Earth Metaverse 10 years, September 20 ,2031 AD.
The Class of 2031 Philosophy Student Association was officially established, with Donner elected as the Director General and Lindsay as the Publicity Officer. Meanwhile, Shawn was appointed as the study committee member for Class 31-1.
However, the formation of the Know I Ching Society faced unexpected challenges. After five days, fewer than ten students, including Shawn and Lindsay, had signed up. In contrast, the All-Seeing Society, launched by Donner and Jolie, was rapidly gaining popularity.
During a small briefing session, Donner explained, "The name All-Seeing Society comes from the concept of the 'All-Seeing Eye,' and our slogan is: Explore new ways to create wealth and seize power."
He continued with conviction, "Our goal is to equip every member with technological tools, optimize personal resources allocation, and become the masters of their own lives and opportunities!"
This pragmatic philosophy resonated with many students. Enrollment quickly surged, attracting not only classmates from their own year but also upperclassmen. The number of registered members soon exceeded seventy.
When Donner crossed paths with Shawn again, he didn't even acknowledge him—his face full of disdain.
It was a misty autumn Saturday, and the four major student residence halls—Phoebe Court, Catalpa Court, Birch Court, and Empress Tree Court—were enveloped in a quiet atmosphere.
By coincidence, today was International Dental Day. Lindsay, leading a small group of girls, had organized a campus awareness campaign. They carefully distributed flyers in the common rooms of each dormitory, explaining the importance of oral health to fellow students. Their final stop was Phoebe Court—where Shawn lived.
"Shawn, once we wrap up the event, why don't you meet us in the activity room? We need to discuss the preparations for the Know I Ching Society," Lindsay suggested as she spotted him at the event.
Shawn agreed and showed up as promised.
Inside the activity room, small groups of students were chatting, playing games, and sharing homemade treats sent by their families. Dormitory regulations prohibit large gatherings inside individual rooms, so most social events take place in common areas like this or outdoors.
Lindsay was waiting at a corner teahouse. She looked cheerful, but a hint of doubt lingered between her brows.
"Hey, Shawn, mind if I ask you a personal question?" she asked playfully as soon as he sat down, leaning in slightly with a mischievous smile.
Shawn looked up, noticing the glint of mischief in her eyes. His heart suddenly raced, and he nearly spilled the drink in his hand. Trying to mask his nervousness, he stammered, "W-what is it?"
Lindsay chuckled. "Why so nervous? It's not like I'm asking about your girlfriend." She winked teasingly.
"I—I don't even have a girlfriend…" Shawn's face turned crimson as he lowered his head, looking like a child whose secret had just been exposed.
"Alright, I'll stop teasing you," Lindsay said with a laugh before turning serious. "Actually, I just wanted to ask about your birthday. You don't have to answer if you'd rather not—it's personal, after all."
Shawn blinked, suddenly uneasy. Did I mess up something on the registration form?
Since Lindsay had been in charge of processing the sign-ups for the Know I Ching Society, she shook her head and smiled. "Your birthday is April 24, 2013, right?" She paused for dramatic effect before adding, "What a coincidence—so is mine!"
Shawn froze. His eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait… We were born on the exact same day? That's crazy! No wonder I felt an instant connection with you when we first met."
"What time were you born?" They blurted out the question at the same time, then burst into laughter.
"I was born at 3:20 in the afternoon," Lindsay said excitedly, her eyes sparkling. "What about you?"
"I was born at 7 in the evening," Shawn replied, scratching his head with a sheepish grin. "That makes you the older sister."
Lindsay smiled and playfully extended her hand. "Hello, little brother!" They shook hands lightly, the atmosphere between them turning warm and lighthearted.
But after a brief moment, her smile faded. She lowered her gaze, falling silent as if caught in a web of emotions.
"Actually… I was born by emergency C-section," she admitted softly, her voice dropping. "My mom was seriously ill at the time."
Shawn, still caught up in their playful banter, hadn't yet noticed her shift in mood. He teased, "Doesn't matter—the first one born still gets the title. You're officially my big sister."
Lindsay looked up with a faint smile, but her eyes were turning red. "You're lucky… You had a peaceful birth."
Only then did Shawn realize something was wrong. Concerned, he asked carefully, "Your mom… is she…?"
Lindsay shook her head, her expression heavy. "She survived," she whispered, her voice trembling. "But… it was my grandmother…" She hesitated, then choked out the words. "She gave her life… for both me and my mom."
Lindsay's words landed like a stone breaking the still surface of a lake. The air seemed to freeze. Shawn stiffened, his throat tightening as if something were lodged in it. In front of him, Lindsay looked so fragile that an unexpected wave of sympathy washed over him. Without a word, he pulled out a tissue and handed it to her.
"Sorry, Shawn… I… I couldn't control my emotions," Lindsay murmured, quickly dabbing at her tears.
"It's okay," Shawn said softly, as if afraid of shattering the silence between them. "I guess talking about birthdays brought back painful memories…" He gently pushed another tissue toward her. "You've had a long day. You must be exhausted. Why don't you get some rest? We can talk tomorrow."
Lindsay looked up and forced a small smile. "Thanks. And I'm sorry… I asked you to meet up, and now I've ruined the mood." She stood, folding her arms in apology.
Just as she turned to leave, a faint glimmer caught her eye. The pendant hanging around Shawn's neck gleamed under the dim light, and something about it stopped her in her tracks. "Hey… That symbol on your pendant—it's exactly the same as the insignia my grandmother left behind!"
Shawn's heart lurched. He had the urge to ask more, but then he remembered—the Meta Origin Society is still a secret. He quickly masked his reaction, forcing a casual smile. "Really? If it's not too much trouble, maybe you could bring it tomorrow so I can take a look."
Lindsay nodded, her emotions settling. "Sure. I'll bring it." She offered a faint smile before turning and walking away.
Back in his dorm, Shawn draped his jacket over the chair, then carefully removed the Zhen Palace Spirit Key pendant from around his neck, placing it on his desk. The soft glow of the room's light reflected off its intricate design—a circle enclosing an inverted V, the unmistakable emblem of the Meta Origin Society.
He sat down, absentmindedly running his fingers over the pendant. Lindsay's words echoed in his mind—The pattern on your pendant is the same as my grandmother's insignia. That simple remark now felt like a stone dropped into deep waters, sending ripples through his thoughts.
"How could the insignia of the Meta Origin Society appear on Lindsay's grandmother's badge?" he murmured, furrowing his brows. "Was she… a member?"
Unsettling thoughts crept in, intertwining like vines.
Then, another of Lindsay's words surfaced in his memory—My mother and I owe our lives to my grandmother. The glint of unshed tears in Lindsay's eyes replayed in his mind. It was as if there was more to her story—something she hadn't said aloud.
Suddenly, a distant memory rose from the depths of his mind:
Grandmother Lucy.
A legend within the Meta Origin Society. The woman who had made the ultimate sacrifice. Years ago, when her daughter accidentally ingested poisonous mushrooms and her premature granddaughter fought to survive, Lucy had made an unthinkable decision. She underwent a living liver transplant, giving up her own life so that her daughter and granddaughter could live.
Lucy passed away that day. But her daughter and granddaughter lived on.
Shawn's breath caught in his throat.
The story of Lindsay's grandmother and Lucy's sacrifice—they were identical.
"No way…" His eyes widened as he shot to his feet, staring at the pendant in stunned realization.
Could it be?
Could Lindsay's grandmother be Grandmother Lucy?
His mind raced, piecing together the puzzle:
— Lindsay said her grandmother sacrificed her life to save her critically ill daughter and granddaughter.
— Grandmother Lucy gave her life to save her poisoned daughter and premature granddaughter.
— Grandmother Lucy was deeply connected to the Meta Origin Society—and his birthday was the very day of her sacrifice.
His gaze fell back to the pendant.
The Zhen Palace Spirit Key was a symbol of the Meta Origin Society's legacy. And Lindsay's grandmother's insignia—if it was identical—could only mean one thing.
Shawn swallowed hard.
My birth… and Lindsay's birth… are both tied to that day.
A shiver ran down his spine.
"So… Lindsay…" His voice barely rose above a whisper. "Lindsay… is Grandmother Lucy's granddaughter."
The revelation sent a jolt through his body, like an electric current. He paced his small dorm room, heart pounding, thoughts crashing over each other like waves in a storm. A thin layer of sweat formed on his palms.
Outside, the night stretched on—deep, quiet, waiting.
Shawn stopped. He took a slow, steady breath, looking down at the pendant in his hands.
Shock. Excitement. A strange, inescapable pull of fate.
He could feel it.
Some answers… were about to be revealed.