Chapter 417: The Plan
This novel is translated and hosted only on bcatranslation
Elon Musk’s plan was bold yet meticulous.
According to the original timeline, he was meant to be killed by the enemy, and a double would take his place. To be honest, that double didn’t look exactly like him. Normally, it wouldn’t fool anyone for long without being exposed.
Unless a disguise or perhaps plastic surgery was used.
Now that he knew the cause and effect, it became easier to counteract the situation.
Angelica was an expert at disguises—Elon Musk had witnessed her skills firsthand. It was like magic, transforming the double to look exactly like him, making it impossible to tell them apart.
“Eliminating the spies alone would be too easy,” Elon Musk said, pacing in his office. “I need to understand who wants me dead and why. Besides, it seems their plan doesn’t end there.”
“From what you’ve said, they want to pretend that I’m still alive, continuing with the Mars colonization plan as scheduled. Interesting… I’d like to see what kind of secrets are hidden behind such an elaborate scheme.”
He smiled. “Since they like doubles so much, let’s give them a show.”
“Honestly, I’ve been a bit lost lately, unsure about my future plans. Maybe by playing along with their scheme, I can find some unexpected answers.”
“However, to fool the enemy, I must first fool myself. Lin Xian, if my double is the one who takes my place, naturally, he won’t be in contact with you.”
“So, I have to play the role fully. For a long time, I probably won’t be in touch with you at all—until the right moment comes, and it’s time to pull in the net.”
…
Lin Xian nodded. He agreed with Elon Musk’s plan.
To be honest, at first, he hadn’t thought things through so thoroughly. He’d assumed Elon Musk would simply root out the spies and cleanse his inner circle. But Elon Musk… he lived up to his name, and his thinking was a step ahead.
Elon Musk planned for his double to play his role and be delivered to the enemy to be killed. Before that, Elon Musk himself, under Angelica’s disguise, would play the double and rise as the enemy’s puppet, once again stepping onto the stage as the real Elon Musk.
It was a full circle.
In the end, everything went as Elon Musk intended. He was still Elon Musk, still in his position, yet managed to trick his enemies, pulling off a masterstroke.
“You’re taking a risk,” Lin Xian said directly.
“Unless you can make the disguise good enough to fool history itself.”
Elon Musk chuckled. “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. Besides, given that my current plan is destined to fail, I don’t mind playing along with their performance, even if it means giving up the entire Mars colonization project.”
“I never had much attachment to Mars colonization anyway. I only pursued it because I believed it was humanity’s path to the future. If there’s truly a better way, a better future, I wouldn’t hesitate to hand over all the resources.”
“Unfortunately, I don’t yet know the future plans of the other Genius Club members, nor can I agree with their ideas. So, I have no choice but to take a gamble. But after today…”
He looked up at Lin Xian. “I find myself with a new sense of anticipation. Lin Xian, what kind of future do you envision? Let me look forward to it.”
After a few more words, Elon Musk left.
Lin Xian understood. Elon Musk had a lot to prepare for—especially now that it was certain they had a spy in their midst. Whether they could deceive the enemy and even history itself depended on Elon Musk’s skills.
Lin Xian also left shortly after, getting into his private car and departing the Tesla Gigafactory.
…
When Lin Xian arrived home, it was noon. He played around with the golden brooch in his right hand, pressing it against the back of his phone.
A soft beep sounded. The NFC device recognized a special signal, the phone’s browser opened, and the webpage began to load and reload.
Minutes later, the webpage finally stabilized. It paused on the third question, prompting Lin Xian to answer:
[What kind of future is the best future?]
Lin Xian had already made up his mind. He glanced at the clock on the wall. Would submitting his answer cause a temporal shift, a curve in time and space, altering the world line? He wasn’t sure. He also didn’t know what would happen after answering the third question.
So…
“Better play it safe and dream first—give CC a perfect memory fragment,” he muttered.
Lin Xian had figured out the pattern of CC’s memory fragments. Although it wasn’t always a hundred percent accurate, the last time they spent time together in a dream was likely to become a complete memory fragment after the world line shifted.
This was what mattered most to Lin Xian.
The last time they dreamed together, his focus had been too much on the objective, and he hadn’t left CC with any meaningful information or made plans for their next dream meeting. Now, he could make up for that.
He put the phone down on his desk, then climbed into bed, closed his eyes, and drifted off to sleep.
…
As always, Lin Xian quickly navigated the tasks, and his skills were flawless as he drove with Big Cat Face into Donghai City.
After entering the city, he headed straight for the plaza bonfire to find CC, preparing to create a memory fragment.
Unexpectedly, he turned around to see Li Ning Ning in a pale yellow dress, a sweet smile on her face as she held a baby in her arms, approaching the plaza.
Remembering the conversation that was interrupted last time, Lin Xian walked over to greet her.
“Hi,” he smiled, “That’s such a cute baby. She looks a lot like you.”
There were no barriers between them, and soon they were chatting.
This time, the conversation didn’t stray into topics about Yan Qiao Qiao, the village chief, or Lin Xian’s daughter, so their chat remained pleasant, and Li Ning Ning didn’t leave halfway through.
“I wanted to ask you something,” Lin Xian said, looking at the baby’s adorable sleeping face, then back at Li Ning Ning.
“This era… it’s the best, isn’t it? You’re living a happy life—everything’s good, and now you’ve got an adorable little sister—carefree and content.”
“Now… do you believe in fate?”
Lin Xian had asked Li Ning Ning this question twice before.
Her answer was always the same—she did not believe in fate.
She was stubborn, always resilient, always looking forward with grit. Lin Xian was naturally moved by her spirit. She was indeed a brave girl, worthy of her lineage.
But now, in this peaceful era, after experiencing a princess-like life, would Li Ning Ning still hold onto her original beliefs?
Lin Xian thought she might hesitate when faced with such a strange question, but instead, she shook her head without a second thought, smiling.
“No,” Li Ning Ning’s answer was unchanged. She looked up at Lin Xian, “My dad talked to me about this too. He said that although life is good and peaceful now, the world won’t always be like this.”
“My dad said nothing lasts forever, nothing stays the same. Human history is full of wars and disasters—peace and happiness are just fleeting moments.”
“Just because life is good now doesn’t mean it will always be. Wars and disasters could come at any time—we should always be ready for that.”
Lin Xian smiled at her words. “You and your dad seem to think ahead. If things really do change—if this beautiful world turns into one full of conflict, no longer as good as it is now—what would you do?”
Li Ning Ning looked at her sleeping sister, playfully poked the baby’s chubby cheek, and smiled.
“Then… we’d make the world beautiful again.”
Her eyes were full of tenderness as she gazed at the baby, as if she were answering Lin Xian, and at the same time speaking to her newly born sister.
“Life isn’t always smooth sailing,” Li Ning Ning continued. “People often say nine out of ten things in life are disappointing. But when faced with even the smallest setback, many people start to complain and can’t handle it.”
“Actually, life—and the world itself—is full of challenges. We have to weather the storm to see the rainbow. That’s what my parents taught me growing up.”
She paused, her eyes widening in realization.
“Storms… Li Feng Yu!”
She giggled and looked at Lin Xian.
“How about we name my sister Li Feng Yu—‘Wind and Rain’?”
Lin Xian hesitated. “That’s a bit random, isn’t it?”
“Not really.” Li Ning Ning shook her head. “My parents said I could name her, but I hadn’t thought of anything good yet. Just now, while talking to you, the name ‘Feng Yu’ came to me. There’s nothing particularly fancy about it, but it’s my sincerest wish for her.
“I want her to grow up strong and brave, with a fearless attitude, no matter what kind of world or life she faces.”
Lin Xian nodded, speaking softly. “She will—just like you.”
He didn’t say the second part aloud. There was no point; Li Ning Ning had no memory of the previous world. But Lin Xian had no doubts about Li’s family genes—Li Ning Ning and her mother had shown that the Li women were always brave and fearless.
“Li Feng Yu,” Lin Xian repeated the name of this new little girl just a day into her life. He could almost feel the weight of her existence. “It really is a good name.”
Li Ning Ning beamed. “I’m glad you like it. I wouldn’t have thought of it without you, so… why don’t you hold her for a bit?”
She stepped forward, offering her baby sister to Lin Xian.
He was caught off guard. “I’ve never held a baby before.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll show you.”
Li Ning Ning was enthusiastic as she guided Lin Xian’s arms into position. Though his hold was awkward, like he was cradling a bomb, he managed to hold the baby.
So light…
Just as Wang had once described. A newborn was unbelievably light. It was hard to imagine that this tiny being was a living person, a real life.
She would grow up and become graceful, just like Li Ning Ning or Yan Qiao Qiao—another amazing young woman.
“I hope the world you face is full of rainbows,” Lin Xian said, his blessing sincere. Then he carefully handed baby Li Feng Yu back to Li Ning Ning and watched as she walked away.
CC came over, standing beside Lin Xian as they watched Li Ning Ning disappear around the plaza’s corner.
“In the next world, will you get the chance to hold Li Feng Yu again?” CC asked softly.
Lin Xian shook his head. “Most likely not.”
He had a feeling. The calmness and tranquility of this seventh dream—it was merely a stroke of luck, nothing more. As Li Ning Ning said, life couldn’t always be this perfect. Hardships and challenges were the main themes of both life and the world.
This novel is translated and hosted only on bcatranslation
“Each world is an unknown,” Lin Xian said. “Every time space shifts, it’s beyond control.”
“But what comforts me most is that no matter how harsh or hopeless a world may be, there are always brave and resilient people fighting for the future.”
“Someone once said that courage is the anthem of humanity, that human greatness is born from bravery. Even if I don’t meet Li Ning Ning or Li Feng Yu in the next world, I’ll surely meet people who won’t yield to fate or settle for the present.”
He looked at CC. “We’re just the same, CC.”
After a moment, he added, “One day, we’ll open that aluminum-alloy safe. And I believe… one day, we’ll find the truth about that white flash at 00:42 and erase it, bringing back the sunrise of August 29th, 2624 for humanity.”
Lin Xian paused, considering his mission. To save CC, Chu An Qing, and countless others like them—just solving the white flash wouldn’t be enough.
He had to uncover the truth behind the Millennial Stakes too.
Maybe, just maybe, the white flash and the Millennial Stakes were tied together, bound in some way.
If so, that would be perfect. It would solve both problems at once.
“I believe you,” CC said, her gaze steady on Lin Xian, her eyes reflecting the silvery moonlight. “Keep going, Lin Xian. I’m looking forward to our next meeting—not at the end of the world, but at the dawn of a new day.”
…
At 00:42 a.m., Lin Xian opened his eyes, waking from his dream.
He sat up, put on his slippers, and walked over to his desk. Drawing back the curtains, he let the moonlight pour into the room.
Now, in 2024, and in the distant future of 2624—so much had changed.
But the moonlight—that was the one thing that stayed the same.
Lin Xian glanced at the calendar.
June 27th.
There were only ten days left until the red-circled date of July 7th—Judgment Day.
“It’s time to officially join the Genius Club.”
From the first time he’d heard the name Genius Club and seen that fake invitation, to today, when he was finally knocking on the door for real—a year and a half had passed.
In that time, so much had happened. Life and death, joy and sorrow.
But Lin Xian kept his head high, looking forward. He would save his friends, fulfill his promises, and ensure that humanity had a future again.
Picking up his phone from the desk, he typed his answer into the open prompt.
[The best future for humanity is one where we have a tomorrow.]
Then, he pressed the grey button marked “Confirm.”
This time, the webpage didn’t start jumping around madly. Instead, it began to fade, turning from black to a bright gold. A few lines of bold text appeared—
“Genius Club Constitution”
The club will meet on the 1st of every month at 00:42 X Country time. Absence is accepted, but lateness is not.
In keeping with the times, current meetings are held online. Please prepare an NFC-enabled VR device to join through virtual reality.
Privacy is crucial. To avoid exposing your identity, you must wear a mask during meetings, as per club tradition.
Club membership is lifelong. Even if your beliefs change or your stance shifts, the doors of the club will always be open to you.
With great power comes great responsibility. Always remember the duty and power that history grants to the brilliant—strive for a better future for humanity.