer, Shi Le turned away. "But I won't accept. I'm going back to bed."

"Wait!" Benjamin called after Shi Le, who was climbing the stairs. "Two murders in quick succession—this might be connected to the earlier serial killings in Great Metropolis. Isn't that your usual domain?"

Shi Le paused on the stairs, turned, and said to Benjamin, "You misunderstand. I attend university defenses—not kindergarten recitals."

Benjamin stared at him. Shi Le turned again, gripping the banister as he ascended, and delivered his final line:

"If your Great Metropolis serial killer is this incompetent, my recommendation is—delay graduation."