DKIE CH80: Lingering Sound

The audience, experiencing a stereoscopic film for the first time, had zero immunity.

“Squeak!”

A ferret’s shriek echoed from the back row. It had traveled all the way from the human realm, clutching its 3D glasses, and was now overcome with exhilaration.

This time, Quill fell completely silent. He was one of the main actors, and a villain at that, so he had no sense of the audience’s experience.

The movie continued to play. Driving away the “white lotus,” countering the older brother, exposing the father’s mistress… a whole family of dogs biting dogs. The audience didn’t have time to blink, afraid of missing a single slap or a moment of comeback. At the end of the story, the real young master made everyone who had bullied him pay the price. The most thrilling part was the segment where he fought with his older brother for the family inheritance.

“What you need is a pretty pet for a younger brother. Unfortunately for you, I want to be the one on top.”

The older brother raged impotently.

The two-hour viewing time passed quickly. The audience remained seated, reluctant to take off their glasses. “God of Forging” was excellent, but its tone was heavy, and some might not have the courage to rewatch it. “The Real and Fake Young Master” was different. It could be rewatched repeatedly in the short term, especially scenes like the protagonist’s stunning return at a banquet. The three-dimensional visual experience created an incredibly strong sense of immersion that they could still feel just thinking about it.

“Truly a great invention.” Many people couldn’t part with their 3D glasses. Amid their lingering enjoyment, they felt a bit fortunate that this effect wasn’t used for the first movie; otherwise, the anger might have caused them health problems.

The lights came back on, and Luka and the main creative team walked onto the stage to the audience’s enthusiastic applause. The dragons, busy supervising the fiefdom’s infrastructure, had just arrived. Isa was the most lively, still wearing her pale yellow dress, but today she had added a swaying train and waved to the audience below. A personal greeting from a dragon was a treatment one couldn’t even dream of normally. Unfortunately, the audience hadn’t completely snapped out of the movie yet. The thought of their on-screen personas made it hard for them to smile.

Luka stood in the center, bowing slightly. “Thank you all very much for attending the movie premiere. I hope you enjoyed the viewing.”

They enjoyed it immensely! The audience finally came back to reality, and thunderous applause filled the hall. Today’s host was from the dwarven race. After a simple introduction, the on-site interaction segment began.

“If anyone has anything to say or ask, you can speak freely after raising your hand… The audience member in the third row by the aisle, I see you, you were the first to raise your hand.”

“I’m a loyal fan of Director Luka, and I’d like you to explain these special glasses in detail!” The questioner was young, clearly a student. “Also, this effect would have been even more stunning in ‘God of Forging.’ Why didn’t you save it for the more significant ‘God of Forging’?”

He asked what the audience wanted to know, and they couldn’t help but nod in agreement. All eyes focused on Luka again.

Luka spoke with composure. “What you are all wearing are called 3D glasses. Later, I will have my friend and the dwarves explain in detail the parts they were responsible for.”

“As for your second question…” It’s not like I had a choice! If he didn’t do 3D, he would be criticized whether the second part was released or not. Of course, he could only think these thoughts to himself.

Luka cleared his throat and responded smoothly, “Different movies can bring different experiences to the audience. I want to encourage the birth of more movie genres in the market.”

“I have plans to fund a film festival in the future, named the Film Festival. The prizes will include runic guidance…”

Beside him, Rio added, “And a trip to Dragon Island.”

The people present showed surprise in their eyes. Wouldn’t that be a chance to build connections with the dragon race? Besides the Elf Island, Dragon Island had the most abundant resources. With luck, one could even barter for goods.

After laying out all the benefits, Luka concluded with a grand statement: “I believe that only when a hundred flowers bloom can the glory of cinema be stimulated!” This time, the audience applauded almost nonstop. The student who asked the question sat down with a look of adoration.

The interaction segment wouldn’t be complete without the media. The host then called on a reporter in the front row. The reporter looked poised to strike, clearly intending to create a topic. Luka was very calm; he had seen plenty of modern media. The coping strategy was not difficult: deflect difficult questions, and if deflection failed, elevate the theme. With this, even the sharpest questions could be handled.

The reporter held a sound amplifier, staring intently at the stage. “I would like to ask—” He deliberately dragged it out for two seconds, keeping them in suspense, before finally saying, “What is your relationship with ‘A-Cai’ from the supporting cast list?” After speaking, he looked smug. He himself had thoroughly enjoyed the movie and found it hard to pick out any flaws. But his profession demanded it; how could he not create a bombshell? As long as Luka denied it, he would later release the photos he took in Moke City, claiming he was being duplicitous. The sales for the next issue would be guaranteed.

Quill usually kept a low profile at large events, but now that the reporter had singled him out, the public’s attention was drawn to the other protagonist. He stood very close to Luka. His features were mature, his aura sharp and outstanding. His eyes, which only knew how to fake cry for sympathy in the movie, seemed to hold blades in their real pupils, giving everyone a dismissive glance. In short, his aura was completely different from what was shown in the movie. The audience could only attribute it to makeup and magic.

The reporter fired a barrage of questions at Luka. “He has appeared in many of your works. And according to my private investigations, he was present at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the internet cafe and on the trip to the Elf Island.”

“Was the friend you mentioned earlier who is proficient in runes also him?”

Luka’s throat moved. He had been careless. He had forgotten that after gaining a large number of fans, a star’s private life naturally becomes a focus of attention. The continent of Shengmo had no concept of homosexuality or heterosexuality, and inter-species marriage was even more common. However, with his parents still a threat, how could he dare to start a family?

Beside him, Quill, knowing Luka’s inner turmoil, was about to step forward to help him out when Luka’s soft voice reached his ear. “There would be no me today without him, and of course, no him today without me.” Luka neither denied the other’s value nor erased his own significance. Alex had taught him the improved Faith Method, and he, in turn, had helped him collect refined blood and negative emotions. They had supported each other to get to where they were today.

This statement, open to a myriad of interpretations, did not satisfy the reporter. “So what exactly is your relationship?”

Luka thought for a moment and said, “To be continued.”

In a corner, an extremist fan’s body began to sway. Some of the earliest people to become fans of Luka often built up numerous fantasies about his love life and career, dreaming of sharing his success—the so-called “dream boys” and “dream girls.”

Thud.

“Someone fainted!”

From the back row, someone screamed, a seemingly realistic portrayal of an early fan unable to accept their idol’s romance.

Luka: “…”

Several reporters furiously snapped photos of the stretcher being carried out. They were starting to love Luka. 3D glasses, a rumored scandal, a fainting supporter… there were countless headlines to choose from. It was like a hornet’s nest; how could one person’s life be so full of material!

With the most important screening and interaction segments over, Luka immediately moved to end the press conference before the situation spiraled out of control. “The official account will have some small benefits later, so everyone, please pay attention.”

The noisy venue quieted down a little. “My personal account will also occasionally post some movie-related materials,” Luka added before bowing. “Thank you all again for your support of the movie.”

Crazy fans were a minority. Most were still basking in the joy of the 3D movie and, attracted by the word “benefits,” subconsciously opened their terminals to search for the official account.

Staff cleared a path, and Luka left with his team from the side. Behind them, Isa’s eyes darted between Quill and Luka. Recalling her experience during filming, she felt that some things did indeed have a precedent. The two “sons” tore each other apart in the movie but were close friends in private. Isa couldn’t help but feel her dragon scales prickle. “What a strange sense of ethics.”

Rio, on the other hand, was very calm about it. After the assassination attempt, he and Berlanie had already analyzed it privately and decided not to stick their claws in.

—

The backstage area was not very large, with temporary tables and mirrors. The dwarves’ chairs were on the smaller side, making the whole space feel excessively cramped for a dragon. Rio didn’t sit for long before going outside for some air. Isa and the others followed suit. Before leaving, Isa thoughtfully called the staff out with her.

The once crowded place now only had the real and fake young masters left. The atmosphere inexplicably began to heat up.

Gone was his composure on stage. Luka, still not over the interview, had a hint of awkwardness in his expression. He feigned nonchalance and turned his back, adjusting the color of his pupils and hair. A cleaning spell, a restoration spell—the movie’s image gradually faded, returning him to his own appearance. Then, Luka stood by the window for some air.

“Have some water.” A glass of cool fruit juice was handed to him. Having just spoken, Luka’s throat was indeed a bit dry, and he gulped it down.

“To be continued… does that mean there will be development, but we need to wait?”

“Cough…” Luka almost choked. When did this guy become so good at reading comprehension? Through the glass, Luka saw the virtual image of himself glance sideways. Strictly speaking, the two of them were in the ambiguous stage. Quill had also hinted that he would wait for him, but it had only been a week before a reporter brought it all to the forefront.

Quill was very direct in this regard and asked again, “Is my understanding wrong anywhere?” The roles of teacher and student were reversed.

Luka stammered. Their gazes met through the glass, for a moment seeming to converge from different times and spaces.

“No… I mean…”

His statement on stage—that neither of them would be where they are today without the other—actually fit their respective life trajectories perfectly. Their connection, which began in childhood like a seed, took root ten years later and finally bloomed in the bloody, desolate land of exile.

There were clearly no flowers outside the window, but at this moment, Luka felt as if he could see wintersweet in full bloom.

Seeing that he didn’t give a clear answer, Quill wasn’t in a hurry. He helped take the cup from his hand. The moment the cup was taken, Luka’s wrist suddenly flickered, and a drop of water splashed out, flowing down between his fingers. As if he had made up his mind, he slowly wrote four words on the fogged-up window: Standard Answer.

“To be continued” meant their future was full of possibilities. A smile gradually appeared on Quill’s lips. Luka was very slow to warm up to relationships; this already said a lot. A sustainable, ever-growing relationship might one day transform into a wintersweet, never withering even in the cold of winter.

—

The premiere press conference, from start to finish, lasted three hours. A large crowd of passersby lingered at the entrance, curious about the audience’s reaction. After the first “The Real and Fake Young Master” premiered, the barrage of curses had caused quite a stir. Who knew if the second part would actually have the promised revenge.

As they waited, many thought with schadenfreude that perhaps, in order to film a third part, the second movie would continue the frustrating style. As they pondered various possibilities, a commotion came from inside. The first thing to emerge was a stretcher; a member of the audience was being carried out.

“What happened?”

Before they could finish asking, another group of audience members came out, all holding a pair of glasses and talking with great interest.
“This thing is too magical.”
“Hahaha, I’m willing to call it the best of the year!”
“I can’t imagine how awesome it would be to watch a horror movie with this.”

The waiting crowd looked at each other, confused. Weren’t they there to watch a movie? Why was everyone talking about glasses?

Talk is talk. Their eyes subconsciously lingered on the 3D glasses for an extra second. The lines were smooth, and the overall design had an indescribable sense of luxury. The most popular monocles of the day, in order to cater to the nobility’s preference for flamboyance, put a lot of effort into the chain, but none looked as gorgeous as this.

“Move it, hurry up and move.” Their view was mercilessly blocked as several reporters, afraid of being scooped, madly rushed out of the crowd to find a place to write their articles.

It was chaotic offline, and just as chaotic online.
[Didn’t they say a lot of curious onlookers went to the dwarves’ territory? How come there’s no firsthand news yet?]
[I’m dying waiting! How was the movie? [Eyes open]. Was it a new level of awful?]

The public was generally pessimistic, but the level of attention was undeniably high. Many people had been refreshing their terminals at the appointed time. During this period, many attention-seekers popped in to spread false information, but because they couldn’t show a ticket stub, it only caused minor discussion and made no big waves.

At 3:15 in the afternoon, the first viewer to post their ticket finally appeared.
[Carrot Patch: I didn’t support the wrong person! This movie brought me so many surprises [Super love]. Can you imagine how happy it is to watch scumbags get虐 (abused/thrashed) up close?!]
[A Big Tree: I don’t want to admit it, but it was really satisfying. There’s a sense of off-screen interaction.]
[Fertilizer for sale, DM for partnership: Anyway, after it’s released, I’m going to watch it again!]

To create a sense of mystery, as if having seen it made them superior, these earliest comments were cryptic and confusing. As time passed and the number of online comments surged, this veil was finally lifted. Keywords like “special effects” and “stereoscopic movie” appeared in the netizens’ field of vision for the first time. The continent’s first 3D movie, an ultra-realistic experience. Not only could you watch a satisfying drama immersively, but you could also virtually slap people in person? The frustrating scenes from the first movie that often tormented them now had a perfect outlet. What a savage setting. I… really want to go.

Despite their verbal disdain, everyone’s actions were unprecedentedly uniform. They immediately went to the online purchasing channels, and after refreshing the page twice, only the cold words “Sold Out” remained.
[I was a second too slow, and the designer glasses are gone. Can’t you stock more? [Angry]]
Complaining about the price being a ripoff was one thing, but it didn’t affect the anger of the “leeks” who didn’t get to be harvested.
[Be happy you got one. My local retail point is already out of stock. How about you sell me your regular ticket without the designer model? I’ll add 3 silver coins?]
[+5 coins.]

Many movie plot points had already been leaked in the comments. The strange thing was, the more that was leaked, the more everyone rubbed their hands in anticipation, wanting to see it even more. The malicious leakers were at a loss. Had the world gone mad? They still wanted to see it even after knowing the plot.

The popularity of terms like “Galai Film Festival” also skyrocketed. Many netizens specifically went to @ the factions that had previously called for a boycott of Luka. Before, it was all support for them, but now they were sarcastically telling them to hurry up and film their movies; if they did well, they might even win an award.

Just as the entire internet was buzzing about the movie, the “Richard Daily” released another bombshell: “Intimate Companions, Suspected Secret Relationship Exposed!” The front page was plastered with the photo taken by the reporter in Moke City. In the photo, half of Quill’s knuckles were buried in Luka’s collar, their proximity clearly exceeding normal social distance. This newspaper specialized in gossip and was skilled at exposing all kinds of extramarital affairs. Luka’s answer at the press conference earlier in the day was summarized as “Reporter’s On-Site Interview, The Other Party Did Not Deny.”

The headline was eye-catching, presented vertically on the cover, attracting many passersby to stop and look. It was soon sold out.

But someone knew even before the passersby: the Wisdom Tree. Long before the reporter published the story, the Wisdom Tree had learned everything from a Light Elf returning from an errand. “Every time they discussed the film score, those two would exchange knowing glances.”

“I thought it was unusual. Maybe one day their relationship will go a step further, and the whole internet will explode.” This Light Elf was the most worldly-wise of their kind, otherwise they wouldn’t have been dispatched to the Klin Joint Building.

Wisdom Tree: …Can you all not explode? Let me explode first. Trending every other day, its branches were really about to explode!

—

The premiere’s feedback was excellent. That night, Luka found a local specialty restaurant and had a joyous dinner with the dragons. Quill sat beside him, witnessing Luka live the life of clinking beast-milk cups with the powerful. The only difference was that when milk stained the corner of his mouth, Quill was the one who handed him a napkin.

Luka actually had no obsession with dairy. The dwarves disliked magic beans, and Moha County was rich in fruit wine and beast milk. For the sake of his dream of growing into a bamboo, he forced himself to drink two cups a day.

Isa leaned closer. “At all times, you must follow your own thoughts.” Not all races were like the dragons, completely indifferent to outside judgment. The community was about to explode now. Regardless of their true relationship, she didn’t want him to be affected by public opinion.

Luka nodded. “Okay.” He was an actor, and also a capitalist. With both roles, he had no need to maintain a single persona. What truly influenced Luka’s judgment was himself. He had been clear-headed since he was young. In his years as a trainee and a paparazzi, he had seen too many explosive scandals. Now, after knowing each other for less than a year, the idea of taking a big step forward had sprouted several times. This made Luka question whether this decision was correct.

Suppressing his complex emotions, he took out a small gift he had prepared earlier and raised his cup. “In this season of renewal, let’s celebrate the great success of the film! Cheers~”

Under the lights, Luka’s face was flushed red, making him look like a glass of well-behaved berry wine. Quill looked at him for a few extra seconds and was the first to clink glasses with him. All the glasses gradually came together.

“To a box office hit.”
“The Holy Court really miscalculated this time. Luka, I hope your whole family dies soon, then come to my family.” Rio was domineering, but lacked literary flair.
Isa: “To mountains of gold, and a successful career!”

Amid the congratulations, Luka’s eyes curved into a smile. This was his second team dinner on this continent. From the news broadcast to the premiere of the first 3D movie, he had finally taken another small step forward.

Luka’s Diary Guide:

War Correspondent Barry: It is said that an unhappy childhood takes a lifetime to heal. How long do you think it will take for you to escape the influence of your parents’ love?
Luka: A night, probably. Usually, I struggle with it a bit, then I’m fine after a night’s sleep.
Barry: …
Luka: Don’t you think I’ve already given them a lot of face?
Barry: [Question Mark]

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