game over

Number Ten had a headache and asked Zhu Qinghe, "What should we do now?"

Zhu Qinghe: "There is only one way now. The people vote to eliminate Number Two. If she is the assassin, that would be best. If not, there is also the identification by Official Number Five."

Bai Qiuru nodded: "I agree."

The other girls were clueless, so they looked at each other and nodded.

Number Two panicked: "You can't be so hasty! I'm just an ordinary citizen!"

Xiaozao stepped forward and reminded everyone, "Ladies, it's time for the public to vote. Please vote for the assassin you think is the best candidate."

The voting papers were handed out to everyone. Xiaozao added, "Because of the secrecy surrounding the identities of assassins and officials, everyone will be given a voting paper, but assassins and officials do not need to vote. They can simply write 'abstain' on the paper."

After it was written, the piece of paper was collected.

After reviewing the results, Xiaozao announced: "Number 2 has six votes, and Number 11 has three votes."

"Number Two died; she was an ordinary citizen."

It's obvious that Zhu Qinghe's vote was cast by number two.

Number Six and Number Eight clearly knew Number Two in real life and had a good relationship with her, so they also voted for her. After the results were announced, Number Six glared angrily at Zhu Qinghe: "Number Eleven, are you happy now that you've ruined Number Two?"

Zhu Qinghe: "I'm sorry for my wrong deduction. I was too clever for my own good. I didn't expect that Miss Liu really had a fiancé. So what am I as her lover?"

She actually got really into character, and Number Twelve chuckled, "Isn't this standard practice for some girls? Because that's just who they are."

She dragged out her words in a sarcastic tone, her gaze drifting towards Chen Fuying.

The people in the room exchanged knowing glances, thinking to themselves that this Miss Number Twelve was a ruthless person. Everyone knew about Chen Fuying's messy affairs, but only she dared to mock her so openly.

Chen Fuying clenched her fist, her nails digging into her palm.

"Next comes the official identification and the assassin's killing."

"Please close your eyes and follow my instructions for the next step."

Then came Xiaozao's slow and deliberate tone, which almost put Zhu Qinghe to sleep.

Until she heard Xiaozao say, "The assassin can open his eyes now."

She opened her eyes and met Bai Qiuru's gaze. The two smiled at each other.

"The officials have identified the perpetrators and the assassination is complete. Now everyone can open their eyes."

Xiaozao announced the results: "The people who died in this round are number twelve, number three, number four, and number ten."

Everyone was stunned for a moment: "Were all the dead ordinary people?"

Xiaozao said, "Only those who have been impeached by the people can have their identities revealed. Please use your own inferences."

"Also, the deceased cannot reveal their identity information."

Upon hearing this, Number Ten shut his mouth.

Number 12 died inexplicably, and was holding his breath. Numbers 3 and 4 also didn't know what happened.

Zhu Qinghe asked Number Ten, puzzled, "How come you died too?"

Number 10 shrugged: "I'm just unlucky."

"Everyone, the number of dead doesn't match up," Number Six, who was impatient, spoke up first.

"There must be some people who are not ordinary citizens."

"In the worst-case scenario, if the assassin kills two civilians, the official identifies the wrong person, and both die, then the assassin wins, and the game is over."

"But the game is not over yet, which means that at least one person from each side, the assassin and the official, is still alive."

"Could it be that after the assassin killed two civilians, the assassin A was identified as dead by official A, and official B mistakenly identified him as the one who died?"

This is very likely, and it also fits the current death toll, everyone nodded in agreement.

"Moreover, Officer Number Five is still alive. Perhaps she was the one who successfully identified and killed an assassin."

"But that doesn't make sense. The identity of Officer Number Five has already been revealed. Even the dumbest assassin would have killed her first, so how could she still be alive?"

Suspicious glances were cast at Bai Qiuru.

Zhu Qinghe said calmly, "Everyone should think carefully about the rule that Xiaozao mentioned earlier: it takes two assassins to kill one official."

Xiaozao confirmed her statement: "That's right, that's indeed the rule."

"So the assassin felt that killing only one person with two votes was not worth it?"

"If that's the case, then none of the dead are officials, but at most one assassin will die, so their identities are one assassin and three civilians."

After deducing the final result, everyone looked solemn.

Number Six said, "Including Number Two, we've lost four civilians. Now, please state your identities again."

That's a good idea. After this interruption and cooling-off period of the game, those who lied and had poor mental fortitude probably won't even remember the identities they fabricated.

Number Thirteen: "Commoners, Master Liu."

Number 12 died, no need to report it.

Number 11, Zhu Qinghe: "Neutral, Miss Liu's lover."

Number 10 is dead.

Number Nine Liang Youan: "The neutral party is Miss Liu's youngest brother."

Number Eight: "Common people, the eldest sister of the Liu family."

Number Seven: "The neutral party is the eldest brother of the Liu family."

Number Six: "Common people, the second sister of the Liu family."

Number Five, Bai Qiuru: "An official, the one with a high rank."

Number four, number three, and number two are all dead.

Number One Chen Fuying: "Since one of the assassins is already dead, I won't hide it anymore. Actually, I am another official."

Bai Qiuru smiled and said, "So it was you."

Zhu Qinghe smiled.

Chen Fuying nodded: "So the officials are bound to win this round."

Everyone was in high spirits, and this interruption made them even forget that the number of people was still not accurate.

"Who do you think is the other assassin?" Number Six asked, clearly positioning himself as the leader.

"Number Five, who did you identify before? Since you're not dead, then you must have identified the assassin."

Zhu Qinghe suddenly spoke up: "Everyone, don't assume things too easily. Number One, I think there are two possibilities for why you suddenly stand up and say that you are an official at this time."

"In the first scenario, you are indeed an official, and now an assassin has died. You believe that you are certain to win."

“But there is another possibility: you are the assassin, and now one of your companions has died, and you are about to lose. So you have to come out and say that you are an official, so that the people will not vote to your death, and the fifth official will also think that you are a companion and will not identify you.”

"You can use this time to wait for Official Number Five to admit his mistake and then die. That way, there will only be one official left, and he will lose his advantage."

Following Zhu Qinghe's train of thought, everyone suddenly realized.

Yes, it's really suspicious that Number One would jump out at this time and claim to be an official.

A cold glint appeared in Chen Fuying's eyes: "I didn't reveal my identity before because I wanted to observe the situation, and I haven't confirmed whether my companion, number five, is really an official or not." Her gaze fell on Bai Qiuru.

“What you’re saying makes sense, and it’s true that we ordinary people can’t verify the authenticity of Number Five, but at least she came out from the beginning saying that she was an official. In comparison, I’m more inclined to believe her,” Zhu Qinghe said earnestly.

The others thought for a moment and then nodded in agreement.

"That's right, Number Five revealed his identity from the beginning, and it takes two votes to kill an official, so there's absolutely no need to be afraid."

"It feels like this rule is biased towards the officials."

Number Twelve, who had been silent since his death, suddenly spoke up, as if he had risen from the dead: "I think it was Number One who killed me."

"Number One, you're an assassin, aren't you?"

Chen Fuying: "What makes you say that?"

"Now that I'm dead, I have no more scruples," Number Twelve said coldly.

"Just because I said something you didn't like, you killed me. Fine, even if you really are an official, let's take advantage of that."

"Official Number Five successfully identified her, so she survived, while an assassin died."

“You said you were also an official, and you failed to identify the scapegoat. One of the scapegoats died, but you are still alive. This means you found two scapegoats, and two more of them died.”

Chen Fuying kept her mouth closed and didn't say anything.

"And now there are four dead. Does that mean the assassin didn't kill anyone? How is that possible?"

Zhu Qinghe leaned back lazily in her chair, listening to Number Twelve's reasoning, nodding earnestly from time to time.

Xiaozao offered a timely reminder: "According to the rules, an assassin can choose not to kill."

Number Twelve choked, and Zhu Qinghe spoke up to help her out: "Xiaozao, that's not fair of you. The rules were so vague at the beginning, who could have imagined this?"

"Besides, what kind of assassin is she if she doesn't kill? Doesn't she want to win?"

"I think what Number Twelve said makes a lot of sense, continue."

Hearing this, Number Twelve regained her confidence: "That's right, so I think the assassin is Number One. She killed me, Number Five killed an assassin, and the two assassins each killed two civilians. That's how the numbers match up."

Although no one spoke, their expressions suggested they agreed with Number Twelve's view.

Number Six took over as host: "In that case, let the people vote for Number One, since she's the most suspicious right now."

Chen Fuying was furious: "You...a bunch of idiots!"

Her gaze fell upon the composed Zhu Qinghe and the elegant Bai Qiuru, and a sudden realization dawned on her: "I understand now, Number Five and Number Eleven are in cahoots; they are the assassins!"

"Listen to me, if we vote them out, we'll win!"

Zhu Qinghe sighed, "Number One, this is just a game, why take it so seriously?"

"Number Five is the only official right now. Are you trying to kill us ordinary people?"

"Yeah, you should at least choose a more reliable person before you randomly accuse someone."

Chen Fuying gritted her teeth, her chest rising and falling slightly.

Voting time is up, Xiaozao collects the slips of paper and announces the answers.

"In this round of voting, number one received four votes, and number one died; her identity was that of an official."

"All officials are wiped out, the assassin wins, game over."

Everyone was stunned.

"How could this be?" Number Twelve asked, puzzled.

Chen Fuying spoke up: "I told you all, you're a bunch of idiots!"

"I don't believe it. Then who are the remaining assassins?"

Number Ten spoke up: "Don't you understand yet? Not a single assassin is missing. We've all been played like fools by the assassins."

"Right, number 11."

All eyes turned to Zhu Qinghe, who casually waved her hand and said, "It's just a game, don't take it so seriously, everyone."

Number Twelve realized: "So you assassins really didn't kill anyone?"

“I can win even without killing anyone, so why would I kill anyone?” Zhu Qinghe said.

“I’ve been wondering why Prime Minister Shen made us play this game, and when I finally understood the rules, I got it.”

"An assassin doesn't necessarily have to kill to win, and even if we fight with all our might, we'll only kill one civilian at most."

“Officials are different. They can even take the lives of three people at once. Wouldn’t it be better for the assassins not to kill, but to wait for the officials to help us?”

"Number Ten, you're an official too, right?" Zhu Qinghe said. "You made a mistake and chose to die, while Number One made a mistake and chose two civilians to die in his place."

"That makes the number of people match up."

"Number Twelve, you're actually quite smart, but you only know how to use logic, you don't understand human nature."

After Zhu Qinghe finished speaking, she stood up and asked Xiaozao, "Isn't it time for dinner?"

Xiaozao was just thinking to herself how remarkable Miss Eleven was, but she was taken aback when she heard such a down-to-earth question.

"Yes, I will take the young ladies to the dining hall."

Zhu Qinghe turned around excitedly and called out, "Qiu Ru, You An, let's go, it's time to eat."

The three of them went out, and everyone else gradually got up as well.

As Number Twelve passed by Chen Fuying, he sneered, "Even those who have obtained the identity of an assassin have a broader perspective than you. If Miss Fuying were to become an official, that would be quite something."

Although it was just a game, everyone vaguely understood Prime Minister Shen's intentions.

Games are like life; they reveal one's character.