Chapter 599: Chapter 598: The Landlord
After the first two rounds of the game, players wrote sentences on their boards significantly faster in the third round.
They had become familiar with the game and could more accurately assess the threat level of each sentence on the boards, allowing them to choose relatively safe options.
Lu Bingjun was indeed chosen as the host, and he quickly completed the arrangement of the speaking order.
Soon, the writing time ended.
Six Inner Court Players flipped their boards one by one.
Huang Mao Li Hui realized his mouth mechanism was activated; Lu Bingjun had arranged for him to be the first speaker.
[I’m not keen on sharing my hobbies with friends. (Red)]
This time, he refrained from mentioning the content on his board and instead directed his words relentlessly at Xu Guangxin.
"Don’t be mistaken. The damage caused by work is much greater than staying up late!
"I may have irregular routines, but I always sleep when I’m tired, and my daily sleep time is guaranteed!
"Can people who work overtime ensure their sleep time?
"No matter how erratic someone’s schedule is, I’ve never seen anyone die from it if they’re not working, whereas workers dying at their desks are all too common!
"Think about it; a person who works overtime long-term, oppressed, versus someone free and waking up naturally every day — which one is more likely to die suddenly? It’s obvious!"
Clearly, Xu Guangxin’s refusal to relent against Li Hui in the previous round led to mutual hostility.
Even the mildest person gets angry, and Li Hui seemed determined to confront Xu Guangxin, regardless of what happens next.
Next was Xu Guangxin’s turn to speak.
Many expected him to continue the confrontation with Li Hui, yet he remained unexpectedly calm.
Xu Guangxin pointed at his board.
[I had to swallow my pride most of the time due to survival needs. (Black)]
"Before coming to New World, I was merely a marginal figure in society, a worker who dared not easily resign, a docile person who wouldn’t resist despite being manipulated.
"But New World changed me.
"I’ve decided to live differently.
"If my actions hurt some people, I apologize, but life treated me that way originally."
Unexpectedly, Xu Guangxin adopted an entirely defensive strategy this round, choosing not to attack anyone.
Wei Hongbing was arranged to speak third.
[Community 11 - Wei Hongbing (Female): I hate outsiders. (Black)]
She glanced at Lu Bingjun’s board, then sneered.
[Community 2 - Lu Bingjun: I believe employees dying from overwork is their own issue. (Black)]
"Everyone, judge for yourselves, isn’t this the real culprit forcing people to death?
"Is this even humane?
"If I, as a landlord, must bear full responsibility for death cases just for occasionally arguing with tenants, then what about you, the oppressive landlords of old society?
"Among us are bosses, executives, landlords, fitness coaches, workers, and unemployed people.
"Think carefully; which identity is most harmful and who should bear the primary responsibility for the death?
"Undoubtedly, it’s the bosses and executives, right? Aren’t you the main culprits oppressing workers?
"With these two identities ’shining brightly,’ does my small landlord status even count?"
In the previous game round, Lu Bingjun’s attack on Wei Hongbing evidently fueled her resentment, so even before he spoke, she decided to launch a preemptive strike against him.
Shi Guoliang was set to speak fourth.
In the previous two game rounds, his speeches were brief and non-aggressive.
But this time, he unexpectedly defended Lu Bingjun.
[Community 7 - Shi Guoliang: My company does not produce pre-prepared food. (Black)]
"People have many social identities; why do you assert that Lu Bingjun and I must be the deceased’s superiors? We aren’t acquainted at all.
"We indeed have some connection to the deceased, but it may not be as direct as you think.
"As for my relationship with the deceased, I don’t know either, as I can’t recall any death cases among my employees, let alone sudden death cases.
"Given our company’s welfare and standards, if an employee suddenly died, it should cause a considerable public stir, and I would certainly be aware and provide compensation out of humanitarian concern.
"If the deceased wasn’t an employee of our company, your argument completely falls apart.
"Also, as a landlord, you shouldn’t underestimate yourself.
"Workers might at least receive wages while enduring the bosses and executives’ pressure; under a landlord’s pressure, they’d have to fork over their modest savings.
"Considering your board statement, as a local who dislikes outsiders...
"It’s hard to say whom the deceased resented more."
Evidently, his primary goal wasn’t so much defending Lu Bingjun but rather distancing himself from responsibility.
Nonetheless, he objectively alleviated the pressure on Lu Bingjun.
Next was Deng Xiao’s turn to speak.
[Community 2 - Deng Xiao: Whenever I feel intense discomfort from exercise, I immediately rest. (Red)]
He hesitated slightly but quickly resolved to target Wei Hongbing too.
"Anyone who’s rented knows how aggravating unscrupulous landlords can be, right?
"The trouble could shave a decade off your life, and I’m not exaggerating.
"Moreover, why don’t we as workers dare to resign?
"Is it due to company and boss restrictions? Certainly not; labor contracts don’t restrict personal freedom, so one can resign anytime.
"What truly makes workers hesitant to resign is the rent!
"Without worrying about the rent, resigning simply means lounging at home with no more than an extra pair of chopsticks.
"It’s the rent that’s stifling us, preventing resignation!
"I’ve heard that some landlords notice wage increases at big companies and then raise rent similarly.
"After working tirelessly to earn wages and bonuses from the boss, should I simply hand it all over to the landlord?
"Who do you think is more detestable?"
As the host, Lu Bingjun naturally took the last turn to speak.
[Community 2 - Lu Bingjun: I believe employees dying from overwork is their own issue. (Black)]
"I deeply sympathize with employees dying from overwork.
"However, I also genuinely believe it’s their own matter.
"Although I now barely qualify as part of the management, I rose up from the grassroots.
"When the company assigns tasks, it’s not always possible to allocate the ideal workload; often, there’s flexibility.
"For employees, if they receive tasks markedly beyond reasonable limits, they should protest, argue rationally, and explain clearly to their supervisors.
"I believe most company managers, to ensure timelines are met, won’t pin all hopes on a single employee.
"Even in extreme situations, for health’s sake, job-hopping or resigning is advisable.
"If I die from overwork, I would also believe it’s my entire responsibility, as no one starves just because they don’t work nowadays.
"Even after quitting, there’s always a way to earn a meal, not risking starvation.
"But if landlords arbitrarily withhold tenants’ security deposits, in dire situations, some may end up sleeping on the streets."
