Ex-Girlfriend – Chapter 96

by Little Panda

BUG

Life and Death Examination Room 03

Examination God

“In other words, the best course of action now is to proceed to the final examination hall?”

“This BUG has quite a mind of its own.”

Wan Yan spoke these words, her gaze icy.

Whether it was the earlier unexplained slumber of non-examinees, the so-called “eliminations,” or the “new citizens”—all were part of a conspiracy.

As they conversed, the two arrived in the courtyard and saw Xiao A’s corpse lying face-down.

Though it was autumn, insects swarmed around the body. Flies circled the dried bloodstains on the ground, creating a grotesque and nauseating scene.

Xin Lan and Wan Yan remained unfazed. Under the courtyard lights, Xin Lan crouched to meet Xiao A’s lifeless gaze.

Xiao A’s eyes, as described in the case file, remained stubbornly open.

Xiao A had jumped from the third floor. Logically, no one would choose the third floor for suicide—a height unlikely to cause instant death, typically resulting at most in broken limbs. Yet Xiao A had landed headfirst, striking a large rock that shattered her skull and killed her outright.

Xin Lan reached out to feel the back of Xiao A’s head, confirming a swollen lump.

As Xin Lan withdrew her hand, Wan Yan wordlessly produced a tissue and wiped her fingers clean. Xin Lan arched an eyebrow but did not protest.

After discarding the tissue, Wan Yan turned to the next task.

“Xiao B, Xiao C, and Xiao D are waiting in the main hall,” announced Tong Zhizi from a distance.

“Good. Let’s return for questioning,” Xin Lan replied.

Xin Lan nodded and returned to the main hall with Wan Yan.

Regarding the matter of truth and lies, Xin Lan believed it applied only to this case—not all statements—or else the deception would be too easily exposed.

Xiao B, Xiao C, and Xiao D stood in the hall, their names floating above their heads like in-game IDs—a detail that starkly disrupted the immersion¹.

Xiao B, a girl with a ponytail, stood between the two boys, Xiao C and Xiao D.

According to the given details: Xiao A had been cheating on Xiao C but was also caught kissing Xiao D in a corner. Xiao B had tried to push Xiao A down the stairs, quarreled with Xiao C, and owned a bloodstained garment. Meanwhile, Xiao B and Xiao D were seen holding hands on walks.

Ignoring the bloodied clothing, this was a soap-opera-worthy drama that pointed squarely to Xiao B as the killer.

Xiao B and Xiao D were lovers, yet Xiao D had secretly been with Xiao A—who was already cheating with Xiao C. This drove Xiao B to confront Xiao C. Their argument ended bitterly, fueling Xiao B’s rage. She first attempted to push Xiao A down the stairs, failed, then later knocked her unconscious and shoved her off the third floor—colliding her head with the rock below to stage a suicide.

While this seemed plausible, Xin Lan refused to rush to conclusions.

“I’m a police officer investigating this case. Can you tell me what happened that night?”

Xin Lan addressed the trio, flashing her badge before tucking it away.

Xiao B sniffled: “How could she be so foolish…? Maybe she was just too tired, so… so she…”

Xiao C: “I don’t know why she did this. We were drinking together last night, and then… suddenly…”

Xiao D: “I stayed farthest from her room. We barely spoke last night. Then… this happened this morning.”

The group exchanged glances. The first liar had been exposed.

Xiao D could now be excluded from the truth-tellers.

“Do you all believe she killed herself?”

All three nodded.

Xin Lan arched an eyebrow, exchanging a glance with Wan Yan.

Those who spoke truth and those who lied—all had nodded.

Xin Lan’s gaze swept over B, C, and D, her mind already dissecting the contradictions.

Tong Zhizi, unable to restrain herself, pressed further:

“Forget why Xiao A would kill herself—why did you try to push her down the stairs yesterday morning?”

Xiao B’s eyes widened in shock.

“How could I push Xiao A? She’s my closest friend! I was stopping her from falling!”

Xiao D chimed in: “You must’ve misseen! They’ve always been inseparable!”

Xiao C remained silent.

Tong Zhizi narrowed her eyes. “Fine. Suppose you were ‘saving’ her. Then explain the bloodstained garment in your room.”

Xiao B’s eyes chilled, her voice edged with irritation: “I cut myself accidentally. The blood got on my clothes. What of it?”

“You think I killed her? We’ve told you—it was suicide! I don’t know why she’d do this!”

Tong Zhizi glared, poised to declare guilt.

Wan Yan intervened, cutting through the tension: “You were her best friend?”

“Of course!”

She turned to Xiao C.

“You were the one she cheated with?”

“What nonsense are you spouting?” Xiao C retorted, eyes wide with denial.

She pivoted to Xiao D. “You never kissed Xiao A?”

“We were just friends! Stop spreading lies!”

Xiao C and Xiao D bristled with indignation, while Xiao B stared at Xiao D in disbelief.

Wan Yan nodded, having gleaned enough, and glanced at Xin Lan.

Xin Lan commanded: “Recount the events of that night again. Omit nothing.”

Xiao B began: “Xiao A was… sensitive. Prone to breakdowns. We accompanied her on this trip to cheer her up. Yesterday morning, she seemed distracted, almost fell down the stairs. Later, we strolled through the scenery. That night, she insisted on drinking. She got drunk, so I left. Then… the next morning…”

“Did you hear nothing when she jumped at midnight?”

Xin Lan locked eyes with Xiao B.

“I was too drunk to hear anything.” Xiao B shook her head.

Xiao C added: “I spoke with her briefly yesterday. After her meltdown, she dragged Xiao B to drink. I didn’t intervene. I should’ve… I should’ve calmed her down.”

Xiao D spoke next: “We all went out with her yesterday, but later I went to handle my own matters. Around midnight, I heard a loud noise—thought something fell—so I ignored it and went back to sleep. Then… they told me about Xiao A in the morning.”

“And you?” Xin Lan turned to Xiao C. “Heard nothing?”

“I must’ve been deep asleep. Honestly, I heard nothing.”

“Then why did you argue with Xiao B that night?”

“We didn’t argue.” Xiao C flatly denied.

“Dare to act but not own up to it?” Xin Lan’s voice sharpened. “Don’t pretend you don’t know why Xiao A was distraught.”

“Fine. No more questions. Proceed if you must.”

Xin Lan stepped aside—this was not her exam alone.

Wan Yan followed, leaving the floor to Tong Zhizi, Chen Hong, and Feng Ye.

“You’ve identified the culprit?”

“So have you.”

They simultaneously gestured a number and inscribed it on their cards.

Xiao B.