Chapter Forty-One: Borrowing

Under the magnificent Baroque dome of the Cassel College library, Lin Nian and Lin Xian strolled side-by-side along the circular columns, heading deeper into the corridors.

"A Student Union party? What are they planning to celebrate?" Lin Xian asked, flipping through an old book as she walked, studying it word for word.

"I’m not entirely sure. They say it’s because the Student Union’s sailing club defeated the Lionheart Society or something. Caesar from the Student Union invited both you and me. I didn’t have a chance to decline at the time, and I thought it might be rude to just not show up." Lin Nian was carrying a stack of hardcover books for Lin Xian, each one as thick as a comprehensive dictionary.

The oak bookshelves in the Cassel library reached almost to the ceiling, filled with genuine, valuable knowledge—none of which were mere hollow shells for decoration like those in a café.

The library had practically become Lin Xian’s home lately. Whenever Lin Nian wanted to find her, he came straight here. True enough, she was currently researching the differences between the brains of hybrids and ordinary humans. This required reviewing studies conducted by predecessors, and because some of the data was quite graphic and involved sensitive elements, it required a high level of clearance. Lin Xian’s staff clearance wasn't sufficient, so when Lin Nian happened to show up, she had him accompany her to access the restricted area.

"I have my own research project, so I probably can't go with you," Lin Xian said. She seemed to have stumbled upon a passage in the book that was difficult to understand; she frowned and traced the lines with her finger, reading it repeatedly before her expression finally eased.

"Take the afternoon off as a rest. The library is open until 2:00 AM; you can come whenever you like," Lin Nian suggested.

"You seem quite nervous about integrating into the new social circle," Lin Xian remarked casually as she turned a page.

"I’d call it 'feeling out of place,'" Lin Nian admitted candidly. "This school isn't Shilan High School. I don't know the habits of the students here, so it’s hard not to be a bit nervous."

"Then you should have declined Caesar Gattuso’s invitation. There’s no shame in that. Rushing into a circle without understanding the lifestyle and conduct of the group is never a good idea. I’ve heard the Student Union’s reputation isn’t the best. Compared to the Lionheart Society next door, the Student Union seems a bit... decadent and corrupt?" Lin Xian shrugged. "I don’t know if 'corrupt' is the right word—the way the internet has been lately has ruined many terms. When people hear 'corrupt,' the first thing they associate it with is 'private life.'"

"I told you, under those circumstances, I couldn't decline him. The Principal was standing right in front of me," Lin Nian sighed.

"You’ve met the Principal?" Lin Xian put down her book and looked at him, surprised. "What did you think of him?"

"What do you mean, what did I think?"

"I scanned some posts about the Principal on the forum. Did you ask him if he’s really over 130 years old? A man his age should be on the verge of death, but I’ve heard he still does anaerobic exercises every day. It’s a physiological miracle. If the medical students at Harvard or Cambridge knew, they’d probably be clamoring for the Principal to sacrifice himself for the sake of medicine so they could dissect him." Lin Xian asked curiously, "Honestly, I’ve dissected corpses before, and I’m quite interested in you hybrids..."

"Wait, stop right there. You realize we’re talking about dissecting the Principal, right?" Lin Nian felt like rubbing his forehead. "I’m increasingly regretting coming to this school. Compared to the current you, I miss the sister who was obsessed with her part-time jobs."

"Too late. 'Obsessed' is a poor choice of words; I was forced by circumstances. I’m sorry to say, but I actually prefer my current environment. Besides, I think I mentioned to you that before I pulled you out of the orphanage, I was a top student at medical school. I gave up a bright future for you—shouldn't you be overflowing with gratitude?" Lin Xian shot him a look.

"You don't actually have to rush. The college shouldn't expect you to produce results to prove your worth so quickly," Lin Nian said softly after a brief silence.

Lin Xian stopped and looked at him. "Is that really what you think?"

Lin Nian didn't answer. There were many things he understood perfectly well but was unwilling to voice, because the truth is often the most hurtful. In a school full of anomalies, Lin Xian was the only normal person. For someone as self-reliant as her, the pressure was unimaginable.

Sometimes, Lin Nian even wondered if his insistence on bringing Lin Xian to Illinois had been a mistake. As she had said, to keep the 'promise' made back in the orphanage, Lin Xian had given up everything to provide him with a humble but real 'home.' Perhaps without him, her life could have stayed on its proper track—a track much better than the current one.

*Click.* Lin Nian felt a dull ache in his head. Lin Xian had tapped him on the head with the thick book and was looking at him helplessly. "Don't overthink it. Being able to come here for advanced studies is a blessing I never could have imagined. This is all thanks to you, you little dragon-kid. I was already interested in medicine, so now that I’ve been exposed to so much new knowledge, I naturally want to achieve something in this field. It’s a common human trait."

"You’ve been freeloading off your sister for so many years, surely you aren't planning to leave your 'old lady' behind? Let me tell you, don't even think about it. I’m going to keep enjoying this 'free ride' for another four years." Lin Xian tapped his head a few more times before striding ahead, leaving him behind.

"Enjoy, by all means, enjoy," Lin Nian said with a wry smile, catching up. "So, you’re definitely not going to the party tonight?"

"No. Don't you have a roommate? Take him. I remember the Student Union party has limited spots, and only those invited can enter. Use this opportunity to build a good relationship with your roommate."

"My roommate? You’ve met him, sis. It’s that senior, Fingel, from the airport."

"Ah." Lin Xian’s expression became subtle. "He’s your roommate?"

"It’s fine. Senior Fingel is actually quite normal, though he often chews on pig trotters in bed at night, which makes the room smell."

"I should reconsider my answer. I can't imagine what your social standing will be like if you bring a roommate like that to a party with the atmosphere of an American 'fraternity'." Lin Xian covered her face.

As they chatted, they reached a rosewood door. Behind it lay the restricted area for forbidden books, which required special clearance. The door frame was equipped with a security system, and a camera monitored visitors, directly linked to the central computer, Eva. If anyone tried to force their way in, the school's Department of Discipline would be there within ten minutes with non-lethal equipment to take them away.

"What book do you need?" Lin Nian pulled out his student ID.

"Specifically, a piece of data. It should be classified in the 'Dragon Physiology Research Area,' number A911225012."

"The date of the Soviet Union's collapse?" Lin Nian, sensitive to numbers, asked instinctively.

"The data comes from a detailed record of experiments conducted by a mad German scientist on the brain structure of hybrids. It was part of the material seized by the Secret Party from the Soviet Union just before its collapse, during the Cold War. The Soviet Union was in its twilight then; most of its researchers had lost faith in their country and were frantically selling off important scientific achievements just to earn a few dollars for bread and vodka," Lin Xian explained.

"Will this data suddenly pop up with black-and-white photos of human brains? I hope you didn't eat much for lunch today." Lin Nian grimaced.

"They already had color photos back then, and the resolution wasn't low either," Lin Xian smiled. "You underestimate the tolerance of medical students. I was dissecting lab mice while you were still screaming at a cockroach in the house."

"I told you not to bring that up! I was young then!" Lin Nian glared as he swiped his ID card on the terminal. Immediately, Eva's pleasant voice echoed from within: "Respected student Lin Nian, you possess 'S'-level reading clearance. Welcome to this area for research. A friendly reminder: please cherish and protect all books in this area; every sheet of paper is the property of all humanity."

"S-level? Looks like you made it," Lin Xian said, sounding surprised. "I should add a strawberry pudding to my dinner tonight. I bet on the Night Watcher forum that you would get promoted."

Lin Nian was also surprised that Eva’s data synchronization was so fast. Principal Angers had informed him of his successful promotion during the Dragon Genealogy class that morning, and it was barely past noon before he was already a legitimate 'S'-level with full authority. Hearing Lin Xian’s comment, his attention shifted back. "You bet on that too? How much did you wager?"

"Not much. Five hundred dollars." Lin Xian’s lips curled slightly.

"You’re really generous. Back when we were grocery shopping, you used to haggle over a few cents for a head of cabbage."

"You wouldn't know the cost of everyday life if you haven't been the one managing the household," Lin Xian sighed. "Alright, enough with the banter. Do your sister a favor and go get the data. I still have a paper to finish."