Everyone present froze for a moment, then turned to Jiang Nian in confusion.
"A movie about school bullying? Is there really a movie like that?"
They racked their brains, searching through both recent releases and older films, but none seemed to fit.
Watching them struggle to remember, Jiang Nian secretly laughed.
[Of course you've never heard of it. I made it up.]
Those who could hear her thoughts: ...
You're making us look stupid.
So the now-numb main cast simply sat there and listened as Jiang Nian spun her story without a shred of guilt.
"Of course there is! I haven't seen it myself, but Qiao Ling discussed the plot with me."
Gao Wen's curiosity was piqued. "What's the plot?"
At Gao Wen's question, Jiang Nian put on a thoughtful expression and slowly recounted the parts she knew.
"Let me think."
"I think the story begins with a young girl transferring to a new secondary school, ready to start a brand-new life."
"But because she was pretty and very popular with the boys at school, an older girl found out about her. The older girl couldn't stand her, so she started bringing people along to bully her."
As Liu Fan listened, she felt something was wrong with this story.
Why did it sound so familiar?
She lowered her brows and continued listening to Jiang Nian.
"That older girl was absolutely awful. Sneaking dead mice and stinking cockroaches into the girl's desk wasn't enough for her. She covered her desk in insults like 'slut' and 'sow,' and every so often, she'd bring her little lackeys along to beat her up."
Imagining the scene, Jiang Nian gritted her teeth in fury.
"And that wasn't all. The older girl even found a guy to deceive her and get her pregnant at such a young age, then announced her pregnancy to the whole school. In the end, the girl was not only expelled, but the older girl also hired people to make her lose the baby she'd been carrying for months!"
Boom. Liu Fan felt as though she had been struck by lightning. Her racing heart seemed ready to leap out of her chest, and her face turned from green to purple.
Hearing what had happened to the girl, Gao Wen and the others beside her cursed in outrage. "Oh my god, what kind of scumbag was that older girl? That's beyond vile!"
Liu Fan's expression grew even more distorted.
Those were all things she had done! How could this be happening? Did this movie really exist?
But even if the movie was real, why had Jiang Nian suddenly brought up her online friend and this plot here? Did she know something?
Liu Fan had finally remembered something. The girl she had once bullied, the girl whose miscarriage she had orchestrated-
Her name was Qiao Ling.
Seeing that Liu Fan seemed to have remembered her own filthy deeds, Jiang Nian nodded in satisfaction.
That was more like it.
Sure enough, this was the way to cure forgetfulness.
Then she feigned innocence and asked, "Liu Fan, you haven't seen this movie either?"
Jiang Nian's sudden question made Liu Fan jolt. Cold sweat coated her palms as she stammered out a reply.
"N-no, I've never heard of that movie. Maybe your online friend just made it up?"
Jiang Nian's lips twitched, and she answered with an unfathomable look in her eyes. "I doubt it. I'll ask Qiao Ling again when I get back. But... have you really never heard of it?"
Meeting Jiang Nian's gaze, Liu Fan guiltily rubbed her nose and awkwardly looked away. "N-no. I really haven't."
"Oh!"
Jiang Nian's sudden shout made the already tense Liu Fan's voice tremble. "W-what is it?"
"Liu Fan, you broke the rule! Change your card, hurry!"
Ignoring Liu Fan's question, Jiang Nian simply smiled and told her to change her card, as though she hadn't noticed her discomfort.
Liu Fan ripped the card marked "touch your nose" off her head, hesitating over whether to tell everyone she wanted to end the game early.
She could feel that Jiang Nian was targeting her. These stories seemed to be told specifically for her benefit.
But how could Jiang Nian let her escape so soon?
Eagerly, she personally fitted Liu Fan with her second card, then continued describing this nonexistent movie under everyone's thoughtful gazes.
Watching Jiang Nian's string of actions targeting Liu Fan, Song Jici and the others began to form some theories about Gao Wen's future leap from a building, which Jiang Nian had revealed in her thoughts.
Only Gao Wen, Chen Jia, and the others who had never been able to hear Jiang Nian's thoughts watched in bewilderment as she relentlessly went after Liu Fan.
Jiang Nian cleared her throat and, like a storyteller picking up where she had left off, continued indignantly sharing her impressions of the film.
"I really hate school bullies. They constantly insult people, physically attack them, intimidate them, and threaten them. They don't just cause serious psychological trauma-they can even drive people into depression and suicide."
[Gao Wen's life, Qiao Ling's baby, Zhang Yao's slashed face, Fang Xun's amputated leg... and all the countless scars and ailments they suffered.]
"Aren't they afraid the restless souls of their victims will come for revenge in their dreams? Can they even sleep at night?"
[What about you, Liu Fan? Can you sleep at night? Do you dream of Qiao Ling holding her baby, clutching your trouser leg and crying for help? Do you dream of Gao Wen drenched in blood, with her hands around your throat?]
Finally, looking at this unrepentant school bully, Jiang Nian delivered her verdict.
"They'll definitely meet a horrible end."
After quietly savoring the sight of Liu Fan's face turning from livid to pale, Jiang Nian softly asked her,
"Don't you think I'm right, Liu Fan?"
[You're going to hell, Liu Fan.]
Liu Fan abruptly stood, stiffly told everyone, "I'm tired. I'm done playing," and ran back to her tent.
Everyone sitting there watched Liu Fan's sudden departure with surprise and suspicion.
Fu Zhenzhen and her two companions watched Liu Fan flee, exchanged glances, and decided to take their leave as well.
The game was over.
Only the silent main cast remained, watching Jiang Nian stare in the direction Liu Fan had gone, an icy darkness in her eyes.
Only after seeing Liu Fan flee in panic did Jiang Nian, having successfully frightened her, feel a little better.
Turning to Gao Wen and the others, who were watching her with worried expressions, Jiang Nian finally relaxed and laughed. She gently stroked Gao Wen's head and made a promise in her heart.
[In this life, I won't let you die. Both you and Nie Xuzhi will live happily in the sunlight and have bright, glorious futures.]
Seeing the confusion in Gao Wen's eyes, Jiang Nian said nothing more. She merely looked up at the main cast, who were gazing at her with the same concern, and smiled boldly, without restraint.
[And I won't let any of you end up with the shattered endings you originally faced.]
Before you continue