Genius Club

This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation

“Alright, Douglas.”

Einstein shifted in his seat, his gaze lingering on the massive gorilla mask staring back at him. A trace of curiosity danced in his eyes as he continued, “I’m quite intrigued by your thoughts and would love to hear them. But… have you truly not considered removing that headpiece, at least for now?”

He hesitated, then added with a faint smile, “Don’t get me wrong; it’s not that I want to ruin your Halloween spirit. It’s just that this… well, this gorilla—it’s a bit unsettling, to put it lightly.”

Lin Xian, disguised as “Douglas,” remained composed and unmoved. Of course, he couldn’t take off the mask. If the man before him truly was the president of the Genius Club, revealing his face would expose his identity far too soon. For now, Einstein appeared unaware of who lay beneath the disguise, which was critical to maintaining the timeline’s stability. The moment Einstein would first meet the true ninth genius of Rhine University had to remain intact.

“I would also very much like to have this conversation face-to-face, Mr. Einstein,” Lin Xian replied, his voice muffled and hoarse from beneath the gorilla mask. His tone carried a touch of regret. “But I must apologize. This mask is rather difficult to put on—it required the skilled hands of a professional stylist. If I were to take it off now, I’d look rather foolish during the dance segment later.”

He paused, considering, then offered, “Perhaps, if it bothers you so much, I could change seats. If I sit beside you, you’d only catch my profile, sparing yourself the sight of this gorilla’s maw.”

Einstein blinked, clearly caught off guard. This young man—Douglas—certainly had a peculiar way of thinking.

“Alright,” he said at last, sliding to the side and vacating the adjacent seat.

“Thank you,” Lin Xian said, standing and moving to sit beside Einstein, taking the vacated chair.

Now the two no longer faced each other directly. Their proximity seemed to close a gap—not just physical but emotional, creating a sense of newfound camaraderie.

“Mr. Einstein, I must confess, our perspectives could not be more different.” Lin Xian’s voice was quieter now, thoughtful. “In my view, you are not a villain of history. On the contrary, you are closer to a savior—one who brought lasting peace.”

Einstein’s lips curled into a faint, mirthless smile. “Douglas,” he said softly, “what could possibly make you harbor such an absurd notion? You must know that both America and the Soviet Union already possess atomic bombs. The principles behind them are not difficult to grasp. Within a few decades, many nations will likely have them.”

He sighed, his voice tinged with despair. “Pandora’s box is open. Humanity now wields a power it cannot control. No matter where the first bomb falls, the result will be the same—tens of thousands dead, a city obliterated. To call me a savior in this context… it’s the cruelest irony.”

But Lin Xian merely shook his head, his composure unbroken. “Mr. Einstein, with all due respect, I believe your line of reasoning is flawed. Your brilliance in physics is unparalleled, but the dynamics of international relations and the balance of power among nations… These are no less intricate than the theory of relativity itself.”

He leaned forward, his tone deliberate. “There is a concept I’d like to introduce to you. Let’s see if you can grasp it.”

Einstein frowned, studying the gorilla mask’s profile. “And what concept might that be?”

Lin Xian’s voice was steady, each word carefully enunciated. “Nuclear deterrence.”

Einstein echoed the term, his brow furrowing deeply. “Nuclear deterrence?”

The words hung in the air, and he fell into a pensive silence. Lin Xian, respecting the moment, refrained from interrupting, though inwardly he reassured himself by checking the “kite string” sensation at the back of his mind. It was still taut and unwavering—a good sign. The worldline remained stable, its trajectory unaltered.

As he’d anticipated, this era—1952—was still firmly set within the 0.0001764 timeline. Sharing the concept of nuclear deterrence with Einstein carried no risk of destabilizing history, as its official introduction would come a year later, in late 1953, under President Eisenhower’s administration.

The essence of nuclear deterrence lay in leveraging overwhelming nuclear power to threaten complete retaliation, thereby discouraging any adversary from initiating conflict. While the term had yet to enter the public lexicon, its shadow already loomed over geopolitics, hidden but present.

Lin Xian’s motives were twofold. He aimed to gauge Einstein’s response and, in doing so, determine whether he was merely the historical figure he claimed to be—or something more, such as the enigmatic Genius Club president. If Einstein could be swayed by the logic of nuclear deterrence, it would suggest he wasn’t the president, as the latter maintained a grim outlook on humanity’s future even in the 21st century, where nuclear peace prevailed. Conversely, should Einstein remain unconvinced, it might point to deeper secrets.

Leaning back in his chair, Lin Xian crossed his arms and spoke again. “Surely, Mr. Einstein, someone as astute as you can foresee the profound impact nuclear deterrence will have on the global order.”

“We have every reason to believe,” Lin Xian began, his voice calm yet assertive, “that in the coming decades, all developed nations will possess nuclear weapons. With such power, they will hold dominance over the world. To maintain their status and ensure their rights aren’t usurped, these great powers will naturally seek to limit the proliferation of nuclear weapons, preventing other nations from acquiring them.”

Einstein lifted his head, his expression thoughtful but skeptical.

“Your reasoning,” he said slowly, “is not entirely unrealistic. While your theory has some feasibility—the principles behind the atomic bomb are indeed not complex—the actual construction of one is an incredibly challenging endeavor. It requires a vast number of advanced centrifuges and an abundance of uranium ore.”

He paused, his tone becoming more reflective. “Yes, building a nuclear reactor is relatively straightforward, but producing uranium of the necessary purity and achieving the intricate processes involved in crafting a bomb are hurdles far beyond the reach of smaller nations. Yet the issue remains that conflicts between such minor states rarely escalate into global wars. For a true world war to occur, the nuclear powers themselves must be involved. And therein lies the dilemma—how can we constrain these great powers from using nuclear weapons?”

Lin Xian smiled faintly, a knowing glint in his eye. “That, Mr. Einstein, is where nuclear deterrence comes into play.”

He leaned forward slightly, his tone measured and persuasive. “The concept is straightforward: as long as a robust plan for nuclear retaliation exists, any country that launches a nuclear strike will face certain annihilation. The moment a single bomb is dropped, the opposing side’s missiles would devastate their capital, ensuring mutual destruction.”

“Of course,” he continued, “this carries the undeniable risk of a nuclear chain reaction—a domino effect where nuclear bombs rain down across the globe. Even if humanity avoids extinction, civilization would be grievously wounded. No nation, not even the United States or the Soviet Union, could emerge unscathed.”

Einstein looked up sharply. “And this… catastrophic outcome is a good thing?”

“Precisely,” Lin Xian said, spreading his hands in a gesture of explanation. “Because the consequences are so dire—so utterly unbearable—every nation, even superpowers like the U.S. and the U.S.S.R., must act with extreme caution. With nuclear deterrence established, everyone understands that the first bomb will inevitably trigger hundreds, even thousands more.”

He chuckled softly. “In such a scenario, what foolish country would dare to tear up the unspoken rules and initiate a nuclear strike?”

“Think back to the First and Second World Wars, Mr. Einstein,” Lin Xian pressed. “Why were great powers willing to join those conflicts? It was because there were no weapons of mass destruction. Strong nations could suppress and occupy weaker ones without suffering damage on their home soil, reaping the spoils of war.”

“Now,” he added, “the existence of such weapons changes everything. No matter how powerful a country may be, it must consider whether its homeland could withstand nuclear retaliation. You know as well as I do that with advancements in rocket technology, defending against nuclear missiles will only grow more challenging. Even intercepting them wouldn’t fully mitigate the damage, given the sheer destructive power of airburst detonations.”

Lin Xian cleared his throat, his voice momentarily raspy. “In summary, Mr. Einstein, without your mass-energy equivalence formula and the invention of the atomic bomb, war remains a low-cost endeavor for the major powers. But with the advent of nuclear weapons, deterrence, and the risk of nuclear chain reactions, global wars become a perilous gamble—one so risky that it fosters caution, perhaps even makes war impossible.”

He smirked. “Unless, of course, the great powers make an absurd pledge to never use nuclear weapons against each other. But we both know no country would dare make such a promise.”

“On the contrary,” Lin Xian continued, “these nations will find every excuse to justify the use of nuclear weapons, such as retaliating against attacks on aircraft carriers or critical infrastructure like dams.”

Einstein rested his chin in his hand, nodding thoughtfully. “You’re right. Once a nation possesses nuclear weapons, it won’t hide them. It will broadcast its power, ensuring others know it isn’t to be trifled with. The threat of mutual destruction ensures restraint.”

“Exactly,” Lin Xian said, catching the slight change in Einstein’s tone.

“So, Mr. Einstein, let’s revisit my earlier statement. Do you still think I was mocking you?”

He leaned in slightly, his voice carrying a quiet conviction. “Believe me, your mass-energy equivalence formula has paved the way for an era of unprecedented peace. You are not humanity’s villain—you are its savior.”

As Lin Xian’s words settled in the air, the ballroom lighting dimmed. Laser beams swept across the hall as eerie yet upbeat music filled the space. Cheers erupted as costumed figures flooded the dance floor, swaying to the rhythm.

Einstein’s somber demeanor softened, a rare smile tugging at his lips. Shaking his head, he let out a small laugh.

“Thank you, Douglas. Meeting you has been an unexpected delight.”

He leaned back in his chair, his gaze contemplative yet relaxed. “While I’m not convinced the future will unfold exactly as you predict, I must admit… I can’t find any flaws in your reasoning.”

“Nuclear deterrence, the chain reaction, the restraint it imposes on powerful nations… Yes, these are intriguing theories—worthy of deep reflection.”

“Whatever the case, thank you, Douglas.” Einstein stood up with an air of formality, extending his right hand toward Lin Xian.

“Thanks to our conversation, my mood has improved significantly,” he said with a warm smile. “For the first time in a long while, I feel a sliver of optimism for humanity’s future.”

He chuckled softly, his eyes glinting with genuine amusement. “Hearing you call me a savior, and your belief that my mass-energy equivalence formula will usher in prolonged peace… Haha, I must admit, those words do bring a sense of comfort and relief.”

Lin Xian rose to his feet, firmly shaking Einstein’s hand. “The honor is mine, Mr. Einstein. I’m glad I could lift your spirits.”

“Ahahahahaha!”

A loud, familiar laugh shattered the moment. Both men turned to see a flamboyantly dressed figure bursting onto the scene, his entire outfit coated in a kaleidoscope of colors and chalk dust. It was none other than Henry Dawson, striding toward them with boundless energy.

Without hesitation, Henry grabbed Einstein’s arm, tugging him toward the dance floor. “What are you waiting for, buddy? The party’s started—let’s dance!”

“Wait a moment,” Einstein said, shaking off Henry’s grip with a hint of exasperation. He turned back to Lin Xian, his expression softening into a smile.

“Douglas, I wish we could talk more. I truly enjoy your insights and our discussions,” he said sincerely. “But as you can see, the Halloween party is in full swing, and I wouldn’t want to spoil the fun. If you don’t mind, could we arrange to meet again? Perhaps in a quieter setting, where we can have a proper conversation?”

He paused, his tone almost pleading. “I hope you won’t refuse. There’s so much more I want to hear your perspective on.”

Lin Xian nodded without hesitation. “Of course, Mr. Einstein. I’d be delighted.”

This opportunity was beyond what Lin Xian had hoped for. Tonight’s conversation had already been a significant success, but the prospect of a private meeting was an even greater breakthrough. Einstein had questions for him, and Lin Xian had plenty he wished to confirm with Einstein as well.

The only lingering concern was how to disguise his appearance and voice in their next meeting. For now, though, that would have to be a problem for later.

Einstein retrieved a pen from his pocket and tore a strip from a newspaper on the table. Scribbling quickly, he folded the paper and handed it to Lin Xian.

“This is the address of a farm I own in the western outskirts of Brooklyn. It’s a bit remote, but it’s quiet, which I think will suit our discussion. I’ll be there on November 5th, from morning until evening. I look forward to seeing you again, Douglas.”

Lin Xian accepted the slip of paper, tucking it away carefully. “Likewise, Mr. Einstein. I’ll be there.”

Henry Dawson, watching the exchange, blinked in confusion. He glanced between Lin Xian and Einstein, clearly baffled by the camaraderie between the two. Pointing at Lin Xian, he asked Einstein, “Who’s this guy?”

Einstein smiled faintly. “A young university student with remarkable insights on international affairs.”

“Wow! If he’s impressed you, he must be something special!” Henry exclaimed, turning to Lin Xian with a playful wave. “Hey there, King Kong!”

Lin Xian returned the wave with a smirk. “Hello, Rainbow Pony.”

Henry burst into another fit of raucous laughter. “I like this guy!” He suddenly lunged forward, wrapping Lin Xian in a bear hug. His vibrant, chalk-dusted hair left a trail of rainbow smudges on Lin Xian’s black coat.

“Here, have a rainbow!” Henry declared gleefully before dragging Einstein toward the dance floor at lightning speed.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Lin Xian could only watch as the chaotic duo disappeared into the crowd, leaving him to brush the chalk dust off his coat with a resigned sigh.

Unfolding the slip of paper Einstein had given him, Lin Xian read the address carefully. His eyes widened slightly, and he let out a sharp breath.

“Brooklyn’s western outskirts…” he murmured. “This is familiar.”

The location was close—very close—to the orphanage where CC resided. Suddenly, a thought struck him: the sightings of Einstein walking near the orphanage that CC and the others had mentioned… Was this farm his destination all along?

Could this be Einstein’s “base of operations”?

And if so, what secrets might that farm hold?

Lin Xian’s thoughts raced as he stared at the address, the quiet hum of the party fading into the background.