Genius Club

BOOM!!!!!!!

A sleek, purple Bugatti Veyron zoomed through the night in Donghai City. Lin Xian wasn’t particularly thrilled with this choice of vehicle; its seating was notoriously uncomfortable. Yet, when searching for a quick escape among the local parking lots, this was the fastest option at hand. VV had remotely started it up and brought it over.

“When did you get your hands on a Bugatti?” Zhao Ying Jun inquired from the passenger seat, her curiosity piqued.

“I borrowed it from a friend,” Lin Xian responded, flashing a mischievous grin. “A friend who happens to be quite resourceful.”

“It’s been ages since I’ve been in a car this fast…” Zhao Ying Jun leaned back, closing her eyes to savor the ride. “For the last six months, I’ve been training on that racetrack you showed me. You should come with me next time; I think I’ve actually gotten pretty good.”

“I believe you,” Lin Xian acknowledged, checking his mirrors before taking an exit off the highway. “You’ve got a natural talent for racing. You might be the best I’ve seen… though my circle of racing enthusiasts isn’t exactly large.”

As Lin Xian eased off the accelerator, Zhao Ying Jun perked up and rolled down her window, taking in the shimmering cityscape. “Where are we headed?”

“To Disneyland,” Lin Xian admitted without missing a beat.

“Yeah… does it sound too childish?” Lin Xian asked, slightly embarrassed. The suggestion had come from VV and indeed seemed a bit juvenile. He was hesitant at first.

VV’s ideas were always a little over-the-top, melodramatic even. Lin Xian typically steered clear of these whimsical plans. But then he remembered a detail from the third dream about a quirky little trash can robot, and that made him give in to VV’s suggestion this time.

“Not at all,” Zhao Ying Jun assured him, her hair fluttering in the night breeze as she glanced toward the dark silhouette of Disneyland’s castle. “It’s actually quite refreshing. I’ve never been to Disneyland before. I’ve seen pictures and videos, sure, but I’ve never visited any of their parks.”

“Really?” Lin Xian looked at her, a bit surprised.

Given her background as the cherished daughter of a prominent family, supported by the mighty Zhao Group, he had assumed she’d experienced every luxury. How had Disneyland not been among them?

Yet, thinking back on her tales of a rigid upbringing, it started to make sense. Or maybe Zhao Ying Jun, with her distinct personality, had never been drawn to typical childhood indulgences.

Reflecting on his third dream, Lin Xian remembered scenes from her youth—lessons in various arts, horseback riding, golf, gourmet meals, trips to the Louvre. She had witnessed the pinnacle of human creativity, like viewing the Mona Lisa up close, but had never embraced a cartoon mouse or spun on a merry-go-round.

“But… the park’s closed at night, right?” Zhao Ying Jun remarked as they approached.

Just as she finished her thought, a gate that normally remained shut swung open. The Bugatti Veyron darted through, its headlights cutting through the darkness. Door after door opened ahead of them, green lights guiding their path, reminiscent of the relentless march of time.

“You…” Zhao Ying Jun turned to Lin Xian in astonishment, “did you buy out Disneyland for the night?”

“Borrowed,” Lin Xian replied, his smile familiar and reassuring. “From another friend.”

Zhao Ying Jun chuckled, half-joking, “I was just starting to wonder if selling MX Company would cover the cost of your ‘loan’. But it’s not just about the money; Disney wouldn’t just sell off their land.”

She then leaned out of the window, gazing at the shadowy park. “When I was little, I asked my parents to take me to an amusement park,” she shared softly. “But there were always strings attached. Like, score top marks on the next test for a visit to the park, or practice piano for a week for a new toy, or work out for hours for a treat.”

“Little rewards became tied to effort and achievement. Even if I wanted something, it came at the cost of hard work. Gradually, my interest waned.”

“I used to be envious of girls like Chu An Qing, who were doted on like princesses by everyone in Donghai City.”

“Now, as an adult making my own choices, I no longer feel that envy. But sometimes, when I see her, it reminds me of my younger self. It may sound spoiled, given how privileged my childhood was, but it’s the truth.”

Lin Xian pulled the Bugatti to a stop in front of the looming Disneyland castle and turned to Zhao Ying Jun, who was still leaning against the window.

“Everyone’s in such a rush for you to grow up, but Disneyland always welcomes you as a child.”

Zhao Ying Jun looked back at him, “I read that in a Douyin comment,” he confessed as he got out of the car. “Come on, we’re here.”

He pressed a button and the car’s scissor doors lifted slowly. They ducked under the low doors, walked around the vehicle, and stood before the silent, eerie Disneyland castle.

“It’s kind of spooky,” Zhao Ying Jun observed, hands in her pockets, her gaze lifting to the castle’s spires. “So, why bring me here? What’s the mystery?”

Lin Xian settled onto the hood of the Bugatti. “I had a dream recently,” he began. “In it, I saw your little dog.”

“VV?” Zhao Ying Jun smiled.

“Yes,” Lin Xian returned the smile. “But in the dream, it turned into a battered old trash can. It was still VV, but no longer a Pomeranian. It acted like a cleaning robot, always by your side, picking up litter as diligently as a dog fetching a frisbee.”

“Poor VV,” she commented. “How long did that last?”

“Six hundred years,” Lin Xian whispered softly.

Zhao Ying Jun stared at him as if he had lost his mind, then shrugged, remembering it was just a dream. “So in your dream, I lived for 600 years? Did I turn into an old witch?”

“No,” Lin Xian shook his head. “You became a statue of white jade, standing alone in a deserted square. The trash can robot, VV, stayed with you for centuries through sunshine and rain.”

“It sounds like a story out of the Grimm’s Fairy Tales,” Zhao Ying Jun nodded. “I’m guessing there was a prince who kissed the statue to break the spell, or some magic that brought it back to life?”

“Exactly,” Lin Xian nodded. “There was a magic phrase: ‘show me the flower.’ When spoken, it triggered something magical.”

“What happened?” she pressed, intrigued.

“Do you want to try it?” Lin Xian offered with a grin. “Say the spell.”

Zhao Ying Jun hesitated, feeling a bit silly, but seeing Lin Xian’s earnest expression, she took a deep breath, wrapped her coat tighter against the chilly air, and whispered, “Show me the flower…”

Instantly, lights flashed behind her. The dark Disneyland castle burst into vibrant colors as if brought to life by electricity. Fireworks soared above the castle, illuminating the sky with a display of hues.

Zhao Ying Jun spun around, awestruck. “Did you really buy Disneyland for the night?”

Lin Xian stepped down from the car, his smile warm and genuine. “I’m sorry for the messy birthdays in the past. But even if I’m late, I still wanted to wish you… Happy Birthday.”

Zhao Ying Jun was speechless, touched by the gesture as she listened to the crackle of fireworks and looked at Lin Xian. A soft smile played on her lips. “Thank you, Lin Xian,” she said, pushing her hair back from her face. “Thank you for remembering and for this incredible surprise.”

She remembered his dream about VV and the jade statue, lifting her eyes to meet his. “So, in your dream, what happened after the spell? What was the rest of the story?”

Lin Xian scratched his head, improvising. “The statue came back to life, but the old trash can robot short-circuited and died after being overworked. In its last moments, it asked me to tell you: ‘VV misses you alot.'”

Zhao Ying Jun listened quietly, nodding. “If you have that dream again, tell VV that even as a trash can, I still love it.”

In the distance, a woman stood in the shadow of the trees, watching the fireworks display over Disneyland. “This was the first time… such beautiful fireworks,” she murmured, her voice choked with emotion, her hand clutching a tree for support. Her bright blue eyes flickered like a fading light before regaining some brightness. “When will you come to find me, Lin Xian? Time is running out…”

Ring! Ring! Ring!

As the last firework faded, Disneyland fell silent, and Lin Xian realized his phone had been ringing. It was Liu Feng. He answered, “Hello?”

“Lin Xian!!!!” Liu Feng’s voice was a mix of excitement and desperation. “I found it! I found the time-space particles! I used the Sky Eye Radio Telescope, and I found them!”