"I think it's doable."

San Pang nodded wisely, agreeing with the decision to let Lin Xian join the Face Gang.

"Alright! Then it's settled!"

Da Lian Mao clapped his hands together, laughed heartily, and put his arm around Lin Xian's neck.

"Little brother, from today onwards—"

"I understand, Brother Face. From this moment on, I share life and death with the Face Gang, uphold the great banner of 'Cats Are Ideology,' implement the metaphysics of 'Faces,' and fight for the history and knowledge of humankind!"

"Holy crap!"

Da Lian Mao was stunned.

"Little brother, are you reciting a textbook? You're practically singing!"

"But…"

He laughed heartily.

"I like this kind of awareness! You're a talent! You've really hit me where I live! A kindred spirit is hard to find!

"Speak, little brother, what is your wish? As long as your Brother Face can do it, I'll grant it!"

"I want to see Boss Li." Lin Xian looked at Da Lian Mao seriously.

"I have some very important clues to provide. Tonight, a large number of waterlogged books will be delivered to the 314 Waste Disposal Plant. So, we could consider going there to steal books tonight."

"Really, little brother?"

Da Lian Mao was still very honest, believing whatever he was told, which Lin Xian liked.

"Well… this is a big deal. It's not something I can decide."

He thought for a moment, then waved his hand.

"How about this? Let's go find Boss Li together, and let him decide. If the information is accurate, and there are a lot of waterlogged books to steal… then naturally, it would be more cost-effective to go there.

"But, if we really decide to change locations, then we have to go early to recalculate the surrounding terrain, drone patrol routes, and monitoring blind spots."

…

Half an hour later, the group arrived at Boss Li's courtyard.

After some communication and the inevitable somersaulting and skill-flaunting, Li Cheng frowned slightly, rubbing his chin with his thumb and forefinger, pondering.

"Hmm… the 314 Waste Disposal Plant. It's on the due south side of New Donghai City, not exactly close to us.

"But distance isn't the key issue. The main issue is, Lin Xian, is your information accurate? It's not that I don't trust you, but as the person in charge of the operation, I must be responsible for my team. So, whether you're joining the operation for the first time or you're a veteran member like A Zhuang and Er Zhu Zi, this is something I have to consider."

Li Cheng was very cautious.

This was also what Lin Xian had expected.

But the walls of the waste disposal plant were too high. There was no way Lin Xian could climb over them by himself. Not to mention the complex patrol drone monitoring system, and the supervisors stationed in the waste disposal plant…

This operation was not something he could accomplish alone. He had to rely on the Face Gang as a team, at least… he needed to use their human pillars and human ladders.

Right now, he had to convince Li Cheng.

"Boss Li, I know it's dangerous to go to a waste disposal plant that you've never been to before and aren't familiar with to steal things. But I have an accurate source of information, and it's worth taking the risk.

"Especially since a large number of waterlogged books will be transported to the 314 Waste Disposal Plant. This kind of opportunity is rare. Inevitably, there will be a large number of history books and academic books. The harvest this time might be more than you've gotten from sneaking around in the dark for several years.

"In the waste disposal plant that was our original target, the items delivered are basically household waste, construction waste, and some junk from bankrupt banks. There's no value in any of it. It's a waste of time to go there. If you believe me.

"But at the 314 Waste Disposal Plant, I know the exact time, 23:19, when four large garbage trucks carrying tens of thousands of waterlogged books will arrive at the waste disposal plant. Sorting and burning them will take some time. We can steal a large number of books while the supervisors are changing shifts between 00:00 and 00:20.

"Of course."

Lin Xian looked up

at Li Cheng.

"Of course, I know that your biggest concern is safety. I understand that. After all, one mistake could cost you your lives. You definitely prefer to go to the waste disposal plants you frequent.

"But I don't think you need to worry about that, Boss Li. Da Lian Mao and the others just need to set up the human ladder, and I can climb over the wall myself. Then everyone can retreat. You don't need to worry about me. When the time is right, you can come outside the wall to pick up the books."

…

Lin Xian's words left Da Lian Mao dumbfounded.

"What are you talking about, little brother! There are no cowards in the Face Gang! And we would never abandon our brothers to their life or death!"

"But I agree with your assessment. This activity is risky. Your skills are clearly much better than Ning Ning's. So, Boss Li…"

Da Lian Mao put his arm around Lin Xian's neck, his eyes firm as he looked at Li Cheng.

"Boss Li, I trust my brother! I support moving the operation to the 314 Waste Disposal Plant tonight! If you're worried, just don't let Ning Ning climb over the wall. Tonight, just watch Lin Xian perform!"

Li Cheng was still hesitant, but Er Zhu Zi couldn't sit still any longer.

"I disagree!"

He shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Brother Face, you're too trusting of this kid's words. He just wants to use us!"

With that, Er Zhu Zi turned his head, looking at Li Cheng's still charming wife behind him.

"Sister-in-law, what do you think? Shouldn't we be more cautious!"

However…

This woman, who in the First Dream was Li Cheng's loyal mistress, smiled faintly as Li Cheng's current wife.

"I don't see why not. Profits and risks go hand in hand. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. But I'm just a woman. I don't get involved in you men's affairs. You decide for yourselves."

Then, Li Cheng nodded, looking at Lin Xian with a smile.

"Alright."

"Although this is a difficult decision, I think we can try it."

This, this, this!

Er Zhu Zi was anxious!

He slapped San Pang on the back of the head.

"San Pang, do you think it's okay?!"

San Pang's eyes were wise as he shook his head.

"I don't think it's okay."

"I think it's doable!" Li Ning Ning's crisp voice came from behind.

Lin Xian turned around.

Li Ning Ning was dressed in casual clothes, wearing ordinary pink sportswear, looking very youthful and beautiful.

But the innate charm between her eyebrows was truly captivating at first glance.

Li Ning Ning's hair was loose, probably freshly washed.

Her flowing black hair danced in the wind, creating a unique aura of gentleness.

She walked up to Li Cheng.

"Dad, I think we should try the 314 Waste Disposal Plant."

"We've been doing this for so long. When have we ever been afraid of death? If we were afraid of death, we wouldn't be doing this kind of thing."

This girl is something else.

Lin Xian sighed inwardly. As expected of Li Cheng's daughter, she had the spirit of a heroine.

With that…

Three votes in favor, two votes against.

"Alright, then it's decided!"

Li Cheng clapped his hands, signaling everyone to quiet down. Then, he walked over and patted Lin Xian on the shoulder.

"Lin Xian, thank you for providing such valuable information. But this activity is still full of danger, and there may be many unexpected situations.

"So… tonight, you must listen to Da Lian Mao's instructions. Do not act without authorization. Safety first. Even if you can't steal anything, you must ensure a safe retreat."

Lin Xian nodded.

Looking at Li Cheng in front of him, he couldn't help but think of the cowardly, evil beast from the First Dream.

He still felt a disconnect in their characters.

But he figured it would get better with more time together.

Changes in space and time can change the world, history, and the fate of everyone…

Bad people can become good people.

Good people can become bad people.

Since Li Cheng had gone from being the Great Demon King of Donghai City to being the righteous hero he was now…

Then Zhao Ying Jun…

Lin Xian turned his head, looking at the steel sci-fi metropolis of New Donghai City in the distance, dyed blood-red by the setting sun.

Looking at the Dinghai Shenzhen, the twin towers of the X Building headquarters in the very center of the city…

Would Zhao Ying Jun…

Become the evil dragon entrenched in New Donghai City?

Or rather…

Was she already the evil dragon, but the time hadn't come yet, so Lin Xian hadn't heard her roar?

Logically and emotionally, Lin Xian didn't want to see Zhao Ying Jun's name still on a newspaper or book as the CEO of X Company.

But…

Facts are facts.

Since she had received an invitation from the Genius Club and was likely to have already joined it as a full member…

Connecting the Genius Club with Xu Yun's death;

Connecting the moon in the sky with the club's logo of a black hand;

Connecting Da Lian Mao's father being taken away for calculating the cosmic constant 42;

Connecting the successful development of the hibernation pod and the X Building in the very center of New Donghai City that broke through the sky…

Connecting all the clues, it didn't seem strange that Zhao Ying Jun's name would appear on newspapers and books 600 years later.

In fact, it made sense.

"Everyone, pack up and set off as soon as possible!"

At Li Cheng's command, everyone dispersed.

Because they had changed to a new waste disposal plant as their target, they had to survey the location in advance and recalculate the patrol drone routes. Therefore, they had to get there early to scout.

…

Night.

23:00

Lin Xian, wearing a Rhein Cat mask, had been lurking in the jungle for a long time.

The members of the Face Gang, and Li Ning Ning, had arrived outside the high walls of the 314 Waste Disposal Plant around nine o'clock to lie in wait.

Da Lian Mao and his three little brothers were hiding in front of the jungle, about thirty meters away from the high walls, staring intently at the six drones patrolling the sky.

Da Lian Mao had said that he had already finished calculating. The routes and logic of these six patrol drones were the same as those of the previous waste disposal plant; he had also deduced the most reasonable monitoring blind spot time and formulated corresponding infiltration and retreat plans.

"But we still need to confirm it several times. We won't dare to take action until we confirm that the calculation results are correct at least three times."

After Da Lian Mao finished speaking, he continued to turn his head and stare at the drones.

Lin Xian was quite surprised…

He felt that Da Lian Mao still had some mathematical talent, inherited from his father.

Perhaps everyone has unique talents and abilities.

It's just that because of different opportunities, situations, and experiences, some people's talents can be developed and displayed, while others' talents have no use.

Times create heroes. This saying is really true.

Hu…

Hu…

Hu…

A cool summer breeze swept through the jungle.

The air was mixed with the fragrance of tender leaves, the rose fragrance from Li Ning Ning's body, and the burnt, foul odor from the waste disposal plant's incinerator.

Lin Xian looked at the girl beside him.

Her figure was very similar to CC's, especially under the black tights, which made her look slender. But if you observed carefully, it wasn't hard to see that she was still much more immature than CC.

"What's wrong?"

Li Ning Ning, wearing an Ultraman mask, turned her head, her peach blossom eyes flickering in the mask's holes as she looked at Lin Xian.

"Nothing."

Lin Xian glanced away, looking at the magnificent and towering steel walls in front of him.

Inside the high

walls…

What kind of lives did the little girls in New Donghai City live?

Luxurious?

Noble?

Wealthy?

But in any case, it wouldn't be like Li Ning Ning now. At this blooming age, she was squatting outside a smelly waste disposal plant, risking her life just to steal a few waterlogged books covered in stinking juice and pus.

"Actually, I don't really like the world the way it is." Lin Xian said softly.

"I don't like it either."

Li Ning Ning picked at the bark of the tree next to her.

"But this is our fate. What's the use of not liking it?"

"Do you believe in fate?" Lin Xian looked at her.

"I don't."

Li Ning Ning tore off a large piece of bark, turned her head, and looked at Lin Xian.

"Would I be doing this if I believed in fate?"

"I think people's lives are in their own hands. If you don't work hard, nothing will change. But if you work hard, maybe you can change everything."

She folded the bark in her hand, crumpled it together, and threw it hard at the drone patrolling in the sky.

The bark was very light and thin, and it fell not far away, far from reaching the height of the drone.

Lin Xian looked at the piece of bark on the ground, originally twisted together, but now slowly unfolding and stretching out under the action of elasticity and toughness.

That stubborn and unyielding look was exactly like Li Ning Ning.

"Your idea is very good."

Lin Xian laughed softly.

"I like it very much."

"Thank you."

"Hey—!"

Da Lian Mao turned around, pointing at Lin Xian with a look of disdain.

"You kid! You've already fallen for her! I'm warning you, little brother! Ning Ning is only eighteen years old. Be careful!"

"Do you have to play this stale joke every day? Don't you ever get tired of it?" Lin Xian was really annoyed.

"What's wrong with me just talking to her? You guys are being too nosy!"

Er Zhu Zi straightened his back—

"Shut up." Lin Xian pointed at Er Zhu Zi, interrupting his incantation.

"Don't mention sister-in-law."

"Stop arguing!" Da Lian Mao waved his hand, his expression serious.

He stared at the two monitoring drones approaching, his broad back and round waist striking a horse stance.

"The monitoring blind spot is coming… Everyone, concentrate…"

"Get ready to move!"