STB Chapter 35: Consensus

This is machine translated and all copyrights belong to the author. Please note that the translator might take creative liberties for better readability. Thank you for reading.

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Then, let’s take care of each other.

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The deputy director of the film crew, dressed sharply in a suit, greeted Li Fei and his entourage at the hotel.

He looked more like a successful businessman than the members of Li Fei’s business team, with a slightly protruding beer belly and a balding head. His cheeks jiggled as he laughed.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the deputy director made a meaningful comment: “Li Fei, you’ve been quite the celebrity lately! Constantly topping the hot news, you’re living even more excitingly than characters in movies.”

Assistant Lin and the others looked uncomfortable, as the internet didn’t have many good things to say.

The wrecked Ferrari had sparked rumors like [The movie star racing in the city, causing a series of accidents] even though the post was soon marked as fake news. Still, sharp comments pointed out, “Why is it always related to Li Fei?” Coupled with the incident at the Pearl Hotel, there had been two major accidents in Huai City.

Critics piled on, hurling baseless slander. Rumors like [Li Fei arrested], [Movie star involved in international criminal organizations], and sensational headlines tired the netizens. Others mockingly said, [Spotting a wrecked luxury car at an accident scene, a new way to hype] and [Addicted to milking disaster fame, where is the conscience.]

It wasn’t an exaggeration to say Li Fei was thrust into the eye of the storm.

“Deputy Director Luo, you’re joking. I’m actually quite troubled,” Li Fei said casually, showing none of the worries he mentioned.

“Just don’t affect the shooting, you know Director Lu’s temper.”

After saying this, the deputy director handed Li Fei a file about the opening ceremony procedure. He paused when he saw Jian Hua, seemingly finding him familiar, but having seen too many people, he didn’t recognize Jian Hua.

“Oh, last check, you brought your own makeup artist and stunt double, right? According to the confidentiality agreement, everyone needs to stay at the hotel booked by the crew during shooting, but you’ll have to cover the costs yourself. I’ve arranged them near your room. Any special requests?”

These matters, usually resolved with a phone call, required the deputy director’s personal attention, as dealing with major stars and their agents over the phone often led to unclear conversations.

But someone like Li Fei was a favorite of every film crew’s deputy directors, not for anything but the peace of mind he brought.

He didn’t demand presidential suites in five-star hotels or special treatment, only particular about food. If nothing was available, he had his own nutrition supplements and an assistant who could cook.

Never late, leaving early, or absent, Li Fei was always where he needed to be at the right time, a quality that moved any deputy director responsible for daily operations.

Whether a superstar or an extra, not causing trouble for others makes one a good person.

“No special requests, but I want to ask about something,” Li Fei seemed to casually mention, “No changes to the crew’s original lineup, right?”

The deputy director was puzzled by the question, “No changes. We were worried you got injured in the Pearl Hotel explosion, causing some tension for the producers and Director Lu.”

The tension, of course, was about finding a replacement for the male lead.

Since Li Fei was fine, the matter was dropped.

After the deputy director left and everyone settled down, Assistant Lin left the room frequently looking back, realizing Jian Hua showed no signs of leaving.

As soon as the door closed, Jian Hua asked, “What are you thinking?”

He and Li Fei had reached a certain consensus. To face the crisis of the abandoned world, they were temporary allies, living together for two months under the guise of filming a movie.

Jian Hua initially wanted to refuse, but Li Fei’s strength and his conversation with Zhang Yaojin made Jian Hua realize that the actor was more than just a reliable performer. Where else could he find someone like Li Fei?

Anyone would need a comrade after living for over twenty years only to find they know nothing about the world –-someone to share problems, face dangers, and analyze secrets with. Li Fei met and exceeded all these criteria.

“Why did you suddenly ask Deputy Director Luo about changes in the crew? Do you think the ‘insiders’ might infiltrate the crew?” Like Zhang Yaojin, Jian Hua avoided the term ‘book transmigrator,’ as no one wants to be constantly reminded they’re just characters in a book.

“I almost got into a chain of accidents in Huai City, and the situation was bizarre…”

Li Fei detailed the incident of cars catching fire and falling from the overpass. Jian Hua, focusing on the key points, asked, “A foreigner? The car that suddenly changed lanes to block your way onto the overpass was driven by a foreigner?”

Li Fei knew he didn’t need to say much more.

Jian Hua frowned deeply. He was not so naive that the foreigner was out to save Li Fei. A chain car accident plus a vehicle’s spontaneous combustion–

“He was trying to prevent your ability from awakening.”

“But he obviously didn’t know I would go to the Pearl Hotel… The group that sabotaged the hotel didn’t know I was there,” Li Fei said leisurely, piecing the clues together, “If I had been injured in the car accident and didn’t go to the Pearl Hotel as planned, then I can infer that the lead role in tomorrow’s film might be replaced.”

Now that Li Fei was unharmed, would a book transmigrator try to blend into the crew?

— It depended on Li Fei’s role in the book and his importance.

Jian Hua quickly came to this conclusion.

“This is the question Major Zhang deliberately avoided. He didn’t mention who I am,” Li Fei pondered with interest.

Jian Hua, expressionless, glanced at the script, saying offhandedly, “Is that even a question? A foreigner writes a foreign protagonist but includes a Chinese character with a specific time and place for ability awakening. You’re probably a villain. Major Zhang of Red Dragon said I’m the final villain in this seven-part series. Since I’m the last, there must be others before me. Considering Johnson Brown is only fourteen…”

Li Fei chuckled.

He extended a friendly hand to Jian Hua, jokingly proposing, “Then let’s have two destined-to-fail villains collaborate.”

Looking at the elegant and gentle actor lounging on the sofa, Jian Hua continued flipping through the script, ignoring the extended hand.

“If we follow the typical journey of a growing protagonist, I’ll be his ultimate nightmare, and you’re just a stepping stone…”

Li Fei raised an eyebrow: “So I should just be myself and try not to drag down BOSS’s progress?”

Jian Hua, surprised the joke continued, thought for a moment: “Just maintain your intelligence and strength. Like the British novel’s Dark Lord, don’t engage in a one-on-one duel with the protagonist. That’s a no-go.”

“And go for the kill, no monologues,” Li Fei added seriously, noting that in the script, villains often died due to excessive talking.

The two exchanged a glance, both finding the absurdity and humor in seriously discussing how to deal with the protagonist, especially when everyone knew that the protagonist was only fourteen years old.

Li Fei leaned back on the sofa, looking at the ceiling, and pondered, “If Johnson Brown dies, does our world still exist?”

Jian Hua couldn’t answer.

If the world really was a book, the consequences of losing the protagonist were indeed difficult to estimate.

“So, he can kill us, but no one in this world can kill him?” Li Fei mused to himself.

Quite a golden finger, in internet slang terms.

Jian Hua, calm, said, “If his death means the collapse and disappearance of the entire world, then it doesn’t matter to me.”

“…”

Li Fei’s gaze sharpened.

For the first time since sensing his abilities, he felt “fear” from Jian Hua. He also remembered the feeling he had when he entered Jian Hua’s house: this was a very difficult person to deal with.

Jian Hua had no attachments or anything to hold him back, ready to cut ties at any moment.

Strictly speaking, this world had no special allure for Jian Hua; his existence was merely a habit. Of course, Jian Hua wouldn’t want to die, but the fear of death had far less power over him than others.

Li Fei was displeased at the thought that nobody could kill Johnson. If someone tried to kill this protagonist, Li Fei would have to consider how to save him, not wanting to perish along with the entire world due to ignorance.

But this was not a problem for Jian Hua.

So what if Johnson dies and the world collapses? Is it that important?

— The mindset of a final villain.

Li Fei rested his forehead on his hand, unable to help laughing, “Yes, I’ve overthought it! If that day comes, just treat it like a black hole swallowing the entire solar system.”

Let those who care worry about the fate of the American boy.

Jian Hua found interacting with Li Fei quite pleasant. He hadn’t met a star who could take things so lightly, agree with his odd ideas, and think alike.

“So, let’s focus on making this movie and keep an eye on the crew,” Li Fei picked up the script from Jian Hua’s hand.

He spoke lightly, but Jian Hua understood the underlying difficulties.

The Pearl Hotel explosion had shown the extent of the book transmigrators’ extreme actions. Accidents on film sets, even fatal ones, were not rare. A mistake in the props department, or tampering with the wire work… there were too many possibilities.

And if a video of them using abilities in a life-threatening situation got out, that would be truly sensational.

“I’ll be careful,” Jian Hua said.

As Li Fei’s stunt double, he was naturally the one for high-risk scenes.

“I’ve told Assistant Lin not to call you by your name,” Li Fei thoughtfully added. In the entertainment industry, it was common for staff and stars to use English names, “Unlike me, a public figure, if we don’t reveal your name, even if an “insider” meets you face-to-face, they might not guess your identity.”

Jian Hua thought about it and found the strategy of Li Fei being in the light and himself in the dark quite effective.

“As long as there’s no one in the crew who already knows me.”

Thus, the book transmigrators targeting Li Fei might overlook Jian Hua.

“Then let’s take care of each other,” Li Fei extended his hand solemnly this time.

Jian Hua hesitated, then quietly shook it.

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Last Edit: December 20, 2023 at 12:07 PM

This is machine translated and all copyrights belong to the author. Please note that the translator might take creative liberties for better readability. Thank you for reading.