Chapter Five: The Price of Genius

While the other students fought for processing power, Lin Yan shut down his terminal. “Has he surrendered?” someone laughed in the observation gallery. Lin Yan took the public microphone. “There is no optimal evacuation. The compliance rate in your data is fabricated.” Han Qi appeared behind the glass. “Prove it.” “I don’t need to. Publicly guarantee that Central Station is not on fire.” Every camera turned toward her. After one second, she said, “Central Station is operating normally.” The lie unfolded. Lin Yan read its root: the ignition point, the sealed exit, the delayed alarm. He entered the information into the students’ shared map, labeling it “given conditions.