In order to facilitate the senior high school students, the school reserved the first and second floors of the dormitory building for the senior year. Bai Xu's dormitory is on the first floor.
Zeng Jingrou just said that Liu Mucheng is better than Lin Jingxue in terms of academic performance, sports, and painting. The only difference is that because of his poverty, he has no access to the piano, so he is a little worse than Lin Jingxue in music. In other words, Liu Mucheng's painting ability is first-class.
Two years ago, Liu Mucheng was in her first year of high school. Her dormitory was on the fourth floor, and she died between the third and fourth floors. The head of the person in the other dimension stayed on the third floor and would not go to the second and first floors. Logically, the first and second floors should be relatively safe.
However, the dormitory aunt on the first floor never dared to go out at night. The door of the duty room was locked tightly, and no matter how loudly someone shouted from outside, the door would not be opened. This meant that the first and second floors were very dangerous. The existence inside might not be able to suppress Liu Muqing, but at least they were evenly matched, preventing either from invading the other's territory.
From Lin Jingxue's perspective, she saw Liu Muqing as her rival, believing she was superior in every way. However, from the perspective of others, Liu Muqing's lack of money was fatal, and outsiders would still think that Lin Jingxue was more outstanding and more enviable, especially with those millions of watches.
Bai Xu is Lin Jingxue's good friend. If she is really jealous, it is difficult for her to hate Liu Mucheng because of Lin Jingxue, who is always shining and absorbing all negative emotions, unless there is some special event that makes her hate both of them.
Combined with the incredible Mona Lisa on campus, adding up all the above clues, Xing Ye has reason to suspect that Bai Xu and Liu Mucheng have a grudge, and according to the task prompts, it should be related to the painting.
Of course, all this can be attributed to coincidence, but Xing Ye never believes in the existence of coincidence. All coincidences are connected by countless inevitabilities.
Therefore, after learning from Di Kuang that "Mona Lisa's Smile" was an imitation painting painted by Bai Xu in order to participate in a competition, Xing Ye believed that there was a 70% chance that the painting was on the first floor of the alien space!
After hearing Xing Ye's explanation, Cao Qian said: "..."
Were we playing a game? Were we doing this together? Do I have a brain? Cao Qian secretly doubted herself.
Yet, Di Kuang was still able to continue, "Zeng Jingrou said Bai Xu is still in school and is very kind and gentle to her. This is very strange. The principal knows about the existence of the people in 404, which means he knows what happened that day. Both parties involved are dead. For the sake of the school's reputation, the principal may choose to conceal the truth, but he will never allow Bai Xu, a troublemaker, to stay in school. If it were me, I would definitely threaten Bai Xu with the video and make her transfer on her own."
After making the call, Xing Ye found Di Kuang, and they met on the rooftop again to explore the truth. Lin Jingxue still followed Xing Ye, and he was the only one who could see the shadow.
When Lin Jingxue heard Di Kuang say that Bai Xu wanted to drop out of school, she patted his shoulder with satisfaction and smiled as if to say "You have a bright future."
Di Kuang turned around curiously: "Who patted my shoulder?"
Cao Qian, who was sitting next to him: "..."
Xing Ye, who knew everything, remained silent. It would be better not to say too much at this time.
"No one behind? Could it be one of the seven incredible events on campus, a pat on the shoulder?" Di Kuang speculated, "This event will be triggered on the rooftop, so you always have gatherings on the rooftop?"
"You're overthinking it," Xing Ye said, "It was Cao Qian who hit you just now. She was so fast that you didn't notice."
Cao Qian didn't deny it, which was considered as her consent.
Di Kuang looked at the two of them with suspicion. Cao Qian was used to having a blank expression, and Xing Ye's acting skills were top-notch, so he couldn't see the phantom. He could only keep this matter in mind with suspicion.
"So, we're going to explore the first and second floors of the girls' dormitory tonight to look for that painting?" Di Kuang asked.
"I think it's impossible to enter the alien space from the stairs on the first or second floor. Liu Mucheng happened to die between the third and fourth floors. The fact that we were able to enter unexpectedly that day should have been thanks to Wu Yu's good luck." Xing Ye stared at Di Kuang. He was the only one who came to the rooftop. The other three people who obeyed the order were not there.
Di Kuang said, "That makes sense, but if you reach the alternate dimension between the third and fourth floors, you have to pass through the third floor to get to the first and second floors. There are heads on the third floor... It's a progressive relationship. You have to find a head and pass the third floor before you can go to the first and second floors."
"Your three teammates didn't come. Are you looking for kills?" Xing Ye asked meaningfully.
"Those who obey their fate are lucky. They find things and distribute them reasonably. There is no need to trouble them with the brain-intensive tasks. I will do it." Di Kuang said.
Xing Ye smiled slightly: "I suddenly realized that the combination of those who obey fate and those who disobey fate is not bad. It can allow those who disobey fate to continuously suck the blood of those who obey fate."
Di Kuang's face darkened, and a storm brewed in his eyes.
Xing Ye wasn't afraid of him. He said leisurely, "Controlling a person may seem difficult, but in the right environment, brainwashing is very easy. First, you demonstrate overwhelming superiority in a desperate situation. This advantage can be real or feigned, so that the other person develops a deep-rooted consciousness: I'm doomed, but this person can save me, and if I listen to him, I can survive."
After repeated brainwashing, he will develop a psychological dependence, thinking that he cannot rely on himself and must obey that person.
This is actually a very simple method of control, the core principle of some pyramid schemes and cults."
Di Kuang picked up the phone, and Cao Qian pointed the gun at the back of his head without saying a word.
Feeling the cold touch on the back of his head, Di Kuang sneered, "Aren't you manipulating her too?"
"He didn't," Cao Qian said. "I know what it feels like to be controlled. I know it's wrong, and I feel suffocated, but I can't escape because I think I can't be alone and I can't live without him."
But Xing Ye did not instill such ideas in Cao Qian. He always told her to think for herself and cultivate her ability to handle things independently.
"Don't get excited. He won't kill me for now. We are still in the cooperation period. The other two incredible things haven't been found yet. Di Kuang is a very rational person. He won't destroy the bridge before crossing the river." Xing Ye said.
Rationality often means caution, which can be expressed in another way as timidity. A cautious person will not take action unless he is absolutely sure.
Xing Ye said to Di Kuang, "I understand your perspective. Those who defy fate have bad luck, and it's hard for them to make it in this game. Fortunately, you can form teams freely in the melee mode, and the difficulty of the melee mode obviously can't be overcome by luck alone. Finding the right opportunity to attack their psychological weaknesses, control those who obey fate, and take advantage of their luck is a good option."
Speaking of this, a person climbed up to the rooftop, it was Guanling.
Guan Ling was the only player Xing Ye hadn't had direct contact with. He held up three pieces of paper and said to Di Kuang, "Brother Di, I found three QR codes. They're in the library, gymnasium, and boys' dormitory."
Before Di Kuang took the QR code, Cao Qian raised her foot and kicked Guan Ling on the arm. Guan Ling's hand shook and the QR code fell on the rooftop.
Xing Ye didn't move, his eyes fixed on the QR code. He said to Cao Qian, "Don't act rashly. We don't steal QR codes."
Di Kuang became very nervous when the QR code flew up. Many hands suddenly grew out of his body. He pressed down Cao Qian with two arms, and used the rest to pick up the QR code.
Cao Qian was very strong and broke free in a few tries. She also had no intention of picking up the QR code.
Di Kuang, who was holding down the QR code, angrily asked, "What do you want to do?"
"I'm just checking the strength and reaction ability of our new teammate," Xing Ye said calmly. "Although we're working together, you know in your heart that this fragile partnership only lasts until tomorrow night. After tomorrow night, we'll definitely fall out. Is there anything wrong with testing the waters before then? Don't you want to test me? If I'm always polite, will you feel at ease?"
Di Kuang's anger subsided after these three questions. He quickly used his phone to absorb the three QR codes. He breathed a sigh of relief when the paper disappeared. He said to Xing Ye gloomily, "Don't try to play tricks, or I'll kill you right now."
"Really?" Xing Ye looked at Guan Ling. "Did you give Di Kuang the memory card you dug out from the cafeteria's backyard?"
Di Kuang asked Guan Ling in confusion: "What memory card? Isn't the memory card in Xing Ye's hand?"
Guan Ling's face suddenly turned pale. Xing Ye stood up and said, "Di Kuang, I have always believed that teammates trained under high-pressure policies are either obedient puppets or villains with their own ulterior motives. A team must have a competitive spirit to continue to grow stronger.
Although I might not be able to successfully enter the alternate dimension tonight, I still have to give it a try. Meet downstairs at the girls' dormitory at 11:30 pm. It's 6 pm now, so there are still five and a half hours left. I'm going to take a break. I've been feeling a bit tired lately."
Di Kuang seemed eager to strike, but he held back. Xing Ye's aura was too strong, and he suspected that Xing Ye still held crucial information, so he couldn't kill him until he could break through.
"Go back and tell Teacher Ding and Wu Yu to avoid contact with Xing Ye as much as possible." Looking at Xing Ye's back gloomily, Di Kuang said to Guan Ling.
Elsewhere, Xing Ye and Cao Qian climbed down from the rooftop and immediately ran back to the classroom. It was lunchtime, and no one was in the classroom. Xing Ye asked Cao Qian to guard the door while he sat down, closing his eyes and meditating.
About half an hour later, the students who had been attending evening self-study classes gradually returned to the classroom. Xing Ye finally opened his eyes and said to Cao Qian, "I've got it. Go back to the dormitory and have a good rest for the next period of time. Regain your energy. Please help us open the windows on the second floor at night."
"Aren't you looking for someone? Tomorrow is the deadline." Cao Qian asked.
"We'll talk about it after we explore the girls' dormitory tonight," Xing Ye said. "Besides, people need rest. Constantly pressuring them will only make them nervous. Tomorrow night, when we see the boy with his head in his arms, there might be a big fight. We must stay alert."
"Okay." Cao Qian nodded and quickly returned to the dormitory.
Xing Ye also returned to his single room, took a shower, took out a mirror, rinsed himself thoroughly, and dried him with a clean, soft towel.
Lying back on the bed and turning on the mirror, the mirror let out a sigh and immediately said angrily: "Since you think I'm useless, don't even think about asking me to use my skills, hum!"
Xing Ye saw that the favorability between himself and the mirror on his phone was dropping at a visible speed. It was originally only 15, and now it has dropped to 10.
"I'm just kidding," he consoled her. "It's not that you're useless, it's that I don't want to expose you to anyone else. Even Cao Qian can't do that. You're my trump card, and I won't ask for your help unless it's absolutely necessary. Isn't that what happens on TV and in movies? The hero always makes his move at the last moment."
"Hmph, you're at least good at talking." The mirror jumped on the bed.
Xing Ye stopped moving when he saw his favorability quickly rise back to 15. The person who couldn't feel good about others was not the mirror, but himself.
Jingzi's anger faded quickly, but after Xing Ye coaxed him into a coaxing hug, he calmed down. He struggled to move closer to Xing Ye and asked, "Why are you trying to provoke Di Kuang? If a fight breaks out, you won't be able to defeat him. If you get beaten to death, you'll lose."
Jingzi is really a person who doesn't hold grudges. Xing Ye is a little curious about what kind of family can raise someone with Jingzi's personality.
According to him, he possesses a stunning beauty, recognized by the Fate Challenge game system and granted with initial skills. Despite his good looks and comfortable lifestyle, he remains uninhibited. He can express his emotions openly and accept sincere apologies. He is optimistic and generous, and even after becoming a mirror, he remains undeterred, making his mirror life even more lovable than a human.
Moreover, always maintain confidence, confidence in your appearance.
Apart from being a little proud, he can be said to be a person full of advantages.
He may not have matured yet, but that's because his family has protected him so well. With more teaching and his initial skills combined, he will become very good.
Xing Ye was never shy about explaining the mirror's doubts: "I just wanted to take a risk and test whether he dared to make a move. The special QR code is a crucial prop. If I showed my intention to snatch it, most people would be unable to control their attack."
The mirror understood: "I see, so he is very patient and powerful?"
"No, it's a bit strange." Xing Ye shook his head. "I don't see any aura in him that can suppress those who obey. How could three people who obeyed their fate not even want the QR codes and give them all to him?"
"Yes, I always use the QR codes I find myself," the mirror agreed. "I won't give them to others. Even if I do, it's just a loan."
"Borrow? Will the other party return it?" Xing Ye didn't believe it.
Unexpectedly, the mirror's answer was, "Yeah, my dad always said I was a fool with good luck. I look like I don't know anything, but I'm very good at judging people and I never make bad friends. I feel uncomfortable when I see someone with a bad personality. No matter how much they try to curry favor with me, I won't make close friends with them."
It's quite unexpected. No wonder the system gave the mirror the skill of being a bitch judge... No, it's the skill of the Eye of Truth.
There are indeed people like Mirror in the real world. They are obviously stupid and naive, and their emotional intelligence is quite low, but they just know how to judge people. Maybe it's a talent.
Some people are born with the ability to see, while others develop it through training. Xing Ye is the latter.
He had once... also been cheated badly, and only after hitting a wall did he realize what it meant to "when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter."
Seeing Xing Ye fall silent, Jingzi asked worriedly, "What's wrong with you? Are you in a bad mood?"
"So you really can tell," Xing Ye touched his face. "I've already mastered the skill of concealing my emotions, so why did you notice I was in a bad mood?"
"Hehehe, I've been watching my dad's expressions since I was little," Mirror said with an embarrassed smile, "My dad is just like you. He always has a sullen face no matter what, as if he would suffer if others saw his mood. When I was little, I really admired my dad and tried hard to imitate his expressions. Unfortunately, I still couldn't learn it, but I could read it."
When he mentioned his father, his voice became excited.
Xing Ye's heart softened: "Mirror, how long have you been a prop?"
"I don't know," the mirror suddenly became depressed. "I'm in a daze and have no sense of time. I don't know what's happening to my body in the real world. Will I die and be cremated? Wuwuwu..."
As he was talking, he actually started crying. Xing Ye was a little at a loss for a moment. His younger brother Xing Shuo was very well-behaved and would never cry. He had never comforted a crying person before.
He has scolded his subordinates until they cried.
"Then tell me your name, and I'll come back to the real world to check on you, okay?" This was the best consolation Xing Ye could think of.
The mirror screen went black instantly and the crying stopped.
Well, you are not allowed to ask if your intimacy is less than 20.
It's not the mirror's fault, it's Xing Ye who can't like the mirror and always doubts him deep in his heart.
He believed the mirror wouldn't deceive him, but he worried that it, like him, would be exploited by the system. When you're too emotionally invested, you'll be sad when you lose something. Xing Ye had already lost his entire family, and he didn't want to experience that feeling again.
If you don't gain it, you won't lose it. Only when you have nothing can you be fearless.
Why Xing Ye could understand Di Kuang's timidity and caution? Because he himself was such a person.
Using a strong shell to cover up a weak heart, not daring to take a step forward.
Thinking of the mirror's undisguised favorability, Xing Ye touched the mirror and smiled, "You are stronger than me."