Zhou Lin

November 28, early morning.

After saying goodbye to Scram, Che Wuchen returned to his residence.

As soon as he opened the door, he found...an extra envelope on the floor behind the door.

The envelope was very thin, and it looked like someone had stuffed it under the door. However, out of caution, Che Wuchen searched his residence first, and after making sure that there was no ambush in the house, he closed the door. Picked up this "letter" of unknown origin.

There was no writing on both sides of the envelope. After opening it, two things fell out - a card and a piece of data film.

The card is black, about the same size as a business card, but its texture is not paper, but something close to carbon fiber. There is a white, ornately designed cross logo printed on the front of the card, while only a number is printed on the back - "5".

As for the "data membrane", it is a civilian technology product widely used in the 23rd century.

From the outside, it is just a transparent film slightly thicker than paper. Depending on the device it is suitable for, the size after unfolding is different; the largest is generally no more than 24 inches, and the smallest is no smaller than a smartphone. screen.

The main function of data film is to store and play video files. A common usage is: when watching a certain video, stick the data film on the screen of your device and select "Save", so that the data film can directly save the video you play synchronously. After that, you can paste this film on other devices and you can play the videos recorded in the film.

This thing... is basically the "Polaroid" in the video file world. It may not seem like a great technology, but it is a product that has changed the world.

Due to its low cost, undetectability at the software level, and the irresistibility of its "physical recording technology", the difficulty of "pirating movies and television" was reduced to the point that even elementary school students could easily complete it in that era. The situation...anyone can use any playback device, anywhere, with a data film that can be bought for more than ten yuan, to obtain video resources that are almost the same as the playback source, and then transfer this resource Save it to your own device, copy, copy and copy...

It is conceivable that the film and television industry...especially those companies that mainly "sell discs" are struggling in the face of this new technology... Of course, those things have nothing to do with the story in front of us. Let’s go back to Che Wuchen.

Right now, the data film Che Wuchen got was the type used for mobile phones.

He didn't hesitate. After checking that there were no words or marks left on the inside of the envelope, he put the black card on the coffee table, then took out his mobile phone and put the data film on it.

As expected, there was already a video in this film, and Che Wuchen immediately clicked on the play option.

A second later, a familiar picture appeared on the screen of his mobile phone.

In the picture, there is a small room with a hospital bed. On the bed, there is a man tied with a restraint belt...

…………

November 25, 19:02, Tang Jiucheng’s secret room.

When Che Wuchen walked into the room, Professor Tang just woke up from his coma.

Obviously, it did not take Che Wuchen 49 minutes to get from the first floor to the fifth floor; in fact, his search efficiency was much higher than what he himself described and what Scram tested based on his description... higher.

It took Che Wuchen 25 minutes to arrive at the dean's office. After seeing the open door of the secret room, he hesitated a little and then came in.

"You...who are you?" Professor Tang asked this question in his hoarse voice when he saw a man wearing civilian clothes and holding a gun in his hand.

"Don't be afraid, I'm a police officer." Che Wuchen didn't show any ID, but his calm tone and firm demeanor gave people a very reliable feeling.

For Uncle Tang, who had already collapsed, there was no reason to doubt the other party: "You guys are here! Hurry! Save me!"

With his hope aroused, a surge of power immediately surged through his body, which raised his voice a bit.

"What's wrong with you?" Che Wuchen didn't let him go or respond to his words, but asked him a question.

"Can't you see this! Someone tied me up and tortured me! He...he is a terrorist! He is a madman! He is a perverted madman!" Professor Tang shouted, "What are you asking? Let me go quickly Got it!"

"Who...are you talking about 'him'?" Che Wuchen asked, turning his head to look outside the room alertly, "Is 'him' still here?"

"How do I know! I've been tied here for a day! He was still here before, and I just passed out. When I woke up, you were here!" Professor Tang was already a little hysterical and incoherent.

However, Che Wuchen still acted and spoke clearly and clearly: "Don't worry, your tormentor is probably still nearby. He may want to use you as bait..." He paused, "I'll go out and take a look first. , I will come back to you after I make sure there is no one on this floor."

"Wait...wait!" Professor Tang shouted when he saw him turning around to leave, "Don't leave me! At least untie me first!"

"No." Che Wuchen's answer came quickly and decisively, "If I let you go, you will definitely escape desperately or do other things that are beyond my control. This will put both of us at risk." Very dangerous situation”

After that, he left the room, and even though Professor Tang continued to yell there, he just pretended not to hear.

Five minutes later, Che Wuchen came back.

This time, he even put away his gun, which showed that he no longer needed to be on guard against anything.

"How is it?" Professor Tang looked at him and asked eagerly, "Is he gone?"

"Yes." Che Wuchen nodded, "According to my investigation... there is no other living person in this building except you and me."

"Okay, then you can finally loosen my grip now, right?" Professor Tang continued.

Che Wuchen... didn't answer him.

He walked up to Professor Tang, looked directly into the latter's eyes, was silent for a moment, and then said, "Do you still remember me?"

These words made Professor Tang's blood run cold.

He himself didn't know why he felt so scared, but... before his mind realized anything, his instinct told him that something very bad was about to happen.

As Zi Lin said: The root of this fear is not the objective situation that is happening, but the "sin" in the hearts of the people involved.

"It's normal to forget. After all, more than ten years have passed." Che Wuchen slowly approached Professor Tang, "I am no longer the child I was back then."

When he said this, he suddenly put his hand on Professor Tang's forehead, which was already covered in cold sweat.

At that moment, from Professor Tang's perspective, the surrounding scenery suddenly changed in color, and for some unknown reason... it was all covered in a layer of red.

"What...did you do to me?" Professor Tang asked when Che Wuchen took his hand back.

"Don't be nervous, I haven't done anything yet." Che Wuchen replied coldly, "But I will definitely do something next."

"I don't know who you are, and I don't know if you are a policeman..." Professor Tang looked at him and continued calmly, "But I guess you have stayed at my place before..." He paused. , then continued in a persuasive tone, "You also said that that was more than ten years ago. Aren't you fine now? You'd better think clearly... let me go immediately, and you will be a hero. But if you do something else that you may regret...the consequences..."

"Hehe...hehe..." Che Wuchen laughed out loud before the other party could finish his words, "hehehe...hahahaha..." He laughed louder and louder, and there was even a hint of laughter gradually revealed. Madness.

If a person who always maintains calmness and grace in front of others reveals his unknown side to you, then you have to be careful - he either has a very good relationship with you or has already made up his mind. Determined to kill you.

After a while, Che Wuchen slowly stopped smiling, rolled up his sleeves, and turned around to the front of the "treatment device."

"It seems that the person who was operating this instrument here before is quite good at electrocution." As he spoke, Che Wuchen began to adjust various indices on the instrument.

"No...don't! Please! Don't shock me again! You..." Professor Tang was horrified when he saw this scene, "...you kill me! Just kill me!"

"This sounds familiar." When Che Wuchen heard this, he was completely unmoved and did what he was doing. "Oh... By the way, I seem to have said similar words to you before..." He paused After a pause, "Many years ago, my friends and the girl I liked... also begged you in a more humble manner, but in the end... it didn't seem to work."

Having said this, Che Wuchen raised his neck and took a deep breath. He didn't know whether these words awakened his dusty memory or aroused some emotions in him.

"They... are neither strong enough nor smart enough." Che Wuchen said, "They don't want to live under fear or humiliation... They don't want to suppress their nature like animals in order not to be tortured. At the same time, they do not have the ability to endure and disguise...so they choose an easier...path of relief."

He paused for a few seconds, then continued: "But I'm different... I endured it.

“I left here like a tamed, obedient dog.

“I’ll never forget the day I walked out of here.

"It was a sunny day. My parents had satisfied smiles on their faces and were talking to you eagerly; but on my face, there was only calmness...I couldn't let myself show any excitement, because I knew... ...Even just a look or a word may be the reason for you to lock me into the center again.

"From that day on... no, I should say that long before that day, I had learned not to show my true side in front of anyone... including my relatives.

“I vowed to never put myself in a situation like this again.

"So, I have become stronger and smarter... Even if I can't control everything, at least I won't fall into the hands of people like you again."

Che Wuchen took another deep breath, then looked at Professor Tang and said, "Are the things you see in your eyes now like a red filter, a little weird?"

Before Professor Tang could answer, Che Wuchen immediately said: "This is not an illusion, but my 'ability'."

"Are you also... a person with superpowers?" Professor Tang certainly knew that there were people with superpowers in this world. Even if he didn't know much about it before, he should be convinced after seeing Zi Lin murder someone today.

"That's right." Che Wuchen said, "And... my ability was awakened when I was receiving 'treatment' here." He sneered again, "Ha... it's because you changed my real life. Life is worse than death, so this kind of power was born. I call it - 'daydream'." He faced Professor Tang and spread his arms, "At this moment, you are in my 'dream'. "

"What do you mean?" Professor Tang asked, "Are you saying...none of this...is true?"

"What's the difference if it's true or false?" Che Wuchen responded, "Is electric shock a 'treatment' or a 'punishment'? Are you a doctor or a liar? This center is engaged in a business where everyone gets what they need. , or is another absurd, but not completely meaningless farce being staged in this deformed world?

"Who can tell clearly?

“People from different standpoints will have different views and interpretations of the same thing; this is the case with most things in the world, and you can never get everyone to agree.

"Sometimes the truth is indeed in the hands of a few people; but other times, most people have reached a consensus, but there are still a few idiots who will jump out and express different opinions... They either want to show that they are unconventional or true. Just being self-righteous and accustomed to gaining a sense of superiority by attacking and refuting something.

“Humans are a species built on individual differences, and diversity has its costs.

"Therefore, for human beings, true and false, good and evil, right and wrong, black and white... are not important.

“What’s important is how you get others to agree with you.

“In any matter, as long as you can get the vast majority of people to stand on your side and suppress or cover up the opposing voices...you are true, good, right, and white.

“For human beings, their own perception and feelings of things are the most important factors in determining truth and falsehood.

"Is what is written in history true? Is what is officially recognized true? You can't even believe what you see with your own eyes, but you believe in the so-called 'truth' that others tell you. Isn't it ridiculous?

"So...you don't have to ask me whether it's true or not. Whatever you believe and experience, that's true."

After Che Wuchen said this, he suddenly reached out and slapped Professor Tang.

Snapped--

This was a serious beating. It was no surprise that a few teeth were knocked out from the sound, and Professor Tang immediately screamed in pain.

"In the real world, I didn't hit you, but in this 'daydream', this is a slap in the face, and the pain you feel is reality." After Che Wuchen finished the slap, he started again He returned to the treatment device and was ready to start the real drama, "Don't worry, we still have plenty of time. In a 'dream', one minute can last as long as a day."

"Do you think...your revenge on me can change anything?" Professor Tang was already desperate, so he no longer begged for anything, but said, "Yes...I am a liar and I have ruined many people, but I Are they the culprits? Those who voluntarily came to be deceived by me, those who supported me, those who supported me and profited from it, those who chose to ignore and did nothing about what I did... all those who let people like me People who can live a good life! Don’t they have any responsibilities?”

Che Wuchen's hand stopped, he looked at Professor Tang coldly for a few seconds, and then said in his usual calm tone: "Ah... I know all about this, you don't need to worry about it, they... sooner or later If you are late, you will pay the price."