The sound of knocking came from outside.
"Hello doctor, nurse, we’re here to sign up for the test."
Qin Si stepped forward enthusiastically to greet them.
Altogether, there were two people.
In front was a young woman, pale-faced, about the same age as Qin Si.
Shen Jingqi noticed the information bar above her head.
[Master’s in Engineering, Director in a State-Owned Enterprise, Alcohol Addiction for 5 Years].
She was followed by a thin old man.
The information above his head read:
[Civil Servant, Delusional for 2 Months].
Shen Jingqi suddenly remembered the scene where Senior Sister Huang conducted group card sessions for patients.
It was that patient named Wei Lian.
His attending physician was precisely Senior Sister Huang.
He had been hospitalized for over a month.
Unexpectedly, he signed up too.
"The test subjects are all here. Let’s have them fill out forms and sign."
Zheng Lin took out a stack of paper sheets.
Shen Jingqi called out Lin Shuwang as well.
Although he wasn’t observing inside, Shen Jingqi could see the tag above Lin Shuwang’s head, which hadn’t moved much for nearly half an hour.
It seemed he had been quietly sitting in the chair all this time.
Even when Shen Jingqi called him out, he remained very calm.
The three test subjects sat in chairs, filling out the information forms.
Very quickly, Shen Jingqi scanned their profiles.
Male, 16 years old, high school sophomore.
Female, 28 years old, Director in a State-Owned Enterprise, Master’s Degree.
In a relationship, unmarried.]
Male, 58 years old, Civil Servant, Associate Degree.
Remarried, has one biological daughter, one stepdaughter.]
Zheng Lin asked them to fill out the informed consent forms, emphasizing confidentiality, safety, and other matters.
Then, Zheng Lin took out three neural connection sensors for the three test subjects to wear.
Wei Lian pointed to one end of the sensor’s synapse.
"This is the neuron signal output end, not an eye."
Qin Si patiently explained.
"Girl, you’re too young, you wouldn’t understand."
Wei Lian opened his mouth, muttering.
"Mr. Wei, please trust our Sensory Paradise application, you can treat it as a medium. Through this medium, you can better experience your senses."
"But, will this thing pose a danger to me? I always feel uneasy, as if countless pairs of eyes are watching me. My best friend came to discuss some matters with me, everything was fine, and then I suddenly saw him take out his phone, like he was filming me. I couldn’t even ask if he was recording. After he left, I worried whether he would spread the recording, spread everything we talked about. I feel that many things I didn’t do, but I have to take most of the responsibility. You know, the consequences of such things are bearing a terrible judgment."
Zheng Lin suddenly trembled, eyes flashing with fear.
He grabbed his own head, curled up on the chair, and then slowly released, showing an awkward smile:
"I know, I am ill. How can I think about my good friend? He can’t do such things, it’s all my suspicion. I am really not loyal."
Shen Jingqi looked at the "Delusional" tag above Wei Lian’s head, leaning towards Zheng Lin:
"Technology Zheng, he is a patient on the schizophrenia spectrum, mainly displaying delusions. He can be allowed to perceive his physical senses in Sensory Joy Cloud, enhancing cognition and reality testing, and reducing his fear emotions."
All patient situations are networked, visible at the time of registration.
Although Wei Lian exhibits delusions, he does have some basic reality testing capacity. His core issue lies in his cognition, "self-prosecution," so he was allowed through during screening, in hopes that he would show some improvement through Sensory Paradise to enhance the application’s reliability and validity.
Shen Jingqi also said to Wei Lian:
"In Sensory Paradise, you are the composite of all experiences, the creator of experiences. Believe that you will have a pleasant experience and afterwards, you can also share your feelings with us."
"Alright, thank you."
Wei Lian took the cup of water Qin Si handed over, drank a few sips and gradually relaxed.
Lin Shuwang and Liang Hong had both put on their sensors.
Soon, the signals began to blink.
The test had started.
"We will assign IDs to them in sequence. Dr. Shen, you set ID number 1 for Lin Shuwang. Nurse Qin, you set number 2 for Liang Hong, and I’ll handle number 3 for Wei Lian."
Shen Jingqi stepped into the workstation, starting the ID settings.
Found Lin Shuwang’s signal location and encoded it.
The projection on the screen soon displayed Lin Shuwang’s ID.
Simultaneously, the pre-test was initiated.
With neuron signals, various mental and psychological indicators of Lin Shuwang were collected.
Shen Jingqi saved the data properly.
At this time, Lin Shuwang had entered Sensory Paradise.
All physiological indicators were monitored as normal.
After a few minutes, Wei Lian’s ID was set.
Another moment passed, and then Liang Hong’s ID appeared on the screen projection.
All fit within the 600-second time limit.
Zheng Lin began to guide:
"All test subjects, now enter the first level, Touch. The direction in the lower right corner is the hint, you can operate, and follow the guidance language to get familiar."
The brain regions matching the IDs of the three test subjects appeared in sequence on the screen. The source of this content ɪs Novᴇ(l)Fɪre .ɴᴇt
Shen Jingqi started observing the brain regions.
The left hemisphere of [000001LSW]’s brain was flashing. The prefrontal cortex pathways, hippocampus, and amygdala were quite active.
The prefrontal cortex of [000002LH]’s brain reacted weakly. Her brain cells had some damage, and there was a significant decrease in neuron connections. Structurally, both gray and white matter were noticeably reduced. On some psychological indicators, she showed decreased memory, impaired cognitive function, and emotional issues like impulsivity. It seemed drinking had affected her brain.
The right hemisphere of [000003WL]’s brain frequently flashed. The frontal cortex pathway area appeared red, followed by a severe reddening of the limbic system, with higher norepinephrine levels.
The first level was cleared by [000001LSW]: time taken 2 minutes.
The first level was cleared by [000003WL]: time taken 11 minutes.
The first level was cleared by [000002LH]: time taken 14 minutes.
"Data comparison shows that Lin Shuwang exhibited neurogenesis.
Compared to the start, Lin Shuwang’s neurons doubled."
Zheng Lin and Shen Jingqi reported together.
"We hit the jackpot! This probability is indeed quite large!"
With hands clenching the cup handle, Zhao Xin’an displayed an incredulous look, followed by uncontainable excitement.
"The first level of the test is over. Please click the bottom right of the screen to exit the application."
The IDs of all three test subjects sequentially indicated they were offline.