Chapter 36: The Terminator

"Connor!"
"Irons Connor!"

In the dream of an economist, he heard a call from the distant reaches, as if it did not exist in the past, nor in the present, but only in the future.

"Hmm?"

Shen Shenghua woke Dr. Connor with a hint of helplessness. "Too exhausted? Fortunately, we can still make it to the banquet."

He double-checked the draft of his book, *Theory of Free Economics*. As a scholar, he could not allow his arguments to deviate from the facts. Connor did not know when he had fallen asleep; even in his dreams, it felt as though he were connected to the reality of proofreading his manuscript, but now, he was truly awake.

Packing away his precious manuscript, Connor followed Shen Shenghua out of the apartment to a Blue Flag vehicle waiting outside—a privilege reserved for influential Chinese citizens. This left Professor Connor feeling somewhat flattered.

"So, the biggest question is, what is it that you want to obtain, or achieve?" Professor Connor asked Shen Shenghua once more while in the car.

"Do you remember the movie called *The Terminator*?" Shen Shenghua spoke softly, though it seemed he did not require an answer. "And you are the legendary savior."

As the car started, Professor Connor’s mouth fell open. How could this be? Why would the plot of a movie possibly become reality? However, such questions could only remain locked in his heart.

Shen Shenghua also left one thing unsaid: *'Fortunately, we were the ones who discovered your existence first...'*

The vehicle passed through the security checkpoint of the Anhu District. This was an affluent area, and security was necessary. Finally, under the gazes of many, the Blue Flag vehicle entered the Anhu Manor.

...

Li Fengyin and Shen Liangxin were eating *fumu* noodles. Today’s breakfast was different; it was a local snack from Shangbei City. It didn't look like much, but it was made from cornmeal and served with pickled vegetables—the taste was exquisite.

"Who knew there were such delicacies tucked away in the streets and alleys?" Shen Liangxin remarked, finding it surreal. Yet, this world seemed to have so much left to discover, and she felt she should try more things in the future.

At noon, the two went to an internet café and played *Naraka: Bladepoint* for a while. Shen Liangxin’s talent was genuine; she had already reached the Gold rank.

In the afternoon, Li Fengyin, Shen Liangxin, Su Yuxian, and Pang Wei—who had gained Su Mingyu’s approval and was now wearing sunglasses—piled into Shen Liangxin’s blue-purple Ferrari and entered the Anhu District.

Su Mingyu was already following behind Su Hai. The sun was leaning westward, though it had not yet begun its final descent.

"Come, here is your barbecue!" Su Hai said with a kindly smile, handing skewers to the three children. "One for each of you; no fighting."

Su Mingyu’s exquisite and perfect face betrayed no emotion—a basic skill for someone in his line of work. Dressed in white with a remarkable temperament, he looked at first glance like the perfect man, yet he was, in fact, a killer.

"Is your task complete?" After distributing the meat, Su Hai stepped onto the lawn and stood beside Su Mingyu, asking in a fatherly tone.

"It is complete, Father. Is there anything else you need me to do?" Su Mingyu replied, seemingly devoid of much emotion. Su Hai did not mind. He said, "Keep a close watch on this banquet; there must be no problems."

Su Mingyu did not respond, but such silence was enough to satisfy Su Hai.

The head of the Shen family arrived at Anhu Manor at that moment. Entering at the same time as his vehicle was a Blue Flag sedan. When Shen Wansan saw the woman stepping out of the car behind them, arm-in-arm with a foreigner, he was momentarily stunned. However, he quickly composed himself and walked into the manor, his face expressionless.

Shen Shenghua naturally saw Shen Wansan, yet both acted as if they were total strangers. Professor Connor felt alright, though he was increasingly concerned about his own safety.

Luxury cars lined the parking lot one after another. Li Fengyin and Pang Wei experienced the feeling of status and prestige for the first time, though perhaps, one simply needs to get used to such luxuries?

Su Yuxian took Pang Wei on a tour; she was extremely familiar with the place. Li Fengyin and Shen Liangxin walked along the banks of Anhu Lake, discussing various matters.

"If everything is fixed, then it becomes possible to complete the past from the future," Li Fengyin mused.

Shen Liangxin asked, "Then what about the past and our present?"

"Perhaps it only completes the absolute fixed points—the places one cannot bypass?" Li Fengyin replied without hesitation. He held two cotton candies, and the two walked along, occasionally admiring the scenery.

"To the past, we are in the future; to the future, we are in the past. Even if we possess the right to choose for the future, for the true past, the present is the place that decides everything—or the place that finds a future cause for what happened in the past."

Shen Liangxin turned her head and asked, "Then, what are the characteristic relationships between the past, present, and future?"

"The past is fixed, the future holds infinite possibilities, and the present holds the right to choose for the future and the power to judge the only past. Yes, that should be it," Li Fengyin concluded, synthesizing his thoughts.

"Then, if one controls the past, does one control everything?" Shen Liangxin asked. "After all, to the future, we are in the past... Oh, wait! The decision-making power lies in the present! The present is the standard that generates both the future and the past!"

Faced with Shen Liangxin’s sudden realization, Li Fengyin smiled. "Actually, perhaps neither the past nor the future exists in reality?"

"The only thing that truly exists is everything—only the present!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Liangxin fell into a brief silence. The cotton candy in her hand suddenly didn't seem as sweet anymore.

However, just at that moment, the figures of Professor Connor and Shen Shenghua appeared in the eyes of Li Fengyin and Shen Liangxin.

By the side of Anhu Lake, the two women, who were possibly mother and daughter, finally crossed paths. Li Fengyin’s eyes widened. Why was the woman in the blue-gray *qipao*, who looked eight or nine parts like Shen Liangxin, walking arm-in-arm with a foreigner? With just a single glance, Li Fengyin was almost certain that she was Shen Liangxin’s mother.

Yet, faced with the stunned Li Fengyin and the frozen Shen Liangxin, Shen Shenghua’s expression remained unchanged. She simply walked past the two, still holding onto Irons Connor’s arm.

The only one who didn't notice the encounter was Professor Connor; within his field of vision, Shen Liangxin seemed to have vanished, her presence blocked by Shen Shenghua’s interference.

As the four brushed past one another, Shen Liangxin stopped in her tracks. Her eyes were filled with tears, but she could only sob in silence.