Qin Yao was already a bit confused, so she asked, "I don’t quite understand this part."

Li Renshu explained, "I can understand what Lawyer Lin means.

"Actually, it’s easier to comprehend with a specific example.

"In real life, we often encounter two types of people:

"The first type frequently follows current affairs news and is well-informed about major events happening in various countries. They can always offer insightful comments during casual conversations.

"However, when other residents in the community join forces to express protest and dissatisfaction towards the property management, he avoids it like the plague, believing it’s a meaningless action. Even when the matter affects his own interests, he still refuses to sign the collective petition.

"The second type doesn’t care about any current affairs news and overtly resists and rejects related topics. They only care about their own lives and often engage in seemingly childish activities like fan-chasing.

"But when their personal interests are harmed, they bravely knock on doors one by one, representively express their opinions, and protest without fear.

"They attempt to use all the loopholes and methods within the existing system to defend their rights as much as possible, even if their rights aren’t always justified and may harm another group’s rights.

"So which of these two types has stronger political awareness? Stronger political capabilities?"

Qin Yao pondered seriously, "Hmm... It should be the second type."

Li Renshu nodded, "Without question, the second type is stronger, and much stronger.

"To discuss the strength of political capabilities, the first thing to do is focus on concrete actions, rather than just words.

"One of the signs of maturity is ’disenchantment’; likewise, a mature political awareness also requires political ’disenchantment.’

"Blindly believing that when everyone’s heart and effort are united, like a swarm choosing the smartest person to make all decisions, can achieve the optimal solution, such people are often the ones with the weakest political awareness.

"—Because for those who don’t care about politics, their political awareness might be zero, but for others, it can be in the negatives."

Lin Sizhi nodded, "That’s why I said I don’t think these political activities in the community are just meaningless skirmishes.

"If in Community 17, neither I nor Cai Zhiyuan were present, only Boss Wang and another player of similar caliber, you could still become the leader of Community 17 with your outstanding political capabilities.

"—You didn’t give up resistance simply because your gaming skills were weaker, but instead used your outstanding political capabilities to determine the community’s direction.

"For me, a drama where one policy could decide the survival of millions is certainly fascinating, but a political drama with just a few actors can be equally exciting.

"In fact, I personally prefer the latter more."

Qin Yao was pensive, "In that case... actually, many of our community’s votes, the specific voting styles have much to explain.

"It’s just a pity that all these votes are anonymous, and there’s no way to check the exact results now.

"In fact, I’ve always had some doubts about each vote, but my biggest doubt is the first vote.

"Who exactly cast that dissenting vote? I’m really bothered by this!

"Originally, I thought it might be Boss Wang or others who opposed the scheme, but now I feel it might be Cai Zhiyuan.

"It’s just a pity there’s no way to verify it."

Li Renshu thought for a moment, then frankly said, "It was me who cast it."

Qin Yao was taken aback, "Ah?

"Why? That’s not right, what’s your reason for voting against your own scheme?

"Moreover, you couldn’t have known the specific voting style before voting, right?"

Li Renshu explained, "At the time, the scenario was: we had discussed and formulated the basic rules for the ’Community Security Fund’, with every player contributing 5% of in-game earnings, the fund providing a minimum living allowance equivalent to ’80 minutes visa time per person per day.’

"Additionally, it has an extra advantage; materials purchased with the fund can bypass the ’prohibition on trading acts’ rule, optimizing resource allocation within the community.

"For the weaker members in the community, they are direct beneficiaries, naturally they would support this proposal 100%.

"As for the stronger members, like Lawyer Lin, Cai Zhiyuan, Brother Wang, we know afterward that they actually supported the scheme too.

"But at the time, many people were not sure about Brother Wang’s, Yang Yuting’s, etc., attitudes, so they might mistakenly think this vote came from them.

"I decided to cast the dissenting vote because I was sure this scheme wouldn’t face ’more than 4 opposing votes’, leaving only two possibilities:

"The first was there could be one or two other players in the community also voting against, so my extra vote wouldn’t affect the outcome with 3 or so dissent votes.

"The second was there was no one in the community voting against, and in that case, one dissenting vote held a different significance and value."

Li Renshu paused slightly and continued to say, "Regarding my behavior, there can be two understanding approaches:

"If thinking of bad motives, the five-person group had just formed, hadn’t really gained power in the community, and hadn’t truly won over many swing players.

"Therefore, I needed this dissenting vote to better unite people’s hearts.

"As this was a proposal caring for the weak, a lenient proposal, and the five-person group put forth this scheme to look after the weak and swing players within the community, they realized there are dissenters, this ’imaginary enemy’ would make them more quickly, more firmly stand with the five-person group, and I thus naturally consolidated power in such a way.

"If thinking of good motives, because this was the first vote, I didn’t want it to be ’unanimously passed.’

"I wished all the players in the community could boldly express their dissenting views, instead of being held by others’ opinions, maintaining the facade of community unity with ’unanimous passing’, continuously accumulating resentment but daring not express it, eventually causing bigger conflicts."

"So, by casting a ’No’ vote in the first round, it breaks the possibility of going with the flow and sets an example for other players to cast their ’No’ votes without hesitation afterward.

"As for which intention contains more truth, that’s up to your own judgment."

Qin Yao felt a bit lost: "Is that so...?

"Thank you anyway, your final confession has clarified a long-standing doubt for me."

...

...

The countdown on the big screen showed the remaining two hours.

Li Renshu, Qin Yao, and Zheng Jie were already prepared.

They had already decided to leave, but stayed until now to spend as much time as possible with Lin Sizhi.

Lin Sizhi was reading beside the floor-to-ceiling window in the hall, while Wei Yinzhang sat across from him.

"I’ve... finally decided to go.

"I never expected that the one who pondered over this issue the longest in this community would be me," Wei Yinzhang said with a bit of emotion.

Lin Sizhi shook his head: "That’s not surprising. In my view, you’re someone who habitually underestimates yourself, so your true strength should be higher than your own perception.

"Moreover, there’s always the possibility for further improvement and evolution in future games.

"From this perspective, it’s quite normal for you to have thoughts of ’staying’."

He paused slightly, then continued: "Some people’s potential is completely unleashed only with a key opportunity.

"For Cai Zhiyuan, the ’King’s Judgment’ was such an opportunity.

"Once you realize ’I can do this,’ your psyche and behavior might change rapidly.

"Of course, you and Cai Zhiyuan are fundamentally different in character, and you won’t become another Cai Zhiyuan, but I think perhaps you could become a completely different Wei Yinzhang."

Wei Yinzhang was silent for a moment, then said: "The wisest choice should have been to reject this potential possibility from the start.

"Though I’m curious about my own file and crimes, and what judgment games I might face, but...

"This curiosity doesn’t extend to risking my life.

"I still believe I should think like a ’Wise Fool,’ so ultimately, the conclusion is to leave."

Lin Sizhi nodded: "Yes, like a Wise Fool, and a true Wise One."

Wei Yinzhang stayed silent for a while, then took out a stack of white papers.

They were filled with numerous rules, and sketches of various props used in the games.

Though drawn in a sketch style without color, they were quite exquisite and clear. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"These were schemes I used previously for ’guessing games,’ designed several different games, but now seem unnecessary.

"These rules might have many loopholes or not be very notable to you, but I put a lot of effort into the designs of these tools and settings.

"Of course, as an Imitator, you never need to guess, nor anyone else’s schemes.

"So if you find any part usable, use it; otherwise, consider it a keepsake."

Lin Sizhi reached out to take them: "Thank you, I’ll keep them safe.

"If there’s a chance, I’ll try to let them serve some purpose in the Walkway."

Qin Yao and Zheng Jie also seemed to have more to say, but Lin Sizhi spoke first: "Not everything has to be said at this moment.

"Perhaps after a few months, I’ll also leave here and return to the real world."

Wei Yinzhang nodded: "Indeed, due to Lawyer Lin’s ability, he stays here just to seek answers he wants.

"Unlike us, when he wishes to leave, he should be able to find an opportunity anytime."

Lin Sizhi nodded: "There’s no need to wait until the last moment.

"Go on, let me be alone for a while."

Everyone went to the community entrance, swiping their visa bracelets one by one.

Qin Yao turned back lastly to say: "Lawyer Lin! Keep our contact information; we’ll quietly cheer for you! Hope you come back soon!"

Lin Sizhi nodded: "I will."

Watching them leave the community, Lin Sizhi stood silently for a while, finally returning to the hall, sitting at the long table facing the big screen.

Until the countdown on it finally reached zero.

(End of Volume One.)