Genius Club

Chapter 358: Rhine Village

Lin Xian froze when CC called his name. It took him a moment to process it. He vaguely recalled their second meeting in the dream world, where CC had felt a strange familiarity, as if she was remembering a piece of a forgotten dream. Back then, she hadn’t known him as Lin Xian and had even joked, “Why don’t you just say your name is Safe?” Now, that joke seemed to make more sense.

Although Lin Xian and CC had interacted multiple times in their first dream, he hadn’t always introduced himself, and their conversations were often disjointed. In the second dream, CC’s memories of the first dream were fragmented, especially the time they spent with Big Cat Face, using an acetylene torch to cut through an aluminum alloy safe. Lin Xian hadn’t mentioned his name then, so when they reconnected in the second dream, it wasn’t surprising that CC didn’t recognize him. Yet, during that second dream, CC had become an invaluable teammate. To convince her to join him on a stealth mission to New Donghai City, Lin Xian had to explain his plans multiple times until she finally trusted him.

But now…

Since CC had immediately called out his name, did that mean—

Suddenly, a cold stick swung toward him. Big Cat Face wasn’t holding back! Er Zhuzi thrust his spear forward, the tip gleaming ominously in the dim light.

“Big Brother! These two know each other! They’re definitely plotting something together!” Er Zhuzi shouted.

“Cut them down!” Big Cat Face ordered, his voice as cold as ice. “Everyone, attack!”

On his command, their former teammates—Ah Zhuang, Er Zhuzi, and San Pang—charged at them with weapons raised.

“Lin Xian, run!” CC didn’t hesitate. She grabbed Lin Xian’s arm and pulled him toward the nearby woods.

“Don’t… don’t move!” At that moment, Old Man Wei Sheng Jin appeared from behind a tree, trembling as he pointed a pistol at the chaotic scene.

“Huh?” Big Cat Face squinted at the unfamiliar weapon in Wei Sheng Jin’s hand, unimpressed. “What’s that piece of junk? Who’s the old man trying to scare?”

Big Cat Face didn’t recognize the pistol. Earth’s current industrial capabilities couldn’t produce such a weapon. Even if a gun were dug up after a century underground, it would likely be too rusted to use. Old Man Wei Sheng Jin wasn’t surprised by Big Cat Face’s ignorance of the weapon’s power. A gun’s greatest asset is its ability to intimidate, not necessarily its use in a fight—especially for someone like Wei Sheng Jin, who came to Earth to pursue his dreams, not to take lives. But since his adversaries didn’t even recognize the gun, intimidation was out of the question.

“Teacher Wei, give me the gun.” Lin Xian and CC reached Wei Sheng Jin’s side. Taking the gun from his shaky hands felt like a miracle as Lin Xian turned around. His movements were a blur—

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

He fired four shots in rapid succession, the thunderous noise shocking Big Cat Face and Er Zhuzi, who were left dumbfounded.

Then they noticed:

“Er Zhuzi! Where’s the tip of your spear?”

“Big Brother, why do I only have a knife handle left?”

“I don’t think I’m feeling well!”

Their exclamations made Big Cat Face check his own weapon, only to find it shattered in the middle, leaving him with just a stub. He gasped. This… If that had struck someone’s head, would it have shattered instantly? Was that tiny black object really so powerful?

He remembered seeing similar weapons before—old-fashioned firearms called powder guns and hunting rifles… But those were bulky, heavy, and couldn’t fire repeatedly without reloading. Yet, the device in the hands of the old man and the young man… It was sleek, shiny, and no larger than a hand. How could it hold such immense power?

“Retreat!” Realizing they had been spared deliberately but that continuing the fight was too dangerous, Big Cat Face commanded, “Ah Zhuang, Er Zhuzi, San Pang! Let’s go!”

They retreated hastily into the undergrowth.

Old Man Wei Sheng Jin sighed in relief, his heart pounding. He found a nearby rock to sit on, catching his breath and taking a sip from his water bottle. With the immediate danger gone, Lin Xian examined the pistol. It was undoubtedly Martian technology—compact, lightweight, and powerful, likely designed for discreet self-defense. He didn’t know how many bullets it still held since he hadn’t checked the magazine. On an Earth with virtually no industrial capacity, even a small Martian pistol was a formidable weapon.

Pocketing the pistol, Lin Xian turned to the long-lost CC beside him. “CC,” he called her name softly, a mix of emotions swirling within him. “It’s been a long time.”

CC smiled, her eyes curving into crescents. “In this world, it seems we’ve never met before. How could it be a long time?”

Her eyes, smile, dimples, and face remained unchanged. Just like Chu An Qing. Lin Xian had many questions for CC, but casual conversation could wait.

“You know my name, so do you know other things about me too?” he asked.

CC nodded. “You told me yourself, in one of the memory fragments.”

“What did the memory fragment show?” Lin Xian began verifying the information, eager to piece together the scattered fragments of their shared past.

“There are two memory fragments about you,” CC revealed immediately. “The first fragment shows you, me, Big Cat Face, and those people who were just chasing us, working together to burn a safe in a bank. The other memory is of you finding me in the woods. You claimed to be VV, but you weren’t. You told me several things—00:42, infinite loops, August 28th, the end of the world, and something about a landfill and the safe.”

“Then I trusted you, and we sneaked into New Donghai City together, infiltrated the Time Bank, and looked for the safe with your name on it. I don’t know what happened after that; the memories are disjointed and incomplete.”

Lin Xian smiled faintly. “That’s helpful. It saves me the trouble of introducing myself.”

Just as he had thought. CC had acquired more memory fragments! In the second dream, CC retained fragments from the first; logically, CC in the third dream would retain fragments from the second, and while gaining new fragments, the old ones persisted. This explained why CC’s mind held thousands of memory fragments, accumulated over countless shifts in time and space and worldline changes. Though Lin Xian hadn’t met CC in the third or fourth dream, it didn’t prevent her from gathering fragments—they just didn’t involve him.

Now, in the fifth dream… It was evident that CC had memories from all four previous dreams.

Excellent. In this perpetual cycle of dreams, where no one recognized or trusted him, Lin Xian finally had a reliable, knowledgeable, and trustworthy ally from the start—CC.

Back in the second dream, in the small woods behind the Li family’s courtyard, Lin Xian had divulged everything to CC to convince her to join him on his mission to New Donghai City, including the infinite loop of dreams. Now, he wouldn’t need to repeat his backstory.

Their earlier rapid exchange confirmed that CC completely trusted him, treating him like an old friend from the moment they met again.

“So, do you believe everything I’ve told you now?” Lin Xian inquired. “When we first met on the outskirts of New Donghai City, you were skeptical about the world ending at 00:42 and my ability to loop August 28th infinitely. But now, you should believe me, right? After all, this is our third time meeting on this day.”

CC paused, then nodded slowly. “Now… honestly, I’m starting to believe it. But let’s set that aside for now. What are you here for this time? Still looking for that safe with your name on it?”

Lin Xian nodded. “You must be looking for that aluminum alloy safe too, right? Don’t worry, this time, I know the password.”

“Heh.” CC chuckled. “That made me laugh again. You always say that.”

“This time it’s true.” Lin Xian didn’t bother with further explanation. “I won’t say much now. You’ll see when the time comes.”

He glanced at CC a few more times. She really looked exactly like Chu An Qing and Zhang Yu Qian. Seeing her familiar face again stirred a mix of comfort and sadness in him.

Noticing Lin Xian’s complex expression, CC tilted her head. “What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Nothing.” Lin Xian looked away briefly, then back again. “I wanted to ask you, when is your birthday?” He paused. “Is it August 29th, 2604?”

CC blinked. “No… it’s August 28th.”

Huh? Lin Xian was taken aback. But he quickly realized that since CC was born in Brooklyn, USA, she was referring to the USA time. The time 00:42 on August 29th, 2604, in X Country would be 12:42 on August 28th, 2604, in the USA.

This coincidence seemed almost deliberate.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” CC nudged Lin Xian with her elbow. “Why’d you go silent? Why’d you ask about my birthday?”

“You were probably born at 12:42 noon, right?” Lin Xian continued.

CC looked even more puzzled. “How’d you know that? I asked my parents, and they remembered clearly. I was born right at noon when the sun was high, and the weather was hot. It was a good day.”

Lin Xian squinted his eyes. Indeed. Everything aligned. CC is definitely another millennium stake. According to his extensive calculations with Gao Yang, every 24 years, a millennium stake disappears: 1952, 1976, 2000, 2024… all the way to 2624. It all fits perfectly.

After the previous millennium stake vanishes, there’s a four-year gap before the next one is born, and it disappears again on its 20th birthday, relocking history. This complete cycle repeats every 24 years.

“You told me before, but your memory fragments were incomplete.” Lin Xian was nudged again by CC, so he casually added, “We talked about this before in New Donghai City.”

He had lied. It seemed that CC, just like Chu An Qing and Zhang Yu Qian, although identical in appearance, were completely different individuals. So, Lin Xian had no intention of revealing the truth about the millennium stake to CC. He couldn’t… It would be like foretelling her death, telling CC she had less than five hours to live.

Besides, explaining the millennium stake was extremely complicated, and the anchor itself was unaware of its significance. There was no point in discussing it.

“How long have you been here?” Lin Xian changed the subject. “Did you come from Brooklyn?”

CC nodded. “I haven’t been here long, just a few months. The journey was incredibly lengthy… None of the transportation methods from my memory fragments exist here; the fastest were horseback or sailing ships… It took over a year to reach Old Donghai City.”

“When I arrived, I started searching for the ruins of the Time Bank, but I couldn’t find anything. The bearded man in my memory fragment, VV, didn’t give me the exact location of the Time Bank… he just mentioned it was in Donghai City.”

“That’s also strange because when I was born, Donghai City and all other cities were already gone. I don’t know why VV would say that. Unless… as you’ve suggested before, these memory fragments are from different times, different parallel worlds, different worldlines.”

“But since these memory fragments are mostly broken and incomplete, with no clear context or timeline, it’s hard to distinguish what’s real and what’s not.”

Lin Xian listened intently to CC’s account, which confirmed most of his theories about her unique condition. From their conversation, several key points became clear:

Millennium Anchor: CC, like Chu An Qing and Zhang Yu Qian, was a millennium stake. On her 20th birthday, August 29th, 2624, at exactly 00:42, she would begin to disintegrate into blue stardust. Lin Xian wouldn’t witness it, as a blinding white light would eject him from the dream just as the process began.

Memory Fragments: CC’s memory fragments would continue to accumulate, each representing a potential future or existing worldline. Lin Xian had inquired if CC possessed any memories post-August 29th, 2624. CC had responded negatively, uncertain due to the brevity and fragmented nature of these memories, which rarely displayed precise dates.

Persistence of Memories: The memory fragments would persist indefinitely, even in new timelines where the depicted events seemed impossible. The “Safe Manifesto” by the bearded man VV doomed every version of CC across timelines to an endless search for the safe.

Reflecting on this, Lin Xian realized he had two more inquiries for CC.

“CC, do you recall a world filled with sky cities?” he asked. “In that reality, the earth’s surface is inhospitable, and massive cities float globally, supported by blue cold fusion engines thousands of meters in the air.”

“Yes,” CC confirmed. “I do remember such a world, but only a vague image of looking up at the sky. There’s no context—I don’t know who I am, where I am, or what I’m doing.”

“It’s challenging to comprehend these fragments,” she continued. “It’s like each world is a book, and the fragments are like tearing out a random page and keeping only a small piece. They hold little value for information.”

“That’s an apt analogy,” Lin Xian nodded. “What about a world where Donghai City is advanced, with a ring city and space elevators visible in the sky? There’s also a Time Bank there, celebrated every century with airships flying overhead. Do any memories from that world ring a bell?”

CC shook her head. “No, but it’s possible I have a fragment from that world that I haven’t identified yet. It feels almost miraculous that I have two detailed memories related to you.”

“Most of my memories are brief and incomplete, lasting only a few seconds,” she explained. “Yet, the memories related to you, though also fragmented, total up to several dozen minutes.”

She eyed Lin Xian curiously. “I don’t know why your presence is so significant in my memories.”

“That’s not necessarily a bad thing,” Lin Xian responded with a shrug. “It means that if we meet again in another timeline, you’ll still remember me and our shared experiences… I might even seem familiar.”

“But…” CC’s expression clouded slightly. “If time keeps looping like this, day after day, and the world changes aimlessly, then what’s the point? We keep repeating days in different timelines, but to what end?”

Lin Xian sighed deeply, sharing her frustration. “I’m searching for that answer too,” he said softly. “Perhaps, CC, we’ll find our answers in that aluminum alloy safe.”

“I don’t know why VV insisted you open the safe, but whatever is inside is crucial to me too,” Lin Xian admitted, recalling Chu An Qing’s words when she handed him a note—You’ll understand when you see it. Her expression was laden with complex emotions, hinting at layers of meaning beyond just the dream’s reality.

“This all feels like a miraculous closed loop,” he mused. VV had told CC to find the safe for the truth, while Chu An Qing urged him to open it for clarity.

Resolving to follow their guidance, Lin Xian was interrupted by the approach of an elderly man, drawing CC’s attention.

“And who’s this?” CC inquired, noticing the newcomer.

“Oh, let me introduce you,” Lin Xian remembered his other companion, stepping aside to make introductions. “This is Teacher Wei Sheng Jin, a scholar from Mars who’s also searching for his safe. You can just call him Teacher Wei.”

Wei Sheng Jin extended a hand with a chuckle, “Young lady, you’re quite skilled. There’s no need for formalities in these times. Call me Wei Sheng Jin.”

CC froze for a moment, her hand suspended in mid-air, uncertain whether to shake hands with the elderly man in front of her. However, considering that this man had just used his gun to protect her and Lin Xian, and given his origins from Mars—practically an alien—his customs might indeed differ from what she was accustomed to.

Putting aside her reservations, she firmly shook Wei Sheng Jin’s hand. “Teacher Wei, I’d prefer to address you as Teacher,” she said respectfully.

Wei Sheng Jin gave a wry smile. “That’s fine, that’s fine.”

As the evening sky darkened and the moon remained hidden, Lin Xian realized it was not the ideal time to continue their journey. Observing Wei Sheng Jin’s fatigue, it was clear they needed to rest.

Curious, Lin Xian asked, “Teacher Wei, how do you usually manage to rest out here?”

“I typically find a spot near a water source and set up my tent,” Wei Sheng Jin replied, standing and dusting off his clothes. “But not every day is perfect. Sometimes, I just pick a spot, start a fire, and sleep next to it. Despite the harsh conditions, I’ve come to enjoy this return to nature.”

Lin Xian then turned to CC. “Have you been living like this too? Where’s all your stuff?”

Unlike Wei Sheng Jin, who was fully equipped, CC appeared almost empty-handed except for a black machete, dressed like a shadowy vigilante. Her clothing was less refined than before, now made of coarse cotton, a testament to Earth’s regressed industrial capabilities.

“No,” CC shook her head. “I’ve been staying in a nearby village. It’s getting dark; would you like to come with me? It’s a bit of a walk, but it’s relatively safe. The village has over a hundred households. The village chief and the locals are very welcoming. Given that those we encountered earlier might return with reinforcements, it’s safer to stay in the village.”

Considering the logic in her words, Lin Xian agreed. In this fifth dream, Big Cat Face and his crew had reverted to their old, troublesome ways, and they would be difficult to deal with. Wei Sheng Jin, having wandered aimlessly for months, also agreed it was a good idea to check out the village.

Leading the way, CC guided them deeper into the forest. Lin Xian followed blindly, unable to make out any directions under the dense canopy. Wei Sheng Jin trailed behind them, scanning the ground with a metal detector as they walked.

Lin Xian and CC continued their conversation as they moved. CC, born in Brooklyn, described the sparse population in the U.S., with small villages widely scattered. Regarding the catastrophic event of 2400, CC admitted her knowledge was scant, far less than Wei Sheng Jin’s.

“That was over 200 years ago,” she explained. “Earth hasn’t had much chance to recover and rebuild. Much knowledge and history have been lost.”

Lin Xian found it curious that despite Earth’s dwindling population, which stood at 20 to 30 million by 2604 compared to Mars’s nearly 500 million, CC was still born on Earth. He wondered if millennium stakes were exclusive to Earth.

They walked for over an hour under the cover of night, Wei Sheng Jin’s flashlight cutting through the darkness, a piece of Martian technology in a world that had none.

“How much farther?” Lin Xian asked after nearly two hours of walking.

“We’re almost there,” CC pointed ahead. “Just past these trees, there’s a small river, and Rhine Village is right beside it.”

“Rhine Village?” Lin Xian echoed, turning his head.

“Yes,” CC smiled. “Does it sound odd? It was named after a popular cat doll from long ago.”

“Rhine Cat! I know that!” Wei Sheng Jin chimed in, turning around with his flashlight. “That toy is incredibly popular on Mars. From my son’s childhood to my grandson’s, Rhine Cat was a favorite… There are many stories about its origins, all tracing back to Earth, but no one knows which artist or company created it.”

Lin Xian felt a sense of pride hearing about Rhine Cat’s enduring popularity, even after traversing 600 years and surviving the great disaster of 2400.

“It seems the village chief still possesses the heart of a child,” Lin Xian remarked with a smile. “How old is the village chief?”

“Over a hundred; she’s an elderly lady,” CC answered. “She’s quite remarkable and highly respected. Originally from Mars, she chose to stay on Earth and never looked back.”

“I’ve spoken with her; she’s truly kind and gentle. When I asked why she didn’t remain on Mars to enjoy her twilight years but instead chose to live on Earth, she told me there are still many people on Earth who need help. The people on Earth live in poverty and hunger… So I came. Though I’m old, the knowledge in my head should help some people on Earth, maybe even save some. That’s enough; that’s my dream and life’s pursuit.”

Hearing Lin Xian’s words, CC couldn’t help but express her admiration for the village chief’s foresight: “This village chief really sees the big picture. Has she been living on Earth long?”

“About twenty or thirty years,” replied Wei Sheng Jin as CC sliced through the undergrowth with her machete, leading them out of the dwindling forest.

“She’s incredibly wise and knowledgeable. She’s taught so much to the people in nearby villages that more and more are moving to Rhine Village, which has grown significantly because of her.”

“The village chief has been incredibly kind to me, too,” Lin Xian added. “When she found out I came from across the ocean, she went out of her way to make me feel welcome, even building a temporary bamboo house for me to stay in.”

As they emerged from the trees, CC pointed ahead, “There it is—Rhine Village, enclosed by that fence over there.”

Lin Xian and Wei Sheng Jin looked across the river and saw a large village with over a hundred households, fenced off from the outside world. The entrance was marked by a double wooden gate, swung wide open, through which children were bustling in and out. Inside, there were no electric lights, only the flickering glow of oil lamps and candles, and the occasional bonfire.

“It really is a cozy place…” Wei Sheng Jin observed, a note of nostalgia in his voice. “You’d never find such a peaceful scene on Mars, where every bit of land is valuable.”

The trio crossed the river and made their way towards the village gate. As they walked, Lin Xian noticed that large swaths of land around the river and the village had been cleared for farming, planted with a variety of crops and vegetables. There were also animal pens, indicating that the village was self-sufficient.

Reaching the gate, Lin Xian observed the carvings on it, smiling at the familiar figures of Rhine Cat, carved as if they were guardian spirits watching over the village. “This really is the highest honor for Rhine Cat,” he murmured, touching the carvings with a sense of reverence.

“Given the massive disasters and wars Earth has faced, with so much of our history lost, it’s incredible that something as simple as a Rhine Cat toy has survived all these years,” Lin Xian reflected, echoing the thoughts of his companion.

“I think the village chief might have brought this Rhine Cat from Mars,” Wei Sheng Jin speculated.

“Maybe,” CC agreed, beckoning them forward. “Let’s go meet her. She’s really welcoming, so there’s no need to be nervous.”

Nodding to each other, Lin Xian and Wei Sheng Jin agreed that it would be proper to greet the village chief now that they were here.

They approached a stone-brick house at the center of the village. As they drew near, they could hear the lively chatter of children inside.

“Village chief, this math problem is so hard. Isn’t knowing addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division enough? Why do we have to learn such complicated math… we don’t even use it in everyday life!” one child complained.

“Hehe, you just don’t get it because you’re too dumb! I understand it perfectly! Village chief, can you teach me more about equations? I’m really interested! Don’t waste time on him!” another taunted.

Inside the house, a kind and gentle old woman was smiling at her pupils. She gently reprimanded the girl who liked equations, “Xiao Yu, it’s great that you’re eager to learn and that you’re bright, but remember, it’s important to respect everyone. Everyone has their own strengths and skills. To be truly useful to society, and to the world, you need to appreciate all kinds of talents, not just academic ones.”

She then turned to the boy who was frustrated with the math, “Xiao Ming, while basic math might seem sufficient for daily challenges, without advancing our knowledge, we’d never discover the deeper, beautiful math that helps us understand the universe better.”

She patted his cheek affectionately, “When I first arrived over twenty years ago, people here lived very simple, primitive lives. They had no medicine, couldn’t treat wounds, and many didn’t live long. I taught them how to farm, make tools, and use herbs. Now, life is better here because knowledge changed their fate.”

“If you learn more about equations, maybe you could become a scientist or an engineer. Isn’t that your dream? You and Xiao Yu are some of the brightest kids here, and Rhine Village’s future could be bright because of you.”

The children’s eyes lit up with inspiration as they nodded, understanding her words.

“Alright, that’s enough for today. Go and rest,” she concluded, noticing Lin Xian and his friends waiting at the door. She ended the lesson early, inviting them in with a welcoming smile.

After hearing from CC, Lin Xian and Wei Sheng Jin were led into the stone-brick house where they were introduced to the village chief.

“Grandma, these two stood up for me during a disagreement with people from Big Cat’s Village in the forest. They defended me and saved my life,” CC explained to the village chief.

The village chief smiled warmly at them and nodded: “Thank you both so much, and welcome to Rhine Village. Feel at home here, stay as long as you like, and if you’d like… you’re welcome to join our Rhine Village family.”

“Hello, village chief,” greeted Wei Sheng Jin, introducing himself first. “I traveled here from Mars on a transit ship. My name is Wei Sheng Jin, and I’m a university professor on Mars… Your story has truly touched me. You’re such a kind and caring person.”

“I’ve read about dedicated rural and volunteer teachers in ancient books, but I never fully grasped the challenges and significance of their work… until now. It’s remarkable that you left the comforts of Mars to help the people on this less advanced Earth… I have immense respect for you.”

The village chief responded with a humble smile: “It’s not anything grand. On the contrary, I felt I wasn’t doing enough significant work, so I came to Earth where even the little knowledge I have could be useful. It’s not about being great; I’m just doing what I can to help others and spread some kindness. By the way… Teacher Wei, what brought you all the way to Earth?”

Wei Sheng Jin then shared his quest for the aluminum alloy safe with the village chief.

Upon hearing this, the village chief glanced at CC and then suddenly realized: “So that’s why… I see now that you all came here to find your safes. I understand you because I also came from the old era and woke up centuries later with no memory of who I was.”

“I’ve wanted to know what my past life was like, what I was thinking, what experiences I had… but regaining lost memories isn’t easy. Even if you find what’s inside the safe, you might not remember the thoughts behind putting it there.”

“Nevertheless, I wish you luck in finding your safes. And for you, CC, who had a conflict today over a safe because I mentioned that people from Big Cat’s Village had dug up one long ago, which might be what you’re looking for.”

Lin Xian and Wei Sheng Jin both turned to CC, their questions overlapping.

“Why didn’t you mention this earlier?” Lin Xian asked, his voice sharp with curiosity.

“Did you get the number and name of the safe?” Wei Sheng Jin added, just as urgently.

CC first addressed Lin Xian, “It didn’t seem important since it wasn’t one of your safes. Why bring it up? It’s like that one you dismissed earlier today.”

Wei Sheng Jin, realizing the safe didn’t belong to him, lost interest immediately. If it had nothing to do with him, he couldn’t care less, even if it was filled with treasure.

“Whose safe is it then?” Lin Xian pressed on. “What’s the number?”

This information was crucial for him. If the number was below 200, then in the 2024 Time Bank warehouse, he could pinpoint the exact safe! With this knowledge, everything would become much simpler.

Lin Xian planned to switch the contents of safe number 66, which held space-time particles and a small note, with a safe in Big Cat’s Village and then change the lock code. This move would solve several problems at once:

First, he could finally read the note.

Second, CC could access Lin Xian’s safe somewhere else, ensuring the same items were inside.

Most importantly, this ancient safe, having traveled 600 years through time, could transport items from the past to the future, giving him an unbeatable edge!

“Safe number 424. The name is…” CC paused, trying to remember, “Gao Wen, Gao as in tall, Wen as in literature.”

Gao Wen?

The name triggered something in Lin Xian’s memory.

Academician Gao Wen.

Wasn’t he the one who wrote about the hibernation pod fluid Lin Xian had documented for Professor Xu Yun in his earlier dream?

Lin Xian remembered it clearly. Originally, Dr. Ponsmike in the United States developed the hibernation pod fluid in 2477. But due to time-space changes, it became associated with Gao Wen around 2200. Lin Xian had given Gao Wen’s research to Professor Xu Yun, which had catapulted Xu Yun to fame.

He had thought Gao Wen’s contributions would be forgotten forever, only to hear his name now under such odd circumstances. Could this safe belong to that same Gao Wen?

“Gao Wen,” Lin Xian repeated quietly, his mind racing. What could be inside that safe? Perhaps research papers? If so, they would be priceless back in 2024!

His company, Rhine, needed to grow and strengthen, and he wanted to harness the visionary prowess of legends like Copernicus and Elon Musk. Previously, he had feared exposure and possible assassination by the Seven Deadly Sins, so he avoided using his technological insights. But now, caution was unnecessary!

Copernicus had already tried to kill him using a future assassin, and the Genius Club seemed less threatening than he had thought. Now was the time to solidify his position.

Truth only exists where it’s recognized, and respect comes from power. Falling behind meant losing. Lin Xian resolved to become powerful. In this situation, Gao Wen’s safe might just contain a goldmine of advanced technology!

“It’s very possible,” he thought.

In the movie Goodbye Mr. Loser, the protagonist Xia Luo goes back in time and performs all the famous songs of a well-known singer, leaving the original singer without his music. Yet, did that singer vanish into oblivion? No. A star delayed is still a star, eventually gaining global acclaim. Similarly, for Gao Wen, a genius remains a genius!

He wouldn’t just step out from under Professor Xu Yun’s shadow but could reach greater heights in other areas or even advance hibernation technology beyond Xu Yun’s initial work.

“It looks like I really need to try and open Gao Wen’s safe to see what’s inside,” Lin Xian decided.

The village chief, noticing their contemplative silence, turned to Lin Xian:

“And this young man… is he also from Mars? Are you Teacher Wei’s student, here looking for a safe?”

“Ah, no, he isn’t,” CC quickly answered:

“He’s my friend, and we just met here. He’s not from Mars; he’s from Earth. His name is… Lin Xian.”

Lin Xian was about to introduce himself politely when suddenly—

The village chief’s eyes widened, and she gasped, standing up straight: “You…”

She approached swiftly, grasping Lin Xian’s hands tightly: “You… your name is Lin Xian? Lin as in forest, Xian as in the strings of a zither!?”

“Yes, yes, that’s me, grandma,” Lin Xian responded, puzzled by her intense reaction. “What’s wrong, village chief? Do you know me?”

The village chief shook her head: “I don’t know you, but…”

She hurried back to her bed and retrieved a small, exquisitely crafted metal box. The box was clearly something she had brought from Mars over twenty years ago. With trembling hands, she searched inside and finally pulled out a laminated piece of paper—a preservation method that kept the paper from aging or decaying.

Walking back, she handed the laminated sheet to Lin Xian.

Lin Xian took it, stepping closer to the dim light of the pig-oil lamp in the house to read: Things to Do After Waking from Hibernation!

Bury my brother on the moon.

Repay Lin Xian.

Be a kind and caring person.

Suddenly, it felt like fireworks exploded in Lin Xian’s mind. He widened his eyes, staring at the centenarian before him in shock: “You… you’re…”

The old lady nodded, equally bewildered: “Didn’t CC tell you? My name is… Zheng Xiang Yue.”