Genius Club.

Chapter 489 Wall

Inside the church, sunlight shines in from the bright windows all around, casting a hazy glow on the murals.

The benches below the podium were almost full of people, leaving only a few sparse spaces.

There were a lot of people, but no one was noisy.

Everyone either closed their eyes and bowed their heads in meditation, or looked straight ahead waiting for the priest to appear. No matter whether they were ragged dock workers or upper-class people in suits and ties, they were all sitting in the same church at this moment, equally peaceful and solemn.

Lin Xian and CC walked along the middle aisle, looking for a seat that could accommodate two people.

Look around.

He discovered that the people waiting to worship here were not only from different classes and ages...but also from a wide variety of nationalities, coming from all continents.

Italian men whose features can be recognized at a glance;
Irish women who were noticeably more modestly dressed;

There were also quite a few people with Asian features, but they didn’t look like Dragon people;
Naturally, this is near the dock, so there are also many black people doing mainly physical work.

I wonder how many of you here came for the free breakfast... In CC's words, only Lin Xian himself, because everyone else was pious.

Of course Lin Xian didn't believe it and could only say that CC was too naive.

but.

Since everyone is so quiet.

No one spoke.

Naturally, Lin Xian was too embarrassed to speak, so he followed CC silently and found a seat by the side.

Didn't wait a few minutes.

The pastor came out with the choir, walked up to the podium, and led the believers present to sing hymns together.

This was the first part of the worship ceremony, marking the official start of Lin Xian’s journey to eat for free.

He certainly couldn't sing hymns.

Fortunately, I have heard this melody before. Now I just need to open my mouth wide without making any sound and act like I am intoxicated.

While lip-syncing, he turned his head and glanced at CC beside him.

CC was seen singing the Hymn very seriously, his eyes full of piety and gratitude, like a primary school student trying his best to answer the teacher's questions in class.

Lin Xian blinked.

Feel……

The CC in front of him actually seems to be more like Chu Anqing in character than the CC 600 years later.

Although CC 600 years later was also kind-hearted and easy to get along with, that was after the two of them got to know each other... Before that, CC's impression in Lin Xian's eyes had always been decisive, cold, and unkind.

This is of course also related to her experience and growing environment, which is understandable.

On the other hand, look at this CC from 1952.

Although he sometimes talks tough, he is surprisingly soft-hearted. Even when faced with a "newspaper thief with a notorious record" like me, he is still willing to lend a helping hand and bring me, who is not a pious person, to the church to eat.

From this point of view, CC's background is the same as Chu Anqing's, both are simple, serious, enthusiastic and kind.

Before, Lin Xian had only come into contact with two thousand-year piles, CC and Chu Anqing, and the two had very different personalities, so he had never considered the deeper issues related to the thousand-year piles.

But now...

After watching the videotape of Zhang Yuqian who looked exactly like Chu Anqing, and traveling back to Brooklyn in 1952, and seeing the first generation CC, Lin Xian couldn't help but wonder -

[Is the so-called Millennium Girl the same girl who has been reincarnated dozens of times? Or...does it mean that dozens of different girls have the same fate and look exactly the same?]

There is a big difference between these two statements.

If we say that after CC in 1952 turned into blue stardust and drove into piles, every millennium pile girl since then is CC, then Zhang Yuqian and Chu Anqing are actually CC, but she loses her memory again and again, and lives again in different eras...

That means, the first generation CC in 1952 = Zhang Yuqian = Chu Anqing = all the thousand-year-old girls in between = 2624 CC.

They not only look alike, but...all of them are actually the same person, just like the Big Face Cat and Gawain in different world lines. Except for the different names, they are essentially the same person.

If it is the second possibility:
After the Millennium Pile Girls were driven into the pile, they completely disappeared and ceased to exist; if every Millennium Pile Girl just happened to look the same, or if they looked the same because of some mysterious power...

That means, CC≠Chu Anqing≠Zhang Yuqian≠any Millennium Girl. All the Millennium Girls have no connection at all except that they look the same.

……

All around, the singing of the Hymn fell.

The opening part of the service is over.

Next comes prayer and meditation; this is the main part of believers' communication with God, first as individual free prayer and then as collective prayer.

So, time returns to the individual for a moment.

Lin Xian watched as CC put his hands together, raised them to his chest, closed his eyes, and began to pray seriously...

As a staunch materialist fighter.

Naturally, he couldn't bring it into this link.

Does prayer work?
If prayer really worked... then Gauss's virus wouldn't have broken out, he wouldn't have to leave Yingjun and Yuxi, and the world-destroying white light could have been stopped by Jesus alone.

pity.

These are all fantasies. No one and nothing will become kind because of sincere prayers.

It's man-made.

All of this will ultimately depend on unyielding struggle and forging with one's own hands.

of course.

Except…free corn chowder and bread.

The growling of his stomach stopped Lin Xian from exaggerating the value of things online in time, and warned others that they had to bow their heads under his roof. He who knows the times is a hero. The thing of materialism is the thing of "food".

then.

He also clasped his hands together like CC did.

Close your eyes.

Continue thinking about the previous conjecture.

At first, Lin Xian firmly believed that CC and Chu Anqing were not the same person. Because the two were indeed very different in all aspects, Lin Xian even used Chu Anqing's understanding to diss CC.

At that time, CC was still very unconvinced and disdainful.

But later.

As he and CC spent more time together, experienced many things together, and got to know each other better, he did discover some similarities between her and Chu Anqing.

However, the sample size was too small and there was no deep reflection.

Looking back at the present, after meeting and interacting with the first generation CC, Lin Xian saw both Chu Anqing's qualities and CC's shadow in her... This made him more and more inclined to the first guess.

Could it be.

Whether it is Zhang Yuqian, Chu Anqing, or CC in 2624, their true identities are all this Brooklyn girl in 1952?
Lin Xian opened his eyes and glanced at the girl next to him again.

He pursed his lips.

I don't know what to think of her.

Because no matter which speculation it is, there is actually no way to confirm or falsify it.

not to mention.

Whether this Brooklyn girl in front of us is a thousand-year-old pile, whether she can become a thousand-year-old pile, and how she became a thousand-year-old pile all remain to be verified.

It’s a long road…

Lin Xian sighed.

but.

It had only been less than three hours since he traveled from 2234 to 1952. It was a miracle that he could make such progress now.

At least he found the thousand-year-old pile, investigated some clues, and temporarily had a direction for the investigation.

All the best.

take it easy.

With the "kite string" on the back of his head, he felt secure enough and was not afraid to stay in Brooklyn for a while to figure everything out.

Subsequently.

The collective prayer ended and the boring part of the priest reading the scriptures and preaching began.

CC also listened very carefully and nodded from time to time.

Lin Xian was also not interested and began to think about the next "Brooklyn Project" in his mind.

To ensure the mission is completed.

There must be a reasonable and clear plan.

Through the meditation just now, Lin Xian formulated a three-step plan for this time and space journey to 1952:

1. Before CC turns into a thousand-year-old pile and disappears, stay by her side and witness with your own eyes the reason and process of her becoming a thousand-year-old pile; find out the truth, draw conclusions, and deduce clues to save the fate of the thousand-year-old pile and rescue Chu Anqing.

2. After the first millennium pile in history was driven, the target of the investigation shifted to Einstein to verify whether Albert Einstein himself had any relationship with the Genius Club, whether he was the president of the Genius Club, and how he had the ability to see the future or a false future.

3. Through the intelligence obtained from the first two steps of the plan, understand the source of all the strange events in 1952, try to find the connection between them, and see if it is related to the world-destroying white light in 2624... and crack the secret of the shattered dreams of Zhang Yuqian, Chu Anqing, and CC.

Ok.

This makes the idea clear.

Lin Xian nodded.

I hope everything goes well and we can return with a full load in 2234.

……

at this time.

The priest's sermon has ended.

He closed the Bible on the podium, led the believers to stand up and pray the final blessing. Then he placed his left hand on his chest, put the four fingers of his right hand together, and tapped his forehead, chest, left shoulder, and right shoulder respectively, and said in a deep voice:

"Amen."

The same goes for the believers in the audience.

Following the movements, the whole church was in unison, and Lin Xian followed along:
"Amen."

At this point, a complete worship process has ended. If believers have doubts, need forgiveness, or have any other ideas, they can talk to the priest.

If nothing happens, you can leave in an orderly manner or go outside to get your free breakfast.

"It's now."

Lin Xian narrowed his eyes, his look was sharp.

He had already observed the terrain and the situation, ready to make the otter skin suit on his body...play its due value.

In the front two rows, closest to the pulpit and the priest, sat guests from the upper class; their temperament and clothing revealed nobility and luxury, and their eyes when praying were more pious than those of the workers in the back.

"Now it's time to show your acting skills."

Lin Xian whispered:

"I am grateful to VV for giving me the Hollywood acting training. It is true that I learned a trick that will benefit me for the rest of my life."

Just do it.

He squeezed past CC and walked straight towards the priest who was bathed in the sun in front.

CC was stunned:
"You...what are you going to do?"

Lin Xian turned around and quickly made a hushing gesture to CC, asking her to keep quiet and watch his performance.

Finally, he was within one step of the priest.

Take a deep breath.

His expression instantly became one of deep sorrow, heartbroken, and unable to cry. He lowered his head heavily and said in pious English:

"Father, I am guilty."

In an instant, the surroundings fell silent, and everyone looked over here. Especially the wealthy believers in the front row, who looked up and down at Lin Xian's outfit, expressing varying degrees of amazement.

The priest looked at Lin Xian, pushed up his glasses, and showed a loving look:
"Kid, what happened?"

"me……"

Lin Xian looked distressed, covering his forehead, hesitating to speak:

"I am guilty. I killed several otters in order to keep warm and fill my stomach... They are living creatures. I shouldn't treat them like this, let alone eat them and wear their skins..."

"But I really had no other options at the time. No one could help me. I prayed to the Lord, but received no response from Him... So, out of desperation, I could only attack that cute family of otters. Blood... blood splattered all over me. At that moment, I felt like I was possessed by the devil Satan..."

"Father, I want to seek forgiveness. I ask the Lord to forgive my sins. I apologize to those otters. I shouldn't have done that... I shouldn't... I shouldn't..."

Suddenly.

He covered his face and couldn't continue.

The believers who were watching nearby were all dumbfounded, some covered their mouths in shock, some wiped their eyes to mourn the otter family, and talked about it:

"Poor child, poor otter..."

"Look, he didn't lie. The clothes he was wearing were really made of otter skin... It's so pitiful for this child. He doesn't even have a normal piece of clothing."

"Oh my God, he didn't even have shoes on. Look at his feet. They were so black. I can't imagine how much he had walked barefoot."

"He is wearing such thin clothes in such a cold weather. He will be frozen to death in the winter. Alas, isn't he as pitiful as the otter family? He will be swallowed up by the evil winter."

……

The priest closed his eyes.

Take a deep breath.

Put your right hand on Lin Xian's shoulder:
"Child, you are not wrong. We are the ones who are wrong. We did not respond to your prayers in time. We... came too late."

"Believe me, the Lord will forgive your sins, and those otters who died in your hands will also receive the Lord's grace in heaven and forgive you for killing them."

"Those who stray and return to the right path can all be saved by the Lord. Don't be tormented by the shadow of the past, child... Later, we will provide you with cotton clothes to last you through the winter."

"Come, let us pray for those otters in heaven and bless them together."

Lin Xian followed the priest's instructions and prayed for the otter in his heart...

Mr. Otter, I wish you will live in America in your next life.

Then repeat the previous action of tapping the forehead, chest, left and right shoulders:
"Amen."

At this time, a gentleman in a suit and leather shoes came up and saluted Lin Xian:
"Sir, if you don't mind, please wear my shoes. I have another pair in my car. I just want to... do my part."

Next to her, another wealthy woman wearing a black veil came over and put the scarf around Lin Xian's neck:

"Child, put on your scarf so you don't get cold."

……

that's it.

Lin Xian took another long cotton coat from the priest.

Although the style is old and the fabric is very rough, it is thick and warm enough. You will feel warm immediately after putting it on.

"Cool."

Outside the lecture hall, Lin Xian, wrapped in a cotton coat, stood next to CC:

"Look, I have shoes, clothes, and a scarf. There will be free corn soup and bread soon. Jesus YYDS."

"YYDS?"

CC tilted his head:
"What does this mean? What does it stand for?"

"Forehead……"

Lin Xian thought for several seconds, but he didn't know how to explain it properly:
"It means pure praise, usually used to express top-level admiration and gratitude."

"oh oh."

Although CC didn't quite understand it, he took note of this knowledge point.

Lin Xian turned around and looked at his new suit - [Church Suit] through the church window.

congratulations.

He had only been in Brooklyn for five hours when his equipment had been upgraded from the lowest-level "otter suit" to the "church suit" which could at least perfectly keep out the cold.

really do not know.

Will there be any chance to upgrade the equipment later?

In this era...what advanced suits are waiting for me?
After the service.

The believers in suits and bright clothes left immediately, while the ragged homeless people and dock workers began to line up for free breakfast.

Each person had a bowl of corn soup and a thick piece of bread.

The moment he got the bread, Lin Xian realized that this guy was not simple:
“So heavy.”

The bread was much heavier than he had imagined. It was more like a lump of dough than bread.

And it's very hard.

Lin Xian and CC were squatting on a wooden box at the dock eating bread. CC, as she had said before, tore off half of her bread and handed it to Lin Xian.

Lin Xian waved his hands hurriedly:

"No, no, the bread itself is not big, you should eat it yourself, I will just eat these to fill my stomach."

"Don't be so stubborn."

CC said, and pressed half of the bread directly into Lin Xian's corn soup:
"You are so big, how can you eat so little... Just eat it, and stop talking nonsense."

Lin Xian looked at CC, who was thin and obviously malnourished.

Lower your head again.

Looking at the half of hard bread soaked in corn soup, bubbles are coming out.

"Thank you."

he said softly.

Keep your head down and eat.

I don’t know if it’s an illusion.

The half piece of bread CC gave was a little softer than the one in his hand.

……

After dinner.

Return the bowl to the church.

The two continued to sit on the shabby wooden box on the dilapidated dock, doing nothing, looking at the skyscrapers of Manhattan on the other side of the river in the distance.

It's a very cyberpunk experience.

Around and in front of us were dilapidated, dirty, and long-disturbed bungalows that were dirty, wet, and smelly everywhere.

But just by looking up, the Manhattan skyline in the distance is clearly visible.

Manhattan.

It is the most prosperous city and the most prosperous area in the United States, with the richest economy, the most luxurious life, and the most and tallest skyscrapers.

The tallest skyscraper is the Empire State Building, a landmark building in New York.

It is 381 meters high and has a total of 102 floors.

It is currently the tallest building in the world, a record that stood from 1931 until 1972.

In other words, it will take another 20 years before there is a building taller than the Empire State Building in the world.

It's hard to imagine.

Such prosperity and magnificence were separated from the Brooklyn slums where they were at the moment by only a river.

This huge contrast made Lin Xian think back to his second dream...

At that time, he stood on the scattered roofs of the old Donghai Village and looked back. When he saw the neon lights of the new Donghai City in the distance, he felt as if he was in another world.

"The center of the world, Manhattan."

CC's voice came from behind.

Lin Xian turned his head.

I noticed that CC also looked up at the skyscrapers on the other side of the river with a longing look, unable to take his eyes away:

“It’s the most prosperous and beautiful place in the world… When the lights are turned on at night, it’s even more beautiful. It’s truly the center of the world.”

Lin Xian blinked.

The center of the world...

Such a familiar description.

When he participated in the World Hacker Competition in 2023, he also stayed at the Aman Hotel in Manhattan with Chu Anqing.

After the celebration banquet, the two of them stood on the observation deck on the top floor of the Aman Hotel and overlooked the entire Manhattan.

He and Chu Anqing both saw the Empire State Building, and he also pointed out the Rockefeller Center and the Hudson River to Chu Anqing.

At that time, Chu Anqing sighed from the bottom of her heart:
"Is this the [center of the world]?"

Coincidentally, the other side of the Hudson River is Brooklyn where he and CC are now.

It surprised me that.

At this moment, a gaze was formed that transcended time and space.

In 2023, he and Chu Anqing stood on a high-rise building in Manhattan, overlooking the Brooklyn River;

In 1952, he and CC again looked up at the Manhattan buildings from the Brooklyn Pier.

Trance.

at a loss.

He couldn't help but look around...

Now in 1952, is that Aman building already standing in Manhattan?
It should be there.

The building where the Aman Hotel is located should be a hundred years old, but it is only 23 stories high. It should not be visible from the Brooklyn Pier as it will be blocked by the high-rise buildings.

“Do you like Manhattan?”

Lin Xian looked at CC's yearning eyes and asked:
“Do you want to go to Manhattan?”

"of course."

CC answered without hesitation:

“Everyone who lives in Brooklyn dreams of moving to Manhattan.”

"But... I can't go."

CC turned his head and pointed at the super bridge across the Hudson River in the distance.

“See that bridge that connects Brooklyn to Manhattan?”

Lin Xian nodded:
“[The Brooklyn Bridge], it’s probably the most famous bridge in the world.”

In countless Hollywood movies, the Brooklyn Bridge is an old actor who is always there. Sometimes it gets blown up, sometimes it gets hit, and sometimes it is used as a backdrop for car racing...

This bridge has a long history.

When it was put into use in 1883, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world at that time and the first bridge in the world built with steel. When it was completed, it was considered the eighth wonder of the world after the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Even hundreds of years later, it still stands.

however……

CC smiled and shook his head:
"It looks like a bridge, but in fact, it is a wall, an insurmountable wall between Brooklyn and Manhattan."

She looked at Lin Xian and said softly:
"It is also the wall that we... can never cross."

(End of this chapter)