In 2034, at Anding Hospital in Hai City, Zhongzhou Country.

"The Criminal Files game is announcing the beta test slots now."

"Did you get selected for the beta?"

"How could I? Only eight thousand people across all continents were chosen. The odds are even smaller than winning the lottery."

Two nurses were chatting as they went about their duties—one measuring a patient's temperature, the other handing a glass of water to a patient lying in bed. They were discussing the latest sensation: a game that had been dominating the top spots on every platform in terms of popularity and discussion.

As the first fully immersive, real-life simulation game ever developed and released for testing, the announcement of the beta test for Criminal Files, a holographic game, had instantly captured the attention of countless people.

Star Ring Company claimed that the game offered the most realistic tactile, auditory, olfactory, and visual experiences.

The game's slogan was: "This is a second world that truly exists."

Thus, when the beta test slots opened for registration, the number of applicants across the continents quickly reached an astonishing 500 million.

The two nurses, out of curiosity, had also signed up, though they held no hope of actually getting a slot.

One nurse checked the color and quantity of the pills, confirming they were correct, before picking up the glass of water and handing it to the patient in bed.

Pale, almost bloodless, slender fingers gripped the glass, while the other hand took the medication. The patient slowly placed one pill in her mouth, raised the glass to swallow it, and then repeated the process.

Jet-black hair cascaded down the woman's back like ink, and her hospital gown bore the name and logo of Anding Hospital.

The nurse watched as the slender neck moved slightly, then shifted her gaze to the girl's face.

Even though she had seen it over a hundred times, she couldn't help but marvel at the girl's beauty—her features so exquisite, as if meticulously crafted by the goddess Nuwa herself.

Only after the girl had swallowed all the medication did the nurse reach out to take the glass, then left the room with her colleague.

Through the crack in the door, their voices could still be heard, tinged with regret.

"Such a beautiful person... how could she be sick?"

Outside the window, a light drizzle fell, washing the newly sprouted green leaves clean. The sight was refreshing to the soul.

"Buzz... buzz..."

The vibration of a phone message snapped Ye Sangsang out of her reverie. She reached out and picked up the phone from the gray cabinet.

Criminal Files Game Official: "Dear player, as a registered beta user, you have been selected for the beta test of the holographic game Criminal Files. Please click on the link in this message to complete your registration. We will send you the necessary holographic gaming equipment within three working days, free of charge."

Criminal Files Game Official: "We apologize for the disturbance. If you wish to decline, please reply directly to this message."

She stared at the text, recalling the conversation the nurses had about the Criminal Files beta slots.

Or perhaps it was a scam.

She didn't remember applying for the beta test.

Ye Sangsang set the phone aside, ignoring the message.

Life in the hospital was inevitably dull. At nine o'clock sharp, the caretaker arrived, carrying Ye Sangsang to the bathroom to help her wash up, then placing her in a wheelchair.

Sitting in the wheelchair, she watched as the silent caretaker tidied the bed, then placed the meal from the hospital cafeteria on the table.

Finally, the caretaker arranged the chamomile flowers by the window, placing them in a vase before leaving.

Ye Sangsang maneuvered her electric wheelchair forward, stopping perfectly in front of the table. She picked up her chopsticks and began eating the bland bun.

After finishing, she moved to the sitting area to watch TV.

The lively noise from the television instantly filled the quiet room, but Ye Sangsang's dark eyes remained calm and indifferent.

She had been here for three months and fifteen days, and she was already familiar with everything.

She didn't change the channel, and after a while, she heard a familiar term.

"Breaking news: The holographic game Criminal Files has begun its beta test, and the slots have been distributed. While the game is thrilling, we urge everyone to approach it rationally... Lastly, we remind the public to be cautious of scams and other related issues..."

This was the fifth time today that Ye Sangsang had seen or heard the words "Criminal Files." A spark of interest flickered in her heart.

When the game officially launches, maybe I'll give this so-called holographic game a try.

Judging by the name, it should be somewhat thrilling.

"Ding ling ling... Ding ling ling..."0

At that moment, the phone by her side rang.

She waited until the news segment ended before picking up the phone and glancing at the caller ID. Recognizing who it was, she set the phone down without answering.

But the caller was persistent. When she didn't answer, they called again.

After a moment's thought, Ye Sangsang answered the call.

"Ye Sangsang, how dare you ignore my calls! Do you believe me if I tell the doctor to intensify your treatment?"

A domineering voice came through the speaker.

As expected, Ye Sangsang remained silent, knowing that the person would eventually get to the point.

Just as she anticipated, the caller, hearing her silence, paused before continuing.

"I checked your ID, and it shows you were selected for the Criminal Files beta test. Let me tell you, this isn't something you deserve. As soon as you receive the beta equipment, hand it over to me immediately. Otherwise, I'll tell Dad that your condition has worsened, and you're trying to escape the hospital to kill me."

The male voice, still in the midst of puberty, was hoarse, and his tone was full of confidence, as if certain that Ye Sangsang would yield to his threats.

Ye Sangsang recalled the text message she had received an hour ago. So, this person had used her identity to register for the beta slot.

The message wasn't a scam after all—she had indeed been selected.0

She opened her mouth and replied, "I declined."0

Her words were concise, perfectly designed to provoke.0

The other end of the line erupted with heavy breathing, followed by a surge of anger. "Ye Sangsang! You bitch! How dare you... That was my slot, not yours! How could you decline!"0

In the background, the sound of objects being thrown could be heard.0

A faint smile tugged at Ye Sangsang's lips as she added, "I didn't know. If you had told me earlier, I might have saved it for you."0

"You did this on purpose! You knew I wanted that slot, and you deliberately declined it as soon as you got it!" The voice trembled with rage.0

Ye Sangsang's eyes flickered, and after a pause, she said softly, "Well, it's too late now. I've already declined."0

With that, she hung up.0

The caller, however, was not ready to give up. They called again and again.0

Ye Sangsang simply muted the phone and, seeing that it was time for her outdoor break, maneuvered her wheelchair outside.0

Along the way, she encountered fellow patients who greeted her warmly. Having lived together for so long, they were all quite familiar with one another.0

Even though Ye Sangsang didn't respond, it didn't stop them from enthusiastically saying hello.0

The rain had stopped, and the air carried a fresh, post-rain scent, mingled with the faint odor of decay.0

Nurses carrying medicine trays saw her and quickly walked around her, neither stopping nor attempting to chat.0

She sat in the stone pavilion in the garden, her gaze drifting over the high walls of Anding Hospital, "looking" toward the unknown world beyond.0

After some time, she maneuvered her wheelchair back inside.0

The caretaker, as silent as ever, had already prepared lunch, placing it on the table like an emotionless robot—though Ye Sangsang had heard her speak before.0

Unbothered, Ye Sangsang obediently ate her meal.0

After the caretaker left, she stared at the silver fork in her hand. The stainless steel reflected the white light of the sitting room, gleaming brightly.0

After three seconds, she calmly set the fork down and maneuvered her wheelchair back to her private room.0

A short while later, the caretaker returned, the clattering of dishes echoing through the room.0

Ye Sangsang looked up at the lush green leaves outside the window, as if she hadn't heard a thing.0

Once the caretaker was gone, she picked up her phone and clicked on the link provided in the Criminal Files message.0

The phone screen transitioned to a dark-themed website adorned with patterns of swords, roses, and scales. A black pop-up box appeared.0

"Dear player, welcome to the Star Ring official website."0

"Detecting that you are a Criminal Files beta tester, please complete facial recognition verification. Follow the on-screen instructions."0

Ye Sangsang followed the prompts, lifting her head, shaking it, and blinking as instructed.0

Once the verification was complete, the top right corner of the website displayed a message: "Ye Sangsang, you have successfully logged in. Welcome to the fully immersive simulation game Criminal Files."0

【We have detected that your address is incomplete. Please fill in your address in the pop-up box, and we will deliver the holographic device to your location free of charge.】0

Above the prompt was a location feature, and she chose to use it.0

After confirming that the address was correct, Ye Sangsang looked at the page in front of her.0

It was an introduction to Star Ring Company, a gaming company. As the homepage automatically scrolled, the description of the holographic game *Criminal Files* appeared.0

As the name suggested, this was a game based on real criminal cases, simulating a world for players to immerse themselves in and experience.0

All the crimes featured in the game were based on real cases.0

There were various types and forms of criminal cases available. Players could choose any of them and dive into a fully immersive role-playing experience.0

For the beta testing phase, to identify bugs and enhance player enjoyment, the game randomly assigned identity cards to players.0

For example: criminal, investigator, or victim.0

There were also character profiles and physical stats panels to help players fully immerse themselves in the experience.0

The accompanying visuals were indistinguishable from reality.0

“This is a truly existing second world.”0

If Star Ring’s slogan matched what was displayed in the holographic device, then the slogan was well-deserved.0

As she looked at the images on the screen, a hint of anticipation appeared on Ye Sangsang’s face.0

Ye Zhe, that annoying person, had finally done something good for once.0

Hai City, as a first-tier city in Zhongzhou Country, boasts incredibly fast delivery services.0

By 3 PM the next afternoon, Ye Sangsang had already received the equipment.0

She had expected a bulky, head-covering helmet-like device to receive brain signals.0

She had even thought about where to hide it temporarily to avoid being discovered by the nurses and caregivers.0

To her surprise, the gaming device was incredibly compact—a sleek black neckband.0

Once fastened around her neck, it fit snugly, its metallic material surprisingly soft. The silver ring-like device at the back of her neck was the key transmission component.0

At first glance, it could easily be mistaken for a piece of jewelry.0

Sitting in her wheelchair, she fiddled with the device for a while before setting it down.0

She then picked up the box that came with the device, which contained a wireless charger, an instruction manual, and a black card adorned with the official logo of a sword, rose, and scale, its edges tinged with a vivid red hue.0

The card bore a line of text.0

After reading it, Ye Sangsang smiled.0

She had guessed right—the game company wasn’t giving these away for free.0

The message on the card was straightforward: beta testers had to agree to have their gameplay livestreamed in full.0

If unwilling, Star Ring would reclaim the device.0

If willing, all she had to do was sign her name on the card.0

Star Ring would receive the information through the card, process it, and send back a confirmation. Once the card’s chip was attached to the device, it would unlock and activate.0

Ye Sangsang didn’t mind the livestream, but she didn’t have a pen. When the nurse came to give her medication, she borrowed one and signed her name.0

The caregiver would naturally return the pen to its place the next time they came by.0

That night, Ye Sangsang successfully logged into the game.0

According to the manual, once inside the game, her external body would appear to be asleep. Unless subjected to intense external stimuli, there would be no noticeable physical reactions.0

Closing her eyes, she was enveloped in darkness.0

Two seconds later, the Star Ring logo appeared before her, and the surroundings brightened. The words "Criminal Files" in black materialized.0

[Welcome, beta tester: Ye Sangsang. Please enter your game ID.]0

[Note: Once entered, it cannot be changed for 90 days.]0

Ye Sangsang looked at the virtual screen in front of her and typed in her name: Ye Sangsang.0

[Player ID: Ye Sangsang]0

[Mental Strength: 8 (10)]0

[Intelligence: 8 (10)]0

[Physical Strength: 3 (10)]0

[Overall Evaluation: It is not recommended for you to confront anyone directly. Killing a chicken would be a challenging task for you.]0

Ye Sangsang stared silently. This holographic game even tested these attributes?0

Next came 99 game guidelines, including how to exit in an emergency, warnings about potential dangers in the game environment, and more.0

After clicking "Confirm," a white space appeared with a selection of game scenarios.0

Below the options was a game explanation. Ye Sangsang skimmed through it.0

The rules were simple: once a scenario was chosen, players would draw an identity card.0

Based on the identity drawn, players had to role-play and complete the corresponding storyline.0

If drawn as an investigator, the player had to solve a case within a set timeframe.0

If drawn as a criminal, the goal was to commit a crime, ideally replicating it perfectly.0

Victims had it relatively "easier." Their scenarios were somewhat like survival games, with three possible outcomes: being harmed, killed, or escaping alive.0

After completion, players would receive different ratings based on their performance, which would determine the game rewards.0

These rewards included but were not limited to: hints about the culprit, skipping parts of the storyline, saving progress, increasing in-game stamina, and obtaining additional clues.0

In the official version, players could choose their identities, but during the beta test, identities were randomly assigned by the system.0

Ye Sangsang figured this was likely to maintain unpredictability and keep the livestream audience engaged.0

[Ding, player, your livestream is now active. Please prepare accordingly.]0

[The livestream will be hosted on Star Ring’s platform, Star Ring Live. A livestream account has been created and approved for you. You can log in to view it after exiting the game.]0

Ye Sangsang was momentarily stunned, then noticed a small screen appear in the upper right corner of her vision, with a flood of comments scrolling below.0

[Wow! Instant beauty overload!]0

[Did Star Ring pick a celebrity for the beta test? I don’t recognize her. But she looks... fragile.]0

[This beauty looks like a total noob at games, especially a deduction game like this. It takes brains to outsmart others. Is she up for it? I bet she’ll freak out at the first sign of trouble.]0

The black text of the comments had no borders but was confined to a specific area. Ye Sangsang had to tilt her head slightly to read them.0

Noticing the double arrows for collapsing and expanding the comments, she tapped to fold them away.0

The livestream screen, however, couldn’t be minimized—it was the live view.0

Ye Sangsang began selecting a scenario from "Criminal Files."0

Based on the promotional videos and the official website description, these scenarios were inspired by real-life cases. The game’s details were meticulously crafted, with actual case files referenced and enhanced by super-intelligent simulations.0

The level of realism was astonishing, with the ability to connect to real-world data for further development and completion.0

After browsing for a while, Ye Sangsang found them all somewhat similar and randomly selected one, clicking "Start Game."0

A strange sense of weightlessness washed over her.0

The first sense to return was her hearing—the sound of rain pattering against the ground and windows.0

Opening her eyes, she saw streaks of light and heard the sound of tires splashing through puddles.0

In front of her was a steering wheel, and the streetlights cast a hazy glow through the rainy night.0

"Knock, knock, knock."0

Just as her mind began to clear, the sound of someone tapping on her car window reached her ears.0

She turned her head to look.0

A face was pressed against the window—a middle-aged man with a stubbly chin, dark skin, and an honest demeanor.0

Through the window, Ye Sangsang tried to decipher the man’s lip movements.0

She guessed he was saying, "Hey, driver, are you available?"0

She glanced at the right front of the car and the passenger seat. The right front displayed a taxi sign, and the passenger seat had the driver’s information.0

In an instant, Ye Sangsang realized she was now playing the role of a taxi driver.0

[Player, you have entered the game. Please follow the rules and begin the "Rainy Night Taxi" scenario.]0

[Your identity card has been drawn.]0

[Criminal]0

The word "Criminal" floated in the air for two seconds before dissipating like smoke.0

If not for the disappearing text and the game notification, Ye Sangsang might have thought she had traveled to another world.0

Instinctively, she pressed the button to unlock the doors. The sound of the doors unlocking prompted viewers familiar with the scenario to erupt in excitement.0

[Oh no, the infamous "Rainy Night Taxi" scenario!]0

[This poor girl is in for a rough ride. The people in this scenario are brutal.]0

[Playing as the criminal? The victim might just turn the tables and kill her instead.]0

This case was infamous, having shocked Jiang City years ago.0

Not only was the criminal exceptionally vicious, but the victim was no saint either.0

The taxi driver, about to end his shift on a rainy night, had picked up the victim, Wang Shun.0

Wang Shun was a notorious bandit who would even consider killing a stray dog for a meal. That night, he had set out to rob a taxi driver.0

In the early 2000s, surveillance was sparse, and taxi drivers often carried cash. The cars themselves were valuable, making them prime targets. Wang Shun had been prowling Jiang City, targeting drivers late at night, robbing them of their money and vehicles, and often killing them.0

This time, he had chosen Ye Sangsang’s taxi.0

A weakling with a physical strength of 3, pitted against a seasoned bandit, seemed like a lamb to the slaughter. No matter how clever she was, the audience doubted she stood a chance.0

Now that Ye Sangsang had unlocked the doors, allowing him inside, she was about to face her first life-or-death challenge.0

[I give her ten minutes before she’s slit throat.]0

[Such a pretty girl—she’ll probably quit the game in terror. Hehe.]0

[If she can’t handle it, I’d be willing to buy her beta slot at a high price. Women just aren’t cut out for this kind of game.]0

As the bandit opened the rear door, removed his black raincoat, and settled into the back seat, the comments section exploded with mockery.0

Ye Sangsang had already collapsed the comments, so she couldn’t see them. Even if she could, she wouldn’t have cared.0

She placed her hands on the steering wheel, but her eyes scanned the case details provided by the system.0

The case overview was vague, offering only a brief biography of the taxi driver, along with the approximate time, location, and method of how the taxi driver had killed the habitual criminal, Wang Shun, in self-defense.0

At the end were some photos taken by the coroner after Wang Shun's death, as well as the tools used in the killing.0

After reading through it, Ye Sangsang tilted her head slightly and glanced at the person in the back seat. "Hello, where to?"0

"Tianjia Dam," Wang Shun replied gruffly, pulling his jacket tighter to conceal the small knife he had tucked away.0

Ye Sangsang hummed in acknowledgment and started the car.0

She knew how to drive.0

Even if she didn’t, the game would make sure she did.0

She felt exhilarated, as it had been a long time since she’d experienced such freedom of movement.0

Even though the smell of rainwater that had come in when she opened the door, combined with the lingering leather scent in the taxi, was unpleasant, she didn’t feel uncomfortable.0

The holographic game truly lived up to its reputation of being ultra-intelligent. Whenever Ye Sangsang wasn’t familiar with the route, it would whisper directions into her ear.0

People walked slowly along the roadside under umbrellas, and the streets were illuminated by the glow of streetlights and neon signs.0

It felt incredibly real, just like the actual world.0

Exactly as the official advertisements had promised.0

However, she hadn’t forgotten that a habitual criminal was sitting behind her.0

If she wasn’t careful, she could end up dead at the hands of this criminal.0

She hadn’t yet experienced the taste of death, and out of curiosity, Ye Sangsang turned her head to look at Wang Shun and asked, "It’s late, and it’s pouring rain. Do you live in Tianjia Dam?" She reached out, feeling around her body and then the storage compartment below the car door. "I’m out of cigarettes, otherwise I could’ve had a smoke."0

Based on her observation of her body, she was currently inhabiting a male form—about 175 centimeters tall, lean but fairly strong.0

Of course, this was just the appearance. In reality, the game had incorporated her actual physical stamina.

Probably to increase the difficulty for players.

Otherwise, knowing the plot and having ample stamina would make the game too easy, reducing its playability.

Inside the taxi, after Ye Sangsang spoke, Wang Shun took out a cigarette and extended his hand, tapping her right shoulder with it. "Here, have one."

Without hesitation, Ye Sangsang took the cigarette while still driving, tilting her head slightly to light it from the lighter Wang Shun held out.

Her gaze shifted downward, and she calmly turned her head to take a drag.

"Thanks, brother," Ye Sangsang said.

[Ugh, Ye Sangsang is actually making small talk with him.]

[Maybe she thinks she can charm her way out of this, hahaha…]

[LOL, I bet she’s secretly trembling with fear inside.]0l

The comments section was filled with laughter, eagerly waiting to see Ye Sangsang break down in tears.

Only about 1,500 people in the country had been lucky enough to win the beta test slots.

To the viewers, someone as delicate and beautiful as Ye Sangsang should’ve immediately begged for mercy, quit the game, and handed over her slot to someone else.

The only reason they were still watching her was because of her striking beauty.

The car continued toward Tianjia Dam, and the rain grew heavier, as if a hole had been torn open in the sky.

No one spoke, and the atmosphere inside the car grew tense.

As Ye Sangsang took the last drag of her cigarette, her hand had already reached for the hammer the driver had prepared earlier.

Ye Sangsang rolled down the car window halfway and flicked the cigarette butt out of her hand.0

Feeling the icy chill of the rain splashing in, she sighed, "It's been years since it rained this hard, hasn't it?"0

Wang Shun glanced at the driver, his voice steady, "Yeah, it's been a long time since we've had such a heavy downpour."0

Outside the window, the streetlights grew sparse, and the traffic thinned out.0

In 2004, Jiang City still had many underdeveloped areas.0

The city's road infrastructure was far from what it would become decades later. As Ye Sangsang watched the water pooling on the road, her mind wandered elsewhere.0

"Driver, you look a bit familiar to me…" Wang Shun paused before speaking.0

Ye Sangsang's eyes flickered, but she didn't respond to the remark.0

They were about ten minutes away from Tianjia Dam when Wang Shun started making small talk, offering Ye Sangsang another cigarette.0

Ye Sangsang chuckled, grasping at straws to keep the conversation going. "Maybe you’ve ridden in my cab before, so I seem familiar? If you're from Tianjia Dam, I know a couple of drivers there. We hang out sometimes."0

Wang Shun let out an "Oh," his lips curling into a sly smile.0

He enjoyed chatting with his prey before the kill, and he began sharing bits of his own story.0

Wang Shun did live in Tianjia Dam, but he had moved there later.0

Before that, he had lived in Lin City but had to leave after some trouble.0

Ye Sangsang feigned surprise, mentioning that she was also from Lin City and asking which part Wang Shun was from.0

The two continued trading stories back and forth.0

[Honestly, Ye Sangsang is really not cut out for this. She hasn’t even thought about how to fight back yet?]0

[They’re almost at Tianjia Dam. She should save her breath and gather her courage!]0

[All this pointless chatter is really boring.]0

The barrage of comments in the live stream began anew, with some viewers finding the conversation and driving scenes dull and exiting the stream.0

Meanwhile, the conversation continued.0

"You’re from Lin City too? What a coincidence," Wang Shun said, his curiosity piqued but his guard still low.0

After all, Ye Sangsang was just a driver he had flagged down on the street.0

An ordinary cabbie posed no threat to him. He was strong and experienced; there was no way she could escape.0

He was happy to chat, rambling about this and that.0

The topic gradually shifted toward death, and Ye Sangsang spoke boldly about scenes of violence she had witnessed. In the early 2000s, after a crackdown on crime, new gangs had begun to emerge, and such stories were all too common.0

Wang Shun followed her lead, recounting a few cases he claimed to have heard about in passing.0

Casual conversation was the easiest way to relax someone, and Wang Shun even began sharing details.0

Ye Sangsang listened quietly, her mind recalling the details about the driver.0

The driver was thirty-four years old, his face weathered with a touch of hardship. His name was Sun Bin.0

The rest of the information was about the methods he used to kill, the tools, the location, and the possible struggles during the act.0

To complete the mission perfectly, she needed to replicate the murder method and ensure that, just like in reality, no one would know it was her and the police wouldn’t find her.0

In the photo, Sun Bin had killed Wang Shun with a hammer.0

After knocking him out, he had smashed his head to a pulp, leaving it unrecognizable. He then cleaned up the scene, dumped the body in a desolate greenbelt in Tianjia Dam, and drove away.0

Achieving that level of precision would be a challenge for her.0

As Ye Sangsang thought about the photo she had just seen, she glanced at the seemingly ordinary man through the rearview mirror, while also keeping an eye on their location through the window.0

Multitasking, she tilted her head slightly and replied, "You’ve seen a lot, brother. I only know bits and pieces about those cases. You must be someone who’s done big things to know so much."0

"The kind of work I do, you couldn’t handle," Wang Shun said with a mix of disdain and intrigue.0

Ye Sangsang kept driving, her tone casual. "I’m tough and fearless. How about you take me under your wing, brother? I’ll follow your lead."0

"I’ve killed people!"0

Those five words instantly changed the atmosphere in the cab.0

Wang Shun’s hand slowly moved toward the inside of his jacket, his cold, dangerous gaze fixed on Ye Sangsang, ready to slit her throat at any moment.0

Sensing the shift, Ye Sangsang quickly said, "I know you’re not an ordinary man, brother. I just want to make a living with you."0

Her tone was sincere, as if she genuinely wanted to join Wang Shun’s ranks.0

"Aren’t you afraid I’ll kill you?" Wang Shun’s voice was icy.0

Ye Sangsang hurriedly pledged her loyalty. "I admire you, brother. And look, I don’t have any money. I really want to do big things with you!"0

[??? Joining the gang?]0

[Is she planning to turn the tables? But what’s the point of joining? It’s not easy to get a good ending that way.]0

[Maybe she’s just trying to save her skin. I’ve always said people like her are cowards.]0

The comments section was ablaze with discussion.0

Wang Shun, however, realized that the person in front of him truly knew he was no good and wanted to "do big things" with him.0

Things were slipping out of his control, but after months of working alone, he did want a partner.0

This person even had a car, which would make certain tasks easier.0

His eyes darted back and forth as he weighed the decision.0

"I’ve killed someone too. A little girl, so pretty. When I killed her, she grabbed my pants and begged… The police are still looking for me. That’s why I had to come to Jiang City to make a living." Ye Sangsang’s voice took on a nostalgic tone, her eyes brimming with a twisted longing, her body trembling slightly with excitement.0

Her expression carried a dark smile that sent shivers down anyone’s spine.0

In an instant, she had transformed into the image of a deranged criminal.0

[Ahhhh! I’m so scared! Ye Sangsang suddenly stared at the screen and spoke, and I wasn’t prepared for it!]0

[Damn, is this for real? It sounds so convincing!]0

[That expression is terrifying. Even Wang Shun looks spooked…]0

The tone of the comments shifted instantly, filled with fear and speculation.0

Ye Sangsang hit the brakes and turned sharply to face Wang Shun, her intense expression unchanged.0

Wang Shun instinctively leaned back, swallowing hard as he stared at Ye Sangsang. "...Alright… I guess…"0

"Really?" Ye Sangsang’s eyes lit up with excitement and admiration for Wang Shun.0

Wang Shun nodded.0

He now fully believed that the person in front of him was just like him.0

Perhaps even more twisted.0

Rather than killing her, teaming up seemed like the better option.0

Having received his answer, Ye Sangsang bent down as if searching for something.0

Wang Shun tensed, wary of any sudden moves.0

A moment later, Ye Sangsang pulled out some small bills. "Let’s go grab a drink! It’s just too late to find a place now, or I’d swear brotherhood with you right here."0

Wang Shun didn’t trust her entirely and shook his head, pointing to a red-brick house barely visible through the rain. "Pull over there. Stay the night at my place, and I’ll agree to take you under my wing."0

His home was his territory, and it would be a good way to test her courage.0

As for her joining him, he believed her now.0

Because of that look in her eyes.0

It was the same as his—ruthless and cruel. No ordinary person could fake that.0

Ye Sangsang eagerly nodded, stepping on the gas and heading toward the red-brick house.0

On a rainy night like this, the roads were deserted, especially in this remote area.0

When they reached the house, Wang Shun grabbed a raincoat and got out of the car.0

Ye Sangsang didn’t have a raincoat. As she opened the door, she discreetly slipped a hammer into the large left pocket of her pants, the wooden handle hidden by her hand. With her other hand, she tucked something else into her right pocket.0

After that, she began to slowly remove her jacket as she walked, tying the sleeves into a loose knot and soaking it thoroughly in the rain.0

[Oh my god, she’s really going to do it.]0

[I’m waiting to see her get killed instead.]0

[So arrogant, trying to ambush a seasoned criminal. You’ve got to admire her guts.]0

The viewers of the *Criminal Files* game live stream were a mix of the curious and the bold.0

They had seen Ye Sangsang’s physical limitations—even killing a chicken took effort for her.0

Pulling off an ambush would be nearly impossible.0

Unless, like Wang Shun, she was a seasoned criminal…0

But that couldn’t be possible.0

The audience continued to argue, but Ye Sangsang had already closed the car door and was walking toward Wang Shun.0

He was trying to open the door, but in the dim light, the rusty old padlock was difficult to locate.0

He tried three times but still couldn’t find the keyhole. He shifted his body and bent down, hoping to use the car’s headlights to illuminate the lock and open the door.0

Ye Sangsang stepped closer to Wang Shun, who was still bent over.0

The distance between them kept shrinking until it was only half a meter apart.0

This was a dangerous distance. As a seasoned criminal, Wang Shun’s instincts immediately kicked in.0

He quickly stood up, pulling a knife from his coat.0

His gaze fell on Ye Sangsang’s hand, which was clutching something. If there was even the slightest hint of trouble, he was ready to strike—white blade in, red blade out.0

【Ahhh, she’s been discovered! She’s going to get killed!】0

【As expected, her little trick was noticed by Wang Shun.】0

【This is the first time I’ve seen a beauty get killed. I wonder if there’ll be more chances later.】0

The comments were buzzing with excitement, and some timid viewers even covered their eyes.0

In the next moment, Ye Sangsang pretended to be startled and took two steps back. She quickly raised her right hand, which was holding a flashlight, and said, “Brother, wait! I’ve got a flashlight. I’m just holding a flashlight!”0

The silver, old-fashioned flashlight appeared in Ye Sangsang’s palm.0

She casually turned it on, shining a beam of light onto the padlock.0

The coat she had taken off earlier was now draped over her head, shielding her from the rain.0

Everything seemed perfectly natural.0

“Alright…” Wang Shun stared at Ye Sangsang, whose expression remained calm.0

After confirming she posed no threat, he put the knife away and began unlocking the padlock with one hand while holding the key in the other, using the light from Ye Sangsang’s flashlight.0

“Click.”0

The sound of the padlock opening echoed.0

For a brief moment, Wang Shun felt a sense of relief.0

But in that very moment, the heavy, rain-soaked coat was thrown over Wang Shun’s head, and the sleeves’ toggles were yanked tight, trapping him.0

Before Wang Shun could react, he stumbled back two steps, instinctively reaching to pull off the wet coat.0

By the time he realized he should have drawn his knife first, a small hammer, hard as a rock, struck him squarely on the temple.0

His brain shook violently, and a loud ringing filled his head.0

Overwhelmed by dizziness, Wang Shun struggled to stay on his feet.0