Genius Playground

Chapter 28 Sorry

There was a brief silence.

Cheng Mengxue lifted her head off Jiang Ran's shoulder and sat up:

"Probably."

She uttered the answer softly, an answer that Jiang Ran also found obvious.

He knows Qin Feng very well.

If the roles were reversed, and Jiang Ran were the one wanting to revive her father who died ten years ago, Qin Feng would definitely agree.

They would not only agree.

They would agree without hesitation.

Because Qin Feng is such a person—resolute, decisive, and loyal—this is something Jiang Ran admires about him.

but.

Jiang Ran doesn't consider himself an unfaithful person.

He was just always very cautious.

Even though Qin Feng always said he was overly cautious.

But he always had more concerns and worries than others.

If Qin Feng's father hadn't died ten years ago... but a month or even ten months ago, he might have agreed.

ten years.

It's way too long.

Who can guarantee that the butterfly effect won't blow away themselves, Cheng Mengxue, or Qin Feng?

"Xiaoxue, there's something I've been keeping from you."

Jiang Ran looked up at the small blackboard.

The string of numbers 289269426494642 is still written on it, along with the coded message deciphered using the nine-key input method.

Don't believe it!

"I've always felt that the last 'ha'..."

He said in a deep voice:
"It refers to Qin Feng."

?

!

"what?"

Cheng Mengxue exclaimed in shock; she had truly never imagined such a thing:

"Jiang Ran...why would you think that?"

"I can't say for sure."

Jiang Ran shook his head:
"It's just an intuition that made me feel like this string of numbers was reminding or warning me of something from the very beginning."

"Especially after seeing the words 'Don't believe,' the first thing that came to my mind was Qin Feng... I imagined my future self sending me a text message warning me not to believe Qin Feng."

“I know this kind of thinking is wrong. How can you doubt your own friend? But this has always been my concern, and it is also the reason why I opposed saving Qin Feng’s father.”

……

After revealing her true feelings, Jiang Ran felt much more relaxed.

His conflicting feelings of trust and suspicion towards his friend prevented him from making a firm decision.

a long time.

Cheng Mengxue looked at him:
Can I share my thoughts?

"of course can."

"Jiang Ran".

Cheng Mengxue took his hand:

Do you think Qin Feng is hiding something from you?

"No."

Jiang Ran shook his head without hesitation.

Qin Feng always said what he meant, and he didn't hide anything from me.

His desire to use time-space text messages to revive his father wasn't exactly a secret; rather, it was his honesty in stating it directly when Jiang Ran asked him about his wish.

Moreover, it's perfectly normal for Qin Feng to have such thoughts.

If it were any boy who lost his father at a young age and suffered humiliation, and now had the ability to avert the tragedy and save his father... wouldn't that be his first thought?

"Then do you think Qin Feng has been doing anything behind your back?" Cheng Mengxue asked again.

Jiang Ran shook his head:
"nor."

Qin Feng is always open and honest in everything he does.

He knew every detail about modifying the positron cannon without reservation, and even secretly did something...

to be honest.

If Qin Feng really wanted to do something secretly, it would be incredibly easy.

He repaired the positron cannon; before the knob control panel was installed, he was the only one who could control it.

The spare key to the club activity room is hidden under a flowerpot at the bottom of the stairs; this has always been a tradition of the film club, and they have no intention of moving it.

The activity room's flimsy wooden door was always better suited to keeping honest people out than scoundrels... It was a piece of junk that could be kicked open with a single kick, and the key was purely decorative.

and so.

If Qin Feng really wanted to secretly activate the positron cannon and send a text message to his past self from ten years ago, it would be incredibly easy.

Qin Feng could easily carry the two of them and revive his father who died ten years ago.

But he didn't at all.

Instead, the choice was given to the two of them, which was equivalent to giving it to Jiang Ran herself. "Qin Feng trusts us a lot."

Cheng Mengxue continued:
“He cherished us very much. He could have secretly sent time-travel text messages behind our backs, but he never did.”

"I know."

Jiang Ran opened her eyes:

"But no matter what, I must be responsible for the safety of both of you."

He stood up and began his usual refrain:

"Neither of you has actually experienced changes in spacetime, nor can you feel the leap in world lines... You can't understand the sense of powerlessness, passivity, and fear in the face of the laws of spacetime."

“Every time the timeline shifts, I feel fear before I open my eyes, afraid that I will never see you again, afraid that you will be devoured by the butterfly effect of time and space.”

"I really don't dare to gamble! Ten years is just too long!"

Cheng Mengxue also stood up and smiled slightly.

Then, with a "pop," the top of the rice cooker's Rhine Cat was pried open, and a round, blue spacetime particle Rhine Cat was taken out and handed over.

"what?"

Jiang Ran was a little confused.

Here, I'll give it to you for now.

Cheng Mengxue stuffed the spacetime particle Rhine Cat into Jiang Ran's hand:
"According to the backstory of the Rhine Cat, a spacetime particle... this is something that can bring miracles and power."

"It feels like you're talking about magical girls."

"Hey, don't interrupt me!"

She stroked the Rhine Cat's fur, which shimmered like electricity, her expression gentle:
"It is said that this is a symbol of courage and bond, representing the most sincere friendship and the ultimate trust."

"Boruto: Naruto Next Generations?"

"Aren't you going to let people speak?!"

Cheng Mengxue threw a punch:
"Anyway!"

She said angrily:

"In short, just like Qin Feng, I trust you, believe in you, and will follow any decision you make!"

"Haven't we been like this since we were little? I've always followed you around, wherever you go, I go."

So whatever choice you make... I'll always be there for you.

Cheng Mengxue blinked, her eyes sparkling as if with starlight:

"I think Qin Feng is probably the same way."

……

Two days later, on the rooftop of the student club activity building.

squeak-

Jiang Ran pushed open the iron door of the stairwell and looked at Qin Feng gazing into the distance in the setting sun.

This situation is exactly the same as it was just ten days ago.

One person was standing on the edge of the building, and another person had just come out of the stairwell.

But at this moment, their positions have been switched.

The setting sun cast Qin Feng's shadow onto Jiang Ran, and he slowly walked forward.

"I've been thinking a lot these past few days."

Jiang Ran said as she walked:

"The butterfly effect that lasted for a decade was completely unpredictable."

"And that string of mysterious numbers... and the inexplicable words that they translated into... we can't completely ignore these clues, we should—"

Qin Feng slowly turned around.

Faced with that expectant yet flustered gaze, Jiang Ran was momentarily speechless and choked with emotion.

All explanations were stuck in his throat.

It can't come out, it can't be swallowed.

Yes.

Qin Feng was incredibly clever.

Doesn't he understand these principles?

Didn't he know these things?
Why is it necessary to say it out loud?
"Qin Feng."

Crackle, clackle, clackle.

A gust of wind blew soda cans off the rooftop, and an airplane left a trail of smoke that cut the sky in two.

Jiang Ran met Qin Feng's gradually dimming gaze under the fiery sunset:
"【sorry.】"

he said softly.

……

……

……

Qin Feng lowered his head.

He walked over with his hands in his pockets.

Just a step away, he placed his right hand on Jiang Ran's shoulder.

"It's ok."

He smiled slightly:
"I don't blame you."

(End of this chapter)