"The duration of this test is approximately half an hour. Please complete the questions on the computer patiently," Officer Chen briefly introduced the content of the test before allowing everyone to begin.
The test began with the usual self-assessment questions. Everyone clicked through with little enthusiasm, selecting the "correct" answers that were immediately obvious.
Soon, images and meaningless word groups appeared.
Some began to whisper: "Why is this psychological test different from the ones we've taken before? What are these images and phrases testing?"
"Do we just need to press the F and J keys? What happens if we press the wrong one? I hope they won't fire me right after I joined!"
"This is a variation of the Implicit Association Test (IAT), designed to assess our cognitive biases."
Mu Mian, ever the friendly one, took it upon herself to explain to the group, "It's based on a neural network model. This model suggests that information is stored in a series of neural connections organized hierarchically based on semantic relationships. By measuring the distance between two concepts in these connections, we can assess their association..."
The people sitting next to her glanced at her strangely.
Mu Mian halted her explanation.
The social guidebook advised not to forcefully educate others, even when they were particularly lacking in "common sense."
One person asked, "What exactly are we testing for?"
"We're testing for things like tendencies towards violence, whether we have a positive or negative view of the world, sexual orientation, and so on. This psychological paradigm is designed to test our subconscious cognitive biases, so the purpose of the test isn't immediately obvious."
"Does that mean this test can't be faked?"
Mu Mian paused, then quietly said, "The true measure of the test is the difference in reaction times. Most people can't consciously recognize the purpose of the test in just a few seconds and intentionally select answers that don't match their usual thinking. It requires a high level of cognitive function."
"..." Completely incomprehensible!
As the test progressed, the participants became more focused, since they had no idea what the questions were actually assessing.
Mu Mian too became more concentrated, but when she saw a series of questions about social norms, she found herself distracted by a thought:
Could this psychological test have been specifically designed for her?
But why would they test her? She had been acting completely normal!
As soon as the test ended, Mu Mian's results appeared in the psychological testing system's backend.
"Are her test results acceptable?" Fang Rui glanced at the data, feeling a headache coming on. "Explain it to me in simple terms, no theories."
"The test subject is extroverted, optimistic, dislikes violence, is kind and enthusiastic, emotionally stable, and has strong social skills," Lin Sen shrugged. "It's pretty much the same as her previous results."
"Didn't you say this test is hard to fake?"
Fang Rui could not reconcile these descriptors with Mu Mian—she seemed to embody the exact opposite of these qualities.
"I said it's hard to fake," Lin Sen replied. "But I never said it can't be faked. It's clear that Medical Examiner Mu is doing everything she can to hide her psychological issues. And she's doing a good job of it—if you don't observe her directly."
Lin Sen paused before continuing, "I don't oppose her joining."
"You switched sides that quickly? Just because she passed your unreliable test?" Fang Rui was surprised.
Lin Sen pointed to the IQ score on the screen, "A genius like me needs a genius colleague."
"..."
Fang Rui had to admit that Lin Sen had a knack for criminal psychology, which was why he tolerated the man's arrogance. But at that moment, he seriously wanted to throw him out.
After finishing the psychological test, Mu Mian went to report to the Forensic Department. After a few hours of back-and-forth, it was already time to clock out.
Two other new forensic experts joined her on the first day—one male, one female. The male was named Zhang Xiaolin, and the female was named Chen Xue.
Chen Xue was outgoing, and since she had interned here for six months, she got along well with everyone. After work, she suggested treating everyone to dinner.
Mu Mian wasn't accustomed to dining with a large group, so she politely declined Chen Xue's invitation.
After leaving the police station, Mu Mian stood by the side of the road, trying to hail a cab.
It was rush hour, and Mu Mian had high standards for drivers, so she stood in the cold wind for over an hour without managing to get a ride.
When Xiao Zhang drove past, he saw Mu Mian huddled in her scarf, gazing pitifully at the passing cars.
"Boss, we're heading to the crime scene anyway. Should we give Medical Examiner Mu a ride?" Xiao Zhang turned to Fang Rui in the back seat. "She looks like she's lost."
"Do whatever," Fang Rui replied casually.
Xiao Zhang pulled up beside Mu Mian. "Medical Examiner Mu, would you like a ride back with us?"
"No!" Mu Mian rejected the offer without hesitation.
"Why not?" Xiao Zhang was puzzled. Wasn't she accepting a free ride?
Mu Mian glanced at his car—a black, somewhat aged, and poorly maintained unknown brand. The safety level was low. She then looked at the tires—severely worn—and noticed the bumper was crooked.
There was no way she would feel safe riding in such a car.
But the social guidebook said not to directly point out someone's flaws, so she politely asked, "Did you pass the driving test?"
"Of course, I did! What car would I drive if I didn't have a license?" he answered proudly.
The hint failed, and Mu Mian began thinking of a more tactful way to refuse his unreasonable offer.
Xiao Zhang realized what was happening and turned to Fang Rui in the back seat, incredulously asking, "Boss, is... is she questioning my driving skills?"
Fang Rui got out of the car and walked to the driver's side. "I'll drive," he said, gesturing for Xiao Zhang to sit in the back.
Mu Mian, seeing that Fang Rui was taking over, quickly sat in the passenger seat and buckled her seatbelt.
Xiao Zhang watched, dumbfounded. This Medical Examiner Mu was quite the double standard—her boss driving was the real danger. With the state of this car, Fang Rui was partly responsible for its poor condition.
However, Xiao Zhang didn't dare speak his mind and quietly accepted the blame.
It was rush hour, and traffic was heavy on the main road. Xiao Zhang, feeling bored, tried to strike up a conversation.
"Medical Examiner Mu, how did you find the psychological test today? That was specially designed by the boss and the team..."
"Xiao Zhang, you talk too much," Fang Rui interrupted coldly.
Xiao Zhang quickly zipped his lips.
But Mu Mian's heart stopped, her breath caught in her chest, and she stared at Fang Rui.
Had her secret been discovered so quickly?
Rumor had it that Fang Rui was a renowned detective with sharp observational skills. Could he have seen through her disguise at a glance?
This man possessed not only a perfect physique but also a sharp mind—a mind that was worthy of being studied under a microscope.
With this thought, Mu Mian felt a pang of frustration. How could she legally obtain his body once he passed away?