The judges, scramblers, competitors, and spectators at the speedcubing competition were all absorbed by Lin Chen's new 2.71-second World Record.
The striking number displayed on the screen caught everyone's attention.
When reporters prepared to photograph the record and the record-breaker, they found the competitor had already disappeared from the mall's first floor.
"Where did that competitor go?" a reporter asked the judges and staff.
The judges noticed Lin Chen had left and began searching for him but couldn't find him.
The pretty scrambler said, "I saw his participant card; his name is Lin Chen. He's quite handsome, but I don't know where he went. No worries though — every table has cameras, so we have his image recorded."
Hearing this, the reporter relaxed, knowing they had video proof — this news would likely make headlines.
However, staff soon reported that before Lin Chen began solving, he had tilted the camera downward, so it only recorded part of his body and the cube solving, never his face.
"Breaking the World Record, and that handsome guy just left — not even claiming the 30,000 yuan prize?" the scrambler muttered.
...
At that moment, Lin Chen was at the bank with Feng Qiming and others.
Since Lin Chen broke the World Record, Feng Qiming's mind was a bit stunned. Not only did Lin Chen break the record, he beat the previous 4.73-second record by a full 2.01 seconds — was that really possible for a single person?
Feng Qiming regretted betting with Lin Chen and wanted to back out of the million-yuan wager. But with over twenty club members watching and his crush Xia Miaoyan present, backing out was impossible without losing face.
So Feng Qiming gritted his teeth and transferred one million yuan from his bank card to Lin Chen.
After receiving a bank alert for the deposit, Lin Chen said, "The money's here. It's like a freebie. It's almost noon; let's go eat."
"Sure," Xia Miaoyan said eagerly, "Master, you just won so much — take us to a fancy restaurant."
Lin Chen agreed, and the twenty-plus Donglin University students happily went along.
Lin Chen looked at Feng Qiming and asked, "You free to come?"
Feng Qiming gave a forced smile, "My dad has business meetings; I have to go join them."
Lin Chen nodded and ignored him, walking toward the roadside.
Soon, Lin Chen and Xia Miaoyan took a taxi away, leaving Feng Qiming behind.
Though wealthy, one million was still a significant sum to Feng Qiming, who clenched his fists watching them leave.
Inside the taxi, only Lin Chen and Xia Miaoyan sat. Upon getting in, Xia Miaoyan bombarded Lin Chen with questions about breaking the World Record.
"Master, didn't you say you never practiced the cube? People who never practiced can't even solve it, let alone break records."
"Master, you're lying — you're actually a cube expert, aren't you?"
...
Lin Chen just stared out the window silently, saying nothing.
Xia Miaoyan pouted like a sulky child and turned her face away.
The restaurant was Xia Miaoyan's recommendation. She'd been there before and praised the chef's cooking.
They ordered a large tableful and began eating.
Lin Chen occasionally chatted with the Donglin University students, and the atmosphere was very pleasant.
Near the end of the meal, Lin Chen's phone rang. It was Zhang Tian'ai.
"Lin Chen, are you home?" she asked.
"I'm outside," Lin Chen replied.
"When will you be home? I have some questions about the building fall case."
"Later. I'll text you when I'm home." Lin Chen hung up abruptly.
Zhang Tian'ai was left stunned — she still had things to say, but Lin Chen was in a hurry to end the call.
...
After dinner, Lin Chen prepared to part ways with Xia Miaoyan and the others, but Xia Miaoyan didn't return to the university with the students.
Instead, she eagerly followed Lin Chen again.
After walking a bit, Lin Chen returned home.
Near his front door, he saw a woman in a police uniform — obviously the beautiful Detective Zhang Tian'ai.
Lin Chen approached, and Zhang Tian'ai noticed Lin Chen and Xia Miaoyan.
"Why are you back so late?" Zhang Tian'ai asked, her delicate brow furrowed. She'd waited a long time and her legs were sore.
"What's it to you? I was just out shopping," Lin Chen replied.
Zhang Tian'ai was speechless; indeed, she couldn't control Lin Chen's whereabouts.
"Hello, Officer Zhang! Good to see you again," Xia Miaoyan cheerfully greeted her.
Zhang Tian'ai responded to Xia Miaoyan. Both women had their own charm.
Inside, Lin Chen sat on the sofa. Xia Miaoyan went to pour drinks for him and Zhang Tian'ai, who sat on another sofa.
Before Zhang Tian'ai could speak, Lin Chen asked, "How's the building fall case investigation going?"
Zhang Tian'ai tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, a graceful gesture, and said, "Last night, after you caught that suspicious man, we interrogated him. Turns out, he's just a burglar and unrelated to the deceased."
Lin Chen nodded calmly; this was expected.
"As for the deceased, we preliminarily judge it a suicide," Zhang Tian'ai said.
Lin Chen's eyes narrowed, "Suicide? No, I don't think the deceased killed himself."
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。