Things out of the ordinary must be a sign.

Since the end of last year, Lin Xian didn't think he had a single day of peace.

Either he was entangled in mysteries, or he was targeted by the Seven Deadly Sins, playing a game of hide-and-seek.

Even in the recent period when there was no immediate danger, he was startled by Kevin Walker.

But these past few months...

It's been too quiet, right?

He bent down and picked up the Rhyne cat that had fallen on the ground.

This is the current cash cow of Rhyne Corporation.

It must be treated well.

Lin Xian brushed off the dust from the cute Rhyne cat doll and placed it back on the desk.

There, neatly arranged, was a row of Rhyne cat dolls in various shapes, expressions, and outfits, all of which were currently best-selling models. Even with the doll factory operating at full capacity day and night, the global demand still exceeded supply.

From this perspective, the cat's ability to remain popular for 600 years is indeed something special.

No matter how the future world changes dramatically.

Our Rhyne cat remains unchanged, dominating throughout the ages.

After placing the Rhyne cat.

Lin Xian bent down again.

Picking up the water pen he had just flung away.

Then, he held it between his fingers, continuing to think with his left hand propping up his chin and his right hand skillfully twirling the pen.

He couldn't quite figure it out.

Now that it has been confirmed that the mysterious old man in the Fourth Dream Realm is Kevin Walker, and that the young version of Kevin Walker roughly targeted him in 2023...

What has he been doing during this time?

He had been in a state of constant vigilance and preparedness.

On one hand, he had VV constantly learning, iterating, and evolving; on the other hand, at the Guizhou Tianyan, Liu Feng was also searching for traces of space-time particles at full power, around the clock.

This calm life these past few months.

Lin Xian was waiting for VV and Liu Feng to make breakthroughs, so what was Kevin Walker waiting for?

How could he have disappeared completely?

There hasn't been any activity at all.

It can't possibly be as VV guessed...

That this genius hacker teenager simply invaded his Bluetooth to show off his skills and act cool, just to say "I see you," right?

Lin Xian never believed that things would be so simple.

Especially now that it's confirmed that the mysterious old man is Kevin Walker, Lin Xian doesn't believe that this man, recognized as the world's strongest hacker, the earth's most talented teenager, and a highly oppressive manipulator... has no other purpose.

There must be some major event coming up.

Now, Lin Xian had a strange feeling.

It was as if...

Everyone was waiting for something to happen.

Everything was waiting for a certain time to arrive.

"What exactly..."

The water pen in Lin Xian's hand spun rapidly:

"Are we waiting for?"

...

Inner Mongolia, Alxa Airport.

A white spaceplane descended diagonally, glided for a while, and then came to a smooth stop on the runway at Alxa Airport.

Countless staff and specialized vehicles immediately moved forward to prepare. Once everything was ready, the spaceplane's hatch opened, and several astronauts in full spacesuits emerged from the cabin, got into another ambulance, and underwent various checks.

"Truly a perfect maiden flight test."

In the tower.

Huang Que, wearing a brown coat and sunglasses, stood with her hands in her pockets, saying to the officer in uniform next to her:

"This spaceplane performed a six-day experimental mission in near-Earth orbit, and all the test data is excellent. Congratulations, Officer Zhang."

Beside her.

The burly Officer Zhang took off his black goggles and smiled:

"Ms. Huang Que, thank you for your congratulations. This is also thanks to you. We all know this very well. Actually... when you initially requested to borrow the spaceplane from us, we thought you would have this spaceplane tested early. But unexpectedly, until now, your plan hasn't even started. So... we followed the original plan and had the spaceplane conduct its maiden flight test six days ago."

"But this isn't a bad thing for you either."

Officer Zhang turned his head, looking at the mysterious woman before him:

"At least through this perfect test flight, it proves that this spaceplane has no problems in terms of performance or safety. When you use it in the future, you'll feel more at ease. But now, with intelligence and automation becoming more advanced, and computer technology becoming more developed, except in emergencies... there's generally no need to switch to manual operation mode. Automatic mode alone is sufficient to handle various situations and perform various tasks."

"Rest assured, Ms. Huang Que, the country will never break its promises. Since we promised to lend you the spaceplane once, that promise will always be valid. You can fulfill it whenever you want, and we will never refuse."

Hearing this, Huang Que also took off her black sunglasses.

Her crystalline blue eyes flowed like colored sand, sparkling, shining, and profound.

She looked straight ahead, watching the spaceplane being towed by the tractor:

"Then thank you, Officer Zhang. I'm honored to be trusted so much by you."

Officer Zhang chuckled and nodded:

"Likewise, likewise. It's all as it should be. You've also been a great help to us, and we're all looking forward to even broader cooperation in the future."

"Speaking of which, I'm personally a bit curious. Since we parted ways in the capital that day, you've spent most of your time at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center... rarely going out, rarely leaving. Of course, I don't mean to rush you in any way, but I'm just curious to ask, when do you plan to use this spaceplane?"

"You clearly planned this out so early, and even reserved the right to use this spaceplane with us half a year ago, but until this spaceplane had its maiden flight as planned, you haven't made any moves... Is there a problem? If there's anything we can help with, and if I can be of assistance, please don't hesitate to ask us at any time."

Hearing this, Huang Que sighed softly:

"I can't help it, Officer Zhang. I also want to implement my plan as soon as possible."

"It's just a pity..."

She turned around, facing the vast road outside the launch center, the only one leading to this place:

"The person I'm waiting for hasn't arrived yet."

Officer Zhang was thoughtful, but ultimately didn't ask further. He simply chuckled:

"Being late isn't a good sign, especially when a lady is kept waiting for so long."

"It's okay." Huang Que tucked the stray hair that had blown onto her cheek behind her ear:

"Better late than never."

After a few seconds, she smiled and lowered her head:

"Anyway... I'm used to waiting for him."

...

Whoosh.

Rhyne Corporation Building, Lin Xian's office.

Zhao Yingjun placed two invitation letters on the desk:

"Chu Shanhe is holding the *Science Charity Gala* the day after tomorrow. You attended it last year as well, but this year the timing is a bit later. Usually, it's held at the end of the year. This time, Chu Shanhe said that an overseas philanthropist is very supportive of the scientific development of Dragon Country and Donghai City, and wants to attend this *Science Charity Gala* as well. So, after coordination, Chu Shanhe moved this year's charity gala to after New Year's Day; it's already mid-January."

Lin Xian nodded, picking up the invitation letter with his name on it.

Chu Shanhe had written his name on it in his own hand.

Nowadays, he can be considered a prominent figure in Donghai City, not only having won the honorary titles of Courageous Youth and Top Ten Citizens; but also having joined the Donghai Chamber of Commerce, chaired by Chu Shanhe, and becoming a formal member. Therefore... looking at this invitation letter specifically issued to him, and rightfully so, he couldn't help but feel emotional and a little wistful.

Last year's *Science Charity Gala* was the first time in his life that he had attended such a high-society gala.

He was restrained, stiff, and a bit out of place.

And at that time, he didn't even have the qualifications to obtain an invitation letter. He was completely taking advantage of Zhao Yingjun's status, being brought along to freeload.

In the huge venue, no one knew him, no one spoke to him. He was just a small nobody, a small sesame seed, a tool standing behind Zhao Yingjun to fend off dance invitations for her.

But now.

A year has passed.

Things have changed, and times are different.

His life has undergone tremendous changes, with good things and bad things, gains and losses.

Half a month ago.

January 1, 2024.

New Year's Day.

He went to the cemetery, to Professor Xu Yun's tombstone, bringing a bottle of wine, a bouquet of flowers, to commemorate this deceased person, teacher, and friend.

New Year's Day was Xu Yun's death anniversary.

He hadn't forgotten.

On Professor Xu Yun's tombstone was engraved a photograph of Xu Yun laughing heartily in his youth. For a moment, it was as if it were yesterday, as if Lin Xian saw the scene of him and Ji Xinshui, master and disciple, laughing together on that doctoral graduation commemorative photo album.

He told Xu Yun in front of the tombstone that Xu Yiyi's condition was good and there was nothing to worry about; he and Zhao Yingjun would arrange for Xu Yiyi to be well taken care of, and that there would be dedicated nurses to give her rehabilitation exercises, bathe her, sunbathe her, change her clothes, and so on.

Zheng Xiangyue, from the neighboring ward, had also moved into Xu Yiyi's ward, and the two sympathetic little girls could be considered to have someone to support each other.

"Professor Xu, your previous prediction was correct. Humanity's potential is inherently limitless. It's only been a year, and the human body testing experiment for the hibernation pod has been completed. Except for amnesia, most other side effects have been overcome. It's expected that the first batch of hibernation pod reservations will be open within this year. I've also spoken to Dean Gao Yan of the Dragon Academy of Sciences, and he'll reserve a spot for Xu Yiyi. At that time, Xu Yiyi will be safely sent into the hibernation pod."

"In this world, Xu Yiyi doesn't have many happy memories, so... I think it's okay to forget, to forget everything completely. For Xu Yiyi, who will successfully awaken and start a new life in the future, it's not necessarily a bad thing."

"If I'm still alive at that time, I'll help you take care of Xu Yiyi, who will awaken and have her vegetative state cured. As for whether Xu Yiyi calls me brother, uncle, grandpa, or burns incense for me... that depends on my luck."

Swish, swish.

Lin Xian squatted down, pouring the bottle of white wine onto the gravel in front of Xu Yun's tombstone.

He knew that Professor Xu Yun often liked to drink a little wine when he was alive.

Regardless of whether he really liked to drink, or was drowning his sorrows, in any case, he often drank.

Glug, glug...

In the tilted bottle, huge bubbles rose one by one, causing the white wine in the bottle to roll up and down, and the liquid level gradually decreased.

Finally.

When only the last mouthful remained, Lin Xian stood the bottle upright and raised it towards Xu Yun's tombstone:

"Cheers, Professor Xu."

He tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.

He screwed the bottle cap on tightly and placed it beside the tombstone:

"I hope that when I come to see you again next year... I can give you, Tang Xin, and those who bled for all of this when they shouldn't have, a real explanation."

Straightening up.

A gust of cold wind blew past, and the tombstones standing in the cemetery seemed to be telling of the departure and forgetting of life.

Lin Xian huffed out a breath.

Exhaling a cloud of faint white mist.

There was no snow in Donghai this year, but it was still cold.

...

Office, coming back to his senses.

Lin Xian realized that Zhao Yingjun, who was wearing a white cotton coat today, was looking at him with interest, her silver earrings glittering in her ears:

"Do you have a feeling that things are different now, that time flies?"

"You could tell?" Lin Xian chuckled drily, putting down the invitation letter in his hand:

"Speaking of which, I still have to thank you for giving me such an expensive suit back when I was nothing and had no ability."

Zhao Yingjun smiled:

"Now you can buy an even more expensive and better-fitting one, or even have an international master tailor one for you. Last year, because the gala was in the evening, there wasn't enough time to have one made, so you wore a ready-made version that was simply modified, so the fit may not have been so close to the body."

"There's no need for that." Lin Xian replied: "I still like that one a lot."

"Don't worry."

He looked up at Zhao Yingjun:

"I'll tie my tie tighter this time. I'll put on my armor and take my sword."

Pfft—

Zhao Yingjun rarely laughed out loud, covering half of her face with her delicate white hand, trying not to laugh:

"You still remember."

"Of course."

Lin Xian looked at Zhao Yingjun's invitation letter on the desk:

"Aren't you going to take yours?"

"Let's go together that day." Zhao Yingjun pointed to the calendar:

"The Rhyne Corporation and MX Corporation are having their annual summary meeting together the day after tomorrow. You always have to attend that, right? All of our vice presidents are coming too. Brother Wang said you should come as well."

Lin Xian nodded:

"Brother Wang told me, I definitely have to go to that meeting. It's just..."

He looked at Zhao Yingjun:

"It's just that after the Rhyne Corporation and MX Corporation's annual summary meeting, Brother Wang also arranged for me to hold a spirit-conveying meeting for the middle-level executives of the Rhyne Corporation, to briefly say a few points about the new year's plans and requirements. I'm afraid it'll take up some time before I can go to the *Science Charity Gala*."

"It's okay."

Zhao Yingjun habitually hooked the stray hair on her cheek behind her ear, smiling at Lin Xian:

"I'll wait for you."