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“These are the five scientists who will be out on the streets at exactly 12:42 AM tomorrow. To keep our operation under wraps and avoid tipping off the killer, we can only hit two locations at the same time. I’m against calling in extra officers from other departments,” he added, setting a tone of caution.

“We’ve had a lot of information come in today. It’s time to make a choice. Let’s vote on which scientist is most likely to be the target at 12:42 AM,” he proposed.

The room quickly reached a consensus; all fingers pointed to the scientists working on hibernation projects.

It was evident from Ji Lin’s insights and the common threads in Xu Yun and Tang Xin’s cases that the killers were targeting those researching hibernation.

Lin Xian confidently singled out one of the hibernation scientists. “I think targeting the two scientists at the airport is a stretch. Donghai City Airport is too busy, and with its internal roads sealed and a well-organized taxi area, staging a car accident there seems implausible.”

“Our main efforts and resources should focus on the two scientists attending the science banquet,” he suggested.

The team members nodded in agreement.

The team member leading the presentation manipulated his phone, removing the photos of the two scientists scheduled to arrive at the airport from the display.

Now, only the two hibernation scientists set to attend the academic banquet and Leon, the scientist studying room-temperature superconductors, remained on screen.

“I think we can rule out Leon,” the presenter suggested. “Firstly, he’s not a hibernation scientist. Secondly, he’s been to countless scientific events worldwide without incident. The likelihood of the killer choosing to strike him here in Donghai is slim. Plus, we’ve seen no scientists from other fields attacked. With our limited staff, let’s concentrate on the two hibernation scientists. Thoughts?”

“I agree,” Lin Xian was quick to raise his hand. “Leon doesn’t fit the victim profile based on Ji Lin’s analysis. He’s probably safe. We don’t need to include him in our watch.”

Meanwhile, in a traditional Japanese-style building in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan, Leon was snacking at a wooden table, chuckling. “So, all I need to do is play my part at tomorrow night’s banquet and be at the crosswalk at 12:42 AM?”

“Exactly,” Ji Lin confirmed with a smile. “Just make sure it’s believable. No real accidents, though.”

Ji Lin showed him a picture on a tablet. “This crosswalk behind the banquet hall is your mark. Make sure to check it out before the event.”

“The fourth white line from the south—that’s where you’ll stand at 12:42 AM, and don’t move. Gluttony will drive a taxi past that line, but as long as you stay put, you’ll be fine.”

“Convincing the disruptor of history requires a believable act, so stay on that line. Gluttony will swerve at the last second.”

“No worries!” Leon slapped his chest confidently. “My acting’s first-rate. After all, isn’t that how I got to where I am today?”

“Speaking of which, Ji Lin, I need to confirm something about the patent rights for the room-temperature superconductors. I’ve got offers from several big companies that are too good to turn down!”

“Pride didn’t put any restrictions on the manuscript, so I assume full control, right? You guys are my witnesses?”

Ji Lin grinned. “You’re free to manage any patents we issue however you like. Just don’t let Pride down.”

“Perfect! I’m all set for tomorrow night. Just a bit of acting, standing on that line—easy!” Leon stood, stretched, and made his way to the door. “Anything else? If not, I’m going to enjoy Japan a bit more before I head to Donghai for the meeting tomorrow.”

“You’re good to go,” Ji Lin responded.

Leon squeezed through the sliding door, his steps receding into the night accompanied by the sound of a starting engine.

“Classic Greed,” Zhou Duan Yun remarked with a chuckle. “He’s enjoying his last night of freedom. Tomorrow, he meets his fate.”

“Indeed, we need to make sure of it,” Ji Lin stated as he rose from the tatami mat. “To confirm Lin Xian’s ability to predict and influence historical events, Leon must die in that staged car accident at 12:42. It’s the only way to validate Lin Xian’s predictive powers.”

Back in the police department’s meeting room, the male team member directed everyone’s attention to a PowerPoint slide showing the division into two groups.

“Group A will cover Scientist A, and Group B will take Scientist B. We’ll establish hidden roadblocks both ahead and behind. Our main goal is to safeguard the scientists and capture the vehicle to stop the killer from escaping.”

“Why isn’t Lin Xian listed?” a female team member inquired.

“Lin Xian isn’t officially on our roster. He lacks law enforcement credentials and can’t be involved in field operations,” explained the presenter.

“Apologies, but I’ll be coordinating from the back,” Lin Xian added with a rueful smile. “I’m not trained for fieldwork, and being there might compromise our efforts or slow you down. I’ll manage the strategy from here. I’m confident we’ll make progress this time. Once we apprehend the killer, we can pursue and capture the whole network behind these crimes!”

….

“So, we just wait for the outcome?” Zhou Duan Yun asked, settling back with his tea in the wooden building.

“The Donghai police are concentrating on the hibernation scientists. If Lin Xian can foresee Greed’s demise, he’ll either try to prevent it or catch the killer in the act.”

“As long as he makes an appearance, for any reason, it proves he can foresee and alter the course of history,” Ji Lin concluded after a pause.

April 12th, 2 PM.

Ten hours before the Xu Yun Task Force’s operation.

Lin Xian drove his Ferrari to the Donghai University Affiliated Hospital. He picked up a small bouquet of lilies from the passenger seat and headed to the 17th floor.

He entered Xu Yi Yi’s hospital room, exchanged the wilted flowers in the vase for the fresh lilies, and placed them neatly on the table.

Approaching Xu Yi Yi’s bed, he saw the girl who had been in a coma for ten years. Her frail form bathed in sunlight appeared as pure and delicate as the lilies.

“Yi Yi, tonight everything comes to an end,” he whispered, mimicking Xu Yun’s tender manner as he tucked her in. Noticing the strong breeze, he partially closed the window.

“I promise to catch the person responsible for your father’s death,” Lin Xian vowed, his hand tightening around the bedrail. “I’ll bring them all to justice. None will escape.”

With a final glance at the peaceful Xu Yi Yi, he turned to leave—

“What the—?”

At the door, an unexpected figure appeared. He was a sturdy man with a face marred by scars but a gentle smile.

“Mr. Lin Xian, visiting Yi Yi again?” It was Zheng Cheng He, the elder brother of Zheng Xiang Yue, the girl in the neighboring room.

Lin Xian glanced outside where the sun was still high.

He faced Zheng Cheng He again. “Aren’t you supposed to be at work? Shouldn’t you be on the day shift?”

“Ah, the night shift driver ran into some trouble, so we swapped,” Zheng Cheng He explained, his smile deepening the scars on his right cheek. “I’m on the night shift today.”