Genius Club

Chapter 517: Genius Club

this novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation

in front of a luxurious hotel in brooklyn, ji xin shui, a small figure standing on tiptoe, clung to the front desk with a worried expression as he looked at the receptionist.

“excuse me, has mr. douglas still not returned since yesterday?”

the receptionist nodded solemnly. “we’re worried about mr. douglas too. we have no idea what might have happened to him. since the day he took a cab and left, it has been half a month, and he hasn’t returned.”

mr. douglas had always been generous, prepaying for many days’ accommodation. even though his advance payment expired long ago, we’ve kept his room for him, hoping he’d come back. we’re also troubled—should we report this to the authorities? but again, what if mr. douglas simply has urgent matters to attend to? perhaps it’s best to leave things as they are and not add unnecessary complications for him.”

ji xin shui sighed, hopped down from the bar, and walked out of the hotel lobby, heading back to the street.

ever since that day when mr. douglas advised him to study hard and serve his country, ji xin shui had prayed devoutly at the church every day, hoping for divine guidance.

whether it was the grace of god or mr. douglas’ influence, the priest at the church, upon learning of ji xin shui’s circumstances, offered to help. “we have many kind-hearted believers here willing to sponsor children who wish to study. a friend of mine in new jersey is the principal of a charity school. if you’re willing, i can recommend you to that school.”

he added, “you won’t have to worry about tuition or living expenses. many of the kind-hearted believers here would love to support a child like you. additionally, the charity school offers part-time work opportunities for students—cleaning or helping in the cafeteria—enough for you to support yourself.”

the priest smiled warmly. “if you truly want to study and return to help develop your homeland, i strongly recommend this school.”

ji xin shui, overwhelmed with gratitude, immediately agreed. a few days later, the priest returned with great news. “everything is settled. i’ve arranged for you to travel to new jersey by car this thursday morning. a kind believer will drive you to the charity school. you can focus on your studies there.”

ecstatic, ji xin shui’s eyes sparkled brightly, as though he could already envision himself returning as an accomplished individual, serving his country, and seeing mr. douglas’ proud smile.

“thank you, father. thank you so much!”

the priest raised his hand solemnly. “we should thank the merciful lord.” together, they turned toward the statue of jesus on the church wall. the priest recited a prayer, and ji xin shui followed, making the sign of the cross on his chest.

“amen,” ji xin shui murmured, his eyes tightly shut, deeply sincere in his gratitude. yet, if he were honest, his heart held even more gratitude for mr. douglas. it was mr. douglas who had saved him, given him direction, and rekindled his hope for life.

“i must tell mr. douglas this good news!” ji xin shui thought, his eyes snapping open. with that, he darted out of the church, heading for the hotel where he had waited so many days and nights for mr. douglas. he was eager to share the news with his benefactor.

however, after waiting by the hotel entrance for hours, mr. douglas never appeared.

“maybe he’s busy,” ji xin shui whispered, pulling his coat tighter against the cold wind. “i’ll wait a few more days. i still have time before thursday.”

each day, he waited with hopeful anticipation, but each day ended in disappointment. finally, unable to bear it any longer, ji xin shui gathered his courage and asked the front desk, only to hear unsettling news.

“mr. douglas has been missing for half a month,” the receptionist explained. “since he left in that taxi, we haven’t seen him again.”

ji xin shui’s heart pounded as his face turned pale. “could mr. douglas be in danger?”

quickly shaking his head to dispel the ominous thought, he muttered to himself, “no, that can’t be. mr. douglas is such a kind man; nothing bad could happen to him.”

but ji xin shui’s longing to share the good news with mr. douglas remained strong.

in the distance, at the broken-down farm, einstein finally rose from his chair after sitting motionless for days. despite not eating, drinking, or sleeping, he felt neither hunger nor fatigue. he had proven through his spacetime visions that he now possessed not only the ability to peer into the future but also immortality. it was as if time had frozen for him at a particular moment.

“am i alive or dead?” he wondered. but the answer didn’t seem to matter anymore.

after listening to ji xin shui recount the story of mr. douglas, einstein found his mood much improved. it seemed douglas harbored hope and confidence in humanity’s future. after all, someone who believed in the promise of human civilization and the power of individual effort would say such encouraging words to a child.

“this shows that douglas believed humanity has a future,” einstein thought. “he likely saw the potential for people to shape their destiny. perhaps, in his way, douglas was working to save the world and its future. if that’s the case, i can’t stop now.”

he resolved to act. “first, i must find a way to prevent the human catastrophe of 1991,” einstein muttered as he walked into the farm’s barn. inside, he stepped into a crude elevator and pressed the button to descend. “no matter what challenges the future holds, humanity must first survive 1991. only then can history continue.”

as the elevator creaked and descended, einstein spoke to himself. “but saving humanity’s future is too monumental for one person alone. my strength alone is insufficient. i need others—individuals like douglas, like me—people with vision, drive, and a sense of mission.”

his sharp gaze hardened with determination. “to protect and safeguard humanity’s future, we must gather more geniuses.”

arriving at the brightly lit underground shelter, einstein picked up a telephone and dialed a number. when the line connected, he spoke, “dawson? it’s me.”

“einstein!” a jovial voice exclaimed on the other end. “what a surprise! have you finally agreed to let me paint your portrait?”

“i have,” einstein replied, his tone measured. “but i have a few additional requests.”

“god almighty!” dawson laughed heartily. “at last, my friend, you’ve come to your senses! what are these conditions?”

einstein interrupted him, revealing the plan he had just formed. “i need eight identical portraits, each painted with oils. hidden within the layers of each painting, you’ll embed different codes, puzzles, and riddles.”

dawson erupted into outrage. “einstein, you’ve crossed the line! even if you are einstein, your demands are absurd! my paintings are works of art, not your laboratory scribbles! why should i hide mathematical puzzles in my art? you know that’s my least favorite subject. i refuse—absolutely refuse!”

“very well,” einstein said calmly, ready to end the call. “perhaps i’ll find another painter in america—”

“wait! wait!” dawson blurted, panicking. such an opportunity to make history couldn’t be given to someone else. “alright, alright! we can negotiate. where are you now?”

“at a farm in brooklyn,” einstein replied.

“fine. stay put,” dawson said hurriedly. “i’ll grab my tools and head over before you change your mind.”

after hanging up, einstein sat at a desk in the shelter, his mind now occupied with the logistics of forming a new organization. details such as its charter, membership criteria, meeting times, and locations could be worked out later. the first step, however, was non-negotiable: the organization needed a name and a recognizable emblem.

einstein’s thoughts drifted back to douglas. he recalled the man’s final moments vividly—his hand raised high, pointing straight toward the sky. the silhouette of that gesture against the full moon had etched itself deeply into einstein’s memory. it struck him as a powerful symbol, one laden with meaning. “perhaps,” einstein mused, “this was the signal douglas left me.”

nodding to himself, einstein picked up a pencil and began sketching. first, he drew a circular ring. inside the ring, he added an extended right hand, its index finger pointing upwards. he frowned slightly, feeling the design was too plain, lacking the weight he envisioned. then, an idea struck him.

he took his pencil and swiftly inscribed two words within the ring: genius club.