Genius Club

Hospital

A gurney covered with a white sheet rolled through the hospital lobby, its wheels clattering softly on the tiled floor.

Gao Yang, who had been anxiously waiting, rushed up to the doctor, bombarding him with questions.

Lin Xian sat on a hospital bench, his face buried in his hands, elbows propped on his knees. He remained still, overwhelmed by his emotions, yet his thoughts were beginning to crystallize.

Ever since Tang Xin was struck by that taxi, a deep-seated rage Lin Xian thought he had extinguished long ago flared up again. It was an irrational, fierce anger!

Tang Xin’s death mirrored Xu Yun’s exactly. She died at the same time, in the same way.

Lin Xian had always suspected that he might be the target of these killers, but he never imagined that Tang Xin was their real target all along!

However, this case differed from Xu Yun’s.

Due to his close relationship with Tang Xin and their regular interactions, Lin Xian could piece together the clues more easily.

Initially, Lin Xian had noticed many odd things about Tang Xin, but at the time, he hadn’t thought much of them. But now, if he connected all these strange details…

Lin Xian’s eyes snapped open, haunted by Tang Xin’s words from the past:

“After New Year’s, I’m heading back to Donghai. A well-known figure in the medical field has invited me to his research institute. I hesitated for a long time… but finally agreed.”

“You’d never guess who invited me. It’s Professor Xu Yun’s old mentor!”

“I’ve been working on Alzheimer’s research for a while without much luck… But Professor Xu Yun pioneered new hibernation research. Suddenly, my previously unnoticed work is gaining attention.”

“A colleague, who knew I played the violin, recommended me to the Donghai Symphony Orchestra. They just happened to need a few violinists.”

“I don’t know why, but everything’s been falling into place—from the orchestra audition to the rehearsals, and now I’m the lead violinist. It all seems too good to be true.”

“Lin Xian… can you meet me at the theater entrance after tonight’s concert?”

“Oh, why hasn’t it arrived yet? Zhou Duan Yun is so slow! Lin Xian, wait here while I fetch it!”

…

Everything seemed perfectly normal. Just a graduate landing a job. She benefited from Xu Yun’s research, which made her once-ignored thesis now crucial for addressing the side effects of hibernation.

She just happened to move to Donghai, met Zhou Duan Yun at a reunion, and they planned a surprise gift together.

Was all this mere coincidence?

Absolutely not!

“This was a meticulously planned murder from the start!”

Lin Xian clenched his fists.

These killers had the ability to precisely control the time of death to 00:42…

Their planning was secretive, long-term, and intricate.

They never acted on impulse, but meticulously ensured they could execute a murder exactly at 00:42, planning months ahead to leave nothing to chance.

Tracing back from this event, the plan likely began when Xu Yun’s former mentor invited her to Donghai for research.

The well-meaning colleague who introduced her to the Donghai Symphony Orchestra was part of the plan to lure her to the designated place of her death.

The smooth interview and her role as lead violinist ensured she would be at the concert.

And Zhou Duan Yun’s call to Tang Xin guaranteed she would be at the theater entrance right on time. His Rolls-Royce Phantom parked across the street pinned down Tang Xin’s timing on the road at 00:42.

Everything was seamlessly coordinated, intricately linked!

No wonder they managed to control the exact time of death at 00:42. The killers’ planning was disturbingly precise!

Reflecting on New Year’s Eve, when Xu Yun died tragically on the street.

Was there an inside job then as well?

Why did Xu Yun leave at that exact time? Did someone call him or set up a meeting?

Linking it with Tang Xin’s incident, one person connected both events—

Xu Yun’s former mentor!

Or…

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“Zhou Duan Yun.”

Lin Xian whispered the name he couldn’t believe.

Although it’s hard to prove Xu Yun’s death was linked to Zhou Duan Yun… but at least for Tang Xin’s death, Zhou Duan Yun is clearly implicated.

Others, even the police, couldn’t see it.

But Lin Xian was certain.

If Tang Xin’s death was indeed a meticulously crafted plan, then Zhou Duan Yun’s timing was crucial! Only he could have precisely determined Tang Xin’s moment of death!

“Gao Yang…”

Lin Xian looked up as the stout figure approached with a heavy sigh.

“Where’s Zhou Duan Yun?”

Donghai Suburbs

Lakeside Villa

The mahogany door burst open!

Click.

The light switch flipped, pulling the pale-skinned boy from his pile of books, shifting from moonlight to the chandelier’s bright glow.

Hmph…

The man at the doorway snorted coldly: “Tang Xin is dead.”

“Good,” Ji Lin responded quietly from among the books.

“When will you kill Lin Xian?”

“When we find proof he tampered with history,” Ji Lin didn’t look up.

“Why is it so hard with Lin Xian?”

The man at the door frowned.

“Why could we kill Tang Xin so easily, but need to gather evidence for Lin Xian?”

“Zhou Duan Yun, if you have a problem, talk to Pride,” Ji Lin looked up, his gaze sharp:

“Actually, if you’re dissatisfied, you don’t need to come to Donghai or be part of this plan.”

“Ha!” Zhou Duan Yun scoffed. “Could you have killed Tang Xin at 00:42 without me?”

“Why not? It just takes more effort,” Ji Lin replied coolly. “Your main role wasn’t just to call Tang Xin at 00:42… I have subtler ways to ensure she stands on the road at 00:42 without exposing you.”

“What do you mean?” Zhou Duan Yun’s expression darkened, his glare intensifying.

“I intentionally made Lin Xian suspect you,” Ji Lin stood, his hands in his pockets, walking over to a table with a glass of water. “Your biggest role… is to be Lin Xian’s target.”

“You used me as bait?” Zhou Duan Yun cursed.

“You act so well, isn’t it a waste not to be the bait?” Ji Lin picked up the glass, smiling at Zhou Duan Yun. “I must admit, even though I don’t like you much, you’re the most deceitful person I’ve ever met. Have you seen the movie ‘Catch Me If You Can’ with Leonardo? You can deceive better than the protagonist… There’s nothing genuine about you. I guess Pride spared you because of this.”

“You think you’re all that, huh?” Zhou Duan Yun sneered, his veins throbbing, feeling deeply insulted. “Why bother gathering evidence to kill Lin Xian? If it weren’t for him aiding Xu Yun, why would Xu Yun’s research be in his hands? It’s so obvious! Why do we need evidence? Just kill him! Cowards!”

“Then go ahead, no one’s stopping you,” Ji Lin spread his hands. “See if Pride lets you off again.”

Zhou Duan Yun took a deep breath, narrowing his eyes at Ji Lin: “Now I understand… why I disliked you from the start.”

“Is it because I pitied you and didn’t let Gluttony shoot you?”

“It’s because your attitude is just like Lin Xian’s!” Zhou Duan Yun glared at Ji Lin, “Disgusting.”

“Really?” Ji Lin shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips, “Even though I only met Lin Xian once, I think he’s a decent guy, aside from our conflicting interests.”

“Ha, you two could definitely be friends.” Zhou Duan Yun stormed out, slamming the door behind him, “Birds of a feather.”

This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation

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