Top Dupe CH 090 Bringing You Into Character Part 2

"But occasionally, my brush turns into a knife, and all my paints turn red. Following my daytime routine, I blend the colors, painting in my dream world, but in reality, I slash my canvas to pieces, leaving the studio splattered with what looks like fresh blood. It resembles a crime scene."

Lu Pingfeng chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Since there was no body, and the red didn’t smell like blood, I asked the cleaning lady to take care of it."

Captain Zhao was shocked—this guy’s brush was replaced by a knife, his paints switched. Either Lu Pingfeng was doing it himself, or someone else with access was responsible!

"You're amazing at keeping things to yourself! You should have mentioned this sooner!"

Lu Pingfeng shrugged. "While my mental issues are the selling point for my art, I don’t exactly enjoy being called ‘crazy.’"

"You have cameras at home. If someone’s been coming and going to change your art supplies, you’d be able to tell," Wen Yuchi frowned.

At this, Captain Zhao stopped in his tracks and said quietly to Wen Yuchi, "No… he might not know. When we reviewed the footage, we noticed a blind spot. Someone familiar with it could complete the entire swap unnoticed."

Hearing this, Wen Yuchi’s smile lifted slightly, as though he’d thought of something amusing. Under the villa's cold lights, he seemed vibrant. "Mr. Lu, I suspect you’re not telling us about your sleepwalking because you’re insecure."

"Insecure?"

"You think that if you speak up, people will think you have multiple personalities. You’re afraid you might do something dangerous in your unconscious state. You’re not even sure if you’ve actually harmed someone or if you’re the one changing the tools."

Wen Yuchi tilted his head, smiling.

That vivid expression made Lu Pingfeng subconsciously step forward.

"You read Dr. Kong’s case file on the wife-murder incident years ago, didn’t you?"

"Yes, I read it. The way you returned his medicine to him—I thought you didn’t believe in his words. But it turns out, deep down, you're scared of becoming the split personality described in his file. Even if you weren’t at the time, you fear you could be."

Lu Pingfeng stepped closer again. According to Wen Yuchi’s analysis, Lu Pingfeng’s so-called “mental illness” might have just been Dr. Kong's suggestion repeated until he came to believe it himself.

"Do you think Dr. Kong's diagnosis was accurate?"

"Ha… I’m no psychiatrist. I wouldn’t know, and I don’t care. You think his diagnosis from years ago can predict who you are today?"

"Then what’s Dr. Wen's view on my sleepwalking?" Lu Pingfeng asked.

In those dark eyes, there seemed to be a spark of something different.

"Why haven’t you ever considered that someone close to you is the one switching out your tools? They know how to enter your home, understand the blind spot in the cameras, can switch out your tools, know Dr. Kong’s diagnosis, and are aware of when you’re likely to sleepwalk so they can prepare a knife for you in advance."

Not only Lu Pingfeng, but even Captain Zhao sensed a subtle sense of contradiction.

It was as if someone were orchestrating everything to make them doubt Lu Pingfeng’s sanity in connection with the murders.

"Aha, judging by your expression, I guess you already have a suspect. Whether this person is someone you know well or a figure in your imagination, I suggest you be honest with us."

With that, Wen Yuchi raised his gloved hand, holding a test tube in his left and a cotton swab in his right. "Mr. Lu, open your mouth, please."

Captain Zhao came to his senses. "You… you’re doubting Lu Pingfeng’s sleepwalking…"

"Yes. We’ll collect saliva, and we’ll also need samples of hair and blood."

Lu Pingfeng stared at Wen Yuchi. "What exactly are you suspecting?"

"I suspect your sleepwalking might be drug-related. I'll leave the rest of the samples to the professionals. I’m not the best with drawing blood," Wen Yuchi said, packing up the samples he’d gathered and opening his hands in a gesture of frankness.

"Mr. Lu, besides us and yourself, who else knows about your sleepwalking?" Wen Yuchi asked.

"My agent and Uncle He, who has always looked after me," Lu Pingfeng replied.

"When did your sleepwalking start? Do you do the same thing every time?" Wen Yuchi continued.

"I've had episodes of sleepwalking since I was a child, and usually, it’s just painting. Ever since moving into this villa, it’s always the same thing."

"Then do you take the same route every time you sleepwalk?"

Lu Pingfeng glanced at Captain Zhao, smiling. "Didn’t you review the footage? You might be better suited to answer—do I follow the same route every time I sleepwalk?"

Captain Zhao frowned. "Yes, it’s the same.”

At first, Captain Zhao didn't pay much attention to the sleepwalking routes. Lu Pingfeng's daily life was very routine, so it wasn’t surprising that this routine was reflected in his sleepwalking.  

However, when Wen Yuchi singled it out for analysis, Captain Zhao realized that if someone figured out the pattern of Lu Pingfeng’s sleepwalking, they could use surveillance footage to portray a horrifying side of him.  

Captain Zhao seemed to realize something and was about to make a call, but Wen Yuchi stopped him.  

"Wait a minute, I’m not done talking—back then, the little medicine bottle you gave to Dr. Kong, you took those pills yourself, didn’t you?" Wen Yuchi looked into Lu Pingfeng's eyes and asked seriously.  

After a long pause, Lu Pingfeng replied, "Yes, I did. If you're going to ask what happened after I took them—I started exhibiting symptoms of sleepwalking."  

Wen Yuchi looked at Captain Zhao and raised his eyebrows. "So? Not bad, right? Our forensic team’s onto something, huh? Now we have a link between Mr. Lu's sleepwalking and the murder case, don’t we?"  

Not only did Captain Zhao realize the connection, but Lu Pingfeng did as well.  

"So you're saying that someone around me knows that I experience sleepwalking as a side effect after taking psychotropic drugs. So every time they plan a murder, they make me take those pills, sneak into my home, switch my paintbrushes and paints, and create the illusion of me holding a knife in my sleep, releasing my suppressed murderous desires... and then... diverting the police's attention onto me?"  

"I think you already have a suspicion about who this person might be, don't you?" Wen Yuchi slowly took a small metal flask from his pocket, unscrewed the lid, and took a big sip of sugary water.  

It was sickeningly sweet.  

But also quite satisfying.  

Captain Zhao couldn’t wait any longer. "Mr. Lu, who is the person you’re suspecting?"  

"My agent—Ai Lin." After saying the name, Lu Pingfeng relaxed completely. "Perfume. I recall that before every sleepwalking episode, I would smell a unique fragrance on her. Then she would take me to see a psychologist, give me hypnotherapy, analyze all my dark psychological aspects... and prescribe medication to make me sleep even deeper."  

"Haha," Wen Yuchi chuckled coldly.  

"The motive behind that agent’s actions—she’s been striving to mold you, Mr. Lu, into the image of a 'painter of death,' hasn’t she? Sleepwalking, dissociation, staged murder scenes inspired by your art... if it really came to be believed that you were the killer behind these cases..." Captain Zhao shuddered.  

"The value of my artwork would be imbued with an air of mystery, and its price would double again… And due to my mental condition, I would be deemed legally incapable of full criminal responsibility. This way, my agent Ai Lin could become my legal guardian and the guardian of my assets." Lu Pingfeng replied.  

"Damn! That’s deeply disturbing."  

Captain Zhao immediately called his team to search for Ai Lin and ensure she was detained.  

Wen Yuchi walked up to Lu Pingfeng, and with his approach, it was as though a warm, bright light was illuminating the dark chasms behind him.  

Wen Yuchi leaned close to Lu Pingfeng’s ear with a smile. "Now, are you feeling more relaxed?"  

Lu Pingfeng lifted his hand, but before he could touch Wen Yuchi, the latter had already straightened up and walked past him.  

In the silent gap of about ten seconds, Lu Pingfeng’s expression slowly turned wistful, making him look touching and somehow invoking pity.  

Meanwhile, Wen Yuchi, with one hand holding the flask in his pocket, brushed past him.  

"Cut!" Sheng Yunlan's voice rang out, not too loud and not too soft, and all the actors on set let out a sigh of relief.  

Luo Yu turned around and stared at Gu Xiaowei in amazement. Just as he had said, Gu Xiaowei would draw him into the scene; once he was in character, the lines would come naturally.  

Gu Xiaowei walked over, wrapping an arm around his shoulder, and gave it a light pat. "Come on, let’s go see the playback with the director."  

After a few steps, Gu Xiaowei let go.  

Luo Yu touched his shoulder, chuckling softly to himself.  

He liked these moments of unintentional closeness from Gu Xiaowei.  

The two of them sat on either side of the director, watching the screen playback.  

"That expression Wen Yuchi made when he opened the flask for a sip of sugary water was great; we’ll do a close-up on that."  

"Okay." Luo Yu nodded.  

"And Lu Pingfeng’s desolate gaze at the end was also good; it captured his longing and expectation towards Wen Yuchi. Let’s do another take for the eye contact, and we’ll get a close-up."  

"Understood," Gu Xiaowei responded.  

Behind them, Yan Jun was chatting with the veteran actor who played Uncle He.  

"Look at them, don’t they look like a dad watching TV with his two clueless sons?" Yan Jun joked.  

The veteran actor was also a joker. "Are these two clueless sons? They look more like a son and a daughter-in-law."  

"Who’s the son? Who’s the daughter-in-law?" Yan Jun tilted his head, smiling mischievously.  

At that moment, Luo Yu and Gu Xiaowei both stood up and turned to look at Yan Jun.  

"You’re the clueless one!" Luo Yu shouted.  

Gu Xiaowei didn’t say anything, only shot Yan Jun a sharp glare.  

The veteran actor leaned towards Yan Jun and whispered, "See? The way they act in sync—what do they look like?"  

Yan Jun covered his face, avoiding Gu Xiaowei’s gaze, and muttered to himself—they looked like a couple.  

After finishing the close-up shots, the morning’s scenes wrapped up, and the crew broke for lunch.  

As soon as Luo Yu smelled the aroma of food, he guessed they’d have braised beef with potatoes and stir-fried green beans today. Rolling up his sleeves, he dashed over to the food truck before Ye Shengyi could bring it to him.  

At the resort, lunch was delivered by an electric cart used for tours, and a group of staff was busy unloading the lunch boxes.  

"Mine, mine, ours—" Ye Shengyi, with his purple hair, pushed his way in.  

"Hey, why are you in such a hurry, Xiao Yezi! No need to fight; Teacher Luo’s meals are always sent over!"  

"You don’t get it! Food tastes better when you fight for it!"  

Just then, the crowd in front of the cart parted.  

"Teacher Gu… why are you here too?"  

"Hungry."  

Gu Xiaowei, expressionless, bent down to grab two lunch boxes, each topped with two round soup bowls. He turned and headed toward the eagerly awaiting Luo Yu.  

Once he walked away, the other staff crowded around the cart again.  

"Strange, lunch wasn’t delayed today! Why did Teacher Gu come in person?"  

"Maybe he skipped breakfast?"  

Gu Xiaowei glanced at Luo Yu as he passed, giving him a look, and Luo Yu immediately followed, leaving Ye Shengyi to continue scrambling for food behind them.  

The noon sun was quite strong, so Gu Xiaowei brought the lunch boxes to the third-floor balcony of the villa, where a canopy shaded them from the sunlight.  

Several staff members were already having lunch there, and they quickly made room when they saw Gu Xiaowei and Luo Yu approaching.  

"No need! Stay where you are; we have a folding table!" Luo Yu called out.  

Soon after, Brother Yan brought a folding table, which they set up to hold their lunch boxes.  

Xiao Qin was absorbed in watching a video while nibbling on her chopsticks.  

"Found another handsome guy to like?" Luo Yu teased.  

"I’m watching the ‘Counterattack’ official vlog of you two! It’s only been ten minutes, and it’s already gone viral!" Qin said excitedly.  

Yan Jun, carrying his lunch, chimed in, "Yeah! Fans are saying this is the ideal ending for ‘Counterattack.’ Your vlog feels like a wedding video!"  

"Uh… cough, cough..." Luo Yu nearly choked.  

He pulled out his phone, opened the official page, and saw that the fans’ comments were incredibly enthusiastic.  

[Finally, we see Teacher Gu throwing flower petals! So sweet!]  

[Got hit with a wave of PDA! Yan Ye and Bai Ying, may you never part!]

[What were you two doing in that reed field? Spill it!]

[I really want to see them work together again!]

[Gu Xiaowei praised Luo Yu like he was confessing his love!]

[Ha, so cute! Teacher Gu even complained about his senior brother’s compliments for lacking genuine emotion!]