Genius Club

This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation

[This side story is the second half of the June 17th update “The Girl Who Loves to Laugh.” If you haven’t read the first half, you can go back and check it out. It’s after Chapter 62 of Volume Five.]

Below is the main text.

“Yao Yao, stop it already.”

The boy with a bright, sunshine smile ruffled Du Yao’s hair, grinning.

“It’s not like I’m never coming back. Just think of it as me going off to volunteer, okay?”

“If you were actually going to volunteer, that would be fine! I’d even go with you!”

Du Yao felt like she was about to explode.

She glared at the boy standing in front of her, his broad build and crew-cut hair mocking her.

They had secretly been dating for three years in high school. Finally, they had graduated, and both of them had done well on the college entrance exams. They could choose universities in the same city and stay together, or so she thought.

But…

This idiot!

He signed up as a UN peacekeeping volunteer and was going to the most poverty-stricken, war-torn country in Africa for humanitarian aid!

It was absurd.

Completely insane!

“Are you such a big deal that there’s no room for you in X Country?” Du Yao snapped, her anger flaring. “If you want to do something good and help people, why do you have to go all the way to Africa? There are plenty of people in need in the mountains and poor areas right here! Why do you have to act like some big hero?”

“Don’t say it like that, Yao Yao.”

The boy smiled warmly. “There are people in need everywhere. I have friends who are teaching in remote villages, and my cousin is working in border areas… No matter where you do good, it’s worth praising. Why should we put limits on kindness?”

“When our country was in trouble, weren’t there international friends who came to help us, even at great risk? Bethune, Rosenfeld, Baillie—weren’t they all heroes we should respect and learn from?”

“You’re smart, Yao Yao. We can’t say it’s okay for others to help us when we’re in need, but now that we’re strong and peaceful, we refuse to help others. We can’t be harsh on others but lenient on ourselves.”

“Bang!”

Du Yao smacked his hand away. “Do you have to go? You’re only eighteen! Can you just do what you’re supposed to at this age? This isn’t what you should be doing right now!”

The boy laughed, cheerful and bright.

“Come on, Yao Yao. Don’t worry, when I get back, I’ll marry you.”

“Marry my foot!” Du Yao shouted. “Who the heck wants to marry an idiot like you?! You think I can’t find someone better? If you dare leave… I’ll leave too! I’ll go abroad and find a boyfriend a thousand times better than you!”

“And you’ll just have to watch me being all lovey-dovey with someone else while you rot in Africa!”

…

Sigh.

At Johns Hopkins University, in a lecture hall.

Du Yao watched Tang Xin refresh the group chat again and sighed.

“Give it a rest, will you? Even if you refresh it until the sky falls, no one is going to respond. Everyone’s busy with their own lives. University life is exciting. Who has time to get all nostalgic in the high school group chat?”

Tang Xin ignored her, clicking on Lin Xian’s profile picture. She wasn’t friends with him, so she couldn’t see his posts.

Tang Xin zoomed in on his profile picture. It was still the same anime character. He hadn’t changed it.

“This is so pathetic!” Du Yao was fed up. “If you can’t get over Lin Xian, then just add him and chat! Instead of obsessing over the empty group chat, checking if he’s updated his profile picture, and guessing how he feels… Come on, have some pride!”

Tang Xin smiled, smoothing Du Yao’s ruffled feathers. “Why are you getting so worked up? I’m looking at my chat, not yours… You’re way too excited.”

Du Yao huffed. “I just can’t stand how spineless you are! It’s embarrassing! You can’t even let go of something so small!”

“Not everyone is as carefree as you, Miss Big Shot.” Tang Xin retorted sarcastically, “Have you let go?”

“Of course I have.” Du Yao spread her hands. “Do you see me thinking about him?”

“Then why do you send him pictures every day?” Tang Xin shot back.

“To annoy him, duh!” Du Yao laughed, flipping her colorful braids. “Look at me—dyed hair, braids, big earrings, mini skirts, crop tops… All the flashy things he hates. I send him photos every day just to show off how free I am.”

“There he is, stuck in some remote place in Africa, and I love seeing him all mad.”

Du Yao pulled out her phone, scrolling through the chat history with her ex. “Look at this.”

Tang Xin glanced at the long conversation. “You two talk a lot.”

“Not a lot. It’s intense!” Du Yao corrected her. “Look at him, lecturing me all the time, saying I’ve changed. Who is he to lecture me?”

Tang Xin skimmed the messages, shaking her head and laughing. “You’re just pretending to be tough. You haven’t moved on.”

“Which eye of yours sees that?”

“If you really had moved on, you wouldn’t be messaging him every day.”

“I’m just doing it to make him angry!” Du Yao pounded on the table. “Why can’t you get that?!”

“And then?” Tang Xin blinked at her. “What’s your end game in making him angry?”

“Nothing!” Du Yao snapped, shoving her phone away. “Just to piss him off!”

…

“Thanks, Professor Xu Yun!” Tang Xin clasped her lab offer in both hands, beaming. “Professor Xu is the greatest person ever!”

Du Yao scoffed, looking at her friend’s delight. “It’s just that Professor Xu’s work on the hibernation fluid made your crappy research valuable. Why are you so pleased with yourself?”

“Haha, that’s why!” Tang Xin hugged Du Yao. “If Professor Xu hadn’t published that research just in time, my little research would have gotten me kicked out! Who would’ve thought I’d be working on Alzheimer’s medicine, and it ends up helping solve the biggest flaw in hibernation tech?”

“It’s all luck! I’m a lucky charm! Yao Yao, why don’t you come back with me? The lab in Donghai is amazing!”

Du Yao sighed. “Here comes the bragging. That’s Ji Xin Shui’s lab, you think anyone can just waltz in there? You got lucky, that’s all. Ji Xin Shui personally offered you a high salary. I’ve got no chance.”

“You never know!” Tang Xin grabbed Du Yao’s hand. “Your thesis was really forward-thinking. Our professor even said so! Maybe if I show it to Mr. Ji Xin Shui, he’ll hire you too!”

“No way.” Du Yao yawned, waving it off. “I made that thesis up in half a morning. If I had to explain it, I’d be screwed. Our professor’s just clueless, thinking I could do something worthwhile.”

“I’m not going back. I’ll stay here for grad school. When are you leaving, Xin Xin?”

“Around the New Year.” Tang Xin answered, “There’s still paperwork to do. I’ll head to Donghai after that.”

“Sigh.” Du Yao sighed again. “All of you, one by one… I’ll be left here by myself again.”

“Be brave, Xin Xin. Don’t become a doormat, running after Lin Xian.” Tang Xin laughed.

“Chase him? I don’t even know where he is now, what he’s doing… We haven’t talked for years.”

“Hey, don’t look so sad. I’ve got over a month left. Come on, let’s go eat! My treat!”

…

One night, just as she was sleeping soundly, Du Yao suddenly jolted awake, flailing around. She rushed to her laptop, frantically typing.

The noise woke Tang Xin up, and she groggily sat up. “Yao Yao… what happened?”

Du Yao’s face was pale, her eyes glued to the screen.

“What’s going on?”

Tang Xin came over, rubbing her eyes, seeing the news on the laptop:

“Conflict in South Sudan leaves hundreds of thousands displaced.”

“UN Peacekeeping Unit loses contact, condition unknown.”

“South Sudan’s chaos escalates.”

“Yao Yao!”

Tang Xin realized what was happening.

Du Yao, breathing shakily, picked up her phone…

She still messaged her ex every day, showing off her wild outfits and clubbing.

But…

For several days, he hadn’t replied.

Tang Xin knew that sometimes he went out of contact, but it was never more than a couple of days. When he got a signal again, he would message, continuing to lecture her.

But this time… it had been seven days.

Too long.

And paired with the shocking news…

“I’ll call my dad!”

Tang Xin grabbed her phone, dialing quickly. “He knows people, he can help.”

Du Yao buried her head in her hands. “No… He’s fine.”

She tried messaging him again, calling.

Again.

Again.

Again…

Over and over, out of sheer habit.

But no response.

Du Yao’s forehead was damp with sweat, her lips trembling, eyes wide in fear.

Suddenly!

Beep—the video call connected.

“Yao Yao, finally decided to call me?”

Tang Xin and Du Yao’s eyes widened. They rushed closer!

On the screen was the boy, his face smeared with dust under a steel helmet, grinning as he wiped his face.

“We finally got the kids to safety. The signal just came back—”

“Go to hell!!!”

Du Yao screamed, her voice so loud Tang Xin’s ears rang.

“Why don’t you just die!!”

Tears streamed down her face.

“You idiot!!!”

Beep.

She hung up and, in a swift move, blocked him. Then she sat there, fuming.

Tang Xin couldn’t help it—she burst into laughter, holding her stomach. “Hahahahaha…”

“What’re you laughing at?!” Du Yao lunged at her, covering her mouth.

“Hahaha…”

Tang Xin couldn’t stop, tears streaming from laughter.

Finally, she coughed, wiping her eyes. “Some people… They say they’re over it, but they folded the page.”

“Tang Xin! Who are you calling out?!”

“I didn’t say anything.” Tang Xin smiled, shrugging. “I’m just telling the truth. Didn’t you say you’re over it? So where did you put it?”

“You!”

Du Yao’s face flushed, trying to defend herself. “What about you? You’re no better! When you found out Lin Xian was going to the reunion, you rushed over!”

“And don’t think I don’t know—the box under your bed has that expired Alpine lollipop Lin Xian gave you. You still keep it and look at it all the time! Have you let it go? Huh?”

“I never said I did.” Tang Xin stood up. “Yao Yao, you’re arguing with thin air. You’re not making sense.”

“Shut up!” Du Yao fumed.

Tang Xin, teased for so long, finally found her chance to fight back. She wasn’t letting it go easily.

She cupped her hands, mimicking Du Yao’s angry tone: “You big… I-D-I-O-T~~!”

“Tang! Xin!!”

Du Yao pounced, grappling her in a scuffle.

%@&#*

%^$*

After a round of tussling…

They both lay on the floor, panting.

When their breathing steadied, Tang Xin turned to Du Yao, who covered her eyes. “There’s nothing wrong with not moving on.”

She blinked. “Liking someone isn’t anything to be ashamed of.”

“But he left me,” Du Yao sighed.

“Then go after him.”

Tang Xin spoke softly. “Love takes two people. If you’re both just waiting, being stubborn, won’t it just end without a word?”

“Why should I be the one?” Du Yao turned, staring at Tang Xin. “Why do I have to chase him? Why can’t he drop his ridiculous ideals to come back for me?”

“Do you need to count everything so clearly?” Tang Xin got up, setting a fallen chair back upright. “Love isn’t a turn-based game or a business deal. If you really like someone, why measure every move?”

“Look at me and Lin Xian. Should I expect him to still be thinking about me, looking at my profile, keeping up with everything I do… just to be fair?”

“If everything has to be fair and equal, then love doesn’t work. I think there’s no point in thinking so much, Yao Yao. Because…”

She scratched her short, messy hair, smiling sweetly. “Because…”

“It’s already lucky enough to meet someone who can walk into your life and make you like them for so many years.”

“A lot of people go their whole lives without finding someone they really like, someone they think about even years later. We’re already lucky, so why ask for more?”

Du Yao didn’t reply, sitting up, rubbing her arm. “Ugh.”

She turned away. “You’re just a theorist, Xin Xin. You talk a good game.”

She turned back, challenging Tang Xin. “Do you dare tell Lin Xian how you feel? Are you brave enough to confess? Want to bet?”

“I’m not betting that.” Tang Xin refused.

“Hah.”

Du Yao sneered. “You see? You don’t dare.”

“I’m not scared.” Tang Xin shook her head. “I won’t bet because… I like Lin Xian not because of some bet with you.”

“The same goes for confessing.”

Her gaze was serious. “If Lin Xian’s still single, and one day I decide to confess, it won’t be because of a bet… It’ll be because I genuinely like him.”

“But if you’re asking whether I’m scared…”

Tang Xin stood tall, looking down at Du Yao. “I’m not.”

She paused.

“What about you? Yao Yao, do you dare go to Africa for him?”

Truthfully, Tang Xin already knew the answer. It had been revealed in Du Yao’s tears and her cries just now.

Tang Xin understood Du Yao too well. She knew that her friend, strong and carefree on the outside, had a soft heart inside. And what Du Yao needed right now was…

Just an excuse to hide her true feelings.

A way out.

And if she gave her that, she would definitely take it.

Du Yao stood up, staring at Tang Xin. “Why wouldn’t I?”

She crossed her arms, laughing. “You’re brave. So am I!”

…

Baltimore International Airport, U.S.A.

A flight to the Capital City of X Country was boarding.

At the gate, Du Yao, who had taken off her earrings, dyed her hair black, and was wearing casual clothes, hugged Tang Xin.

“Stay in touch every day.”

“Of course.” Tang Xin patted Du Yao’s back. “And you, work hard to get that UN volunteer spot. Hope to hear good news soon.”

“Yeah, it’ll take a while.” Du Yao sighed. “The requirements are high—not just academically, but also physical fitness. But…”

She smiled, running her fingers through her hair. “I’ll do my best. If I make it, I’ll head straight to South Sudan to find him.”

“What about you? I want to hear good news from you too… When are you getting married?”

Tang Xin laughed, covering her mouth. “How much are you giving as a wedding gift? If it’s a lot, I might consider it sooner.”

“A coconut from Africa.”

“Then don’t come!”

“Heh, whether you like it or not, I’m coming!”

Du Yao gave Tang Xin a shove. “I’m waiting to be your bridesmaid and catch your bouquet!”

Ding-dong—

The final boarding call came over the speakers.

Tang Xin knew it was time.

She’d transfer at the Capital City airport, head to Hang City for the high school reunion, and then…

To Donghai City, to Ji Xin Shui’s research lab.

She’d already chatted with their class president, Gao Yang. Lin Xian was working at MX Company in Donghai. And he was single.

Maybe, the story would start there.

“I’m going, Yao Yao.” Tang Xin waved, her hand on her suitcase.

“We’ll both be happy!” Du Yao smiled back. “Go get ’em, Xin Xin… Good luck!”

…

Late February 2023, Donghai City. A fancy French restaurant.

Tang Xin placed her purse on the seat beside her, looking at Zhou Duan Yun, who sat across from her.

“Didn’t expect you to ask me out.”

“We’re classmates. Building connections.” Zhou Duan Yun called the waiter to bring the appetizers.

“You said you had something about Lin Xian to tell me?” Tang Xin eyed Zhou Duan Yun.

A few days ago, they had dinner—her, Zhou Duan Yun, Lin Xian, and Gao Yang.

At the end, when she was getting into a cab, Lin Xian had pulled her, almost into his arms. Her heart had skipped a beat, her face flushing.

Then that afternoon, Zhou Duan Yun texted her, inviting her for dinner.

She didn’t know him well. But he mentioned something important about Lin Xian. It piqued her curiosity.

So she had come.

“I have a plan. It’ll get Lin Xian for you, guaranteed… Interested?”

…

That night, she got home to find Du Yao online!

She quickly called her.

Du Yao had managed to become a volunteer, gone to South Sudan, reunited with her boyfriend, and they were both doing peacekeeping work.

Though separated for years, their feelings hadn’t changed. Tang Xin was genuinely happy for them.

But, things were often chaotic there, and contact was inconsistent.

It had been ten days without a word. Tang Xin had been really worried.

The call connected.

“Yao Yao!” Tang Xin let out a sigh of relief. “You had me worried sick.”

“Haha, things have been unstable here! Been really busy!” Du Yao, her face dusty, laughed, her teeth sparkling. “I’m becoming a rescue expert! But… it’s still tough. Seeing lives lost in the ruins, it’s heartbreaking.”

“I never realized how hellish life here is. Worse than I imagined—starvation, bombings, things you can’t even picture.”

“Anyway, enough of that. How about you? How’s it going with Lin Xian?”

Tang Xin grinned, shaking her head. “One of our old classmates, close to Lin Xian, offered to help me confess. He seems like a dating expert, planned out everything.”

“I told you, right? Thanks to Mr. Ji Xin Shui, I’m now in the Donghai Philharmonic, playing violin. But the VIP concert tickets are really hard to get. They’re for special guests only, not sold to the public. I searched high and low but couldn’t get one. But Zhou Duan Yun did, and said I should give it to Lin Xian.”

“He’s such a nice guy!” Du Yao laughed. “Helping you so much!”

“Not just that.” Tang Xin continued. “He analyzed Lin Xian too, saying the best way is to confess in a romantic setting, at the right time.”

“He suggested I get a small gift, something meaningful, and as a surprise, put it in his car before the concert. Then, after the performance, he’d drive to the concert hall, and I’d give Lin Xian the gift. It’d be perfect!”

Du Yao was genuinely rooting for Tang Xin. “So, what’s the gift? Not flowers, right? Guys might find that awkward.”

“What else would you give? A shaver? A belt? Not quite right either, for a confession,” Du Yao kept guessing.

Tang Xin, however, smiled confidently. “You remember, right? Lin Xian forgot about wrapping his uniform around me… I never told him about the lollipop either, because back then, we were just classmates. He didn’t remember, and I didn’t want to seem desperate.”

“But… I think he’ll remember if he sees the Alpine lollipop. Even if not, I can tell him. He should remember because our class president chased him for a long time since he spent his money on that lollipop.”

Du Yao laughed on the video call. “That wrinkled, expired lollipop? You still have that?! You used to take it out and look at it all the time in the U.S. Isn’t that kind of… shabby?”

Tang Xin shook her head, looking mischievous. “Nooo~ I know that lollipop looks terrible, so… I made a special gift!”

She bent down, pulling out a beautifully wrapped bouquet.

Wait?

No.

It wasn’t flowers. The wrapping was for flowers, with bright paper and ribbons. But in the middle where the flowers should be…

Was a bunch of colorful Alpine lollipops!

A candy bouquet!

“Wow!” Du Yao gasped. “Did you make this?”

“Yeah!” Tang Xin grinned. “I bought the wrapping from a florist and the lollipops from the store. Then I glued them one by one. It took a lot of work! To make it look good, I was super careful… and even made sure the colors went well together.”

“Isn’t it pretty? And look… the one in the middle…”

Tang Xin brought it closer to the camera. “See? The others are new, but the one in the middle is from fall 2017.”

“Even though it’s old and wrinkled, it means the most. I think Lin Xian will notice the detail. He’ll understand.”

“Not bad.” Du Yao gave her a thumbs up. “I’ll wait for your good news! When you come back… or if you don’t… you better tell me! I’m ready to be your bridesmaid!”

“Hehe, I will. I’m saving a spot for you!” Tang Xin smiled. “Okay, you should get some rest. You look tired.”

“Yeah, yeah. Goodnight, Xin Xin. Good luck!”

Beep—

The call ended.

Tang Xin looked at the candy bouquet on the table, smiling. She couldn’t help but imagine…

How Lin Xian might react.

Would he accept it?

Would he remember?

Would he… say yes?

“No worries.” Tang Xin whispered to herself, giving herself a pep talk.

“It’s better to try than to regret.”

She looked at the time. Still early enough.

Opening WeChat, she typed in a pinned conversation.

“Goodnight, Lin Xian.”

“See you tomorrow~”