"I won't be home for dinner tonight. The club is having a gathering."
After finishing the text message, he hit send.
Lin Yu turned off his phone screen and stopped his bicycle at the intersection.
He had arrived at Changming Street.
Located in the old district of Jiangcheng, Changming Street had no skyscrapers—only low-rise buildings and even some self-built houses.
Small shops lined both sides of the road—convenience stores, auto repair shops, breakfast stalls—all exuding a shabby atmosphere.
Lin Yu walked along Changming Street, counting the blue nameplates nailed above each doorway.
"937, 938, 939..."
He stopped.
This place was larger than the others, yet more desolate.
Because it was an abandoned two-story restaurant.
The sign reading "Jiangcheng Family" was tattered, and the door lock was rusted over.
After some thought, Lin Yu approached a side window—the glass was broken, covered only by a layer of paper.
He tore through the paper covering and opened the window.
The windows in these old buildings weren't high, so Lin Yu easily climbed inside.
But what he saw inside surprised him.
"Something's not right..."
Though dilapidated and worn, all the tables and chairs were neatly arranged, and the floor was spotless.
As if someone had just cleaned it.
This was completely different from the aged, abandoned exterior.
Lin Yu immediately became alert.
He gripped the lie detector and pistol in his hands.
As for why he took out the lie detector too... well, having it ready couldn't hurt.
Nervously, Lin Yu scanned the restaurant, even hiding behind a pillar.
And just then...
"Tap, tap, tap..."
Footsteps echoed through the empty space.
Lin Yu cautiously peeked out, following the sound.
He saw a figure descending the stairs between the first and second floors.
It was a tall, portly middle-aged man wearing an elegant navy blue double-breasted suit and polished leather shoes.
Moreover... he was adorned with glittering gold accessories—a gold watch, gold rings, a gold necklace.
The man was practically dripping with jewels.
He descended the stairs and looked in Lin Yu's direction.
"I see you there, kid—no use hiding!"
"The 'gathering' isn't until the night after tomorrow... you're a bit early!"
The middle-aged man's voice boomed with confidence.
Lin Yu still didn't dare come out.
Though this man seemed nothing like the "junior girl" from before, Lin Yu wasn't about to take chances.
Hiding behind the pillar, he called out:
"What gathering? I don't know anything about that!"
The middle-aged man burst into laughter.
"Oh, first time? By my count, it's about time for this batch of newcomers to find the 'forum'..."
As the man spoke, Lin Yu grew even more confused.
"I don't understand what you're saying. I just happened to pass by."
Hearing this, the man smiled wider.
"Kid, setting aside how you're sneaking around 'scouting the place' just like most first-timers I've seen..."
"As a 'veteran,' let me remind you—we players who've survived the Death Game can't mention those two words to ordinary people, not even hints. The moment the thought crosses your mind, the words get 'stuck' in your throat."
"The fact that I can talk about it so freely proves you're definitely a 'player.'"
Despite the gold-covered man's words, Lin Yu remained behind the pillar.
He didn't think the man was lying...
But precisely because they were both players, Lin Yu grew even warier.
"Aren't players supposed to be adversaries... Why aren't you more cautious around me?"
Lin Yu muttered quietly.
The middle-aged man chuckled: "Kid, seems your first round was PvP."
"Players rarely oppose each other in real life. We've all cheated death once—why fight to the death outside the game too?"
"As the saying goes, harmony brings wealth!"
The man's deep, enthusiastic voice sounded particularly convincing.
Lin Yu believed most of it, but still didn't fully trust him.
He raised the lie detector.
"Then swear you won't hurt me."
The man looked surprised.
"Huh? Swear... alright then!"
He raised his right fist: "I bear you no malice and have no intention of harming you."
Hearing this, Lin Yu released the lie detector's button.
"Beep—"
The green light turned on.
Lin Yu finally relaxed slightly—though not completely.
There was still the possibility this man was "using truth to deceive."
But Lin Yu considered that "extremely unlikely" scenario practically negligible.
He stepped out from behind the pillar.
The middle-aged man raised an eyebrow.
"Well, aren't you a sharp-looking rookie... and you found the forum, solved the puzzle to locate the gathering spot, even knew to scout ahead in just one day. The younger generation sure is impressive."
Seeing the man still seemed friendly, Lin Yu decided to be more open: "I genuinely know nothing about any gathering or puzzle."
He spoke earnestly. The man paused, then asked:
"Then how did you find this place?"
"Someone gave me a card with this address."
Lin Yu took the business card from his pocket.
Hearing this, the man quickly descended the stairs.
Lin Yu watched him warily, but the man made no threatening moves—he just took the card and examined it closely.
After a moment, he returned it to Lin Yu, muttering: "How strange. Why would someone just give a newcomer the 'gathering' address?"
"Maybe some 'organization' wants to recruit you... but this is a weird way to do it."
As the man muttered, Lin Yu frowned.
"So what exactly is this 'gathering' about?"
At this question, the man fell silent for a moment.
"Alright, 'rookie'... though I don't know your background, since you lack even this basic knowledge, I'll explain."
"After all, you could find all this on the 'forum' anyway."
"Consider this me doing you a favor!"
Lin Yu felt somewhat exasperated.
"You're making it sound so worthless—do you really think I'll owe you for this?"
"Haha, sincerity is my ultimate weapon!"
The man laughed, then turned serious: "First, let me ask you this, rookie... what do you think is the standard for measuring a Death Game 'player's' strength?"