Chapter 25 - Lemon Flavored Film Emperor Gong (4): As a ♂ technology otaku with global popularity
Translator: SilverRain
Editors: Amaris, Grump
It turned out that anorexia could be cured by a chef who tried hard enough.
He ChongFeng finally had the satisfaction of a full stomach, which had eluded him for so long. The little angel in his heart was already dancing happily, but on the surface he was still cold: “Thank you, Mr. Mai.”
Gou Liang, who was disinfecting the silver needles, smiled and made a noise of acknowledgement—he was going to use acupuncture to treat He ChongFeng.
Traditional Chinese medicine was one of the new skills that Gou Liang picked up in the last task world—He and Shi Yu had planned out their future together. The latter wanted to be a doctor, so naturally Gou Liang followed suit. But rather than being interested in neurosurgery like Shi Yu, Gou Liang was more intrigued by traditional Chinese medicine. Shi Yu’s grandmother knew several famous practitioners. Although Gou Liang only showed a passing interest, she was eager to spoil him and give him the best of everything.
Gou Liang was naturally talented. In just over a year, he had not only mastered the basics but also surpassed his teachers. To be honest, he was even more skilled than the old practitioners who were well respected in their fields—With the genius-level Scholar Shi lending him a hand, there was no need for him to be too humble.
Of course, his medical license in this world was created with the identity remodelling prop. Even he didn’t expect it to be used so soon.
The silver needles pierced He ChongFeng’s head one by one.
Niu Qing and the assistant on the side didn’t know whether Gou Liang or He ChongFeng was more gutsy. The former’s hands didn’t shake in the slightest while the latter was content to let a ‘stranger’ stab needles into his head. Their audience was sweating from nervousness.
After he placed the needles, Gou Liang sat back in the folding chair and enjoyed the unique hedgehog-like shape of Film Emperor He. The smile in his eyes suddenly magnified by several times—yes, he made it ugly on purpose!
He ChongFeng’s face was calm.
No one knew that the little guy in his heart was currently: ~(~o ̄▽ ̄)~o… o~(_△_o~) ~… ~(~o ̄▽ ̄)~o… So comfortable~~~
Fifteen minutes later.
Gou Liang pulled out the needles and said: “You will feel very tired in half an hour. Your only task now is to find a comfortable bed and sleep well. It doesn’t matter how long you sleep. Sleep is also a very good treatment. Let your body tell you when to wake up and don’t think about work. What can be more important than your health…”
He looked like he was wringing his heart out.
Niu Qing: Wuwuwu, what a touching picture!
After taking leave with the director, He ChongFeng’s group returned to the hotel. Gou Liang left the studio with them.
After saying goodbye—
“? Qing-jie, isn’t that Mr. Mai chasing after us?!” Said the assistant, who was currently driving.
Niu Qing turned around and saw that the person running behind their car at an incredible speed really was Gou Liang.
“Stop the car!”
She thought that there was some important medical advice that Gou Liang had forgotten to impart or that something had gone wrong with He ChongFeng’s treatment. Her face was heavy.
The dozing He ChongFeng also opened his eyes and looked at Gou Liang, who was holding the door while panting with moist eyes. But then he heard—
“Um, male god, where’s the autograph you promised???”
Niu Qing and the assistant, again: It’s rare to find such an honest and unassuming livestreamer. _ | ̄|○
He ChongFeng: “…”
His inner little angel was holding his face: He seemed kinda cute even when his little pear dimples aren’t out~~~
Gou Liang, who came home with a picture in his arms, spent the entire night drawing in front of the wall that was specially modified to display a holographic projection of the cold film emperor—so he could pretend to be a brain dead fan.
Until the next day——
[Ding! The target’s favorability value has been updated! Current favorability value: +30.]
Eh?!!!
[Gou Liang: What just happened? @口@]
[The System was confused as well: …Look for yourself.]
Like him, the big blindspot looked like he just got up. According to the sounds, he seemed to be brushing his teeth. What did the favorability value have to do with brushing your teeth? Gou Liang was dumbfounded.
Just when Gou Liang was helplessly complaining, he suddenly heard the aloof film emperor giggling to himself.
[Gou Liang: ⊙ω⊙ Maybe I scrambled his brains yesterday.]
[The System suddenly interrupted him and nervously said: Master, look!]
The System pulled out the monitoring of the bathroom that He ChongFeng left just now. The only thing left was a simple drawing in the foggy surface of the mirror. A smiley face with two clear dimples was there……
Gou Liang secretly took another peek at the favorability value: I would’ve never ever ever thought that the film emperor had a crush on me!
*
That afternoon, Gou Liang officially became part of the crew.
Director Zhang introduced him to the rest of the cast. Everyone was curious about Gou Liang, the newbie actor playing Yu Gao.
Although Yu Gao wasn’t the main character in this movie, he was an important supporting role and a definite fan favourite as well.
Before Gou Liang, Director Zhang was using an actor on the orange list. That person even paid to join the production. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to remain calm under pressure. He was scolded by the director from his first day on set to the last. Even though the actor was the one who requested to leave, everyone knew that it was more like he was mercilessly kicked out by the picky director.
They were all curious about how Gou Liang, who was not even on the white list, was qualified for this role.
Some particularly perceptive individuals recognized him as the food livestreamer who became famous recently because of Sister Six and Teddy Star. Apparently, Teddy ranted about him at night and Sister Six referred to herself as his brain dead fan. Now that he had shown up at the crew of 《Agent of War》… Gou Liang’s image was immediately demonized in their minds.
Those waiting for a good show had already prepared refreshments, but immediately after the director introduced him, Gou Liang was politely invited to Film Emperor He’s break room by his assistant. They didn’t even get to say hello.
Everyone returned to what they were doing before ↓
High ability warning! This cute newbie has a backer (-`ω′-)!
“Did you sleep well yesterday?” Gou Liang asked as he put down the food box.
“Very well.” He ChongFeng stood up and went to Gou Liang’s side before adding, “Thank you.”
In Gou Liang’s eyes, the target’s face was like this—[Favorability value +30]. His mood became better the more he looked at He ChongFeng, so he raised his head and said with a smile: “I don’t want your thanks. Give me a smooch instead~~”
He ChongFeng: “…”
The expressionless film emperor good-naturedly said, “Smooch.” Then he sat down to obediently wait for his lunch.
Niu Qing and the assistant: Scared-face.jpg
My movie emperor can’t be this cute!!!
[Gou Liang: …Little Wanton, I seem to have found something extraordinary.]
[System: ??]
Gou Liang didn’t explain. He opened the food box.
This time, he brought the XXXL food box, which had three layers with nine sections, each packed full of food.
The center compartment was still a combination of soup and rice. The first layer was vegetables, the second layer was meat dishes, and the third layer was… filled with high-end desserts!
Milky-white coconut red bean pudding with a hint of emerald, white and green thousand-layer matcha cake, golden shredded banana crisps…
Niu Qing’s eyes filled with eagerness at the thought of the male lead’s dessert that she didn’t get to eat a single bite of yesterday.
Gou Liang handed a portion of rice to He ChongFeng before giving him some cutlery. Then he sat down happily with his own rice—he didn’t have any intention of inviting Niu Qing and the poor wallpaper assistant to join them.
Niu Qing: My saliva is flowing into tears ┭┮﹏┭┮.
Unfortunately, even her boss didn’t notice her sadness.
The taste of the dishes were clearly divided into light and heavy, such as: tofu with shallots vs. mapo tofu, steamed glutinous pork ribs with glutinous rice vs. spicy spicy spicy chicken. The dishes near He ChongFeng were all light, and that sinfully temptatious and fragrant box of sweets was placed right beside Gou Liang—the farthest position away from him.
He ChongFeng quietly reached towards the spicy chicken—
Gou Liang intercepted his chopsticks with his own and said with a smile: “Dear patient, my best medical advice to you is to watch what you eat.”
He ChongFeng silently looked towards the dessert.
Gou Liang tilted his head and smiled innocently: “Male god, sweets are a no-no as well~”
He ChongFeng: “…”
He glanced at Gou Liang who was smiling way too brightly with his overwhelmingly prideful and cunning peach blossom eyes. He quietly withdrew his chopsticks and turned to the tofu with shallots.
Inner Little Angel: Welp, at least he has little pear dimples ╮(╯▽╰)╭
Gou Liang looked at how He ChongFeng’s eyes drooped while eating quietly. It was good to have a good appetite. The last step of a perfect meal was to find a dish with a good face and a soft appearance after all.
Indeed. This morning, Scheming Boy Gou Liang saw Niu Qing sending a lunchbox to his big blindspot. When he saw that all the sweets had been devoured afterwards, he wasn’t sure if he was astonished or disappointed. In short, he was in a bad mood, so the scene just now occured.
When Gou Liang and He ChongFeng finished their sumptuous lunch, Niu Qing and the assistant choked through their oil-laden takeout cartons with teary eyes. Their resentment was almost tangible.
Gou Liang frowned when he saw that they had only taken a bite or two before going to dispose of their lunches in the trash.
He ChongFeng followed his line of sight and democratically offered a choice: “Do you want to finish that or get your bonuses slashed?”
There was no light in the world inhabited by Niu Qing and the assistant. He ChongFeng ignored them. He sat back silently and looked at Gou Liang—En. Those little pear dimples did become more apparent.
Inner Little Angel: Anything for the little pear dimples! *\(′ ▽ `)/*
After the lunch that abused both the mind and body of the well-connected manager, Gou Liang’s first scene began.
The main theme of a movie based on history like《Agent of War》had to be thought-provoking and righteous. The protagonist had to be morally upright enough to wear his underwear over his pants, a true hero willing to sacrifice himself for his convictions. This was very popular with the current audiences. With the addition of special effects, thrilling moments, fighting and other elements, the movie had become highly anticipated and praised even before its release.
The movie was already halfway to making it just because Film Emperor He was here. However, Director Zhang was a man with vision. He didn’t expect commercial film techniques to capture the artistic and literary spirit he was aiming for. The plot must fluctuate, and the characters must feel complex—whether it was the vertical characterization of the protagonist, or the lateral characterization of the supporting cast, texture was key.
Yu Gao was a prime example of this.
He was a harmless narcissist with a small temper. He was the only character notable for his looks, and his strange personality made him a loner. However, he was willing to take a bullet for his teammate at the critical moment, heroically sacrificing himself.
There were so many attractive points here.
His first scene was a solo jazz dance in an isolation chamber. He immersed not only himself but also others in the strangely charismatic steps he took.
After the director called out ‘cut’, Niu Qing—who had seen it once before—was still fascinated. Others were even more so. Even the usually stoic assistant praised Gou Liang’s many talents: he was a good actor, he could dance, cook, practice medicine… and that was just so far. Apart from his boss, Gou Liang was the most powerful person he had ever met.
The Scheming Boy Gou Liang was currently biting an apple to take a photo. The little livestreamer didn’t want to ignore the 300 thousand passersby fans and cute fans in the streaming studio. He was giving them cute photo benefits. When he got what he believed to be the best angle, he took off the apple and took a bite. He ate and said, “I can’t dance, ah.”
He ChongFeng, Niu Qing and the assistant who had been quietly appreciating his fluid posture: “…Too much modesty becomes pride.”
Gou Liang laughed. “I really haven’t learned it. That was all imitation.”
Niu Qing remembered Gou Liang’s audition. At that time, he really did watch a jazz dance video on his phone… Head Manager Niu Qing was in disbelief: “So, you learned an entire dance style in three minutes?”
Gou Liang tilted his head and asked like that was normal: “Is it supposed to be difficult?”
Niu Qing and the assistant: “…”
He ChongFeng: “Not really.”
Gou Liang’s sweet little pear dimples reappeared.
Niu Qing and the assistant: Mr. Police Officer, these two Martians are assaulting our senses o(> _ <)o !
*
Gou Liang’s life began to fill up. He rotated between livestreaming, filming, and working on his male god’s favorability value.
It was worth mentioning that He ChongFeng’s health began to gradually improve. This was probably what the saying ‘a healthy appetite is a sign of good fortune’ meant. Since the problem of anorexia had been solved, the other problems were a piece of cake! Gou Liang failed to find out the cause of the target’s sudden illness no matter what he did. Strangely, his occasional acupuncture sessions seemed to keep the haughty migraines at bay.
In just half a month, the target’s health gradually approached four and a half stars.
Even Dr. Gou was surprised by this: …Were my medical skills always this heaven-defying? ⊙ω⊙
The manager and assistant who personally witnessed He ChongFeng’s sleep quality and physical condition improve: Miracle doctor, please accept our bows!!!
In fact, Gou Liang was against this title as he looked at the +31 favorability value.
He originally wanted to raise the target’s favorability up to at least +60 with his medical skill. Otherwise, he would miss out on having the perfect excuse to go everywhere with He ChongFeng and to eat and live with him in the future.
Yes, under the banner of taking care of the patient, the scheming Dr. Gou did not stay in the production crew’s hotel. He also selectively forgot about the private villa he owned in this movie city. Instead, he lived in the private residence of He ChongFeng.
Film Emperor He’s dedication was well-known in the circle. He was almost always with the crew during working hours. He only changed as part of a special effort to cooperate with the treatment this time.
On the first day, he almost mistakenly went into Gou Liang’s kitchen, where he was livestreaming. Fortunately, he retreated in time. Otherwise, the news would blow up even more than with the little Teddy’s late night rant about a wild man!
Gou Liang said to him, “In the future, the kitchen will be my place. Employees only, understand?”
He ChongFeng looked at the already completely redecorated livestreaming kitchen filled with extravagant gadgets. He nodded silently.
Gou Liang laughed contentedly.
Their cohabitation was going better than he expected.
Ever since Gou Liang found out that the target was easy to get along with despite acting aloof and being stingy with facial expressions, their relationship became more casual and relaxed. The most Gou Liang ever heard him say was plesantaries like ‘please’ or ‘thank you’. He was also very tolerant of him. Gou Liang, who had always been good at taking advantage of people, wouldn’t let go of this opportunity.
However, there was once when he “accidentally” went into the target’s bedroom when he was writing a program. He ChongFeng, who was immersed in his work, coldly glared at him. But Gou Liang easily came out unscathed after he showed off his little pear dimples with an embarrassed expression.
It was just that he couldn’t figure out what the target was writing, or why the favorability value that had remained stagnant for 10+ days suddenly went up by +1.
However, Gou Liang was not in a hurry. He happily raked in the soul happiness value from the fans while filming the first movie of his life.
“Cut!”
Under the director’s command, Gou Liang stopped acting. After watching the playback, Director Zhang and the deputy director wanted to go over a detail with Gou Liang, but when they turned around, he was busy eating.
Directors: “…”
Gou Liang’s eating had become a unique attraction to the crew.
It was a wonderful enjoyment to see him eat, but it was unlike the hour-long livestream the fans begged Streamer Gou for all day. Most of the crew had become immune to the vast quantities of food he consumed. At the same time, they were more and more in awe of his black hole stomach. Even Niu Qing couldn’t help but say: If there were 25 hours in a day, he would probably spend it all eating.
However, although Streamer Gou’s culinary skills were top-notch, he guarded his food closely. He was beyond selling his beloved food to earn a single digit number of soul coins. He mercilessly refused everyone’s pleas for food. Even Director Zhang’s pleading eyes were ignored with an innocent smile. Gou Liang pretended that “I can’t understand what you are saying” on the outside while raising the bloodstained knife in his heart: Those who steal will be executed without exception! (`⌒′メ)
In the whole studio, only Film Emperor He could enjoy special treatment.
Director Zhang coughed and called Gou Liang over. After speaking with him, he decided to have the screenwriters change the scene. The director’s eyes swept over the set before he told Gou Liang to bring He ChongFeng over as well.
Gou Liang carried a bowl of lemon chicken and began to leisurely look for He Chong Fen while eating. Film Emperor He was not in the break room. He was squatting on the steps outside the props department.
Gou Liang, with food in his mouth, walked in silently—
“Male—god?!”
He ChongFeng turned around with dumbfounded.jpg on his face. There was a virtual little person on his phone—you didn’t need VR goggles to see the holographic image of little pear dimples and peach blossom eyes.
The little pear dimples on screen were giggling as he offered his left cheek. After not receiving an intimate poke, he turned his head to show off the right little pear dimple.
Gou Liang heard his voice say in a soft and cute way, “Male god~~ poke poke~~~”
He ChongFeng’s fingers moved—he controlled the impulse to poke at the little person. He recovered his copy of aloof.jpg and hid his phone behind him silently as he stood up to look down at Gou Liang. The other person was staring blankly at him with wide eyes. He seemed to have forgotten to chew the piece of lemon chicken in his mouth.
Inner Little Person: Ying. I want to poke him so badly. I want to poke the little pear dimples!
However, the aloof emperor and little pear dimples only silently stared at each other as cutesy sounds like “Male god, male god, poke me~” and “Male god, male god, I like you oh~” played in the background: ⊙﹏⊙×2
[Ding! The target favorability value has been updated! Current favorability value: +50!]
[System: Huh? What happened? Master!]
[Gou Liang: You never know what will happen next. It’s not because of life… but the inner world of a technology genius Q3Q.]