There is a famous line from the inspirational movie Forrest Gump, starring the renowned Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks, which Lin Yu personally loves.
“Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
At this moment, Lin Yu deeply understood this sentence.
Ever since Li Nian led three ‘Free Alliance’ players inside, Lin Yu felt as if he had encountered a chocolate that might have been made by Xie Te.
After both sides had just narrowly avoided trouble and busied themselves separately, Lin Yu realized that this chocolate really was chocolate; Xie Te was just its appearance.
But now...
The moment the name “Li Hua” slipped out of Gaoshan’s mouth,
it was like biting into that chocolate and Lin Yu was joyfully surprised to discover...
Wow, it turned out to be Xie Te’s filled chocolate.
No one could be blamed. Although it was Gaoshan who said the name Li Hua and Big Bird who chose this restaurant, who would have thought that a whole table of ‘Free Alliance’ players would walk in?It was just all too coincidental.
Of course... Lin Yu still wanted to ask whether that crow was a god who controlled “fate.”
If so, Lin Yu wanted to greet its entire family.
“This damn well could have been settled from the start...”
Lin Yu sighed and reached into his pocket, blindly pressing the buttons on his phone.
Sure enough, all four members of the ‘Free Alliance’ simultaneously looked toward Gaoshan and Lin Yu.
Among them, a muscular man called “Old Zhou” glowed with sharp intent and spoke softly.
“Friend, you just mentioned ‘Li Hua,’ right?”
“I want to ask... is it the Li Hua I’m thinking of?”
Gaoshan stopped in his tracks, about to say something.
Lin Yu suddenly spoke instead.
“You know Secretary Li Hua from the Jiangcheng Procuratorate? Is that true?”
His tone was genuinely surprised, with no hint of deceit on his face.
It seemed he was truly shocked that the two-dimensional person they met at the noodle shop knew such an important figure.
At the same time, he subtly tugged Gaoshan’s shirt.
This unexpected reply made the ‘Free Alliance’ members glance at each other.
Because Lin Yu’s words sounded so convincing, they subconsciously thought, “Better to bluff our way through quickly.”
After all...
“Li Hua,” while a name with special meaning among players,
was indeed a very common name.
“Jiangcheng Procuratorate?”
Qianhuan quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “Ah, then that’s wrong. We’re looking for Li Hua, the deputy general manager of a real estate company in Jiangcheng!”
“He owes us a lot of project payments.”
Qianhuan said with a smile, and Li Nian quickly chimed in to support the story.
“Yeah, this Manager Li is really too much... don’t worry, I have some influence in Jiangcheng, so I’ll definitely help you find this guy!”
These two were quick to make up lies, matching Lin Yu’s speed, though their acting was slightly stiff.
However, with Lin Yu’s hint, the crafty Gaoshan naturally understood his meaning.
As a frontline police officer, he knew all too well that sometimes you can’t just rush in!
If these people were truly players, their ranks might not be low. It was best to call for backup first.
So Gaoshan nodded and put on a look of being fooled.
“Oh, so it’s not Secretary Li Hua... but Li Hua is indeed a common name.”
“If they refuse to pay debts, you can try legal channels. If it’s difficult for you, there are free legal aid services now.”
Gaoshan said casually, patting Lin Yu.
“Hope your trip goes smoothly. Let’s go, Lao Wu.”
He didn’t dare call Lin Yu by May anymore.
But just as Lin Yu and Gaoshan were about to leave in this awkward atmosphere...
the girl in the black dress tilted her head.
“Wait a moment.”
She took a folding umbrella from her delicate handbag and pressed a button to open it.
The pitch-black canopy spread open with a whoosh, blocking their way.
The black-dressed girl looked at the three companions at her table and said lightly,
“Don’t be so easily led by others... Although it’s useless against most advanced players, it doesn’t hurt to test suspicious people by moving a thought first.”
“There’s no need for you two to keep acting... You’re players, right? Players of the ‘Death Game.’”
Xiaoyun’s words caused Gaoshan’s expression to shift slightly.
They were exposed!
The burly man also showed a surprised look.
“Good kid, you almost fooled us!”
“So you’re the players!”
He clenched his fists.
Gaoshan exhaled and spoke succinctly,
“I’ll hold them off. You call for backup.”
He slowly bent down and drew a police baton from his waist.
Lin Yu saw Qianhuan also reveal a battle-ready stance.
And just when it seemed a crisis was imminent...
the noodle shop owner’s voice rang out.
“Guests, your two small portions, one medium portion, and two large portions of mixed noodles are ready!”
The friendly owner appeared carrying a tray.
Gaoshan immediately put away his baton behind his back and stepped aside.
Li Nian also tapped the table.
“Hey, Old Zhou, Huanzi, and Sister Xiaoyun, this noodle shop is one I ‘really like.’”
“So... let’s eat noodles properly first.”
Then Li Nian smiled at the owner.
“Two large portions for that tall guy, one medium for me, and small portions for the other two.”
The owner arranged the noodles according to Li Nian’s instructions.
“Old Zhou” exhaled and sat down, breaking his chopsticks and starting to mix the noodles.
Xiaoyun pursed her lips.
“Since A Nian said so... well, I’ll give you some face.”
With a “snap,” she closed the umbrella.
Lin Yu was still stunned in place when Gaoshan pulled him.
“Hurry up and go!”
Having just heard the name “A Nian,” Gaoshan had already reacted...
these people sitting here were from the ‘Free Alliance’!
Although he didn’t know why they were letting them go, impulsiveness and unpredictability were the trademarks of this organization.
Seizing this opportunity, of course, they had to leave.
But...
at this moment, Lin Yu pulled over a chair and sat down heavily at this table.
“Brother Shan, you should leave first.”
Then he calmly said, “Everyone, one of you can leave, right? Let me stay behind as a hostage.”
The four ‘Free Alliance’ members looked at Lin Yu’s move, somewhat surprised.
Li Nian still smiled and said,
“Oh, quite the talent... Have you joined ‘Order’ yet?”
“Want to consider joining our ‘Free Alliance’?”
The vest-wearing man sighed,
“What a pity!”
Gaoshan didn’t understand how these two reacted...
If he and Lin Yu had taken one step outside just now, that would have been real danger!
Lin Yu exhaled.
Although the other two didn’t understand, Li Nian and Qianhuan had some prior interaction with him.
Those two were clearly “acting” on purpose just now.
Li Nian’s acting... still had flaws, as usual.
But that didn’t matter.
“So, what do you think of my conditions?”
Qianhuan stroked his chin and said, “Actually, I don’t have much objection... but if you want to negotiate, what capital do you have to come to the negotiation table?”
“Just this guy here could probably crush you two without much trouble.”
Qianhuan pointed at the vest-wearing man.
Lin Yu remained calm and shook the brooch on his collar.
“Our capital is... although we will die, well...”
“You wouldn’t want the ‘Gambler’ and the ‘Tycoon’ to lock onto your whereabouts and appear in front of you next moment, would you?”