Genius Club

“That’s just a normal photo pose!” Li Cheng sobbed, tears mingling with streams of snot as he desperately pleaded, “I swear, I’m innocent! If I’ve wronged you, then kill me! But I honestly know nothing about this so-called Genius Club!”

Lin Xian regarded him with a cold, unyielding gaze. He knew Li Cheng well; their paths had crossed many times. Li Cheng was unmistakably a coward.

Yet, his mistress displayed fierce loyalty to him, repeatedly risking her life to protect him. Despite this, Li Cheng never once reciprocated her sacrifices, staunchly adhering to the belief, “Each bird flies its own way in times of trouble.”

Extracting information from Li Cheng proved straightforward. A threat to his life was all it took for him to divulge everything he knew, often preempting the questions. His current state of terror suggested he was genuinely clueless.

Suddenly, Li Cheng’s face lit up with recollection. “I remember now! There was a whole set of photos! A renowned international photographer took them. There’s an entire album! Do you want to see it? It’s in that cabinet, bottom drawer! I swear, I’m telling the truth!” His voice was laced with genuine fear as he pointed frantically toward the wardrobe.

…

Lin Xian approached the cabinet, opened the drawer, and discovered the album Li Cheng had mentioned. It was elaborate, adorned with gold and silver threads, and featured an indecipherable signature on the title page.

As he flipped through it, each page revealed Li Cheng in various ‘boss’ poses. Li Cheng hadn’t lied—the photos matched the one in the frame in terms of clothing, background, and lighting.

Photos depicted him seated, standing, arms crossed, hands in pockets, standing straight, and even pointing skyward. Were they professional photos? Headshots? Portraits? Lin Xian wasn’t sure what to call them, but they resembled the types of photos typically used by sales consultants—real estate agents, car dealers, insurance brokers, credit card agents—all had them.

Lin Xian turned to the page where Li Cheng pointed to the sky. Indeed, within the context of the entire album, that pose looked completely normal.

“What do you hope to learn from this?” At that moment, Big Cat Face, covered in dust, entered the room.

“Let me handle this.”

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Four shots consecutively struck Li Cheng’s legs.

“Ahhhhh!!!” Li Cheng’s screams filled the mansion, the carpet quickly staining red.

“Will you talk now?” Big Cat Face aimed the gun at Li Cheng’s forehead.

“I—I—I really don’t know! I swear, I’ve never even heard of any Genius Club!”

Bang! Without a moment’s hesitation, another shot rang out, the white bedsheet turning red, and silence ensued.

“He really didn’t know,” Lin Xian confirmed, understanding Li Cheng better than Big Cat Face did. If Li Cheng hadn’t confessed by now, he truly was ignorant.

Big Cat Face glanced at Lin Xian and shrugged. “Looking for info on the Genius Club? That’s no easy task… I’ve been on it for ages and all I have is a name. Nothing more.”

“Are you certain it was someone from the Genius Club who killed your father?” Lin Xian inquired, his gaze piercing. “What have you found out?”

“Just this name,” Big Cat Face muttered, glaring at Li Cheng’s lifeless body. “If they weren’t involved, why would I stumble upon their name?”

“Hey, this isn’t the time to chat!” Big Cat Face kicked Li Cheng’s corpse and gestured for Lin Xian to follow him downstairs. “We need to leave! The van’s already packed!”

“You’re quite a character,” Lin Xian observed as he caught up. “Sometimes foolish, sometimes loyal, and sometimes downright ruthless.”

“Pah!” Big Cat Face spat indignantly. “Li Cheng deserved worse!” His anger was palpable. “After what he did, as a father, how could I forgive? He deserved every bit of what he got. When you have a daughter, you’ll understand. You’d want to kill him yourself.”

…

Bang! Outside, Big Cat Face slammed the van door shut. He looked over the van, now laden with gold bricks, jewelry, and cash.

“I should have checked the tires before loading up. They’re nearly flat from all this weight. This guy was loaded. Even a truck might not have sufficed. Here, catch this,” he said, tossing something to Lin Xian.

Whoosh— Lin Xian caught a large, heart-shaped blue gemstone, its facets sparkling beautifully.

“You shouldn’t leave empty-handed,” Big Cat Face chuckled. “This gem might be worth more than all the gold in this van, though it’s a tough sell. Take it, maybe for your girlfriend.”

He circled the van, climbed into the driver’s seat, and started the engine. “Are you sure you don’t want a ride, brother?”

“No need,” Lin Xian shook his head. Time was running out; it didn’t matter anymore. Besides, with the van so full, he wouldn’t fit.

“Keep it.” Lin Xian tossed the gem back through the window. “I don’t need it.”

“Hey! You’re too kind, brother! Now you’re making me feel guilty!” Big Cat Face grinned at Lin Xian. “Thanks, brother! Now I’ve got what I need to move forward, to seek justice for my daughter and father! If we ever meet again… I’ll invite you over for a meal! You’ve got to try my wife’s cooking!”

“Haha…” Lin Xian laughed. “What’s her specialty?”

“Dumplings! They’re the best!” They shared a hearty laugh, though both knew—there might not be a next time. Those were dumplings they would likely never taste.

“Take care, brother!”

“Take care.” Lin Xian waved.

Vroom— The van rumbled to life, its engine roaring as the tires slowly started to turn.

“Hey!” Lin Xian called out.

“Huh?” Big Cat Face hit the brakes and leaned out the window. “What’s up, brother?”

Lin Xian stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Just one last question. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Hey, we’re brothers! Ask away!”

In the background, midnight cicadas sang their mournful tune, while the courtyard pond rippled quietly.

Lin Xian fixed his gaze on Big Cat Face. “Do you remember… exactly when your father and daughter were hit?”

…

Big Cat Face’s smile vanished, replaced by a somber expression. He pulled out a cigarette, placed it between his lips, and lit it. Taking a deep drag, he exhaled a cloud of smoke.

After a long pause, he spoke, his voice breaking, “I’ve watched the surveillance footage at the intersection over and over.” He clenched the cigarette tightly. “So, the exact time of the accident, the moment they died… I will never forget. Every minute, every second.” He exhaled another swirling cloud of smoke and glanced at his watch. “It’s just about now.”

Lin Xian raised his watch, and in unison with Big Cat Face’s solemn tone, “00:42”

Boom!!!!!!

A blinding white light engulfed everything.

…

…

In a corner of his bedroom, Lin Xian opened his eyes.

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