“First query. In entrance of you is a person who’s affected by a illness. There isn’t any drugs to treatment him, so his solely possibility is to attend for his dying whereas in ache. If you happen to had a gun in your hand, would you…

“A: Attempt to talk with him so he regains the need to dwell on,

“B: Name the police and let somebody deal with this matter,

“C: Finish his ache with the gun and your self in, or

“D: Finish his ache and canopy up the crime?”

Clearly, it was simply an extraordinary psychological check. What adopted subsequent can be a collection of comparable questions, with every possibility equivalent to a rating. The scores would then be added or subtracted to roughly measure an individual’s psychological situation.

Nevertheless, this sort of check was too basic and inaccurate. There was no manner it might be used as a psychological evaluation for a mentally ailing particular person…

‘In different phrases, this isn’t a check to resolve whether or not I get to depart this hospital or not,’ thought Chen Xiao.

When he reached that conclusion, he was nonetheless serious about the query raised by Ms. Liu. It was as if he may take into consideration many issues on the similar time with out them interfering with one another.

First, he naturally knew what the 4 choices represented. Placing apart the choices, what would his actual self do? Would he kill the person, attempt to save him, or name the police? Possibly he would take a look at the person in ache. Possibly he would whisper within the man’s ear about how terrible this illness was and see how lengthy it took to drive him loopy. Possibly…

A myriad of prospects appeared in Chen Xiao’s head directly, however what stunned him was that he didn’t know what he would do.

It was a really unusual feeling. Each particular person ought to have a unconscious projection of themselves, corresponding to realizing they’re afraid of spiders, that they might be damage if scalded by boiling water, or that their wives can be indignant in the event that they discovered about an affair. It was an instinctive form of consciousness.

Nevertheless, Chen Xiao didn’t appear to have this means. The numerous prospects had been like a big spinning wheel. He couldn’t know what he would do till the wheel got here to a cease.

This very unusual feeling made Chen Xiao really feel… fascinated! He even felt like laughing about it.

After all, he would not likely snigger out loud. This lack of self-control might be categorised as insanity, however not stupidity. Chen Xiao knew his scenario very properly.

It took him lower than a tenth of a second to consider all of the above questions, then he took nine-tenths of a second to look on the window on the correct aspect of the room. He sniffed the air, blinked, and stated in a agency and articulate tone, “B!”

Ms. Liu drew a couple of strokes on the file and went on to ask the following query.

…

The next questions had been just about the identical, asking about compassion, values, respect for human life, and so forth. Moreover, most of them had been quite simple, so anybody would know which possibility to decide on as quickly as they heard them. It was really easy that Chen Xiao started to really feel a bit bored.

Thus, his thoughts began to wander once more. He answered the questions whereas wanting across the room.

‘Hm… The partitions had been painted not way back, and the decor isn’t unhealthy. There’s a water dispenser and air-con. Though there are numerous books on the bookshelves, they’re clearly not wanted for workplace work, so she most likely doesn’t have a lot work to take care of. Even when there’s work, it wouldn’t be concerning the sufferers. Though the chair isn’t giant, it’s clearly snug sufficient that an individual wouldn’t really feel uncomfortable in the event that they had been to go to sleep in it. A hospital wouldn’t give an extraordinary physician a room like this. In different phrases, there’s a excessive likelihood that this girl is a senior determine on this hospital, which may additionally clarify why she doesn’t put on a badge. Nevertheless, from her conduct and demeanor, she additionally looks as if an individual who has been operating on the entrance line of labor for a very long time.’

Simply then, Chen Xiao’s eyes had been attracted by some trinkets on the highest of the bookshelf. There have been pens, some books, and a really thick insulated cup. The cup was clear and didn’t have a deal with, and he may see that it was half-filled with tea.

Chen Xiao turned his consideration to the workplace desk and swiftly got here to a conclusion.

This workplace didn’t belong to Ms. Liu. She solely quickly borrowed it. How Chen Xiao figured it out was like this: He couldn’t discover an ashtray, and he may guess that the proprietor of that enormous cup was almost certainly a person. Moreover, that particular person was very respectful or scared of Ms. Liu, and the desk was cleaned up so not simply out of courtesy. Though Chen Xiao was not utterly positive, the reasoning may kind of clarify a number of the doubts he had earlier than.

Then, one other query emerged. Was Ms. Liu actually from this hospital? In any other case, why would she must borrow an workplace, not to mention conduct this straightforward and meaningless psychological check? Was she a workers member of one other unit or group? Even when she was, she should be a junior workers member. In any other case, she wouldn’t be despatched to this sort of place in the course of the evening.

Oh, sure, Chen Xiao knew that it was nighttime. In spite of everything, he glanced out the window earlier the second between when Ms. Liu completed asking the primary query and he gave his reply. He noticed that there was no gentle exterior the window. The room was not chilly both. Though he couldn’t inform what season it was by way of temperature, he may make sure that there was no synthetic heating. There was no frost on the window, so it was not late autumn or winter. After all, that didn’t exclude the chance that he was in a tropical space. He was not sleepy in any respect, so possibly he was an evening owl. The most important risk was that it was not too late now. Assuming it was spring, it was almost certainly 8 pm-12 am at present. It was quiet exterior the window with out the sound of any automobiles, water, or wind, so this should be a distant place.

These insignificant particulars had been meant to be brushed apart, however they had been unintentionally written out… It was most undoubtedly to not pad out the phrase rely.

‘Again to the subject, what sort of junior workers would make a senior chief of such a big psychological hospital like this be this respectful of her? Moreover, she stated she’ll discharge me, a mentally ailing one who’s most likely thought of very harmful. What if I depart and endanger society? It’s unlikely that a spot with such nice authority exists.’

As Chen Xiao contemplated, Ms. Liu’s check appeared to be nearing its finish.

“Final query. Um… Do you will have anti-social conduct? Sure or no.”

Chen Xiao frowned. In comparison with the earlier questions, this one was a bit too irresponsible. He checked out Ms. Liu’s expression once more, which was permeated with a faint trace of impatience… Simply then, Chen Xiao had one other guess and instantly confirmed it.

“Mm…” He grunted along with his nostril, utilizing a really, very deliberate pronunciation. The sound was so quick and quiet that others couldn’t hear it clearly, however they might guess that it sounded a bit like ‘mm-hmm’. If this sound was used to reply the query, it might imply ‘sure’. Nevertheless, because it was too obscure, most individuals would have doubts and attempt to verify the reply once more. When that occurred, Chen Xiao may change his reply to ‘no.’

So why did Chen Xiao do that? It was as a result of he needed to see Ms. Liu’s response.

Certain sufficient, she didn’t verify Chen Xiao’s reply. As a substitute, she took a protracted breath like she lastly completed a boring scene. After that, she regarded way more relaxed as she drew a stroke on the file.

At that second, Chen Xiao confirmed that the check was really irrelevant.

‘In different phrases, the primary occasion is what comes after,’ he thought.

Simply as he thought, Ms. Liu rotated, threw the folder onto the desk casually, and picked up a guide that resembled a contract. Then, she grabbed one thing else and returned to Chen Xiao once more.

“Congratulations, you’ve handed the psychological evaluation. It’s best to really feel honored. You now have an opportunity to work with us.” She spoke barely sooner now. This should be a speech she gave usually.

“Our firm is engaged on some new varieties of merchandise. You don’t must know what they’re for now. All you have to know is that you just’ve been chosen as a volunteer to check a few of their properties. There may be hazard through the exams, however it is best to know that even ingesting water carries the danger of choking to dying. In brief, after you’ve accomplished all these efficiency exams, you may be launched. All of your previous crimes, harmful information, knowledge about your sickness, and all issues which have opposed results on you may be erased. You’ll be able to return to society to start out a brand new life,” Ms. Liu continued methodically. Then, she raised the guide in her hand and flipped to the final web page.

“All it’s important to do is press your fingerprint right here!” She stated, “You might have twenty seconds to consider it. Do you wish to struggle for an opportunity at freedom or return to that ward for the remainder of your life? Oh, ten seconds left, 9, eight…”

It was a quite simple dialog method. Put two very completely different choices in entrance of an individual, then use time to induce them to rapidly make a selection. Nearly everybody would hurriedly select the choice that regarded higher and don’t have any time to consider what was hidden behind it.

Nevertheless, Chen Xiao was completely different. He knew very properly what each choices meant. This contract was an enormous entice. Folks would remorse the choice they made after they discover out the reality.

Thus, he used barely a second to suppose after which stated, “I’ll do it!”

Uh… Sure, he agreed.

That was as a result of the opposite possibility was unacceptable to him. Chen Xiao couldn’t stand to be tossed again into the ward similar to that. It doesn’t matter what horrible issues he would face after signing this contract might be, no less than that will be extra fascinating.

‘Attention-grabbing!’ …Chen Xiao all of a sudden considered that phrase. He felt as if he discovered one thing so vital that he needed to pursue it in any respect prices.

‘Life must be fascinating!’ he thought. He subconsciously stretched the corners of his mouth, eager to snigger.

“Ugh! That’s actually…” Ms. Liu mumbled a sentence in entrance of him. Chen Xiao knew that the second half of her sentence was the phrase ‘disgusting’.

‘I’m simply smiling. Is it actually that disgusting?’

Simply then, Ms. Liu frowned and introduced an inkpad subsequent to Chen Xiao’s proper hand. Then, she stated, “Press it.”

Chen Xiao’s wrist was tied very firmly, so it took loads of effort for him to the touch the ink pad. It was sticky and uncomfortable.

Ms. Liu instantly handed the doc over.

“Do it,” she stated merely.

Chen Xiao as soon as once more tried his greatest and pressed his thumbprint onto the contract with nice effort.

Ms. Liu picked up the contract, checked out it, and nodded barely. She rotated and gathered the paperwork on the desk in her arms once more.

Then, she pushed open the door and left.

Chen Xiao heard her communicate to the workers who was pushing the flatbed earlier, who was nonetheless standing on the door, “Somebody will come to select him up tomorrow.”

“Sure, Ms. Liu!” The person responded.

Then, the sound of excessive heels acquired additional and additional away…