The Central City Police Department felt very serious, solemn, and ancient. The ancient style spoken of here was not Eastern, but the kind of retro knightly spirit, solemn and inviolable, that had settled in the West.
Opposite the central entrance of its office, there was also a mural carved, symbolizing truth, freedom, and justice.
Eddie Thawne.
Iris's current boyfriend, Joe's partner, Eobard Thawne's ancestor, and also the main combat force that eliminated the Reverse-Flash at the end of the first season. Of course, that kind of combat method could only be used once.
Joe and Eddie happened to walk out of the office, about to go to work. A strange bank robbery occurred yesterday; a large fog suddenly appeared at the bank, and hundreds of thousands in cash were stolen. They needed to investigate based on the clues obtained yesterday.
As soon as they stepped out, they saw Barry leading Cisco and Lin Li into the police station.
Joe frowned and said to Barry, "What are you doing?"
Seeing Eddie present, Barry didn't want to go into too much detail, so he simply said, "I invited Cisco and Lin Li to help me with a new experiment."
Barry also introduced the two: "Eddie, this is Cisco, Lin Li."
Eddie shook hands with Lin Li very curiously and said, "Cool, Barry, you even know amazing Eastern friends. I'm Eddie, Eddie Thawne."
Lin Li smiled and nodded, "Lin Li, nice to meet you."
I recognize you without an introduction, Eddie.
Lin Li admired Eddie's character; he was greatly impressed by the noble and great sentiment of being able to think of such a way to save everyone.
Joe looked at the group and said to Lin Li, "Lin Li, come with me for a moment."
Lin Li, puzzled, followed Joe to a corner.
Joe looked outside, confirmed Barry hadn't heard, and then said, "Lin Li, I know Barry has been friendly with you guys lately. I hope you can persuade Barry not to go around fighting criminals in that red suit."
Lin Li also looked outside and saw Cisco taking a selfie with his phone and the mural. He wasn't surprised by what Joe said. In the TV show, Joe initially strongly opposed Barry's actions until metahuman crimes appeared, making him feel that ordinary police were incapable of dealing with them, only then did he approve of Barry's actions.
"Joe, why don't you persuade Barry yourself? After all, you've been with Barry for over a decade, you're closer."
"OK, I'll be honest with you. I've talked to Barry about this. From the moment Barry gained super speed and started fighting crime, I knew it was Barry. I've been with Barry for over a decade, I know his personality very well, so I'm trying to subtly stop him."
Lin Li disliked this kind of behavior, where parents treat you like a child your whole life, protecting you, planning for you, controlling you, consciously guiding you in the direction they believe is best.
Lin Li said impolitely, "You know Barry, do you understand why he does what he does? You don't understand Barry, you haven't understood his inner world. Besides, Barry is an adult, and I think he has his own decisions. Joe, I think you're trying to steer Barry, controlling him to move in the direction you want. You need to deeply understand Barry."
After speaking, Lin Li didn't wait for Joe, patted his arm, and walked back to the others.
Cisco grabbed Lin Li, took out his phone: "Lin Li, come on, smile…"
Seeing that Joe hadn't returned yet, Barry walked over to Joe and said, "Joe, what's wrong?"
Joe snapped out of his daze; he had been thinking about what Lin Li had said.
"Nothing. Tonight, shall we, father and son, have a chat?"
"OK, I'd love to."
The conversation ended, and Joe and Eddie went out to work.
Barry then took Lin Li and Cisco upstairs to the lab.
At this moment, Lin Li stood at the entrance of the lab, feeling a bit anxious. He hoped he could truly find cross-dimensional energy or other clues to return, but his reason and understanding told him it was impossible. Eight months was enough time for all energy to dissipate and disappear, especially theoretical things like this.
Cisco and Barry both patted Lin Li's back as a sign of comfort.
Lin Li took a deep breath and took the 'Cross-Dimensional Energy Emitter Detector' that Cisco and he had built.
As soon as he entered the lab, Lin Li activated the detector, carefully, seriously, and gravely approaching the walls, floor tiles, tables, and even brought in an aluminum ladder to meticulously check the air, skylights, and every single spot.
This effort took over half an hour, and the result, of course, was nothing.
Lin Li was expressionless, then activated infrared detection, gamma-ray detection, magnetic field detection, plasma high-load, and electronic reaction.
The "Cross-Dimensional Energy Emitter Detector" had nearly eight different types of detection methods, but besides detecting some expected reactions, there were no unexpected findings outside the scope of understanding.
Was that theoretical cross-dimensional energy really only theoretical? When would he be able to go home?
Lin Li felt disheartened and very discouraged. Of course, he knew finding his way home wouldn't be that simple, but with no hope at all now, it was really hard not to be discouraged.
Cisco saw the gloom on Lin Li's face and said to him, "Lin Li, it's okay. Our technology is advancing every day. Maybe at some point, we'll understand black holes, white holes, and dimensions. We still have hope."
Barry saw Cisco's raised eyebrow, and he, standing nearby, also said, "Yeah… maybe technology will advance quickly enough. Maybe there will be a metahuman who can control black holes, and we can study them. And maybe… one day someone who can travel through time will appear? Don't be discouraged, there's always hope."
It's all nonsense! Both of them knew that what they were saying was highly unlikely. Science wouldn't leap forward in a short time to understand black holes and dimensions, and what Barry said was even greater nonsense.
Of course, that was just what they thought.
In the future, Lin Li knew that Barry could travel through timelines.
Lin Li, who had been feeling down, suddenly had his eyes light up when he heard Barry's words.
His heart was tumultuous, surging with emotion, and he looked at Barry in shock.
Barry felt uneasy from being stared at, and he shivered unnaturally, saying, "Why? Why are you looking at me like that? Did I say something wrong?"
A strange idea emerged in Lin Li's mind.
In the future, Barry could travel through timelines. If Barry could take him back to when the particle accelerator exploded, back to that Central City Police Department lab, when that vortex hadn't disappeared yet, and throw him back…
Wouldn't he be able to go back then?
Lin Li's downcast expression suddenly turned into ecstasy.
He hugged Barry tightly and said excitedly, "Barry, I need your help in the future, please help me."
Barry said without hesitation, "Absolutely, I'd be very happy to help you."
Barry, we'll be best friends for life. Because you helped me without hesitation, I swear I will protect your present, your safety, your father, your wife, everything.
Lin Li silently swore in his heart.
Just then, Barry's phone rang.
"Caitlin, what do you need me for? A very strange dense fog appeared on Yudai Street? Okay, I'll be right there."
Dense fog?
Lin Li's heart stirred.