Genius Club

Chapter 1292: Chapter 7 Dark Dream

Today.

October 28, 1952.

This is the period when Mi Country is observing daylight saving time.

Lin Xian had discussed this tidbit with the team leader during a previous trip to Mi Country for a competition: the daylight saving time in Mi Country lasts from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November each year.

Western countries...seem to always like defining time nodes in this peculiar way using weeks and days, which Lin Xian found somewhat anti-human.

But since he’s in Mi Country, might as well do as the Romans do.

During daylight saving time, New York time is exactly 12 hours behind China’s Imperial Capital; during standard time, New York is 13 hours behind China.

It’s not yet November, so the time in Brooklyn where Lin Xian is, is exactly 12 hours behind China Standard Time; this also provides him some convenience in time conversion since he doesn’t have a watch.

"Is this really the cheapest hotel?"

Led by CC, Lin Xian was wandering through the slums of Brooklyn, finally stopping at an entrance that barely seemed habitable.

"I don’t know if it’s the cheapest."

CC shrugged:

"I don’t have money to stay in such places... Ever since the welfare house closed, I’ve been sleeping under bridges or in parks. Only people with money stay in hotels."

"People with money?"

Lin Xian looked at the not very formal nor sanitary hotel...laughing ironically.

Who with money would stay here?

However, as he currently has 1 US dollar and 60 cents, he might indeed be considered a wealthy person in CC’s eyes.

"Lin Xian, are you sure about this?"

CC looked at Lin Xian, with a worried expression:

"It’s just for one night, you can sleep anywhere, why waste 30 cents on a hotel?"

"Even if you earned that 2 US dollars easily, you’ll still need to eat and there are other expenses. I really suggest you think it over."

However.

Lin Xian shook his head:

"I forgot to tell you, CC, I have a problem. Once I fall asleep and dream, I can’t wake up... I really can’t wake up, not even if you hit me with a stick."

"So, do you understand why I insist on finding a hotel to stay? It’s all about safety."

"If we sleep in a park or under a bridge and encounter danger or bad people, what would you do? You could run away, but I can’t. Even if they kill me, I wouldn’t wake up; I would just die in my dream."

"I won’t run."

CC frowned slightly, looked at Lin Xian:

"Why would I run? I’ll protect you."

"You’ve treated me so well, buying me food and taking me to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade to see the Manhattan skyline... If I run away when you’re in danger, what kind of person do you think I am?"

Hearing this.

Lin Xian smiled slightly, a warm feeling emerging in his heart.

There’s even more reason not to let CC sleep on the streets:

"Alright, alright, since I’m the one paying, let’s hurry in."

...

This hotel, they had been searching for a long time for the legendary 30 cent hotel.

Previous ones mostly had prices around 50 cents.

One was 40 cents, and Lin Xian originally planned to stay there, but CC firmly disagreed, saying it was too expensive, insisting on finding a 30 cent hotel.

Finally, perseverance paid off and they found it.

"Were you actually lying to me?"

Taking the last step before entering the hotel, CC turned back and looked at Lin Xian:

"Honestly... I find it hard to believe there’s really someone who can’t wake up from sleep."

"Hehe."

Lin Xian chuckled, shrugged:

"You can verify any time."

Regarding this matter, Lin Xian would never deceive CC.

He understood even better than CC how significant 30 cents was to his situation in this era.

It is undoubtedly a huge sum.

But...

He had no choice.

Safe sleeping is paramount.

Now having traveled to 1952, the two biggest difficulties Lin Xian faced were money and safety.

He initially thought that relying on reverse forced evasion would at least ensure his safety.

This was his biggest trump card, the reason he dared to venture into the old era.

But who would have thought.

Upon meeting CC, he discovered...

In this era, the Millennium Stakes hadn’t been set, the Space-Time Exclusion hasn’t taken effect, even CC hadn’t become a Millennium Stake, and his own eyes hadn’t turned blue.

[In such a case, will the reverse forced evasion still take effect as expected?]

Thinking of this.

Lin Xian pursed his lips and shook his head.

He wasn’t sure.

Nor did he dare to try it rashly.

What if the reverse forced evasion failed to work because the Millennium Stakes hadn’t been set and the Space-Time Law hadn’t taken effect?

Wouldn’t that mean if someone actually shot him, he would die here in Brooklyn in 1952?

Lin Xian certainly wouldn’t take this risk; the cost was too high.

Therefore.

Looking back at the scene when he stole a black kid’s newspaper and was chased by a dozen others...he felt somewhat fortunate, it must be said that his luck was pretty good.

"Better safe than sorry, until it’s certain that [reverse forced evasion] can be effective as promised, it’s better to be cautious."

This is also why Lin Xian couldn’t rely on the "Five-Star Good Citizen" methods to amass wealth.

Firstly, this is the real world, not a dream, there’s no option to reload from a save point, it’s a one-life clear.

Secondly, without the protection of reverse forced evasion, two fists are no match for four hands; Lin Xian doesn’t want to cause trouble in Brooklyn that would ruin his series of plans for saving the world and uncovering the truth.