Lin Yu recalled exactly which moment from his memories this scene represented.
It wasn't any special occasion—just an ordinary day when he returned home from elementary school at age ten.
At that time, Lin Zhao hadn't dropped out of school yet and only occasionally took part-time jobs.
The siblings mainly relied on savings and welfare subsidies to get by.
Lin Yu had already set his heart on becoming an actor, though his understanding of "acting" remained superficial back then.
Life always has certain moments—utterly mundane yet etched into memory with startling clarity.
And when recalled, they always feel particularly...
Beautiful.
Like physical manifestations of "happiness."
Lin Yu picked up his chopsticks and placed a piece of fish in his mouth.The familiar taste he hadn't experienced in so long made him briefly dazed.
But he quickly regained his composure.
With just a slight shake of his head, his vision refocused on the dining table.
Ka the Octopus looked at Lin Yu in astonishment.
"Only three seconds... My, my guest, you truly aren't someone shackled by the past."
Lin Yu grinned unapologetically. "Yeah—that's right."
His gaze shifted to Robin beside him, who was already dripping tears like a leaky faucet.
No idea what memory that girl was seeing.
About six or seven minutes later, Robin finally seemed to snap out of it.
Finding everyone at the table—including Ka—staring at her, she immediately grew flustered.
"Wh-what's wrong?"
Lin Yu observed her with interest.
"What did you see?"
Wiping her tear-streaked cheeks, Robin mumbled, "I saw my late grandmother... cooking my favorite eggplant with string beans."
Then hesitantly, she asked Lin Yu, "Was I out of it for long?"
"Six or seven minutes."
Ka nodded in agreement. "That recovery time is quite decent! It means you're an emotional person who isn't excessively clinging to the past."
Robin caught Ka's implication and turned to Lin Yu. "How long were you?"
Lin Yu shrugged. "Squid said three seconds."
This left Robin utterly baffled. "That fast?! How... how did you do that?!"
"Don't you feel any attachment to the past at all?"
Lin Yu looked at her sincerely.
"Of course not, because the person I saw... isn't dead."
"I could still eat that steamed fish anytime I want."
"So there's nothing to linger over."
Lin Zhao was still alive and kicking.
The reason he hadn't tasted her steamed fish in so long was simply because she'd been too busy running her shop alone.
And Lin Yu hated making his sister go through the trouble of preparing such labor-intensive dishes.
Hearing Lin Yu's blunt words, Robin's expression darkened.
She bit her lip hard before finally muttering after a long pause:
"You bastard... I'll kill you someday..."
Though killing each other had become routine among Death Game players,
Lin Yu could tell with absolute certainty...
This was an empty threat devoid of any real intent.
Not that it would matter even if she meant it.
In fact, Lin Yu would welcome her sincerity.
After all, Robin wanted to kill Fluoxetine...
What did that have to do with him?
Oh wait—it actually did!
He had a grudge against Fluoxetine.
If Robin actually succeeded, he'd probably laugh himself awake from dreams.
Not only would his vendetta be settled, but he'd also lose the looming threat of being hunted by an elite.
Though even if Fluoxetine died, the Psychological Society likely wouldn't stop harassing him.
At least they'd lose one elite and have to send someone else.
Lin Yu suspected that even an organization as powerful as the Psychological Society—capable of rivaling Order—couldn't possibly have many members on Fluoxetine's level.
So upon hearing Robin's offhanded threat,
Lin Yu responded with genuine enthusiasm:
"Oh, I look forward to it!"
Ka's voice then intervened:
"Now then, everyone... The 【Main Course】 segment has concluded."
"Next, please enjoy your 【Desserts】."
Ka chuckled.
"Since our guests have varied tastes, after observing everyone through most of this banquet, I've grasped your preferences and personalities."
"Thus, I'll prepare customized desserts for each of you... Each 【Dessert】 will also contain a special banquet card with unique functions hidden within."
"Find the card and finish your dessert completely... Otherwise, penalties may apply!"
"Which guest would like to go first?"
The table fell into silence.
Nobody dared or wanted to be the first guinea pig.
The later segments would undoubtedly increase in difficulty.
This round had already explicitly warned of "penalties"!
Who knew what tricks this 【Dessert】 segment might involve?
Though Ka mentioned...
Each person's dessert would differ, "tailor-made" for them.
Everyone still preferred going later.
Even with individualized desserts...
They could at least gauge the segment's nature by watching others first!
The potential advantages of being first paled against the risks of the unknown—
Especially for Li Hua's group of five.
With only one or two ropes left, their margin for error was nearly gone.
One misstep could spell absolute doom!
Caution was paramount.
As for Lin Yu and Robin who still had four ropes...
Lin Yu naturally wouldn't volunteer to test the waters.
Finally...
After several seconds of silence, Robin beside Lin Yu sighed and raised her hand.
"Um... I'll go first."
She said timidly.
Ka turned to her with delight.
"Wow—our esteemed lady volunteers to enjoy 【Dessert】 first?"
"Then I shall prepare something special for you..."
Ka retrieved an assortment of baking tools from the pool—
From molds to whisks, everything needed.
All eight tentacles worked busily as Ka enthusiastically began cooking.
Soon...
A plate bearing an exquisite, pure white dessert—likely some white chocolate creation—was presented to Robin.
Beside it sat three small bowls holding differently colored sauces.
Ka explained considerately:
"Your specially prepared dessert is called 【Blank Canvas】."
"I look forward to your 'masterpiece,' my dear Painter."