Chapter 117: The Three Must Become Four, No Exceptions

After finishing all the questions, Xianyu Shi spoke privately with Bosheng Zhou at the cashier counter.

“Du Xiaoling was well-liked at school and didn’t have enemies. She only had conflicts with Bai Yuxi and Xia Yu, but those were just petty disputes between girls. If no one harmed Du Xiaoling, why would her vengeful spirit trap these people here? That’s very strange.”

Xianyu Shi asked, “Is there any way to summon the vengeful spirit directly for questioning?”

Bosheng Zhou shook his head repeatedly. “Impossible. Most vengeful spirits lack consciousness. Even if we asked, they wouldn’t understand. Besides, I just cast an exorcism spell at the door. Demonic forces won’t appear again anytime soon.”

“But since they got a reaction playing the planchette game, it means the spirit must be nearby,” Xianyu Shi said. “Is it possible to try the planchette game once more? If we get new clues, maybe the situation can turn around?”

Zhou hesitated.

Xianyu Shi added, “Of course, safety must be guaranteed. If it can’t be ensured, I wouldn’t recommend trying such a summoning game again.”

Zhou frowned in thought and after a long moment, asked, “When you talked to them earlier, did you find anything suspicious?”

Xianyu Shi pursed her lips. “Yes, but it’s not about them…”

Zhou was slightly stunned. “What is it?”

Xianyu Shi confessed, “I can’t figure out Du Xiaoling’s motive. If she knew who harmed her, why not give clearer clues? If she didn’t know, why trap these students? How does she know the culprit is among them? Even if we find the killer, how do we help her get revenge? How would she know? Is she really trapping everyone here just to find her murderer? Could there be other reasons we don’t know?”

Zhou looked confused. “...Usually, when demons cause trouble, it’s because their earthly grudges are unresolved. If it’s not to find the culprit, what other reason would make Du Xiaoling go through all this trouble?”

“That’s why I suggest trying the planchette game again,” Xianyu said seriously. “According to them, Du Xiaoling appears after every game. You’ll need to guard the door to prevent any accidents.”

After much hesitation, Zhou bit his lip and finally agreed. “I can’t guarantee driving the spirit away, but protecting the cafeteria should be manageable.”

Once settled, Zhou took out colorful threads and a copper bell from his backpack. He arranged an array around the cafeteria while Xianyu went to persuade the students to try the planchette game again.

Most made excuses, claiming they weren’t close to Du Xiaoling and refused to participate.

In the end, only Bai Yuxi, Xia Yu, and Wan Qianqian agreed, along with Xianyu herself—four in total.

Everything was prepared: the table and coins were ready to go.

Xianyu stood by the table, watching the pale faces of the others. She understood their feelings somewhat—only the urgent desire to uncover the truth behind Du Xiaoling’s death could drive them to repeatedly risk playing such a dangerous game. Otherwise, who would willingly engage in this?

One by one, they extended their right hands, index fingers resting on the coin’s edge.

Xianyu did the same.

Wan Qianqian whispered, “Keep your eyes on the coin, focus your mind, silently repeat her name. No matter what happens, don’t take your eyes off the coin…”

Xianyu stared intently at the coin beneath her fingertip and silently repeated Du Xiaoling’s name.

Wan Qianqian took the lead. “Planchette spirit, tell us, who killed her?”

The coin beneath their fingers began to move slightly.

Xianyu was stunned. She was certain she wasn’t applying force, yet the coin slowly shifted!

It really moved!

Uncontrolled, gliding across the table. Their fingers felt frozen in place—icy, stiff, impossible to withdraw!

She noticed one finger was unusually pale, then counted and realized something was wrong.

Though there were four people, five fingers were touching the coin.

Whose was the extra hand?!

A wave of terror surged in Xianyu’s heart, but she dared not move rashly. Even Zhou, guarding the door, seemed unaware of the anomaly.

Just as she hesitated to glance up, the coin stopped—

Covering the words on the table.

Almost simultaneously, everyone released their fingers, each exhaling softly and exchanging uneasy looks.

Xianyu never saw the owner of that mysterious hand.

It vanished.

But she knew it was still here, inside the cafeteria, hidden among the students!

Wan Qianqian whispered, “Who will flip it?”

After a moment of silence, Xia Yu said, “I will.”

The words beneath the coin were partially revealed: one was “plastic,” another “sister.” The middle character was easy to guess.

Xia Yu took a deep breath and flipped the coin, revealing the full phrase: “Plastic sisters!”

Bai Yuxi, Xia Yu, and Wan Qianqian’s faces drained of color.

Bai Yuxi collapsed into Lu Min’s arms, nearly fainting, murmuring, “Why… I didn’t hurt her… why is she doing this… why…”

Wan Qianqian forced a bitter laugh, her expression sour. “It can’t be about me. I’ve always been closest to Du Xiaoling. The term ‘plastic sisters’ can’t refer to me!”

Xia Yu sneered coldly, “You mean it’s about me? I admit, I wasn’t as close to Du Xiaoling as you were, but have I ever spoken ill of her? Have I ever stirred trouble like you? Wasn’t it you who provoked her to argue with me?”

Wan Qianqian bit her lip hard and took a deep breath. “It’s definitely not me… absolutely not me! Green tea, bus, plastic sisters—none of those could be me!”

Xia Yu mocked, “How do you know these three terms refer to the same person? Maybe they mean three different people. If I’m the ‘green tea,’ then you must be the ‘bus,’ right? Everyone knows how you act around the boys at the sports school…”

“Xia Yu, shut up!!!” Wan Qianqian suddenly shouted in anger.

“Enough! Stop arguing!” Bosheng Zhou turned away with a grim expression, holding his peachwood sword. “It’s coming!”

At that moment, the cafeteria door slammed loudly—

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Violent pounding accompanied by a woman’s piercing screams!

Inside, everyone huddled together in fear, faces etched with panic and terror, their eyes fixed on the rattling metal door, hoping the presence outside would leave and this nightmare would end.

Only Xianyu Shi—

Only she silently observed each person here...

If Du Xiaoling’s vengeful spirit was right here, then what was that outside the door?