Running in Circles

Gao Zhankui, his face a mask of brute flesh, glared at Ding Wenqiang, a hint of mockery in his eyes, as if he wasn't entirely convinced.

"I won't say it a second time!"

Ding Wenqiang, clearly agitated, raised his scepter and pointed it at Gao Zhankui.

Gao Zhankui reluctantly walked towards the first prison cell.

Zhang Peng followed closely behind, while Cai Zhiyuan, supported by Wang Yongxin, trailed at the very end.

After walking a short distance, everyone arrived at the first prison cell in the designated area.

There were six cells in total, arranged in a roughly circular layout, with an opening left for the passage the group had used. The large screen and the glass cabinet containing the videotapes were located in the center, surrounded by the cells.

From the outside, it was undeniably a prison cell, about ten square meters in size, complete with iron bars and a cell door.

At the entrance of each cell, there was also a screen displaying the game's introduction for that cell.

[Cell No. 1: Farmer's Walk]

[Prisoners are forced to push a horizontal bar. For every circle pushed, they gain 10 minutes of visa time. Stopping will result in an electric shock penalty.]

[With repeated games, the intensity of the electric shock will increase progressively.]

The group then looked at the adjacent cell.

[Cell No. 2: Hanging Street Lamp]

[Prisoners are suspended by a noose. While on tiptoe, their feet will not be completely off the ground. They gain 1000 minutes of visa time per minute. After 10 minutes, the mechanism automatically disengages.]

[With repeated games, the game duration increases by 5 minutes.]

Furthermore, further away were Cells No. 3, No. 4, No. 5, and No. 6. However, these cells were currently still locked, and the screens displayed no information about the games.

According to the game rules, Cell No. 3 would only unlock after a prisoner entered either Cell No. 1 or Cell No. 2.

The cell doors were open, like the gaping mouths of monsters, waiting for willing victims.

Additionally, in a prominent position, there was a line of prompt information.

[Trials Completed: 0/10]

Ding Wenqiang's gaze swept across the faces of the other four. Clearly, someone unlucky needed to enter one of the cells for the third cell to unlock.

Finally, his gaze settled on Gao Zhankui.

Ding Wenqiang had no clear idea at the moment, but Wang Yongxin and Cai Zhiyuan were both players from Community 17. They saw each other often, so compared to the other two, there was a natural difference in closeness.

More importantly, during the previous Farmer's Walk game, Ding Wenqiang felt somewhat indebted to Wang Yongxin and Cai Zhiyuan.

Zhang Peng had little presence, so the first unlucky soul could only be Gao Zhankui.

From the very beginning, Ding Wenqiang had a terrible impression of him.

Moreover, Gao Zhankui had just tried to usurp his position.

"You, go in," Ding Wenqiang said with a cold expression.

Gao Zhankui's eyes widened, his face full of defiance, but upon seeing the scepter in Ding Wenqiang's hand, he ultimately swallowed the words he was about to utter.

The game rules were clear: within the scope of the game rules, Ding Wenqiang could demand anything of the four of them, and they could not refuse.

Otherwise, Ding Wenqiang could simply use the scepter to shock him to death.

However, just as Gao Zhankui was darkly contemplating which prison cell would be better to enter, a weak voice rang out.

"Uncle Ding, please wait a moment.

"I think I'll enter the first cell."

Ding Wenqiang froze for a moment, then turned to see that it was Cai Zhiyuan, who was being supported by Wang Yongxin.

Cai Zhiyuan was still in a sorry state, but fortunately, his wounds were no longer bleeding profusely, and they were gradually scabbing over. His spirits had also improved considerably.

"You should rest first," Ding Wenqiang said, shaking his head slightly.

It was clear that the games, or rather the punishments, in these two cells required a certain level of physical fitness.

Cai Zhiyuan's current physical condition was worrying, and Ding Wenqiang feared he might die before completing the game if he went in.

Cai Zhiyuan shook his head: "Uncle Ding, haven't you noticed?

"These games in the cells aren't arranged randomly; they have a certain allegorical meaning.

"The game rules also state that you are to allow us to receive 'just trials,' meaning the content of the games should be related to our crimes."

He pointed to the first cell: "Farmer's Walk. Isn't that the fate of a beast of burden?"

Wang Yongxin was silent for a moment: "But... that doesn't seem to relate to any so-called crime, does it? What do you think your crime is?"

Cai Zhiyuan sighed: "How should I know! I'm just a law-abiding programmer. I always thank the delivery drivers when I get my food, and I work 996 overtime every day until I collapse into bed when I get home. What crime could I have committed?

"If I had to say, I work with big data algorithms. I've used virtual algorithms to corral many low-level workers like myself, dangling a carrot in front of them so they can grind away tirelessly.

"Now I'm locked in such a cage, grinding away non-stop for meager compensation. It's fitting punishment."

Ding Wenqiang looked at him and was silent for a moment: "Whether it's fitting punishment or not, we'll know after watching the videotape."

As he spoke, Ding Wenqiang returned to the center of the scene.

Although Cai Zhiyuan claimed to be just a law-abiding programmer, it was obvious no one would fully believe him.

After all, these five people were sinners chosen by the Gallery, and no one was entirely innocent.

Ding Wenqiang pressed the button before Cai Zhiyuan's recording. With a "snap," the glass cover opened, and the videotape popped out.

He picked up Cai Zhiyuan's videotape and inserted it into the VCR.

[As an excellent programmer, you are highly proficient in various algorithms and adept at using programs to optimize human behavior and calculate human value.]

[The layoff program you developed led countless people to be laid off at 35, losing their jobs to support their families.]

[The pathfinding algorithm program you developed constantly pushed delivery drivers to their limits, making them run in circles for meager compensation.]

[From the very beginning, you were fully aware of the consequences your algorithms would cause, yet you iterated and improved them day and night until they reached what you considered "perfection."]

[You tried hard to avoid feeling too guilty, telling yourself repeatedly that you were just developing a tool, a sharp dinner knife, and that those evil bosses were the ones who used it to kill.]

[You said it was just an ordinary job, and you were simply doing your part.]

[But deep down, you knew you were just deceiving yourself; you were an accomplice to evil.]

[If one day you fall into a fatal trap, will you be able to accept your fate with equanimity?]

On the screen, Cai Zhiyuan worked day and night at his computer. However, his excited and happy expressions after each program iteration and update showed his heart was filled with pride and self-satisfaction.

Afterward, the content of the videotape ended, and Cai Zhiyuan's file appeared on the big screen.

[Cai Zhiyuan, Male, 28 years old.]

[Occupation: Algorithm Programmer.]

[Mainly responsible for artificial intelligence, big data, and algorithm development. The "Hundred Cities Pass" delivery system he led the development of has been adopted by multiple delivery companies.]

[Sentencing Result: Not Judged.]

Ding Wenqiang was silent for a moment, then pressed the buttons for Wang Yongxin and Gao Zhankui.

But unfortunately, the buttons were in an unpressable state.

[After one more trial, you can unlock two videotapes at will.]

Ding Wenqiang hesitated for a moment, then finally looked at Cai Zhiyuan.

"You go."