CHAPTER 29: CHAPTER 29: FIRST ENCOUNTER

What he didn’t know was that Lucy had set up a scheduled email, set for six months later.

The content of that email included a scanned handwritten will and a video she recorded.

Although she would do everything to come back alive, there was still a slight possibility that no one could predict what kind of accident might happen.

Life is full of possibilities.

In case something really unfortunate happened, she left her house and everything to James Foster.

Fully aware that this was an adventure.

After careful consideration, she still decided to participate.

If she could succeed in this challenge, then what could ever defeat her in the future?

She participated in the life and death test with this belief.

She was the only one among the four who didn’t participate for the prize money.

The other two men and one woman signed up for the money.

Lucy only realized this later during interactions.

When she arrived at the club, she was asked to sign a contract.

After carefully reading the contract, Lucy signed her name without hesitation.

A female staff member took her to the dorm, saying as they walked, "The dorm rooms are for two people each. Since this is a closed training, you can’t have any contact with people outside the club for the next four months. We hope you comply."

"Alright, I understand."

At the dormitory door, the staff member opened the door and introduced the other female participant who had already arrived inside, "Mia Townsend, this is your roommate and partner Lucy Eaton."

Mia, who was packing her luggage, turned her head and smiled slightly, "Hello."

Lucy was a bit shocked to see her but quickly regained her composure and replied, "Hello, please take care of me in the future."

"I should be the one saying that." Mia enthusiastically came over to help with the luggage, "Lucy, do you want the top or bottom bunk?"

"I’ll take the top bunk."

"Okay."

"You two get along well. If you need anything, just come to me." The staff member explained before leaving.

Mia was very friendly. The two of them met for the first time, but it didn’t feel awkward at all, "Lucy, where’s your hometown?"

"Ainsworth Village, Suburban Township, Riventide. How about you?"

"You’re from Riventide as well, what a coincidence, our villages aren’t far apart, I’m from the suburbs too. Do you know Riventhal?"

Lucy nodded, "Yes, I do."

"My home is in the village next to Riventhal. How old are you?"

"23 years old."

"I’m also 23, my birthday is on Mid-Autumn Festival, how about you?"

"I’m a bit older than you, my birthday is on June 25th."

Mia grinned, revealing two small tiger teeth, "Then I’ll call you ’Sister’."

Lucy nodded, "Alright."

Lucy had no impression of Mia, wouldn’t have remembered this person without meeting her.

Seeing her, Lucy was shocked for two reasons.

First, Mia was John Green’s first love.

Second, in a previous life, Mia was killed by her own father with an axe over a financial dispute.

And both points came from the same news story.

From that news, she learned the name.

Lucy remembered vividly that the news reported John Green organizing Mia’s funeral, looking secretly mournful, exhausted in the photos.

She never expected to meet her in this way.

Thinking of this girl killed by her own father with an axe, Lucy couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy.

"Mia, if I say I can read faces, would you believe me?"

Upon hearing this, Mia laughed, "Really? Then take a look for me."

Lucy seriously looked at her face, pretended to analyze, and said, "Your parents are farmers, you have a younger brother with epilepsy, two years younger than you. You started dating early, the other party’s family was quite wealthy, but you’ve been apart for many years..."

Seeing the smile on Mia’s face vanish instantly, Lucy smiled, "How accurate was I?"

"Spot on, Lucy. How did you know? You’re amazing!" Mia was extremely curious, "Can you really see all that just from reading my face?"

Of course, she didn’t see it from this, but she couldn’t tell her the truth.

"I just know a little about face reading, but did I really get it all right?"

"Of course! I tell you, my parents are farm workers, my brother is indeed two years younger than me, he’s 21 and has epilepsy. Because my family can’t afford a house, our old house, despite refurbishment, is useless. No one has come to propose marriage, so my parents pressured me to join this life and death test, hoping to win the million-dollar prize and buy a house for my brother. You know the suburban housing prices can’t compare to those in Ningham City, a million should be enough."

"And you?" Lucy asked, "Have you considered, what if you don’t come back from here alive?"

"If I die here, then it’s my fate, but I will do everything I can to prevent that. To be honest, I suffered from depression, that time was unbearable, always wanting to commit suicide, got saved twice. Those demons in my heart couldn’t be overcome, but suddenly one day I woke up and walked out of the darkness, made me realize how great it is to live. Now I love life, if not for my parents forcing me, I wouldn’t have come here for money. How about you? Why are you here?"

"To push myself, challenge my limits, and hope to learn how to protect myself. Just for this."

"You’re not here for the money?"

"No, my parents wouldn’t force me, because they never cared about me. Whether I live or die doesn’t matter to them, they each have their own families and other children. To be honest, I’m actually free, can decide for myself."

Mia gave her a hug, "We both have an unfortunate family, but fortunately, we are still alive."

"Earlier, when I spoke about reading your face, I hadn’t finished..." Lucy decided to tell her directly, "You will survive the life and death test, but after that, you will face a life-or-death trial."

Mia let go and asked, "What is it?"

"Your father will try to kill you with an axe over money disputes, whether you can survive it is up to you."

Having laid the groundwork, Mia took her words to heart, "I’ll keep that in mind, thank you, Lucy. We just met, yet you were so honest with me. We have to live and eat together for months, I believe with you as a companion, life here won’t be dull."

Seeing that Mia took her words to heart, Lucy breathed a sigh of relief, "I think so too."