Chapter 155: The Welcome Party
Qi Xia thought for a moment, then asked, "'Welcome Party'?"
"Yes." Yun Yao nodded. "It was supposed to be held last night, but since we drove out looking for Xiao Nian last night... it's been postponed to today."
"Is this necessary?" Lin Qin interjected. "We've already lost so many teammates... The term 'Welcome Party' sounds far too ironic..."
"I know, that's why I said it was 'a bit presumptuous'..." Yun Yao gave a bitter smile. "It's fine, you all rest. I'll go ask others."
Just as Yun Yao was about to leave, Qi Xia called her back.
"What's the main purpose of this 'Welcome Party'?"
Yun Yao thought briefly, then replied, "Mainly to introduce everyone to each other, to facilitate later operations... Oh, and we'll also be serving beer to everyone."
Hearing this, Qiao Jiajin shot up from his seat with a clatter.
"Damn... sounds really important. We gotta go."
Han Yimo seemed confused. "What's so important about it?"
"The 'Welcome Party'! Scribe boy..." Qiao Jiajin grabbed Han Yimo's hand with barely concealed excitement. "Just the name sounds important..."
Han Yimo looked at Qi Xia in confusion, still not getting it. What was so special about a Welcome Party?
Qi Xia sighed helplessly. "You think Brother Qiao has some deep, profound plan? He's practically got 'I want to drink beer' written all over his face."
"Yeah..." Qiao Jiajin chuckled sheepishly. "I've only had beer once in these four years, and that was right before I died..."
---
Although Qi Xia didn't really want to attend this 'Welcome Party', Qiao Jiajin wanted to come.
Qi Xia knew he rarely had such strong opinions, so he decided to fulfill his wish.
As the four of them set out, Han Yimo insisted on bringing Dr. Zhao along.
He explained that Dr. Zhao had tried to save him in the previous cycle—not only stitching up the harpoon wound but also keeping him company, talking to him so he wouldn't lose consciousness. So he must be a good person.
Qi Xia couldn't say whether Dr. Zhao was a good person, but at least he was a qualified doctor who had shown a very professional side when saving lives.
As for being a person... people were complex and multifaceted. He could only refrain from judgment.
The Welcome Party was held in the school cafeteria.
Everyone had pushed all the tables together to form two long tables. Candles were lit on the tables, illuminating the modest cafeteria brightly.
Canned goods, puffed snacks, dried fruits, and drinks were piled on the tables, looking quite impressive.
Where on earth did Chu Tianqiu find all this stuff?
The five of them found a seat and sat down slowly. There were already over thirty people present.
At the front stood Chu Tianqiu, Zhang Shan, and Yun Yao, greeting each person who came and went.
It seemed exactly as Little Glasses and Jin Yuanxun had described—everyone here had been gathered by Chu Tianqiu.
"Why haven't we seen that Teacher Xiao?" Lin Qin asked. "Did she go out?"
Qi Xia and Qiao Jiajin both turned to look at Dr. Zhao.
"I don't know..." Dr. Zhao shook his head. "I haven't seen her for a while either."
"Good riddance." Qiao Jiajin picked up a drink from the table and examined it. "That girl was getting on my nerves."
Despite his words, a vague unease settled in Qi Xia's heart.
Qiao Jiajin paid it no mind. He rummaged through the items on the table for a moment, then suddenly his face turned serious. "Crap... we've been tricked!"
"Huh?" Han Yimo, sitting beside him, was startled. He looked around nervously. "Wh-what's going on? Who tricked us?"
Qiao Jiajin turned back with a grave expression. "Scribe boy, there's no alcohol here! We've been lied to!"
Seeing Qiao Jiajin's face, Qi Xia felt like punching him.
He hadn't even looked that scared when facing the black bear. Was 'no beer' more terrifying than a black bear?
"I'm telling you... you'd better not scare Han Yimo like that..." Qi Xia advised. "He's got a weak heart. If you scare him too badly, we're in trouble."
"Weak heart?" Qiao Jiajin threw an arm around Han Yimo. "Scribe boy, with me and the Con Man here, is there anything we can't handle?"
Han Yimo managed a smile. "When you put it like that, I guess you're right..."
Once everyone had settled in, Chu Tianqiu, standing at the front, began to speak.
"Everyone... although we've all met before, I still need to introduce myself." He gave the crowd a courteous nod. "My name is Chu Tianqiu, and I am currently the leader of the entire 'Heaven's Gate'."
He then gestured to his side. "This is Yun Yao. She is the vice-leader of 'Heaven's Gate.' If I am not here, she is in charge of all logistics and task assignments."
The crowd greeted Yun Yao. Most people had seen Chu Tianqiu before, but not everyone had met Yun Yao.
Her harmless demeanor and amiable smile left a favorable impression on everyone who saw her for the first time.
"And on the left is Zhang Shan." Chu Tianqiu continued his introduction. "He is also a vice-leader of 'Heaven's Gate,' primarily responsible for leading people into games."
Zhang Shan nodded to the crowd.
"There's no need to be too tense." Chu Tianqiu said. "This is our desolate place of endless reincarnation. No matter how many times you die, I will bring you back to 'Heaven's Gate.' You will always be a part of this place. So set aside all the worries of the human world and focus on achieving our goals."
With that, he turned to look at Zhang Shan and gave him a meaningful glance.
Zhang Shan understood. He nodded and pulled two cases of beer out from under a nearby table.
"Today is the 'Welcome Party.' We will provide you with plenty of food and resources. But starting tomorrow, everyone will need to spend 'Dao' to buy food. Those who can't manage it are free to leave 'Heaven's Gate' at any time. We don't keep idle hands here."
Qiao Jiajin quietly raised his hand.
"What is it?" Chu Tianqiu looked at him.
"Can we buy alcohol with 'Dao'?"
"Yes." Chu Tianqiu nodded. "But alcohol costs more than regular food."
"That's fine." Qiao Jiajin grinned. "I'm better than most people."
"Good." Chu Tianqiu smiled. "Starting tomorrow, Zhang Shan will lead the 'Earth'-level games. High risk, high reward. Anyone interested in participating can contact him. But I don't recommend newcomers for tomorrow's game. Only those who have retained their memories."
Qi Xia remembered that on the second day of the previous cycle, Zhang Shan had also led a team into a game. They had crossed paths in the 'Earth Bull' game.
Zhang Shan distributed the beers to the tables, one bottle per person.
Qi Xia and Han Yimo didn't drink, so they gave theirs to Qiao Jiajin, who looked absolutely delighted.
He bit the cap off with his teeth and chugged several mouthfuls, wearing an expression of pure bliss. But after a moment, he said with some disappointment, "It's warm. Not good."
"Don't push your luck." Qi Xia shook his head. "Where in this place are you going to find cold beer?"