txolops Chapter 383, please welcome the next chapter!
Chapter 383, please welcome the next chapter!
At this point, the popularity in the live stream was so high that it was almost burning out the server.
The real-time donation leaderboard on the left side of the screen looks like a crazy ticking clock.
The number one item, [Jiang Baizhi], has jumped to a number that even made He Shengming's heart skip a beat.
"Four million?"
He Shengming rubbed his eyes, his voice trembling:
"Did these elderly fans put all their retirement savings into it?"
.......
Meanwhile, at the Kyoto Film Studio filming location next to the hotel.
Yu was facing the monitor, watching the supporting actors on the screen who had to do more than ten takes because they couldn't find their footing, and he was so angry that he wanted to swallow the walkie-talkie in his hand.
"Crack!! Crack crack crack!!"
Yu Zheng suddenly stood up, his old face so gloomy it was almost dripping with water:
"What's wrong with you guys? You're supposed to be assassins, not doing calisthenics here!"
"Where is that murderous intent? That ruthlessness?"
The actors lowered their heads, looking aggrieved and not daring to utter a sound.
It's not their fault.
Since Jiang Bai finished filming and left the crew, the entire "Beauty's Rival in Palace" crew has seemed to have lost their soul.
In the past, when Bai Zhi stood there, even a production assistant who was just carrying bricks could be brought out with a sense of drama by that divine aura.
Now, all you see is industrial saccharin. Even the braised pork in the crew's canteen tastes like chewing wax. As for acting, the pace has slowed down again and again.
"Director, how about... we take a break?"
Assistant director Lao Liu leaned over and cautiously shook his phone.
"Um... I was just browsing Weibo, and it seems like the fundraising gala at the Shanghai Theatre Academy has started."
Yu Zheng glared at him, about to curse, "Why are you watching a live stream at a time like this?", but before he could finish the sentence, his eyes involuntarily drifted to Lao Liu's phone screen.
On the screen, a picture of Jiang Bai sitting in the VIP seat with a smile flashed by, along with a screen full of "Goddess Bai Zhi, I love you."
"cough."
Yu Zheng coughed lightly. How could he be absent from this scene where the entire internet was going crazy over a guy and calling him a goddess?
If someone isn't enthusiastic about watching a play, there's something wrong with their thinking.
Then, with remarkable ease, he snatched the phone and said with a serious expression:
"I can see that everyone is really exhausted."
"He Shengming's sudden 'illness' tonight is probably a result of rushing to meet deadlines these past few days."
"Alright, everyone take a one-hour break!"
The assistant director nodded, glancing at the phone that Director Yu had snatched from him, his heart filled with...
Director Yu, if you want to watch it, just say so. Don't use Teacher He as a shield, okay?
.......
"Achoo—! Who's talking about me?"
He Shengming sneezed as he watched the image of the goddess flash across the screen.
Suddenly, my phone vibrated violently, and a familiar contact name appeared on the screen: "Daddy He Jianguo".
"Why is Dad making a phone call at this hour?!"
He Shengming initially intended to hang up, but subconsciously answered the video call.
As soon as the call connected, He Shengming was stunned.
On the other end of the video, He Jianguo, the father, was sitting in front of a newly framed calligraphy and painting, his belly protruding and his face beaming with pride.
His old face was beaming so wide the wrinkles could practically trap flies, and he was holding a purple clay teapot in one hand, pointing to the calligraphy on the wall behind him with an air of importance:
"Shengming, aren't you asleep yet?"
"Don't go to sleep yet, look at the treasure Dad just brought home!!"
He Shengming squinted and took a closer look. He saw that on the raw Xuan paper, four large characters in black running script were written with vigorous strokes, exuding a lively and righteous spirit that seemed to burst out of the paper.
It clearly reads: "[Hard work and struggle]".
At the end of these four characters, a small heart is naturally drawn at the hook of the character "奋".
boom--!
A mushroom cloud instantly exploded in He Shengming's mind.
The brushwork, the spirit, and that little heart that's been analyzed as having "Zen" meaning by various calligraphy masters on Weibo these past few days...
"Dad! This handwriting... was it written by Teacher Jiang Baizhi?!"
He Shengming's voice changed, and he was so shocked that he jumped three feet high off the bed, not even noticing the hot water bottle falling onto his feet with a splash.
He Shengming was fully aware of the grand charity sale that took place at the Shanghai Theatre Academy's sports meet in Shanghai these past few days.
Those calligraphy books, costing ten thousand yuan per character, were so expensive that even a master like Wu Lao would fly to Shanghai to snatch them up. He, who was filming in Beijing, knew about them and was so envious that he almost drooled on the set.
"Hehe, you've got good taste, kid!"
Old Man He stroked the few stubble strands on his chin with a smug look.
"Isn't this Bai Zhi's daughter whom we mentioned before?"
"Hey, not only do you sing well, but your handwriting is also good."
"See this: 'Hard work and dedication'? That's my WeChat ID! This is truly personalized!"
He Shengming was getting anxious; his eyes were practically glued to the phone screen.
"Dad, tell me the truth, did you sneak off to Shanghai behind Mom's back?"
"Wait a minute, my mom posted on WeChat Moments this afternoon that you were kneeling on a washboard at home!"
Old Man He blushed, quickly coughed twice, and waved his hand in a serious manner:
"Why go to Shanghai! Do you think I'm that kind of clumsy person? It's your dad who has connections!"
"My old comrade from the old unit, his brother-in-law's nephew happens to work in the security department of the Shanghai Theatre Academy!"
"I had to pull three strings to get him to snatch those words back from the students' encirclement!"
Listening to his father's wild and enthusiastic recommendation, He Shengming felt a bitter taste in his mouth and a sour feeling in his heart that could have pickled the entire film studio.
It's a shame he's a big name in the entertainment industry.
It's a shame he even acted in a "love story of life and death" with Jiang Baizhi on set.
The results of it?
While others are sitting at home, words come from the sky!
General Zhou himself could only hide in his hotel room pretending to be sick and watching the live stream!
"Dad... I really didn't expect you to have this skill."
"I've been acting these past few days and completely forgot about this backdoor approach."
He Shengming looked at those four words and smiled bitterly, wishing he could go back to yesterday!
"Hehe, that's not all."
He Jianguo raised an eyebrow, his tone becoming mysterious.
"I know you're suffering, so I asked someone to get you one!"
Upon hearing this, He Shengming's previously lifeless heart instantly rekindled, and his eyes shone like searchlights:
"Really?! Dad, let me see! What calligraphy did you ask for for me? Did you write 'God of War Descends'? Or 'Deep Affection and Loyalty'?"
"No, that's not it. Don't rush, watch carefully!"
He Jianguo turned the camera to another calligraphy copybook next to him, which was slightly smaller but had equally brilliant ink.
He Shengming held his breath and craned his neck to look.
There were four large characters written on it in a flowing, elegant style: "Soaring Eagle".
"......"
He Shengming's smile froze instantly, and he stood there stiff as a statue.
Soaring eagles?
If he remembered correctly, his father's WeChat profile picture was a vulture with outstretched wings, and his Moments background also featured those four characters.
"Dad..." He Shengming's voice trembled with despair.
"This... is it for me too?"
"yes!"
He Jianguo shouted confidently on the other end of the line.
"The eagle represents perseverance, and soaring represents a bright future!"
"Aren't these four words so energetic? I'm planning to hang them on your bedroom door tomorrow, and I guarantee you won't have any hiccups while filming!"
He Shengming closed his eyes, and two lines of tears almost slid down his cheeks.
To hell with the soaring eagle!
This is clearly the father himself being dissatisfied, using his own son as a pretext, and then seeking out a motto for himself that he likes best!
"Wow, these characters are so beautiful, the more I look at them, the more I appreciate their charm."
He Jianguo is still continuously contributing over there.
"Look at this heart-shaped drawing! Bai Zhi, your daughter, definitely thinks my ID is pretty awesome..."
"dad."
He Shengming suddenly heard his mother's voice on the other end of the phone, and he spoke coldly with a wicked smile on his lips.
"What's wrong?"
He Shengming took a deep breath and shouted at the top of his lungs at the screen:
"Mom!! Come quick!!"
"My dad was just talking about his first love, 'Xiao Cui,' again!! He said this calligraphy was a token of love he gave to Xiao Cui!!"
"What?!"
First, Old Man He exclaimed in surprise from the other end of the phone, and then the screen shook violently.
"He Jianguo!! You old bastard!! I knew you'd been acting strange these past few days!!"
In the video, He's mother stormed into the study like a whirlwind, grabbed He's father's ear with such force that He Jianguo's face twisted into a pretzel from the pain.
"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Old woman, be gentle!"
"Shengming is talking nonsense! That was written by Jiang Baizhi, not Xiao Cui..."
With a click, the video cut off.
"Old Deng, you're trying to show off to me."
Hearing that final scream, He Shengming looked back at the live stream with a sense of relief.
At this moment, another performer finished their performance in the live stream.
The host went on stage, looking excited and a little nervous. His voice, coming from a cell phone, trembled.
Next, please welcome Jiang Baizhi to perform...
"boom--!!!"
He Shengming sat bolt upright as if he had been electrocuted, staring intently at the screen, not daring to even blink.
.......
P.S.: Another comic book adaptation is out! AI-powered live-action, name—Crossdressing: I'm a guy, bound to an all-powerful actress system. This version will have no narration, and the inner monologues will be even funnier. Here's one chapter for now, more tomorrow!