Jiang Baimian's meaning was immediately understood by Long Yuehong, Bai Chen, and Genava, but that didn't stop the former two from changing color.
So far, no one has found evidence of Awakened existing before the Old World's destruction. Therefore, it's impossible for Tai City First High School, representing a scene from the Old World, to have any Awakened.
Given this premise, the only trait that matches Shang Jianyao being an Awakened of the "Zhuang Sheng" domain is extremely limited, and the answer is only one:
The incarnate of the Ruling God "Zhuang Sheng!"
"Wei's character, Du Shaochong, is the protagonist of the dream, representing the Ruling God 'Zhuang Sheng' for the entire year?" Long Yuehong muttered to himself in a tone of deep awe and inexplicable fear.
"It's the identity 'Zhuang Sheng' used when descending into the world," Shang Jianyao helped correct.
Seeing the atmosphere was too heavy, Jiang Baimian deliberately joked:
"Who knows, maybe Du Shaochong dreamed that he became 'Zhuang Sheng,' rather than 'Zhuang Sheng' dreaming that he became Du Shaochong?"
I'd rather it be the latter possibility. The former means that we are all illusory characters in Du Shaochong's dream... Long Yuehong grumbled.
Just then, Shang Jianyao opened his arms, slightly tilted his body, and looked at the sky, saying:
"Everywhere is an illusion, why take it seriously?"
After such banter, Genava took the initiative to say:
"I think the possibility of Du Shaochong being 'Zhuang Sheng's' incarnate is very low."
He further explained:
"I even took Wei out of Tai City First High School at the time, and I didn't see any changes happening in the 'dream'."
"Perhaps when Wei left Tai City First High School, the character naturally peeled away," Bai Chen found an explanation.
Genava still insisted on his opinion:
"If Du Shaochong is really 'Zhuang Sheng's' incarnate, then he must be a key point in the 'dream'. I interacted with him and even took him to jump off the building, but it didn't trigger any changes.
"I think matching should have an implicit premise: choose the one with more similarities.
"And the only similarity between 'Zhuang Sheng's' incarnate and Wei is the 'Zhuang Sheng' domain, which is not as significant as Du Shaochong."
Jiang Baimian slowly nodded:
"It's also possible that the implicit premise is: 'I' am the exception."
This "I" refers to the source of the "dream," 'Zhuang Sheng's' incarnate. He will not match with any outsiders.
"Right," Genava agreed.
Shang Jianyao immediately looked disappointed:
"What a pity."
He seemed to want to experience the feeling of being possessed by a Ruling God.
Jiang Baimian turned her head to him and said:
"Although the probability of Du Shaochong being 'Zhuang Sheng's' incarnate is very low, we still can't let go of this possibility. After all, there are too few clues currently available to resolve the anomaly at Tai City First High School. We have to treat a dead horse as if it were alive.
"Um, about Du Shaochong, what memories do you still have left?"
This refers to the memories entangled with the implanted thoughts.
"I've forgotten almost everything," Shang Jianyao said, recalling. "Besides what I mentioned just now, it seems that Du Shaochong transferred from another place. Also, I remember where his home is in Tai City..."
"Where is it?"
"Where did he transfer from?"
Long Yuehong and Jiang Baimian asked one after another.
"At 6 Yangliu Mansion, Building 6, Room 1801," Shang Jianyao first answered Long Yuehong's question, and then shook his head at Jiang Baimian. "I don't remember."
Jiang Baimian "hmm"ed:
"Then, before going to Tai City First High School tomorrow, let's search Du Shaochong's home."
...
"This neighborhood is much higher-end than Harbor Home..." The next morning, Jiang Baimian stood at the entrance of Yangliu Mansion, tilting her head slightly, looking at the high-rise buildings ahead.
The facades seemed to be made of marble. Even though they were covered in dust now, with traces of rain and clusters of green growing in the gaps, it was difficult to hide their original material.
Bai Chen followed up:
"Du Shaochong's family seems to be quite well-off."
"Isn't this the protagonist's setup?" Shang Jianyao said with considerable excitement.
The honest Shang Jianyao immediately mocked himself:
"In the entertainment materials of the Old World, aren't most protagonists from poor backgrounds and have mediocre talents?"
"I'm referring to the male protagonists in romance novels," the playful Shang Jianyao replied in the form of a joke.
Then Du Shaochong's family doesn't seem good enough... Jiang Baimian grumbled, rubbed her temples, and said:
"Go directly to Building 6, Room 1801. Let's be quick about it."
After some investigation, the Old Task Force was surprised to find that the residents of Building 6 were not Du Shaochong's family, but another unrelated household.
"Did you remember it wrong?" Long Yuehong looked at Shang Jianyao.
"All ten of us remember it. It's definitely not wrong!" The Shang Jianyaos shook their heads with great confidence.
At this time, Jiang Baimian said thoughtfully:
"If 'Zhuang Sheng' really descended as Du Shaochong, then in that 'dream' at Tai City First High School, he was undoubtedly just a student, and there would still be times for him to teach or enter Nirvana.
"In other words, that 'dream' was still many years away from the destruction of the Old World. It's entirely possible that Du Shaochong's family moved away after he graduated from high school."
Bai Chen pursed his lips and said:
"It looks like this line on Du Shaochong has been cut off."
"Sigh..." Long Yuehong sighed in agreement.
Standing inside Room 1801, Jiang Baimian thought for a while and said to Genava:
"Do you have a photo of Du Shaochong?"
"No," Genava shook his metal-cast neck. "In yesterday's 'dream', Du Shaochong probably skipped school and didn't come to school. The specific reason is unknown."
Jiang Baimian paced back and forth a few steps, then suddenly turned her head and looked at Shang Jianyao.
Shang Jianyao immediately took a step back, raising his hand to cover his face.
Ignoring his excessive reaction, Jiang Baimian asked everyone in an inquiring tone:
"If Wei enters Tai City First High School again, matches with Du Shaochong, and plays this role, will he grasp more memories?"
"Definitely," Genava, Long Yuehong, and Bai Chen replied in unison.
The remaining character memories in the minds of the four carbon-based humans of the Old Task Force came from those implanted thoughts, and most of those thoughts naturally dissipated during the two stages of them leaving Tai City First High School and being awakened to find themselves, which led to them only being able to recall a few bits and pieces.
If that whole set of thoughts is re-implanted, the part of the memory that is inextricably linked to it will inevitably be re-infused into their minds.
Of course, the premise is that Shang Jianyao does not leave Tai City First High School and is still Du Shaochong.
Shang Jianyao lowered his hand and said to Jiang Baimian with unusual sincerity:
"Just slap me in the face."
Jiang Baimian glanced at him:
"We're talking about serious business now!"
She quickly put away her expression and said seriously:
"I have a plan.
"Wei and I will enter Tai City First High School again, let him become Du Shaochong again, and obtain the part of the memory related to the other party's thinking patterns and behavior styles. Then, I will find a chance to ask him face-to-face. At the same time, Old Ge will listen in and record the answers."
Long Yuehong showed a puzzled expression:
"But, Team Leader, after you go in, you'll become Xu Qiao. How will you remember to ask Du Shaochong certain questions..."
"Yeah," Bai Chen indicated that the feasibility was indeed problematic.
The corners of Jiang Baimian's mouth gradually turned up:
"This requires implanting certain thoughts in advance."
Fighting poison with poison? The phrase suddenly popped into Long Yuehong's mind.
Jiang Baimian looked around and explained with a smile:
"Du Shaochong is also a senior in high school with very good grades. Xu Qiao must know him.
"However, Xu Qiao is introverted. Under normal circumstances, it's impossible for her to talk to Du Shaochong.
"If we follow the thinking implanted in the dream, there will be little interaction between the two, but we can completely add some details that are beneficial to us without violating that thinking.
"For example, Xu Qiao is introverted, but she is still somewhat curious about Du Shaochong, who has good grades and is strong in sports. One day, they suddenly meet in a deserted place, uh, like the rooftop. Xu Qiao suddenly becomes impulsive and asks Du Shaochong a few questions.
"As long as Xu Qiao didn't originally have a crush on anyone, this segment of thought will not conflict with what the dream gives us. Even if we implant it in advance, it will not be overwritten and replaced. It will be triggered under specific circumstances.
"In simple terms, we're adding some content that we want in advance in places where the set of thoughts given by the dream hasn't been refined."
This is similar to how Jiang Baimian, Shang Jianyao, Bai Chen, and Long Yuehong all showed some of their own characteristics when playing the corresponding roles. Now, they are just using the corresponding thoughts implanted in advance to replace some of those characteristics. The only thing to note is that this cannot conflict with the identity being played.
Clap clap clap, Shang Jianyao clapped his hands.
Genava also nodded in approval.
Next, they focused on solving how to make Du Shaochong and Xu Qiao meet in a place where there were not many people.
After discussion, Shang Jianyao will pre-implant himself with the thought, "I don't want to go to class today. I'm going to relax on the rooftop." This fits his character. Jiang Baimian, on the other hand, is "Xu Qiao is too introverted and doesn't have many friends. High school life is also relatively stressful, and her state has gone a bit wrong. Therefore, after attending a class, she plans to go to the rooftop to get some fresh air and relieve her emotions."
In this way, Du Shaochong and Xu Qiao will meet on the rooftop, provided that Genava helps "eliminate" the factors that affect their corresponding actions.
Before implanting the thought of asking questions, Long Yuehong curiously asked Jiang Baimian:
"Team Leader, what are you going to ask Du Shaochong?"
"Where did he transfer from? Where is his hometown? Does he know Li Hui, Fan Wensi, Li Jinlong, Lin Sui, Ok, Richard, Du Heng, and these people..." Jiang Baimian rattled off a bunch of questions.
After listening, Shang Jianyao "tsk tsk" shook his head:
"Based on my understanding of Du Shaochong, he would only reply with, 'Are you a walking encyclopedia?'"
Jiang Baimian thought for a while:
"That's true. Then I'll just ask the first three questions, uh, the first two. If it really works, we'll do it a second time."
Shang Jianyao then gave her a smile, and his eyes became deep and obscure.
His voice took on a bit of magnetism:
"When you think you are Xu Qiao..."