Genius Club

“Understanding is key,” Lin Xian murmured as he carefully folded the painting and tucked it back into his black notebook. He planned to dispose of it once he left, aware that keeping it could only invite trouble.

He found Chu An Qing genuinely easygoing—humble, considerate, and full of empathy. In his mind, Lin Xian awarded her personality top marks.

Whenever he embarrassed himself, she was there to assist, providing a graceful way out without a hint of smugness. Lin Xian couldn’t help but envy Chu Shan He for having such a thoughtful daughter. He wondered if he might have one like her someday.

“Can you sign my Rhine Cat?” Chu An Qing asked with a giggle, offering a Rhine Cat doll. “This bun-haired, cheongsam-wearing Rhine Cat is my favorite. Maybe someday, when you’re a world-famous designer, this autographed cat will be worth a fortune! But I wouldn’t sell it. Having the creator’s signature makes it incredibly meaningful.”

“Of course,” Lin Xian responded, taking the Rhine Cat. He signed his name on the fabric tag, laughing, “Honestly, this is the first time I’ve signed a Rhine Cat. You’re the first to ask. Usually, people just appreciate the cat and don’t care about the designer.”

“Really? Could you add ‘NO.1′ on it too? That would make it even more special!”

“No problem,” Lin Xian said, his mood lifting. He added a small “NO.1” below his signature, marking it as his first-ever autograph. However, he doubted there would be a second. Unlike novels, designers rarely drew attention outside their industry. Even with icons like Hello Kitty, few knew it was created by Yuko Shimizu or that it was a Sanrio product.

“Here you go,” Lin Xian said, handing back the Rhine Cat.

“Thank you, senior!” Chu An Qing took the doll and waved. “I’m off then.”

“Take care,” Lin Xian replied, waving goodbye. He sighed in relief; having a rational, easygoing person like Chu An Qing around prevented potential misunderstandings. If she had been a spoiled brat, she might have made trouble by misinterpreting his actions.

“Chu Shan He raised his daughter well,” Lin Xian thought appreciatively.

At the celebration banquet, when he noticed Chu An Qing’s striking resemblance to CC, Lin Xian entertained a thought—could it be that one day, with the development of hibernation pods, Chu An Qing would enter one and emerge 600 years later as CC?

He initially dismissed the idea. In the future world of “First Dream,” hibernation technology was undeveloped, and even the pod’s filling solution wasn’t completed until around 2477. Where would Chu An Qing find a pod? Moreover, even if the technology existed later, Chu An Qing would be much older. How would she appear young again in the future?

Besides, why would a healthy person risk entering a pod, potentially losing memories and separating from family? Chu Shan He would never allow it. Yet, Xu Yun had mentioned memory loss as a side effect of hibernation pods. Lin Xian didn’t know the specifics, but CC had also mentioned having memories that felt foreign.

This information left Lin Xian puzzled. CC’s memories were fragmented, suggesting a life lived, yet not solely hers. If considered from the standpoint of parallel worlds, what exactly did that imply?

As of now, the connection between CC and Chu An Qing remained a mystery.

“Is CC… still out there?” Lin Xian pondered. After the temporal shifts, the dream world changed, altering everyone’s fates, including CC’s. In this new future world, was she still attempting to open that safe? Did the safe even still exist?

“That’s uncertain,” Lin Xian concluded, shaking his head. Fate was enigmatic. Some people remained constants in your life, like Big Cat Face. Others, like CC, you might never encounter again. In such a vast, complex world…

Lin Xian doubted he’d meet CC again, unless destiny willed it.

After the lecture, his advisor suggested a celebratory drink, but Lin Xian declined. He had more pressing matters to attend to in his dreams tonight.

[Go find Big Cat Face’s father and ask him about the Universal Constant. Try to uncover the secret of the Genius Club.]

Back home, Lin Xian freshened up quickly. It was only 5:10 PM, earlier than his last dream entry, but starting early was advantageous. He drew the curtains, climbed into bed, and closed his eyes.

…

…

…

Without the familiar summer breeze or the cicadas’ piercing calls, Lin Xian felt uneasy. The self-built houses around him blocked out the sunlight, casting a cool shadow over the village—a surprisingly comforting atmosphere.

Opening his eyes, Lin Xian found himself successfully back in the dream, in the narrow, crowded village. He checked his watch: 5:32 PM. About ten minutes remained until the thief who would steal Granny Li’s handbag appeared.

Hiding in an alley, Lin Xian leaned against a brick wall, waiting for the “Three-Sword Style Master” to show. This was his quickest link to Big Cat Face. As time ticked by, finally…

“Stop—stop thief! Stop… stop the… thief!” Granny Li’s panting voice echoed from outside the alley.

Lin Xian flexed his wrists, readying himself. “Finally, you’re here… Roronoa Zoro!”