Genius Club

In the heart of Denmark, a country often celebrated as the fairy tale kingdom due to its rich history of myths and legends, the night began to cast its veil. Amalienborg Palace, renowned for its architectural grandeur, stood solemnly beside the statue of Frederick V. Both were shrouded in layers of darkness, a sight that marked the onset of twilight.

As the surroundings became enveloped in darkness, a singular, striking light pierced through the shadows. This light did not come from any lamppost or window but from the intense, azure eyes of Yellow Finch. Her eyes sparkled with a brilliance that resembled shards of shattered glass, capturing flecks of light in a mesmerizing dance. They held a focused, unwavering gaze akin to a hunting owl poised in the silent night.

Yellow Finch was not a predator here, nor was she native to these lands. She was merely a visitor, a tourist who had wandered far from her usual haunts. Yet, her presence in this enchanting environment wasn’t without purpose. As she stood there, her eyes locked onto the dark, mysterious expanse of the forest bordering the quaint city, a question lingered in the crisp evening air:

What exactly was she searching for in this tranquil realm of fairy tales?

After leaving Amalienborg Palace, Lin Xian and Yellow Finch had a simple meal of local cuisine before heading to their hotel to rest. Their luggage had already been transported from the airport to the hotel by a special shuttle bus, making things very convenient.

Initially, Lin Xian had planned to book the best hotel in the center of Copenhagen, but Yellow Finch pointed to a more suburban location and insisted on staying there.

“It’s a bit out of the way,” Lin Xian explained. “Even though it’s still Copenhagen, it’s like staying in a small town compared to the city center. While the suburbs of a capital city aren’t bad, the living conditions and surroundings won’t be as good as the hotel I initially chose.”

Yellow Finch shook her head. “This area will do. I don’t like crowded places. Just find a decent hotel around here.”

Seeing her insistence, Lin Xian didn’t argue further. Yellow Finch always seemed like a solitary person who didn’t enjoy crowds. Did the hotel’s location really matter that much? He couldn’t understand but decided to go along with her choice.

So, Lin Xian booked a hotel in the western suburbs of Copenhagen. It was a decent hotel, and he reserved two suites.

Shortly after, the taxi pulled up in front of the hotel. Lin Xian paid the fare and opened the door for Yellow Finch. Stepping out of the car, Lin Xian looked around.

The architectural style and the ancient feeling of the place reminded him of a European street from the last century. There were no high-rise buildings; everything was old and filled with the traces of time. The area had a strong sense of life, with small shops, couples strolling, and families with children.

“Is this… an old town?” Lin Xian asked, looking at the surroundings.

Yellow Finch shook her head. “I’m not sure, but Copenhagen probably doesn’t have any old towns. This city has been famous since the Industrial Revolution, hosting many important conferences worldwide. Unlike many cities in our country, which were just starting to urbanize when the third information revolution began globally, resulting in incompatible old towns due to rapid development.”

Lin Xian agreed with Yellow Finch’s reasoning. He had traveled to many cities in X Country, and old towns were an unavoidable presence due to the rapid development demands of urbanization. Roads were always crowded, the widest being two lanes, and many small paths could only be described as sheep trails. Residential areas lacked underground parking, and cars parked one after another on the ground, making it a hassle whenever a vehicle in the innermost spot needed to leave, resembling a game. Markets, breakfast streets, and morning markets seemed to be standard features of these old towns.

As Yellow Finch had said, it was difficult and expensive to rejuvenate an entire old town amid rapid urban development. Demolition and resettlement were complicated and challenging tasks. Instead, it was easier to plan a new district as the center, stimulating the surrounding economy—a strategy that had proven effective in many X Country cities. Looking at the suburb now, it might have remained unchanged for many years—old, quaint, and full of the warmth of life.

“It’s a good place by chance,” Lin Xian said, opening the hotel’s door for Yellow Finch as they walked in. After checking in, they each took their room keys and headed to their rooms to rest.

The hotel wasn’t big, with only six floors. The suites, spacious and well-equipped, were mostly on the sixth floor. Taking the elevator to the sixth floor, they found their rooms next to each other—606 and 608.

As they opened their doors, Lin Xian looked at Yellow Finch. “We walked around all day today, so let’s get some good rest. We just wandered around nearby attractions today. Tomorrow, we can visit the famous museums, art galleries, and theaters in the city. If there’s anywhere else you want to see, you can check online.”

Yellow Finch nodded, tiredly entering her room. The doors closed with two soft thuds. Lin Xian and Yellow Finch were now in adjacent suites, each preparing for bed.

Lin Xian glanced at the electronic clock by the bed, which read 9:30 PM. This was Danish time. He raised his left wrist and looked at his smartwatch, which showed 3:30 AM—X Country time. The time difference between the two regions was six hours, with X Country seeing the new day six hours earlier than Denmark.

“So… at this time, I probably won’t dream,” Lin Xian yawned.

After receiving the invitation to join the Genius Club, he had specifically entered the dream the next night after parting ways with Yellow Finch in Liu Feng’s lab. As expected, the fourth dream remained unchanged. But that was to be expected. Receiving the Genius Club’s invitation was only the beginning. He still had a long way to go before officially joining the club and forming an irreversible anchor point.

Any wrong answer to the three exam questions would result in the club rejecting him, making him the first to receive an invitation but fail the exams. The members of the Genius Club would laugh at him. After all, Yellow Finch had said no one else had ever failed. All those who received invitations passed the exams, proving they were true geniuses and gaining entry to the club.

So, Lin Xian accepted that receiving the invitation without triggering changes in the fourth dream was normal. Besides, the possibility that the fourth dream was fake, a simulated world, or a film set had not been ruled out. The items were already in place—Time Bank, the aluminum alloy safe, and the secret note Chu An Qing wrote. All that was left was for him to verify them.

The current challenge was the mysterious old man blocking his path to Time Bank. He had to deal with the old man to move freely in the fourth dream. But the key question was… Who was this mysterious old man? Kevin Walker? Elon Musk? Or someone else, known or unknown? Regardless, the old man had the same catchphrase as Kevin Walker. Starting with Kevin Walker was the safest bet.

Lin Xian and Kevin Walker had more than one score to settle. There were many unresolved issues between them. If eliminating Kevin Walker didn’t change the fourth dream, he’d have to consider other suspects.

“Ughh…” Lin Xian sighed, thinking about the situation.

Having wandered the dreams for so many years, he hadn’t expected to hit a dead end. He couldn’t open the safe, read the note, or verify the thousand-year-old stake with CC. It was frustrating.

When Lin Xian first received the invitation from the mirror, he had hoped to join the Genius Club directly, find Kevin Walker, and eliminate him. But now, it was unclear which plan would come first. Killing Kevin Walker was necessary to change the fourth dream. Without changing the fourth dream, the numbers on the time-space clock wouldn’t change. Without those numbers, he couldn’t study the time-space coordinates.

Without the specific laws and values of the time-space coordinates, passing the Genius Club exams was impossible. Everything was interconnected, and he was stuck.

Lin Xian yawned again. After a full day of walking, he was exhausted…

“Let’s sleep first. At least I can sleep until morning.”

In X Country, he always woke up at 00:42 every night. But now, he didn’t need to.

“Good night.”

Lin Xian’s thoughts proved too simple. An hour later, he woke up groggily in bed. “Why is it so noisy? Where’s that music coming from?”

He got up, put on his slippers, and walked to the window, pulling back the curtains to look outside. Sure enough! On the roof of the four-story building across the street, a large group of people were singing and dancing!

“What are they doing? The locals are really enthusiastic.”

Lin Xian squinted, trying to see more clearly. It looked like a party, but not a chaotic one. Through the window, he saw that most party-goers were older, nearing middle age, rather than young. Estimating their exact ages was hard; foreign men and women generally aged faster, often appearing much older than they were.

At this time, the party-goers had finished their barbecues and beers. Loud music blared, and they danced wildly. Their dance styles were varied, matching the music’s rhythm.

Lin Xian, a semi-professional dancer trained by senior and junior girls at Donghai University, watched for a while. His conclusion was: These people were just messing around; he had overestimated them. They didn’t distinguish between music genres or dance styles, moving randomly regardless of the tune’s nature, only adjusting their speed. Happiness and joy were the only qualities present.

“This isn’t so bad,” Lin Xian mused quietly to himself, “but it’s definitely causing a disturbance…”

Staying in a suburban hotel meant dealing with the long-established local customs and events, which Lin Xian, as an outsider, had no choice but to accept. Perhaps this noisy gathering was a regular community event.

Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of violent coughing from the adjacent room.

“Yellow Finch?” Lin Xian questioned, concern evident. He pressed his ear against the wall, trying to make out any further sounds. The coughing continued for a moment before ceasing abruptly, followed by the faint patter of footsteps and then the distinct sound of high heels clicking on the floor.

“Now, at this hour? And high heels? Is Yellow Finch going out?” Lin Xian pondered, glancing at the electronic clock which showed 10:12 PM. The streets outside were still lively, yet considering Yellow Finch’s recent bout of violent coughing—likely a result of her struggle with space-time adaptation—he wondered if it was wise for her to leave her room.

Lin Xian listened intently as the door of the adjacent room opened and closed quietly, the footsteps fading not towards the elevator but in the opposite direction. Curiosity piqued, he recalled that the staircase at the end of the hallway was the only path leading to the roof since the elevator did not access it. Could Yellow Finch be heading there instead of out into the town?

Concerned for her well-being, Lin Xian quickly dressed in his sportswear, grabbed his room key, and silently stepped out into the hallway. He moved stealthily towards the back staircase, finding the iron door slightly open, confirming his suspicions that Yellow Finch had passed this way. He pushed the door open and stepped onto the roof.

The cold spring breeze was sharp, but Lin Xian was well-prepared, his sportswear sufficient against the chill. He zipped up his jacket and proceeded towards the edge of the roof, where he spotted Yellow Finch standing alone, her figure silhouetted against the night sky, her hair blowing in the wind. Despite her large coat and obscured features, Lin Xian could sense the distinctive aura of Zhao Ying Jun, a sign of her unique presence.

As he approached her, Yellow Finch sensed his presence but didn’t turn around. Instead, she casually tossed her hair to the side and offered a faint smile. “Lin Xian, can’t sleep either?” she inquired softly.

Pointing towards the noisy party across the street, Lin Xian replied, “The music is too loud. Are you… feeling okay?”

Yellow Finch shook her head slightly, her voice soft but firm. “I’m fine.”

Lin Xian, however, noticed the dimming blue glow of her eyes—a usual vibrant feature that seemed subdued under the night’s shadow.

Previously, Lin Xian had observed that Yellow Finch’s eyes would dim with each episode of space-time rejection she endured, followed by a period of recovery where they would regain their brightness. But tonight, under the dim streetlights and against the dark backdrop of the hotel’s roof, her eyes struggled to shine, resembling a flickering light bulb nearing its end.

Yellow Finch remained silent, her gaze fixed intently on the lively crowd dancing across the street.

Eventually, Lin Xian approached, struck by the brightness of Copenhagen’s moonlight. He mused that it was likely due to Denmark’s high latitude and thin atmosphere, positioning it further north than any part of his homeland, X Country. Occasionally, one might even glimpse the northern lights from here. He joked to himself that perhaps Copenhagen was closer to the moon than Donghai City, making the moon appear larger and brighter. But he dismissed the thought as nonsense; a few thousand kilometers made little difference at the cosmic scale.

As Lin Xian stepped into Yellow Finch’s shadow, the moonlight illuminated her loose hair, giving it the appearance of a delicate white gauze or a layer of frost. This was his first time seeing Yellow Finch with her hair down. Usually, she, like Zhao Ying Jun, kept her hair up, always appearing formal and composed.

Dressed for a casual stroll on the roof, Yellow Finch wore high heels and stylish clothes, her sapphire earrings catching the light. Lin Xian figured she probably let her hair down only in private, like when sleeping. She looked unexpectedly younger with her hair down, more gentle and approachable. Curious, he moved to her left side to see what had captured her attention so completely. What was so captivating about the locals’ wild party?

From this vantage point, the scene was clear. About fifty or sixty people mingled below, a large turnout for a Northern European suburb. Bottles of beer and spirits lined the roof’s edge, a testament to their enthusiasm. The men and women seemed jubilant and uninhibited—either a family reunion or a close-knit friends’ gathering filled with joyous vibes.

The music shifted to an exotic dance tune unfamiliar to Lin Xian. At Donghai University, he had learned only the common social dances, not the vast array of ethnic dances that the world offered. He watched as Yellow Finch’s eyes followed the dancers. Was she fascinated by the exotic atmosphere? But their dancing seemed amateurish, lacking any real artistic value.

Moreover, Yellow Finch wasn’t one for crowds or social dancing. In fact, did she even enjoy socializing at all? Both she and Zhao Ying Jun radiated a profound solitude.

VV once described Zhao Ying Jun, saying, “I can’t quite explain it, but every time I see Zhao Ying Jun looking at you, I sense loneliness. She’s always by herself, whether in work, life, or even during her rest periods.”

“She carries herself with such independence and confidence, unlike Chu An Qing.”

“She appears wealthy but seems to have nothing. I always thought Chu An Qing was a fragile girl needing protection, but now, I think Zhao Ying Jun is the real delicate one. Despite her glamour and heroism at 25, she remains as lonely as a child.”

Similarly, Chu An Qing had once described Yellow Finch: “Don’t you see? Yellow Finch is always alone. She’s like a breeze that doesn’t seem to belong to this world, with no apparent ties to anywhere.”

“Her phone never rings—no calls, no messages, no chats.”

“She seems capable and reliable, managing everything with ease, but that doesn’t change her inherent solitude. It’s like she doesn’t truly belong here, without family, friends, or anyone to confide in.”

Lin Xian looked down at the joyful crowd below. Did Yellow Finch ever envy them? Their ability to just let loose, to enjoy their families, friends, and the simple pleasure of a lively party?

At that moment, the upbeat music halted abruptly, replaced by a slow, soothing tune. Lin Xian’s ears perked up as he recognized the song “It’s Been a Long, Long Time,” famously featured in the Marvel movie “Captain America.”

Yellow Finch often greeted him with that phrase, “It’s been a long, long time,” echoing the poignant story of Captain America and Agent Peggy Carter. They had fallen in love but missed their chance for a dance before the war separated them. Captain America was frozen in time, awakening seventy years later to find Peggy aged and at the end of her life. The relentless passage of time had robbed them of their chance to dance together, leaving only a tearful reunion and the sentiment of what might have been—a simple, “It’s been a long, long time.”

Lin Xian turned to face Yellow Finch, his expression softening as he raised his right hand, palm up, in a welcoming gesture. “Would you like to dance?”

Yellow Finch looked taken aback, blinking at Lin Xian with a mixture of surprise and amusement. “Are you inviting me? This invitation seems quite informal.”

Lin Xian chuckled, stepping back and bowing slightly in a more formal manner—a gesture he had practiced numerous times at Donghai University, especially when inviting fellow students to dance at university events. “May I have this dance, my lady?”

Amused by his ceremonious approach, Yellow Finch glanced at the moonlit sky, perhaps seeking approval from the stars. After a brief moment, she returned her gaze to him, her eyes warmer. She extended her right hand, her fingertips lightly touching Lin Xian’s palm. “Now that’s more like it.”

The music from the street’s loudspeaker softened, turning into a gentle melody that seemed to lull the city to sleep. The rhythm was perfect for a slow, four-step waltz.

They stood on the roof of an old building, bathed in moonlight rather than under the chandeliers of a grand ballroom. Lin Xian wore simple sportswear, and Yellow Finch was wrapped in a casual coat—hardly the attire for a formal dance. Yet, none of that mattered.

As they began to dance, Lin Xian reflected on his earlier thoughts about the universal nature of art—how dance and music transcended societal boundaries, creating a pure, unfiltered form of expression. Leading Yellow Finch gently under the moon, their shadows mingling with the clouds, he felt their isolated sorrows intertwining, finding solace in each other’s presence.

There was no applause, no audience, and even the music was borrowed from someone else’s celebration. But none of that diminished the moment. Yellow Finch’s smile, lighter than usual, confirmed that.

“I didn’t expect you to ever invite someone to dance,” she remarked quietly.

“It’s a first,” Lin Xian admitted with a chuckle, releasing her hand briefly to let her spin gracefully in her heels before pulling her back into the dance.

“I’m not very good at it,” he confessed.

“So, have you always been invited by ladies to dance? That’s not very gentlemanly. You should never let a lady invite you,” she teased, her eyes twinkling in the blue moonlight.

“But I invited you tonight, didn’t I?” Lin Xian retorted with a smile, stepping closer.

“Isn’t it strange to dance in such a place?” he questioned playfully.

Yellow Finch laughed softly, her laughter echoing slightly in the open air as she stepped back into his hand, completing their dance with a smooth glide. “I read somewhere that no matter how embarrassing or ridiculous something is, if someone is willing to be embarrassed with you, then it isn’t embarrassing. Similarly, no matter how bad something is, if someone is willing to be bad with you, then it’s not truly bad.”

“You always speak in riddles,” Lin Xian murmured, clearly impressed.

“But you’re a good dancer. I didn’t expect you to dance to this tune… it’s relatively new, only a few years old, yet you keep perfect time.”

“Because I watched the movie,” Yellow Finch revealed with a smile, referring to the familiar tune from “Captain America.”

“Even though I’m not a fan of superhero movies, I watched several sequels,” Lin Xian admitted, a bit surprised by her admission.

“If you don’t like them, why watch? Why torture yourself?” he asked, puzzled.

“That’s not the right way to look at it, Lin Xian,” Yellow Finch replied as they finished their last turn. The music dwindled to its final notes and stopped abruptly, signaling the end of their dance.

Yellow Finch gently released Lin Xian’s hand and took a step back. She regarded him thoughtfully, a soft smile playing on her lips. “You didn’t like Copenhagen, but you still came, didn’t you?” She adjusted her coat and smoothed down her hair, preparing to leave. “Thank you for dancing with me. I’m very happy.”

“It’s getting late. Let’s go rest. We have many places to visit tomorrow,” she suggested.

With a graceful turn, she walked towards the stairwell leading down from the rooftop. Pausing at the door, she looked back at Lin Xian. “Good night, Lin Xian… sweet dreams.” Then, she disappeared into the stairwell, leaving Lin Xian alone under the vast, starry sky.

The next morning dawned just like any other day, yet it held the promise of new explorations. Lin Xian and Yellow Finch spent the day touring various cultural spots around Copenhagen, from art galleries brimming with masterpieces to historical museums showcasing the city’s rich past. They even managed to catch a mesmerizing performance at the national opera house, where they absorbed the intricate beauty of classical music and powerful vocal performances.

As evening approached, they decided to try a local restaurant that had received rave reviews online. Lin Xian found the meal surprisingly better than the previous day’s, savoring each dish with a newfound appreciation for Danish cuisine. However, he couldn’t help but notice that Yellow Finch seemed preoccupied. She picked at her food and made several trips to the restroom. Her gaze frequently wandered to the window, her mind clearly elsewhere.

Putting down his fork, Lin Xian finally addressed the elephant in the room. “What’s wrong with you?” he asked, his tone laced with concern.

Yellow Finch seemed to snap back from her reverie, her eyes meeting his. After a moment of silence, she spoke, “I have one more place I want to see.”

“Sure,” Lin Xian responded with a shrug, assuming it was just another site on their tourist map. “Now?”

She nodded affirmatively.

Without further ado, Lin Xian wiped his mouth with a napkin and suggested, “Let’s take a cab then. There’s one right outside. By the way… which place do you want to visit?”

Considering the size of Copenhagen, Lin Xian thought they had covered most of the major attractions. He wondered if there was a spot they had overlooked.

“The Little Mermaid statue,” Yellow Finch replied, referring to the iconic sculpture they had seen the previous day on the seaside promenade.

Lin Xian raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Yeah… we saw it yesterday. Do you want to see it again?”

“Yes,” she affirmed with a gentle smile. “I mentioned it back at Andersen’s cemetery, remember? I’ve always loved the fairy tale ‘The Little Mermaid.’ So… let’s see the statue again. It’s rare to come to Copenhagen. Wouldn’t it be a pity not to take a photo?” She looked up at him, her blue eyes gleaming with a mixture of earnestness and excitement. “When we get to the Little Mermaid statue, could you take a picture for me? At least as a keepsake, to show that… I’ve been here.”