The Genius Game - Chapter 5

The clown said, “If you have no more questions, the game continues. There are still two questions left, and you can ask them at any time during the game. Oh, and one more thing: if someone dies, the rest will never be able to leave the game instance.”

Auto mechanic Zhang Dayong instinctively asked, “What does that mean?”

The clown grinned at him, “That’s the fourth question. What I mean is, if someone dies during the game, the rest will be trapped here forever, unable to return to the real world. So, this game must be cleared by everyone.”

“Don’t even think about harming your companions, because the moment you do, you’ve sealed your own tragic fate. Lastly, I wish you all an enjoyable game.”

With that, the clown’s form gradually faded and disappeared into the air.

After hearing the clown’s words, everyone was stunned for a long time, unsure whether to feel relieved or worried.

On the one hand, they were relieved that the game rules would limit players’ malicious intentions as much as possible.

On the other hand, they were worried because clearing the game seemed almost impossible. In that case, each person could only survive for a few days at most. Under such circumstances, to make their final days more bearable, conflicts over food might still arise, even though securing it would only provide temporary relief.

So, it wouldn’t completely suppress players’ murderous thoughts.

After all, killing someone could allow them to eat their fill in their last days. Though there would be no future, at least they could live comfortably in the present.

Jian Tanxi thought they should first determine a food distribution plan to at least get through the next two days.

So, Jian Tanxi said to the group, “Everyone, one steamed bun and one cup of water won’t last us ten days. I suggest we split the bun in half, eat half today and half tomorrow. As for what to do starting from the third day, we’ll figure it out then. As for the water, take a small sip only when you’re extremely thirsty, and try not to drink it otherwise.

Also, from now on, let’s lie on the ground as much as possible, avoid talking, and minimize movement to conserve energy.”

Huo Zimu asked, “Why not divide the bun into ten equal portions?”

Jian Tanxi replied, “Dividing it into ten portions would make each piece too small, and splitting it six ways would mean eating almost nothing. When everyone is starving, extreme situations could easily occur. That’s why I suggested splitting it in half. This way, we won’t reach our limit of hunger over the next two days and can still maintain control.”

Li Chuxia added, “There’s another crucial point: it’s summer now. Although we don’t know the exact environmental conditions here, it’s reasonable to assume that food won’t last long. If we don’t eat this bun in the next two days, it might spoil by the third day. If we eat it then and get food poisoning, we could die on the spot.”

Jian Tanxi nodded, “Yes, I considered that too.”

Qin Man also said, “I agree with this distribution method. First, we need to ensure the food is edible, so we should eat the bun as soon as possible. However, I have one concern. Adults can endure hunger, but children can’t. My child has autism and his behavior is unpredictable. I suspect he’ll have a meltdown soon. So, I was thinking…”

Qin Man hesitated for a moment, her face showing a pained expression. Then, she looked at Zhang Dayong: “Zhang Dayong, could I ask you for a favor? After today’s food is gone, could you please knock my child unconscious… Otherwise, I’m afraid he might lose control.”

Zhang Dayong hesitated. “Knock him out?”

Qin Man nodded. “Yes, that way he’ll at least be quiet for a few hours. Once he goes berserk, I’ll have to use all my strength to restrain him, which will drain even more energy. Among everyone here, I feel you’re the only one capable of knocking him out without harming him.”

Zhang Dayong also felt a bit reluctant, but he knew it was the only way, so he nodded and said, “Don’t worry, I know how to knock someone out without hurting them. I’ll try to be as gentle as possible.”

Qin Man: “Thank you…”

At that moment, Huo Zimu spoke up: “I can help knock the child out too.”

Qin Man pulled her child close, shielding him, and gave Huo Zimu a wary look. “No, thank you. Please keep your distance from us.”

Huo Zimu was a bit angry. “What do you mean? Are you afraid I’ll kill him?”

Qin Man: “No. My child has a peculiar trait, he’s afraid of exceptionally intelligent people. He can sense who is smarter than him, and when such people get close, he becomes agitated and cries. So, please don’t approach him. I appreciate your kindness.”

Huo Zimu: “I see.”

He stepped aside, unable to hide the smug expression on his face.

Jian Tanxi and Li Chuxia struggled to hold back their laughter, afraid that laughing out loud would offend Huo Zimu.

Li Chuxia said to Zhang Dayong, “Uncle Zhang, you’re the oldest among the lucid ones here, and we all trust you. Could you please divide today’s steamed buns for us?”

Zhang Dayong nodded. “Sure, just wait a moment.”

Zhang Dayong walked over to the hospital bed, took out the steamed bun from under the pillow, and broke it in half.

Then, he put one half back and took the other half, dividing it evenly into six portions.

Though it was meant to be equal, the pieces varied in size. After all, half a steamed bun was quite small, and manually dividing it inevitably led to some unevenness.

Zhang Dayong kept the smallest portion for himself and handed the others to his companions.

Jian Tanxi asked Zhang Dayong with concern, “Uncle Zhang, you’re the biggest in size but got the smallest portion. Will you be okay?”

Zhang Dayong laughed heartily. “Since none of us can eat our fill anyway, a little more or less doesn’t make much difference. Normally, if I were to eat freely, I could down over a dozen steamed buns in one meal. Now that we’re all starving, I can handle hunger better. It’s fine.”

Jian Tanxi was deeply moved.

But now wasn’t the time for sentimentality. The most important thing was to survive and find a way to get through this.

Jian Tanxi ate her small piece of steamed bun. Strangely, not eating had been better, the more she ate, the hungrier she felt. But for now, she had to endure it.

Qin Man gave her portion to her child.

The others finished their share of the steamed bun for the day, and everyone tacitly avoided drinking water.

The little boy, Qu Chen, grew restless and fidgety. He patted Qin Man’s pockets, then went up to others, searching through everyone’s pockets.

Qin Man quickly pulled him back and apologized to everyone, “I’m sorry, Xiao Chen is too hungry. He probably wanted to see if any of you had food on you.”

Jian Tanxi and Li Chuxia both said, “It’s okay.”

Huo Zimu grew impatient. “Keep that idiot under control! Why would I have any food on me? If I did, I would’ve taken it out and eaten it myself long ago!”

Qin Man apologized to Huo Zimu once again.

Then, she led the child over to Zhang Dayong and said, “Zhang Dayong, please help… knock this child unconscious.”

Zhang Dayong looked at Qu Chen, raised his hand, but only patted his head gently and asked, “Little Chen, can you endure it with us for a while? There will be delicious food soon.”

Qu Chen didn’t understand and simply rummaged through Zhang Dayong’s pockets again, searching for something to eat. He had already forgotten that he had just checked those pockets moments before.

Qin Man said, “Little Chen’s comprehension and endurance aren’t at the level of an average child. He won’t be able to hold out… So, we have no choice but to knock him out…”

Zhang Dayong finally made up his mind and struck the back of Qu Chen’s neck. The child immediately fell unconscious and collapsed into Qin Man’s arms.

Qin Man looked at the child with a pained expression and laid him flat on the ground.

She wanted to find something to cover the child’s body, but it was summer, and she didn’t even have a jacket with her.

Jian Tanxi was wearing a silk scarf. She untied it and handed it to Qin Man, saying, “Sister Qin Man, use this scarf to cover his stomach. Even though it’s thin, it’s better than nothing.”

Qin Man thanked Jian Tanxi and draped the scarf over the child’s abdomen.

Huo Zimu scoffed dismissively, “What’s the point of covering his stomach at a time like this? Who knows if he’ll even make it through tomorrow?”

Zhang Dayong snapped angrily, “Huo Zimu, if you don’t speak, no one will mistake you for a mute!”

Huo Zimu flared up as well, “Zhang Dayong, what right do you have to scold me? You’re just a car mechanic!”

Qin Man intervened, “Stop arguing, everyone. Let’s all lie down. The more we quarrel, the more energy we waste.”

Qin Man, Jian Tanxi, Li Chuxia, and Zhang Dayong all prepared to lie down.

However, Huo Zimu had an objection: “This game is completely unfair! Only Professor Pan can survive till the end, he has that damned nutrient solution! I think we should cut some of his flesh to eat. He’s unconscious anyway and won’t feel a thing.”

Li Chuxia stepped forward resolutely, “No! No one is allowed to eat Professor Pan’s flesh! He is a hero of our nation!”

Zhang Dayong also spoke up, “Huo Zimu, things haven’t come to that yet. Why say such things? If it really comes down to it, you can cut my flesh instead. I have plenty to spare.”

Jian Tanxi said, “I won’t eat human flesh, Uncle Zhang. Please don’t think about cutting your own. Let’s all rest quickly. Maybe if we calm down, we’ll come up with a way to clear this level.”

For now, the conflicts among them hadn’t escalated, and they could coexist harmoniously a little longer.

So, everyone lay down. Aside from breathing, they tried to avoid any unnecessary words or movements.

Jian Tanxi lay in the vast expanse of white mist, feeling a strange mix of emotions: despair, sorrow, confusion, and worry, yet also a sense of relief.

Now, she truly understood what it meant to live in the present.

All familiar things had drifted far away. There was nothing in this space, not even enough food.

Forced to lie still, without speaking or moving, only her mind remained active, constantly thinking. The only thing she could focus on was her own breathing.

Life seemed to be like this, emerging from nothingness and returning to nothingness.

She heard some long, steady breaths, as if someone had already fallen asleep.

Li Chuxia, lying beside her, suddenly patted her hand and whispered, “Sister Tanxi, are you asleep?”

Jian Tanxi replied softly, “No.”

Li Chuxia said, “A phrase suddenly came to my mind.”

Jian Tanxi asked, “Is it ‘All that’s left is a vast, white emptiness, truly clean’?”

“Yes, that’s exactly what I was thinking. We’re on the same page.”

“Maybe we should focus on figuring out how to clear this level. We can talk more once we have some ideas.”

“Mm.”

At the moment, Jian Tanxi could do nothing but breathe. So, she simply let go of all her thoughts.

Before long, she too fell asleep.

Some time later, she was awakened by the sound of crying.