Chapter 4: The Unwinnable Game (Revised)

With no other options, I could only act pragmatically and step outside to see who might come in. As we were about to leave, Zhao Xiaoyang called out, “Song Qian, it’s a bit hot in here. Lower the air conditioner, and remember to close the door!”

Close the door? That was unacceptable. I hurried to object, “The wind outside is pretty strong today, and there’s shade under the trees. Wouldn’t it be better for you to cool off out there?”

Zhao Xiaoyang looked displeased. “Really, Tong Yang? You’re usually not this concerned about me. Why the complaints today?”

Her words left me awkwardly silent. Song Qian quickly pulled me out and closed the door behind us. As I stared at the tightly shut door, a sense of foreboding crept into my heart.

Song Qian explained, “She’s always like this, never listens to anyone. Plus, you know it’s her period today—her emotions are running high. Don’t mind her, Tong Yang.”

I waved it off, indicating it was fine. Through the window, I saw Zhao Xiaoyang playing on her phone; clearly, she wasn’t unwell.

Still, remembering her earlier anger, I couldn’t say much and followed Song Qian outside. PE class was simple—honestly, it was more like extended recess now, everyone free to do as they pleased.

But I couldn’t shake my unease at leaving Zhao Xiaoyang alone in the classroom. It was the perfect setup for the ghost to strike.

I took roll, then found an excuse to return to the classroom.

The ghost had said there were two hours left before class; now, as the lesson started, strictly speaking, there was just over an hour left. The next classes would be held in the classroom, meaning only during PE would I be able to avoid the closed-room scenario by staying inside.

Given the circumstances, Zhao Xiaoyang was the most likely target. She was alone in a sealed environment. Isn’t this exactly how murders happen in the movies?

With this in mind, I hurried back to the classroom.

Fortunately, Zhao Xiaoyang was still there, alone, nothing amiss. I entered, and she glanced at me, seeming a bit puzzled.

I ignored her. As long as I was in the classroom, she wouldn’t be alone. I took the opportunity to look up some information on closed-room murders.

As I read, the bell rang for the end of class. I checked the time—an hour left.

The less time remaining, the lower the probability of something happening, but my anxiety only grew.

The next class was Chinese. Everyone returned. I counted the students—everyone was present. Only then did I relax.

Just then, Song Qian and Ye Xinran helped Zhao Xiaoyang out of the classroom.

I rushed over. “What’s wrong?”

Ye Xinran rolled her eyes. “It’s her period.”

With that, the two of them led Zhao Xiaoyang out. I guessed they were taking her to the infirmary. With Ye Xinran accompanying her, I wasn’t worried.

Still, I realized I was overly tense.

When class resumed, only Ye Xinran returned. I quickly asked, “Where are Zhao Xiaoyang and Song Qian?”

Ye Xinran replied, “Zhao Xiaoyang’s at the infirmary. Song Qian was called away by the chemistry teacher.”

“What for?”

She replied, “Don’t you know? Only you and Song Qian have the worst chemistry grades in the class. What else would it be? The chemistry teacher tried to find you during PE, but you weren’t around.”

Her words made me want to crawl into a hole.

Indeed, she was right.

But with Zhao Xiaoyang alone again, I feared she was the target of this game. I asked Ye Xinran for permission to go to the infirmary as well.

On my way, I encountered Song Qian. She passed by with a flustered expression, not even greeting me.

I didn’t think much of it and ran to the infirmary. When I arrived, Zhao Xiaoyang was alone, lying with her eyes closed in one of the rooms.

I checked the room—nothing unusual, save for a bag of white substance hanging on the door and a basin beneath it. I sniffed—it was vinegar.

Vinegar does have disinfectant properties; my family often places a basin of it in corners for sterilization. I didn’t pay it much mind.

“Tong Yang? What are you doing here?”

As I was sniffing the vinegar, Zhao Xiaoyang had woken up without me noticing.

I turned to her, unsure how to respond.

“I… I just came to check on you.”

She said, “Thanks, I’m fine. I want to get back to class. Could you help me?”

I asked if she was really alright.

She nodded. That suited me perfectly. If she had stayed alone, I wouldn’t know what to do—couldn’t skip class to keep her company.

We returned to the classroom. The Chinese teacher didn’t give us a hard time, just asked where we’d been. We answered honestly.

As I helped Zhao Xiaoyang to her seat, I caught Song Qian’s expression—stiff, eyes wide with surprise and panic.

Back at my desk, my phone vibrated.

[10 minutes left…]

I scanned the classroom—no one missing. That meant all the students were here, and the ghost had no opportunity.

But as the countdown continued, my nerves grew taut.

The ticking clock showed the game was still ongoing.

To my surprise, minute after minute passed without incident. Even my initial concern about Zhao Xiaoyang proved unfounded; she remained in the classroom.

[5 minutes left…]

…

[1 minute left…]

As the final minute ticked away, a powerful sense of unease overtook me. Yet everyone was in class—where was the problem?

I just couldn’t figure it out!

Unless…

[10 seconds…]

…

Unless it wasn’t targeting someone from our class!

[5 seconds…]

…

[Time’s up…]

When I received the “time’s up” message, tension gripped me. But nothing happened.

Did that mean I’d won?

[Game failed!]

Seeing the words “game failed,” I could hardly believe it.

“That’s impossible! Everyone in our class is here!”

[Did I ever say it was your class?]

Boom—

My mind reeled.

Not our class—meaning the target was the whole school!

After class, many students were discussing another death at school, this time in the infirmary.

The infirmary—the same room where Zhao Xiaoyang had stayed. A student from another class had died in there.

The police investigation revealed that a violent reaction between calcium carbide and an acidic substance had produced large amounts of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.

With the air conditioning on and the windows and doors closed, the room was filled with toxic gases, resulting in the death of the student resting inside.

Thus, the closed-room murder was established.

I recalled the scene in the room—a basin of vinegar, a bag hanging on the door. Was that bag filled with calcium carbide?

I slumped over my desk, powerless—another failure, another death.

A numbness spread through me.

How could I fight against it? It was a mysterious entity; only I could see the messages, no one else. That alone proved how powerful the opponent was!

Perhaps not a powerful being, but a ghost causing havoc—yet do ghosts really exist?

Do they?

How else to explain the invisible messages?

Suddenly, I realized I could never win. I even composed a message to surrender.

But I couldn’t bring myself to hit send, remembering the words: quitting meant death.

At that moment, Ye Xinran came over. She saw my drafted message and asked, “Who are you surrendering to?”

I quickly put away my phone and replied softly, “Nothing.”

Truthfully, I was anxious—three times now, three chances squandered. If only I had succeeded, perhaps this damned game would have ended already.