"Through the incident just now, I seem to know who the sponsor is." This statement shocked everyone, and the other 11 suspense novel writers present all stared at the genius boy Chris with wide eyes. What?Nan Tian was astonished, was what Chris said true?Today is the 10th night of our imprisonment, is the mystery about to be revealed? Apparently everyone thinks so.Dark Fire asked eagerly: "Who is it?" Chris still maintained his usual mysterious attitude, but this time he didn't laugh, but said with a serious expression: "I just know it roughly, but I don't have any evidence. If I say it now, I'm afraid that person won't admit it." .” He paused, “So, I’m going to think of a way…”

Chris didn't continue talking, maybe he didn't think about what this "method" was, or maybe he didn't want to let the organizer hidden among the crowd know his plan.He looked solemn, never looked so serious. It is inconvenient for everyone to ask any more.After a moment of silence, Beidou said: "Should we rate the story of "Return" told by Mr. Arakaki?" Lake murmured: "If he 'fouls', then there is no point in scoring..." Although his voice was very small, it was still heard by the sensitive Araki, and the great writer said angrily: "I don't want to argue with you about whether I fouled or not! Let the damn sponsor decide! But no matter what In this way, the story I have worked so hard to conceive cannot have no points!"

"I agree," Xia Houshen said, "The issue of fouls is decided by the organizers, and we have to score everyone's stories." Beidou stood up and was about to walk towards the cabinet—he used to be responsible for taking the paper and pen, but this time Goth stopped him and said, "You get it every time, replace me." Beidou was stunned for a moment, and sat down with an "oh".Goth went to the cabinet, came back with a handful of pens and blank paper, and distributed them to everyone. The other 11 people besides Araki Zhou wrote down a number on the paper, and Goth put the paper away again.Give it to Nan Tian and Long Ma to calculate the average score.

"Return" narrated by Araki Shuka finally scored 9.1 points—a high score, but not higher than Beidou, which is currently ranked first. Araki Zhou let out a muffled snort, obviously for a great writer and senior in the literary world like him, losing to a little-known kid is a very low value.He couldn't hide his embarrassment and dissatisfaction, but he couldn't say much, he just stood up silently and walked upstairs to his room. Araki Boat was the protagonist on the tenth night. After he left, everyone had no reason to stay in the hall downstairs and returned to their rooms one after another.

Sajia and Nantian walked at the end, Sajia looked worried, and Nantian asked, "What's wrong with you?" "Tomorrow night, it's up to me to tell the story." Sajia said troubledly, "but the story I conceived before is similar to the appearance of Araki Shuka, and obviously it can't be used. There is less than a day left, and I have to think again. a story……" "It's okay. You should be able to conceive a new story in more than ten hours." Nan Tian comforted. "However, I have already told 10 stories," Sajia said anxiously, "Many themes have already been used, and I can't think of what to tell..."

Indeed, this is a difficulty.Nan Tian understands that the rules of this game—the following stories must not be similar in design or plot to the previous ones—is a harsh test for the last ones.The creativity of the story is unlimited, and the scope becomes narrower as it goes to the back. Seeing Sajia's worried appearance, Nan Tian really wanted to help her.He thought for a while and said, "I have an experience in conceiving a story, maybe I can share it with you." "Really, tell me quickly!" Sajia said urgently.Nan Tian said: "When I can't find creative inspiration, I will try to dig out my own experience. Each of us must have experienced some impressive things. Of course, these things may be just fragments of life and cannot constitute a completed work. Stories. But we can adapt and process these special experiences, and maybe we can design a good story.”

"Based on my own experience..." Sajia thought about Nan Tian's words, "I've never tried it before." "Then you can just try it." Nan Tian said, "The advantage of this method is that it is easy to find the feeling because the story comes from one's own experience, and the created stories are often more realistic than purely fictional ones." "Well, I'll try." Sajia nodded and said, "Thank you, Nan Tian." "It's nothing, I hope you come up with a good story." Nan Tian said sincerely.He glanced at the electronic watch on his wrist, "It's getting late, go to bed early. Close the door and pay attention to safety."

"Okay. You too." Sajia said with a blushing face. They went back to their respective rooms and locked the doors.Nan Tian was already very sleepy.After lying on the bed for a few minutes, he fell into a deep sleep.The next morning, everyone took out food from the cabinet in the hall on the first floor for breakfast.After eating, before everyone left, Ryoma coughed and said, "Uh, there's something I can't help discussing with you." Everyone looked at him.Qianqiu asked, "What is it?" "It's like this," Ryoma said, "After listening to the story called "Return" told by Mr. Arakishu yesterday, I suddenly got some kind of inspiration."

Arakishu raised an eyebrow and stared at him. Long Ma continued: "In this story, the little boy Xia Qingqing has a lot in common with the devil, which makes me think of the reality in front of me—there are 14 of us, actually 13—we were 'invited' by the organizer Do writers of suspense novels have something in common?" His words inspired everyone, and after a while, Beidou said: "I remember the organizer said on the first day that he (she) chose us in this way because we are the best 14 in his (her) eyes. Suspense writer." "That's right. You are still complacent because of this." Qianqiu teased, Beidou scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.

Ryoma frowned, shook his head and said, "He (she) said so. We didn't delve into this issue at the time, but now it seems that this may be an excuse." "Do you think things are not that simple, and there are deeper reasons?" Goth asked. "Yes." Ryoma said, "and I think finding this common ground will be the key to uncovering the identity of the sponsor." "Why do you think so?" Long Ma analyzed: "Actually, I have long felt that this statement is a bit far-fetched. Objectively speaking, the 14 of us who were 'invited' are indeed very good suspense novel writers in China. Through the strength of the people in the previous stories, This can be confirmed. However, I am afraid that it cannot be said that apart from the 14 of us, there are no other people. Among the friends in my circle, there are very powerful authors. Why are they not listed here? Why are there 14 people participating in this 'game'? Does the number '14' have some kind of 'special' meaning?"

Ryoma's words made everyone fall into deep thought.After a while, Dark Fire said: "Indeed, there are still some of the top suspense novel writers in the country, why are we the ones who are 'invited'? I'm afraid there are really articles in it." "Speaking of which, there are really many doubts." Xia Houshen also analyzed, "Actually, I was also a little surprised at the time." He looked at the little genius, "Chris is actually on the list. Think about it, he lives in Foreign Chinese are actually involved in this incident. If this counts, then there are more Chinese suspense writers around the world—and there is no reason to choose the 14 of us.” "The organizer's ability is limited after all. It is impossible to have the ability to attract people from all over the world to this place." Lake said. "Then how did he get Chris?" Xia Houshen said. "Did you forget?" Lake reminded, "Chris said that the way he came here is different from ours. He was not brought in after being knocked out, but in a sober state." "That's right." Only then did Xia Houshen remember, and he looked at Chris, "Aren't you going to tell us now, what's going on with you here?" "As I said, this is my business. I can't talk about it now." Chris said calmly: "We seem to have diverted the topic. Let's go back to the question we mentioned before-what do we people have in common? Dot? I'm interested in that too." "We can imagine from many aspects." Long Ma said, "There may be some kind of intersection among the 14 of us." Xia Houshen thought for a while and said, "I live in City S, how about you?" "Think about it, are we from the same city?" Ryoma understood. "I'm also from City S and live in City S." "Who else lives in City S?" Xia Houshen asked. "Me." Nan Tian said.At the same time, Goth raised his hand, indicating that he did too. "Only the four of us live here?" Xia Houshen counted, "Me, Longma, Goth, and Nantian—what about you?" He asked the rest. Everyone mentioned their place of residence. Except for Chris and Qianqiu, the others are basically people from nearby cities not far from S city. City Center!" "This can't be considered a major discovery, can it?" Beluga smiled wryly, "City S is a big city, and the surrounding cities are basically developed areas. Many authors of suspense novels in our country were originally concentrated in this area. Reese lives in the United States, and Qianqiu is in City B, which is far away. Oh, by the way, there are Yu Chicheng and Xu Wen who died, maybe they are not from the vicinity of City S?" It seems that the same place of residence can no longer be a common point, and everyone fell into silence.After a while, Dark Fire asked, "Have we ever written a story with the same theme before?" "Impossible." Chris denied decisively, "I have read books written by many of us, and the content and subject matter are far apart. Besides, if 14 authors have written a book on the same subject, will the media not report it? We will Do not you know?" "So... will we ever appear on the same occasion?" Sajia tentatively asked, "For example, press conferences, writers' gatherings and so on?" "This... I'm afraid it's impossible," Beidou said awkwardly, "I'm not a great writer, and I've never attended a press conference or a writer's gathering." "I was basically in the United States a few years ago." Chris further denied this possibility. The hall fell silent again.It seems that everyone can't find any other possibility.Nan Tian frowned and tried his best to think. Suddenly, a thought flashed in his mind, and he said it without thinking: "Could it be that all 14 of us know a certain person in common?" Everyone froze for a moment, and Long Ma said: "You mean, the 14 of us may not have intersected each other, but a certain person we know together indirectly connected the 14 of us?" "Yes, that's what it means." Nan Tian said. "Why do you think so?" Xia Houshen asked. "I don't know, just a sudden thought." Nan Tian said. "This possibility is indeed there..." Lake thought and frowned at the same time, "But, how to verify this? The classmates, friends, and colleagues around each of us—not counting netizens—at least Can you name dozens or hundreds of them? Could it be that we write down all the names of these people, and then find out if there is any mutual understanding? Isn’t it too difficult?” "Yeah," Bai Jing said, "and there is another problem here - the organizer hidden among us obviously won't cooperate with us in this matter, plus Yu Chicheng and Xu Wen died again, there is no Can't ask them—we still can't come to a conclusion." Hearing what Moby Whale said, everyone was a little frustrated.Sajia looked at Nantian at this moment and asked, "Nantian, what do you think?" Nan Tian pondered for a moment, and said: "I have an intuition - this person we know together, once prompted 14 of us to do the same thing at the same time. It's just that we don't know each other, we have done this together thing." "Ah..." Qianqiu suddenly let out a low cry.Then his face turned pale.Dark Fire standing next to her asked, "What's wrong with you? What do you remember?" "No...no." Qian Qiu said with her head down, "I'm just...suddenly intimidated by what Nan Tian said, and I feel a chill down my back." Araki Shumi raised his eyes and said, "Is what he said scary? If you don't have ghosts in your heart, why are you scared for nothing?" Qianqiu regained his composure, clasped his hands on his chest, and said disdainfully, "What's wrong with me? It's just a suspense writer's habit, and I think of some horror and dramatic plots." There was a moment of silence in the room.Xia Houshen sighed: "It seems that this question can only be regarded as a guess, and no conclusion can be drawn." "Not necessarily, if it's as Nan Tian said, then we at least have a general direction to think about." Long Ma said, "There are still four days, and maybe some of us will think of something during this period." When it came to the question of time, Sajia showed an anxious expression. She stood up and said, "It's my time to tell a story tonight. I'm going back to my room to make preparations." As she spoke, she left the hall and walked towards the second floor. The people in the hall gradually dispersed.Nan Tian stayed where he was, frowning and thinking about the question he raised just now. He didn't understand why this idea suddenly popped up in his mind.Could it be that his subconscious mind is reminding him that something he did before has something to do with this incident? However, he has experienced too many things, which one is it?He racked his brains and couldn't figure it out.At 7 o'clock in the evening, everyone gathered in the hall again, sitting on leather chairs, forming a circle, and the game tonight began. Saka is the protagonist of tonight.Sitting next to her, Nan Tian asked in a low voice, "Have you thought about the story yet?" "Well," Sajia nodded and said in a low voice, "thanks to the method you told me." "You are really based on your own personal experience..." "Let's talk after listening." Sajia's face flushed, "In short, it is an exceptionally wonderful story, surpassing all my previous works." Xia Houshen who was sitting opposite looked at his watch and said, "Stop whispering, you two, the time is up!" "Okay." Saka faced the crowd and raised her voice. "I started. The name of the story is 'Freaks.'"