Genius Club

Chapter 510: Fireworks and the Clock Tower

This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation

Lin Xian looked at CC without speaking.

Finally, he nodded.

“Alright then.”

He said no more, gently ruffled CC’s soft hair, and smiled. “Let’s go back to Brooklyn.”

Perhaps for CC, these past few days had brought changes too overwhelming to process or believe. Lin Xian understood this completely. When he first realized the dream world was a reflection of the real world 600 years into the future, he had felt the same resistance to accepting it.

Just days ago, CC had been a poor girl from Brooklyn, living on the streets with nothing. Even catching a whiff of a hot dog had seemed like an unattainable luxury. But now, she had lived in Manhattan’s tallest hotel, feasted on its finest cuisine, worn the most beautiful dresses, and attended its grandest balls.

Anyone experiencing such a drastic shift would feel disoriented, as if caught in a dream like Alice in Wonderland. Add to that the tense Cold War era, with the looming threat of nuclear war. The blinding light of hydrogen bomb tests and towering mushroom clouds brought CC’s thoughts back to harsh reality.

Lin Xian called for a large suitcase from the hotel staff. CC packed away all the clothes, jewelry, and other items she had bought during her time in Manhattan. She left no trace of her presence in that bustling and unfamiliar city.

Then, they returned.

This time, their journey over the Brooklyn Bridge was vastly different. On their way to Manhattan, they had ridden a motorcycle in the night breeze, CC’s white wedding dress billowing behind her. Now, they sat in a taxi, dressed impeccably in sophisticated attire.

The only imperfection was CC clutching Lin Xian’s sleeve. She didn’t let go until they were well past the bridge, as if finally relieved to leave Manhattan behind.

By three in the afternoon, they had checked into a small inn in Brooklyn Heights. The room wasn’t large—just a 20-square-meter twin-bed standard room with two single beds, a set of chairs and a table, and a black-and-white television. The conditions couldn’t compare to Manhattan, but in Brooklyn, it was among the better accommodations: clean and cozy.

CC loved the snug and homely environment. As soon as she entered, she flopped onto one of the beds with a cheerful laugh.

“See? I told you, small rooms like these feel cozier. Those huge rooms just make you feel insecure. As much as Manhattan is glamorous, I still prefer Brooklyn.”

Lin Xian smiled faintly and pushed her oversized suitcase into a corner before sitting on a chair. “Didn’t you say your life’s dream was to live in Manhattan? Giving up on that so soon?”

“It’s not really giving up...” CC hugged a pillow and sat up, looking at him. “Dreams are meant to be fulfilled, aren’t they? I’ve already been to Manhattan, stood on top of the Empire State Building—what’s left to regret?”

Lin Xian opened the silver briefcase he had taken from the gang. Inside were bundles of cash—thousands of crisp green bills, still untouched.

“Do you have anything else you want to do? Or anything you want?” he asked, gesturing to the money. “We’ve still got plenty to spend.”

“Do we have to spend it?” CC tilted her head, puzzled. “We could save it for later. Life’s still so long.”

“Uh...” Lin Xian hesitated.

“Life isn’t that long anymore.”

It was already November. Though no one knew exactly when CC’s 20th birthday was, it had to be soon—perhaps in a few days, tomorrow, or even today. Yet she showed no signs of transforming into the Millennial Stake.

But that transformation might happen in an instant. Her life was already counting down.

Lin Xian had traveled to 1952 for this purpose: to witness this chapter of history and use it as a clue to save the Millennial Stake. He couldn’t alter history. To ensure the kite string tethered to the timeline of 2234 remained intact, he could only watch as CC turned into blue star fragments, powerless to interfere.

It was the second time he’d face the tragedy of a Millennial Stake girl disappearing before his eyes. The guilt weighed on him, deeply and sincerely.

So, the only thing he could do was act like a genie, granting CC’s wishes and filling her final days with happiness and fulfillment.

“Don’t worry; we won’t run out,” Lin Xian said with a smile, patting the briefcase. “We’ve been living it up, and the money still hasn’t decreased. Whatever dreams, wishes, or regrets you have, tell me, and I’ll make them happen.”

CC smiled sweetly. “Thanks to you, I’m already so happy. I don’t feel like I have any regrets.”

“There’s no rush,” Lin Xian replied, leaning back in his chair. “We’ve got time. Surely your dreams and regrets aren’t limited to just visiting Manhattan?”

“Think of anything, big or small,” he added. “This money’s ill-gotten anyway—better to spend it than to let it sit around.”

CC seemed to waver, nodding slightly in agreement before closing her eyes in thought.

Despite the happiness overflowing in her heart, a small voice whispered—was there anything she still longed for? Anything she regretted?

As she drifted through her memories, an old wish surfaced, one buried so deep she had almost forgotten it herself.

“Fireworks,” CC murmured softly.

A faint smile curled her lips, her face lighting up with crescent-shaped eyes and charming dimples. “If I could really make a wish... I’d love to see fireworks, just for me.”

...

The next day, November 2, 1952.

Lin Xian rose early, preparing to visit the fireworks shop and finalize arrangements with the owner.

“CC, are you coming along?” he asked.

CC shook her head from the comfort of her bed. “I’ll skip it. I didn’t sleep well last night. I’ll wait for you here.”

“Alright,” Lin Xian nodded. “But don’t wander off, okay? Stay here.”

After giving his instructions, he left the hotel and headed to the shop. The fireworks store owner was as reliable as promised. He excitedly told Lin Xian that he had worked overnight to bring in ten truckloads of fireworks from Pennsylvania. His “devotees,” as he called them, were already standing by, ready to bombard Brooklyn with a grand display that very night.

“Where would be the best place to set off the fireworks?” Lin Xian asked.

The owner’s professional suggestion was immediate. “Brooklyn Heights Promenade is ideal. It’s an open area by the river with no tall buildings obstructing the view. It also has ample space for the setup. For watching, you could find a rooftop nearby.”

Lin Xian nodded thoughtfully. A rooftop nearby... What was Brooklyn’s tallest building in 1952? His knowledge sifted through, settling on a landmark: the Williamsburg Savings Bank Tower.

The building had etched itself in Lin Xian’s memory not from historical knowledge but from a popular animated film, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. A scene in the movie showed two Spider-Men hanging upside down on a clock tower overlooking Brooklyn’s skyline. That iconic clock tower was the Williamsburg Savings Bank.

Viewing the fireworks from that rooftop would be a perfect experience. But it was a bank—would they even allow anyone up there at night?

“Best to ask first,” Lin Xian thought.

By midday, Lin Xian decided to return to the hotel to fetch CC for the adventure. He took a cab back and opened the door to their room, only to feel a jolt of shock freeze him in place.

The room was empty.

CC was gone.

His entire body turned cold, as if plunged into an icy abyss. Could it be...?

“CC!” he called out desperately, racing to fling open the bathroom door. Empty.

“CC!!” He yelled again, rushing into the corridor.

Suddenly, a voice echoed from the stairwell. “Coming! I’m here, Lin Xian!” CC’s hurried footsteps thudded on the stairs as she emerged, panting slightly.

“I—I just couldn’t sit still anymore while waiting for you. So I went out to wander around nearby,” she explained, smiling sheepishly.

Lin Xian heaved a sigh of relief. “You scared me.”

“Why?” CC teased, grinning mischievously. “Afraid I got lost? Don’t worry, I’ve wandered Brooklyn for years. I’m not going anywhere.”

Lin Xian checked the clock on the wall. It was 11:28 a.m. He realized he had overreacted—there was no way CC would simply disappear at this hour.

“Let’s go. I’m taking you somewhere,” he said, leading her out.

After a short cab ride, the iconic clock tower of the Williamsburg Savings Bank came into view, its grandeur matching the scene from the movie. The building, also known as One Hanson Place, had been Brooklyn’s tallest structure before other skyscrapers rose.

To his delight, Lin Xian learned that the tower welcomed visitors, even at night. A security guard explained that the building housed various offices, not just the bank, so access was unrestricted. The guard even hinted that he would be on duty tonight. Lin Xian understood the implication and discreetly handed over a crisp Franklin bill to smooth things along.

“Come on, CC. Let’s go up,” Lin Xian said, leading her to the elevator.

At the top, they stepped onto the tower’s observation deck, greeted by a panoramic view of Brooklyn. Lin Xian leaned against the railing, pointing toward the Brooklyn Heights Promenade near the river.

“Tonight, when it’s dark, the fireworks will light up there. From here, it’ll be your own private, grand show,” he said, turning to CC.

But instead of rushing to the railing as he expected, CC stood still, her hands behind her back, staring at him quietly.

Lin Xian blinked, puzzled. “Why aren’t you coming over? The view is great.”

CC shook her head gently, her expression suddenly serious and tinged with guilt. “I’m sorry, Lin Xian.”

“Sorry?” Lin Xian was taken aback.

“There’s something I’ve been hiding from you.” CC’s voice was quiet but firm as she met his gaze.