LABMY CH84.2

…

“Mask wins three!”

On the battlefield, the referees had tacitly agreed to refer to this academy’s representative as “Mask,” avoiding any mention of his school’s name.

Although the audience still resented the arrogant academy, they no longer dared to underestimate the masked boy who fought two matches a day and never revealed his face.

“Would pulling the camera back a bit improve the effect?” With Jian Yuanbai’s financial power, the crew wasn’t afraid to reshoot and meticulously refined every scene.

“Mask wins five!”

“Okay, cut! Next scene!”

“Mask wins nine!”

“Focus on your eyes! Lead actor, your emotions need to be on point.”

Day after day, both sides improved. However, Lu Qianyun remained clueless about what Jian Yuanbai was doing every day, leaving early and returning late.

Today was already Lu Qianyun’s final match.

After this match, there would be a three-day rest period before the grand finals of the Academy Tournament.

In the audience, Jian Yuanbai and Fan Youjin were present. The selection matches were nearing the end, and the crowd was filled with excitement.

The Empire’s Academy Tournament was of great significance. Even in the final moments of the selection rounds, countless media outlets swarmed the venue. Cameras surrounded the arena, and even the sky was filled with countless drones.

Aside from the live audience, people from different planets and age groups were watching the match through screens.

As the intense battle ended, cheers filled the arena as the audience shouted the names of the remaining contestants.

Jian Yuanbai strained to make out the names through the deafening noise, then asked in confusion, “Did I get the match wrong?”

“Why do I only hear ‘Landon’ and ‘Mask’? Isn’t this Lu Longlong’s match?”

Fan Youjin replied, “Didn’t I ask you before we left? You were so confident.”

As the two spoke, two figures walked onto the battlefield. Jian Yuanbai immediately recognized one of them, “Isn’t that Lu Longlong?”

“Why is he wearing a mask?”

Under everyone’s gaze, the referee announced the match:

“Landon from Orlan Academy versus Mask. Both contestants, please enter your mechas.”

Jian Yuanbai’s eyes widened in disbelief, “The referee… he’s not announcing our academy’s name???”

“Is this discrimination?”

Fan Youjin held him down, “Calm down. There are so many cameras here.”

Jian Yuanbai gave him a side glance, as if looking at an idiot, “Even without the cameras, I wouldn’t rush down there.”

“Not so sure about that,” Fan Youjin muttered.

As the referee’s whistle blew, Jian Yuanbai focused on the match.

Lu Qianyun still used the standard B-type mecha, but no one dared to mock him anymore. As expected, with the opponent’s mecha falling, Lu Qianyun won the match.

Since the remaining matches didn’t interest them, Jian Yuanbai and his friends left early, waiting at the exit for Lu Qianyun.

Jian Yuanbai asked, “Why are you wearing a mask?”

Lu Qianyun calmly replied with his prepared excuse, “Everyone knows I lost my gland. If I reveal myself too early during the selection rounds, I won’t be able to catch them off guard in the finals.”

It made sense, and Jian Yuanbai nodded in agreement.

Fan Youjin, however, was torn between “Isn’t he embarrassed by the mask?” and “Maybe he really thinks this way.”

He couldn’t forget the scene in the office where Lu Qianyun coldly said, “They’re all small fries.”

Even after half a month, Fan Youjin still vividly remembered it. Someone who could say such words probably didn’t feel any shame.

It was tough. In this three-person team, two were complete edgelords.

Fan Youjin felt like he didn’t belong.

On the hovercar, Jian Yuanbai casually suggested, “Wanna watch a movie and have a good meal afterward to celebrate your win?”

The word “movie” rang alarm bells in Fan Youjin’s head. He immediately realized the short film based on Lu Qianyun’s story was finally finished.

Lu Qianyun hesitated, “If we watch the movie and then eat, won’t it be too late?”

“Not at all!!” Fan Youjin shouted, “We’re adults now. The night is just beginning.”

“After the movie, we can grab some barbecue and drinks. Isn’t that perfect?”

Driven by curiosity, he pushed hard for the movie plan, his enthusiasm making Lu Qianyun silently scoot away.

To create a cinematic atmosphere, Jian Yuanbai secretly booked a small theater. The tickets were free, and anyone could enter until the seats were full.

Before arriving at the cinema, Jian Yuanbai checked the ticket sales on his light brain.

Only a few scattered seats were taken, probably because he’d only just arranged the screening.

In a warmly decorated room, college student Wang Nian, who was bored on his day off, opened his constantly buzzing chat app.

His best friend was spamming him with messages:

“Come out and watch a movie!”

“Say something!”

“Damn, this movie is free.”

(A screenshot)

“What’s it called? Nirvana? What a stupid name. I wouldn’t watch it even for free.”

“Damn, I take that back. The lead actor is actually Mu Liang, whom I like. And it’s free?”

“I bought two tickets. Don’t let me down.”

“Reply to your dad!!!”

Wang Nianguang: “Read.”

“7:30. If you’re late, you’re dead.”

Wang Nianguang: “Good boy.”

He got up, packed his things, and headed out. After getting off the public hover train, he walked to the entrance of the cinema inside the commercial center.

A hover car stopped beside him. Wang Nianguang recognized the brand — it looked cool, resembling a mech, and was ridiculously expensive. He couldn’t help but glance at it twice, curious about who would get out of the car.

The first to step out was a man with curly short blond hair, dressed as flashy as a peacock. Wang Nianguang’s lips twitched. Feathers, leather, tassels… a chaotic collision of styles.

Next came a man in a black, low-neck shirt. Broad shoulders, a narrow waist, long legs, and sharp, clean facial features. His good looks overshadowed even the movie stars on the poster in front of the cinema.

He exuded overwhelming masculinity, yet his cold gaze created a strange balance between desire and restraint, making him incredibly attractive.

Simply put, he was so hot that both men and women couldn’t look away.

In the short time he stepped out of the car, several passersby couldn’t help but stare at him.

Wang Nianguang grew curious about the last person to get out of the car.

Unexpectedly, it was someone with a completely different vibe. Delicate and beautiful features, soft black hair, and a slender, thin figure.

Though not short in height, he appeared small and fragile next to the previous man.

It was another kind of beauty. If he were walking alone, he’d attract countless eyes.

But among the three, he was the least eye-catching. The man in black stole the spotlight effortlessly, while the blond man’s flashy outfit was enough to blind people.

Meanwhile, the young man looked harmless and obedient.

“Niannian!” A voice called Wang Nianguang’s name. He stopped paying attention to the trio and grabbed his best friend by the neck. “Stop calling me Niannian!”

“Okay, Niannian. Got it, Niannian.”

Wang Nianguang followed his friend into the cinema. Upon entry, they were informed that recording was prohibited, and signal blockers were temporarily activated.

Though strange, no one complained since the tickets were free.

After entering, Wang Nianguang was surprised to find that the trio was in the same theater as them.

What a coincidence.

As the movie started, he finally stopped paying attention to the trio and focused on the film.

The dark screen gradually lit up, and the story unfolded before the audience.

Before coming, Jian Yuanbai had hyped up Lu Qianyun’s expectations: top-tier director, massive investment, countless talented actors, even the minor roles were played by well-known figures in the entertainment industry. It was truly a star-studded production.

Lu Qianyun was curious why such a big production had no publicity. But Jian Yuanbai dismissed it with, “You’ve been busy with the academy competition lately. How would you know?”

As they entered the theater, which was only half full with about thirty people, Lu Qianyun leaned toward Jian Yuanbai and whispered, “Did we buy the wrong ticket?”

“Isn’t this supposed to be star-studded? Why are there so few people?”

He had no idea that soon, he would feel that thirty people were too many. Way too many.

Jian Yuanbai calmly replied, “The academy’s final selection match is today. Most people are probably watching that.”

Lu Qianyun hesitated and nodded. “Makes sense.”

“The movie’s starting.” Jian Yuanbai smiled in the dim light and placed a finger on Lu Qianyun’s lips. “Shh.”

Lu Qianyun’s ears burned slightly as he sat up and focused on the screen.

A young man from a prestigious family was born with extraordinary talent. The world’s attention was on him.

Privileged and gifted, he knew no sorrow and believed the world was at his feet.

But a sudden tragedy shattered his perfect world. His gland was removed, and before he could grieve, his family exposed him to society’s cruelty.

Mockery and ridicule replaced applause and praise. The boy, pretending to leave for “training,” swallowed his pain and left his now loveless home.

In reality, he was exiled to a remote planet.

As the scenes unfolded, Lu Qianyun felt a strange sense of familiarity.

Then—

“A dragon trapped in shallow waters doesn’t mean dogs can bark at it. Understand?”

“Defeated by a glandless me? Then crawl and stay down.”

Lu Qianyun’s expression froze.

The movie continued. The boy, who defeated those who mocked him, climbed onto a broken rooftop and poured cheap liquor over his wounds to disinfect them.

Abandoned by his family and too poor to afford medicine, he could only use alcohol to clean his injuries.

He drank, staring at the starry sky, without saying a word.

His only friend, whom he met on this desolate journey, climbed onto the rooftop and asked, “Why are you crying?”

“Hah, me? Crying?”

“It’s just the alcohol spilling.”

The boy boarded an interstellar train to a distant planet, where he encountered his old lackeys who humiliated him.

“You think you deserve my attention?”

“For someone like you to even enter my sight, I’d need ten pairs of eyes.”

As more lines were spoken, Lu Qianyun grew increasingly restless.

The movie seat felt like a torture device, and he couldn’t sit still.

He wanted to escape, but fear rooted him in place.

On an alien planet, the boy’s friend died trying to save him.

Kneeling in a pool of blood, the boy let out a desperate scream.

After losing his friend, he began surviving on the alien planet alone.

He fell countless times but rose again.

At one point, he was so gravely injured that he fell into a coma for three days.

In his feverish state, he underwent secondary differentiation.

Touching the back of his neck, he stood before his friend’s grave, crying and laughing while violently hitting his gland.

His hatred overshadowed the joy of regaining his gland.

In the end, the boy killed the space pirates who stranded them and began his journey home.

Chapter One, end.

Before the audience could get up, someone with a microphone appeared on stage and said, “This movie is based on—”

In that split second, countless thoughts raced through Lu Qianyun’s mind.

He was 200% sure his name was about to be revealed.

Should he stand up and stop them? But if he stood, everyone would look at him. If someone recognized him as the Empire’s only SSS-level individual, they’d instantly make the connection.

If he stayed seated, his name would still be exposed, and by tomorrow, the entire Empire would know there was a movie based on his story.

With less than half a second to decide—

“…based on our boss’s script. We hope you enjoyed it and welcome your feedback.”

They didn’t say his name!!!

The emotional rollercoaster made Lu Qianyun’s heart race. As the tension suddenly released, tears welled up in his eyes.

Thank god… they didn’t say his name.

Jian Yuanbai asked expectantly, “Lu Longlong, how was it?”

Seeing Lu Qianyun’s teary eyes, Jian Yuanbai hesitated. “Wait… why are you crying?”

“Was it that touching?”

Lu Qianyun choked up and nodded. “Very touching.”

The movie was indeed well-made. The actors, the emotional depth, the visuals — all perfectly executed.

For any 18-year-old, having a movie made about their life would be the coolest thing ever.

The problem was…

Lu Qianyun wasn’t an 18-year-old boy.

Nor was he truly 18.

This gift was heavy.

For the first time in his life, he cried because of a gift.