Genius Club

Chapter 125: Chapter 118 Ordinary_2

The sudden incident just now was pretty frightening.

Obsessive fans haven’t caused fewer troubles over the years.

Lin Xian instinctively felt that in the original course of history, Zhao Yingjun might have been involved in that shooting.

After all, on China’s land, shootings are extremely rare, and the probability of two incidents happening on the same day at the same place is very, very slim.

Now, the ins and outs of the whole situation had been cleared up.

The armed assailant wasn’t targeting Zhao Yingjun, his goal was the female singer Milk.

The assailant wanted to kill her and then kill himself, in what was supposedly a lovers’ suicide…

Lin Xian speculated.

In the original history, the assailant might indeed have succeeded in shooting Milk dead, but it was unclear why Zhao Yingjun would be involved.

Anyway, in the original course of events, the shooting wouldn’t happen until midnight, which was still a long way off… That implied the assailant was likely lying in wait for Milk somewhere else.

But solving the case should be left to the police.

As for Lin Xian’s purpose,

Getting home early, taking a detour home, was what mattered most.

…

The crowd at the ball scattered like birds and beasts.

Milk left under police escort, while the rest of the men and women hurriedly ran to their cars in the parking lot and left.

Lin Xian and Zhao Yingjun walked straight to the luxurious Bentley Continental GT, the blue convertible was indeed eye-catching, standing out amongst the crowd.

Zhao Yingjun opened the door and sat in.

Lin Xian also sat in the driver’s seat, started the car with one key, turned out of the gate, pressed the accelerator, and sped away.

…

Humming…

The sound and vibration of the W12 engine were intoxicating.

Lin Xian drove fast, passing one intersection after another.

Zhao Yingjun, watching the scenery by the roadside, suddenly turned her head:

“Aren’t we going in the wrong direction?”

“Ah, are we?”

Lin Xian feigned realization and looked at the road sign of the upcoming intersection:

“It seems we indeed took the wrong way. Sorry, I was lost in thought.”

“You should have switched lanes to the right and taken the overpass…” Zhao Yingjun smiled helplessly, resting her elbow on the door frame, holding her right cheek:

“Ah, now it’s too late to switch. You’ve completely gone the long way round, we have to take a big detour to get back now.”

Lin Xian also smiled apologetically:

“I’m just not familiar with this part of town and don’t drive often, so I’m a bit rusty.”

“I can see that.”

Zhao Yingjun, looking at the scenery to the right, said softly:

“Your driving skills indeed leave something to be desired, you should practice when you have time.”

“Sure will.”

“Turn left up ahead to get on the overpass, and don’t make any more mistakes. We’re already taking a huge detour as it is.”

“Yeah, got it.”

Lin Xian signaled left and took another overpass, circling the outer edge of Donghai City.

The evening breeze brushed by.

It lifted Zhao Yingjun’s bangs:

“Lin Xian.”

She spoke softly:

“You’ve done so much to help me recently, I really am grateful.”

“Without your help, whether it be for Rhein Cat or Professor Xu Yun’s authorization, or even this time for the Rhein Cat’s theme song… It wouldn’t have achieved the results it has now.”

She turned her head, her pupils reflecting the distant glimmer of neon lights:

“You really are a capable person, not just in terms of talent but in all aspects. I admire that a lot.”

Lin Xian kept the car at speed and smiled:

“Being acknowledged by you is an honor for me.”

The roaring W12 blue beast traced a beautiful arc in the night and merged into the main overhead road, continuing its solitary journey.

“If one day you really decide to leave MX Company, I’ll support you.”

Zhao Yingjun lowered her head and then looked forward again:

“Just like what you said the other day, you have your own ambitions and want to carve out your own career. I’m not the sort to cling to talent and not let go. On the contrary, I admire those who are passionate, capable, and steadfast in their pursuit.”

“But… there’s something I’m really curious about.”

She smiled mysteriously, lifting a lock of hair from her face to behind her ear, letting the breeze play with it:

“I won’t hide it from you; I’ve always thought you lacked ambition,”

“Although we haven’t interacted much before, I have a general impression of everyone in the company. You always seemed to me like someone very calm and content…”

“I’m not saying that this lifestyle is bad. As far as I’m concerned, as long as each of you can do your job well, you’re all good employees.”

“However, it’s obvious… you’ve changed greatly recently, you’re much more proactive and committed, and your whole state of mind has changed, as if… suddenly you’ve found a ‘goal’.”

She turned her head again, looking at Lin Xian.

The light from the Oriental Pearl in the distance reflected in her eyes, casting a vibrant and colorful mosaic:

“Can you tell me… why is that?”

…

The speed limit on this elevated highway is 80 kilometers per hour, but the car was going faster and faster.

Lin Xian didn’t know how to answer this question.

He couldn’t figure out Zhao Yingjun’s purpose in asking.

Was it a test?

Had she noticed his “purposefulness”?

Or was it just… simple concern for a subordinate?

In fact, Lin Xian himself had realized that since Professor Xu Yun’s death, there had been significant changes in many aspects of his life.

Not that he had transformed into a heroic savior, but he did blame himself for Xu Yun’s tragic and unexpected death… which led to guilt, then regret, and then the desire to understand everything and find the murderer.

Now there was no doubt, the killer was certainly linked to the Genius Club.

So Lin Xian’s actions did indeed have a specific “purposefulness,” including his eagerness to get involved in Zhao Yingjun’s affairs… all aimed at gaining her trust as soon as possible, learning the password for the office’s coded door, and thereby seeing the content of the invitation.

Zhao Yingjun wasn’t wrong.

His change was indeed purpose-driven.

But at this moment…

How should he explain it?

“Because I’ve tasted success,”

Lin Xian said softly, looking straight at the road ahead:

“I have lived an unremarkable life for 23 years without any real success. The most notable achievements I had were probably winning the city parkour championship during high school and hosting the university anniversary celebration a few times.”

“Maybe I’ve always been in a state of low desire because I was never in touch with it. But now, the current me… ”

He paused for a moment, glanced over, and looked into Zhao Yingjun’s eyes, gleaming with neon lights:

“[I have a strong desire for success now, I don’t want to live an ordinary life.]”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yingjun didn’t say much more.

She just leaned back, lying on the headrest.

Closed her eyes.

Took a long breath.

“Alright then.”

…

A few minutes later, a notification sound from WeChat caught Zhao Yingjun’s attention.

She checked it and found a message from Milk.

“Milk has arrived home safely.”

Zhao Yingjun mentioned to Lin Xian:

“I told her to send a message when she got home safely.”

“Good, that’s good,” Lin Xian focused on driving.

“You know Milk?!”

Suddenly!

A hoarse voice came from behind!

This…

This was a car on an elevated bridge speeding at 100 miles per hour!

Lin Xian and Zhao Yingjun turned around in shock—

From beneath the cramped back seat, a disheveled man crawled out!

With a fierce expression, he stood up, holding a bunch of flattened flowers…

Click!

From that bouquet of flowers, the man drew an old-fashioned double-barreled shotgun and pressed it against Lin Xian’s forehead!

“Turn back around and focus on driving!”

His eyes were fierce and his voice was hoarse:@@novelbin@@

“Turn back around right now…”

“Take me to Milk now!!”