Qin Yao seemed to understand somewhat, nodding slightly, "Mm, it really does seem to be like that...

"If we changed to an older doctor, there could be corresponding arguments too.

"For example, older doctors have richer experience and more professional knowledge, providing greater help for our puzzle-solving.

"If Li Renshu had said these words at that time, she could similarly have gotten many people’s agreement.

"This vote was 9 votes, compared to the minimum threshold of 7 votes needed to pass a proposal, there’s still some buffer space.

"That is to say, even if Li Renshu’s proposal was somewhat more unreasonable than ’young male doctor,’ with two more opposing votes, the proposal could still be implemented."

Lin Sizhi continued, "Yes.

"When she rejected nurses, her reason was ’doctors have more systematic medical knowledge,’ but when choosing between older or younger doctors, she no longer considered this criterion.

"This shows that when selecting people, she actually has obvious multiple standards, and behind all multiple standards, there’s actually a hidden standard.

"Not only that, by discussing the second proposal first, she had already determined there would inevitably be such a person managing medical supplies. After everyone agreed to this proposal, they would naturally also agree to recruiting a doctor.

"After Li Renshu finished speaking, Cai Zhiyuan was first to express support, then he specifically called on me and Officer Cao.

"After we two supported this proposal, on the surface, a situation of four to five supporting votes had formed. Considering the weight of mine and Officer Cao’s opinions, this would further influence the attitude of swing votes.

"So, this discussion hosted by Li Renshu produced completely different results from the morning discussion hosted by Fu Chen.

"Everyone’s viewpoints didn’t actually change much, but as long as the meeting moderator slightly adjusted meeting details in unnoticeable places, they could naturally achieve their objectives.

"If this ability to make decisive judgments in ambiguous spaces isn’t power, then what is it?"

Qin Yao’s expression still looked somewhat incredulous, "According to what you’re saying, Lawyer Lin, the option of young male doctor was something Li Renshu deliberately guided everyone to choose.

"Besides the reasons visible on the surface, she actually has other reasons too.

"But I can’t think of what other reasons there could be?"

Lin Sizhi smiled, "Consider this homework. Think about it slowly yourself."

He stood up preparing to leave.

Qin Yao also stood up, "Wait, I have one last question.

"Lawyer Lin, if it’s really like you said... then what should we do? Are you worried about Fu Chen or Li Renshu becoming a dictator?"

Lin Sizhi shook his head, "Not worried for now.

"I’m telling you all this just to explain why Yang Yuting would try to approach you privately, wanting to establish a small group.

"You don’t need to think so badly of her, and you don’t need to think so well of Li Renshu.

"Yang Yuting’s behavior is a natural self-preservation reaction from being excluded from the power center. This only shows her political awareness is relatively sensitive, and has nothing to do with whether her character is good or bad.

"Similarly, Li Renshu’s behavior is attempting to expand her own influence and power. But after expansion, will she use this power to bind the community people together, giving us stronger force to face external challenges? Or will she use this power to pursue more private interests?

"Hard to say. I’m not a mind reader, much less a god who can predict the future.

"But generally speaking, any community will inevitably form new power structures after friction. This trend is irreversible. The only question is what the final form of this structure will be."

Qin Yao nodded thoughtfully, "Then... Lawyer Lin, what’s your choice?"

Lin Sizhi looked at her, "My choice? I stand with the winning side."

Qin Yao was somewhat confused, "Huh? Shouldn’t you more righteously emerge as a new power center and then lead our community to become stronger and stronger?"

Lin Sizhi shook his head, "I can’t do that.

"Everyone has a special ecological niche in political life. For example, Wang Yongxin’s niche is naturally that of a leader, so small groups that already have leaders won’t accept him, and he can only start his own.

"And I’m naturally unsuited to be a leader.

"Besides, many times, being a leader isn’t necessarily the position with the greatest benefits in a group.

"I’m going back to rest. You don’t need to overthink it either. Maybe our community will be wiped out in the next game?"

Qin Yao looked shocked, "That’s not comforting at all!"

...

The next morning.

Although no one specifically organized it, most players still spontaneously gathered in the hall.

After breakfast, everyone went about their own business. Some randomly picked books from the library area to read in the rest area, while others appeared more expectant, occasionally looking toward the community entrance through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Finally, notification information appeared on the big screen.

[New player visa review completed, will automatically be added as the new Player 10.]

[Please guide the new player to settle in and familiarize them with relevant community rules to avoid violations.]

[Community is at full capacity and automatically sealed, no longer accepting new players.]

Hearing the notification sound, everyone perked up.

"They’re here!"

At the community entrance, a somewhat reserved-looking young man was looking toward the hall with hesitation.

He wore black-framed glasses, had a slightly round face shape, light stubble on his chin, and a thin build.

Fu Chen had already opened the hall door to welcome him, "Come in, welcome to Community 17."

Seeing so many people standing up to welcome him, the young man was somewhat flattered, "Hello everyone, I’m Zheng Jie. You can just call me Little Zheng."

Fu Chen smiled and asked, "You’re a doctor, right? Then we should probably call you Dr. Zheng instead."

Zheng Jie was somewhat surprised, "Eh, how do you know I’m a doctor? Although my name is often joked about by others as being very suitable for being a doctor, you seem very certain, not like you’re randomly guessing.

"Also, what exactly is this place?"

Fu Chen invited him further in, "Sit down and rest first. This is a long story, we’ll chat slowly.

"Tea or coffee?"

Zheng Jie thought for a moment, "Do you have green tea? I prefer green tea."

"We do." Fu Chen used the security fund to buy a steaming cup of green tea from the vending machine and brought it to Zheng Jie.

The others also sat around the long table.

"Let me first explain the current situation."

Fu Chen, according to his understanding, gave Zheng Jie a detailed introduction to the relevant rules of the New World, communities, and the Gallery, then introduced him to the other members of Community 17.

Everyone’s biggest question about Zheng Jie was: as a new player, was this really his first time coming to the New World?

Because it was also possible that after some communities lost too many people, the New World would disband these understaffed communities and reassign the players to other communities.

However, during the conversation, Zheng Jie clearly knew nothing about the New World’s relevant rules.

Whether it was surprise at community benefits or fear of Gallery judgment, it was obviously not an act.

Zheng Jie also gave a simple introduction of his own identity.

He was 25 years old, currently a graduate student while simultaneously doing standardized residency training in the hospital’s surgery department. His official title should be "professional master’s degree combined training resident," though in the hospital he was generally called "Dr. Little Zheng."

Before entering the New World, his last memory was staying up all night on duty.