The meaning of these words was simple.

Out of the five of them, only three would be able to leave in the end, while the other two would have to stay here for the rest of their lives.

And a lifetime here, barring any accidents, meant death.

Instantly, the atmosphere around Yang Kang and his group grew tense.

Amidst this tension, Wei Xinyu suddenly said, "Quick, look at your phones!"

Immediately after, Wang Zhong and the others looked at their phones.

They discovered that the Artist over there had sent friend requests to all five of them.

Not a single one was missing.

"Alright, everyone, you'd best accept the friend requests."

"Also, if there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me right now."

Yang Kang's face was gloomy.

Whether what the person before them said was true or false, one thing was certain first and foremost: it had shattered the unity among the five of them.

After all, according to his words, only three would leave in the end, and two would stay.

Everyone wanted to be among the three who left, not the two who stayed.

"Should we add him as a friend?"

The playboy university student Kong Haoxia asked.

"Add him. It's just a friend request, no big deal."

Lü Youwei, the boss of the internet company, tapped to accept the friend request.

Seeing this, the other three also agreed to add the Artist as a friend.

Yang Kang, witnessing this, directly ended the video call with the Artist.

Not long after hanging up, he discovered that the Artist had created a small group chat.

Besides the Artist, the group consisted of the five of them.

Then, in the group chat, the Artist sent a message:

"Regarding the content of the video call just now, if there's anything you don't understand, you can ask in the group."

Yang Kang gritted his teeth.

The enemy was always more cunning and deceitful than he imagined.

"What do you four think? You're not actually going to believe the words of some dead pervert living here, are you?"

Yang Kang looked up and saw the other four, each with different expressions on their faces.

Hearts are separated by bellies.

No one knew what schemes were brewing in anyone else's mind.

Wang Zhong adjusted his glasses. "I don't know. I have no understanding of this person's situation, so I don't know his credibility either."

"Besides, giving a lot of money? Our original funds are restricted. What are we supposed to use to give money?"

"Rely on that one thousand yuan?"

Lü Youwei said, "I'll ask."

Lü Youwei was in the group chat of six people from earlier.

He asked directly: "We can't give any money right now. We can only pay after we get out."

"So, do you think your little game can actually work?"

The Artist quickly replied: "Oh, that's fine. Paying after you get out works too. Just give me a guaranteed amount."

Lü Youwei asked: "Aren't you afraid we'll go back on our word and not pay after getting out?"

The Artist said: "I'm afraid you won't pay after getting out. You're afraid I won't keep my word."

"Risks have to be taken. So, mutual trust is very necessary."

The conversation between the two was right there in the group, so the others could see it clearly as well.

For a moment, the room fell silent.

Two live stream rooms.

Watching the live stream weren't just ordinary Black Software users.

There was also a large group of game producers.

Whether these game producers were in the same dangerous phase as Yang Kang's group of five, or in a safe period, for them, watching more of the first round of live streams helped accumulate experience. It was beneficial and harmless.

Gu Bei, Jiang Ran's high school classmate.

Was also watching the "Far Neighbor" game live stream.

Not only was he watching.

The dozen or so other game producers who had gathered with him last time at the mountaintop in Jiangnan City were also watching.

However, they were only watching. They weren't posting any opinions in the two live stream rooms.

They had a separate group chat for discussion.

Right now in their group.

Xue Baoyu posted in the group: "Oh dear, these five people."

Joker: "It is indeed bad. Once sowed with discord like this, once the first crack appears, it will rapidly spread until everything shatters."

Gu Bei stared at the group chat on his phone.

His gaze lowered.

No one knew what he was thinking.

...

Time quickly arrived at 7 PM for the welcome party.

The activity room on the first floor of Building No. 1 was bustling with excitement.

A total of 15 tables were set, all filled with people.

Food and drinks were already served.

Yang Kang and his group of five were currently at Table 1.

They had come down an hour early.

Their goal was to find an opportunity to administer the Paraquat.

But, they couldn't find the chance.

From the restaurant delivering the banquet meal.

The process of setting up the feast and delivering it was monitored the entire time.

They simply couldn't find an opportunity.

Therefore, they had no choice but to give up.

After giving up, they went to the activity room and were arranged to sit at the first table by two administrators.

Now, the activity room was packed with people.

When the time arrived.

Manager Mao Li Zhishu, who was also sitting at Table 1, walked to the front of the activity room.

After loudly calling for everyone to quiet down.

He then slowly opened his mouth: "Welcome, everyone, to this welcome party."

"This time, our Alice Apartment welcomes five new residents. Next, let's invite them to come up and introduce themselves."

"Let's welcome the first one! Wang Zhong!"

Wang Zhong, sitting at the first table, hadn't expected to be the first to introduce himself.

So, he stood up, scanned the activity room, adjusted his glasses, and said:

"Hello everyone, my name is Wang Zhong. I am a doctor. Very pleased to meet you all."

"A doctor?"

Yang Kang and the other four heard this and thought Wang Zhong was quite cunning.

But it also set a good precedent for them.

"Hello everyone, my name is Kong Haoxia. I'm a university student."

"Hello everyone, my name is Wei Xinyu. My occupation is a service worker."

"Hello everyone, I am Yang Kang. Just an ordinary office drone."

They introduced themselves one by one. After it was Yang Kang's turn and he finished introducing himself.

Suddenly, someone laughed and asked: "Yang Kang! Where's your sworn brother Guo Jing?!"

The crowd erupted in laughter.

Yang Kang looked over. The one asking was an unfamiliar middle-aged man.

He also smiled and replied: "I don't know. Maybe he hasn't been born yet."

"Hello everyone, my name is Lü Youwei. I am also an office worker."

After Yang Kang came Lü Youwei. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

After Lü Youwei, the last one, finished his self-introduction following Yang Kang.

Manager Mao Li Zhishu, who had been standing at the front, revealed a smile: "These are our new residents this time. I hope everyone can coexist peacefully and work together to create a beautiful home."

"Alright, everyone can start eating now!"

After Manager Mao Li Zhishu finished speaking, he felt this welcome party was a great success. So, he turned to walk back to the first table. However, at that moment, a sharp, piercing voice suddenly froze everyone's movements—the clatter of bowls and chopsticks they had just picked up—and also froze Manager Mao Li Zhishu's figure as he was turning back.

They saw a tall, straight figure slowly rise from the area of the third table.

Yang Kang saw that the person was none other than Jiang Ran, whom he had met briefly today.

He was very surprised. What was Jiang Ran going to do?

Not just him, even Manager Mao Li Zhishu was momentarily stunned.

Jiang Ran, after standing up from the table at this moment, began walking towards Manager Mao Li Zhishu's position.

His serious face, the moment he lowered his head, transformed into a bizarre, smiling expression.