Genius Playground

Lilith.

The moment he heard that name, a chill ran down Jiang Ran’s spine. It was as if he’d been pulled from reality.

All the sounds around him faded away.

Everything he saw moved in slow motion.

Lilith.

That name was clearly from a fictional character in the *Setting Collection* he wrote in middle school, and from the script *Genius Playground* he’d given to the East Sea University film club.

’Why would Zhou Xiong be the one to say it?’

If it were just the name, that would be one thing.

After all, plenty of people in the world were named Lilith, from actual foreigners to 2D characters in video games.

But...

’The phone.’

And he just had to shout the name Lilith into his phone while granting a classmate’s "wish."

’A phone that can grant any wish.’

The scene unfolding before him at the class reunion was an almost perfect match for the script he had written!

In an instant.

The scenes from the short film he’d just watched a few days ago, mixed with the original performance with Qin Feng on the rooftop, replayed in his mind like a rewinding tape—

"Lilith is the god of this world."

Qin Feng held a gun in his right hand, pressing it to the back of his head.

"Lilith is omnipotent."

Qin Feng held a phone to his ear with his left hand.

"Lilith, let the sky... grow dark."

The whole world plunged into darkness. Lightning flashed and thunder rolled as all of creation submitted to the omnipotent Lilith.

And to make a wish to Lilith... all you needed was a special phone.

...

That was the premise from the *Genius Playground* script Jiang Ran had written.

’Why?’

’Why was Zhou Xiong putting on the same performance?’

Jiang Ran couldn’t figure it out.

But then, another possibility occurred to him—

’Could it be that Zhou Xiong saw the *Genius Playground* short film somewhere?’

If Zhou Xiong had seen it, that would logically explain why he just put on the same act.

’But wouldn’t that be incredibly boring?’

Jiang Ran couldn’t understand.

Zhou Xiong was clearly trying to show off in front of his classmates, flaunting his wealth and connections to gain their respect and admiration, all to satisfy his vanity.

Given that, what purpose could that meaningless performance—that fake call to Lilith—possibly serve?

’Could it be...’

’...that an omnipotent Lilith truly exists in this world, one who can answer Zhou Xiong’s call and grant all his wishes?’

This was the real world.

Not a fantasy world.

And not a world of supernatural horror.

How could something so ridiculous be allowed to exist?

So...

"Zhou Xiong is just bluffing."

Beside him, a half-drunk Wang Hao voiced the very thought in Jiang Ran’s mind.

"Tsk, tsk. Let me tell you, Jiang Ran, that guy is a slick one."

"He just makes a random call, babbles a bunch of nonsense to make it sound like a big deal, but who actually knows who he called?"

"Heck, that call might not have even connected. He was probably just putting on an act... It’s not like anyone can prove it, anyway."

Everyone in the room had their eyes fixed on Zhou Xiong.

No one else heard Wang Hao’s hushed whispers to Jiang Ran.

Jiang Ran nodded.

’Thinking about it carefully, a moment ago, Zhou Xiong had only shouted the name "Lilith." Nothing else about his words or actions was out of the ordinary.’

Perhaps, just as Wang Hao said, Zhou Xiong was simply trying to save face, putting up a front because he didn’t actually have the ability to deliver.

He was pretending to call a director at the Imperial Capital Peking Union Medical College Hospital, or maybe some mysterious big shot, telling them to arrange the matter immediately.

In any case, after the reunion was over, no one would care whether the arrangements were made or if it was successful.

As for the classmate who made the request, Zhou Xiong could just brush him off with any old excuse:

"The specialist I booked for you is out of town on business."

"The hospital’s internal management is really strict right now, so it’s not easy to pull strings."

"The contact over there ran into some trouble. Got caught up in something and was taken away, so I can’t reach him for now."

And so on, and so on.

As long as you wanted to find an excuse, there were plenty to be found.

...

The surrounding classmates watched Zhou Xiong hang up the phone, completely dumbfounded.

Just...

That’s it?

It’s over just like that?

They had no idea what to make of Zhou Xiong’s actions.

With just a few simple words, someone was really going to arrange for the best ward and the best specialist at Peking Union Medical College Hospital?

No matter how you looked at it, it seemed way too fake!

The fiery atmosphere in the private room instantly cooled by half.

Everyone simultaneously started to sober up.

Overall.

Everyone was very disappointed with Zhou Xiong’s performance; it hadn’t lived up to their expectations.

Once their heads cleared, their common sense took over.

Many classmates gradually realized that Zhou Xiong was likely the same as he was in high school: always putting up a front for the sake of his pride, willing to tell any lie, and fond of posturing.

It was just that they had been dazed and confused by his sweet talk and empty promises, and with the alcohol going to their heads... they had been muddled for a moment and naively believed what he said.

Sigh.

To think that after two years, after two years of college education, they had still been fooled by Zhou Xiong’s clumsy act.

"Is... is that all?"

The guy who had asked Zhou Xiong for the favor was also completely baffled.

He never would have imagined that Zhou Xiong would dismiss him with such a bizarre phone call.

"Brother Zhou, my mom’s situation..."

"Don’t worry."

Zhou Xiong remained calm and composed, smiling confidently.

It was as if the sudden chill and sobriety that had fallen over the room had nothing to do with him.

"Lilith will take care of everything. She is omnipotent."

A girl nearby swallowed nervously and stepped forward to probe.

"Zhou Xiong, is that woman, Lilith, your secretary?"

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