Huayu: From charlatan to great entertainer

Chapter 457 Take a wedding photo for us (Thanks to the generous contributor "What's Missing: Monchhichi Martial God Ice Cream")

After the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, heads of state, members of royal families, and distinguished guests, including IOC President Jacques Rogge, were escorted by protocol staff through a special passage to leave the venue first.

The smile on the leader's face never faded from the second half onwards.

The presentation of several major infrastructure projects and the stunning final phoenix-like rebirth and ignition filled all the officials in charge of the Organizing Committee with pride. Even though they knew the program schedule in advance, they were still incredibly impressed by what they saw on site.

The VIP motorcade departed from the Bird's Nest in a pre-arranged order, with temporary traffic control implemented by traffic police along the way. It will arrive at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse and Beiping Hotel within 10 minutes.

Athletes from 204 delegations left the stadium in reverse order of their entrance, returning to the Olympic Village in special buses emblazoned with the Olympic logo.

In the stands, Liu Xiaoli, along with Zhang Chunru and others, followed the retreating crowd back home first.

Holding her credentials, Liu Yifei excitedly walked through the VIP passage to the press center, where she would wait for Lu Kuan and the opening ceremony directing team to finish their interviews before heading home together.

Meanwhile, Chinese people across China and around the world are celebrating the successful opening ceremony!
The Wangfujing Street in Beiping was bustling with people, glow sticks formed a galaxy, and tens of thousands sang "Ode to the Motherland" together, the sound waves resounding through the sky.

On both sides of Victoria Harbour, the lights of skyscrapers change in sync, outlining the giant words "Go China!" which are reflected in the shimmering water.

In the square of Chinatown in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, overseas Chinese from Qingtian waved silk ribbons, and a 100-meter-long golden dragon tumbled and coiled to the beat of drums, attracting French passersby to stop and marvel.

In front of the Sydney Opera House, international students dressed in Hanfu played the zither and sang, creating a resonance that transcended time and space as traditional music collided with modern architecture;

At the foot of the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malay Chinese beat the 24 Festive Drums, with a thousand waist drums beating simultaneously, causing a light drizzle to fall from the coconut palms.

The spectacular opening ceremony and the phoenix-like torch lighting are destined to be recorded in history and will undoubtedly be the best Olympic opening ceremony in history.

From the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers to the banks of the Mississippi River, from the snow-capped peaks of the Alps to the Cape of Good Hope lighthouse, all the sons and daughters with black eyes and yellow skin are shouting:

At this moment, the world saw China!
The passion of Chinese people around the world is erupting like a volcano on the Internet!

From Weibo to Twitter, from WeChat Moments to overseas forums, servers nearly boiled over from the influx of hundreds of millions of real-time comments.

People poured their inner shock and pride into every post with the most passionate words, the most vivid emojis, and the most direct forwarding and liking.

"This is the essence of our five-thousand-year-old civilization! Ink and wash paintings transform into a galaxy, and the sound of drums resonates throughout the universe. Tonight, the whole world understands the soul of Eastern aesthetics!"

"As a third-generation immigrant, this is the first time I have felt such a strong call from the depths of my blood. My motherland has used the most romantic way to help those of us scattered around the world find our cultural identity!"

"Tears have been falling non-stop since the drumming and singing began. My father is a veteran of the War of Resistance against Japan from Taiwan. He told me stories of the past while watching the opening ceremony: Phoenix rising from the ashes, China rising again!"

"Thank you to Director Lu Kuan, Director Zhang Yimou, and all the staff of the opening ceremony directing team. Although I could see your confident attitude throughout the interview, such a magnificent scene must have put you under a lot of pressure. Respect! Please get some rest!"

“Last year, my father went to work in New York, and my sister and I came here to study. Actually, the situation at the school here is not very good. Tonight, during the opening ceremony, many foreign students who ostracized us sent congratulatory text messages. At this moment, I burst into tears. My motherland is my support.”

"Living in Silicon Valley, my colleagues always ask me why I cried when I saw the Phoenix drone formation rise from the ashes. I can't explain it. It's because it's like the 'rising sun' in Liang Qichao's 'A Discourse on Young China' from a hundred years ago—the spirit of a nation reborn from the ashes!"

On many online platforms, some people worked overnight to edit highlights of the opening ceremony, some wrote impromptu thousand-word articles to analyze cultural symbols, and many more achieved emotional resonance through the simple posts of "Go China!" and "No regrets being born Chinese in this life."

This collective expression, transcending time zones and ignoring language barriers, is not only a tribute to the Olympic Games but also a collective affirmation of the brilliance of five thousand years of civilization in the modern era.

As the digital deluge swept across global social media platforms, the world truly heard the resounding echo of the awakening of the Eastern dragon!
At 12:40 a.m., Lu Kuan, Zhang Yimou, Chen Weiya, and other members of the Olympic Games opening ceremony directing team were interviewed at the press center.

Although it is nighttime in China, international news needs to take into account the time difference of audiences around the world, and this procedure is followed after large-scale international galas.

Upon entering the press center, hundreds of international journalists stood up one after another, and thunderous applause instantly swept through the entire hall.

The flashbulbs of the cameras shone like a storm, illuminating the figures of the directing team members.

Reporters from authoritative international media outlets such as the BBC, CNN, AFP, and Reuters, regardless of their political leanings, all expressed their respect for this epic opening ceremony with the warmest applause and admiration.

Work is work, it's about getting paid to do things.

But personal opinions can certainly be expressed.

Lu Kuan sat in the interview position, thanked everyone and gestured for the applause to stop, then joked, "I almost thought I had walked into the wrong film set, I thought this was the European Big Three or the Oscars."

A chuckle rippled through the audience. Zhang Yimou's mouth never stopped grinning, and the two artists, Chen Weiya and Zhang Jigang, who both came from physical backgrounds, also looked excited.

Clearly, after the opening of such a splendid and classic event, even a journalist with a mission would find it difficult to disregard the facts and make any judgments.

Even with tabloid reporters still making trouble, Chinese people have begun to have their own voice in the West.

Twitter and Netflix are powerful channels, and the North American Chinese community, united by "The Sky of History," will also help to vindicate the truth.

As the interview began, the press officer looked somewhat helplessly at the arms that had sprung up like mushrooms after rain, and naturally glanced at Lu Kuan.

Boss Lu adjusted the microphone: "Our friends in China, please show some spirit. For foreign media, let's stick to the alphabetical order. Please maintain order. We have plenty of time today, so please don't rush."

The Xinhua News Agency and CCTV reporters had no objections. The important task of the Olympics is to send the strongest message of the nation and its people to the world, so it's good to let foreign reporters sing praises at this time.

The ABC reporter, who works for Disney, experienced the joy of getting in through the back door at the University of Tokyo and returned the favor with a heartfelt compliment.

“Lu, I love watching shows. I’ve covered the Sydney Opera House’s Millennium Celebration, the Olympic torch resurrection ceremony at the Athens Olympics, and even witnessed the moonwalk at the Super Bowl halftime show, but none of them can compare to the spectacle of today. You have created a miracle in human history!”

My question is, what are your own thoughts and evaluations of this Olympic Games opening ceremony?

Lu Kuan smiled and said, "First of all, before we begin today's interview, I would like to introduce our team to you."

"There were four chief directors and nearly 30 creative team members for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics. Every prop, every costume, and even the expression of every actor tonight is the result of more than three years of hard work by everyone."

"This is far from being my achievement alone; I am just one piece of the puzzle."

"From a higher perspective, the director of this performance is five thousand years of civilization, the playwright is the collective memory of hundreds of millions of people, and the lead actors are the entire nation that walks towards the future on Qin bricks and Han tiles. We are just the people chosen by history to press the start button."

After the Chinese translator solemnly conveyed this sentence to the reporter, the entire audience erupted in applause.

The young director continued, "Going back to the topic we were just discussing, as members of the directing team, we all prepared for this grand event with a sense of awe."

"Because billions of viewers around the world may still be in a state of ignorance about China."

"The mission of our directing team and creative team of dozens of people is to use our works to allow audiences around the world who are unfamiliar with China to gain a deeper understanding of our culture, history, technology and achievements for the first time."

Lu Kuan smiled wryly and said, "This kind of pressure is just too great. This kind of difficulty is something that neither I nor Director Zhang, as film directors, have ever encountered in our careers and will never experience again."

"So, considering the painstaking efforts of our creative team of 32 people and the hard work of more than 15000 performers, I personally rate this opening ceremony as a perfect score, because it really couldn't have been any better."

The ABC reporter, ever the shrewd one, immediately followed up with a question: "Director Zhang Yimou, what are your thoughts on working with and interacting with Lu?"

"He's a genius." Zhang Yimou threw out his opinion without a second thought, glancing at Lu Kuan beside him with a smile.

"Working with him has given me a deep appreciation for the vision and courage of the new generation of Chinese directors."

“In the film industry, we are used to telling stories through the lens, but the Olympic opening ceremony is a creation of another dimension. It is not only art, but also a national narrative and a dialogue between civilizations.”

"Lu Kuan's keen sense of technology, his vision of culture, and his almost obsessive pursuit of detail have shown me a new height for Chinese artists."

The second question posed by ARD in Germany was familiar to the German media, who are no strangers to Lu and Zhang, frequent attendees of the Berlin Film Festival:

"Lu, let's talk about the idea behind the ignition. Where did the planes that make up the Phoenix formation come from? Why put them in the middle to scare the world's audience?"

A chuckle rippled through the interview center. As the Olympic flame was about to be extinguished, even the most gloating observers couldn't help but feel a momentary jolt of fear.

This is a stage that attracts the utmost attention from over 20 billion people worldwide!
Mr. Lu wouldn't miss such an advertising opportunity: "The formation that makes up the phoenix for the performance is made of drones, which appeared five or six years ago. You can think of them as remote-controlled aircraft, but they have more professional functions. They come from a Chinese company called DJI, but I won't go into details here."

"As for the plot arrangement of the ignition, Director Zhang and I, as film directors, actually considered and applied the narrative rhythm of the film."

Teacher Lu began teaching as if he were at the Pan-Asian Film Academy:
"The first act showcases the magnificent flight of the phoenix, establishing an emotional connection with the audience."

"The second act creates a 'false crisis' by disrupting the wind, using suspense to incite collective anxiety."

"The third act completes the emotional release with a phoenix-like rebirth, forming a dramatic tension and aesthetic loop."

He paused for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "This is a technical arrangement by the screenwriter. In terms of emotional connotation, the phoenix rebirth metaphor is the modern history of the country and the nation. At the same time, it is also a tribute to the Chinese people who died in May and the survivors. This is the humanistic care of the Olympic Games."

The BBC reporter followed up: "Lu, a truly wonderful performance. Congratulations to the entire directing team. What suggestions do you have for the opening ceremony of the London Olympics four years from now?"

The question isn't exactly unfriendly, but given such a wonderful performance, the BBC's decision to steer the conversation back to itself seems somewhat like avoiding the real issue.

Boss Lu didn't take it seriously and casually remarked, "I suggest you prepare ten thousand umbrellas first."

"a ha ha ha!"

A burst of laughter erupted in the room, and the BBC reporter raised an eyebrow, looking somewhat helpless.

Lu Kuan made a joke, then immediately said seriously, "Just like the water imagery of Athens, Chinese culture tonight is like the phoenix. Every country has its own cultural symbols."

"The true meaning of the Olympics has never been about comparing who is more glorious, but about allowing human civilizations to illuminate each other through collision. Britain has Shakespeare, the Beatles, and other artistic and popular elements, and I believe there will be British directors who can connect all of these in a high-level way."

The BBC reporter recalled a previous conversation with London 2020 Organizing Committee Chairman Bastian and followed up with the question:
"Lu, if the London Organizing Committee invited you to be the chief director, what would you say?"

The reporters in the room found it somewhat amusing; how did they end up holding a recruitment event at a press conference?

Isn't that a bit too hasty?

Looking at Lu Kuan, who looked completely bewildered, Zhang Yimou turned his head and chuckled softly, "I can somewhat understand how the British feel; they're in a hurry."

Mr. Lu shook his head and explained helplessly into the microphone: "A film master I visited, Bergman, told me that artists must be rooted in the soil of their own culture."

"It's not appropriate for me to represent Britain in cultural exploration. If London needs advice, I recommend Peter Jackson and James Cameron. Both are great directors born in British cultural countries and have top-notch international control over special effects and directing."

“Peter Jackson is a New Zealander, and his ability to construct Middle-earth epics is perfectly suited to the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.”

"Cameron is Canadian, and his deep-sea fantasies are well-suited to portraying what you call the glory of the Age of Exploration."

The BBC reporter shrugged helplessly, and the Financial Times followed up with a question, revealing that the perspective of such publications was less "artistic" and less harmonious.

"The elements of high-speed rail and aerospace in the opening ceremony were interpreted by foreign media as a global advertisement for 'Made in China.' Does this mean you've turned the art stage into a negotiating table for national economies?"

Mr. Lu said seriously, "Just as the three great European operas are artistic in one aspect and commercial in another, when the Italian opera 'Turandot' was performed, the world remembered not only Puccini, but also the canals of Venice. What we are showing is not an advertisement, but the confident footprint of an ancient civilization in the process of modernization."

Seemingly spurred on by the Financial Times reporter, more tricky questions followed as expected.

Even though some of these journalists strongly endorsed the event, work is work...

The Asahi Shimbun of Japan stated: "Lusan, the imagery of the phoenix rising from the ashes is interpreted as a metaphor for the University of Tokyo's revival from colonial trauma. However, the University of Tokyo's current economic expansion in Africa and Latin America is sparking controversy over 'neo-colonialism.' Does this performance suggest a shift in the hegemony of Eastern civilization?"

Lu Kuan listened patiently to the translation and responded without hesitation: "Sir reporter, let me first correct a conceptual error."

"The phoenix's rebirth originates from the Classic of Mountains and Seas, predating your country's earliest written records by thousands of years. This imagery embodies the Chinese nation's philosophical reflections on the cycle of life and has nothing to do with colonial history."

"According to your view, did the projection of Mount Fuji at the opening ceremony of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics imply a revival of militarism? Did the doves of peace at the 1988 Seoul Olympics try to cover up the scars of the Gwangju Uprising?"

The reporter looked displeased, while the two South Korean reporters beside him cursed inwardly.

Damn it! You can criticize the Japanese all you want, why drag our great South Korea into it?
Did I provoke you?

That Japanese devil, why the hell did you provoke him? Didn't you see that even your American daddy can't do anything about him?

Mr. Lu added, "Throughout today's opening ceremony, we want to convey the concepts of peace and harmony. Art and sports should keep their distance from politics, and please do not use the mindset of colonizers to interpret everything."

As a seasoned journalist from a colonized region, a beautiful Latin American woman actively responded to his views, but her questions still couldn't escape Zheng Zhi's scrutiny:

“I agree with Lu’s point of view. The opening ceremony also featured Zheng He’s voyages to the West, but ancient China did not launch colonial wars like the West. You are a peace-loving nation, and your experience in Beiping this week has been very pleasant and friendly.”

"But Lu, as an artist, how do you view the inequality in cultural narrative rights between the First World and the Third World?" Wearing her work ID and a mask, Xiao Liu, who had been happily enjoying her boyfriend's witty banter, paused slightly when this question was posed.

This question seems to be a trap too.

Lu Kuan is the king of press conferences. Although his films are only either minor or major victories, even if they flop, his sophistry and eloquence will definitely turn the tide at the press conference.

In the three or four press conferences since the Olympics, countless tricky questions from foreign media have been answered. Zhang Yimou, Zhang Heping and others are the most relaxed when attending the conferences with him.

But in Liu Yifei's opinion, this Latina reporter who seemed to be "bearing great fruit from small branches" was definitely suspected of deliberately setting a trap.

Is this a deliberate attempt to steer the conversation away from art and towards politics, hoping that Lu Kuan will vehemently denigrate First World countries?

Even the little donkey could see it, so her husband naturally knew perfectly well what was going on.

“Your Latin America has three masters of Mexican murals. One of them, Rivera, once said: ‘True art is a bridge of communication, not a yardstick for measuring civilization.’”

"Actually, the same goes for sports. Regarding your question, I think we can go back to the purest form of art and sports. Whether it's the First World or the Third World, as you mentioned, they will have equal competitive conditions at this Beijing Olympics."

"Jamaica is also a third-world country. If Bolt creates a miracle in the Bird's Nest, I think the world will not pay attention to Jamaica's GDP, but will only remember his speed."

The Latina reporter nodded her thanks, her expression revealing nothing of her true feelings, but the Western reporters behind her seemed quite disappointed.

They really can't find a single loophole.

In fact, these cunning Western journalists all have a common trick: to distort the statements of the parties involved by blurring the lines in translation.

For example, today's "Phoenix Nirvana" is directly referred to by Lu Kuan as "Phoenix Nirvana." "Nirvana" is the Sanskrit word for nirvana, which accurately conveys the philosophical concept of transcending reincarnation.

But if he were speaking Chinese, some reporters might translate it as "Phoenix's Revenge," conveying the concept of the University of Tokyo's revenge to readers, and then translate "rebirth from the ashes" as "violent purification," and so on.

This wasn't unprecedented in the previous era; Der Spiegel translated LED scroll technology as "a large screen with monitoring functions."

Unfortunately, Mr. Lu's English was so fluent that they had no room for misinterpretation in the translation.

When the female press officer for the Beijing Olympics saw that the topic was getting a bit off-topic, she promptly gave a reminder. In addition, since the Western reporters at the scene had no loopholes to exploit, they temporarily gave up.

If we miss this one, we can interview other members of the directing team!
For example, Zhang Yimou, who is standing next to him with a serious face and deep wrinkles, is he really willing to give up his glory to the young people next to him?
The authenticity of news lies in its discovery!
The subsequent questions were much more normal, especially those from the domestic media who came last; they almost all asked supportive questions.

A reporter from Guangbao asked: "Director Lu, we know that the summer blockbuster Iron Man is also a film you invested in. The core of the story is Western-style individual heroism."

"Today's final lighting ceremony embodies a collectivist concept of self-sacrifice. How do you view the differences between Eastern and Western heroism?"

Mr. Lu smiled and said, "This is a purely historical and artistic proposition. The core of a cultural work must be rooted in the history and culture of a country."

"Regarding this question, I think it's better to answer it from an art perspective than a philosophical one—"

"Individual heroism is a legacy of the Renaissance, just like the single-point perspective of the Venetian school of painting, there must always be a visual center."

“Our collective narrative is a scattered perspective of ‘A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains,’ where every mountain is the protagonist.” Mr. Lu’s finger traced through the air, as if helping the reporters present recall the content of the cultural performance they had just witnessed.

His wording was relatively mild, without making any praise or criticism: "If individual heroism is the core of Hollywood movies, then collective heroism is actually the core of our country's history and culture."

Clearly, this kind of world-class interview event, in terms of the depth and breadth of political, cultural, and economic issues, far surpasses that of ordinary entertainment interviews.

Without a certain level of insight, experience, and breadth of thinking, it would be extremely difficult to cope.

The press conference lasted until after 2 a.m., during which Zhang Yimou and other members of the directing team spoke fluently and without making any mistakes.

It wasn't until a reporter from South Korea's KBS was allowed to ask the final question: "Director Lu, this year has been full of challenges and rewards for you. What are your plans after the Olympics?"

Lu Kuan straightened the cuffs of his white shirt. He glanced at Liu Yifei, who was wearing a mask in the corner. His girlfriend was already so sleepy that she was dozing off against the wall.

He suddenly remembered the sweet text message Xiao Liu had sent him before the opening ceremony.

Mr. Lu said with some emotion, "This year has indeed been quite tumultuous for both the country and myself. It should be said to be the most challenging and fulfilling year of my career."

"In 2008, I actually had three important tasks to complete perfectly."

"First, the film 'The Sky of History' was screened at the Berlin Film Festival and the Oscars at the beginning of the year, and was subsequently released worldwide. In the end, it was considered a success."

"The second task is to work with Director Zhang and my colleagues as the opening ceremony director team. Fortunately, after tonight, the burden on my shoulders can be lightened a bit."

His voice paused slightly, which aroused the curiosity of the reporters present.

What's the third one?

"The third thing is actually a personal matter. Tonight, as the opening ceremony concludes successfully, at this very moment, besides thanking Director Yi Mou, the teachers of the entire creative team for their help, and the trust placed in me by the country and the organization—"

"I would also like to thank my girlfriend, Liu Yifei."

Lu Kuan suddenly stood up with the microphone and waved to Xiao Liu, who was dozing in the back row.

It was already 2:30 a.m., and Liu Xiaolv was so sleepy that he was gently woken up by the Chinese reporter next to him.

"Miss Liu, Miss Liu?"

"Huh?" Liu Yifei's eyes widened suddenly as she saw that everyone in the room, from the smiling Zhang Yimou, Zhang Jigang, and Chen Weiya to reporters from all over the world with black, white, yellow, and brown skin, were turning to look at her.

She instinctively reached out to wipe the drool from her mouth, only to realize then that she was wearing a mask.

"Wha...what's wrong?"

Out of politeness, the girl took off her mask, leaving faint red marks on her cheeks from the edge of the mask. A few strands of her fluffy chestnut curly hair stuck up because she had just dozed off against the wall, swaying gently in the cool air from the air conditioner.

They are so cute and adorable, like little deer that have wandered into human territory.

Lu Kuan smiled at her and said, "Come here first."

Liu Yifei's heart pounded, as if she had anticipated something. She subconsciously licked her slightly dry lips with the tip of her tongue, a habitual little action that made her lips glisten with moisture.

The girl hesitated, the tip of her left high heel rubbing lightly on the carpet, as if she had suddenly forgotten how to walk.

Standing beside her lover gave her a sense of security. Liu Yifei tilted her head slightly to look at Lu Kuan, her almond-shaped eyes brimming with tears, but the corners of her mouth involuntarily curled up into a small arc.

The dimple on her right cheek was faintly visible, as if it were filled with honey.

Like a happy ending in a Hollywood movie, Boss Lu unconsciously exercised his directorial instincts again, preparing to bring the entire Olympic journey to a pink close.

"I just thanked everyone, but I haven't thanked my girlfriend Liu Yifei yet. I thank her for her companionship and care, which allowed me to focus on giving my all for the Olympic opening ceremony."

Lu Kuan reached out and hugged his girlfriend: "The third thing I didn't finish talking about is that next month we're going to finish our 'love sprint' with Liu Yifei and sprint into the next stage of our lives like Usain Bolt."

"We will get our marriage certificate next month."

The scene exploded instantly!

The reporters were taken aback at first, then burst into cheers and applause. The sound of camera shutters was like a storm, and the flashes of light almost turned the entire press center into daylight.

The BBC reporter excitedly raised his recording pen, almost jumping out of his seat;
CNN cameramen frantically adjusted the focus, afraid of missing a single expression from the couple;
The NHK reporter stared wide-eyed and blurted out "Sugoi! (That's amazing!)" without thinking.

Western journalists have a long tradition of publicizing their private feelings.

From Churchill kissing a nurse in public on Victory Day, to Macron and Brigitte's teacher-student relationship being continuously followed by Paris Match, and even this little Easter egg at the end of today's "boring" interview—

For them, who are incapable of finding fault, it's better to write about Mr. Lu's gossip than to praise the Tokyo University Olympics.

Zhang Yimou, the director team, and Chinese journalists all gave him a warm round of applause, with Zhang Yimou himself receiving the most.

He's already conceived the plot of "Under the Hawthorn Tree" in his mind, and with this news today, even a hype maniac like Zhang Weiping must be very happy.
As for Liu Yifei, the person involved, she never expected the washing machine to do something so romantic.

It's always just washing, shaking, and splashing!
The girl held her boyfriend's forearm, a smile playing on her lips, yet she maintained a composed expression with her chin tucked in, while her earlobes betrayed her true nature, glowing with a coral hue.

Lu Kuan gestured with one hand to quiet the Western journalists' clamor: "Young Chinese couples usually need a passport photo to register their marriage."

“You are all top media and photographers in the world. Take a picture of us. If you take a good one, I will personally give you a set of Beijing Olympic Games souvenirs.”

The audience burst into laughter again. If the Western journalists hadn't just been at odds with each other in the interview, they wouldn't have been able to tell that this was a Chinese director.

He is such a global citizen.

The sound of camera shutters clicking filled the air.

A BBC reporter quickly adjusted the tripod height, a CNN photographer knelt down to find the best angle, and an AFP reporter sent text messages to the editorial department while taking pictures, using his phone tucked between his shoulder and arm.

Around 3:30 a.m., Lu Kuan and his fiancée, who had been working for nearly 24 hours, finally returned home.

The terrace of the manor on the banks of the Wenyu River is outlined with an elegant silhouette by soft landscape lighting. The fragrance of blackcurrant and tuberose floats with the warm breeze, and occasionally fireflies skim across the water, casting tiny spots of light on the river.

Iris Chang, Liu Xiaoli, and others were unaware of the "washing machine romance" that had occurred an hour earlier; only the young couple were enjoying a drink on the terrace.

Boss Lu, sipping his 90 vintage Château Latâche, said, "Is there any need to drink? I'll let you humiliate me tonight. Do you like to get addicted to... something else?"

Liu Xiaolv looked at him with dissatisfaction: "You only get to be romantic once every eight hundred years, can't you at least stay romantic until dawn? You start being romantic as soon as you get home!"

"I was so sleepy, and you just teased me in public, you got what you deserved!"

"Don't resist, just drink with me until you're satisfied, and I'll take good care of you later!"

Lu Kuan scoffed and immediately opened another bottle of red wine.

The couple had an enormous capacity for alcohol, and immediately abandoned all decorum and style, shaking the wine bottle to let it breathe before chugging it down.

"Hurry up and finish your drink, your mom will wake up in two hours to walk the dog! Then you won't be able to sing your heart out!"

"You're such a jerk!" Liu Yifei gave her boyfriend a charmingly coquettish look, then said from the bottom of her heart, "Washing Machine, you were absolutely captivating at the press conference!"

"You must look even more handsome in the command center of the Bird's Nest! It's a pity I can't see it!"

Boss Lu laughed and said, "Why are you suddenly so infatuated? You should be more like a donkey. I don't like simps!"

"You rascal! Hahaha!" Xiao Liu was amused and couldn't stop laughing. After drinking some red wine and swallowing the lingering excitement from the Olympic opening ceremony, he began another lively and enjoyable experience.

Tonight, the girl is wild and proactive; during their tender moments, her love is overwhelming.

Until their breaths and heartbeats gradually merged, turning into a silent, tender embrace.

In any case, the world-renowned opening ceremony has finally come to a safe end.

This journey, which began with a national mission and ended with personal happiness, is like the scroll that unfolded from two-dimensional to three-dimensional at the opening ceremony, marking the expansion of the couple's life dimensions.

As the steel dome of the Bird's Nest still echoes with the lingering resonance of the phoenix's rebirth, and as the world remains immersed in this epic of civilization spanning five thousand years, this perfect couple has completed a gentle response to the tide of the times with the most steadfast promise.

At midnight, the exhausted young woman lay sprawled out, her soft body tightly entwined with her lover as they fell asleep.

A smile played on her lips as the romantic story Lu Kuan had just announced to reporters worldwide quietly drifted into her dream.

Clearly, August 8, 2008, will become an eternal memory in her life, shining like the Big Dipper in the sky at that moment.

Those were the sparks that flew when two souls from different times and spaces met in this life, etching their unique romantic coordinates on the star map of human emotions.

The next morning, the news quickly spread, with discussions about the success of the opening ceremony and Lu Kuan himself becoming rampant, dramatically igniting a global online frenzy.

(End of this chapter)