Genius Club

Lin Xian’s smile faded as he stared down at the trash can. “What do you mean?”

The trash can robot, VV, moved its treads, circling around Lin Xian in a clear mimicry of his earlier pacing. “This is my analysis, Lin Xian,” VV began. “A mirror is a simple, pure object without any deep meaning. If the woman you mentioned truly wanted to help you, she would have made the hint obvious enough for you to understand.”

VV continued, “I think you’re overcomplicating things. There’s a famous quote in a science fiction classic: ‘Often, we fail to find answers not because we think too simply, but because we think too complicatedly.’ For example, if you overthink the mirror puzzle that woman gave you, you’ll get nowhere. I’ve used all my computing power to extend and expand the problem, even considering the effect of the mirror on the speed of light, but it’s all meaningless. If she wanted to hint at something else, she could have chosen a more straightforward hint instead of using a mirror.”

VV’s words left Lin Xian at a loss for what to say. The robot argued that the woman wouldn’t deliberately make things difficult for him. If she said ‘mirror,’ then it had to be a mirror. If she told him to look in the mirror more, then he should follow her advice.

The reason he was so confused wasn’t because he wasn’t thinking complexly enough, but because he wasn’t thinking simply enough.

“So…” Lin Xian spoke, “You think I should take her words at face value and just spend more time looking in the mirror?”

The trash can robot nodded. “Based on my analysis, that’s the most reasonable approach. Even though I’m bound by the Three Laws of Robotics, if I’m sure someone is a friend and not an enemy, my goal would be to help, not hinder.”

VV continued, “Lin Xian, you’re too stubborn. Simplify the problem and follow her words. Or perhaps, since she mentioned meeting you at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, that might be a prerequisite to solving the mirror puzzle.”

“If you can’t find an answer from the mirror hint for now, follow the path she outlined. Solve the coordinates, references, and items she prepared at the launch center. Maybe then the answer to the mirror puzzle will become clear.”

“Of course, I must remind you, my conclusions are based on the assumption that the information you provided is accurate and that the woman is indeed a time traveler who won’t harm you and is your ally. If your information is incorrect, my answer will be too.”

Lin Xian pondered for a while and nodded. VV’s analysis made sense. He was too focused on the mirror puzzle, but Yellow Finch’s real purpose in appearing at Liu Feng’s lab was the Universal Constants, the space-time clock, the curvature, and the reference coordinates. The note she left might be the key.

“Alright, when I have time, I’ll visit Liu Feng’s lab at Donghai University and see if there’s any breakthrough in his research,” Lin Xian said.

With that, he sat down and faced the electronic blackboard.

“Are we starting to memorize the code now, Lin Xian? Hurry up, I can’t wait to meet you in the world from 600 years ago,” VV said, waving its mechanical arm. Nearby, a nurse robot approached with a syringe aimed at Lin Xian’s neck.

“No, not today. There’s something else,” Lin Xian smiled slightly. “The day after tomorrow, the city is hosting an award ceremony for me, and I have to give a speech. It’s going to be broadcasted on the internet, Donghai TV, and in classrooms across the city. Unfortunately, I’ve been too busy to write my speech.”

“So… before we start memorizing the code today, VV, could you write me an award ceremony speech?”

“Huh?” The trash can made a mechanical noise. It crossed its mechanical arms in defiance.

“Please! I’m the greatest artificial intelligence in human history! A shining gem in the annals of scientific development! The secret weapon left to humanity by the esteemed Ms. Zhao Ying Jun!” VV protested. “I’m supposed to be doing things like time travel, saving the world, and uncovering the secrets of the universe! And you want me to write a grade-school essay?”

“You don’t understand,” Lin Xian said, pressing his hand on VV’s top to stop it from rising. “Writing a speech is the proper use of artificial intelligence. Now, get to it.”

Despite its reluctance, VV obeyed. As Lin Xian’s master and the highest authority in Rhine Sky City, VV complied and produced an award ceremony speech in less than 0.0000001 seconds, displaying it on the electronic blackboard.

Lin Xian read it with satisfaction. “Hmm, not bad.”

“Don’t you need a stimulant to memorize this speech?” VV asked, imitating Lin Xian’s curiosity about human behavior.

“No, I don’t,” Lin Xian shook his head. “This speech doesn’t need rote memorization. Just understanding its structure and logic is enough. If your code had the same logic and grammar, I’d memorize it in no time.”

“Actually, there are similarities… but you’re just too slow. A qualified programmer would be much more efficient,” VV retorted.

After spending half an hour reading the speech, Lin Xian had it memorized well enough to reproduce it in his own words.

“Alright, I’ve got it down,” Lin Xian said, tilting his head and lowering his collar. “VV, inject the stimulant.”

For the next few days, Lin Xian transformed into a code memorizing machine, aided by excessive injections of memory-enhancing drugs. Each night, he could memorize at least 500 lines of code. After getting past the initial hexadecimal gibberish, the pure code formed from English words became much easier to memorize.

With increased familiarity with the coding language, Lin Xian’s efficiency improved, sometimes memorizing 700 or 800 lines in a day. He believed this number would continue to rise.

His understanding of programming logic deepened under VV’s guidance, reducing the burden on his memory. Additionally, VV’s code was elegant, almost poetic in its simplicity, justifying its claim as a shining gem of human technology.

While memorizing the beautiful code, Lin Xian recalled Li Qi Qi’s words about not understanding math but appreciating art. Liu Feng’s “Introduction to Universal Constants” was both beautiful and logically sound, which meant it couldn’t be wrong.

“This universe itself is beautiful,” Lin Xian thought, firmly believing in Liu Feng’s theory.

The next day, Lin Xian received a message from Liu Feng: “Lin Xian! Come to the lab when you have time! There’s been a breakthrough!”

Yawning, Lin Xian sat up. Liu Feng’s excitement was evident from the triple exclamation marks. Replying with an OK gesture, he got ready to head to Donghai University. His driver was already waiting downstairs.

In the car, Lin Xian asked, “What’s the breakthrough?”

Entering the lab, he saw the space-time clock on the lab bench, its digits still reading 0.0000000—eight zeros.

He was eager to see if the numbers would change when Liu Feng found the reference coordinate system outside of this space-time and calibrated the space-time clock.

Liu Feng approached, pushing his glasses up. “Lin Xian, I think I’ve found a way to discover the reference points outside our space-time.”

“How so?” Lin Xian asked, taking a seat.

Liu Feng gave an example, “You know the saying ‘There’s no wall that doesn’t let wind through,’ right?”

“Of course,” Lin Xian nodded.

“While walls don’t let wind through in general, the saying implies there’s no absolute barrier. Even if water can’t pass through a plastic bag, oil can,” Liu Feng explained, noting that even tiny gaps at the molecular level allow passage if the passing object is small enough.

“You mean there are gaps even at the atomic level?” Lin Xian interjected, gesturing for Liu Feng to continue.

“Exactly,” Liu Feng confirmed, “So, I boldly hypothesize that space-time isn’t a seamless wall. If different space-times exist, there might be walls separating them, but no wall is impenetrable. If the gaps are Planck length, then particles from another space-time with a smaller Planck length could pass through.”

Lin Xian listened intently, sipping water. Though it sounded far-fetched, the theory was plausible.

“We need to prove it,” Lin Xian said, setting the cup down. “How can we find particles smaller than our space-time’s Planck length?”

Liu Feng smiled, gesturing around the lab. “Everything is made of basic particles. If even one external space-time particle enters, there could be many more, forming observable clusters. We might even capture them.”

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to call these particles ‘space-time particles,'” Liu Feng proposed confidently.

Lin Xian laughed at the naming obsession of scientists. “I don’t mind what you call them, but do they exist? Is your theory correct?”

“We need to find these particles to calibrate the space-time clock and observe curvature changes,” Liu Feng acknowledged.

Lin Xian nodded. “What do you need?”

“The Guizhou Sky Eye,” Liu Feng replied.

The pen Lin Xian was twirling fell to the floor. He stared at Liu Feng in shock.

“You mean the largest spherical radio telescope in the world?” Lin Xian asked, stunned.