@Бріджит here is what I think is going on in his mind. Qin Xian was the male lead twice. So the probability of him being the male lead a third time is likely. I think this is why he doesn't doubt the merman yet. His assistant also thinks the merman can read minds (which I think is just recognising emotions based on facial features and not actual reading). X also can shape-shift to any shape (or atleast this is what it looks like to Wa** yi) and for some reason has a preference to looking like Qin Xian to get the best reactions from him. Atleast Wa** yi is trying to evolve X into someone who he can test if he has the reading ability or not. But now X is asking him if he would still recognise him as Qin Xian without his ability.
Sorry for the long text
Sorry for the long text