石宅飯廳氣氛凝重，四十數名石家子孫坐滿四張大圓桌，人人神情肅穆，望著石老夫人。

石老夫人的桌面中央擺著一個精緻花瓶，瓶內空空如也。但它原該擺有石家的象徵物 ─ 全世界第一朵有生命的鑽石花。如今，被偷走了。

那鑽石花屬玫瑰品種，與普通花一樣需要二氧化碳進行光合作用，能吸引蜜蜂傳播花粉，然而花瓣與葉片皆由鑽石元素凝成。它曾是一朵活生生的花，在枯萎前經過特殊處理，將最美的一刻定格為永恆。

這朵玫瑰，是已過身的石老先生以基因改造技術培植而成，當年震驚科學界，令鑽石市場一夜劇變。而他宣佈這項成果，卻是在一個極盡浪漫的場合。

那年，石老夫人二十二歲。她不只美麗動人，冰雪聰明，笑起來的時候，有一種讓人想親近又不敢褻瀆的氣質。在大學畢業典禮上，有三個被公認為最出類拔萃的追求者向她求婚。

第一位求婚者，在大學期間已透過人工智能開創事業，成為全球首三十名富豪之一。他買了一顆重約一百二十克拉鑽石作為求婚禮物，是「馬來亞之虎」山下奉文寶藏中，最名貴的珍品。

第二位，是天才藝術家，在小說創作和插花有極高天份。於高中至大學時代，發表了三部小說，分別是科幻、推理及愛情，在同類型小說的世界性比賽，均獲最高殊榮，且三部小說長期位於暢銷榜。他的求婚禮物是插花佈置，同時朗讀一首以花為題才、嵌入石老夫人姓名的詩，表達其仰慕之情。這首詩，後來成為高中課文之一。

第三位，默默地花了大部份時間在實驗室裡。他把花遞到她面前，溫柔地道：「這是我親手培植出全世界第一朵有生命的鑽石花，藏著我對你的愛意。」

石老夫人微微一笑，向子孫娓娓道出她當年的想法：「當年，他捧著那朵鑽石玫瑰向我求婚。那朵花，竟將前兩位求婚者的禮物，鑽石和花，融成一體。我一看見，就知道這是天意。天告訴我，他比那兩個人加在一起還要好。所以，我答應了他。」

她頓了頓，目光忽然銳利如針，從每一張臉上緩緩掃過。四十多人同時坐直身子，一動也不敢動。

「沒有那朵鑽石玫瑰，就沒有石家，沒有你們。」她的聲音不大，卻像釘子一樣，把每一個字敲進每個人的心坎。

石老夫人垂下眼，望著桌上那個空蕩蕩的花瓶，語氣忽然軟了下來：「我把玫瑰放在飯廳，是希望大家都記得他。對我來說，每一天，我仍然和他一起吃飯。那朵花……就是他。」最後三個字，帶著一絲絲顫抖。

她緩緩抬起頭，語氣重了幾分：「我知道拿走它的人，一定有苦衷。 」她頓了頓，目光沉了下來，「不過，錯，就是錯。你是我的子孫，我給你一次機會。」

她環視眾人，語調平靜卻不容置疑：「晚餐後，所有人回房，不許出來。只有你，要把鑽石玫瑰放回原位。你有辦法讓石家引以為傲的保安系統失靈，自然能在無人知曉的情況下將它歸還。我承諾，絕不追究。」

說完，她慢慢站起，雙手按在桌沿，身子微微前傾。那雙眼睛忽然亮得像兩團烈火，壓得人喘不過氣。她的聲音驟然沉下去：「但明天早上六時，玫瑰若不在這裡，我一定會把你揪出來。你再聰明，也飛不出我的掌心。」

她一個字一個字地吐：「到時，你絕對會後悔！」

說畢，石老夫人轉過身，離開飯廳。眾人也默默地，返回自己房間。

賊人躺在床上，鑽石玫瑰就藏在床下。他因賭博輸錢欠下巨債，債主恐嚇他，三天後不還錢，就斬斷他手腳。而那朵玫瑰，債主願意用來抵銷所有債項。

他想起祖母今晚訓話時，那雙眼睛彷彿能看穿一切，看穿他的內心。她說一定能揪出他，他信。

就像小學時那次，他騙說肚子痛，不敢上學。因為他和同學玩了一整天，沒有做功課，怕上學時被老師責罵記過，就在床上蜷起身子，皺著眉頭說肚子痛。祖母走過來，先輕輕按壓他的腹部，又摸摸他的額頭及手心，然後，望著他的雙眼，板起臉，令他不知如何是好。

她的眼神忽然軟了，像是勸他，再扮下去也沒有用。他眼眶一紅，淚就掉了下來，說了實話。

祖母把他攬進懷裡，輕輕撫摸他的頭。他抽抽噎噎地承諾：「祖母，我以後再也不對妳說謊了。」

祖母輕聲說：「好孩子，祖母不怕你犯錯，只怕你用謊言或其他罪行，來掩飾原本的錯事，泥足深陷，愈來愈無法自拔。」

如今，他欠下賭債，更把偷來的鑽石玫瑰，藏在自己床下。

三天後債主上門，所有人都會知道他是賊。不還，祖母明早就揭穿他。

還，還是不還？

如果你是他，你會選擇：

 -（A）歸還鑽石玫瑰，離開石家

 -（B）歸還鑽石玫瑰，留在石家

 -（C）帶著鑽石玫瑰，離開石家

The atmosphere in the Shi family dining hall was heavy. Over forty descendants of the Shi family sat around four big round tables. Everyone looked serious, their eyes fixed on Elderly Madam Shi.

In the center of her table stood a delicate vase — completely empty. But inside that vase should have been the family's greatest treasure: the world's first living diamond flower. Now, it was gone.

That flower was a rose. Like an ordinary rose, it needed carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and could attract bees to spread its pollen. But its petals and leaves were made of diamond elements. It had once been a real, living flower. Just before it wilted, it had been preserved — freezing its most beautiful moment forever.

This rose was created by the late Old Mr. Shi using genetic modification. It shocked the scientific world and changed the diamond market overnight. But he announced his discovery at an extremely romantic moment.

That year, Old Madam Shi was twenty-two years old. She was not only beautiful and brilliant — when she smiled, she had a grace that made people want to get close but never dare to cross the line. At her university graduation ceremony, three of the most outstanding young men proposed to her.

The first suitor had built an AI business during college and became one of the top thirty richest people in the world. He bought a 120‑carat diamond as his engagement gift — the most precious treasure from the legendary "Tiger of Malaya" Yamashita Tomoyukus' collection.

The second was a gifted artist, a master of both novel writing and flower arranging. From high school through college, he published three novels — science fiction, mystery, and romance. Each won the top prize in its category at international competitions, and all three stayed on bestseller lists for years. His proposal gift was a flower arrangement, plus a poem he recited — a poem built around the theme of flowers, with Old Madam Shi's name woven in. That poem later became part of high school textbooks.

The third suitor spent most of his time quietly in the lab. He held out a flower and said gently, "I have grown the world's first living diamond flower with my own hands. Inside it is my love for you."

Old Madam Shi smiled slightly and told her grandchildren what she had thought back then. "That day, he held out that diamond rose and proposed. That flower… it combined the other two men's gifts — diamond and flower — into one. The moment I saw it, I knew it was destiny. It told me that he was better than the other two put together. So I said yes."

She paused. Suddenly, her eyes became as sharp as needles, slowly scanning every face in the room. More than forty people sat up straight at once, frozen.

"Without that diamond rose, there would be no Shi family. No you." Her voice was quiet, but each word hammered into their hearts like a nail.

Old Madam Shi lowered her eyes and looked at the empty vase on the table. Her tone softened. "I kept the rose in the dining hall because I want everyone to remember him. To me, every single day, I'm still eating with him. That flower… is him." Her last three words trembled slightly.

She slowly raised her head, her voice growing heavier. "I know that whoever took it must have a reason." She paused, her gaze darkening. "But wrong is still wrong. You are my descendant. I'm giving you one chance."

She looked around the room, her tone calm but unbreakable. "After dinner, everyone go back to your rooms. Stay there. Only you — you will put the diamond rose back where it belongs. You managed to shut down the security system that our family is so proud of. So you can certainly return it without anyone knowing. I promise, I will not ask any questions."

Then she slowly stood up, pressed her hands on the edge of the table, and leaned forward slightly. Her eyes suddenly blazed like two flames, making it hard to breathe. Her voice dropped low. "But if that rose is not here by six tomorrow morning, I will find you. No matter how clever you are, you cannot escape my grip."

She spoke each word slowly. "And when I do — you will regret it!"

With that, Old Madam Shi turned and left the dining room. Everyone else silently went back to their rooms.

The thief lay on his bed. The diamond rose was hidden underneath. He had lost a fortune gambling and owed a huge debt. The loan shark had threatened him: if he didn't pay back in three days, they would cut off his hands and feet. And that rose — the loan shark was willing to cancel the entire debt in exchange.

He thought back to his grandmother's words that night. Those eyes seemed to see right through everything — right through him. She said she would find him. And he believed her.

Just like back in elementary school, when he faked a stomachache because he was afraid to go to class. He had played all day and hadn't done his homework. He was terrified the teacher would scold him. So he curled up in bed, frowned, and groaned, "My tummy hurts." Grandmother came over. She gently pressed his belly, then touched his forehead and palms. Then she looked into his eyes, her face serious. He didn't know what to do.

Her gaze softened. It was as if she was telling him that pretending any longer was useless. His eyes turned red, tears fell, and he told the truth.

Grandmother pulled him into her arms and gently stroked his head. He sobbed and promised, "Grandmother, I'll never lie to you again."

She said softly, "Good child. Grandmother isn't afraid of you making mistakes. I'm afraid you'll cover up one mistake with more lies or worse crimes — sinking deeper and deeper, unable to climb out."

Now, here he was. Deep in gambling debt. And the stolen diamond rose was hidden under his own bed.

In three days, the loan shark would come knocking. Everyone would know he was a thief. If he didn't pay, Grandmother would expose him by morning.

Return it? Or not?

If you were him, what would you choose?

 - Choice (A): Return the diamond rose and leave the family

 - Choice (B): Return the diamond rose and stay in the family

 - Choice (C): Take the diamond rose and leave the family

選擇（A）：歸還鑽石玫瑰，離開石家

他想通了，不能再錯下去，但他亦沒有面目再見祖母。於是，他將玫瑰放回原處，然後由大門離去。

在書房，總管向石老夫人匯報他的行蹤。石老夫人道：「如果他欠債一事，不是被人欺詐，就替他還清債項，否則，好好對付那騙子。我絕不饒過欺侮我子孫的人。」

總管道：「是。另外，他偷鑽石玫瑰時，其中一根刺微微伸出，刺中他的掌心，將一枚超迷你探測器注射進他體內，六小時前已植入腦部。」

原來，石老先生在逝世前，一直在研究能將思想轉為文字的儀器，卻始終覺得找活人做試驗者，有點不太好。最後，他決定把裝置安裝在鑽石玫瑰中。誰生了貪念，誰就是實驗品。

石老夫人望著面前的螢光幕，上面顯示著探測器傳回的訊息，化為一大堆文字與符號，雜亂之中，又似藏著某種規律。

她帶領石氏家族的骨幹成員，經過六年不斷研究，終於將實驗者的思想轉化為文字，成功發明思想探測儀。她對外發表這項成果時，將一切榮耀歸於亡夫，並宣稱這項發明將改變整個世界的生活模式，讓世界變得更美好。

她先要求所有家族成員注射超迷你思想探測儀，隨後更推廣至企業員工。

然而，反對聲浪四起，由此引發了無窮事端，則是另一個故事了。

[完]

Choice (A): Return the diamond rose and leave the family

He made up his mind. He couldn't keep making mistakes. But he also couldn't face his grandmother again. So he put the rose back in its vase, then walked out the front door.

In the study, the butler reported his movements to Old Madam Shi. She said, "If his debt was not a fraud, pay it off for him. If he was cheated, deal with the cheater properly. I will never forgive anyone who bullies my descendant."

"Yes, ma'am," said the butler. "Also, when he stole the diamond rose, one of its thorns extended slightly and pricked his palm. A super‑tiny detector was injected into him. Six hours ago, it reached his brain."

Before Old Mr. Shi died, he had been researching a machine that could turn thoughts into text. But he never felt right about using live humans as test subjects. So he hid the device inside the diamond rose.

Whoever gave in to greed would become the experiment. Old Madam Shi looked at the screen in front of her. It showed the data sent back by the detector — a jumble of words and symbols. Chaos, but beneath it, something like a pattern.

She led the core members of the Shi family. After six years of nonstop research, they finally turned the test subject's thoughts into text. They had invented the thought‑detector. When she announced the breakthrough, she gave all the honor to her late husband and declared that this invention would change the world's way of life — and make the world a better place.

She first required every family member to be injected with the super‑tiny thought detector. Later, she expanded it to company employees.

But the wave of opposition… and all the trouble that followed… that is another story.

[End]

選擇（B）：歸還鑽石玫瑰，留在石家

賊人想到祖母曾對他的寬恕與教訓，又想起那朵鑽石玫瑰對石家的意義，終於良心發現。他將玫瑰放回原處，然後走進書房，向祖母自首，一五一十和盤托出。

石老夫人聽完，望著他，緩緩道：「你能懸崖勒馬，我很高興。這是你第二次犯錯，我可以原諒你，也可以幫你解決那筆債。但若再有第三次，不會像今次這般幸運了。」

他哭著說：「自從偷了那朵玫瑰，我心裡一直沒有安寧過。我不想再錯下去了。我願意承受任何懲罰。從今以後，我不會再騙你。我不想你生氣，更不想你傷心。」

石老夫人見他說得真切，語氣終於溫柔下來：「你有決心改過，那就好。你始終是我的好孫兒。你能破解石家的保安系統，在先進科技上亦很有天份。只要你肯專心走正路，將來一定有所作為。」

過了一週，債主既沒上門，也沒再聯絡他。他偶然瀏覽新聞，才發現五天前，債主在自己家中的花園被蜂螫，疑似因過敏反應而死亡。他心下覺得未免太過湊巧，卻也沒有多想下去。

半年後，石老夫人見他確有悔意，才告訴他當初偷鑽石玫瑰時，有一枚超迷你探測器已藉刺尖注射入他體內，成為實驗品。自此，她讓他參與進行中的研究。他不負所望，加入後提出許多新構想，接連攻克幾道難關，不出一年，便成功發明了思想探測儀。

石老夫人向外界發表成果時，稱他繼承了亡夫的遺志，在這項發明上，居功至偉。

[完]

Choice (B): Return the diamond rose and stay in the family

The thief remembered how his grandmother had forgiven him and taught him a lesson. He remembered what the diamond rose meant to the Shi family. His conscience woke up. He put the rose back in its place, walked into the study, and confessed everything to his grandmother.

Old Madam Shi listened, then looked at him. Slowly, she said, "You stopped yourself at the edge of the cliff. I am very happy. This is your second mistake. I can forgive you. I can also take care of that debt. But if there is a third time… it will not be as lucky as this."

He cried. "Ever since I stole that rose, I've had no peace inside. I don't want to keep making mistakes. I will accept any punishment. From now on, I will never lie to you again. I don't want to make you angry. And I don't want to break your heart."

Old Madam Shi saw the truth in his words. Her voice finally softened. "You truly want to change. That's good. You are still my good grandson. You were able to hack the family's security system, and you also have great talent in advanced technology. If you walk the right path with focus, you will achieve great things."

A week later, the loan shark never showed up. He never called either. The grandson happened to see the news — five days earlier, the loan shark had been stung by bees in his own garden and apparently died from an allergic reaction. The grandson thought, What a coincidence, but didn't think much more of it.

Six months later, Old Madam Shi saw that he had truly changed. Only then did she tell him: when he stole the diamond rose, a super‑tiny detector had been injected into him through a thorn. He was the test subject. She let him join the ongoing research. He lived up to her hopes. He brought many new ideas, broke through several tough problems, and in less than a year, they successfully invented the thought‑detector.

When Old Madam Shi announced the result to the world, she said that he had carried on her late husband's legacy — and that he deserved the greatest credit.

[End]

選擇（C）：帶著鑽石玫瑰，離開石家

凌晨三時許，淒厲痛苦的叫聲從大門傳出，眾人都不敢走出來看。

賊人雙手遮掩著臉，在地上痛苦地打滾著。有數隻黃蜂在地上的鑽石玫瑰旁徘徊，而在他頭上亦有數十隻黃蜂嗡嗡飛舞，尾部的尖刺閃出璀璨迷人的鑽石星芒。

他這時才知道，石家秘密成功研發了鑽石黃蜂。

[完]

Choice (C): Take the diamond rose and leave the family

Around three in the morning, a terrible, agonized scream came from the front gate. No one dared come out to look.

The thief was rolling on the ground in pain, covering his face with both hands. Several wasps hovered near the diamond rose on the ground. Dozens more buzzed above his head. The stingers at the tips of their abdomens sparkled with dazzling diamond starlight.

Only then did he learn — the Shi family had secretly succeeded in creating diamond wasps.

[End]