Chapter 49: Entertainment World (5)

Shadow Peering was finally released.

Although there was a wave of resistance against Lin Yuetian online at the beginning, the combined fan bases of Gao Yan and the original host were massive, ruthlessly controlling the comment sections. Plus, the film itself was of high quality—box office numbers and reviews spoke the truth. The situation quickly stabilized, and everything began heading in a positive direction.

The original host’s personal studio had been around for quite some time and wasn’t just some amateur operation. They had their own funding pool, and when Lin Yuetian made it clear that he planned to use this film to win an award and make a comeback, the studio began building momentum. They also helped Wei Dawen edit a special overseas version for international release, further expanding the film’s reach. As for domestic awards, there was only one film festival with a decent reputation that had been running for five years.

Lin Yuetian stated outright that he wanted to win Best Actor, but he didn’t care which specific award it was. The studio understood his intent and got to work.

【Damn, you even found a loophole here,】 the system fumed. 【Next time, I’ll specify that only a Three Gold Best Actor counts.】

“I don’t think there’ll be another entertainment world mission,” Lin Yuetian pointed out keenly. “The attributes are all repeating.”

【Oh, so you’re so smart now? You understand everything? Why don’t you be the system then?】 The system was furious, nearly laughing from exasperation. 【I’ve never seen anyone like you.】

“I’d rather not,” Lin Yuetian actually considered it seriously for a moment. “Judging by your attitude, it seems like you’re having a pretty miserable time.”

The system didn’t know whether to feel touched or just more frustrated. 【Oh, now you realize I’m suffering?】

“Everything in existence can adapt. Your potential is limitless,” Lin Yuetian began spouting the motivational nonsense he’d learned from Wei Dawen. “Without experiencing storms, how can one see the rainbow? A sharp sword is forged through grinding, and plum blossoms bloom in the bitter cold. Give it a few more worlds, and you’ll be able to stand firm even if Mount Tai collapses in front of you. You’ll become a man of iron will—wait, you are male, right?”

【It took you this long to ask?】 The system responded. 【Yes, I’m male. Satisfied now?】

Lin Yuetian mused, “Huh, so systems actually have genders.”

【Don’t push it. Don’t make me recite Buddhist scriptures to you for two days straight.】

For the past while, Lin Yuetian had been extremely well-behaved—spending his days browsing the internet, attending scheduled events, and promoting the film. He was the picture of law-abiding goodness. His uncharacteristically tame behavior was as ominous as animals migrating before an earthquake, making the system so paranoid that it had been metaphorically chanting prayers every day, fearing he was secretly brewing something big.

And, sure enough, he was.

Lin Yuetian took home the Best Actor award at the festival—an award that wasn’t all that prestigious but still fulfilled his mission requirements by exploiting a loophole. Then, after the festival, the police came knocking.

“Is there a problem?” Lin Yuetian asked calmly.

【Amitabha, Amitabha, Amitabha…】 The system was muttering frantically under its breath.

“Routine questioning,” the officer stated. “Have you seen Gao Yan recently?”

“What do you mean…?” Lin Yuetian appeared surprised. “I haven’t seen him in a long time.”

From the police, he learned that Gao Yan had gone missing about two weeks ago. A small, obscure forum account—originally used for posting animated PowerPoint videos—had unexpectedly launched a five-minute live stream on multiple platforms yesterday. The content? Gao Yan, tightly bound. The internet was in an uproar. The authorities were currently tracking the account’s location, but it kept hopping between different cities.

“I don’t know who he might have offended,” Lin Yuetian regretfully remarked before the police left. “I did keep him as a sugar baby, but we were only in a contractual relationship—I didn’t involve myself in his personal affairs.”

That night, another live stream channel appeared across all major platforms. No one could shut it down, and even attempts to sever the connection were unsuccessful.

Gao Yan was still tied up in the stream, but now he was conscious. Another person appeared in the frame—ordinary-looking, with an equally unremarkable voice. He held up a bizarre-looking device and spoke to the camera: “This is a lie detector. If you tell the truth, nothing happens. If you lie, you get electrocuted. Just like my previous animation works, I’m going to play a little game of Truth or Dare with our beloved movie star. Show your support, folks—double-tap that ‘666’ for me.”

【I’m f*cking losing it,】 the system roared. 【Lin Yuetian! Are you deliberately making sure I never dare to watch variety shows or live streams again?! This was my one hobby! Cut me some slack!】

Of course, the person in the stream was none other than a disguised Lin Yuetian. He sounded intrigued. “Wait, you watch live streams and variety shows? Isn’t Tom and Jerry enough for you? I looked it up online—it’s got hundreds of episodes.”

Without waiting for the system’s response, Lin Yuetian grabbed Gao Yan’s limp hand and pressed it onto the lie detector. To build up the suspense, he started with a few harmless questions. After Gao Yan told a few lies and got shocked several times, he finally wised up. Meanwhile, the live chat was going absolutely feral.

“For the final question,” Lin Yuetian asked, “you were once rumored to have had a romantic scandal with Best Actor Lin Yuetian. Is this true?”

“……” Gao Yan, dreading another shock, gritted his teeth and admitted, “It’s… true.”

The comment section exploded.

“Then—do you like Lin Yuetian?” Lin Yuetian pressed on while the momentum was hot.

“What kind of joke is that? Of course not—I—AAAAAAHHH!” Gao Yan let out a scream as electricity coursed through him.

“You’re lying.” Lin Yuetian’s voice was gentle. “So, the truth is—you do like me, don’t you?”

He turned back to the camera, speaking with deep emotion. “Come on, folks, send a couple more virtual gifts, and I’ll ask him again.”

Gao Yan was drenched in cold sweat, his dress shirt completely soaked through. Yet, he seemed oblivious, wearing an expression of sheer disbelief. “…Impossible… I can’t like him… I’m straight, this is impossible…”

“That’s enough, don’t overdo it,” the system couldn’t hold back anymore and intervened in Lin Yuetian’s mind, upholding justice. 【You think I don’t know? That device in your hand isn’t a lie detector at all—it’s just a manually controlled electric shock device. You shock him whenever you think he’s lying… Looks like he really doesn’t like the original host.】

“Why are you undermining your own side?” Lin Yuetian coaxed him kindly. “Trust me, I know what I’m doing. If I say this is a lie detector, then it is a lie detector. If it isn’t, it still has to be. If I say he likes the original host, then he does like the original host. Even if he doesn’t, he has to.”

Lin Yuetian turned to Gao Yan. “Big star, I’ll ask you one last time—do you like Lin Yuetian? This time, remember to tell the truth.”

Gao Yan fell silent. His lips trembled, and he stared fixedly at the small device in front of him, as if he couldn’t believe it, yet also as if he had finally understood his own heart.

His voice shook, as though he was about to cry. “…I… I like him…”

He said, “I like Lin Yuetian.”

Lin Yuetian nodded in satisfaction and turned off the recording.