The Future of the Community

After lunch.

Everyone spontaneously took care of the aftermath, storing leftover food in the refrigerator, throwing away trash, and washing the dishes.

With everything tidied up, some people were clearly still in high spirits, chatting in small groups on the sofas in the hall.

Others chose to return to their rooms to rest.

Although the red wine wasn't strong, no one got drunk. However, after all, they had just gone through a game today, and their nerves, which had been highly strung and then relaxed, still left them feeling tired.

Yang Yuting yawned, feeling a bit weary herself. After saying goodbye to Li Renshu and Xu Tong, she left the hall, preparing to return to her room for a nap.

"This entire second floor is like a maze."

Yang Yuting couldn't help but complain again.

She had felt the same way the first time she visited.

The community's small building didn't look large from the outside, but it had hidden depths. Especially the second floor, which had twelve different rooms. The entrances to each room were cleverly separated, making the entire layout extremely complex and winding.

Even now, Yang Yuting still found it a bit difficult to locate her room.

However, as she approached her door, she suddenly paused.

Because Wang Yongxin was standing not far away, seemingly waiting for her.

"Sorry to bother you, but I have a few questions I'd like to discuss with you privately."

Wang Yongxin was very polite. This politeness made Yang Yuting feel that even if she refused, Wang Yongxin wouldn't pester her too much.

After a brief consideration, Yang Yuting nodded. "Okay, where should we talk?"

Wang Yongxin pointed to the staircase leading up. "To the third floor. There are many small, private rooms up there."

The two of them went up the stairs to the third floor and found a secluded small room, entering it.

Wang Yongxin glanced around to ensure no one was nearby and casually locked the door.

This action made Yang Yuting a little nervous, but she didn't panic.

After all, the community rules strictly prohibited any harmful or violent behavior between players.

Yang Yuting believed Wang Yongxin was a smart person and shouldn't be foolish enough to cross that line.

Of course, the rules didn't seem to prohibit deception or mind control, but such methods had limited applications and a low success rate, so she didn't need to worry too much for now.

As expected, Wang Yongxin didn't make any drastic moves. He simply sat down on a single sofa and explained, "Walls have ears, you know. For safety's sake, it's better to be careful."

Yang Yuting was curious. "What do you want to talk about? You're being so cautious."

Wang Yongxin had also drunk a good amount of red wine during the dinner, but he showed no signs of intoxication now. Instead, he was quite clear-headed.

"I want to talk about the future of our community."

This statement surprised Yang Yuting.

She really didn't understand why Wang Yongxin would bring up such a topic.

This community... did it even have a future to plan for?

Up to this point, most people had grudgingly accepted the fact that they had arrived in this "New World."

Their only concerns were how to survive the next game, how to earn as much Visa Time as possible, and how to continue living here for a longer period.

Compared to the dangerous game corridors, the community felt more like a simple safe zone.

Here, they chatted with each other, helped each other, reviewed past games together, and prepared for the next one.

Or occasionally, they could have a feast like this, easing their strained nerves and supporting each other to move forward.

Although everyone had survived this game safely, what about the next one? Or the one after that?

Perhaps the community would soon experience a loss of members, or other unexpected situations. In such circumstances, discussing or planning for the community's future seemed like a pointless endeavor.

After a moment of thought, Yang Yuting said, "I think if such things need to be considered, it's not really our place to worry about them, is it?"

Wang Yongxin smiled. "From the current situation, it's true that it's not our place to worry. But isn't that precisely the problem?

"Haven't you noticed?

"Today's proposal added a new rule to the community, a rule that will directly change how we survive in the community from now on.

"And such an important proposal was discussed and decided by five people in a small room.

"The remaining seven of us were effectively completely excluded."

His expression turned serious. "This proposal, you could say, resulted in a win-win situation for everyone.

"But what about next time? Or the time after that?

"Suppose a proposal is made now to redistribute all your remaining Visa Time equally, or that you have to hand over 70% of the Visa Time you earn from each game, and this proposal gets 7 votes and passes.

"What would happen?

"Don't think it's impossible. It's entirely feasible within the rules."

Yang Yuting was taken aback. "Are you saying... tyranny of the majority?

"But... whether it's Fu Chen or Li Renshu, they both seem quite friendly and responsible. They shouldn't propose such extreme measures."

"And even if it were proposed, it would be difficult to get seven votes, as everyone wouldn't be so short-sighted.

"If they can vote to carve up my Visa Time today, they can vote to carve up someone else's tomorrow. If this continues, everyone will live in fear, and the mutual trust within the community will cease to exist.

"We are a community of shared interests. As long as this simple logical relationship is understood, we won't slide down that slippery slope in the first step."

Wang Yongxin asked meaningfully, "Does 'we' that you speak of include me?"

Yang Yuting nodded, "Of course."

Wang Yongxin pressed further, "Then are you sure that 'we' of others includes you?"

Yang Yuting hesitated, "I suppose so?"

Wang Yongxin smiled and asked again, "Then why weren't you in that small room this morning?"

Yang Yuting was momentarily speechless.

Wang Yongxin stared at her calmly, "You've said so much, but it all boils down to one thing: placing hope in the conscience of others.

"But how do you know what the true faces of Fu Chen or Li Renshu are?

"A very simple question: you don't actually think the five people who discussed the proposal were randomly chosen, do you?"

Yang Yuting fell into thought.

"These five people..."

Fu Chen, Li Renshu, Cai Zhiyuan, Cao Haichuan, Lin Sizhi.

"Are you saying that Fu Chen, Li Renshu, Cai Zhiyuan, and Cao Haichuan were in the same group in previous games, and therefore have a deeper trust among themselves, forming a small clique beforehand?" Yang Yuting guessed.

Wang Yongxin shook his head slightly, "That's only one aspect, but there are actually other factors.

"Li Renshu is a civil servant, Cao Haichuan is a police officer, and Lin Sizhi is a lawyer.

"Do you understand? Their professions are natural 'managers.'

"Furthermore, do you remember that when we first discussed the 'Redemption Roulette' and other games, these individuals spoke more frequently than others?

"This means that not only do they have better mutual trust, but they also have professional and ideological alignment. Most importantly, they are all relatively influential people in this community.

"Therefore, any proposal that these five people unanimously agree on will most likely be implemented.

"The opinions of the remaining seven people are actually irrelevant. They either follow one of these five closely or become marginalized figures whose veto votes are meaningless.

"Today's events have already proven this point well.

"These five people are actually the 'power core' of our entire community.

"This power core formed within a mere two or three days. Do you think this is a coincidence?"

Yang Yuting frowned slightly, lowered her head, and fell into thought.

"But your perspective... is a bit too... too political."

Wang Yongxin smiled, "Is politics such a bad word?

"Where there are people, there is politics.

"Moreover, we are in a very special environment right now, with 12 people, each capable of proposing and voting on proposals.

"And the content of these proposals is closely related to the vital interests of each of us.

"In such an environment, if you don't care about politics, politics will definitely come to care about you."