Genius Club

Recently, the weather had warmed up, prompting Lin Xian to switch his heavy bedding for something lighter. This morning, he easily tossed aside his thin quilt, slid into his slippers, and stood up from his bed.

“VV,” he murmured, the name lingering in his thoughts.

The name VV wasn’t too surprising when CC mentioned it, fitting well within their world of mysteries. However, the real conundrum lay in CC’s description of VV as a middle-aged man with long hair and a beard.

At times, Lin Xian wondered if this man could be him in the future. It was a wild guess, lacking any solid proof, just pieced together from the cryptic name and a voice eerily similar to his own. The scant details made the image fuzzy, yet CC’s intense reaction suggested a deeper significance.

“This VV character is crucial to CC for some reason,” he pondered.

Perhaps this mystery was linked to the secret CC fiercely protected, the one she hesitated to share.

“Let’s not get too caught up in this now,” Lin Xian whispered to himself, taking a drink from his desk and screwing the cap back on tightly.

Each dream revealed fragments of information, pulling minor confessions from CC. He was satisfied with these incremental insights. His latest strategy was to leverage the name VV in their upcoming meeting on August 28, 2624, to strengthen their partnership faster.

Gaining her trust and demonstrating his genuine intentions, he hoped to utilize her skills as a password cracker to access New Donghai City.

“We’re finally making progress,” Lin Xian thought, pacing his room with his hands behind his back.

Since his second dream about New Donghai City, he had been fixated on exploring it. After many days of planning, his strategy to infiltrate the city was nearly perfected. He was convinced that the answers he sought were hidden within its confines.

Lin Xian closed his eyes briefly, organizing his goals for the city:

With CC’s help, find the abandoned Time Bank and crack its safe.

Search bookstores for historical texts to understand the developments over the past 600 years and uncover the identity of the mysterious figure on the moon.

Locate the book “Introduction to the Universal Constant,” note the author’s details, and find him in 2023.

Investigate the whereabouts of Big Cat Face’s father and delve into the enigma of the universal constant 42, potentially exposing the secrets of the Genius Club.

After addressing some concerns with MX Company and Zhao Ying Jun, Lin Xian felt lighter and more immersed in his dream explorations. Simultaneously, his real-world investigations into the Genius Club were progressing steadily. He was on the brink of cracking Zhao Ying Jun’s office password.

The possibility of soon unveiling truths in both his dreams and reality gave Lin Xian a sense of impending clarity.

“It’s time for another dream,” he yawned, settling back into bed and snugly wrapping himself in the quilt before closing his eyes.

The next day, Lin Xian decided to skip work. He had received a WeChat message from Zhao Ying Jun about Miaoke recording the theme song for Rhine Cat, and the mysterious Director V would be attending. Zhao encouraged Lin Xian to come and share his creative insights.

Lin Xian caught a taxi to the studio, a rare choice given the terrible morning traffic in Donghai City, starkly different from his usual subway rides. Stuck in a cab during rush hour, he felt the full brunt of the city’s congestion.

“I should buy a car from Gao Yang… though I’ll need to wait until after New Year since he’s currently out of town,” Lin Xian considered.

After a lengthy 40-minute drive, Lin Xian arrived at the studio slightly late. Miaoke was already inside the soundproof booth, headphones on, intently focusing on her music sheets as she sang. The booth was so well insulated that not a single note escaped. Outside, the studio was quiet, save for the soft murmurs of the few staff members present.

Upon his arrival, all eyes turned to him. Zhao Ying Jun acknowledged him with a nod.

“Lin Xian, good you’re here,” she said, greeting him warmly.

Lin Xian nodded back, closed the door, and entered. The studio was refreshingly cool, and Zhao had already removed her coat, looking impeccably put-together. Her hair was neatly styled, and her dark silver earrings twinkled with her movements. Lin Xian guessed she wore her usual grey coat outside.

“She’s such a perfectionist,” he thought, amused. Anyone trying to impersonate Zhao Ying Jun would be instantly betrayed by her meticulous habits. Today, she wore a black sweater that highlighted her figure and grey trousers that made her legs appear longer. Her signature black high heels seemed almost a permanent fixture on her feet; Lin Xian had never seen her in any other shoes.

“Feeling better?” Zhao inquired, her focus on him.

“Huh?” Lin Xian, caught off-guard by her attire, hadn’t quite caught her question.

Zhao gestured towards his lower back. “Your back. Is it feeling any better? You seemed a bit off when you got out of the car the other night. Did you hurt it somehow?”

“Yes,” Lin Xian replied, nodding. “I was really tense that night and ended up pulling a muscle. But it’s much better now, hardly noticeable.”

A couple of staff members glanced over, puzzled by their conversation.

What an odd exchange…

Recalling Sister Juan’s words from the day before, Lin Xian remembered Zhao Ying Jun’s recent hospital visit for a leg injury. Brother Wang had even discussed a potential promotion with her during his visit. Considering the severity of the Bentley crash off the overpass, it was miraculous she could walk at all. Concerned, he asked, “And how’s your leg? Nothing too serious, I hope?”

“Just some soft tissue damage on both knees,” Zhao replied, looking down and slightly bending her knees. “The car impact was pretty harsh.”

The four staff members in the room stared in shock. Such a frank discussion in public? The young tea server blushed, hiding behind her tray. Openly talking about soft tissue damage?

Zhao noticed their stunned expressions and asked, “What’s the issue?”

“Nothing, Miss Zhao, absolutely nothing!” The studio manager quickly interjected, pointing towards Miaoke who had just taken off her headphones. “Miaoke has finished her session. Would you like to listen to it? We can redo it if it’s not up to par.”

“Let Lin Xian have a listen,” Zhao suggested, crossing her arms and turning to him. “It’s your project, after all.”

Lin Xian took the offered headphones and listened to the freshly recorded song. The intro was catchy, and Miaoke’s clear, sweet vocals added a comforting spring vibe, perfectly complementing the lively and adorable theme of Rhine Cat. It was even better than he had dreamed, confirming they had made the right choice in selecting her as the singer.

“I think it’s good,” Lin Xian stated, removing the headphones.

Zhao nodded in approval and instructed the studio manager, “Go with this version, then.”

The manager seemed surprised. Miss Zhao hadn’t even listened to it herself but trusted Lin Xian’s judgment so implicitly? This level of confidence was telling. Nonetheless, he was relieved to wrap up the task successfully. The quality of the song and the singer was indeed exceptional.

Afterward, Lin Xian met with Director V and the animators in the tearoom to outline the specific visual elements for Rhine Cat. These were scenes and motifs he had already seen in his dream. Lin Xian had absorbed a plethora of animations and visuals related to Rhine Cat, and now he simply needed to translate these vivid memories into instructions for the director and animators.

But this tapped out his reservoir of ideas. All the designs, toys, and sketches he had provided were the last remnants of his memories related to Rhine Cat. “I hope there’s a Rhine Cat toy store in New Donghai City,” Lin Xian thought, weary from creative exhaustion.

After the meeting, Director V and the animators approached Zhao Ying Jun, praising Lin Xian’s contributions: “Miss Zhao, you’ve got a real gem here! His creativity and ideas… truly remarkable!”

“And he composed the theme song himself? What a versatile talent… Your team really is stacked!”

Zhao smiled faintly, her eyes on Lin Xian, who was chatting with staff in the adjoining room. “Yes… I am indeed fortunate.”

Later, Lin Xian and Zhao Ying Jun headed back to the office. With the Spring Festival holiday approaching, there was much to organize and finalize. Lin Xian found himself unusually busy, moving from the recording studio to the office and working until past six in the evening to clear the backlog. Now overseeing a team of over forty, the workload was immense, a testament to Rhine Cat’s immense popularity.

Even in a world where the future was uncertain and history possibly rewritten, Rhine Cat’s allure remained undiminished. “I am not history,” Lin Xian mused, reclining in his chair and gazing at a Rhine Cat figurine on his desk. “You are history.”

The phone rang just as he finished his thought. The caller ID indicated it was from Zhao Ying Jun’s office. “Lin Xian, come to my office,” her voice came through, sounding cheerful.

“Okay,” Lin Xian responded, hanging up.

Was she calling to discuss the new secretary appointment?

On the 22nd floor, a soft thud echoed as the heavy, double-layered security door opened. “Come in,” Zhao Ying Jun’s voice directed through the intercom.

Lin Xian entered her stark office. The sun had set, the sky was a deepening gray, and night was encroaching. Bright lights in Zhao Ying Jun’s office contrasted sharply with the gloomy Donghai City skyline outside. He passed a dusty tea table and a sofa, the potted plants bearing withered leaves, and approached her desk.

“Miss Zhao, you called for me?”

Zhao Ying Jun nodded, sliding a dark red folded card across the desk—square, adorned with dark golden patterns, and sealed with wax.

“This is…” Lin Xian’s eyes widened in curiosity.

“Congratulations, Lin Xian,” Zhao Ying Jun said, a slight smile playing on her lips. “This is your… invitation!”

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