This is a bizarre rule, isn't it? It's supposed to grant me many children and good fortune

Chapter 535 Hey, say something!

Basement, Dormitory No. 17.

The clock hands fell precisely at 10:40 p.m.

[Rule 6: Before lights out each day, the roommates must jointly confirm one shared experience or one piece of art they have all watched.]

If the details or sequence of events someone recounts do not match everyone's memory, then that person may no longer be the complete person they were.

[From now on, do not have any further conversations with him. Report this matter to Su Wan immediately the next day.]

The four adhered to the pre-agreed response plan and initiated the daily rule verification on time.

Wasim was the first to look up and asked softly, "What are we talking about today?"

Lin Feng: "Let's talk about movies."

"Which movie?" Derek asked.

Lin Feng's gaze swept over everyone: "We've all seen 'Titanic,' is that alright?"

Derek: "This is good, I've seen this several times."

"I'll go first." Wasim crossed his legs on the bed. "In the opening scene of the movie, the salvage ship is searching for the 'Heart of the Ocean' diamond at the shipwreck site."

"They opened a safe on the seabed, and inside there were no diamonds, only a painting."

"The painting depicts a young woman wearing only a necklace, and the diamond is on the necklace."

Lin Feng nodded and looked at Nikolai: "It's your turn."

Nikolai pushed up his glasses:

"The band was playing on deck the whole time the ship was sinking."

His lips moved slightly, then closed again, and his brows furrowed.

"...What was that piece of music called again?"

There was a two-second silence.

"Never mind, the band on the Titanic did play it historically, and it was recreated in Cameron's movie."

Lin Feng hummed in agreement.

Wasim nodded.

Derek nodded even more vigorously: "Yes, yes, I remember that very well. The ship was about to sink and he was still playing the violin. He was so dedicated."

"Lin Feng, it's your turn." Nikolai's gaze fell on Lin Feng.

Lin Feng nodded:

"During the scene where Jack is drawing Rose's portrait, he's so nervous that he blurts out: 'Lie down on the bed... uh, I mean the sofa.'"

Ruth smiled slightly, obediently took off her coat, and lay down comfortably.

Jack took a deep breath, stared at the drawing board, and said softly, "Lower your head, look at me, and don't move."

After he finished speaking, he looked at Derek.

Derek grinned. "I remember that too. Jack was as nervous as a virgin—no, he was a virgin, wasn't he?"

No one responded to him.

Derek cleared his throat and placed his hands on his knees:

"In the scene where Jack first ate in the first-class restaurant, he didn't know how to use a knife and fork, so the fat gentleman across from him taught him how."

"Then Jack copied the man and tucked the napkin into his collar."

The fat gentleman said, "No, it should be placed on your lap."

Lin Feng's eyes narrowed slightly.

"And then?" Nikolai asked.

Derek thought for a moment: "Then Jack took the napkin out of his collar and put it on his lap."

"The first lesson a poor painter learns to integrate into high society is how to lay out a napkin."

silence.

It wasn't the kind of silence where "everyone is thinking about what to say next," but rather a silence where "everyone simultaneously notices that something is wrong."

Wasim's eyebrows furrowed slightly: "Drek, are you sure?"

"I'm sure, I've looked at it several times, there's no way I could be wrong."

Derek's expression was very confident, even carrying a hint of grievance that "you actually doubt me."

Lin Feng rephrased his question: "Do you remember who the fat gentleman was who taught Jack how to use a knife and fork?"

Derek paused for a moment: "He's just a fat gentleman, wearing a bald wig, and he speaks very politely."

Lin Feng's gaze darkened, and he stopped pressing the matter, saying calmly, "Lights out soon, everyone go to sleep."

As soon as he finished speaking, he lay down and crawled into bed.

Vassim and Nikolai did the same without saying a word.

Derek opened his mouth, but swallowed the words back.

"That's... the end?"

No one answered.

"Wait, aren't we talking about movies? Was there something wrong with the detail I mentioned earlier?"

Wasim rolled over, facing the wall.

Derek's voice tightened: "Why are you ignoring me? Why don't you just point out where I said something wrong?"

silence.

"No..." His voice suddenly lowered, like someone who had suddenly realized they were in the wrong room, "Heavy gift crab."

"You don't think I'm the one who caused the problem, do you?"

No one responded.

"I've watched Titanic countless times! There's no way I could be wrong! That detail is definitely there! You guys are mistaken!"

Lin Feng closed his eyes.

Derek's voice grew urgent, the last syllable rising in pitch: "Hey, say something!"

"Thump—"

Derek slammed his fist on the bedpost, the vibration of the metal frame reaching the upper bunk, causing Nikolai's body to sway, but he did not open his eyes.

"I really saw it! Tomorrow I'm going to confront the other people and ask them if they all remember this scene!"

No one responded.

"It's possible that all three of you misremembered! This isn't impossible! It's collective memory bias! In psychology, this is called—"

"——"

"...Shit."

The dormitory ceiling lights went out.

Darkness poured in from all directions like water, and Derek sat in the darkness, clutching the sheets in his hands.

He wanted to say something more—anything, even just a "goodnight."

But when he opened his mouth, no sound came out.

Because he suddenly became uncertain.

It's uncertain whether that detail actually exists.

I'm unsure whether I'm still "completely myself".

He wasn't sure if the three people lying in bed tonight were unwilling to talk to him, or if they were afraid to talk to him.

Countless chaotic thoughts were tearing at his mind.

He was a professional Black boxer who had been standing in the ring for many years. He was used to the brutal fights and had taken the heaviest punches and suffered the most severe injuries. He never frowned when he bled, bruised, or had broken bones.

On the ring, he only believed in his fists, his strength, and his own judgment, and never in any vague or mysterious changes.

But this isn't a fighting arena; it's just cold, hard rules and a silent, pervasive alienation.

He had fought countless tough battles, always relying on his own strength to withstand everything, but at this moment he had no idea who his opponent was or where the danger was lurking.

"Am I... going to die?"

........................

The next morning, at 5:57 a.m., it was just getting light.

When Lin Feng woke up from his dream, the first thing he did upon regaining consciousness was to raise his left forearm.

Five dark gray skull patterns are neatly arranged on the inside of the forearm, exuding a sinister aura.

Su Wan's voice seemed to be right next to my ear:

"These five skulls represent your 'life countdown'."

"When all five of you turn blood red, that will be the end of your time in this instance, and the day of your deaths."

Dark gray, unchanged.

In other words, there was no loss in the countdown yesterday...