Ex-Girlfriend – Chapter 97

BUG

Life and Death Examination Room 04

Examination God

Xin Lan guessed Xiao B was the murderer because Xiao B’s motive was the most obvious, and among the truths and lies, she had numerous flaws.

            

Among the information obtained and their statements, there were three contradictions.

First, the information stated that Xiao B pushed Xiao A down the stairs that morning, but Xiao B claimed she was only trying to help Xiao A.

Second, the information stated that Xiao B and Xiao C had a fierce quarrel that night, but Xiao C vehemently denied it. Xiao B, however, said it was true, claiming that Xiao C dared to do it but not admit it.

            

Third, the information stated that Xiao A and Xiao D were seen kissing that day, but Xiao D said, ‘We’re just friends.’

From the second point, it’s clear that Xiao B and Xiao C have a conflict. Therefore, one of them must be lying.

If Xiao B is lying, and Xiao D has already been ruled out, then Xiao C is telling the truth. But Xiao C contradicts the information obtained, so this point is not valid.

            

It could be assumed that the information is incorrect, but Xin Lan felt this assumption was invalid. If the information contradicts all three suspects, then the information is misleading.

But if the test paper is designed to be misleading, why give the condition of truth and falsehood?

So, let’s assume Xiao B is telling the truth. Then Xiao C is lying or telling a half-truth.

            

But Xiao C is constantly denying, whether it’s the events of that day, the noises at night, or the unspeakable relationship with Xiao A.

Returning to the conditions, Wan Yan’s information showed that Xiao C was Xiao A’s lover; this is certain.

Therefore, it’s highly likely that Xiao C is the one lying.

            

But the premise of this point is that Xiao B is telling the truth.

If Xiao B is telling the truth, then Xiao B also contradicts the information.

This brings us back to contradiction number 1.

            

Then there’s only one possibility left: Xiao D, who was initially ruled out.

That’s why Wan Yan asked questions.

She questioned B, C, and D.

            

Her questions were: 1. Are you her best friend? 2. Are you Xiao A’s affair partner? 3. You haven’t kissed Xiao A.

B, C, and D’s answers were: 1. Of course! 2. What are you talking about? 3. We’re just friends, don’t talk nonsense.

Returning to the truth and falsehood theory, one person tells the truth, one person lies, and one person tells a half-truth.

            

This truth and falsehood must be determined relative to the statements of B, C, and D and the questions they answered.

Wan Yan’s third question is a statement.

It’s a negative statement.

            

But Xiao D denied this negative statement. A double negative is an affirmation. Therefore, regarding this point, contradiction number 3 is invalid.

Then Xiao D is the one telling the truth.

Looking back at what he said, he said he didn’t have much contact that day, but he didn’t say he had no contact.

            

And he said he heard noises in the middle of the night, but he didn’t pay attention.

He lives furthest from Xiao A and heard the noise. So how could Xiao B and Xiao C, who live closest to Xiao A, not hear it? But they both denied it.

Returning to the previous deduction, Xiao C denied some facts, but Xiao B admitted to the argument.

            

In summary, Xiao D is true, Xiao C is false, and Xiao B is half-true, half-false.

Wan Yan deliberately asked a negative statement. If she had asked a question, and Xiao D had answered “yes,” it would return to a new judgment of truth and half-truth/half-falsehood, and new questions would have to be asked. This way was the fastest.

Now, returning to the matter of Xiao A’s death.

            

Xin Lan initially asked if they all thought Xiao A committed suicide.

All three nodded, so the murderer can be ruled out as Xiao D, leaving Xiao B and Xiao C.

Xiao B has a motive for murder, and Xiao C may also have one, but Xiao B’s is more obvious.

            

Regarding Xiao B’s act of pushing, when the topic of Xiao A and Xiao D kissing was mentioned, Xiao B was very surprised.

It’s unclear if she was surprised by Xiao D’s answer or by Xiao D and Xiao A’s response.

Xiao C is Xiao A’s affair partner but is trying hard to hide this fact, which is normal since it’s not something to be proud of.

            

Recalling their statements again, Xiao B said that last night, Xiao A asked her to drink, and in the end, Xiao A got drunk, and she left.

It’s uncertain if this is true or false for now, but Xiao C confirmed that Xiao A asked Xiao B to drink, which means this event is false.

But when Xin Lan examined Xiao A’s body, she did smell alcohol.

            

This means that the drinking part is a fact. Xiao B told a half-truth. So, Xiao C saying Xiao A dragged Xiao B to drink is false. It’s possible that Xiao B asked Xiao A to drink.

Xiao A was very unwilling when she died, indicating she definitely didn’t jump while completely drunk.

And there was a large bump on the back of Xiao A’s head, likely because the murderer wasn’t strong enough, so they knocked her out and pushed her.

            

When observing the three individuals, Xin Lan also noticed an interesting phenomenon.

B, C, and D stood in the order of the letters, but if B and D were a couple, they should have stood in the order BDC.

In terms of safe distance and body orientation, B consistently leaned towards C, indicating that B and C had a closer relationship.

            

Also, when the topic of Xiao A and Xiao D kissing was mentioned, Xiao B was very surprised, while Xiao C, the supposed lover of Xiao A, remained very calm.

Considering the information provided about Xiao B and Xiao C’s fierce argument, it’s likely because of Xiao A.

Xiao B has a strong motive for murder, so Xin Lan concluded that Xiao B is the murderer, Xiao C is an accomplice, and Xiao D knows nothing.

            

As for the bloody clothes, Xin Lan believed it couldn’t be that simple.

If it were just a scratch from a bump, it wouldn’t turn a piece of clothing into bloody clothes.

Xiao C made some small movements when they mentioned the bloody clothes. They should check Xiao C’s body; perhaps the answer lies there.

            

When the answer was submitted, Xin Lan heard the voice in her mind.

“Submission successful. Ten-minute break between exams. Proceed to the second exam room in ten minutes.”

Undoubtedly, Wan Yan also heard it.

            

Immediately after, there was another space.

Xin Lan didn’t even have time to say anything to Tong Zhizi before being transported to the so-called break area between exams.

Well, everyone has their own fate.

            

Before her was a pure white lounge with dozens of soft chairs. A sofa in the center was already occupied.

Xin Lan and Wan Yan arrived together. There were already dozens of people in the lounge.

“Hey, two pretty ladies, hello.”

            

A round-faced boy greeted them.

Xin Lan and Wan Yan nodded in response, assessing the situation in the lounge.

A man in a white shirt lay on the central sofa. Others were standing or sitting. Some were talking, while others sat silently to the side.

            

“You can call me Yuan Yuan​¹, you just came out of the first exam room, right?”

Yuan Yuan initiated a conversation.

“En.”

            

“I don’t know what this strange exam is. I came in right before you. Just came out of a maze, and my head is still spinning. Luckily, I have a good sense of direction.”

“Maze?”

Wan Yan narrowed her eyes, mentally calculating the data control capabilities of this BUG.

            

“Yeah, wasn’t yours?”

Yuan Yuan scratched his head, asking in confusion.

“Ours was guessing who the murderer was.”

            

“Looks like everyone’s first exam room content is different.”

This also means that everyone’s nine exam questions might be different.

Wan Yan sat in a chair, her eyes lowered in thought.

            

“Will it be difficult to deal with?”

Xin Lan sat beside Wan Yan, gazing at Wan Yan’s delicate features.

It definitely wouldn’t be completely different. So how is this probability of difficulty calculated and changed? What is the operating program of this BUG?

            

“It should have awakened its self-awareness due to some reason. Several mission worlds collapsed and were reconstructed, but it wasn’t eradicated. Instead, it became even stronger,” Wan Yan smiled at Xin Lan, “But for me, it’s still insignificant.”

When she said this, she shed the gentleness of the simulated human, revealing the coldness and sharpness of a machine.

Xin Lan stared for more than ten seconds before blinking.

            

Interesting.

The ten-minute break time passed quickly. The people in this space seemed to have appeared with little time difference, because Xin Lan didn’t see anyone disappear until a few seconds ago, when someone’s figure suddenly vanished. Right after that, it was her turn.

“The second exam is about to begin. All candidates, please prepare.”

            

“This exam room has ten candidates. No candidates will be added upon death. This exam lasts for three days.”

“Exam begins.”

Xin Lan felt something in her palm, probably a card.

            

She opened her eyes and found herself in a cave.

A fire burned in the cave, and some people sat around it.

Xin Lan immediately saw Wan Yan and exchanged a glance.

            

The people sitting around had different reactions. Xin Lan saw the young man from the lounge who introduced himself as Yuan Yuan, and the white-shirted man who had been lying on the sofa.

Wan Yan walked over and sat beside Xin Lan.

Xin Lan looked at her card. The mission on it was concise and clear.

            

[Escort the Gu Child​² to the altar. Find the exit and leave. This constitutes submission.

Note: If the Gu Child dies before reaching the altar, it is considered a failed submission.]

Xin Lan and Wan Yan exchanged cards and found they had the same content.

            

There were eleven people in the cave. Ten of them wore different clothes and had varied expressions. Only one person lay on a straw mat, sleeping.

“Hey, ladies, what a coincidence.”

Yuan Yuan waved and walked over.

            

Xin Lan and Wan Yan nodded and introduced themselves.

“Looks like that’s the Gu Child we need to protect? Take him to the altar.”

Everyone’s gaze fell on the person lying on the ground.

            

It was a boy of eleven or twelve, his appearance delicate like a doll, but his complexion was poor, showing a sense of weakness.

The wind howled outside the cave, and the cold swept snowflakes inside, making people shiver.

“Gu Child… isn’t that the kind of… insect, right?”

            

Yuan Yuan looked at the young boy and suddenly shivered. His words made the girls present, and even some of the men, show strange expressions.

“This time, the duration is three days, and the task explicitly states it’s about protection. We can only find the exit after taking him to the altar. Does this mean there will be some danger in between?”

A girl in a black down jacket spoke, her face showing some worry.

            

“What can we do if there’s danger? Just do it. We can’t run away. If you don’t want to die, just keep taking the exams.”

A middle-aged man snorted, crossing his arms, seemingly in a bad mood.

Originally living comfortably and peacefully, suddenly encountering this kind of situation, where one’s life is precarious and uncertain, who would be happy?

            

Everyone here has gone through the first exam room. If Xin Lan guessed correctly, they were matched based on their respective submission speeds. But the exam tasks were different, and the time spent would certainly be different as well. So, they should be matched based on the ratio of task and time.

That means, as you go further, the strength of the opponents you encounter will be more equal.

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LP: Re-translated on March 23, 2025

            

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