Who has the lowest status, and is there such a thing as restraint

Ye Mengfu's cheeks flushed crimson, the redness nearly reaching the tips of her ears.

Little Fufu was the type to take things far too seriously—even in games, she immersed herself completely.

Despite the repeated emphasis on "no selling of oneself," it still felt like a flimsy cover-up to her, something utterly unacceptable.

In front of Lin Yu, she often stumbled over her words, revealing her socially awkward side.

And now, in front of so many people, they were calling her a "songstress" from ancient times?

How was this any different from making her perform some absurd dance in public?

Just as Lin Yu was about to offer some comforting words, Shen Buyao beat him to it, saying kindly:

"Little Fu, don’t be so nervous—it’s just a game."

"Sure, your role might not sound as flattering as others."

"But at least… its name is longer than everyone else’s!"

Lin Yu gave her a deadpan look: "…"

If you don’t know how to comfort someone, maybe just don’t say anything?

Haven’t you heard the saying that diligence in the wrong hands is worse than laziness?

What kind of consolation is that supposed to be?!

The next moment, Shen Buyao drew her own role card and revealed it to the group.

Shen Buyao: "???"

Lin Yu: "!!!"

Ye Mengfu: "!!!"

Huang Feirong: "Wow? Buyao, after all that talk to comfort Fufu, you should’ve just shown your card instead!"

On Shen Buyao’s role card were two bold characters:

[Beggar]!

Honestly, though.

Seeing Shen Buyao’s drawn role, Ye Mengfu’s tension immediately eased a little.

Lin Yu suppressed a laugh, maintaining a "serious as a police officer" expression as he patted Shen Buyao’s arm and said:

"Buyao-jie, I’ve realized something—sometimes, your words are incredibly wise."

"Longer names… really are better!"

"Yours is short and to the point, huh?"

"Starting with just a bowl—might as well experience the glory of founding the Ming Dynasty!"

Shen Buyao’s face turned even redder than Ye Mengfu’s.

Not out of embarrassment, but sheer indignation:

"Ying’er, how could there even be such a… tasteless role like this?"

"I demand a redraw! What can a beggar even do?"

Ying’er immediately shut her down:

"No can do, Buyao-jie."

"Once a role card is drawn, it can’t be changed until the game ends."

"But look closely—your skills are actually super powerful!"

Shen Buyao eyed the card skeptically:

"Really? Is that so?"

"I don’t play many games—don’t you dare trick me."

Lin Yu patted her shoulder:

"Buyao-jie, it’s just a game. You’ve got to play along."

"What’s wrong with being a beggar? Just beg with style!"

As he spoke, Lin Yu drew his own role card from Ying’er.

With [Beggar] already in play, could there be anything worse?

Even if he didn’t get Huang Feirong’s [Noble House] card, something like [C-Class Hero] or [Model Commoner] would’ve been fine!

But when Lin Yu flipped his card, the room erupted in chaos once again…

[Rotting Corpse]!

Lin Yu: "???"

Everyone else: "HAHAHAHA—"

Shen Buyao, in particular, laughed the loudest.

Clutching Lin Yu’s arm, she cackled without restraint.

She laughed with glee~ she laughed with glee~

Lin Yu had just started to develop a sliver of faith in Ying’er’s game.

But.

Faith can crumble in an instant.

Everyone else, no matter how bizarre their roles, at least got to be living beings.

Him?

He was already a boxed corpse before the game even started!

This was… utterly ridiculous!

Noticing Lin Yu’s dismay, Ying’er hurriedly explained:

"Little Yu, don’t underestimate yourself!"

"Your role is undead!"

Lin Yu: "…"

Heh. Undead.

What’s next?

Was he supposed to summon Frost Dragons and raid enemy bases?

Since when did Warcraft crossover into this?!

Shen Buyao’s taunt arrived fashionably late.

Patting his back with mock solemnity, she said:

"Lin Yu, don’t lose heart. The most important thing in a game is to play along."

"Don’t worry—even if I have to beg across all Three Kingdoms, as long as I get a bite to eat, I’ll save a burial plot for you!"

Lin Yu: "…Thanks, I guess?"

Meanwhile, Ye Mengfu had been studying the fine print on Lin Yu’s card.

After a long pause, she finally spoke up timidly:

"Lin Yu, your… yours is really long."

Huang Feirong leaned in:

"Huh? Big Yu wearing split pants or something?"

Ye Mengfu froze, her face burning even redder: "…"

Lin Yu quickly shoved Huang Feirong’s head away:

"Go away, Feirong-jie! Don’t corrupt our team’s morale."

"Little Fu was talking about my skill descriptions!"

"They do seem pretty long, huh? Yours only have a line or two, but mine’s a whole essay?"

Longer skill text usually meant greater power—except for Divine Sun Quan.

After skimming his abilities, Lin Yu felt slightly better.

Maybe this [Rotting Corpse] wasn’t so weak after all?

Of course.

He hadn’t seen the others’ skills yet—only his own.

For all he knew,

He was just a frog at the bottom of a well, blissfully unaware of the dark forest’s laws.

As he pondered this, a sudden chill ran down his spine.

His gaze swept the room…

And landed squarely on Du Ruxue.

At that moment, Du Ruxue was watching him with a cryptic smile, her expression almost…

Enraptured.

As if she were sizing up prey!

Lin Yu: "!!!"

He snapped to attention, quickly huddling with his teammates.

Gesturing for Ye Mengfu, Shen Buyao, and Huang Feirong to gather close, he whispered urgently:

"We’re in trouble—I think Ruxue-jie’s targeting me!"

"I’m a corpse…"

"And she’s a [Tomb Raider]!"

Huang Feirong caught on first, gasping:

"So Ruxue-jie specializes in handling the dead?"

"She’s gonna dig you up!"

Lin Yu nodded frantically: "Yeah."

Damn it!

What are the odds?

Like a golden bell shield countering the Dragon Subduing Palm—

He was hard-countered right from the start!

And by the last woman he wanted to face.

If there were any truth-or-dare segments later, he was doomed.

Shen Buyao, however, remained amused, teasing:

"What’s the big deal?"

"We’re all neutral faction anyway."

"Just submit to Cao Wei! She’s a milf, after all!"

Lin Yu: "…"

Ye Mengfu timidly raised her hand, looking like she had something to say.

Lin Yu: "Speak freely, Little Fu. We’re brainstorming here."

…

(Second update today—more coming soon! Many friends have already gathered in the discussion space on my profile. Feel free to check it out if you’re interested!)