Chapter 4 Keke

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Lin Xian always felt that the most illogical aspect of his dreams... was the time setting.

August 28, 2624.

It's 600 years ahead of the real world Lin Xian lived in.

Yet the life scenes and level of technological development in his dreams... were no different from those of 2022.

This was just utter nonsense!

How could human technology make no progress at all and be stagnant for 600 years?

He tried looking for answers in the dream's libraries and on the internet, but all historical information in his dreams was vague, including lottery numbers, major historical events from centuries ago, big news, etc., with no detailed descriptions to be found.

The only history he could look up in the libraries was too recent, and it felt no different from reading fantasy literature sold on street stalls, still not clarifying his doubts.

"Perhaps... it's all due to a lack of imagination!"

Lin Xian had discussed this issue with a close friend.

And this is what his friend had said:

"Ultimately, the dreams of a person are creations of the brain based on imagination."

"[Therefore, nothing beyond your cognition will ever appear in your dreams.]"

"Your brain simply can't figure out what the world will look like in 600 years, so naturally you can't dream of it. Maybe if you watch more sci-fi movies, you'll see some improvement."

Lin Xian thought this explanation was pretty solid.

Unfortunately...

Even after watching hundreds of sci-fi movies, his dreams remained day after day, completely unchanged.

Latter on, after having his share of fun in the dreams, he came to accept this irrational setting:

"[The very nature of dreams is fictional; the more irrational, the more reasonable.]"

...

He encountered Big Face Cat around ten o'clock yesterday.

Now he must start taking action.

Lin Xian approached two little boys who were chasing and play-fighting.

"Ultraman Flying Kick!" "Ultraman Elbow Strike!"

The boys were getting more excited and moving further away, too engrossed to notice their masks falling to the ground.

"Key prop, the Ultraman mask, is mine~"

Lin Xian picked up the mask and put it on his face.

Whoosh——

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Two sharp whistle blows.

Lin Xian had just turned around when a thick arm grabbed him and started to run:

"There you are, little brother! This square is full of kids wearing Ultraman masks... it was so hard to find you!"

Before him was the familiar cat mask and the familiar chubby-cheeked face.

"Come with me! The car is over there; my buddy has already gone to the bank."

"Hang on a second, Brother Lian."

Lin Xian stopped Big Face Cat:

"I have a question."

"Say."

"What's the name of the cartoon cat on your mask?"

"This one?"

Big Face Cat pointed to the deformed mask on his face:

"It's Keke Cat, don't you recognize it? It's very popular."

"You've got quite a range for someone your age."

"My daughter really likes this cat; I've bought quite a few of these dolls in the past."

"Fine then."

Lin Xian shrugged off Big Face Cat's hand and turned back towards the toy store:

"I forgot to pick something up; you go wait for me in the car."

Slap——

A hefty hand suddenly pressed down on Lin Xian's shoulder!

"Have you seen me before?"

"First time."

"Then why do you call me Brother Lian?" Big Face Cat stared hard at Lin Xian.

...

...

A hot summer wind blew, as if time itself had stopped.

Neither of them spoke.

Laughing children ran past them, and the vast square seemed worlds apart.

Big Face Cat reached for his waist with his left hand...

Lin Xian slowly turned his head.

Ultraman stared at Keke Cat:

"Do you want to know why?"

"I do."

...

...

"Because your face is just too big..."

"Huh?"

Big Face Cat furrowed his brow, and Keke Cat was squished flat.

Lin Xian shook off the hand on his shoulder:

"I really can't overlook that big face of yours; if it bothers you, I can change the name."

"Hahaha!" Big Face Cat laughed heartily:

"You're pretty spot on, kiddo! The guys call me Big Face Cat on the streets, so Brother Lian works too!"

"Go get your stuff quickly! We're on a tight schedule!"

Lin Xian waved his hand and walked into the toy store.

This Big Face Cat...

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I had thought he was a rough and impulsive man, but it turned out his mind was quite meticulous.

"Hello."

Lin Xian walked up to the toy store counter:

"I would like to buy a Keke Cat plush toy."

"Alright, sir, they are on the shelf over there."

The salesperson led Lin Xian to a toy shelf, which had several layers stacked with Keke Cats.

It seemed Big Face Cat was right, these things really were selling like hotcakes.

Lin Xian picked up a basic model, starting to look it up and down, carefully studying the cat's structure, proportions, limbs, and clothing...

Look closely here, remember the details.

When I wake up at 00:42, I can just draw it from memory.

It must be said, this Keke Cat was indeed designed to be extremely cute, on par with Hello Kitty in every way.

Lin Xian scanned it with his naked eye from different angles.

Although this would be considered plagiarism in the design world...

But, can it be called plagiarism if I'm copying from my own dream?

"Everything in my dreams, aren't they all conjured up by me? I'm the original author."

Lin Xian looked very carefully.

"Hey! What are you doing over there!"

A loud shout, and Big Face Cat dashed over, huffing with anger! He grabbed Lin Xian and started to leave:

"How could you have no sense of time, bro! Hurry it up!"

Snap.

As they passed the cash register, Big Face Cat slapped down a golden thousand-yuan note:

"Keep the change!"

Big Face Cat's car was parked at the door, and Lin Xian, holding the Keke Cat plush toy, was shoved straight into the vehicle.

Vroom—

Big Face Cat floored the gas pedal, cursing and glaring at the plush toy in Lin Xian's arms:

"You're going to crack the code with this thing? You're damn—"

"Give it to your daughter."

Lin Xian placed the plush toy in front of the steering wheel.

"Well..."

Big Face Cat suddenly went silent.

Ferocity and anger froze on his face; the curse halfway through also hung in the air.

Seconds later.

The savageness slowly dissipated...

The twisted mouth slowly closed...

He swallowed a mouthful of spit.

Looked straight ahead.

Drove in silence.

...

Not a word was spoken throughout the journey.

Lin Xian didn't understand why the always noisy and boisterous Big Face Cat had become so quiet.

So quiet that it felt somewhat unfamiliar to him.

In the van, there was only the occasional ticking of the turn signal... and the glances Big Face Cat couldn't help casting at the Keke Cat plush toy every time he looked in the rear-view mirror.

The mask was starting to hurt his scalp.

Lin Xian loosened the elastic with his hand.

The traffic light at the intersection began to flash.

"Thank you."

Big Face Cat said softly, his voice a bit hoarse.

He took a cigarette out of the pack, put it in his mouth, and lit it with a lighter.

"It's been many years... since I've bought a Keke Cat toy."

Smoke billowed.

"Your daughter's grown up, right?"

Lin Xian propped his cheek and said casually.

"She died."

Big Face Cat took a deep drag on the cigarette, and the smoke swirled in the air:

"She's been dead for many years now, only six years old back then."

"Was it an accident?"

"No."

Big Face Cat stepped on the brake:

"She was murdered."

"Why would anyone want to kill a six-year-old—"

"Bro."

Big Face Cat cut off Lin Xian, pointing to the bank across the street:

"We're here, time to get down to business."

Click!

He inserted the magazine into the handgun, chambered a round, then adjusted the mask on his face:

"Let's go, bro!"

"After we rob this bank, I can get revenge for my daughter! Work first, we can talk more later!"

Having said that, Big Face Cat smiled, patted Lin Xian on the shoulder, hopped out of the car, and headed for the bank entrance.

"..."

Lin Xian remained silent.

He sat alone in the car, watching Big Face Cat walk away unsteadily.

In front of him, the adorable Keke Cat plush toy sat alone. Lin Xian recalled the scene from his dream the night before:

"Brother Lian, there's nothing but safes in the bank's vault, not a single penny..."