Abandoned Restaurant

"I'm not coming home for dinner tonight, the club is having a get-together."

After finishing the text message, he sent it.

Lin Yu turned off his phone screen and stopped his bicycle at the intersection.

He had already arrived at Changming Street.

Changming Street was located in Jiangcheng's old district. There were no skyscrapers here, only low buildings, and even some self-built houses.

The sides of the road were lined with small shops, including convenience stores, auto repair shops, and breakfast diners, all exuding a sense of simplicity.

Lin Yu walked along Changming Street, counting the blue plaques nailed to the shop signs.

"937, 938, 939..."

Lin Yu stopped.

He had reached number 940.

This place was larger than the others, but also more desolate.

It was a derelict two-story restaurant.

The illuminated sign that read "Jiangcheng Renjia" was tattered, and the door lock was covered in rust.

Lin Yu thought for a moment, then walked over to a nearby window—the glass was broken, covered only by a layer of paper.

He poked through the paper and opened the window.

The windows in these old buildings weren't high, so Lin Yu easily climbed in.

However, the scene inside was somewhat unexpected for Lin Yu.

"Something's not right..."

Although dilapidated and old, all the tables and chairs were neatly arranged, and the floor was spotless.

It was as if it had just been cleaned.

This was completely different from the old and abandoned appearance from the outside.

Lin Yu immediately became vigilant.

He gripped the Lie Detector and the Pistol in his hands.

As for why he also pulled out the Lie Detector... well, it couldn't hurt to have it.

Lin Yu nervously scanned the restaurant, even hiding behind a pillar.

And just then...

"Tap, tap, tap..."

In the empty space, footsteps echoed.

Lin Yu peeked out slightly, following the sound.

He saw a person walking down from between the first and second-floor stairs.

It was a tall, stout middle-aged man, dressed in a well-tailored double-breasted dark blue suit and shiny leather shoes.

In addition,... he was adorned with various golden accessories—a gold watch, gold rings, and a gold necklace.

He was truly "dripping with jewels."

He descended the stairs and looked in Lin Yu's direction.

"I see you, little brother—stop hiding!"

"The 'Gathering' isn't until the night after tomorrow... you're a bit early!"

The middle-aged man said, his voice full of energy.

Lin Yu still didn't dare to show himself.

Although this middle-aged man didn't seem to be affiliated with the "Junior schoolmate" from before, Lin Yu wasn't willing to take the risk.

He hid behind the pillar and asked, "What gathering? I don't know anything about it!"

The middle-aged man burst into laughter.

"Oh, your first time? Looking at the timing, it is indeed about time for this batch of newcomers to find the 'Forum'..."

As the middle-aged man spoke, Lin Yu became even more confused.

"I don't understand what you're talking about. I was just passing by."

Hearing Lin Yu's words, the middle-aged man's smile widened.

"Young man, let's not even mention how you're sneakily casing the place, which is how most newcomers act when they first find out... "

"As a 'Veteran,' I'll give you a reminder: players like us who have participated in the 'Death game' cannot reveal the words 'Death game' to ordinary people, not even hint at it—the moment you even think about it, whatever you say next will get stuck in your throat."

"The fact that I can chat with you so smoothly proves that you are indeed a 'Player'."

The middle-aged man, covered in gold, said this as Lin Yu continued to hide behind the pillar.

He felt that the middle-aged man hadn't lied to him...

But precisely because they were all players, Lin Yu became even more vigilant.

"Aren't players inherently in opposition to each other? Aren't you going to be wary of me at all?"

Lin Yu said in a low voice.

The middle-aged man chuckled, "Young man, it seems your novice instance was competitive in nature."

"In reality, 'players' rarely have adversarial relationships. Everyone's life is hard-won, so why fight and kill outside the game?"

"As the saying goes, harmony brings wealth!"

The middle-aged man's voice was deep and enthusiastic, sounding particularly convincing.

Lin Yu believed him for the most part, but still didn't fully trust him.

He raised the "Lie Detector" in his hand.

"Then swear that you won't harm me."

The middle-aged man was very surprised.

"Huh? Swear... Alright!"

He raised his right fist, "I have no ill intentions towards you, nor do I plan to harm you at all."

Hearing the middle-aged man's words, Lin Yu released the button on the Lie Detector.

"Beep--"

The Lie Detector's green light turned on.

Lin Yu finally relaxed some of his vigilance—but he didn't completely let his guard down.

After all, there was still a possibility that this middle-aged man in front of him was also "deceiving people with the truth."

However, Lin Yu felt that such an "extremely low probability" event could almost be ignored when considering it.

He walked out from behind the pillar.

This made the uncle raise an eyebrow.

"Yo, you newcomer are quite good-looking... And you found the forum in just one day, solved the puzzle, located the gathering spot, and even came here in advance to scout it out. Truly impressive for a young person."

Lin Yu looked at the middle-aged man, who still maintained a friendly demeanor, and decided to be equally candid. "I really have no idea about any gathering or puzzle."

He said sincerely. The middle-aged man was stunned for a moment, then spoke.

"Then how did you find your way here?"

"Someone gave me a card with the address here on it."

Lin Yu said, taking out the business card from his pocket.

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man quickly walked down.

Lin Yu watched him warily, but the middle-aged man didn't do anything out of line. He simply took the card and examined it repeatedly.

Then, the middle-aged man returned the card to Lin Yu and couldn't help but mutter, "That's strange. How would someone give you, a newcomer, the address of the 'gathering' so casually?"

"Is some 'organization' trying to recruit you... But this is a weird way to recruit someone."

The middle-aged man muttered, and Lin Yu frowned.

"So, what exactly is this 'gathering' referring to?"

Lin Yu asked. The middle-aged man pondered for a moment.

"Alright, 'newcomer'... Although I don't know your background, since you don't even know this common knowledge, I'll explain it to you."

"You can find the answers on the 'forum' anyway once you get there."

"I'll tell you for free now, consider it me doing you a favor!"

Lin Yu felt a bit helpless hearing the middle-aged man's words.

"Are you really trying to make me owe you a favor by downplaying this matter so much?"

"Heh, sincerity is my ultimate skill!"

The middle-aged man said with a smile, then his expression turned solemn. "Anyway, let me ask you a question first, rookie... What do you think is the standard for measuring the strength of a 'player' in a death game?"