Chapter 251: Seeking Guidance

This novel is translated and hosted only on BcaTranslation

The realization that exactly 601 years remained until the arrival of the all-consuming white light struck Lin Xian profoundly. In the quiet of his bedroom, the hum of the air conditioner lent a tranquil, almost hypnotic ambiance. He sat up in bed, unable to shake the last image he saw of the trash can robot.

That expression... it was uncanny, not like something you’d expect from a machine. It was as if he was looking at a real person, a sentient being.

Lin Xian was baffled by what had just transpired. As he uttered the phrase, “Life is but a fleeting glance,” the entirety of Rhine Sky City seemed to come alive, its pulse quickening as if the city itself had veins and flesh.

“This was no hidden code or secret program,” Lin Xian thought. Zhao Ying Jun, who had created this world in his third dream, had hidden many things, but embedding a seemingly trivial poem in such a complex manner made no sense. So, what was truly going on with that trash can robot?

Lin Xian reflected on the explanation given in the dream:

“I’ve been here for just an hour. It was your voice and the password ‘VV’ that woke me, this trash can robot. Though I’m speaking through this device, we are completely different beings.”

“This robot was the companion of Ms. Zhao Ying Jun in her later years. It played paper ball games with her, shared rides in her car.”

“Ms. Zhao Ying Jun once shared a metaphor with me about two stars—one rising in the east and the other setting in the west—never visible in the same sky at the same time. This, she said, was the ultimate distance...life is but a fleeting glance.”

The pieces started falling into place for Lin Xian. The VV, the super-central brain, hadn’t known Zhao Ying Jun personally. The true companion of Zhao Ying Jun was this outdated, humble trash can robot, model VV. It had entertained her in her twilight years, listened to her stories in the car, and even after her passing, it continued to guard her white jade statue through two centuries of weathering, never failing in its duty to pick up trash.

The VV speaking to Lin Xian was the same entity that had been Zhao Ying Jun’s faithful companion. This realization came because the other, more flamboyant AI named VV would not typically use its mechanical claws to trap itself; such an act was more characteristic of the simple-minded trash can robot. It may have appeared clumsy and not very bright, yet somehow, it had gained sentience, learned to think, and even transformed the entire Rhine Sky City into a living entity, its rhythms mimicking a heartbeat.

“I can’t figure it out,” Lin Xian yawned, puzzling over whether it was the awakening of the trash can’s consciousness, a merging of the two VV consciousnesses, or possibly another elaborate ruse by the drama-loving super AI VV—like the previous incident where everyone knelt and hailed him as the King of Rhine City.

“Forget it.” Whatever the case, it represented a farewell—a goodbye to a friend, the third dream, and that doomed future. Starting now, he was committed to changing that failed world line. To rewriting destiny!

Lin Xian got out of bed, approached his desk, and gently touched the notebook’s cover, which oddly reminded him of the top of the trash can robot’s head. “Just wait a bit longer, VV. I’ll deliver your message.”

....

A small Gulfstream G550 jet roared into the sky from the private jet base at Pudong Airport. It belonged to Chu Shan He. All the necessary flight procedures had been meticulously followed, allowing the jet to depart on schedule that morning of August 30, 2023.

Their destination was the capital. After landing at the capital Airport four hours later, they would rest briefly before taking Chu Shan He’s arranged transport to the National Academy of Sciences’ Nuclear Physics Institute to meet with President Gao Yan.

It was Lin Xian’s inaugural flight on a private jet. The experience was indeed a pleasant one, although Chu Shan He remarked that such luxuries were impractical due to high maintenance costs and restrictive flight conditions, often hinging on sheer luck.

“Mostly, it’s for show in business circles. Of course, it proves more useful for international trips,” Chu Shan He explained to Lin Xian.

For extended international journeys, a private jet offered advantages—safer, more reliable, and always surrounded by familiar faces, which was crucial for avoiding information leaks and ensuring personal security.

“Outside X Country, it’s far from peaceful. There are frequent incidents. If it’s not necessary, it’s wise to avoid traveling abroad lightly,” Chu Shan He added, reinforcing the perils that lay beyond their borders.

Lin Xian nodded in agreement with Chu Shan He’s perspective as he gazed out of the Gulfstream’s window towards the distant west. His thoughts wandered to Princeton, at 112 Marshall Street—a place he was intensely curious about and longed to visit. However, Lin Xian wasn’t exactly sure which direction to look towards. Was the United States east or west from his current location? The answer wasn’t straightforward. Given the Earth’s roundness, either direction could technically be correct.

President Gao and Chu Shan He exchanged approving glances, smiling. “See, today’s youth are quick on the uptake and intelligent,” remarked President Gao.

He then lowered his head to adjust his reading glasses before turning his attention to the manuscript. “Well then, let’s get started,” he announced and began to read.

President Gao read through the first page, occasionally sipping his tea, nodding in apparent approval at intervals. “It appears you’ve conducted some substantial research,” he commented.

He set his teacup down and turned to the second page, his brows knitting together slightly as he read. A frown formed, and he seemed fixated on a particular section.

Rustle—He flipped back to the latter part of the first page, then forward again to the top of the second. He raised his head, his gaze shifting between Lin Xian and Chu Shan He, a look of puzzlement etched across his face before he returned his focus to the manuscript.

This unexpected reaction left Chu Shan He feeling perplexed. What did President Gao’s expressions signify? Was he regretting having entertained a novice? Or was Lin Xian’s proposal so lacking that President Gao was at a loss for where to even begin with his critique?

Yet, amidst this uncertainty, Lin Xian remained the epitome of calm. Seated confidently, he casually swung one leg, completely undisturbed by the unfolding reactions.

Suddenly, President Gao inhaled sharply, his expression intensifying. He rubbed his temple, not reaching for his tea, reflecting deep internal contemplation.

The manuscript’s initial pages indeed presented groundbreaking ideas in controlled nuclear fusion, discussing theories and methods that had only been conceptualized a few months ago under X Country’s artificial sun project—information that was strictly classified!

Furthermore, this document didn’t just reiterate these classified theories; it simplified and refined them, addressing several unresolved issues that even the National Scientific Academy hadn’t yet figured out. Although these theories hadn’t been experimentally verified, they aligned perfectly with his long-held assumptions.

As President Gao delved deeper, his bewilderment grew. The initial sections on controlled nuclear fusion were within his understanding, but the subsequent explanations on cold fusion were startling.

It felt as though he was reading a martial arts novel where one page detailed a basic move and the next challenged the reader to defeat a legendary master—it was a leap too great to comprehend!

President Gao instinctively wiped his forehead, though there was no sweat; it was merely a reflex. This manuscript... how could he describe it? The parts he understood were undeniably accurate. Those he couldn’t grasp, lacking experimental verification, were difficult to judge.

The young man had come all the way from Donghai seeking guidance, yet President Gao found himself unable to definitively assess the manuscript’s accuracy. However, based on his extensive experience in nuclear physics, the sections on cold fusion seemed largely correct, or at least, they offered a promising direction for resolving the current impasses in controlled nuclear fusion research.

This novel is translated and hosted only on BcaTranslation

This manuscript was, without a doubt, a treasure. Notably, the last page included a complete experimental report detailing all necessary parameters, processes, and conditions—prepared for immediate experimental validation using the National Scientific Academy’s laboratory resources.

Bang!

President Gao slammed his hand on the desk, standing up abruptly, his demeanor grave as if he were preparing for a significant challenge.

Chu Shan He, taken aback by this sudden change, had known President Gao for many years and had never seen him so intensely serious. What had Lin Xian written to provoke such a reaction from this usually mild-mannered and approachable scholar? It was almost as if he was on the verge of reprimanding Lin Xian directly!

“President Gao...” Chu Shan He interjected, attempting to soothe the atmosphere with a smile. “Please, young people need guidance, education...”

But President Gao, overtaken by his emotions, bypassed Chu Shan He, grasping Lin Xian’s hand firmly. “Young man,” his voice quivered with excitement, “Come with me!”

This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation