Chapter 241: Explosive Growth

This novel is translated and hosted only on BcaTranslation

Lin Xian and Zhao Ying Jun sat across from each other in a small restaurant. They shared a moment of silence, their eyes locked in a mutual understanding of the weight of their conversation.

Finally, Zhao Ying Jun broke the silence with a faint smile, turning her head to gaze out at the bustling street visible through the window.

“It must be someone very important or something crucial, right? Otherwise, betting your entire life on such a decision, the sacrifice would be too immense,” she mused.

“Perhaps,” Lin Xian responded, his voice carrying a hint of reflection. He shifted the plates on the table to make room for a new dish—a chopped pepper fish head—that the waiter had just placed in the center.

“This fish head looks really good, very appetizing,” he commented, eyeing the dish with appreciation.

“Then go ahead and try it,” Zhao Ying Jun encouraged, smiling as she picked up her chopsticks alongside Lin Xian.

“This is also one of the most classic dishes in Hunan cuisine. May it bring you and your new Rhine Company great luck!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine hope for his success.

Later that evening, Lin Xian found himself at a street-side barbecue stall with Gao Yang. In his tank top, was pointing a skewer of lamb at Lin Xian while rubbing his protruding belly.

“Lin Xian, you’re finally making it big this time, landing a rich woman!” he teased loudly.

“Cut it out with the nonsense,” Lin Xian retorted, a hint of irritation in his tone. He then took a long swig from his glass of beer, trying to ignore Gao Yang’s teasing.

The dinner with Zhao Ying Jun had been quick—they hadn’t lingered for drinks, just enjoyed a simple meal and departed. It was still early when Gao Yang had texted, suggesting they catch up over some barbecue and drinks since it had been a while. Lin Xian hadn’t refused the offer.

Lately, his reality had been uneventful, but his dreams continued to leave a profound impact on him. A night out seemed like a good distraction.

When Gao Yang learned about the Hunan cuisine, he immediately took on the role of a strategist, beginning his analysis.

“You don’t understand. Let me explain! Generally, a woman wouldn’t choose to eat Hunan hotpot with you unless she feels very close, has a good relationship with you, and considers you part of her inner circle.”

“Why is that?” Lin Xian questioned, genuinely curious despite the absurdity he anticipated.

“Because that kind of food messes up your appearance!” Gao Yang explained as he stripped meat off a skewer. “Hunan cuisine is spicy, so it makes you sweat, and your face turns red, right? Then you start wiping your face, and if you’re wearing makeup, it gets ruined. If you have to blow your nose, it’s hardly an attractive sight.”

“So, to maintain their image, women usually opt for less greasy, less messy foods when dining out, like Western cuisine. Now you get it? Your former boss... she didn’t see you as just an outsider at all! Bringing you home to meet her dog, eating Hunan cuisine with you—she already sees you as very close!”

“Forget it, stop analyzing,” Lin Xian interjected, finding Gao Yang’s deductions too far-fetched, especially coming from someone who had once misinterpreted Chu An Qing’s friendliness at a birthday party as romantic interest.

The evening stretched on as they continued to drink and chat. Gao Yang shared that he’d been doing well at work, thanks to Brother Wang, who had ordered many cars for his company, leading to a promotion for Gao Yang as a department manager in charge of major clients.

“It’s definitely worth celebrating,” Lin Xian acknowledged, genuinely pleased for his friend.

As they got tipsier, Gao Yang brought up another topic.

“Speaking of hibernation pods,” he began, his speech slightly slurred, “did you see today’s news? The National Scientific Academy has started recruiting volunteers nationwide. They say the initial experimental model of the hibernation pod is ready. Animal tests are complete, and they’re gearing up for human trials.”

“So soon?” Lin Xian was surprised. He hadn’t been keeping up with the news. The scientific community was advancing rapidly across various fields. Professor Xu Yun had initially estimated it would take at least two to three years to develop a usable hibernation pod, but it had only been six months, and the National Scientific Academy already had a prototype.

Although there was still a long way to go before it could be officially used, the timeline seemed to be much shorter than expected.

This rapid progress exemplified the boundless potential of human innovation. Without any obstacles hindering technological development, it wouldn’t take long for humanity to start exploring the vast cosmos.

Lin Xian hoped the hibernation pod would be operational soon. With Xu Yun and Zheng Cheng He gone—both people who had been kind and unjust victims—he couldn’t overlook the fate of Xu Yi Yi and Zheng Xiang Yue.

Once the hibernation pod was proven safe, he planned to place these two young girls inside, sending them to a future where hopefully, they could find a cure.

After finishing the conversation with Gao Yang, Lin Xian went home and browsed the latest news.

Just as Gao Yang had mentioned, the National Scientific Academy was actively recruiting volunteers and had listed potential side effects of their experiments. Tang Xin had warned about these side effects before, with memory loss being among the most concerning.

From what Lin Xian recalled in his third dream, by the year 2026, the hibernation pod had overcome all side effects except for memory loss. This progress suggested that someone had continued Tang Xin’s research and made significant advancements in the three years between 2023 and 2026.Cheêck out latest novels at novelhall.com

Witnessing the timeline of countless scientists, heroes, and influential figures pushing human civilization forward, Lin Xian was struck by the sheer magnitude of humanity’s achievements. Viewing it from a historical perspective, the development of human civilization appeared as a powerful anthem of perseverance and unyielding spirit.

Important figures like Xu Yun, Tang Xin, Dr. Ponsmike, Academician Gao Wen, Dr. Ponsmike, Li Ning Ning, Li Cheng, Sister Li, and Big Cat Face—each had played a pivotal role. Zhao Ying Jun, and even Lin Xian himself, were all part of this continuous relay, stretching over 600 years.

“Now, it’s my turn,” Lin Xian thought to himself, feeling the weight of history and responsibility on his shoulders.

“Let’s go home,” he announced, signaling the end of their gathering.

There was still much to do. He needed to re-enter his dream state to meet VV and commit to memory the 130,000 lines of code that could potentially change the world and alter the course of history, bearing the fate of humanity.

The sooner he memorized these codes, the sooner he could act to shift the tides.

Time was not on his side.

“Yes,” VV confirmed with a nod. “But it’s too late for you. This drug is intended for infants during their critical brain development phases. For adults, small doses are ineffective, and large doses can unlock potential and enhance memory but come with severe risks—brain damage, hemorrhage, and a 90% chance of brain death.”

“Oh, come on,” Lin Xian waved dismissively, pacing with newfound energy. “This is crucial information! Why didn’t you mention this sooner? You’re an artificial idiot! If I hadn’t asked, would you have kept this from me forever?”

“I couldn’t say!” VV’s green eyes flashed in defense. “According to the first law of robotics, a robot cannot harm a human or, through inaction, allow a human to come to harm. I must adhere to this programming. So, unless you inquire, I can’t tell you anything that might endanger your life.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Lin Xian gestured grandly. “Quick, bring that drug!”

Brain damage? Hemorrhage? Brain death?

Those risks only affected his future self in the infinite loop, not his present self in 2023! He would wake up perfectly fine!

Just as the effects of alcohol didn’t carry into the dream world, the drug’s side effects wouldn’t carry back to reality.

Brain damage wouldn’t follow him back, neither would brain hemorrhage!

But memory could be brought back!

As long as he used the potent drugs to turbocharge his memory, embedding those complex codes deeply enough to recall later... dying in the infinite loop of the dream world wouldn’t matter!

Soon, a flying ambulance descended from the sky, and a nurse robot with a medical kit and syringe approached Lin Xian.

VV looked up at him, a hint of concern in its robotic voice. “How much do you plan to inject?”

“Just shy of a lethal dose, let’s try,” Lin Xian declared, rolling up his sleeve, ready to take the risk.

“Carotid injection will work faster,” the nurse robot suggested.

“Then let’s go for the carotid. Hurry up,” Lin Xian urged.

The nurse robot prepared the injection and pressed the needle to Lin Xian’s neck—

Hiss.

The drug slowly entered his system.

Lin Xian immediately felt as if his brain had been struck!

Dizzy and swelling sensations overwhelmed him.

He grabbed a chair, sat down in front of the electronic blackboard, closed his eyes, and pressed his temples.

The initial discomfort was intense...

But then his mind started to clear spectacularly!

It felt as if someone had poured a bucket of icy, mint-flavored candy into his skull—cool and refreshing!

As the dizziness subsided, Lin Xian felt more composed, more lucid, even hearing the faint rustling of leaves in the breeze...

“Lin Xian... Lin Xian, your nose is bleeding!” VV shouted in alarm.

This novel is translated and hosted only on BcaTranslation

Lin Xian felt warm droplets trickling onto his pant legs. It was a nosebleed, a result of the pressure building up in his cranial cavity. But to him, it didn’t matter. The discomfort was starting to fade, and his thoughts were becoming sharper and more connected, crisscrossing and sparking like clear, flowing nectar.

Bang!

Lin Xian’s eyes snapped open with intense clarity.

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Memorized!

The sequence of hexadecimal characters displayed on the electronic blackboard had been seared into his memory. Despite the nosebleed, Lin Xian’s mind was operating at an unprecedented level of efficiency.

“Next page...”

Lin Xian demanded, his bloodshot eyes fixed intently ahead, his voice calm yet commanding.

“Next page!”

This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation