Genius Club

“Whoa! What is that?”

Big Cat Face jumped to the side, his heart pounding, as a rusted, metal trash can robot suddenly came to life behind him. He had just started to relax when the surprising sight snapped him back to alertness.

“It’s a trash can robot,” Lin Xian explained, eyeing the dilapidated model named VV.

Initially, Lin Xian thought he accidentally triggered the robot, causing it to malfunction and latch onto him as if he were garbage. However, he soon realized the robot was already in disrepair, likely discarded and forgotten long ago. In a city as advanced as this, where cutting-edge technology was the norm, an antique robot like this was an oddity.

Just outside the square, the streets buzzed with the latest robotic technology. Sleek, high-speed robots zipped past, their movements almost a blur, performing tasks with impeccable efficiency. Lin Xian had seen top-of-the-line trash disposal robots that kept the city spotlessly clean, a stark contrast to this decrepit machine that seemed barely capable of distinguishing its target.

Strangely, the robot had zeroed in on Lin Xian’s ankle, ignoring everyone else. “Garbage! Garbage! Found garbage!” it announced repeatedly.

Big Cat Face chuckled and pointed at Lin Xian. “Looks like it’s calling you garbage.”

“That is strange,” Lin Xian mused, his mind racing to connect the dots about this peculiar robot.

The robot was absurdly out of place near the statue of Zhao Ying Jun, a visionary known for her meticulous design of this square and a strict no-fly zone, highlighting her high regard for this area. Its presence here couldn’t be a coincidence; it must be a deliberate placement.

If this outdated, bothersome robot was left intentionally, Lin Xian surmised it might be a clue specifically meant for him. The model name, Micro Trash Disposal Robot VV, curiously shared his initials—another hint that this was more than a random occurrence.

Moreover, the fact that the robot targeted only Lin Xian, despite others being nearby, supported his theory that this was a deliberate clue from Zhao Ying Jun.

But the question remained: What was the clue about?

Feeling overwhelmed by the cryptic hints everyone seemed to be dropping lately, Lin Xian decided to push aside his questions for the moment. “Forget it. Let’s not worry about it for now,” he said, detaching the robot’s clamp from his ankle and moving it aside. He then joined Big Cat Face and Ah Zhuang as they descended from the platform to explore the square.

The trio was immediately struck by the sparse crowd, each individual flaunting uniquely futuristic attire. Yet, the real shock came when they left the square and entered the main street.

They stepped into a dazzling neon-lit metropolis. Three-dimensional holograms danced above them, layers of traffic flowed seamlessly at various altitudes, and skyscrapers pierced the skies. The air was filled with the laughter and joy of people enjoying life in this advanced city.

Big Cat Face spat on the ground in frustration. “Damn it! We’re struggling down below, and they’re living it up here!”

No sooner had he spat than his saliva was caught by an unseen force, whipped around 270 degrees in mid-air, and whisked into a hovering trash disposal unit the size of a garbage truck speeding above.

“Now that’s a trash disposal robot!” Ah Zhuang exclaimed, impressed, as he playfully tossed a tissue onto the ground. Within seconds, the tissue was swept up and spiraled gracefully into the disposal unit.

Lin Xian noted the sleek design of the Hover Trash Disposal Robot A37 and contrasted it with the primitive VV. The A37’s designation was straightforward, likely indicating its series and model iteration.

Remembering the odd VV, Lin Xian shook his head at the complexity and ambiguity of its designation. “Let’s go. Time to move on,” he urged, steering Big Cat Face away from any more ground-based experiments.

They had learned from a passerby in the park that the Rhine Museum was within walking distance—a fortunate bit of information that spared them the hassle of navigating unfamiliar transportation.

Convinced that Zhao Ying Jun had hidden clues for him in the Rhine Museum, and intrigued by the secret Yellow Finch had hinted at, Lin Xian led the way. Their attire blended seamlessly with the eclectic fashions around them, making them just another group of locals in the vibrant Sky City.

Soon, they arrived at the Rhine Museum. The main road in front of the museum bustled with the typical energy of Sky City, but the surrounding areas were eerily quiet, considering the museum was closed for the night. From a distance, the museum’s extensive grounds were evident, with a noticeable difference in elevation between the front and the back sections, separated only by a narrow road.

However, the most immediate challenge was figuring out how to gain entry into the rear section of the museum. The main gate, a sleek electronic barrier typical of Sky City’s advanced infrastructure, was firmly shut, lacking any visible buttons or locks to suggest a straightforward way to open it.

“Time for the tools,” Big Cat Face muttered, producing a gray lump bound in duct tape.

“Whoa,” Lin Xian reacted, recognizing the familiar yet unexpected item. “C4? Why did you bring that along for a parachute jump?”

“You never know when you’ll need C4,” Big Cat Face replied, his grin reflecting a mix of mischief and professionalism. “But we can’t use it on the main gate. It’s too sturdy and likely rigged with alarms. We should find a weaker spot on a side wall. These museum walls are mostly stone—C4 would make quick work of them.”

“But, Cat Face, using C4 outdoors isn’t the same as indoors,” Lin Xian cautioned. “The explosion would draw too much attention with its noise, light, and smoke. We’re not here to steal; I need to examine the exhibits closely. If we trigger an alert and the patrols show up, tonight’s effort will be wasted.”

“So, what’s the plan?” Big Cat Face asked, reluctantly tucking the C4 back into his waistband. “The courtyard’s only accessible through this steel gate, and you can’t crack it open. Without the C4, we can’t just blast through a side wall either.”

Lin Xian paused, surveying the museum’s outer barriers. The walls were smooth, towering about four meters high. Assessing Big Cat Face and Ah Zhuang’s robust builds, an idea sparked in his mind.

“We have no choice but to improvise a human ladder,” Lin Xian decided. “You two brace yourselves against the wall. I’ll climb over, then head inside. Meanwhile, you guys should go to the pharmacy, gather what we need, and find a spot to parachute down. Don’t worry about me.”

“What nonsense!” Big Cat Face protested. “We agreed to help you get into this museum, and we’re sticking to that plan. It wouldn’t be right to just leave you behind.”

Touched by Big Cat Face’s loyalty, Lin Xian smiled warmly, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “I appreciate that, but I’ve got an escape route planned out. The pharmacy’s location is already marked on our map. Set up the ladder, then go do what you need to do. The people below are counting on you.”

Ah Zhuang nodded, understanding the gravity of their task, and Lin Xian returned the gesture with a firm nod. “Trust me, our paths will cross again. Our bond is strong; nothing can break it. Believe me, we’ll reunite.”

Finally, after a solemn handshake, Big Cat Face positioned himself against the museum’s stone wall, with Ah Zhuang climbing onto his back to form a human ladder.

“Thank you, brother,” Big Cat Face grunted, his muscles straining as Lin Xian took a running start.

“I’ll definitely return. I still owe Ning Ning a purse,” Lin Xian called back, then vaulted over the wall using his friends as a makeshift ladder.

Thud!

He landed hard on the other side, the impact sending a jolt through his legs. Thankfully, his professional landing skills minimized the pain, leaving him only slightly sore.

From outside, two sharp whistles signaled that Big Cat Face and Ah Zhuang were making their retreat. Lin Xian got to his feet and looked around.

The museum courtyard was silent, eerily devoid of any security measures. It seemed that Sky City’s affluence and perceived safety had led to a certain level of complacency, but Lin Xian suspected this was part of Zhao Ying Jun’s elaborate plan to simplify his mission.

He wasn’t certain, but he decided to proceed. The courtyard was filled with green spaces and art installations, not the valuable kind he was interested in. To uncover the secrets of Rhine Sky City and explore Zhao Ying Jun’s personal exhibits, he needed to enter the main museum building.

Lin Xian climbed a long set of stairs, the silence of the night lending a solemn atmosphere to his ascent.

What secrets awaited him inside Zhao Ying Jun’s personal exhibit? What mysteries were hidden within the exhibition halls?

Lin Xian’s anticipation grew with each step. However, upon reaching the top of the stairs…

“Another electronic door,” he sighed, frustration evident as he faced yet another impregnable barrier.

Was there any way around this new obstacle indoors?

“Maybe there’s an open window?” he mused, half-wishing he had taken Big Cat Face’s offer of the C4. After a thorough search yielded no accessible windows, he scratched his head in puzzlement.

“What now?” he murmured to himself.

Clack!

The sudden noise snapped his attention downward—to the rusty clamp around his ankle.

“Garbage! Garbage! Found garbage!”

Turning around, Lin Xian faced the persistent trash can robot VV once again.

“Seriously?” Lin Xian was dumbfounded. Had this persistent robot actually followed him all the way from Zhao Ying Jun’s statue to the museum?

The situation was reminiscent of the relentless T-1000 robot from the sci-fi movie “Terminator 2.”

“Hold on,” Lin Xian said, narrowing his eyes as he examined the robot more closely. Something didn’t quite add up. During his previous visit, he had encountered a tall steel electronic door blocking Zhao Ying Jun’s statue and square, which he had to climb to gain access.

After he had initially dislodged the trash can robot from the platform, it had somehow managed to get back up. How did it manage that? The only route was through the steel door. Could the robot possibly have the capability to open it?

At the time, Lin Xian hadn’t given it much thought, assuming there were smaller passages designed for such robots. But now, faced with the museum’s completely sealed wall and another steel door, and seeing the robot follow him without needing to climb, he wondered if it could indeed manipulate the doors.

“Could it be…” A realization struck Lin Xian, and his eyes widened in surprise. He quickly unclamped the robot from his ankle, lifted it up, and peered into its green eyes. “Are you a… door-opening robot?”

The more he considered it, the more plausible it seemed.

“Let’s find out.”

With the robot in hand, Lin Xian hurried toward the museum’s exhibition hall door. Setting the robot down…

Clack!

The familiar clamp attached itself to his ankle again.

“Garbage! Garbage! Found garbage!”

Then, suddenly…

Beep beep! Click—

The steel electronic door smoothly slid open, and the lights inside the exhibition hall began to illuminate, one row at a time, welcoming Lin Xian into the space.

“Wow…” Lin Xian was taken aback by the unexpected grand entrance. He affectionately patted the robot’s lid. “So you are a door-opening robot, a key Zhao Ying Jun left specifically for me!”

It now became clear to him: Zhao Ying Jun had meticulously planned this, leaving behind an infallible key capable of opening any electronic door in Sky City.

Had he realized this earlier, he wouldn’t have faced such difficulties. He could have simply used the robot as his key.

Although the robot proved extremely useful, its tendency to clamp onto his ankle was still annoying. Deciding to carry it instead, Lin Xian cradled the robot in his arms as he walked into the brightly lit museum.

The exhibition hall was expansive, designed to accommodate large crowds, yet tonight, it was exclusively open for Lin Xian.

He strolled through the exhibits, each artifact providing insights into the history of Rhine Sky City.

One display that caught his eye was the blueprints of Sky City. An electronic display explained that Rhine Sky City was conceptualized and constructed by the Rhine Company under the leadership of Zhao Ying Jun. Every detail had been carefully orchestrated by her to achieve perfection in the city’s design. This massive undertaking eventually led to Rhine Company’s bankruptcy shortly after the city’s completion.

Despite the company’s financial collapse, the legacy of Rhine Company and Zhao Ying Jun remained revered, with the name Rhine continuing to symbolize the city’s identity.

“Why is there no mention of my role? Wasn’t I the founder of Rhine Company?” Lin Xian pondered, confused by the historical narrative that seemed to erase his contributions entirely, elevating Zhao Ying Jun as the sole founder.

What had transpired over these centuries?

As he explored further, Lin Xian discovered numerous fascinating items: the first-generation cold fusion engine model, the inaugural city robot, and many other artifacts, each with its own story and significance. Despite the wealth of history on display, Lin Xian felt the museum’s offerings didn’t fully answer his deeper questions about the developments over the past centuries.

“I need to access the back hall and Zhao Ying Jun’s personal exhibit.”

Although he had been informed that Zhao Ying Jun’s exhibit wasn’t routinely open and required prior arrangement, Lin Xian now possessed a unique advantage with the door-opening robot. No door was beyond his reach.

Venturing deeper into the exhibition hall, he eventually came upon a towering object, several stories high, resembling a complex assembly of advanced computers, centrally located as if it were the crown jewel of the exhibit.

“Is this a computer?”

Its design was boxy, adorned with numerous perplexing devices. Circling it, Lin Xian found an information panel which read: Rhine Sky City’s First-Generation Intelligent Central Control VV.

“VV?” Lin Xian echoed, puzzled. Why did this designation keep reappearing?

As he leaned closer to investigate, the robot in his arms reacted to the name VV, its eyes switching between red and green.

Turning its head, the robot fixed its green eyes on Lin Xian. “Enter password!”

“What?” Lin Xian exclaimed, taken aback.

He set the robot down.

Clack!

The clamp snapped onto his ankle again, but this time, the robot didn’t declare him as garbage. Instead, it kept its eyes intently focused on him.

“Enter password!” it repeated.