Genius Club

This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation

Lin Xian, having traveled back to 1952, faced three main objectives to complete:

Uncover the truth of the Millennial Stake and find a way to save Chu Anqing.

Investigate Einstein and reveal the true identity of the Genius Club’s president.

Explore the origins of the world-ending white light and the deepest secrets of the Genius Club.

At this point, Lin Xian had only managed to find clues related to the first task—the original Stake CC. This was why he stuck close to CC, never leaving her side. His goal was to witness firsthand the moment she transformed into the Millennial Stake, to uncover the truth and figure out a solution.

After all, CC had no knowledge of her own birthday, which made it impossible to determine when exactly she would dissolve into blue star fragments. The only solution was a painstakingly tedious one: staying by her side 24/7 as her “personal Millennial Stake bodyguard.”

Lin Xian had originally planned to wait until CC dissolved before finding a way to approach and investigate Einstein. But fate often has its surprises. On this Halloween night, at a costume party, Lin Xian unexpectedly ran into Einstein.

Now, Lin Xian could pursue the second main task simultaneously:

This question had been on Lin Xian’s mind for a long time. Who was behind the mask of the Genius Club’s president? Was it an admirer, a follower, or a successor of Einstein? Or, as urban legends suggested, was it the immortal Einstein himself?

Lin Xian clenched his fists. All these truths would finally be unveiled in the bygone era of 1952.

“So, let’s get into costume first,” Lin Xian said, steering CC toward a nearby makeup stall. The makeup artist, dressed as a witch, welcomed them warmly.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome! What kind of look are you going for? Let me know, and I promise my skills will leave you satisfied!” she said enthusiastically. “If you’re out of ideas, feel free to browse these magazines and images. You both look stunning, like actors or models! I recommend classic characters from famous films.”

Lin Xian chuckled at her flattering words. It seemed salespeople in any place and time always had a knack for sweet-talking.

Still, appearances matter. With CC now glowing with confidence and beauty, it wasn’t surprising she drew such compliments. Her timeless looks, even decades later, would remain stunning.

“CC, take a look. What catches your eye?” Lin Xian handed her a catalog. “There are costume stalls nearby, so we can get everything in one go. A complete immersive experience for you.”

CC studied the images carefully. This was her first Halloween costume party, and she wanted to make the perfect choice. After some deliberation, she decided on a classic vampire look—a timeless Western monster. Vampires embodied style, elegance, and a certain bloody allure. Plus, in Western culture, they were often portrayed as impossibly attractive figures, like CEOs in romantic tales.

After settling on a price, the makeup artist got to work on CC. The witch was undoubtedly skilled, with a makeup kit brimming with tools, jars, and accessories, including vampire fangs and ornate headpieces.

Lin Xian sat nearby, watching the process. The makeup artist first painted CC’s face ghostly white, then added streaks of blood-like details. She affixed fake fangs to CC’s small canine teeth and styled her hair meticulously.

By the end, CC’s transformed appearance bore no resemblance to her usual self, much to Lin Xian’s relief. Given that it wasn’t clear if Einstein was truly the Genius Club president, Lin Xian decided it was better to treat him as a “potential enemy” for now.

Historically, Einstein and CC should have had no intersection. Without Lin Xian’s interference, CC wouldn’t have been attending this costume party and certainly wouldn’t have encountered Einstein. Their meeting today was an anomaly in the historical timeline.

“To avoid destabilizing the worldline, it’s best not to interfere with key individuals’ original life paths,” Lin Xian thought to himself. He reached up to touch the “kite string” tethered to the back of his head—a link to the year 2234.

As long as the string remained intact, it meant the worldline hadn’t shifted, spacetime elasticity was stable, and he could return to 2234 anytime. For now, the string seemed perfectly secure, strong and unyielding.

“Spacetime elasticity isn’t so easily breached,” Lin Xian mused, closing his eyes and reflecting on his actions since arriving in 1952. Everything he had done was minor—winning a balloon prize, stealing money from gangsters, and enjoying life in Manhattan. Compared to past worldline disruptors, his caution and restraint were almost excessive.

“Without advanced technology, it’s incredibly difficult for a single person to destabilize spacetime elasticity,” Lin Xian concluded, opening his eyes again.

Recalling the past, Lin Xian thought of Yellow Finch, who cooperated with the state, sent him a Genius Club invitation, dropped countless hints, and even borrowed a spaceplane to cause a commotion in outer space. Then there was the real and fake Yu Xi—her actions were even more outrageous. From start to finish, she was constantly on the move, stealing motorcycles and cars wherever she went.

Despite their audacious actions, none of them had managed to breach the spacetime elasticity. Compared to their chaotic exploits, Lin Xian’s minor actions were barely a blip.

But still, he reminded himself:

Never let your guard down.

The risks he faced were different from those of Yellow Finch and the two Yu Xis. They were fully prepared to burn their bridges, treating the traversed spacetime as their main battlefield. Lin Xian, on the other hand, needed to return to his original timeline, 2234, to truly make a difference.

“If I can’t return safely to 2234, all my efforts will be in vain,” he thought.

Lin Xian touched the “kite string” at the back of his head, the lifeline connecting him to the future. “I must ensure this string remains unbroken.”

…

Soon, CC’s makeup was complete. Her face was pale as a ghost, blood trickled from the corners of her mouth, and her eyes were dark and haunting. Lin Xian could hardly recognize her.

“Rawr!” CC spread her fingers like claws, showing off her fangs and pretending to attack.

Lin Xian burst out laughing at her attempt to be fierce, which resembled a “dragon roar” more than anything else. “Vampires don’t roar like that.”

“Really?” CC scratched her head and laughed awkwardly. “Then how do vampires sound?”

“They don’t,” Lin Xian corrected. “In most films, vampires are depicted as aristocratic and refined. Apart from showing their fangs when feeding, they’re practically indistinguishable from regular humans. Just act normal.”

“Oh,” CC replied, retracting her fangs.

As the makeup artist packed up her tools, she turned to Lin Xian with enthusiasm. “Sir, what about you? What kind of makeup would you like?”

She looked him up and down. “You have such handsome features—sharp and defined. You’re practically made for acting or modeling! I can’t resist giving you a look that matches your beauty.”

She grinned and suggested, “Why not dress as a vampire or a werewolf to match this lovely lady? It would make you two the perfect pair.”

Lin Xian shook his head. “I’ll pass. Makeup is too much trouble… cough, cough.”

His raspy throat gave another dry cough. The boiled egg soup he had that morning, missing scallions and sesame oil, hadn’t done much to alleviate his discomfort. If anything, his throat felt worse, and he suspected an oncoming mouth ulcer.

Without saying another word, he glanced toward a nearby mask stall, where he had already spotted his ideal choice: a King Kong gorilla mask.

The character King Kong had originated from a 1933 black-and-white film, a story about a giant gorilla who fell for a human woman and caused chaos in New York. Over the decades, King Kong became a timeless IP, with countless remakes, eventually joining the MonsterVerse and trading blows with Godzilla.

Lin Xian walked over to the mask stall and picked up the gorilla headpiece. It was impressively crafted, with realistic fur and finely detailed facial features. The eyeholes were cleverly cut to allow clear vision.

“Not bad,” he muttered with approval, paying for the mask before putting it on. Returning to CC, he spread his arms dramatically. “Cool, right?”

“Too ugly!” CC wrinkled her nose. “You look terrifying—a creepy gorilla head with a strange voice. You don’t even seem like yourself anymore; you’re like a total stranger.”

Lin Xian chuckled. “That’s exactly the point.”

For now, since it was still unclear whether Einstein was truly the Genius Club president, it was better to keep his identity hidden. If this all turned out to be one big misunderstanding, so be it.

But what if the great Einstein before him truly was the future omniscient and omnipotent president of the Genius Club?

[Revealing his true face now could trigger unimaginable spacetime disturbances, even a worldline leap, rendering all efforts futile.]

Such consequences were risks Lin Xian could not afford to take.

Fortunately, his hoarse voice, a result of his earlier discomfort, provided the perfect natural disguise. Combined with the gorilla mask, it created an ideal setup for anonymity.

[At what point did Einstein’s omniscience and omnipotence begin?]

Lin Xian didn’t know for certain, but he was sure it wasn’t now. The Millennial Stake had yet to be driven, spacetime laws hadn’t come into play, and the Genius Club likely hadn’t even been established.

Thus, at this moment, approaching Einstein with a fake voice and a gorilla mask felt relatively safe.

“We’re the perfect pair from Beauty and the Beast now,” Lin Xian joked, adjusting his gorilla headpiece as he looked at CC.

“Beauty and the Beast?” CC laughed, her fanged smile revealing her amusement. “Why not Vampire and Gorilla?”

“Didn’t the orphanage grandmother ever tell you the story of Beauty and the Beast?” Lin Xian asked, surprised.

“Nope.” CC shook her head. “Is it famous? I’ve never heard of it.”

“Well,” Lin Xian replied, nodding in resignation. “Seems even the almighty orphanage granny has her limitations.”

“Enough talk. Let’s get going,” he said, straightening his outfit and mask. With a raspy voice, he declared, “Now that we’re in costume, it’s time to head to the Halloween ball.”

And so, a pale-faced, fanged vampire followed a lumbering gorilla across the street to the venue. Their peculiar pairing drew glances from bystanders—but only fleeting ones. On Halloween, a night of nationwide celebration, their strange costumes blended in perfectly.

Lin Xian pulled a crisp bill from his pocket and placed it in the hands of the doorman. “Two tickets. Keep the rest as a tip.”

The doorman’s eyes widened in astonishment at such generosity. Bowing profusely, he ushered them in, exclaiming, “Sir! Madam! Please, right this way!”

Inside, the ballroom was a spectacle of chaos and creativity. Monsters, demons, and fantastical creatures mingled in a lively, almost surreal scene. The dance hadn’t started yet, so groups of costumed attendees were chatting, laughing, and reveling in their bizarre attire.

“This is… unsettling,” Lin Xian admitted, his voice laced with genuine awe. It was his first time attending a Halloween ball, and the sheer absurdity of the scene hit him like a dream turned nightmare. “Is that mummy? And what’s that woman dressed as? Wait… is she even dressed? Isn’t she cold?”

“Maybe… she’s supposed to be a succubus?” CC speculated, equally overwhelmed. Grabbing Lin Xian’s arm, she steered them deeper into the venue. “Let’s not stand around here. I saw the poster outside—there’s a buffet! If we’re too late, all the good food will be gone.”

“Good food?” Lin Xian chuckled. “I don’t have much faith in Manhattan’s cuisine. It’s probably just pastries, wine, roasted meat, fries, and potatoes, right?”

Reaching the buffet table, his prediction was spot-on. As he surveyed the spread, Lin Xian’s throat felt even more parched, the fiery irritation worsening.

“You go ahead and eat,” he rasped, rubbing his throat.

“Aren’t you eating?” CC asked, already holding a plate and ready to dig in.

“I’ll just grab some fruit,” Lin Xian said, picking up a plate. “If I eat any more of this high-calorie junk, I might actually lose my voice tomorrow.” Then he paused, realizing something. “Wait a second—this isn’t right!”

He reached up to touch the snout of his gorilla mask, only to confirm his suspicion: the protruding snout had no opening for his mouth.

“Hah!” CC burst out laughing, bending over as her small fangs glinted in the corners of her dimples. “You’re too funny! I told you to just get some makeup, but no—you had to go for the gorilla mask. Now look at you! You can’t even eat fruit, let alone drink wine or soda!”

“Fine, fine.” Lin Xian placed his plate back on the table and spread his hands in surrender. “Not like American fruit is anything to rave about.”

“Then I’ll eat alone. I’ll be back in a bit,” CC said, turning toward the buffet.

“Where are you going?” she asked, her tone curious.

Lin Xian adjusted his mask, his gaze drifting toward a corner of the hall where a solitary Einstein sat at a table, looking rather melancholic.

With a sly smile, Lin Xian replied, “Opportunities to meet a great figure like him are rare. You stay here and enjoy your meal. I’m off to…”

“Chat with Einstein.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om