Genius Playground

Chapter 312: Chapter 4: New Future

After all, on a clear, cloudless day like this, even Jiang Ran, who had perfect vision, couldn’t see the tops of the buildings. In comparison, you could see the top of the East Sea Center Building just by looking up.

He found it hard to believe that humanity could build so many super-skyscrapers of such immense height within just twenty years.

He knew that the 600-meter-tall East Sea Center Building took a full eight years from groundbreaking to completion… To finish so many massive projects in twenty years, the only way would be if the contracts were subcontracted over and over again until they ended up in the hands of Aliens!

Jiang Ran sniffed the air and once again caught that delicious aroma.

Looking across the street, he saw that the scent was coming from a cake shop over there, where a young woman in a beautiful outfit was also trying to attract customers:

“New cakes are here! Free samples! Free samples!”

Wait.

‘They’re giving out free stuff over there, too?’

Jiang Ran was a bit baffled.

‘Has the business world really become this cutthroat?’

Still, it smelled incredible, like it had to be delicious. Feeling a little hungry, Jiang Ran started walking across the street.

To his surprise, there were no crosswalks on the ground, nor were there any traffic lights at the intersection. You could walk however you pleased, with no need to worry about passing vehicles… because, obviously, all the cars were flying through the sky.

As soon as he crossed the intersection and stepped onto the sidewalk, the young woman handing out free cake samples approached him:

“Sir, our new ca—” “I’ll have one.”

Jiang Ran held out his hand.

“Let me have a taste.”

If this were the real world in 2025, he would have been a little more reserved. But this was 2045. No one knew him, and in two hours at most, he would be kicked back by the worldline. There was no need to worry about saving face.

“Of course, sir! Here you go!”

The young woman was delighted and handed Jiang Ran a large slice of freshly baked cake.

‘People in the future really know how to do business. Their customer service is amazing.’

Jiang Ran opened his mouth and took a bite of the cake.

Mmm!

It really was delicious!

The way the flavor lingered in his mouth was a texture he had never experienced in 2025. It was truly delicious—the kind of deliciousness that shot straight through his spine and into his brain.

‘Is this the future’s technology and secret formula? How could they make something so delicious?’

While savoring the cake, Jiang Ran glanced at the glass door of a nearby shop, examining his reflection.

Both his appearance and his clothes were the same as they had been back in the Future Prison in 2045…

A white shirt, casual pants, and canvas shoes.

That was it.

That was all he had on him. His pockets were empty.

So, reasoning from his previous experience—

‘In this sci-fi metropolis, he had still appeared suddenly and silently, as if out of thin air.’

‘What was the principle behind it?’

He ate his cake, unable to figure it out.

Because, in the world of 2045, he still had his 2025 appearance. Furthermore, the clothes he was wearing were unfamiliar; he was certain they weren’t anything he had ever worn in the real world.

‘So, why do I appear in 2045 in this bizarre, sudden way? And why is there a two-hour time limit?’

Although, this time, he wasn’t sure if he would still be kicked back by the worldline at exactly 12:00.

But…

‘He probably would.’

After all, his current state was identical to when he was in the Future Prison. There was no reason for the time limit to be any different.

‘So far, this Future World seems very peaceful and interesting. When I get back, I can let Chi Xiaoguo give it a try.’

Jiang Ran finished the last bite of his cake, threw the plastic plate into a trash can, and continued walking forward aimlessly.

He hadn’t dared to use Chi Xiaoguo for an experiment before, mainly because he was afraid the ferocious Sang Biao would scare her.

Now that the Future World had changed, Sang Biao was gone. Plus, with the free food and drinks and the spectacular city, it was like an immersive movie experience. He felt confident letting Chi Xiaoguo experience it.

If Chi Xiaoguo could also come to the future of 2045 for a two-hour stroll after activating the Positron Cannon, it would mean everyone was equal before the Positron Cannon, and there was nothing special about him.

But if Chi Xiaoguo followed the procedures and nothing happened, then that would mean something… Why was he the only one who could travel through time? Could it be related to his special constitution, the ‘Full Space-Time Memory’?

In any case, he had to verify this as soon as possible. It would give him a greater sense of security.

…

Afterward, Jiang Ran continued to wander aimlessly. He not only saw many strange and curious things but also discovered that this place was truly like a Utopian World. Not only was every person’s face beaming with a happy smile, but there was also free food and drink to be had everywhere!

Not only were drinks and coffee free, but even food that looked expensive and exquisite was available for free tasting.

After making his way down the street, Jiang Ran found himself on a flying bus, letting out a satisfied burp. He felt that human civilization truly had a bright future.

‘It seems that eliminating the Regrets Mutual Aid Association was truly a good deed that would benefit generations to come. Without Wu Yuanzheng and his people assassinating scientists, technology was able to advance so much in just twenty years, completely changing people’s way of life.’

Just then, the flying bus landed and came to a stop at a station. Jiang Ran stood up and got off.

But at that exact moment, something strange happened!

He was shocked to see a middle-aged woman behind him suddenly start flickering, her whole body flashing like a rapidly changing slideshow.

The woman’s body would dissolve into rough blocks of color one moment and return to normal the next, her entire form trembling erratically. Then, her lower body actually sank through the floor of the bus! She was embedded in the vehicle, as if she were glitching through the model!