Genius Club

Dr. Ponsmike?

Lin Xian stared at the summary, completely confused. He wanted more details but found only a teaser. Determined, Lin Xian found the book “Prospects of Controlled Nuclear Fusion Technology” on the bookstore’s second floor. He grabbed it and began to read.

“So, that’s the situation…”

The book revealed that Academician Leon was a fraud and a thief. All his research was stolen, a truth hidden until three years after his death when Dr. Ponsmike’s research notes were found, exposing Leon’s deception.

Lin Xian reread the section to grasp the timeline better:

Dr. Ponsmike, a German scientist, was relatively unknown. Meanwhile, Academician Leon of Ghana University gained fame for his so-called discoveries. However, Leon had actually murdered Dr. Ponsmike, claimed his research as his own, and rose to international acclaim. After Leon’s death in a car accident, the discovery of Ponsmike’s notes, identical to Leon’s publications but more detailed, confirmed the theft.

“So, Dr. Ponsmike was the real genius behind the room-temperature superconductors, and Leon was a fraud,” Lin Xian concluded, closing the book and pondering.

Now, a new question emerged…

“I need to look up real-world data about Dr. Ponsmike’s death,” Lin Xian decided.

He searched the book but found nothing helpful. After all, six hundred years had passed since Leon and Ponsmike’s deaths. Lin Xian stayed in the bookstore until 12:42 AM, when a blinding light transported him back to reality.

…

Upon waking, Lin Xian immediately turned on his computer to search for information about Dr. Ponsmike’s death. Dr. Ponsmike was a mystery with scant online presence. Switching to a German search engine, he found a critical news piece: On March 3, 2023, Dr. Ponsmike died in a car accident on the outskirts of Wolfsburg, with the responsible vehicle still missing.

“This confirms it; he died recently.”

This matched the future book’s description perfectly. These details pointed to Ji Lin, Ji Xin Shui, or Zhou Duan Yun as possible perpetrators.

“Was Academician Leon involved in this murder?”

Recalling the book’s accusation against Leon, Lin Xian found it hard to confirm. Still, Leon’s possession of Ponsmike’s research linked him to Ji Lin and Ji Xin Shui.

“If they were co-conspirators, why set up a self-destructive scenario?”

Lin Xian closed his eyes, letting small clues connect in his mind:

Ji Lin had set a trap for Tang Xin, drawing Lin Xian into Xu Yun’s special investigation team, then quickly vanished before Leon’s arrival in Donghai. Ji Lin had insinuated the next target would be a hibernation scientist, steering attention away from other fields. His colleagues were convinced another hibernation scientist would be next.

Initially a mere tool for Ji Lin, Lin Xian had unwittingly built a reputation, solving cases and winning the team’s trust through Ji Lin’s strategic clue drops.

With Dr. Ponsmike dead for nearly a month and Leon having just published his paper, Ji Lin had orchestrated follow-up actions and left Donghai, leaving Lin Xian to deal with the aftermath.

Ji Xin Shui had previously attempted to kill Zhou Duan Yun, and together with Ji Lin, they had plotted against their own family member, Xu Yun. If they could target their own, it was no stretch they’d eliminate associates for their goals.

Most crucially, they had murdered the genuine scientist, Dr. Ponsmike, then handed his research to their accomplice, creating the facade of the fraudulent scientist Leon to die in Donghai. This was clearly a calculated diversion and bait!

…

Suddenly, Lin Xian’s eyes flew open, grasping the truth.

“I understand now.” Taking a deep breath, he realized Ji Lin’s intricate scheme over the months.

Ji Lin had crafted a fake scientist as bait, giving Lin Xian some sway with Donghai police to draw him into saving the counterfeit scientist.

“Ji Lin, your schemes are wicked.”

Lin Xian recognized the long, complex game the mastermind had played.

Normally, without his ability to see the future, Lin Xian wouldn’t have focused on Leon but on the hibernation scientists.

But with foreknowledge of Leon’s demise, he would’ve staked out near Leon, intercepting the vehicle and capturing the killer.

Lin Xian was determined to apprehend the murderer, almost too eagerly.

Without the revelation of Leon as a sham, Lin Xian would have fallen into the trap, oblivious that the scientist was mere bait.

“But…” Lin Xian frowned.

Was there another chance to catch the killer if he missed this one? Would Ji Lin offer another opportunity to foresee a murder?

Thinking hard, Lin Xian realized the depth of Ji Lin’s trap. There seemed no perfect solution.

Staking out near Leon might force Ji Lin to abort the murder, confirming Lin Xian’s foresight, and losing him the strategic game.

If the police covered all potential targets on April 12th, Ji Lin might also cancel the murder. Lin Xian would keep his ability secret but miss the chance to catch the killer, indirectly losing again.

Ignoring Leon meant the fake scientist would be killed, letting the murderer escape once more, rendering Lin Xian’s efforts futile.

…

Lin Xian scratched his head.

Was it possible to both preserve his secret and catch the murderer?

He pondered long but found no solution.

The main problem was Ji Lin’s potential access to police information, enabling him to adjust his tactics.

It was exasperating.

“It seems I can’t avoid being exposed.”

Lin Xian felt cornered by Ji Lin, who only needed solid evidence. For these ruthless killers, even solid proof might not be necessary if pushed to extremes.

“My time is running out. This trap is Ji Lin’s call for a final showdown.”

Looking out at the neon-lit night, Lin Xian narrowed his eyes:

“It’s time to step into the trap.”

He had a plan.

A plan to deliberately fall into the trap, flip the situation, and triumph.

…

The next day, Lin Xian visited Zhao Ying Jun’s office.

“What’s up?” Zhao Ying Jun looked up from her paperwork.

“I need to borrow a car,” Lin Xian stated plainly.

“Borrow a car?” Zhao Ying Jun raised an eyebrow.

Lin Xian had never requested such a thing before… Of course, she wouldn’t deny him. But his sudden interest in luxury cars piqued her curiosity.

With a swift movement, she opened a drawer, pulled out all the car keys, and spread them on the table: “Choose any.”

Lin Xian was taken aback by her ease: “Aren’t you curious why I need the car?”

“I trust you,” Zhao Ying Jun smiled. “If it’s something interesting, tell me later.”

“Thanks,” Lin Xian approached, selecting the red Ferrari key: “I’ll take this one.”

Recalling a thrilling rainy chase and a recent high-speed pursuit on the overpass with Yellow Finch, Lin Xian grinned: “I like this Ferrari.”

…

VROOM!!!!

The roaring LaFerrari screeched to a stop in Chu Shan He’s courtyard.

Chu Shan He approached: “Lin Xian, what’s so urgent that we needed to meet in person?”

“Mr. Chu.” Lin Xian exited the car, facing Chu Shan He: “I need your help with a complicated issue.”

He knew Chu Shan He wouldn’t turn him down.

After previously saving Chu An Qing, Chu Shan He owed Lin Xian a substantial favor, so he wouldn’t refuse any reasonable request.

“Hahaha…” Chu Shan He laughed heartily, patting Lin Xian’s shoulder and inviting him inside: “In Donghai, nothing’s too challenging for me. I’m glad you sought me out. Whatever it is, let’s discuss it inside. I’m here to help!”

…

That evening, in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan, within a traditional wooden Japanese-style house, Ji Lin sat at a tea table while Zhou Duan Yun leaned against the wall, both awaiting someone.

“Greed is so slow,” Zhou Duan Yun grumbled.

“He’s practically dead; don’t rush him,” Ji Lin replied calmly.

“He’s had his fill of life’s pleasures. His life’s been worthwhile,” Zhou Duan Yun remarked, picking at his nails. “A fraudulent academic nearly winning a Nobel Prize… It’s bizarre.”

He then looked at Ji Lin: “What if Lin Xian doesn’t take the bait tomorrow? What if he’s too scared?”

Ji Lin shook his head: “He has a strong sense of duty. Especially with a chance to catch the killer, he won’t back down easily.”

“If he were fearful, he wouldn’t have joined the task force. Clearly, while we aim to catch Lin Xian, he’s more eager to catch us. He’s probably tired of our games, seeking vengeance for Xu Yun and Tang Xin.”

“So, we just need to see if Lin Xian stakes out near Leon tomorrow. The task force members will focus on hibernation scientists, as we’ve directed them.”

“In this case, if Lin Xian still insists on watching Leon, it proves he has some ability to foresee and alter the future. Then we have valid grounds to eliminate him.”

“The day has finally arrived,” Zhou Duan Yun chuckled, “I’ve been anticipating this.”

Creak—

The sliding wooden door opened.

A bald, overweight man entered, looking at the two young men: “Ji Lin, I’m traveling to Donghai tomorrow. Why meet here in Japan?”

He then glanced at the man next to Ji Lin: “And who’s this?”

“This is Envy; you haven’t met yet,” Ji Lin introduced, pointing to the bald man: “This is Greed. You joined the organization later, so this is your first introduction.”

“Academician Leon, pleased to meet you,” Zhou Duan Yun said, shaking Leon’s hand.

“Close the door,” Ji Lin instructed, setting his teacup down and focusing on Leon: “Tomorrow’s operation is critical for Pride. If you mess up, Pride will be very displeased… Remember every word I say.”