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“You monster!” the officer shouted, her voice filled with disgust as she clenched her fists. “If what you’ve said is true, you deserve to be executed many times over!”

“That would be perfect,” Ji Xin Shui said, closing his eyes and imagining his acceptance into the prestigious Genius Club.

The other officer struggled to control his anger. He couldn’t stand how these criminals, who had no regard for human life, remained so arrogant even when facing their potential end.

“Ji Xin Shui,” he continued, his voice tight with frustration, “you’ve claimed that your group, the Seven Deadly Sins, which includes you and six others, committed all these crimes. You’ve spoken for the first five members. What about the last two, Ji Lin and Angelica? We need their confessions as well.”

Ji Xin Shui shook his head, his eyes still closed. “Ji Lin and Angelica are my adopted children. They’re innocent. No matter how many times you ask, my answer won’t change.”

“I’ve confessed enough to be sentenced to death. Let’s move on to the trial and execution,” he said, cutting off any further questions.

In his mind, Ji Xin Shui saw himself stepping into a new life, free from all earthly ties…

For the all-powerful Genius Club, swapping the drugs for a lethal injection, forging a death certificate, and sneaking out his “body” would be simple tasks. Their influence was far-reaching, beyond ordinary means.

Soon, he would unlock the deep secrets of the world, the mysteries of time and space, and the inner workings of the Genius Club…

In the Surveillance Room

Lin Xian, Chu Shan He, and Officer Liu were listening intently to the interrogation through their headsets. Lin Xian had a notebook in front of him filled with details about the Seven Deadly Sins:

Pride: Ji Xin Shui, arrested, facing the death penalty.

Envy: Zhou Duan Yun, whereabouts unknown, no recent activity.

Wrath: Zheng Cheng He, deceased.

Sloth: Ji Lin, arrested, no conclusive proof.

Greed: Academician Leon, deceased.

Gluttony: Sergeant Sam, deceased.

Lust: Angelica, a famous actress from Hollywood, no criminal record.

Ji Xin Shui had admitted to numerous crimes, from international assassinations to local cases involving people like Xu Yun and Tang Xin, mostly carried out by Sergeant Sam under orders from Ji Xin Shui and Zhou Duan Yun. He saw Zheng Cheng He as a faithful follower but was let down by his failure on an early mission.

“He could never really excel,” Ji Xin Shui had said dismissively.

The investigation into Zheng Cheng He’s parents’ deaths had confirmed Lin Xian’s suspicions about Ji Xin Shui’s widespread influence. Additionally, Ji Xin Shui’s foundation had paid for medical expenses for Zheng Cheng He’s sister, Zheng Xiang Yue.

For Zheng Cheng He, his sister was everything, which made him indebted to Ji Xin Shui. However, it seemed he had underestimated his own sense of right and wrong.

Good actions lead to more good; evil leads to more evil. Zheng Cheng He often talked about kindness to his sister, perhaps cleansing his own soul, darkened by rage and despair, through acts of goodness shown by people like Xu Yun and Lin Xian…

Even Lin Xian was puzzled by Zheng Cheng He’s last action—swerving at the last second, possibly spurred by Ji Lin’s voice or his own conscience, avoiding harming the person he was supposed to kill: himself.

The reasons behind it remained unclear.

With Ji Xin Shui’s trial almost set, Lin Xian directed Officer Liu and Chu Shan He to keep Ji Xin Shui isolated to prevent any outside communication that might disrupt their case.

Now, they faced two main issues.

Lin Xian focused on the name Ji Lin on his list.

Ji Lin had been careful, leaving no trace behind. Even Lin Xian’s attempts to trap him had failed. Despite Ji Xin Shui’s incriminating confessions, he continued to defend Ji Lin and Angelica’s innocence.

Soon, Ji Lin’s 24-hour detention would end. Without solid evidence, they would have to let him go.

Was Ji Lin really innocent, or had he just managed to avoid detection? Lin Xian had doubts but no proof to connect him to the deaths of Xu Yun and Tang Xin.

That was the main problem. The second involved Zhou Duan Yun.

Lin Xian circled Zhou Duan Yun’s name with a red pen.

“Zhou Duan Yun,” he murmured, his thoughts racing.

Unlike Ji Lin, Zhou Duan Yun’s crimes were clear, backed by Ji Xin Shui’s confessions and Lin Xian’s own observations of his role in Tang Xin’s murder. This needed to be resolved.

Moreover, Zhou Duan Yun’s freedom was a direct threat to Lin Xian’s safety, particularly with Liu Feng coming to Donghai soon to collaborate on their projects about universal constants and the Genius Club. It was crucial to remove Zhou Duan Yun to ensure Lin Xian’s safety and maintain focus on gaining power.

The inner workings of the Genius Club also required attention, but with Yellow Finch involved and no immediate threats, Lin Xian believed there were still secrets to uncover—matters for later.

For now, the priorities were clear: resolve the situations with Ji Lin and Zhou Duan Yun.

Lin Xian took off his headset, his eyes fixed on the monitor showing Ji Lin sitting calmly in the interrogation room. The clock showed: May 4, 10:30 PM.

Only three hours left until Ji Lin could be released.

They needed a plan.

Ji Lin was proving to be more challenging than Ji Xin Shui, whose pride had led to his capture. Theologically speaking, pride is the deadliest sin, and Ji Xin Shui embodied it completely.

An approach that played on Ji Xin Shui’s ego wouldn’t work on Ji Lin, who was too practical for such mistakes. Similarly, Zhou Duan Yun’s motivations—money, fame, status—kept him grounded in reality.

Only someone as disillusioned as Ji Xin Shui, obsessed with the elusive promises of the Genius Club, could fall for such a scheme.

So, what to do about Ji Lin?

After a moment, Lin Xian turned to Officer Liu.

“When we release Ji Xin Shui’s confession tomorrow, can we leave out Zhou Duan Yun’s name?” he asked strategically.

Officer Liu was surprised. “Lin Xian… Lin Xian, are you sure? Zhou Duan Yun has done terrible things. I was planning to declare him a global fugitive. Erasing his record doesn’t seem right.”

Lin Xian shook his head calmly. “Just temporarily. I have a plan that might lure him out.”

He gave a knowing smile. “I won’t lie; Zhou Duan Yun and I went to high school together. I know him well. I need your cooperation.”

Officer Liu and Chu Shan He looked at each other, their experience with Lin Xian’s clever strategies giving them some reassurance.

“No problem, Lin Xian,” Officer Liu agreed confidently. “I trust you. Go ahead with your plan, and I’ll handle the rest.”

Midnight

Ji Lin sat in the interrogation room, watching the minutes tick by. He knew his release was close as the door creaked open and Lin Xian walked in.

Their eyes met in a silent understanding, reminiscent of the night of the explosion that had first linked their fates, aware of each other’s thoughts but divided by a vast gap.

Lin Xian pulled up a chair and sat opposite Ji Lin. “Ji Xin Shui has confessed to everything,” he said simply.

Ji Lin laughed, shaking his head. “Impossible.”

Lin Xian showed him a video and notes on a tablet. The footage showed Ji Xin Shui cheerfully describing a crime in Wolfsburg, Germany.

Ji Lin’s face changed as he watched; he knew Ji Xin Shui too well. Admitting to these crimes meant accepting a death sentence—something out of character for him.

“But he insisted you and Angelica are innocent,” Lin Xian said as he put away his tablet. “It’s strange, considering how harsh he is with his own followers… I mean, his family… yet he protects his adopted kids in the end.”

“Hard to believe,” Lin Xian mused. “They say even a tiger doesn’t eat its young.”

Ji Lin shrugged. “Because we are innocent.”

He glanced around the small, padded room. “Lin Xian, is this really your idea of a birthday gift? Honestly, this is more surprising than the Gothic Rhine Cat.”

With a snap of his fingers, Lin Xian activated a switch.

Thud. The one-way glass turned opaque and all electronic devices in the room powered down, ensuring their conversation remained private.

Ji Lin looked at the now inactive cameras, his expression puzzled.

Lin Xian took out a brown envelope, untied the white string around it, and extracted a folded piece of white drawing paper. He spread it out in front of Ji Lin.

“This is your real birthday gift, from me and Chu An Qing,” Lin Xian announced as he unfolded the paper.

Ji Lin gasped at the beautifully detailed pencil sketch. The clean paper featured delicate lines depicting three young people in harmony. Lin Xian and Ji Lin were standing behind a jubilant Chu An Qing, who was playfully jumping and flashing a cute peace sign.

“Since we’re friends, let’s make a pact to exchange gifts on every birthday, ensuring at least two gifts every year!” Lin Xian suggested enthusiastically. “Good friends should celebrate every birthday together until the last!”

“Ji Lin, just wait and see. Lin Xian and I will make up for all the birthdays you missed with a great gift!” Chu An Qing’s cheerful voice seemed to echo in Ji Lin’s memory, filling the room with laughter.

“Chu An Qing wanted to color it with watercolors, but we ran out of time. So, we decided on another gift instead,” Lin Xian said gently.

He leaned back, his gaze softening as he looked at Ji Lin. “I’m not here to play on your emotions. I just thought that after today, we might not see each other again. But since the drawing is finished… it’s still yours.”

Checking his watch, Lin Xian noted, “There are just a few minutes left until your 24-hour detention ends. All surveillance is off, and I’m not a professional interrogator. My information isn’t legally binding.”

“I just want to ask you one question,” he said, his eyes intense. “Did you have any part in the murders of Xu Yun and Tang Xin?”

Silence hung in the air.

Ji Lin shook his head. “No.”

Lin Xian continued to stare, his expression unreadable.

Time seemed to stretch out endlessly as they sat in silence.

Ji Lin’s eyes were fixed on the sketch, while Lin Xian’s gaze remained locked on Ji Lin.

Beep.

Lin Xian’s digital watch beeped.

He checked the time: 00:42.

With a rustle, he pulled a set of keys from his pocket and tossed them onto the sketch.

“You’re free to go,” he announced as the keys clinked against the paper—the keys to Ji Lin’s handcuffs and shackles.

Lin Xian stood up and moved towards the door.

“Lin Xian,” Ji Lin called out after him.

Lin Xian paused, his hand on the doorknob, but he didn’t turn around.

“Are we friends?” Ji Lin asked quietly from behind.

Lin Xian contemplated the doorknob.

“What makes someone a friend?” he mused aloud.

Ji Lin smiled faintly. “I don’t know exactly. It seems simple, yet complicated. Like I said last night… if the thought of them dying makes you sad, they’re probably your friend.”

“I see friendship differently,” Lin Xian finally turned to face him. “To me, true friends don’t lie to each other,” he declared, looking into Ji Lin’s eyes again.

“Tell me, Ji Lin, were you involved in the murders of Xu Yun and Tang Xin?”

He repeated the question, uncertain whether he hoped for a denial or a shocking confession.

Yet faced with the question a second time, Ji Lin remained silent.

They stared at each other for over a minute, time standing still, no words spoken.

Lin Xian sighed.

This silence was almost an admission.

He couldn’t describe his feelings, but this was the answer he was looking for, confirming his suspicions hadn’t been misplaced.

At least this time, Ji Lin hadn’t lied to him.

“Lin Xian,” Ji Lin chuckled, breaking the silence. “If I were to die one day, would you be sad?”

He repeated the question, adding depth to their conversation.

Lin Xian turned, opened the door, and walked out.

Bang.

The heavy door closed behind him, leaving Ji Lin alone in the dimly lit interrogation room. Lin Xian walked down the brightly lit hallway to the surveillance room, his mind already shifting gears.

“Let’s begin the plan,” he stated, ready to face the next challenge.