Genius Club

When Lin Xian heard the name “VV,” he felt a jolt of tension. VV was described as a middle-aged man with long hair and a beard, and his voice was eerily similar to Lin Xian’s. VV once hinted to CC that all the secrets she needed were locked away in a safe, making him a crucial yet mysterious figure in their lives.

Despite Lin Xian’s repeated attempts to get information about VV from CC, she always remained tight-lipped, saying it was personal and she’d rather not talk about it. Today, though, she seemed more willing to open up, possibly feeling a newfound closeness to Lin Xian, and began to reveal more about VV.

“Your voice and his have haunted me since I was young,” CC paused, stopping her work on the safe to focus on her story. “I used to wonder if you were him. But the timeline doesn’t add up.”

“I first met VV when I was eleven, and he was already a middle-aged man. When I remember you with the safe, I’m my current age—and so are you. It doesn’t make sense that I aged normally while you became younger.”

“That’s just not logical. If VV is still out there, he’d be at least in his forties now. But I never met him at eleven in my past life.”

“But…” CC’s eyes wandered, her face troubled. “Today, you’ve talked about things like time loops, the end of the world, predicting the future… After hearing all that, why should I stick to normal logic?”

“So…” Lin Xian cut in, “do you think I could be VV?”

CC shook her head. “I’m not sure. I can’t fully believe it, but there are undeniable similarities.”

“Things like courage, strong beliefs, and a bold approach to danger. VV’s memory has really influenced who I am. He’s like a hero to me, someone I’ve always wanted to be like.”

“But,” CC added, her voice changing as she stared straight at Lin Xian, “there’s one big difference between you two.”

“What’s that?” Lin Xian was genuinely curious.

“VV was much colder than you,” CC replied sincerely, her expression darkening. “He was serious, reserved, and carried a deep bitterness. He did everything with a detached efficiency, whether it was ending a life or saying goodbye.”

“I’m not sure if those traits are good or bad, but I do admire his determination and fearlessness. That’s part of why I came all the way from Brooklyn to join you in sneaking into New Donghai City.”

CC tapped the aluminum safe, which emitted a hollow sound. “Don’t get me wrong; I’m not trying to compare you directly to VV. I actually prefer your personality. But sometimes, you seem split: one moment decisive like VV, the next hesitant and unsure.”

Lin Xian recognized the truth in her words. He had two sides: the daring dream version and the cautious real-life version. The dream Lin Xian was bold and indifferent to danger, much like VV. In contrast, the real Lin Xian was gentle and thoughtful, always considering his actions carefully.

These two versions of him—one like VV, yet not; the other truly him, yet different. But he couldn’t blame himself for this split personality. If his real life involved endless rebirths and time loops like in his dreams, he wouldn’t need to be so cautious either.

“I understand,” Lin Xian said, his eyes drifting to the rising moon. “If VV were here, he’d definitely be leading the fight against the killer, right?”

CC nodded. “I might not like someone as cold as VV, but if there’s a cause worth risking everything for, it’s worth it. Risks don’t always pay off, but if you never take them, what can you expect?”

“What happened at the end of that memory?” Lin Xian checked his watch—it was 00:40, nearly time to wake up—and pressed for more details. “You seem torn. You admire VV but also resent him, especially how he left you. Did he abandon you at eleven?”

“You got it,” CC chuckled, though there was a hint of bitterness in her laugh. “He was supposed to tell me the combination to the safe but never did. Even when I begged him to take me with him, he left me alone in the wild.”

“Do you hate him?” Lin Xian asked.

“It’s complicated,” CC admitted. “It’s just a memory, not really my life. But sometimes, I feel for that girl he left behind. Why was he so heartless?”

Lin Xian checked his watch again; it was 00:42. He stood up from the safe, unable to offer CC the empathy or understanding she sought for VV’s actions.

However…

“If VV and I are the same, you don’t need to worry,” Lin Xian reassured as he approached CC, who looked up at him, a mix of strength and vulnerability in her expression, reminding him of Zheng Xiang Yue in the hospital.

“Why not worry?” she asked.

“Because he will surely come back for you,” Lin Xian declared confidently. “I don’t know why he was so cold, but if VV is really me, from some point in the future, I believe in that.”

“HA!” CC laughed softly, turning her head away. “You say the world ends at 00:42 today, and it’s time to start the countdown. Where is he? What’s he doing?”

Silence fell. Lin Xian’s guess was right: CC held deep resentment toward VV. Everyone carries stories that seem minor when shared but feel heavy when remembered.

“I don’t know now,” Lin Xian sighed softly, a gentle smile appearing on his lips. “But one day, I will find out.”

“Thanks for your tactical insights today,” he said as he waved goodbye to CC.

Boom!!!!!

Boom!!!!!

Boom!!!!!

The inevitable white light engulfed everything, marking the end of time as always.

The next day, at the Donghai City Public Security Bureau, Ji Lin welcomed Lin Xian warmly as he entered the office. “Welcome, Lin Xian! You’re now part of the special investigation team for the Xu Yun case.”

“Why was I transferred here?” Lin Xian handed over his secondment letter. “I’m not a detective or a crime writer.”

“Your help will be invaluable,” Ji Lin assured him, letting him take a seat. “Let me start with some good news: we’ve made progress in the Tang Xin case.”

“Did you catch the killer?” Lin Xian asked.

“No,” Ji Lin shook his head. “But we found out that many of Tang Xin’s chat records on her phone were fake. After checking with the server data from the chat app company, we confirmed they weren’t her real conversations.”

Lin Xian stayed quiet, watching Ji Lin closely, trying to figure out his angle. After yesterday’s discussion with CC, Lin Xian felt less anxious. Hiding was useless. Whether at home or in the police bureau, Ji Lin and his colleagues, like Ji Xin Shui and Zhou Duan Yun, were clearly onto him. He decided it was better to confront them directly.

“With this new evidence, we need to re-investigate Tang Xin’s case,” Ji Lin explained, opening a folder on his desk and linking it to another case. “Given the similarities between Tang Xin’s and Xu Yun’s cases, we think the same person or group might be responsible.”

Lin Xian nodded. “But what does this have to do with my transfer?”

“You were the last person to see Professor Xu Yun alive,” Ji Lin stated.

“That’s true,” Lin Xian acknowledged.

“And you were also the last to see Tang Xin on the night she died,” Ji Lin added.

“That’s correct,” Lin Xian confirmed.

“So, Lin Xian… if someone could precisely control the death times of Xu Yun and Tang Xin, timing them around 00:42, you would be the prime suspect,” Ji Lin said bluntly.

Lin Xian frowned. “What are you suggesting?”

“After Xu Yun’s death, you inherited all his patent earnings, becoming a millionaire overnight. You benefited the most from his death, with only a vague promise to care for Xu Yun’s daughter in return.”

“Ha,” Lin Xian chuckled. “So, you suspect me. What about Tang Xin? What did I gain from her death?”

“When Tang Xin died, you were seen saving Chu An Qing at the theater. You brought them together backstage, and as a result, you were welcomed by Chu Shan He, the most powerful man in Donghai City. I don’t know the exact amount of money or favors he offered, but you clearly benefited from Tang Xin’s death.”

“I see,” Lin Xian said calmly. “So you think I’m responsible for the deaths of Xu Yun and Tang Xin.”

Ji Lin spread his hands. “Honestly, Lin Xian, I never personally suspected you. But given your involvement and the coincidences surrounding the benefits you gained, the Donghai police can’t help but be suspicious. If I didn’t bring you in, they would start investigating you soon, potentially harming your life, freedom, and reputation.”

“So, you’re inviting me to join the special investigation team?”

“Exactly,” Ji Lin confirmed. “This is your chance to clear your name. You knew Tang Xin and Xu Yun better than anyone, possibly even understanding the killer’s motives. By joining us, you can prove your innocence and seek justice for your classmate and Xu Yun. It’s a win-win.”

“Do you accept my invitation?”

“Of course,” Lin Xian smiled, his determination clear. He stood and extended his hand to Ji Lin. “I’m here to catch the killer.”

Ji Lin stood and shook Lin Xian’s hand with a smile. “From today, we are colleagues.”