Chapter 74: New Dungeon! The Cafeteria Freezer!

In the following days, although Lin Yu had obtained some "information," he didn't rashly take any new actions.Before completing the Promotion trial, Lin Yu wouldn't actively involve himself with those organization-related matters.

After all, schoolwork kept him quite busy.

Two courses had midterm assignments due, one of which was a "group project."

The performance class professor suddenly assigned them to study Shakespearean plays, claiming it was related to the final exam—this would require considerable effort from Lin Yu too.

After repeatedly asking Shen Bingmiao for investigations recently, the club president naturally began making demands of Lin Yu—the club promotional video recording that Lin Yu had always refused now became something he had to agree to.

"Welcome all juniors to join the 'Jiangcheng University Drama Club.' I'm Lin Yu, waiting for you in the drama club!"

Amidst these real-life obligations, time passed quickly...

Seven days flashed by in an instant.

Tuesday arrived again.

Right after noon at twelve o'clock, the notification popped up as usual.

『Less than 24 hours remain before the latest possible start time for the next game!』

『Before midnight tonight, place yourself in a sub-zero temperature environment to await game entry.』

Reading this prompt, Lin Yu stroked his chin.

"Sub-zero?"

This condition would be hard to fulfill. Lin Yu's first thought was to clean out his home refrigerator and climb inside.

But...

Previously locking himself in the bathroom was one thing.

The apartment Lin Yu currently lived in was small, with a tiny kitchen, so the refrigerator stood in the dining area!

If he messed with the fridge in the middle of the night, Lin Zhao would definitely drag him out and give him an earful.

So Lin Yu pondered.

"I need to find someplace like a freezer..." he muttered, then considered his options.

Restaurants usually had such places, right?

His sister's restaurant?

No...

Absolutely not.

What about Tycoon's?

Also no good—who knew how long Tycoon's restaurant had been abandoned.

Moreover, Lin Yu didn't particularly want to develop too close a connection with Tycoon.

After much deliberation, Lin Yu arrived at the best solution.

"Looks like the school cafeteria is my only option!"

Lin Yu's mind settled on the most suitable choice available.

As a Jiangcheng Media University student, his presence on campus late at night wouldn't raise suspicions.

He could even tell his sister he was staying at school and send some photos to alleviate Lin Zhao's worries.

As for how to sneak into the cafeteria freezer or cold storage, a complete plan quickly formed in Lin Yu's mind!

"First and second cafeterias are out—they're school-run with centralized cold storage elsewhere, ingredients delivered fresh each morning."

"Cafeteria Four closes late and is too close to the library—those overachievers might spot me..."

"That leaves Cafeteria Three as most suitable—not only is it outsourced, but its location is more remote."

"Most importantly, Cafeteria Three has a back door secured only by an old padlock!"

Having reached this conclusion, Lin Yu went to inspect Cafeteria Three.

It was mealtime, so his presence there wasn't suspicious.

After hastily eating some braised chicken rice, Lin Yu peered through the window at the kitchen area.

Massive freezers were lined up behind each counter—more than spacious enough to hold a person.

Gaining kitchen access would be simple too; though the counters had metal shutters, most wouldn't actually be lowered after closing due to trust in student integrity and campus surveillance.

Thus, Lin Yu confirmed that entering the game from Cafeteria Three's freezer should work.

With this settled, Lin Yu texted his sister Lin Zhao again.

"Working on group project at school tonight, pulling an all-nighter with classmates. Won't be coming home."

Lin Zhao always supported academic matters.

"Okay, don't overexert yourself," came Lin Zhao's prompt reply.

With Lin Zhao's approval secured, Lin Yu spent the remaining time studying on campus.

Seizing the opportunity, he visited the library to review the Shakespeare plays recommended by his professor.

Though he'd read them in high school, after two years of performance studies and several stage appearances, his perspective had changed.

"Shakespeare truly was a genius—writing such brilliant plays during medieval Europe centuries ago..."

Lin Yu marveled.

He couldn't imagine how earth-shattering it must have been for a medieval European actor, accustomed to mediocre scripts, to first encounter these groundbreaking works and yearn to perform them.

Soon...

Night fell quietly.

As the library's closing saxophone melody played, Lin Yu realized—

It was 11 PM!

Nonchalantly replacing the Complete Works of Shakespeare, he exited with the crowd.

While most students streamed toward dorms, Lin Yu silently turned onto a different path leading to Cafeteria Three.

As predicted, the cafeteria near the sports field stood quiet at night—only a few strolling couples broke the stillness.

The back entrance by the staff bike shed was completely deserted.

Lin Yu easily reached the back door and made an unexpected discovery.

"Huh, it's not even locked!"

He stared in surprise at the merely draped padlock.

Cafeteria Three's lack of security exceeded his expectations!

Not only were the counter shutters left open, but even this door was barely secured!

He'd planned to pick the lock using online tutorials or force it open if necessary.

Now, that wouldn't be needed.

Lin Yu quietly opened the door, slipped inside, and closed it behind him.

Inside, he headed straight for a dumpling stall.

This shop was famous for its prepackaged frozen dumplings—though its affordable prices (buy three taels of four-flavor dumplings and get a boxed drink free) kept business booming.

Their freezer was naturally the kitchen's largest.

And completely undivided!

Opening the freezer door revealed bulk dumpling packages stacked inside.

Lin Yu removed two bags, then set a timed text message to Shen Bingmiao on his phone.

"Trapped in Cafeteria Three's dumpling freezer! Help!"

Set for 12:05 AM, after confirming battery and signal, he left the phone outside on a table.

Though the freezer seemed openable from inside, Lin Yu feared potential mishaps.

Passing the Death Game only to freeze to death in here would be truly unfortunate!