Livestreaming: I am retarded, but selected to join the analoghorror game?!
Chapter 202 - 197: The Sin of Goodness

Chapter 202: Chapter 197: The Sin of Goodness

Even though he had been through it, the swooning, nausea, and the feeling of sin still made Clements vomit.

He nearly threw up bile.

Encountering such a thing, Xiao Yi thought such a reaction was very normal. At the same time, he understood why Clements reacted the way he did when he opened the refrigerator.

Then, the sights in front of Xiao Yi began to change rapidly, Clements’ past memories started unfolding before his eyes speedily.

Xiao Yi saw it all.

Afterward, Clements didn’t choose to run away again; instead, after thinking it through, he decided to escape with the girl who was now an orphan.

But Clements knew it was meaningless, the disappearance of the couple was only a matter of time to be discovered, and their arrest was just a matter of time, so he never truly intended to run away from the start.

It seemed Clements believed that the reason for all that had happened was himself; the girl’s life, having consumed her own parents, was ruined by him.

No matter what, having eaten her parents would haunt her for life; her life was undoubtedly destroyed.

Therefore, Clements made a decision.

He taught the girl everything to say when facing questioning and then, when the police arrived, silently took on everything and became the ogre Clements.

As long as he bore the sin, the girl’s life could continue; this was his act of atonement.

However, just when everything was unfolding as Clements had envisioned, like a cruel twist of fate, something Clements hadn’t anticipated occurred.

During the questioning, the girl, following the testimony Clements had coached her, sealed his fate completely, all as he had anticipated.

But, the interrogator said something that made the girl realize the true import of her actions.

The person said, "Alright, with this, we’ll definitely be able to convict the devil Clements who killed your mom and dad!"

It was this statement that caused the girl to question and start asking questions.

Then, naturally, she realized her mistake and the sacrifice Clements had made.

So, she told the police the truth, wanting to clear the sins Clements was burdened with.

But... the police dismissed her testimony.

The reason was simple, the situation with the public opinion no longer allowed her to tell the truth.

Society had grown tired of news about children committing suicide or killing their parents due to parental oppression. However, a universally praised kind-hearted youth, who in private was a terrifying ogre, was too fresh for the society.

The case quickly drew the attention of all sectors.

Defenders of justice from all walks of life vied with one another to condemn this hypocrite ogre Clements to get attention.

Spectators, in their eagerness to satisfy their sense of justice, also loudly denounced him.

Moreover, it wasn’t just the pressure from the public opinion at the lower levels but also from the higher-ups. This incident had created such a social phenomenon that those in power wished to conclude it as soon as possible, without further complications.

Almost everyone was looking forward to this righteous trial against the hypocrite.

Therefore, the outcome of this trial was decided before it even began.

And the girl’s testimony naturally sank without a trace.

She despaired; the only person in the world who had been kind to her, the only person she could trust, could only end this way; all she could do was despair.

Thus, with nowhere left to turn for help, she helplessly chose suicide and left this world.

When Clements learned of this, he became completely stunned, as if his soul had been sucked out.

All the effort he had put in was rendered meaningless, and moreover, he had to bear a sin that wasn’t his and face judgment.

It was a tragedy, beyond question.

Who could bear such a thing after encountering it?

Clements became expressionless from then on.

Then, the changing scenery stopped, and Xiao Yi and Clements were back in the kitchen where they initially were.

Clements’ story ended there.

"..." The whole sequence remained vivid in his mind, and Xiao Yi was slightly lost in thought.

But on seeing Clements still kneeling on the ground, Xiao Yi also snapped back to reality, stepped forward to pat him on the back, and asked, "Feeling any better?"

"Mm... thank you," Clements wiped the corner of his mouth with his sleeve and staggered to his feet.

After taking a moment to steady himself, Clements continued,

"The situation at that time was just as you saw, and then, during the transport, as if by fate’s design, there was a car accident. All the police officers escorting me died, yet I miraculously survived unscathed. And then, as if guided by some force, I found myself at this hotel."

Clements looked at Xiao Yi and went on,

"I’ve always felt that everything that happened in this hotel was arranged by fate, a trial for me. That’s why I am here, confessing my sins."

"Sins?" Xiao Yi questioned, perplexed, "I don’t think you’ve got any sins to talk about."

"No," Clements shook his head, "All of my goodwill was just a facade; I am essentially a very selfish and disgusting person, and this is... the sin of hypocrisy. Xiao Yi, you must see now what kind of person I am, right?"

"Why would you think that?" Xiao Yi sighed, "No matter what you’re thinking inside, you helped her, and that’s an objective fact, isn’t it? There’s a saying that goes, ’A gentleman considers deeds, not desires.’ You understand what that means, don’t you?"

"I understand, but..." Clements added, "The tragedy that befell the child was undoubtedly caused by my hypocrisy. My intervention led to her parents intensifying their mistreatment, and later I turned a blind eye, allowing her misery to continue until it became a tragedy. I am the real culprit."

"Ah..." Xiao Yi was at a loss for words, "People are not obliged to help others. That you were willing to help her once is commendable already, and you shouldn’t force yourself to keep helping her. That responsibility lies with those who are paid to do so. Morality is not meant to bind and coerce, it’s meant to protect."

"..."

For some reason, even though it was just a few simple sentences, the sense of guilt in Clements’s heart had melted away quite a bit.

No, even before this, when he had revealed his secret to Xiao Yi and Xiao Yi showed no sign of disgust, he had felt redemption.

In fact, Clements had always believed that Xiao Yi was an angel sent to save him, to provide him with redemption.

But he didn’t say it. He was too embarrassed to say it, especially in front of the person himself.

So on the tip of his tongue, there was only one sentence.

"Thank you, Xiao Yi."

"Uh, you’re welcome, although I’m not really sure what I did," Xiao Yi replied.

"But... I mustn’t avoid my sins after all."

"... Ah?" Xiao Yi was startled.

Clements continued, "No matter what, I am somewhat involved. I thought if I could escape, it wouldn’t be bad to keep running away, but I don’t want to keep avoiding it anymore. I want to apply for a retrial, even if it seems futile. I want to do it."

Feeling helpless, Xiao Yi finally gestured dismissively, "Do as you wish. It’s your decision, and I have no right to interfere."

"... Thank you."

Though he only slightly turned up the corners of his mouth, Clements indeed smiled slightly.

And at that moment, a page from someone’s hand disappeared.

The page wasn’t meant for that person to begin with, and they couldn’t prevent it.

Then, the page returned to where it was meant to be... back into Xiao Yi’s hands.

"... Hmm? What’s this?"

Xiao Yi felt a strange sensation in his hand out of nowhere, and looking down, he found that another page had suddenly appeared.

"A page? Here we go again... No, wait, this is the one that was stolen by some unknown bastard before!"

Upon examining it, Xiao Yi found the content all too familiar!

[My life is always shrouded in darkness; hence I never expect to see the sun. I help others solely because I want to live, and so I am very clear that others help me because they too wish to live.]

There was no new content, but Xiao Yi now seemed to understand the cryptic wording on the page a little.

"What’s the problem with that? Helping others is essentially for oneself, as others will also help in return. It’s not a one-sided affair; it is mutual assistance," Xiao Yi murmured.

"Xiao Yi, is it that page again? Do you think there’s any connection with the events we’re encountering here?"

"Who knows, at least I don’t see the connection yet," Xiao Yi shook his head.

"..." Clements too was curious, and he took a glance.

The words on the page struck a chord with him.

However, Clements, while interested in the page in Xiao Yi’s hand, knew there were more pressing matters at hand.

Clements said to Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, there’s something important I need to tell you. I think I understand why we have all come together at this hotel and witnessed these strange scenes."

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