Genius Playground

Chapter 46 Death or Life

I thought Xu Yan would immediately deny it.

But unexpectedly...

Xu Yan gazed at him silently, her lips tightly pressed together, not uttering a single word.

This reaction instantly made Jiang Ran realize—

Cheng Mengxue's death was definitely not a simple accident! There must be more to the story!

He didn't speak either.

remain silent.

We await Xu Yan's response, awaiting the real answer.

however……

"we do not know."

Xu Yan finally shook her head and said softly.

"I do not know what that means?"

Jiang Ran was puzzled:

"There should be a conclusion about how Xiaoxue's accident happened. There should be an explanation for what exactly happened at the time."

Xu Yan glanced over:

“Jiang Ran, you should know better than anyone else that there are no surveillance cameras on the section of road where Xiaoxue had her accident, so no one knows what happened at the time.”

"Of course, Xiaoxue's final cause of death was definitely a car accident, but what exactly happened before that..."

At this point, she hesitated, looking at Jiang Ran:

"Logically speaking, you should know better than anyone else, after all..."

"You were right beside Xiaoxue when she was in the car accident; and the route you two were taking was completely different from the route to the exam venue."

what?
Jiang Ran couldn't believe this clue.

Was he right next to Cheng Mengxue when she died?

And their route wasn't even heading to the exam hall.

This is very strange.

June 8, 2023, was the second day of the college entrance examination. They should have been going to the examination hall to take the exam. Why did they deliberately take a longer route?
Unfortunately.

After the world line jump, I only have the memories of the original world line and no historical memories of the new world line.

This resulted in the fact that even though he witnessed Cheng Mengxue's death two years ago, his mind is still blank now, with no images at all.

"Sorry, I don't remember."

Jiang Ran said truthfully:

"Perhaps this incident really shocked me, causing my memory to become confused and even resulting in the loss of some memories that I dare not face."

"Could you tell me the story again? Since I was with Xiaoxue the whole time, I will definitely tell the truth when the police investigate or take my statement."

Xu Yan smiled helplessly:

“I already answered you, Jiang Ran, ‘We don’t know.’ Nobody knows what happened back then.”

"because……"

"Back then, you said the same thing as you do now: you have absolutely no memory of what happened, no memory of why you took Xiaoxue on a detour, and no memory of anything at all."

……

Jiang Ran frowned as he listened to Xu Yan's description.

really.

Things are getting more complicated.

Let's sort it out.

According to Xu Yan.

Two years ago, on June 8, 2023, the two people who were supposed to be on their way to the exam suddenly deviated from their route and took a detour in the opposite direction.
Then, something happened in between, and Cheng Mengxue was eventually involved in a car accident and died unexpectedly.
During this time, I was by Cheng Mengxue's side the whole time, and I should have witnessed all the facts and known all the reasons;
But here's the strange thing...

As the sole eyewitness, I have lost all related memories and remember nothing.

[Memory loss].

Why is it such a coincidence?
Why would the most crucial piece of memory be missing?
Actually, I really don't want to discuss this with you.

Seeing Jiang Ran's worried expression, Xu Yan continued:

“I still remember the scene in the hospital. Many people surrounded you, asking you all sorts of questions. There were police officers, adults, teachers... Everyone wanted to hear the truth from you.”

"But you were also emotionally distraught at the time, saying you didn't remember anything and that when you opened your eyes you saw Xiaoxue lying on the road covered in blood. You were obviously terrified." "The doctor speculated that you suffered from temporary amnesia due to excessive fright. This is a self-protective mechanism of the human brain and is not an isolated case. Similar symptoms occur in many accidents."

Listening to Xu Yan's story.

Jiang Ran mentally pieced together the historical events, gradually connecting the dots.

No wonder they all say they suffer from psychological trauma and can't get over Cheng Mengxue's death;
No wonder I missed two exams, which resulted in my college entrance exam score being only high enough to get into a junior college.

No wonder parents who hope their children will succeed are afraid that they might have suicidal thoughts or be unable to move on, so they don't let their children repeat a year of high school;
No wonder, Xu Yan and Wang Hao always comforted her, saying that it wasn't her fault and she shouldn't blame herself too much.

There are three main reasons for all of this:

1. Cheng Mengxue and I changed our route and did not go to the examination hall.

2. There were no surveillance cameras at the location of the accident, and the driver had no memory of the incident, so the truth could not be verified by the deceased.

3. With no clear reason, one will inevitably fall into deep self-blame, self-doubt, and believe that one is responsible for Cheng Mengxue's death.

Although everyone believes that he suffered amnesia two years ago due to excessive fright.

But Jiang Ran believes things are far more complicated than that.

but……

What is the correct answer?

It's reasonable that my current self, having jumped from one world line to the other, lacks historical memories of the current world line.

But why did he have no memory of Cheng Mengxue's accident two years ago when he was questioned by the police?

He couldn't think of anything to think of.

"Feel sorry."

Jiang Ran lowered his head:
"I really can't remember..."

"Then don't think about it."

Xu Yan walked over slowly:

"Honestly, Jiang Ran, I'm really happy to see you cheer up again these past two days."

"Although you and Xiaoxue are only a year younger than me, I see you as my own younger brother and sister. I've always been worried about you."

"If you can't remember, don't think about it. Don't fall into the trap of self-blame. Just like we've said countless times... it's not your fault, you didn't do anything wrong."

"Regardless of the reasons why you two didn't go to the exam, the car accident was just an accident."

"Do you understand, Jiang Ran? This is an accident that no one wanted to happen, and the driver did not flee. All the evidence proves that this was just an accident and has nothing to do with you."

She really is like an older sister, with gentle words:
"Lift your head up and smile. The past is the past; you have to look forward and move on with your life."

"Are you having fun at school? Have you gotten a girlfriend? Do you plan to transfer to a four-year university?"

"Senior!"

At the entrance to the screening room, a member of the film club waved:

"Senior, we're about to start our meeting, do you want to come?"

"Okay, I'll go right away."

After exchanging greetings, Xu Yan looked away and patted Jiang Ran on the shoulder:

"Don't think about this anymore. History is history, and neither you nor I can change it."

"For those who are alive, their future is the most important thing. After all..."

"The dead are destined never to be brought back to life."

She turned to the side.

Finally, he waved goodbye to Jiang Ran and walked away in his high heels.

This is the end.

Jiang Ran was the only one left in the screening room.

It was empty and quiet.

The cicadas chirped loudly outside the window, and sunlight, influenced by the Tyndall effect, streamed in, creating streaks of light.

He recalled Xu Yan's body covered with a white sheet in the hospital;
I recall Cheng Mengxue's flushed cheeks at the luxury cruise ship's dining table;
"The dead can be resurrected."

Jiang Ran pondered.

As long as you use time-space SMS, there is no regret that cannot be made up for.

He looked up, watching Xu Yan's departing figure:
"If I can save you, I can save Xiaoxue too."

(End of this chapter)