S.C.I Mystery Series Volume 5 Chapter 152

Screen Murderer 48 – Escape from New World

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Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang thanked Liang Xiaoyu. After she left, Zhan Zhao pulled Bai Yutang aside and whispered a few words.

Bai Yutang looked at Zhan Zhao, "Are you sure?"

"Whether it works or not will be verified right away!" Zhan Zhao took out his phone and started texting.

Shortly after, a message came back.

Zhan Zhao showed the message to Bai Yutang.

They exchanged glances and then hurried to find Jiang Ping.

Jiang Ping had received a video, and upon opening it, he was stunned, immediately looking up at Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang.

The two of them smiled at each other, and Jiang Ping, also excited, asked, "Can we arrest them now?"

"Of course we will arrest them, but we need to play along with the act." Zhan Zhao said, winking at Bai Yutang.

Bai Yutang took out his phone and called the twins.

......

By evening, the film festival officially opened, and celebrities were walking the red carpet.

The twins stood on the second floor, watching the lively scene below while also checking the roof for any suspicious activity.

As they were enjoying the view, Xiao Ding's phone rang – It was Zhan Zhao.

Xiao Ding answered, while Da Ding continued to observe through the binoculars.

"Don't worry, everything is set!" Xiao Ding chatted with Zhan Zhao.

Da Ding seemed to spot something through the binoculars and gestured to Xiao Ding.

"Uh-huh, just as expected," Xiao Ding said, glancing down, and relayed to Zhan Zhao, "It's just as you predicted."

After hanging up, Da Ding continued to keep watch on the roof, while Xiao Ding headed downstairs.

......

In the SCI office, Jiang Ping was packing up and Luo Tian was helping carry equipment downstairs to load into the car.

As they were busy, the elevator doors opened, and Bai Ye escorted Anna out.

They had just arrived at the office when the elevator doors opened again, revealing a dressed-up Jiang Nan with her manager and assistant.

Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang quickly went out to greet them.

It was clear that Jiang Nan had coordinated with Zhan Zhao beforehand. She walked over to sit with Anna, offering some comforting words, seemingly to reassure her not to be nervous.

Anna nodded.

The entire SCI team was ready and set out collectively.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere at the film festival was becoming increasingly lively.

The appearance of Wang Meiyun caused quite a stir, and then Chen Jiayi also showed up.

The reporters asked Jiayi if she was getting married.

Jiayi smiled and raised her hand to show off her diamond ring, saying she was indeed getting married and the date was set, but she couldn’t miss today’s excitement.

Curious, reporters asked Jiayi what exciting content was planned for today and if she could give them a hint.

Jiayi put her finger to her lips and said mysteriously, "It’s a surprise, a surprise~"

The star-studded red carpet was glittering, with stars passing by one after another, and the sky soon darkened.

However, two important guests had yet to arrive, Jiang Nan hadn’t arrived yet and, most crucially, neither had Anna... If Anna didn't show up, Wang Meiyun would dominate the event. Moreover, they both said they would represent the Dong Group, Anna's absence would be a significant disadvantage in the battle for the Dong Group, making her fall behind Wang Meiyun.

As the crowd grew impatient, a commotion arose outside the venue. Bai Jintang’s car arrived.

The car stopped in front of the red carpet, and Bai Jintang got out, personally opening the door.

From the car, Jiang Nan emerged.

Flashbulbs went off in a frenzy, the reporters acknowledging Jiang Nan's significant status, given that the boss himself was escorting her.

But Jiang Nan didn't walk forward. Instead, she and Bai Jintang each extended a hand into the car, seeming to help someone else out.

The reporters were puzzled – Who could this important person be?

Amidst the commotion, Bai Jintang and Jiang Nan helped Anna out of the car.

Bai Jintang gestured for the two ladies to proceed.

Jiang Nan, holding Anna's hand, led her onto the red carpet, standing before the reporters' cameras.

The flashbulbs went off like machine guns, lighting up non-stop. Jiang Nan gently held Anna's arm, displaying a protective stance.

The rivalry between Wang Meiyun and Anna had dominated the headlines, but prominent figures largely avoided taking sides. Many did not want to get involved in the conflict, while others believed Wang Meiyun had a better chance of winning and didn't want to offend her.

Coupled with the fact that Wang Meiyun had appeared at the Bai Group before, there were rumours that Wang Meiyun was trying to use the Dong Group's shares to cooperate with the Bai Group in order to win Bai Jintang's support.

Bai Jintang, known for his unpredictable ways, made it clear this time where Bai Group’s support lay, firmly with Anna.

The reporters were thrilled, bombarding them with questions.

The twins stepped in to maintain order, announcing that there was time for only one question before the award ceremony.

A reporter asked Jiang Nan why she supported Anna.

Jiang Nan casually replied, "For justice."

The reporters collectively gasped – If Anna represented justice, did that mean Wang Meiyun was the villain? Jiang Nan's statement seemed to make it official.

After a flurry of camera flashes, Jiang Nan led Anna off the red carpet and into the main venue.

Meanwhile, while everyone's attention was focused on the event, the SCI operations vehicle quietly entered the venue.

Inside the vehicle, Bai Yutang and Zhan Zhao watched the surveillance monitors.

Jiang Ping had connected the vehicle’s screens to the venue’s surveillance system.

The screens displayed the interior of the venue.

Inside, the Bai Group’s people were mostly seated together. Jiang Nan and Jiayi flanked Anna, chatting with her. Jiayi was looking at Anna's phone charm.

The charm on Anna’s phone was the guardian angel. Someone had modified it, removing the base and adding a ring to turn it into a keychain.

Behind Anna, Bai Jintang and Bai Ye sat side by side.

Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang both touched their chins, curious about what those two might be discussing.

Putting aside their curiosity, they continued watching the surveillance feed.

Bai Chi had already spotted Wang Meiyun and pointed her out.

Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang, however, were focused on the person behind Wang Meiyun – Qian Yu!

Indeed, the long-absent Qian Yu had reappeared, accompanying Wang Meiyun. She had many staff members with her, making it easy to overlook someone among the Dong Group executives, but Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang had been waiting for him.

Bai Yutang nodded to Zhan Zhao, "Cat, it's a hit!"

Zhan Zhao smiled and signalled to Jiang Ping, "Let the show begin!"

According to the film festival's schedule, the highlight of the evening was the awards ceremony, followed by screenings and a series of activities.

The awards ceremony was packed with content, but what everyone was most eager to see was the confrontation between Anna and Wang Meiyun.

Tonight’s host was Xu Lie, with various singers and guests set to perform.

The curtains opened, and the dapper Xu Lie took the stage.

Zhan Zhao sipped from a bottle of mineral water, watching Xu Lie host.

Xu Lie began with a series of humorous jabs, making the audience laugh continuously.

Bai Yutang felt that Xu Lie had a natural air of silliness, somewhat reminiscent of Hu Zi in certain aspects.

"Achoo..."

Zhao Hu, who was on surveillance duty inside the venue, suddenly sneezed.

Ma Han noticed and turned on his walkie-talkie to inform Bai Yutang, "Everyone's in position."

Bai Yutang instructed Ma Han and Zhao Hu to close the doors.

Ma Han and Zhao Hu quietly entered the venue, closed the doors, and sat near Qian Yu.

......

Bai Jintang, sitting with Bai Ye, felt the eyes of others on them. Feeling uneasy, Bai Jintang wanted to look around, but Bai Ye calmly said, "Stay calm."

Bai Jintang glanced at Bai Ye.

Bai Ye smiled slightly.

Bai Jintang could only continue watching the program.

In the surveillance van, Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang were ready to get out but paused at this scene.

"Uncle Ye smiled!"

"He seems gentler with Brother than with us."

They exchanged a glance – feeling a bit jealous!

......

On stage, after a series of jokes, Xu Lie suddenly shifted the topic to mock the inheritance dispute between Wang Meiyun and Anna.

The reporters below were excited, sensing a wealth of material for tomorrow’s headlines... Did Bai Jintang have a falling out with Wang Meiyun or something? Jiang Nan and Xu Lie both came to tear down Wang Meiyun and stand with Anna.

Xu Lie concluded with, "Let's watch a clip."

Behind him, a giant screen began to play a video.

Everyone expected a movie trailer or something similar, but instead, Dong Yuan's face appeared on the screen.

Wang Meiyun was slightly taken aback and turned around to see Qian Yu frowning, flanked by Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang.

There was a stir in the crowd, with many sensing something significant was about to unfold.

Dong Yuan seemed to adjust the camera and, once satisfied with its position, sat down. In his hand was the guardian angel figurine, the very same guardian angel pendant that Anna was holding in her hand.

Anna was also surprised, but Jiang Nan gently patted her, signalling her to continue watching.

Holding the guardian angel figurine, Dong Yuan sighed and began, "My dearest Anna. If you're watching this video, then I might... more accurately, I shouldn't be around anymore."

The crowd fell silent, torn between gossip and the gravity of the situation. Just the phrase "my dearest Anna" already signalled Wang Meiyun's defeat.

After that, Dong Yuan's words were more exciting than a movie.

He first explained the operation of the New World game. He detailed how participants manipulated the lives of those under surveillance, ruthlessly exploiting them for profit. The audience was shocked, they couldn't believe such an organisation existed.

As the majority of the audience were reporters, many began live-streaming this already hotly debated topic, and it once again became the centre of attention.

After Dong Yuan introduced the New World game, he told Anna about his efforts to end it and rescue her. He had collected evidence, but the organisation was adept at hiding. It wasn't until he discovered Wang Meiyun that he made progress. He revealed that Wang Meiyun had been working for a man named Qian Yu, a mentally ill patient with exceptional hypnotic abilities. Dong Yuan started paying attention to them after the mysterious death of his company's artist, Wang Meiyun's senior sister. After a thorough investigation, he devised a plan: let Wang Meiyun and Qian Yu discover the game and their identities, then intervene in the game and defeat them with their own magic, using monsters to kill monsters.

In the video's conclusion, Dong Yuan held the guardian angel and said, "But to let them enter this game, the best method is to give them an entrance. And this entrance is to take my place... I've gathered all the evidence and hidden it inside this angel. Once the plan starts, this will return to you. Wang Meiyun forged a will leaving all my inheritance to her, but it was all part of my plan. Anna, I know you will come to S City with this angel to investigate my death and seek revenge. This is what I've prepared for you, the way out of the New World and back to reality."

In the final moments of the video, Dong Yuan bid farewell to Anna. He joked that he didn't actually love Anna that much, he was just a hopeless bad guy doing everything just for the thrill, reassuring her not to be sad, it was no big deal.

Following this, a series of videos about the true nature of the New World game and Wang Meiyun and Qian Yu's plans were shown. It revealed how they controlled people by inserting hypnotic artwork into films and planned to use the New World game to achieve their "ideals".

It turned out that Dong Yuan had installed surveillance devices in every corner of Dong Group and closely monitored Wang Meiyun, Qian Yu, Zhou Ping, and even the pharmacist for many years. He had also conducted extensive investigations into SCI.

In other words, everything was planned by Dong Yuan, even his initial murder by Sun Xi.

This video stunned the entire audience, they were too shocked to care about the awards ceremony, and the case was too astonishing.

Meanwhile, Bai Yutang stood up. Officers from SCI and the criminal investigation team entered the venue, and in full view of everyone, they handcuffed Wang Meiyun and Qian Yu.

‿︵‿︵ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ・❉・ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ‿︵‿︵

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Translator Notes

Please feel free to comment any mistakes I made so I can improve and do better as I go through the book.

Translated: May 26, 2024 by Angel

Edited: November 26, 2024 by Angel