God's Imitator-Chapter 490: Raising a Glass in Blessing

Lin Sizhi was a bit surprised: "Hmm? You can analyze it to this extent? Not bad, you’ve made some progress."

It’s clear that Qin Yao was somewhat pleased, but she still said, "Lawyer Lin, you should be serious. Isn’t this matter very important?"

"The personnel changes in the five-person group happened consecutively before, which isn’t necessarily normal.

"If the personnel of the five-person group remain unchanged for a long time after this, it could be very problematic, right?"

Lin Sizhi smiled and said, "Your analysis is correct, but there are still some oversights.

"Why do you assume Yang Yuting is inevitably a centrist?

"The likelihoods of Yang Yuting, Li Jiang, and Yang Hui joining the five-person group are different, assumed to be 60%, 30%, and 10% respectively.

"In this scenario, Yang Yuting’s opinion would indeed be decisive.

"But, is there a possibility that whoever joins the five-person group, it doesn’t actually affect the current situation substantially?

"Perhaps, after entering, they would all choose Cai Zhiyuan’s side in a one-on-one situation, varying only in degree?"

Qin Yao was taken aback: "Huh?"

She thought seriously for a moment and said, "Lawyer Lin, do you mean...

"Li Jiang and Yang Hui are actually both recruited from the ’Tarot Game’ by Cai Zhiyuan?

"And Yuting also leans towards Cai Zhiyuan?

"This can’t be right, logically speaking, they shouldn’t get along well, should they?

"Yuting used to be very close to Boss Wang, and Cai Zhiyuan and Boss Wang have always been at odds, like fire and water. Now that Boss Wang has left the community, Yuting should inherit Boss Wang’s niche. Staying neutral would be good enough, why would she support Cai Zhiyuan?"

Qin Yao pondered for a moment and thought of a more severe issue.

"Wait, if that’s true, doesn’t it mean that the only people truly supporting you without reservation in the community are just me, Yinzhang, and Zheng Jie?

"Aunt Zhou and Shen Xing are probably just ordinary people without any particular inclinations.

"But are the remaining people more inclined to support Cai Zhiyuan...

"Is it in a 4:6 or 4:8 state..."

Lin Sizhi nodded: "So whoever joins the five-person group, it makes no fundamental difference.

"Now the matters within the community have become irrelevant.

"From the perspective of ’community evolution’, would you say the community has reached what stage?"

Qin Yao thought for a moment: "Hmm... the middle stage? No, the latter middle stage.

"It depends on whether you want to take any actions actively, right?"

Lin Sizhi shook his head: "No, the community’s evolution has completed, this is already its final form."

Qin Yao was a bit surprised: "No way? I feel there’s no fundamental difference now compared to before?"

Just then, Li Renshu called out: "Everyone can be seated, the banquet is about to start!"

The long table was already filled with a sumptuous feast.

Lin Sizhi stood up: "Now that we’re here, let’s eat first."

...

Everyone sat down around the long table, with all twelve players neatly in place.

However, compared to the initial list, there had been significant changes.

Of the original players in Community 17, only Li Renshu, Cai Zhiyuan, Qin Yao, Yang Yuting, and Lin Sizhi remained; the others were newcomers who joined later.

Considering that everyone had only been in the community for about three months, this personnel change was quite frequent.

During previous dinners, Li Renshu rarely spoke.

In the beginning, it was important to think about community cohesion, and there needed to be some necessary sense of ceremony during the meals, but as time went on, and the main members became more familiar, the red tape became unnecessary.

But this time, Li Renshu picked up the champagne-filled glass, preparing to make a speech before the banquet.

However, unlike before, the usually adept Li Renshu found herself at a rare loss for words, as if she hadn’t thought of the perfect phrasing.

"During this period, too many things have happened, and there’s much to celebrate or be thankful for.

"For the first glass, let’s toast to Aunt Zhou and Shen Xing.

"You’ve both passed the trial of the Judgment Game, braving countless hardships but ultimately reuniting successfully.

"In a place like the New World, any emotion is a luxury, let alone familial affection.

"But precisely because of this warmth, we feel the remaining warmth of reality in this uncertain place."

Everyone raised their glasses, and Zhou Guifen and Shen Xing quickly stood up and bowed to thank everyone.

Of course, how one drank was entirely free; some drank a lot or even all at once, while others merely sipped lightly.

Li Renshu continued, "The second glass, to Li Jiang and Yang Hui, to welcome you.

"Community 17 has always emphasized openness, inclusivity, friendliness, cooperation, and mutual aid. As the environment of the New World grows harsher and the games on the Walkway become more ruthless, subsequent community mergers and personnel changes might become more frequent.

"No matter what, only a community that stays fully staffed can maintain vitality and competitiveness.

"So, I hope new members can integrate quickly, and that long-standing members can better embrace them, so no matter how things change, the spirit of Community 17 carries on."

Everyone raised their glasses again.

Li Renshu was somewhat emotional; she paused briefly and continued, "The third glass is for Fu Chen.

"I always felt that it was Fu Chen who gave Community 17 its foundation of gentleness and kindness, letting us uphold our principles despite the countless desperate games.

"Also, as the first and only confirmed player to return to the real world, Fu Chen showed us light and hope.

"I hope everything is well for him on the other side, and hope that we can meet again soon.

"The fourth glass, to Brother Wang.

"Although Brother Wang has left the community, his contributions to the community are evident to all. Perhaps initially, I and some in the community somewhat misunderstood Brother Wang, but now, all we can do is wish him well.

"However, I believe Brother Wang’s departure does not mean Community 17 has gained an enemy but rather, it has gained an ally.

"In future games, we surely will have more opportunities to cooperate.

"The fifth glass, to Officer Cao, Uncle Ding, Aunt Su, Xu Tong, Jiang He, and all the departed players.

"The final glass, to all of us present.

"I know that conflicts might still exist within the community, but ultimately, we should choose to help each other, facing the upcoming challenges together.

"Cheers!"

Everyone joined in raising their glasses: "Cheers!"

After the clinking of glasses, some players who had drunk more appeared a bit tipsy.

The atmosphere became more lively; everyone shared food and chatted in small groups, filling the hall with an unprecedented liveliness.

Players who toasted to Lin Sizhi, Li Renshu, and Cai Zhiyuan the most, naturally—they had shown the most kindness in daily life.

The three also didn’t refuse, drinking glass after glass.

This gathering lasted late into the night.

During this time, some performed, and they played tabletop games like dice and guessing games.

In the end, as some slumped onto the table in drunkenness, the gathering reluctantly dispersed.

After previous gatherings, everyone was conscientious about cleaning up, but this time, everyone drank quite a bit, so they couldn’t tidy up and had to rest first, planning to tidy up the next morning.

Lin Sizhi also drank quite a bit; although the champagne and wine weren’t very strong, he was inevitably drunk at this point.

He assisted the more intoxicated Zheng Jie upstairs, escorted him to Room 10, and then returned to his own room to rest.

After a simple wash-up, Lin Sizhi lay on the bed and fell into a deep sleep.