Genius Playground

”Priest.”

The old man in the Tang suit stared at the gold coin that represented him.

”As the Priest, I must lead the believers of the Mutual Aid Association to always do what is right.”

”In this day and age, so many people’s regrets, so much of their suffering... it all stems from the fact that times are changing too quickly. It forces many people off the train, eliminates them, and leaves them unable to keep up with the pace of the era.”

”People always talk about survival of the fittest, but they never consider that soon, they too will be phased out by the times... This is the fastest-paced era since the dawn of human civilization, but it’s a hollow prosperity, detached from humanity itself.”

”It’s true.”

The middle-aged man leaned back in his mahogany chair and sighed.

”In this day and age, the gaps in wealth, knowledge, perception, and lifestyle... they’ve all become exaggerated beyond belief.”

”Those who can’t use a smartphone can no longer live a normal life. Bright students graduate only to face unemployment, their textbooks becoming obsolete before they’ve even finished their studies. And the recent leap in AI technology has snatched the livelihood from many industries.”

”This world shouldn’t just focus on the starry-eyed ambitions of the elite; it should pay more attention to the daily necessities of ordinary people.”

”Advanced science and overly rapid technological development often only create the illusion of a thriving civilization, while failing to truly benefit the lives of the working people.”

”I deeply miss the old days, when carriages and horses were slow, when everything was slow. But people’s happiness wasn’t diminished in the slightest. In the cities today... I rarely see genuine smiles on young people’s faces anymore.”

The old man in the Tang suit closed his eyes, his breathing heavy.

”The torrent of the times is unstoppable. It has given humanity much, but it has taken even more.”

”It is time... to put the brakes on this era, which is developing at the speed of a runaway horse.”

Hearing this, the middle-aged man gave a helpless smile.

”It’s a shame, but we alone can’t rein in this wild horse.”

”It doesn’t matter.”

The old man in the Tang suit stood up and pocketed the two gold coins from the table.

He looked at the glittering crystal chandelier on the ceiling, his gaze like a torch.

”As long as we win this game... the world will be just as we wish.”

...

The next morning, when Jiang Ran arrived at the Film Club, Old Tian was already outside the window, sweeping. He waved a greeting to Jiang Ran.

”There’s so much trash today.”

Old Tian grumbled.

”It’s like a war was fought here yesterday.”

Jiang Ran chuckled.

”’War’ isn’t too far off. The club recruitment fair was held here yesterday. All sorts of clubs set up stalls to sign up new members, so of course it’s messier to clean up today.”

”Oh, right, right.”

It dawned on Old Tian. He bent down to sweep and said with a sigh,

”Ah, you university students have it so good, so full of youth. To be honest, every time I see you all looking so full of life, I can’t help but think of my daughter...”

”It’s quite a coincidence, actually. When my daughter was little, her biggest dream was to study at East Sea University. I don’t know where she even heard of East Sea University. Other kids her age were all dreaming of Qinghua and Peking Universities, but she was always talking about East Sea University.”

Speaking of his daughter, Old Tian’s face took on that familiar, heavy expression that was somewhere between a smile and a grimace, full of nostalgia.

”Back then, before my daughter’s... incident, I was home for the New Year and joked with her. I said, ’When you really get into East Sea University, how about Daddy finds a job in East Sea City and stays with you while you study?’”

”My daughter was so happy. She jumped up and down, wanting to pinky swear with me. She said it was a promise, that she would definitely go to East Sea University when she grew up.”

At this, Old Tian straightened up and couldn’t help but sigh.

”My connection to East Sea University probably started back then. My daughter’s grades were pretty good, she was always winning awards, so I actually gave the idea some serious thought...”

”I looked it up online, and netizens all said that East Sea University is ranked third in the country, right up there with Qinghua and Peking Universities. So from that moment on, thanks to my daughter’s influence, East Sea University became a goal I looked forward to as well.”

”I was genuinely looking forward to the day I could carry her luggage with my own hands, see her into her dorm at East Sea University, and then find a job nearby so I could see her from time to time... Ah, all I can say is, fate is a cruel trickster.”

Old Tian bent over the flowerbed, picking up scraps of paper hidden under the green leaves one by one.

Jiang Ran didn’t know what to say.

He could only try to comfort Old Tian, saying that medicine and science were advancing rapidly, and that he should give the doctors and scientists a little more time.

Old Tian told Jiang Ran that Teacher Yan Chonghan was indeed a very good person.

”Teacher Yan is a really good person. I can tell he’s kind-hearted, a good man.”

”But... that proposal he mentioned, I still need to think about it. It’s hard for me to make up my mind right now.”

Jiang Ran patted his shoulder.

”It’s okay, don’t feel so much pressure. There’s still plenty of time, so you don’t need to rush your decision at all.”

Soon, the two of them, working in practiced harmony, finished cleaning the area.

Jiang Ran watched Old Tian ride away on his tricycle, then walked around to the front of the club activities building and entered the Film Club’s room.

Chi Xiaoguo had been waiting there for a while.

She was taking down the promotional standees, folding them up for storage.

”We can save them to use for next year’s club recruitment.”

Her words were full of resignation.

”I’ll be a senior next year. I don’t know who I’ll pass the burden of being club president on to.”

”You could always apply for grad school.”

Jiang Ran said with a smile.

”It’s relatively easy for undergrads from this university to get into our own grad school. As long as you get in, you’ll be studying here for another three years. By a conservative estimate, you could be president for another two.”