How did I become famous?

"There's still room for improvement, which means it's a good thing." Wu Kai laughed, unconcerned. "If I could do everything perfectly right from the start, I would have switched to making art films a long time ago."

He took this as a subtle compliment from Fang Bie.

Fang forced a smile and gave him an apologetic look.

Sometimes you can't speak too bluntly, or you'll easily offend people.

Having been "beaten up" in society for several years, Fang Bie deeply understands this principle.

So he didn't say anything more.

Someone who's ranked in the thirties on the new movie popularity chart is saying that a movie that's in the top three is not very good... and Fang Bie is an outsider.

Won't people think you're jealous?

Fang Bie is not a fool.

The two of them chatted awkwardly like that, with Wu being called "Nutritionist".

Wu Kai recounted some painful memories of the past and his vision for transitioning into a commercial film director.

Full of ambition.

Fang Bie talked about his future life plans after the movie flopped, and the hardships of being a landlord in the future.

Their ambitions grew even stronger.

They all have bright futures ahead of them.

However, Fang Bie's bright future is about to be realized, while Wu Kai's path to film transformation... in Fang Bie's own opinion, he may still need to continue to work hard.

Fang Bie silently wished him well in her heart.

Then they gave Liu Mang and his team the scripts for the classic movies from their previous lives to film.

Looking at the spirited Wu Kai, Fang Bie sighed inwardly.

Don't blame me, Angkor.

We're just superficial brothers who use each other; Liu Mang and the others are my true, trusted friends.

Sorry, this is the adult world.

............

On December 31st, the weather turned cloudy and then turned to heavy snow; it was an inauspicious time for all activities.

"Miss Rin, where have you gone? Please, come back and save your hungry little brother Fang!"

"...There are instant noodles in the refrigerator, I'll cook them myself."

"Crossing the river and then burning the bridge? Using the millstone and then discarding the donkey? Turning your back on us after the movie is finished? Su Mulin, I never thought you were this kind of person..."

"Don't leave the company after you finish eating. I'll pick you up. Bye."

Fang hung up the phone, humming a little tune as he went to cook instant noodles.

Even though it's his birthday today, even though he can only eat instant noodles today, he's still happy.

Because once tonight is over, everything will be settled.

A house plus a street of storefronts, and two million in cash in his pocket.

Fang's future is now secure.

After that... I felt like I wasn't afraid of anything anymore.

Find a gentle and considerate wife, but not that pretty, and raise two daughters.

This life can be considered complete.

I don't know if I'm truly dead after I die, or if I can travel back to my original world.

Fang, stop thinking about your parents.

If only we could give them all this money... that would be wonderful.

My parents no longer have to work overtime all night, and they no longer have to be scolded by their 30-year-old boss without daring to talk back.

Mom can play mahjong if she wants, and she can go on a trip with Dad if she wants.

My dad is the same; if his colleagues or comrades invite him for drinks again, he can go.

He prepared all the cigarettes, including soft Zhonghua cigarettes, so he could take them out to give to others, which could be seen as a sign that his son had finally made something of himself.

Pity.

Perhaps it was because Liu Mang and the others went home together or went to the movie theater to wait, which is why the company only had one person.

He suddenly felt a little sad.

The longing that had been hidden deep in my heart for the past few months burst forth all at once.

Light a cigarette, take a deep drag, and watch the wisps of smoke drift away.

Fang gave a self-deprecating laugh.

No wonder many people like to reminisce about past hardships and present happiness when they achieve success.

He even had this thought at that moment.

He shook his head and smiled, then stubbed out the cigarette he had only taken a couple of puffs of.

He took out his phone and looked at "Miss Su" in his contact list.

After hesitating for a moment, he still didn't delete the number.

Being a literary youth is something others do; others are simply happy people.

At least in the future, when I brag to others, I can say that I used to know that beautiful leader of the Su Group.

Even though others might not believe it.

But what does this have to do with me, the landlord?

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but light another cigarette.

It wasn't because of his smoking addiction, but because the way the handsome men and beautiful women smoked in the movies was so cool that Fang Bie couldn't help but imitate them.

He even hummed "Make More Time" to accompany himself.

He hummed along and swayed his body to the rhythm, looking like a silly fool who had won the lottery and was lost in his own world.

But that's what makes him happy.

Unfortunately, the happy times were short-lived.

Su Mulin pushed open the door.

She frowned, took two steps back, and fanned herself with her hand: "Open the window to let in some fresh air! I thought you were going to set the house up for sale!"

Fang Bie decisively complied.

"Go change your clothes." Su Mulin frowned.

Fang Bie wore a pained expression: "But I haven't had lunch yet..."

"What about instant noodles?"

"My parents were both away on business trips during the summer vacation of my junior year of high school. I ate instant noodles all summer. I even tried eating instant noodles with honey. Now I feel like throwing up whenever I smell instant noodles."

That was a past that Fang Bie couldn't bear to look back on.

Of course, it refers to the original world.

Miss Su sighed, took off her khaki trench coat, and went to the kitchen.

"Wait a moment."

This time, Fang Bie didn't wait at the restaurant. Instead, he leaned against the kitchen doorway, watching the young lady wear a light blue apron over her fitted white wool sweater, watching her tie her long, straight black hair into a low ponytail, watching her chop vegetables, and watching her heat the oil.

He was staring at it, somewhat lost in thought.

This is probably the last dinner I'll get to eat cooked by Miss Su.

The mealtime was unusually quiet.

Fang ate very seriously.

He was like a prisoner about to be executed in two hours, eating his last supper before his trial.

Su Mulin could tell that he was distracted, but she just assumed it was nervousness before the movie's release.

To be honest, Su Mulin herself was also very nervous.

But she didn't want to show it in front of Fang Bie; she didn't want to be treated like a child.

And after tonight, she will indeed be an adult.

January 1st was her eighteenth birthday.

December 31st is Fang Bie's 25th birthday.

It was also New Year's Eve.

Su Mulin thought...this was a good idea.

After resting for more than an hour, it was already 11:30.

Because of the smoking ban, although it is Lunar New Year's Eve tonight, there are only sporadic sounds of fireworks and firecrackers outside.

The atmosphere was somewhat desolate, except for the snowflakes falling from the sky, which added a unique touch to the scenery.

Su Mulin and Fang Bie walked ahead, while Yan Shuangying trailed far behind.

They are on their way to the movie theater.

Just as Su Mulin said before, this movie... is both her birthday gift to Fang Bie and Fang Bie's eighteenth birthday gift to her.

She thought it was great.

Fang Bie's expression, however, was melancholy.

After today, we'll all be like strangers.

I'm going to start living my life as a landlord.

He glanced at the smiling young lady.

Goodbye, Rin.

After today, "Sea Serpent" will bid farewell and retire with his mission accomplished.