Chapter 42 - Lemon Flavored Film Emperor Gong (21): What flavor would he be in the next world?罒▽罒
Translator: KunLin
Editors: Amaris, Rubhyl
The award ceremony of Huaxia Golden Film Award.
It was set to be held on Huaxia calendar’s Valentine’s Day. It was said that the stars on that night would be the most beautiful.
Ever since Huaxia had monopolized the holo-technology market, the strongholds of the entertainment industry had slowly been returning to the mainland from overseas. The Huaxia Golden Film award included works from all over the world. It was the most prestigious award that could be received within the circle.
The award ceremony would be held tonight. Streamer Gou once again opened up a livestream. As he made breakfast, his brows were furrowed and his face was full of restlessness.
Today’s breakfast would no longer be sweet, rather ↓↓
Durian buns, steamed dumplings stuffed with pickled bamboo shoots, mantou layered with chili paste to form sandwiches, along with a jug of freshly made bitter melon juice…
“Maimai, think it through, ah! ∑(゚ロ゚〃)”
“Eating like this will give you an upset stomach…>﹏<”
“If I didn’t witness it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t believe that such beautiful food is actually dark cuisine…”
“Maimai relax la, this is your first time attending the award ceremony, there’s absolutely no need to feel pressured.”
“That’s right ah, that’s right ah, no matter what the result is, we’ll always love you!”
……
Alas, these comments were unable to console Gou Liang’s wounded spirits.
【Ding! The target’s favorability value has been updated. Current favorability value: +99.】
【Ding! The mission progress bar has increased. Current completion rate: 98%】
These two system notifications bore down on Gou Liang’s heart like two mountains.
Ever since he and the equally as diligent Target-Dada had unlocked many new postures through dauntless experiments, He ChongFeng’s love for him had shot to yet another level and the two of them stuck together like glue. However, five days ago, the favorability value and mission progress bars had reached just short of the tipping point, scaring Gou Liang who didn’t dare to ‘overeat’ anymore.
Like so, he had abstained for nearly a week, but both Gou Liang and He ChongFeng were on their last straw last night. In the end, they rolled together like dry firewood lit on fire. Gou Liang desperately blurted out that he wanted to try a new sensation and made He ChongFeng’s little guy wear a raincoat. As expected, the mission progress bar obediently stopped increasing.
However…
Gou Liang alarmingly discovered that positive soul forces that weren’t immediately eaten by him would dissipate, he couldn’t eat them at all.
He ChongFeng, who was asleep at that time, didn’t know that a certain dog had squatted in the corner of the room with tears trickling down his face like rivers while holding a little raincoat that was filled to the brim.
When he thought of how he would need to rely on the little raincoat for the rest of his life, Gou Liang suddenly felt that the sky outside was even more gloomy and dark than the one created by special effects in 《Agent of War》.
As the sound of He ChongFeng’s footsteps approached, Gou Liang waved goodbye to his cute fans and said: “Today’s Mai Tao broadcast will end here. There will be overtime today, see you all at tonight’s ceremony.”
He ChongFeng heard this and waited outside the door for a while before walking in.
In the air was an unexplainable combination of bitterness, spiciness, and sourness. He looked towards the table and saw today’s breakfast… He ChongFeng smiled stiffly: “Little Fool, what’s up with this?”
Gou Liang listlessly got into his seat. He looked at the other and said: “When I woke up this morning, I couldn’t believe that you were sleeping with your back facing me. Baby is unhappy. ╯^╰”
He ChongFeng couldn’t help but laugh. He walked forward and pulled the other into his embrace, sweeping him onto his lap. He rubbed Gou Liang’s head and said: “Don’t be nervous. There isn’t a single person who is more anticipated then you are tonight. Also, you don’t necessarily need to have that trophy, isn’t that right?”
He ChongFeng also thought that he was throwing a tantrum because he was nervous about participating in the Golden Film Award for the first time. Gou Liang breathed in the other’s cold and refreshing lemon scent and his eyes became even more dejected.
“That’s not what Wen WuZhao said. He said whether I could enter the red list in one go, it would all depend on tonight.”
《Agent of War》’s release and the airing of the luxury car advertisement, added with the robust popularity Gou Liang had gained on 《Wilderness Island》, had allowed him to jump from the green list to No. 69 on the orange list in the June release of the International Celebrity List—a destination most people might not be able to reach even after struggling their entire life, Gou Liang had reached it after a mere two years of time.
Speaking truthfully, Gou Liang no longer had any desire to enter the red list.
Reason being, when he entered the orange list, the original host’s negative soul force had already been wiped clean—this child had less ambition than what Gou Liang originally thought.
What was messed up was how he didn’t realize that the personnel of the Space-Time Administration Bureau had set an upper limit. After he harvested 66,666,666 spirit coins, he would be capped out and unable to farm anymore positive feedback from the original owner or his fans.
Therefore, Gou Liang could very openly express: Status, wealth, and fame? I don’t care. ╮( ̄▽ ̄)╭
But his most beloved Little Lemon, he wouldn’t be able to taste him anymore in the future… When he thought of this, his heart almost shattered.
He ChongFeng noticed that a misty film of water had suddenly formed in the other’s eyes. His heart immediately clenched in distress for him. “Don’t listen to him. Why does it matter if you enter the red list or not?”
Gou Liang: “He also said that if I don’t enter the red and purple list, you will be snatched away by someone else sooner or later.”
Seeing He ChongFeng tightly furrowing his brows, it appeared that his pillow talk was effective. Gou Liang finally let out three laughs in his heart.
Since I’m not happy, then none of you shall have a pleasant life!
Manager Zhao who was on his way to the villa to deliver the evening attire suddenly let out a sneeze.
k3010;In the sea of consciousness, the dark clouds lingered without dispersing. The system took the opportunity to say: Master, Master! Since it’s like this, you should just enjoy the last 2%!! kUUR3; 3kUUR3; k3011;
【Gou Liang: Don’t make a fuss, otherwise I’ll beat you oh!】
【System:┬_┬ 】
System: If even Little Lemon cannot save you from your depravity, then Master, what else is there to say between us?
When it was time to walk the red carpet, Gou Liang finally sorted out his broken spirit and put on a smile to face life.
On the stage, a pair of male and female anchors worked together to liven the atmosphere up with humorous dialogues. Gou Liang was drawn into it but at this moment the system interrupted urgently↓
【Ding. Master, there’s a situation!】
The system then pulled up a monitor screen for Gou Liang to see. It was unknown when Ming Xiang had left the ceremony, he was currently at one of the resting rooms onsite, handing something over to an extravagantly-dressed woman with heavy makeup. Gou Liang recognized what the object was, it was He ChongFeng’s phone.
It was him?
Baffled, Gou Liang straightened up his back.
Ming Xing: “Mom, what do you insist on getting cousin’s phone for?”
The woman gave him a ‘don’t ask so much’ look. She tugged on a pair of plastic gloves before receiving the phone from him, then unlocked it with a copy of He ChongFeng’s fingerprint. She found the holo baby and booted it.
At the same time, Gou Liang’s phone began to vibrate. A holo baby identical to the one from He ChongFeng’s phone popped out from his.
“Who are you? Go away~ Little Fool belongs to Male God~~”
The holo baby Little Fool bulged his cheeks up. His face was full of unhappiness as he said this.
Ming Xing and the woman’s heart leaped in fright. After confirming that this was only a facial recognition program and not something else, they finally calmed down.
“T-this is a holo baby? When did cousin invent one that could be seen with just your eyes—” As Ming Xing said this, he suddenly realized the woman’s intentions. He said to her coldly: “You want to take this technology for yourself?”
The woman let out a mirthless laugh. “I’ve been waiting for half a year for him to hand this technology over to the Research and Development Department, but it turns out that he has no intention of sharing this whatsoever. It was a waste of my time waiting for this long.”
While Ming Xing was pondering over what she meant, Gou Liang had already understood.
Without a doubt, the person who had divulged that He ChongFeng was the inventor of the holo-technology to WE’s overseas competitors was this woman; Ming Xing’s mother and He ChongFeng’s aunt.
The reason she had been laying low all this time was because she knew He ChongFeng had an even better piece of technology in his hands… He ChongFeng had never publicly announced the invention of the holo babies. This only showed how closely this woman had been monitoring He ChongFeng. It was very possible that she had long arranged people to watch him in secret. Who could they be, ne? Niu Qing? Or was it that assistant little bro…
When He ChongFeng’s voice was heard through his ears, Gou Liang finally snapped out of his thoughts.
“Nominations for this year’s Best Newcomer Award includes…”
He was actually the guest invited to hand out the best newcomer award!
When Gou Liang realized this, he finally broke off all other trains of thought. A few movies were presented. Unsurprisingly, among them were 《Agent of War》and 《River and Mountains》. With two nominations to Gou Liang’s name, the result was hard to guess.
He ChongFeng: “Then, the winner for this year’s best newcomer award is—Mai Tao!”
At this moment, a smile emerged on his cold face. Gentleness exuded from his brows. He couldn’t help but lean closer towards the mic, saying: “Little Fool, come up here, ba.”
Amidst the ardent applause, Gou Liang smiled and walked towards him.
After they exchanged a hug, Gou Liang smiled and said jokingly into the mic: “I’m thinking, right now, should I first kiss my trophy or should I kiss my male god?”
The crowd burst into good-natured laughter. As dictated by formality, Gou Liang thanked the crew, the judges, the company, and his fans before walking off stage to He ChongFeng who was waiting for him. Gou Liang said in a low voice: “Where’s your phone?”
He ChongFeng looked at him. Gou Liang took out his own phone and gave it to the other to see. On the screen, the holo baby’s face was being clutched by someone. It cried continuously but was unable to make any noises.
He ChongFeng’s brows immediately furrowed together.
Gou Liang sat back in his seat. Not long after, there was an addition of a blind spot in the system’s monitor.
Ming Xing was agitated but the woman was smiling normally and saying in an affectionate tone: “Ah Feng, why are you here? Has the winner of the best male lead already been announced?”
“My phone.”
He ChongFeng spoke briskly.
Ming Xing hurriedly handed the phone over to He ChongFeng. Just as he was about to explain something, He ChongFeng already said: “Auntie, if you want something, you can just directly ask me. There’s no need to join hands with outsiders to force me into giving it up and there’s no need to make things difficult for Ming Xing.”
The woman said in a puzzled manner: “Ah Feng, what are you talking about?”
After He ChongFeng listed a few names, the woman finally ceased the hypocritical smile on her face. He said: “Let’s call it a stop here. Currently, announcing new technologies aside from VR glasses won’t do any good for WE’s development. The present technology still has a lot of room for development and can guarantee WE’s dominance on the market for at least the next ten years to come. When the time comes and more advanced technology is needed for expansion, I’ll naturally announce them to the public.”
The woman let out a deriding laugh. “Since you’ve already investigated me, then you should know that what I want is not merely this holo baby.”
He ChongFeng didn’t answer.
The woman lifted her head, jutted her chin out and said: “I am simply taking back what belongs to me—”
“Mom!” Ming Xing interrupted her. “What nonsense are you saying?!”
Everyone knew that his mother was only an illegitimate daughter of the previous WE chairman, Old Wang. Even he himself wasn’t surnamed Wang, taking on his mother’s surname instead. Not to mention, WE being able to develop to this point today was all thanks to He ChongFeng’s holo-technology. Even if his father had provided support during WE’s most difficult period, it didn’t mean that his mother automatically get part of the merit too. The woman clearly thought otherwise: “Back then, if it weren’t for the He Family providing funds, WE would’ve long been bankrupted. The one in a relationship with He ZiMing was clearly me, so why did he marry Wang AiYing in the end? Was it not because she got in between the two of us that she got WE, that she got He ChongFeng?! All of this should’ve been mine, it’s all because of Wang AiYing, because of you!”
“Allow me to remind you.” He ChongFeng said, “Back when you were pestering my father, Ming Xing was already two years old.”
“So what?”
She was completely uncaring of Ming Xing’s increasingly pale complexion. “What right do you have to say that I was pestering him? Hmph, I bet it was that mother of yours who told you that, am I right? Of course she would say that, of course she would never admit that she used to be a despicable mistress! She’s just jealous, jealous that the person ZiMing liked wasn’t her but me—”
“My mother never told me anything about the previous generation, but it’s not hard to find out about something like this so long as you want to.”
He ChongFeng continued to say: “You and my father were indeed in a relationship for a brief period, but both of you were junior high students at the time. Isn’t it still too soon to proclaim that you’re the love of each other’s life? Later on, my parents met each other, fell in love, and got married. That is also a fact. At that time, if you hadn’t threatened my father by saying that you’ll tell my mother there had been something going on between you two, then my father wouldn’t have gone to see you, his illness wouldn’t have acted up and he wouldn’t have died because you had fed him the wrong medicine.”
The woman’s haughty expression finally changed.
“You, you speak nonsense! ZiMing died due to his illness, he…”
He ChongFeng saw no point in conversing with her further. “Ming Xing, have your father come and pick her up, it’s better if you don’t get involved with this matter.”
However, Ming Xing was scared into a daze by the insider secrets that He ChongFeng had just revealed. It wasn’t until He ChongFeng had walked into the distance that he finally regained his composure. With a face of disbelief, he turned and asked the woman who was covering her face, repeating that He ZiMing had died of an illness: “Mom… what Ah Feng said, it’s the truth, right?”
——Turned out, He ChongFeng had long known who was the one who had been muddling the waters behind the scene.
When Gou Liang realized this point, his heart relaxed greatly.
When He ChongFeng returned to the ceremony, he didn’t go back to his own seat. He came over to Gou Liang’s side instead.
The seatings for the award ceremony were strictly arranged based on their rankings on the list. Although Gou Liang had entered the venue alongside He ChongFeng, their seats were practically a whole milky way apart. There was an empty seat on Gou Liang’s left side, He ChongFeng nonchalantly sat down on it and asked Gou Liang in a low voice: “You knew everything?”
He didn’t ask how Gou Liang had managed to connect the holo baby on his phone to his, but he must have already investigated Ming Xing’s mother, otherwise, he wouldn’t have warned him like that.
Gou Liang nodded his head. He also lowered his voice and leaned in towards him: “What about you? When did you find out everything?”
He ChongFeng let out a sigh. “I found out when I was fourteen and she had sent people to kidnap me. It’s just that I didn’t expect that she still hasn’t given up after staying quiet for so many years.”
“Then your mom…?”
“As sisters, their relationship with each other has never been good. A portion of WE’s stock is owned by Ming Xing and his father, it has nothing to do with her.”
Gou Liang nodded his head in understanding. Madam Wang didn’t know about this matter and He ChongFeng also had no intention of telling her.
As the two talked among themselves, up on stage they began to announce the winner for the best editing award.
When the honored guest announced 《Agent of War》’s name, Director Zhang represented the group and stood up. He straightened his beer belly and said with a beaming smile: “To be honest, it’s more appropriate for He ChongFeng to come up to receive this award. Everyone may not know this, but he is actually Mr. F who did the special effects, not only that, he is also the pioneer of the holo technology as well as its main engineer. Truly a hero appearing amongst youths. Back then, Mr. He was only ten or so years old, it really makes us old fogeys ashamed, haha.”
The crowd was in an uproar, the fans who were watching the broadcast felt so shocked that their chins fell to the floor.
Gou Liang furrowed his brows. “Was this something she planned?”
Previously, he hadn’t included that dumb Teddy and his family into the list of suspects, thus he hadn’t paid much attention to their movements.
He ChongFeng shook his head. “It shouldn’t be.”
If he had to say, it was more likely for his aunt to have joined hands with WE’s competitors to do this, as had already proven by reality.
Everyone in the audience was now searching for He ChongFeng, even the holo cameramen. When they focused on He ChongFeng, they saw him calmly saying something to Gou Liang, the two of them huddled closely together. The other said something, causing He ChongFeng to suddenly smile.
“Who can tell me what is happening right now?!”
“My Feng is the inventor of holo-technology? The literal meaning?!”
“Oh my God. When holo-technology entered the market, My Feng wasn’t even eighteen yet, then just how young was he when he invented it?!!”
“Eh, why isn’t My Feng in his seat?”
“Why is my family’s lord in the orange list area?”
“Haha, turns out MaiMai was here, ah!”
All the BEEs had a ‘so it is like this’ expression. They even enthusiastically explained to the crowd who weren’t familiar with the situation about the unwavering friendship between their idol and MaiMai. Other fans: … They heard that the BEEs had good vision, but right now, other than ‘hehe’, what else can they say?
He ChongFeng stood up.
He calmly accepted the trophy and said: “Hello everyone, I’m F.”
The fans instantly exploded.
Tonight, no matter if it was 《The Rose that Blooms on Doomsday》which won the best film award, or He ChongFeng once again being elected as best male lead, it could not be more sensational than He ChongFeng winning the best editing award.
This caused a commotion in the outside world. In September, when the new ranking list was published, it went without saying that Gou Liang entered the red list in one swoop. As for He ChongFeng, he went from being no.9 on the purple list to no.1. He had climbed to the summit at the mere age of twenty-eight.
Reasons for promotion↓↓
Exceedingly talented, helped edit many movies during post-production which was followed by winning three best editing award afterward; was film emperor for five consecutive years, had received six best male lead trophies; created holo-technology, pushing the entertainment industry into the holo era, his overall contribution was unmatched by anyone…
On a certain day ten years later, Gou Liang woke up from his dream.
Only to realize that he wasn’t at home but in a hospital. He ChongFeng was sitting by his side with a haggard face. When He ChongFeng saw that he had awakened, his face was full of joy.
Gou Liang was flabbergasted: “What’s going on?”
He ChongFeng carefully touched his cheeks and said: “You slept for the whole day, no matter how I called, you wouldn’t wake up.”
He had been frightened then. However, the doctor said there was nothing wrong with Gou Liang and that he was only asleep—but could there be someone who could sleep to the point that even an entire series of examinations wouldn’t wake them up?!
As Gou Liang had proven to him, there really was.
Gou Liang felt a seldom feeling of embarrassment. Ai, after craving the little lemon to the point of being unable to sleep for consecutive days, Gou Liang expressed that he had really tired himself out, it wasn’t easy for him to finally sleep well for a change.
Gou Liang kissed He ChongFeng, saying: “Okay la, let’s go home, go home, I’m about to starve to death!”
He ChongFeng hugged him tightly. Gou Liang felt a drop of scalding liquid slip past the side of his face. He ChongFeng said: “Little Fool, don’t leave me…”
Gou Liang didn’t know if he should cry or laugh: “What nonsense is this, how can I leave—?”
His smile suddenly stiffened on his face.
【Ding! The target’s favorability value has been updated. Current favorability value: + 100! 】
【Ding! The mission progress bar has increased. Current completion rate: 100%!! 】
【Ding, the Lord God’s consciousness in the current mission world has reawakened. May mission undertaker No.00401 prepare for departure. Counting down, 10, 9, 8…】
Gou Liang looked at He Chongfeng in front of him who had suddenly turned blurry and was about to dissipate. His eyes widened–
【Gou Liang: Little Wanton, exchange for a mirror image extracting prop. Hurry!!】
【System: Yes, Master!!】
【Mainframe: 4, 3, 2–】
【System: Master, due to an unknown reason, the mirror image extracting prop has lost its effect! It cannot to used–】
【Mainframe: 1.】
The world in front of him began to warp rapidly. Gou Liang didn’t have time to see what the world looked like after being reset to its original trajectory, before being pulled back into the sea of consciousness.
In the sea consciousness.
System: “Master, I’m sorry.(/TДT)/”
It knew that when it was time to leave the mission world, Gou Liang had planned to extract a copy of the target’s soul—which was his entire life’s memory—and preserve it. It was just that unexpectedly in the end…
Gou Liang let out a long sigh: “Nevermind, this kind of ending, I’m not surprised at all, heh.”
System: Ying.
【Ding, congratulations on completing the second mission. One chance for shop lottery will be rewarded.】
【Ding, asking mission undertaker No.00401 to organize their experience into a mission completion strategy guide and upload it onto the mission experience forum. Since the mission was completed within forty-eight hours according to time flow in Space-Time Bureau, experience rewards will be given. 】
【Ding, the third mission world has been confirmed. Transfer will begin in ten seconds, may the mission undertaker be prepared.】
The mainframe’s mechanical voice sounded again.
Having fasted for ten years, Gou Liang’s eyes brightened: Fragment-Dada, in the next world, what flavor would you be, ne? 罒▽罒
The third bowl of dog food, ancient time:Honey Tangerine Flavored Shadow Guard Gong√
Sorry for the late update. I’ve been busy lately. But we’re finally done with the lemon arc! I hope ya’ll ready for tangerine.