Chapter 583: Sealing the Medication

He Qinyun and Zheng Chunhua's remarks appeared to carry some weight, and Geng Yuxia also expressed her agreement.

"Yes, everyone is under a lot of pressure. We can't have too much resting on one person's shoulders.

"Sharing the load and supporting each other, that's what a united community looks like."

Ye Lin was about to say something, but Lu Bingjun got there first.

"Yes, everyone has a good point. I was actually thinking the same thing.

"At its core, the custodian role comes down to having firm enough resolve and earning the absolute trust of everyone.

"Like Dr. Shen Qingyun from the game, she was exactly that kind of person.

"And as it happens, our community actually has someone like that.

"So I think having Qin Cheng take on this role would be a better choice than me."

Ye Lin paused. She seemed to want to say something, but in the end chose to stay silent.

Lu Bingjun looked at Zheng Chunhua, "You worked alongside Qin Cheng in the game. You probably have a stronger sense of this than I do."

Zheng Chunhua lowered his head slightly and said, "Yes. Qin Cheng is indeed the better choice."

He Qinyun still had some reservations, "Even so, Dr. Qin is a new player. He's only been here a few days. He's bound to have some gaps in experience."

Lu Bingjun shook his head, "For a player with real talent, experience is practically irrelevant.

"Given the right stage, the greater the pressure, the faster the growth.

"Dr. Qin is a newcomer, yes, but his performance in the Pain Game was there for everyone to see. Is there anyone here who can honestly say they would have done the same in his position?

"Beyond that, Dr. Qin has the relevant professional expertise, and everything we've seen since he arrived, both in and out of the game, points to someone reliable.

"He is without question the best choice."

He looked around the room, and seeing no further objections, continued, "Then that's decided.

"Dr. Qin, you'll take on the role of custodian for the Special Medications in our community.

"What you need to do is straightforward, but critically important.

"Use the community fund to purchase the full limited stock of these medications, then keep them safely in your room.

"No matter who asks, and no matter the reason, if anyone approaches you privately asking for these medications, you do not hand them over. That includes me.

"If a genuine extreme circumstance arises in the future and we actually need these medications, we discuss it openly in the hall, with everyone present."

Qin Cheng nodded, stood, and said to everyone, "Understood. Thank you all for your trust.

"I'll hold this line the same way I tried to in the game."

Lu Bingjun continued, "We'll also need to vote on a new proposal.

"We need to formally establish in the rules that Dr. Qin is the custodian of the medications and can draw on the community fund to purchase them."

Yao Yuan quickly drafted the new proposal.

The content was straightforward enough: a supplementary rule would be added to the existing regulations governing the Community Development Fund. One player would be designated as the custodian of all medical supplies.

In the vending machine, both Special Medications were listed under the medical supplies category, alongside the first aid kit and the community's standard medications. The designated custodian would be authorised to draw from the Community Development Fund to purchase these medical supplies, with a cap of 20,000 minutes of visa time per purchase. Once that cap was reached, an itemised record had to be submitted for all players to review, and only upon approval would another 20,000-minute allowance be granted.

At the current prices of 500 and 400 minutes per bottle respectively, with a limit of 10 bottles each, the initial purchase would cost 9,000 minutes of visa time. Qin Cheng had enough on hand for the time being, but having him pay out of pocket indefinitely was obviously not a sustainable arrangement.

On top of that, changes in visa time balance could also trigger a rotation in which players bore the agonising pain, causing a more complicated chain of consequences.

Using the community fund for the purchase was the optimal solution.

Before long, Lu Bingjun submitted the proposal at the community management station, and everyone cast their votes.

[Voting complete.]

[The results of the anonymous vote are as follows.]

[Proposal 1: Addition of a supplementary rule to the Community Development Fund regulations]

[In favour: 9 votes.]

[Against: 6 votes.]

[The supplementary Community Development Fund regulation is adopted.]

[Proposal 2: Appointment of Player 1 Qin Cheng as Medical Supplies Custodian.]

[In favour: 10 votes.]

[Against: 5 votes.]

[Qin Cheng will serve as Medical Supplies Custodian in the community, taking on the corresponding responsibilities as specified by the rule.]

Seeing the results, Lu Bingjun led the applause.

The others followed, though the vote results made it clear that quite a few players had opposed both proposals.

When the applause subsided, Lu Bingjun said, "Alright. I know these proposals were always going to be contentious.

"The question of how to handle these medications in particular is not one everyone can easily agree on.

"Some players entered the Pain Game and witnessed or experienced firsthand the harm these medications could cause, so naturally they're extremely cautious.

"But many players didn't enter the game and only heard about it secondhand, which means some wishful thinking is understandable.

"Even so, a passed vote is the result of the community's collective decision-making.

"Even when there are differences of opinion, everyone should set those differences aside and abide by the outcome.

"Alright, Qin Cheng. Go ahead and buy the medication.

"Remember, these medications must be kept safe at all costs.

"To say it one more time: no matter who asks, and no matter the reason, if anyone approaches you privately for these medications, you do not give them out. That includes me."

Qin Cheng nodded, went to the vending machine, and completed the purchase using the community fund.

Before long, a series of rattling sounds rang out as twenty small white bottles piled up in the vending machine's dispensing slot.

Qin Cheng brought over an empty first aid kit that had already been used, carefully placed all the bottles inside, counted them once more to confirm there were twenty, and closed the kit.

"Lu, I'll take these up to my room and seal them away."

Lu Bingjun nodded, "Go ahead."

Everyone watched as Qin Cheng made his way back upstairs, their expressions a mix of different feelings.

Under the community's rules, each player's room was an absolutely private space that no other player was permitted to enter under any circumstances.

Which meant that as long as Qin Cheng kept these medications in his room, unless he brought them out himself, no other player would ever be able to access them.

On the vending machine, the purchase limit for both medications had already changed from 10/10 to 0/10.

Lu Bingjun tried to purchase one of the medications as an individual. After completing the action, nothing appeared in the dispensing slot. The screen showed only a simple message.

[Purchase limit reached. Please restock.]

This meant that before anyone restocked, no player in the community would be able to purchase either medication.

A short while later, Qin Cheng returned from upstairs.

"All stored away.

"These medications will not appear again in the community. If any leak is ever discovered, I take full responsibility."

No one brought up the medication again. Everyone quietly went their separate ways.