Genius Club

Big Cat Face signaled for everyone to don their masks and climb into the van. Lin Xian effortlessly fixed his well-worn Rhine Cat mask over his face. CC opted for an Ultraman mask, the same one he’d worn during their last adventure.

This ritual whisked Lin Xian back to their first dream, where the trio had first squeezed into this van—a memory he cherished dearly. Yet, today, the van felt even more cramped, bustling with Ah Zhuang, Er Zhuzi, San Pang, and Li Ning Ning. Li Ning Ning chose an Ultraman mask too, albeit slightly different from CC’s. She positioned herself next to Lin Xian, with CC on his other side.

As they jolted along the dirt road, the van swaying, a mix of white camellia and rose scents filled the air, lulling Lin Xian towards sleep. He reminisced about their second dream. At precisely 00:42, a hand had rested on his shoulder, carrying the delicate scent of white camellia. That had to be CC. Logically, CC should have been at disposal plant 221 then, overseeing the unloading of the safe. Only one possibility remained…

Had he not joined the Face Gang, neither Li Ning Ning nor Big Cat Face would have faced delays, preventing CC from intervening. This could have jeopardized a plan back in old Donghai. Sure, other factors could have derailed Big Cat Face’s plans, compelling CC, upon recognition, to act.

“We’re here. Everyone out!” Big Cat Face announced as he parked the van on a dirt slope. They all got out. Masked, the group lined up to gaze at the distant neon lights of New Donghai City. To Lin Xian, it mirrored scenes from his favorite tales—like the Akatsuki attacking Konoha or Zhang Mazi battling bandits.

Sometimes, he felt privileged. It was as if he had access to another dimension, a fantastical realm where adventures were limitless. This was an experience he could never have in real life, yet now he was living it daily on the fringes of New Donghai City. He wondered about the purpose of this unique dream.

Zhao Ying Jun’s words under the moonlight resonated with him: “Follow your passion, something you’re devoted to, not to prove anything to others, but because it’s worth your very life.” Was there truly such a calling for him?

Recently, Lin Xian’s outlook had begun to shift. He had previously regarded many things as trivial, like the recurring dream, the impending apocalypse, the elusive tomorrow… These concepts had seemed distant. 600 years away. Why should they matter to him? Whether they entailed destruction, deformation, joy, or pain—how did they affect him?

As long as he was satisfied and free, that was enough. As long as he could explore and express himself, that was enough. But now… his perspective was evolving. Immersed in the events, new insights emerged—he had once seen Big Cat Face and CC as mere NPCs, devoid of emotion. But now, he inexplicably viewed them as friends, real beings with feelings and lives.

And not just them. Many others as well. At disposal plant 314, despite knowing that everyone would perish at 00:42, he still dashed through the drone’s fire to assist Li Ning Ning over the wall, saving the defiant girl who refused to accept her fate. Lin Xian couldn’t explain his actions. Even aware of their inevitable doom, why risk everything to save someone who had mere minutes left?

He questioned himself. Would he make the same decision again? The answer was yes. Even if the scenario had been repeated ten thousand times, he’d still have saved Li Ning Ning despite knowing the outcome. To him, it was just a few more minutes. But for Li Ning Ning, she was alive, teeming with life. She spent her days amidst filth, just to toss a few books over a high wall. People have hearts. Considering the lives of girls her age in the real world, how could he not empathize? Li Ning Ning could have lived like Chu An Qing, almost like a princess. But she rejected her predestined fate. She sought to alter her reality.

A piece of bark falling and gradually unfolding—it illustrated to Lin Xian the defiance of life. And CC. And Big Cat Face. They were all striving, resisting, refusing to succumb to their destinies. Lin Xian no longer regarded this dream simply as an escape. By day, he missed these friends. In his dreams, he eagerly anticipated their next meeting.

He adored Big Cat Face’s straightforward, earnest foolishness. He valued the strategies of Ah Zhuang, Er Zhuzi, and San Pang. He savored the dumplings made by Sister Face. He worried about Big Cat Face’s parents, whose fates were uncertain, but he never dared to ask. He admired Li Ning Ning’s stubbornness. He respected Li Cheng’s courage in allowing his daughter to undertake such perilous tasks. And CC, the mysterious, incredible girl who thrived on their playful exchanges.

Lin Xian had come to cherish all of it. He often wished… that the dream could last just one more day. How wonderful that would be. He wouldn’t need to reintroduce himself to these friends; he could simply approach them and embrace them, declaring: “Hey, I’m back!”

Lin Xian closed his eyes, finding the neon lights of New Donghai City seemingly etched onto his retinas. If someone had told him a few months ago: “Lin Xian, there’s a way to save the world 600 years from now, to prevent everyone from perishing, to let time flow once more. Will you take the risk?” He would have responded without a second thought: “Not my problem. Let someone from 600 years later handle it.”

But now, if asked the same question, Lin Xian believed he might answer: “I want to try.”

“What?” Beside him, Li Ning Ning looked up at the tall man muttering to himself.

“Nothing.” Lin Xian smiled, patting her head: “Just thinking about some things… I suddenly want to try.”

“Hey—!” Big Cat Face turned around, startled, looking at Lin Xian: “You kid, what are you up to! I’m warn—”

“Shut up!”

…

20:42

The seven of them crouched outside the high wall of disposal plant 221, silently waiting for the drone’s blind spot.

“Here, take this.” Li Ning Ning pulled a small sachet from her pocket, handing it to Lin Xian.

He examined it. It was a small, handmade sachet, about half the size of a bank card, slightly hard, as if filled with tiny grains. On both sides of the sachet, the words “Safe and Sound” were neatly embroidered. The creator clearly possessed excellent sewing skills.

“I really admire your courage,” Li Ning Ning whispered. “Over the years, I’ve heard countless people boast about venturing into New Donghai City and accomplishing various feats… but you’re the first I’ve seen who truly dared to try.”

“I wanted to convince you not to go. It’s very dangerous. But my dad tried to dissuade you for ages, and you still insisted… which means entering New Donghai City must be incredibly important to you. Maybe… even more important than your life.”

Lin Xian nodded. Li Ning Ning smiled, looking at the sachet in Lin Xian’s palm: “This was sewn by my mom. I’ve had it for many years, and it’s always kept me safe.”

“It’s too precious. You should keep it.” Lin Xian attempted to return the sachet to Li Ning Ning. But Li Ning Ning shook her head. Her slightly rough hands enveloped Lin Xian’s larger ones, gripping them tightly around the sachet embroidered with “Safe and Sound.”

“Lin Xian,” Li Ning Ning gazed up at him, “Stay safe.”

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