Genius Club

Chapter 61: Chapter 61 I’ve Seen You
 

Lin Xian looked at that sweet and agreeable smile, and it was hard to discern between it and the smiling face of CC from his last dream.

But the eye contact with Chu Anqing was fleeting, and she continued to wave and smile at other people around.

Lin Xian began to breathe…

In that case, it seemed that Chu Anqing was not familiar with him at all, one might even say completely a stranger.

There wasn’t a single hint of special recognition in her eyes when she looked at him, just the polite and elegant demeanor from before, same as she would show to any guest in the hall.

However.

The degree of similarity that was “copy-pasted” made Lin Xian somewhat question his previous speculations.

He wasn’t given any extra time to ponder as Chu Shanhe, smiling cheerfully, led Chu Anqing through the crowd and walked up to him.

Zhao Yingjun stepped forward first:

“Mister Chu, we are really grateful for your presence despite your busy schedule.”

Chu Shanhe seemed to be in a great mood and chuckled as he replied,

“Not at all, not at all, it’s just the bad weather that caused traffic delays, so I apologize for being late.”

Zhao Yingjun then turned to look at Chu Anqing:

“Anqing, long time no see, how is college life treating you?”

Chu Anqing giggled, her eyes curving into crescent moons, her features blooming with pear blossoms:

“Thank you for your concern, sister, everything is going well.”

Chu Shanhe looked at his daughter with eyes full of indulgence, then raised his head to look at Lin Xian:

“This young man has an impressive appearance, he must also be a capable and reliable part of your company, right?”

Zhao Yingjun smiled and nodded her head:

“Mister Chu, you flatter us. This is the creator of Rhein Cat, the youngest department head in our company, Lin Xian.”

“As it happens, Lin Xian is also a talented graduate who just finished his studies at East Sea University this fall, and is an alumnus of both Professor Xu Yun and Anqing. It is truly fate that brings us together today.”

Upon hearing that Lin Xian was a student who had graduated from East Sea University, a flash of recognition crossed Chu Shanhe’s eyes, and the smile he gave Lin Xian also warmed considerably:

“Just graduated this year, young man? Which college did you belong to?”

“College of Art and Design,” Lin Xian answered truthfully.

“Then it is indeed fate!” Chu Shanhe laughed heartily:

“Anqing is also in the dance major at the College of Art and Design. She’s loved dance since she was a child and even performed at the freshman welcome event—”

“Dad!”

With a girlish voice, Chu Anqing looked at Chu Shanhe reproachfully:

“There’s no need to bring up such a trivial matter…”

Having said that,

she looked at Lin Xian and said with a smile:

“Hello Senior Lin Xian, I’m a freshman this year.”

“My name is Chu Anqing.”

Lin Xian smiled and nodded:

“Hello, hello.”

…

After exchanging a few courtesies with Chu Shanhe, Zhao Yingjun led Chu Anqing straight to Professor Xu Yun, with Zhao Yingjun and Lin Xian holding wine glasses trailing behind.

Professor Xu Yun was visibly excited to see his benefactor.

He set down his wine glass and came over, clasping Chu Shanhe’s hand tightly.

“Professor Xu, congratulations! After waiting for so long, your research has finally borne fruit!”

Chu Shanhe was the first to offer his congratulations.

Looking at Chu Shanhe with eyes full of gratitude, Professor Xu Yun said:

“Mister Chu, I must thank you for your selfless sponsorship over the years. If I ever have the chance, I will certainly repay your kindness.”

Chu Shanhe waved his hand:

“Your achievements today are the greatest contribution to science, society, and the country. My modest help is not worth mentioning.”

“Once again, congratulations Professor Xu, I wish you further breakthroughs in the field of Hibernation Technology and an early realization of your dreams! Come… let’s drink to that!”

He took a glass of red wine from a passing waiter and clinked glasses with Xu Yun.

After putting down the wine glass, Chu Shanhe, still chuckling, pulled Chu Anqing to his side and patted her shoulder as he introduced her to Professor Xu:

“Professor Xu, this is my daughter, Anqing, whom you’ve met a long time ago.”

“Hello Teacher Xu,”

Chu Anqing greeted with a beaming smile and a bow.

Professor Xu nodded and looked at Chu Anqing, remarking:

“The last time I saw Anqing… was several years ago, when she was still a high school student. It’s amazing how time flies, and now she’s in university.”

“Mister Chu, it’s my fault for being so focused on my research, I wasn’t there to help look after Anqing when she started school.”

Chu Shanhe shook his head and chuckled:

“How could a trivial matter like going to school interfere with your research? That would be missing the forest for the trees. If you plan on conducting research at East Sea University in the future, there will naturally be plenty of opportunities to meet. An Qing has been performing exceptionally well at school, not only did she give a speech as the freshmen representative at the military training opening ceremony, but at the welcome party she also——”

“Dad!”

Chu Anqing immediately called a halt, her face slightly flushed:

“Why do you keep talking about this to everyone, going on and on!”

“Hahahaha…” Chu Shanhe laughed it off and started making small talk with Professor Xu Yun.

…

Military training opening ceremony? Freshmen representative speech?

Lin Xian caught these two key phrases.

So that’s it…

It’s no wonder he had always felt that CC’s voice was familiar; he must have heard it somewhere before. He had also felt that Chu Anqing’s voice was strangely familiar, but he just couldn’t recall where he had heard it…

Because before today, he had indeed never spoken to Chu Anqing.

Now the mystery had been unveiled.

[It was none other than at this year’s autumn military training opening ceremony for first-year students at East Sea University that he heard it.]

At the beginning of September, Lin Xian had returned to his alma mater to consult with the counselor about his records.

As he passed by the drill ground, he just happened to encounter the military training opening ceremony rally, with a crowd of freshmen in military attire filling the field.

He had just stood there joining in the excitement, casually watching and listening.

And at that time, the one who happened to be speaking as the freshmen representative must have been Chu Anqing.

And for that reason, Lin Xian had heard her voice through the loudspeakers… but since he heard the voice without seeing the person, he didn’t make a lasting impression and had never connected to this clue.

“This is even stranger…”

Lin Xian swirled his glass.

Looking at the situation now, it wasn’t just that CC and Chu Anqing were identical in appearance and stature; even their voices and intonations were indistinguishable.

Furthermore, their ages also seemed to match perfectly, both appearing to be around seventeen or eighteen years old.

To say they are not the same person… even Lin Xian himself couldn’t believe such a coincidence.

Although from the perspective of temporal logic, this wasn’t something the yet-to-be-invented Hibernation Pod could explain, not even 600 years later.

But…

There must be other reasons, which would need further verification before drawing conclusions.@@novelbin@@

In any case, it was best to enter a dream as soon as possible and go find CC.

…

Chu Shanhe and Professor Xu Yun were deep in animated conversation, toasting each other as if they planned to chat for a while.

Zhao Yingjun looked towards Chu Anqing:

“An Qing, shall we go over there for a stroll? Have some snacks?”

“Sure.”

As the two prepared to leave, Zhao Yingjun turned back and looked at Lin Xian:

“Why don’t you join us, Lin Xian? It will give Mister Chu and Teacher Xu some time to talk.”

“Since you and An Qing graduated from the same school and college, as a senior, you should share some experiences with your junior.”

Lin Xian nodded.

He couldn’t get a word in with Chu Shanhe and Professor Xu Yun, and just standing there wasn’t less awkward; he’d been wanting to slip away.

He followed behind the two young women.

Given the height difference, he was able to look down upon Chu Anqing’s fair neck and soft shoulders. Her gown was off-shoulder, revealing spotless, jade-like skin without reserve.

Lin Xian noticed a shallow indent about the size of a fifty-cent coin on the delicate skin of Chu Anqing’s left upper arm, presumably the only flaw on her otherwise flawless skin.

But that couldn’t be helped.

That shallow indent was a scar left from receiving the BCG Vaccine in childhood. For most people, it wasn’t noticeable, almost invisible. But due to individual physique, some people’s BCG Vaccine scars were very obvious, visible at a glance.

This kind of scar, resulting from a vaccine received in one’s later years… might be the most precise anti-counterfeiting mark.

“Senior Lin Xian.”

Chu Anqing turned around, her eyes brimming with smiles as she looked at Lin Xian.

Lin Xian came to his senses and offered a polite smile:

“What is it, Miss Chu.”

“Just call me An Qing.”

Chu Anqing’s gaze was clear:

“I just remembered…”

She looked up at Lin Xian.

Blinking her eyes:

“I’ve seen you before!”