As for that particular scene that had fans buzzing with excitement and curiosity, Huo Ting’s biggest question was, how did this mermaid, who didn’t even have basic common sense about the different races, manage to acquire this kind of knowledge?
“Ah… That…where else could I have learned it from? I just… used my imagination and made it up!!!”
Even if he hadn’t eaten pork, he had at least seen pigs run, right?!
Huo Ting’s pace had unconsciously slowed and he didn’t realize that he had already voiced his thoughts.
Yu Mian was so caught off guard that he froze in place. Even with a mask and a hat on, one could see the tips of his ears burning red.
He had assumed that, given Huo Ting’s personality, he would probably spare him from embarrassment by pretending not to have noticed.
That way, if Huo Ting didn’t bring it up, he could pretend nothing happened. If he did bring it up, he could feign surprise and shift the blame entirely onto the director.
He just didn’t expect Huo Ting to be this direct today!?
Just as Yu Mian’s brain was working rapidly to come up with an excuse, he was startled by a sudden cry of pain from behind.
“Ow! Damn, that hurts! My arm, my arm’s about to break!!”
“Were you following us?”
Huo Ting’s tone was technically a question, but his voice carried a certainty that left no room for doubt. He had noticed someone trailing them for a while, but he initially assumed it was just another audience member leaving early. However, he didn’t expect them to be bold enough to actually follow them all the way here.
Yu Mian turned to look at the so-called “stalker”, who was now pinned to the ground, nearly having his arm twisted off.
He exchanged a bewildered glance with Huo Ting.
What was going on?
“T-Teacher Fish Soup Noodles? I’m not a bad guy! I’m Gu Qi, the director of “Eternal Night Rose”!”
Yu Mian: ?
“Director Gu Qi?”
Why was the legendary Director Gu Qi following him? And how did he recognize him?
“I’m really sorry… I actually knew where your VIP seats were since I arranged the tickets, so when I saw you leaving early, I panicked and subconsciously ran after you. I just wanted to ask whether the movie was not to your satisfaction?!”
“I swear I’m not a bad guy!”
The so-called Director Gu Qi was now drenched in cold sweat from the pain.
Yu Mian crouched down and examined the man carefully. After confirming that the ID badge hanging around his neck was legitimate, he silently signaled Huo Ting to release him.
But even if he was the director, this was still a bit much.
If Huo Ting hadn’t been with him, getting chased down like this alone would’ve been really terrifying.
Huo Ting obviously realized the same thing. Even after Gu Qi explained himself, he still watched the other party’s actions with a cold expression and had no intention of letting him get closer.
“Sigh… I know this was really inappropriate, but I was just so excited to finally see you. I’ve wanted to speak with you so many times during the filming of “Eternal Night Rose”…”
After the famous genius director got up, Yu Mian realized he was only in his twenties.
Moreover, he had the typical look of an artist.
His handsome face was now pale from the pain, but his gaze toward Yu Mian was filled with fervent excitement.
As Yu Mian listened to the other party pour out his emotions like a machine gun, speaking with passionate sincerity, his expression grew more and more hesitant. He even silently grabbed onto Huo Ting’s arm.
‘Could this… be the legendary Fish Soup Noodles’ fanatic?’
“Sorry, do I seem a little crazy?”
Director Gu Qi felt his heart break upon noticing Yu Mian’s hesitation.
And as he finally moved, he realized that his arm hurt so much it felt like it was about to snap.
“Uh… Are you okay? Do you need a doctor?”
Now that Gu Qi was no longer acting erratic and had instead shut his mouth, grimacing in pain while clutching his arm, Yu Mian couldn’t help but ask.
After all, he had watched from afar when Huo Yan trained with Huo Ting. If Huo Ting hadn’t held back his strength, this director’s arm might really be in trouble.
“Eternal Night Rose” had just premiered today. If the director broke his arm over this misunderstanding… that wouldn’t be a good thing, right ?
“It might be fractured.”
Noting Yu Mian’s questioning look, Huo Ting glanced at Gu Qi’s condition and made a judgment.
Just from a single touch, it was clear that this flashy director had a terribly weak physique and had probably never even considered physical training.
Yu Mian: …What kind of mess is this?
“Sigh, I’ll be fine. You should probably leave first. I’ll go get treated right away, otherwise, once the event officially ends, a lot of people will show up, and they’ll definitely recognize you.”
Now that he had calmed down a bit, Gu Qi reluctantly urged them to leave.
After all, this was a film he had poured his heart and soul into. Seeing the author he most wanted recognition from leave in silence had made him impulsively chase after him, thinking that Fish Soup Noodles was disappointed in the movie.
He hadn’t thought it through when chasing after him. Now, looking back, he realized how inappropriate his actions were.
Yu Mian hesitated for a long moment before making a final decision.
“Forget it. I’ll walk you back. If you end up with permanent damage in your arm, that would be a serious issue. It was a misunderstanding, after all.”
“…R-Really?”
Hearing this, Gu Qi’s voice regained a bit of energy.
“You should stop moving around first.”
Yu Mian was genuinely impressed by this guy’s spirit.
More importantly, after watching “Eternal Night Rose”, even though the unexpected situation had made him uncomfortable, he had to admit that the movie adaptation was surprisingly well done.
Especially the actor who portrayed Dreven. He resembled his imagined version of the character to an astonishing degree.
For the first time, Yu Mian was curious to see him in person.
Did he really look the same as he did on screen?
“Director, where did you run off to? And what happened to your arm?”
“Also… who is this?”
When everyone saw Yu Mian supporting Gu Qi, who was grimacing in pain, and Huo Ting walking behind them, they hesitated, puzzled.
Was this someone Gu Qi had just discovered for a new role?
“Ahem, don’t make a fuss. This is the author, Teacher Fish Soup Noodles. He just came by to check things out after the premiere. As for my arm… um… I tripped.”
After clearing the room of unrelated personnel, Gu Qi tried to cover up the situation.
Though in the next second, Huo Ting gestured for him to sit down so he could check his arm.
By now, Gu Qi was terrified of this General Huo. But with Teacher Fish Soup Noodles watching as well, he had no choice but to obediently extend his arm.
“It’s just dislocated. A quick reset will fix it.”
“Ahhh!!”
Just as Gu Qi was about to ask what “reset” entailed, there was a sudden “crack”, and his arm was forcibly popped back into place. He nearly lost half his soul.
Yu Mian barely held back his laughter as he watched the director, who had suffered a series of unfortunate events, finally come back to his senses, touching his now pain-free arm in disbelief.
Only then did he turn his attention to the room full of famous actors, who were all staring at him.
“…Hello, everyone?”
One moment, he had been watching these stunning men and women on the big screen, the next, they were standing before him.
As an author, it really felt like he had crossed dimensions.
As if the characters from his book had come to life.
“Teacher Fish Soup Noodles…?!?”
Although the core actors present were all A-list interstellar celebrities, they had also heard endless rumors about the mysterious author of “Eternal Night Rose”, the legendary Fish Soup Noodles.
They hadn’t expected the director to bring such a heavyweight surprise guest after the premiere.
“Sorry, the director invited me over as a last minute decision. Did I interrupt your wrap-up?”
Yu Mian decided to give Gu Qi some face.
“That’s right. I invited him on short notice. No one is allowed to take photos, and the confidentiality standards remain the same as during the film’s production.”
Gu Qi carefully sidestepped Huo Ting and positioned himself on the opposite side of Yu Mian, adding a serious clarification.
At this moment, Yu Mian felt the aura of a great director from Gu Qi
Unlike before, when he had seemed like an overenthusiastic stalker, now he exuded the air of a true filmmaker.
“Understood, Director.”
Everyone here was already well aware of Fish Soup Noodles’ low-key, secretive nature. Though they were disappointed, they weren’t too surprised.
Still, it felt surreal.
Because many of them had become obsessed with “Eternal Night Rose” after reading the book, and were now die-hard fans of Fish Soup Noodles.
And like countless other Fish fans, they had fantasized about what they would say if they ever met Fish Soup Noodles, how they would beg for more updates, or lock him up in a little black room to force him to write.
Yet now, as Yu Mian was being shown around the various movie props and listening to the director personally explain behind-the-scenes details, no one could bring themselves to say a word.
Their eyes remained locked on Fish Soup Noodles the entire time.
“This… This is actually a real Bart Clan coronation crown? Wait, is it okay to touch it?”
Yu Mian curiously examined the coronation crown displayed in a security case and subconsciously turned to the others for confirmation.
He had seen Dreven wearing it in the movie, but seeing it up close in reality had an entirely different impact.
“You can touch it! You can touch it! Of course you can touch it! Ahem ahem.”
Gu Qi immediately encouraged him, even personally opening the case a little.
This caused the surrounding crew members to look at the director suspiciously.
It was as if the obsessive director, who usually treated the props like his lifeline, had been possessed by someone else.
But they all knew that Director Gu Qi was actually the biggest Fish Soup Noodles fan in the whole crew.
He was always regretful and complaining about not discovering these books earlier. If he had, he would’ve tried to acquire “Contract Marriage” as well.
“You must be Teacher Fish Soup Noodles that Lilith and Christina mentioned.”
Just as Yu Mian was about to say his goodbyes, Wilster Frost, who had briefly stepped out, finally returned.
Yu Mian looked up at the Bart actor he had been most curious about.
Just like Lilith, Wilster Frost also had a unique temperament.
It could only be said that the Bart clan really did produce the most stunning men and women.
“It’s an honor to meet you. Please, allow me to introduce myself…”
Yu Mian: ?
However, when Wilster Frost, who had the demeanor of an old-fashioned aristocrat, was about to bend down and kiss the hand formally, he found that the hand he was holding had suddenly changed.
“W-Wilster Frost…what are you doing?!”
Director Gu Qi, who had been staring at Yu Mian, suddenly realized his actor was holding the latter’s hand and was about to kiss it. He stumbled backward in shock and fright.
Meanwhile, Yu Mian, whose wrist had been swiftly pulled away by Huo Ting, blinked in surprise at director Gu Qi, who was pushed over by Huo Ting with quick eyes and hands.
For the first time, he realized…
Huo Ting was kind of sly.
