Genius Playground

Chapter 45 A Spectacular Performance
Crackle, crackle.

Jiang Ran's fingers flew across the keyboard, strings of text appeared on the computer screen, combining into a series of dazzling scripts.

In the original timeline, he had written a script for the film club once.

That script was adapted from his middle school chuunibyou (adolescent delusions of grandeur) concept collection, "Genius Playground," and was ultimately performed by him and Qin Feng.

The finished short film is said to be of very good quality and has received unanimous praise.

Now, he is simply rewriting the script from memory, which is very easy for him.

Xu Yan stood behind Jiang Ran, staring at the screen, writing a sentence and then looking at it, occasionally resting her chin in her hand in deep thought.

At first, she didn't have high hopes. She just thought that Jiang Ran was trying to help out of kindness and didn't want to spoil his mood, so she lent him a computer.

but……

This is the current situation!
The more I look at it, the more something seems off!

"Wonderful."

Finally, unable to contain her excitement any longer, she praised it.

The film club members next to them looked at each other, bewildered.

How is this going?

Senior Xu Yan has been in a hedgehog-like state for a long time because of the script. She is completely untouchable and easily ignited and explosive.

But what did she just say?
That heartfelt "Wonderful!" conveyed surprise and admiration to everyone.

Filled with curiosity, more and more club members gathered around, forming a circle and standing behind Jiang Ran to observe.

"Wow, that's a plot twist, amazing!"

"Awesome, god-level setting! Where did the senior find such a genius?"

"Shh... Keep your voices down, don't disturb their creative process."

"My God, there's even a plot twist! This script is so brilliantly structured!"

Everyone was initially keeping their voices down and whispering among themselves.

But as the plot of the script gradually intensifies, the discussion among the crowd is so lively that it can't be stopped. Everyone is captivated by this wonderful, suspenseful, and exciting story... Everyone's eyes are fixed on the cursor, eagerly awaiting the next line.

Jiang Ran was completely immersed in her work and was not disturbed by the noise behind her.

It's not that he thinks his writing is particularly good.

But...

The content being tapped now is the scene between Qin Feng and himself on the rooftop that day.

Red clouds, setting sun, long shadows, and lone wild geese flying in formation.

Both on and off screen, he and Qin Feng have stood in this seemingly close yet distant position several times.

"So, this is a trap you set."

"We've known each other since high school..."

"Will you disappear in a flash and travel back to 2009? Or will only your consciousness travel back while your body remains here?"

"So this is your secret. But I still have to say, you set off your fireworks too early."

"You're wrong. You're the one who revealed your hand."

"You can never defeat me in history. Because in this game of time..."

"I am history!"

……

These familiar and perfectly fitting lines flashed through my mind one by one.

He remembered the look in his eyes when he jumped off the rooftop;

I also remember Qin Feng's last glance back before the world line shifted;
It's truly an extraordinary coincidence.

It was as if the ending of their story had already come to a close during that rooftop performance.

In the movie, Jiang Ran is the protagonist, but in reality, it's Qin Feng's show.

He deceived Jiang Ran and everyone else with a magician's dazzling performance, ultimately causing the world line to jump right under his nose, achieving this seemingly perfect show.

Hey!
The final press of the Enter key came down.

The script is finished.

Jiang Ran also took her hands off the keyboard and quietly watched the ending on the screen.

A silence that lasted for tens of seconds...

then.

Snap, snap, snap, snap!

Xu Yan led the applause, which was followed by thunderous applause, and the entire film club erupted in cheers:

"The ending was such a huge twist! The scenes between these two main characters were so captivating! They were both enemies and friends, both good and evil!"

"This is the perfect script we've been searching for! Senior Xu Yan, if we make this into a film, I guarantee it will win an award at the College Student Film Festival!"

"Senior, senior, please introduce him to us...where did you find this amazing senior?"

"Yes, yes, where did you find this savior, senior? She's a lifesaver!"

Seeing the excitement of her juniors, Xu Yan smiled slightly and didn't say much.

As the president of the company, she fully understands the psychological pressure everyone has been under during this period.

Even she herself is the same.

The long-suppressed emotions finally erupted upon seeing such a brilliant script, making me feel much better. "This handsome guy's name is Jiang Ran."

Patting Jiang Ran on the back, Xu Yan said proudly:
"He was my childhood playmate."

Subsequently.

She looked at Jiang Ran with some concern:

"Jiang Ran, this is such a good script, are you really willing to give it to us?"

"of course."

Jiang Ran smiled:

"This was tailor-made for your film club."

"Besides... you've done me such a big favor, pulling so many strings to save the film company, so we're helping each other out, please don't be so polite with me."

Having received the author's promise, everyone in the film club was thrilled and couldn't wait to get to work.

After all, the film festival's deadline is fast approaching, so they must hurry up with casting, filming, and editing.

"Senior, senior, can we use this script to participate in a film festival?"

Facing the big, watery eyes of her younger schoolmates, Xu Yan smiled and sighed:
"Since the author himself says there's no problem, then we'll shamelessly accept it."

"However, Jiang Ran's name must be written in the production credits, and it must be clearly marked that he is the original author, screenwriter, and screenwriter... placed in the most conspicuous place."

"no, I'm fine."

Jiang Ran waved his hand, making him feel a little embarrassed.

Subsequently.

The film club members printed out several copies of the script and went to the activity room next door to discuss the division of labor; the crowded room was quickly emptied, leaving only Jiang Ran and Xu Yan.

"This time, it's my turn to thank you."

Xu Yan crossed her arms:

"Jiang Ran, I never expected you to have such talent."

“I’ve always thought you were very smart since you were little. Honestly, it’s a waste of your talent to go to a junior college with your brain.”

"However... there's still a long road ahead, and there are many paths in life that lead to Rome. Just keep going!"

Seemingly realizing she had said the wrong thing, Xu Yan showed a hint of panic.

Although this panic was fleeting.

But Jiang Ran still managed to catch it.

【weird.】

It feels weird.

When discussing Cheng Mengxue's death and its impact on them, both Xu Yan and Wang Hao...

He always hesitates and stammers.

Always cautious.

Something's not right.

Something's very wrong.

Suddenly.

Jiang Ran realized something—

like.

They always strongly associate Cheng Mengxue's death with themselves, and repeatedly try to convince themselves to "let go of the past" and "move on."

Especially what Xu Yan said yesterday:

"In any case, just like we advised you before, Xiaoxue's death was not your fault. You don't need to blame yourself too much. No one has ever blamed you."

And there were also things Wang Hao said:

"What's past is past, don't keep blaming yourself."

Correct.

That's the problem.

That's a really strange claim!

[Cheng Mengxue clearly died in a car accident; it was an accident, not her fault. Why are Xu Yan and Wang Hao emphasizing this?]

Could there be some hidden story behind Cheng Mengxue's death?
think carefully.

Since the timeline jump, he only knew that Cheng Mengxue died in a car accident two years ago, but no one had ever explained the details of how she died to him.

A moment of intense fear gripped me.

"Xu Yan, I want to ask you something."

Jiang Ran slowed her breathing:

"Could it be that Xiaoxue's death two years ago... has a lot to do with me?"

There was a pause.

He raised his head:

"Was it me who killed Xiaoxue?"

(End of this chapter)