God's Imitator

Wen Wan was afraid Zhao Xiuying wouldn’t understand, so after a brief pause, she added: "We are all sinners, and if we want to survive in this game, it boils down to two simple points:

"1. Guess the numbers of others, 2. Protect your own number.

"Each of us holds two pieces of information, and if we combine them, we have ten pieces of information, which can quickly allow us to guess everyone’s crimes.

"But doing so would mean mutual destruction.

"Yet, it’s also difficult to guess other people’s information if we don’t share any information at all.

"So, cooperating in pairs is the best choice.

"Who do you have information on, Aunt?"

Zhao Xiuying hesitated slightly: "It’s... you and that Liang Guicheng."

Wen Wan felt a jolt of excitement and was a bit relieved that her guess was correct.

Because she noticed that the five machines in the lounge had a fixed order: Liang Guicheng (Fruit Farmer), Zeng Yiming (Store Manager), He Qing (Installer), Zhao Xiuying (Vendor), and Wen Wan (E-commerce).

Wen Wan herself holds the information of "the last digit of Liang Guicheng’s number" and "details of Zeng Yiming’s crime".

If the information was given randomly, it would be impossible to determine which specific piece of information the other players have.

But if the information wasn’t given randomly and had some cyclic pattern, it would be that "each player holds the information of the next two players."

Following this pattern, Zhao Xiuying should have "Wen Wan’s last digit" and "Liang Guicheng’s crime."

This was definitely good news for Wen Wan.

Because as long as both parties share information, it would be possible to simultaneously know Liang Guicheng’s last digit and crime, significantly increasing the chance of guessing his exact number.

And once the cooperation is formed, as long as Zhao Xiuying does not reveal Wen Wan’s last digit to other players, others will find it very difficult to guess her exact number just based on Wen Wan’s crime.

In that case, Wen Wan would most likely be safe.

Of course, Wen Wan couldn’t be sure if Zhao Xiuying was lying, nor if the cooperation could continue in the future, but in any case, the game has just begun, and the chance that Zhao Xiuying had already fabricated a reason to deceive her wasn’t too high.

Wen Wan felt that she had seized some sort of advantage.

Meanwhile, the polite-looking middle-aged male player, Zeng Yiming (Store Manager), also proactively approached Liang Guicheng (Fruit Farmer) of Community 24, and the two were speaking in low voices.

It wasn’t until He Qing (Installer) of Community 12 finished reading the notice boards at the entrance of several Pharmacy Rooms, that he realized he had already been excluded by these two small groups.

He Qing tried to edge closer to Wen Wan and Zhao Xiuying, but they quickly moved aside to maintain their distance from him.

...

Huang Shengjie looked at the situation on the big screen, subconsciously feeling a bit worried for Wen Wan.

He wasn’t sure if Wen Wan had received the information, but even if she had, to immediately reveal her crime without hesitation to the audience was still a very hard thing to do.

Ultimately, it all depended on her own capabilities.

"Sister Ye Lin, what do you think... what kind of suggestions would the audience from other communities give?"

Ye Lin pondered for a moment: "It’s hard to say, but I think we are not the only community suggesting ’confession’.

"It’s unclear about the situation in Community 1 and Community 8, but in Community 12 and Community 24, there are probably strong players.

"Especially in Community 12, Chen Guangming is very likely in this game too.

"Once he comes in, he will definitely consider utilizing the sinners from Community 12 to do something."

Huang Shengjie looked at the big screen: "But Community 12 is already notorious, and He Qing is isolated without doing anything.

"If I were Wen Wan, I would now simply try to ally with another group of players.

"First, figure out He Qing’s number."

Ye Lin mildly shook her head: "Are you sure? In that case, He Qing would first expose his crime, becoming the ’Director of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing’.

"Allowing such a player to hold an advantageous identity, if he arranges personnel according to the most destructive plan, then the game’s outcome would be hard to predict.

"Moreover, He Qing wouldn’t sit idly by; he would definitely do something."

Before Ye Lin could finish speaking, on the big screen, He Qing had already taken another step towards Wen Wan and Zhao Xiuying.

...

"Don’t step back.

"Do you two even have a clue? Do you think you can isolate me like this?

"I have information on both of you.

"You better choose to share information with me, or else I’ll tell those two guys everything about you.

"Let’s see if it’s you two isolating me or us three isolating you."

He Qing (Installer) was aggressive, with a strong sense of pressure.

But soon, his tone softened slightly: "But as long as you cooperate with me and share information, we can solve those two together first."

Wen Wan and Zhao Xiuying exchanged glances, momentarily unsure of what to do.

He Qing appeared cunning and dangerous, similar to the impression Chen Guangming left.

Although annoying, this dangerous feeling could indeed pose a threat to regular players, making it hard to reject the consequences of refusing cooperation.

Wen Wan instinctively chose Zhao Xiuying as her partner at the start, but it was clear her ability to adapt on the spot wasn’t strong.

The relationships among the five sinner players in this game were very complex, with any minor change potentially triggering drastic shifts.

He Qing took another step forward: "Think carefully, especially you, Wen Wan.

"Your two pieces of information are held by me and this aunt, as long as neither of us reveals the information, you’re absolutely safe.

"There are only five sinner players in this game, each holding 2 pieces of information, so if it’s 3 against 2, you’re at a definite advantage.

"In fact, I’m not isolated; I’ve become a ’swing vote’.

"Whichever side I stand on, that side will win."

Wen Wan fell into hesitation; He Qing’s remark made her attitude waver.

But just then, the other two players, Zeng Yiming and Liang Guicheng, also approached.

"Everyone, can I say a few words?"

The speaker was Zeng Yiming (Store Manager), among the three male players, he seemed the best-dressed and spoke in a gentlemanly manner. While chatting with Liang Guicheng earlier, he clearly held the dominant position.

"If everyone is still considering how to form cliques among five people, this game will likely be our funeral ground.

"Such a simple concept, everyone should understand, right?"

He Qing (Installer) frowned, seemingly without any goodwill towards Zeng Yiming, exhibiting obvious aversion in his expression.

"Talk is cheap, but aren’t you also forming a clique?

"You’re worried about us three collaborating, so you came to stop us, right?"