Chapter 44: History

Zhao Ying Jun was taken aback.

Just days earlier, during a visit to the hospital to see Xu Yi Yi, she had witnessed Professor Xu Yun sternly instruct Lin Xian never to approach him again.

She had assumed that was the end of their interaction.

Yet now, the respect and politeness in Professor Xu Yun’s demeanor towards Lin Xian were confounding.

Initially, Zhao Ying Jun had thought to dissuade Xu Yun, but his apparent eagerness changed her mind.

“Alright, Professor Xu, please follow me,” she said, stepping aside to let him exit the VIP room.

“We’ll head to Lin Xian’s office on the 17th floor.”

Xu Yun nodded.

With no hesitation, he followed Zhao Ying Jun into the elevator.

As the elevator doors shut and began to ascend, three deputy managers and Team Leader Wang were left gaping at the VIP room door, struggling to process the scene.

The group exchanged puzzled glances.

“What... what exactly is happening?” one deputy manager finally blurted out.

“Professor Xu Yun is always so composed and revered. Seeing him this agitated, it’s as if he’s seen a ghost,” another added.

“Before, just getting an appointment with Professor Xu Yun was an ordeal. And now he’s here in person? It’s unprecedented.”

“And he’s personally seeking out Lin Xian? What could this mean?”

“It couldn’t possibly be about that Rhine Cat project, could it? That seems far too trivial...”

Ding—

The elevator reached the 17th floor, its doors opening with a chime.

Zhao Ying Jun led Professor Xu Yun straight to the open door of Lin Xian’s office.

“Lin Xian, Professor Xu Yun is here to see you,” she announced.

“Hmm?”

Lin Xian, who had been fine-tuning a model of the Rhine Cat on his computer, looked up to see Professor Xu Yun wearing a complex expression.

Anticipating the professor’s intentions, Lin Xian greeted him with a slight smile.

“Hello, Professor Xu. Long time no see. How’s your research going?”

“It’s progressing well, quite well,” Xu Yun responded, seeming momentarily lost for words.

Zhao Ying Jun, catching the cue, formally introduced them again.

“Professor Xu Yun, this is Lin Xian. You’ve met before.”

She added, “I’ll leave you two. Call if you need anything. I’ll be outside.”

After exiting and closing the door, Xu Yun secured the lock and approached Lin Xian.

“Lin Xian, thank you for still calling me ‘teacher’... I hope you won’t hold my previous behavior against me.”

Lin Xian shook his head, signaling no hard feelings.

Xu Yun smiled as he stepped out.

“Apologies for any disruption today.”

Zhao Ying Jun shook her head, looking towards Lin Xian.

“No issue at all, Professor Xu. MX always welcomes you. We’ll arrange your transport back to the university and keep your business card handy for future contacts.”

“Thank you, but I drove myself.”

As Xu Yun prepared to leave, he felt compelled to add, “Miss Zhao, as I told Lin Xian, I’ve gained significant insights from his assistance. If my research leads to a major breakthrough, I’ll freely provide that chemical substance to your company.”

Zhao Ying Jun was momentarily stunned by this revelation.

She glanced at Lin Xian, her expression filled with unanswered questions but quickly regained her composure and smiled.

“That’s excellent news, Professor Xu. MX is honored to receive your endorsement. We sincerely hope your research succeeds.”

Lin Xian and Zhao Ying Jun then escorted Xu Yun to his car, watching as he drove away.

As the vehicle turned the corner, Zhao Ying Jun turned to Lin Xian with a chuckle.

“How did you manage that?”

“Didn’t say much,” Lin Xian shrugged. “Just a few words.”

“A few words?” Zhao Ying Jun laughed. “Since when is Professor Xu Yun so easily swayed?”

Lin Xian scratched his head, looking towards the winter sun.

“People change, don’t they?”

“What in this world doesn’t? Hearts, society, the present, history, the future... all are in flux.”

Zhao Ying Jun nodded thoughtfully.

“You’re right, but one thing remains constant.”

A gust of wind swept past, stirring the fallen leaves.

“History doesn’t change,” she murmured. “It’s written by the victors.”

Her black coat billowed as she walked back to the building.

“History never changes.”

The cold winter wind whipped up the leaves and debris, forming swirling patterns.

Zhao Ying Jun’s high heels clicked in the distance, fading as she rounded the corner of the parking lot.

Lin Xian watched her depart in silence.

“History does change,” he whispered, his eyes fixed on the swirling leaves.

He wasn’t just speaking of the known past but of a future stretching from 2022 to 2624.

Now, with the time-space butterfly effect confirmed, for a future 600 years ahead, one thing was clear—”I am history.”

This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation