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With a contemplative frown, Lin Xian mused aloud to his reflection, “So, if I answer the Genius Club’s three questions correctly and gain membership, what else might I discover? Could the mirror give me more than just an invitation?”

His reflection mimicked his every move as he shook his head, dismissing the flurry of thoughts. Certain of nothing but his resolve, Lin Xian knew he had to pursue this path to unravel the mysteries of the world, hoping that membership in the Genius Club would provide him with a broader perspective on time and space.

“Alright, time to go,” he declared, smoothing down his collar and switching off the bathroom light. He then made his way downstairs to where a driver awaited him in an Alfa business van.

Upon seeing Lin Xian, the driver promptly opened the rear door. “To Ms. Ying Jun’s place,” Lin instructed as he fastened his seatbelt. The van then glided away from the apartment complex.

Upon reaching Zhao Ying Jun’s residence, Lin Xian knocked on the door.

“Coming~” Zhao Ying Jun’s voice floated through the door, accompanied by a feeble, mournful bark that was more of a whimper.

The door swung open, and Zhao Ying Jun greeted him with a warm smile. “Come in, Lin Xian. We’ve been waiting for you.”

She glanced down at a Pomeranian lying despondently on the floor. “VV, look who’s here! Lin Xian is here to see you.”

The dog barely lifted its head, its eyes swollen and sad. At the sight of Lin Xian, it whimpered weakly.

“V… woof…” It attempted to speak, shaking slightly.

Zhao Ying Jun looked concerned. “VV…” she began, but Lin Xian interrupted, stepping forward and kneeling beside the dog.

“It’s okay, let me handle it,” he said softly, reaching out to gently stroke VV’s head. “VV, what’s wrong?”

The Pomeranian continued to whimper, struggling to express its distress.

Lin Xian looked deeply into the dog’s eyes. “Are you sad?” he asked, understanding that sometimes, words were unnecessary to convey feelings.

VV seemed to grasp Lin’s words, halting its whimpering and gazing back at him. A silent understanding passed between them.

Watching this exchange, Zhao Ying Jun couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps Lin Xian had a special connection with VV. “I’ll make some tea,” she offered, moving toward the kitchen. “I’ll brew some of the Pu’er tea I recently got. You two have a chat.”

Settling onto a low stool, Lin Xian lifted VV onto his lap. “Honestly, VV, I wish I could understand what’s making you so sad. They say dogs are more sensitive to emotions than humans. Maybe you can understand me better than I can understand you.”

VV twitched its ears, responding with a soft, drawn-out noise as Lin Xian continued. “You really are a clever dog,” he chuckled. “I don’t know what nightmare you had, but I’ve had some bad ones lately too. They’re awful, and I feel so helpless.”

He sighed, a sad look crossing his face. “I used to have a friend named VV too. I thought it wasn’t strong and even called it lazy. We don’t realize what we’ve got until it’s gone, right?”

Holding VV closer, Lin Xian’s voice softened. “It’s not the loss of money or power that breaks us—it’s the loss of someone dear. Did you dream of losing a friend like that?”

Feeling VV tremble in his arms, Lin Xian nodded slowly. “If so, I understand. I’m here with you, VV.”

“But remember what a wise friend once told me: not every story needs a happy ending to be meaningful. Even if we could choose again, we wouldn’t regret our decisions.”

Lin Xian paused, gazing into VV’s understanding eyes. “She taught me about courage and kindness, not just strategies. She wanted to make a leader, not just a follower.”

“A true leader isn’t haunted by past failures or lost paths. They don’t dwell on what’s gone but look forward to what’s ahead.”

With a smile, Lin raised his fist to VV’s paw. “Don’t fear the challenges or the losses. Always look forward, never back.”

“VV, it’s too early to give up. We’ve lost friends, but we still have others to protect, and we need to stay strong for them.”

He reached out and gently hooked his pinky finger around VV’s tiny paw. “Let’s make a promise, okay? Let’s protect Zhao Ying Jun and this world together. We’ll find our lost friends and fight against the evil forces. The three of us will become true heroes.”

VV’s spirits seemed to lift at these words, and it let out an enthusiastic “Woof!” as if agreeing to the pact.

Lin Xian chuckled, patting VV’s head affectionately. “That’s a promise, buddy.”

Rejuvenated, VV stood up on Lin Xian’s lap, tail wagging energetically, a stark contrast to its previous demeanor.

Just then, the sound of high heels clicking approached, and Zhao Ying Jun re-entered the room, surprised to see the change in VV. “Was that VV barking just now?”

VV jumped down from Lin Xian’s lap and positioned itself proudly in front of Zhao Ying Jun, looking up at her with a fluffed-up coat resembling a dandelion puff.

Zhao Ying Jun let out a sigh of relief and embraced VV warmly. “You had me worried, VV! I’m so glad you’re feeling better. You’re much more adorable when you’re lively.”

Turning to Lin Xian, she expressed her gratitude. “Thank you so much, Lin Xian. It seems VV really needed you. What did you do? How did you manage to calm him down so quickly?”

Lin Xian stood, shrugging slightly. “Honestly, if I knew the secret, I’d tell you. I just talked to VV as if I were talking to myself, and somehow, he seemed to understand.”

Zhao Ying Jun stroked VV’s head thoughtfully. “It’s almost as if he’s enchanted,” she mused. “He really likes you. Maybe he just missed you. Dogs have a way of loving unconditionally, you know.”

Lin Xian laughed, recalling how he initially claimed to like dogs just to get closer to Zhao Ying Jun. But now, he genuinely had a soft spot for VV.

Zhao Ying Jun smiled warmly. “You should come by more often. VV clearly adores you. Consider him partly your dog too. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.”

VV cooed softly, as if in agreement.

Lin Xian smiled, touched by the connection he had unwittingly formed. Initially, his closeness to VV was a ruse to get close to Zhao Ying Jun, but now, he felt a genuine bond with the dog. Yellow Finch’s manipulations had often left him wary, but in this moment, things seemed to balance out.

…

Later, Zhao Ying Jun and Lin Xian found themselves at a traditional style restaurant known for its authenticity and elegance. Zhao Ying Jun ordered several of the restaurant’s signature dishes.

“Try them and see how you like the flavors,” Zhao Ying Jun encouraged as the dishes arrived.

VV lay quietly on the carpet beside them as Lin Xian sampled the food. “It’s really good,” he commented sincerely. “There’s something comforting about home-style cooking, like it brings you back home.”

Zhao Ying Jun laughed lightly. “How can Beijing cuisine feel like home to you? I would think Hangzhou dishes would have that effect.”

Lin Xian shook his head playfully. “No way. Hangzhou is practically a culinary desert compared to what I’ve discovered since moving to Donghai City. Even the food at the university cafeteria outshines anything back in Hangzhou.”

Zhao Ying Jun appeared amused. “Really? People usually see their hometown food through a nostalgic lens.”

“That might be true, but the culinary scene in Hangzhou has its reasons,” Lin Xian explained, diving into a brief history.

Curious, Zhao Ying Jun inquired, “Isn’t there a famous dish there, something like West Lake Vinegar Fish?”

Lin Xian laughed, “There’s a running joke that the recipe for West Lake Vinegar Fish is so complex, if you mess up even one step, it’ll accidentally taste good.”

“Some even joke that a fish used for West Lake Vinegar Fish has died in vain, never resting in peace.”

Zhao Ying Jun couldn’t help but laugh. “Is it really that bad?”

“It’s an exaggeration,” Lin admitted, “but there’s some truth to it. You should visit Hangzhou yourself to try it.”

“I’d like that,” Zhao Ying Jun said, a hint of longing in her voice. “I’ve missed out on visiting many domestic tourist spots. I went abroad for studies as a teenager and jumped straight into business after graduation. Hangzhou has always been on my list.”

Their conversation drifted to personal stories and memories, connecting them over the shared experiences and the meal. As they talked, Lin Xian reflected on how different this felt compared to his usual guarded interactions, influenced by Yellow Finch’s deceits.

…

As the evening wound down, they prepared to leave. VV, however, seemed reluctant to part with Lin Xian, clinging to him as Zhao Ying Jun stepped out of the van.

“VV, it’s time to say goodbye,” Zhao Ying Jun reasoned. “Lin Xian needs to head home too.”

VV whimpered, its eyes pleading.

Lin Xian knelt to comfort the dog. “It seems he doesn’t want you to leave,” Zhao Ying Jun noted, concerned. “Could you come up just one more time? Help me put him to bed?”

Lin agreed, though internally he felt a mix of reluctance and affection. Upstairs, in Zhao Ying Jun’s apartment, he experienced an awkward yet touching moment as he tried to coax VV to sleep in its designated spot.

After a while, as VV finally settled down, Zhao Ying Jun whispered her thanks. “I didn’t mean to keep you so late. Thank you.”

“It’s fine. VV needed it,” Lin Xian responded, heading for the door. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Lin Xian,” Zhao Ying Jun called out softly as he left.

Back in the underground parking lot, Lin Xian settled into the van, weary but content. As the driver started the engine, a sudden interruption came—a young girl with short black hair and intense, glowing eyes reached into the car, stopping the closing door. Lin Xian looked up, startled by her unwavering stare.