Chapter 288: The *Batman vs

Los Santos, AMC Theater in Hollywood.

Xu Can and Taylor Swift disguised themselves to watch Warner's new film, *Batman vs. Superman*.

At the entrance of the theater building, a massive poster was immediately visible.

Brandon Routh as Superman and Robert Pattinson as Batman stood facing each other on either side, looking convincingly like the real thing.

Warner invested $100 million in marketing and promotion, having copied Xu Can's internet thinking.

They launched a seamless, all-encompassing bombardment from online to offline, creating hype comparable to *Iron Man*.

Inside the theater hall, movie fans lining up for tickets had formed a long queue.

Xu Can and Taylor Swift had come out today purely for a date; they hadn't felt the ordinary sensation of watching a movie like this in a very, very long time.

Even with the long queue, they still enjoyed it thoroughly.

They looked just like an ordinary couple seen everywhere on the street, leaning together, laughing and chatting.

Occasionally, they kissed publicly.

This was too common in North America—deep kisses against lockers in high school hallways were routine, let alone among adults.

"Why did you suddenly come back? Aren't you still supposed to be performing in Paris?"

"What, did my return ruin your chances of hitting on girls?" Taylor Swift glared at Xu Can with mock hostility.

Unfortunately, her gaze lacked any real threat, and Xu Can swiftly captured her with a kiss.

"Nowhere. I only like you."

"Do you even believe that yourself?" Taylor Swift rolled her eyes. "Still, Gao Yuanyuan is quite pretty—fits your Eastern aesthetic."

"What do you mean?"

"If you like her, why not give it a try?"

"Then I'll go after her."

"You actually dare!"

Taylor Swift reached out to pinch Xu Can's waist, but he reversed the move and seized her wrist, giving her no chance.

"You gave me permission yourself—don't blame me."

As the two bickered, four young men ahead were arguing about the movie.

"I think Warner still can't make this kind of film right. It's a waste to line up for tickets—we'd be better off watching it later when it's empty."

"The trailer looked amazing—Superman vs. Batman? Just thinking about it is thrilling."

"My take? It's not as good as Xu Can."

Hearing Xu Can's name, both he and Taylor Swift perked up and listened intently.

The speaker was tall, with a round head and face, and his tone carried an automatic mocking effect.

"But when it comes to attitude toward comic adaptations, no one surpasses Xu Can. Warner can never achieve Marvel's level."

Beside him was a short man dressed flamboyantly, clearly annoyed.

"Sheldon, don't forget the Batman trilogy—also made by Warner."

"Howard, it's you who forgot. That was still Xu Can's work. Without him and Nolan overseeing it, could Warner have made it? Ridiculous."

"Guys, enough," said a bespectacled, wholesome-looking guy, trying to mediate. "Stop arguing. Whether it's good or bad, you'll know after watching."

Finally, a dark-skinned Indian man stepped in to defuse the tension.

"Exactly. We're already here—just buy tickets and watch."

The tall Sheldon snorted: "I'm only humoring you guys by coming. Next time Xu Can's movie comes out, you have to buy my ticket."

"Pfft…"

Behind them, Taylor Swift saw this scene and felt a strange sense of familiarity.

Wasn't this just the real-life version of *The Big Bang Theory*? These four were identical to the characters on the show—just being together was funny.

"That show was based on them. Especially Sheldon—he kept emailing me, hunting for physics errors in my movies. My assistant was driven crazy by him."

Xu Can thought about it and found it amusing—there really was a Sheldon in the parallel world.

"By the way, what about the mystery detective drama you promised me? I want to binge-watch your show."

Taylor Swift hugged Xu Can's arm and kept batting her eyelashes at him.

"Working on it, working on it. Already started filming. Season one will launch before June."

"Perfect! Baby, you're amazing—I'll reward you."

Smack—Xu Can's cheek now bore a lipstick mark.

*Xia Luoke* and *Breaking Bad* have both entered the final production phase.

Xu Can seized the timing with incredible precision—originally, the British BBC had already launched their project plan.

They too planned to film a new modern-set Xia Luoke Holmes series.

They had already begun contacting directors and even prepared to audition Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman.

Xu Can moved first, intercepted the project, skipped auditions, and directly approached the original director and actors.

When BBC looked back, they were stunned—their entire crew had been poached in one fell swoop!

With no choice, BBC later changed Watson into a woman and produced *Elementary*.

*Xia Luoke*, which swept over 200 countries, dominated the Emmy Awards, and shattered viewing records across the British Isles, has been completed and awaits release on GalaxyT.

Xu Can added a tiny Easter egg at the opening, waiting for Taylor Swift to discover it herself.

…

Finally, the two bought their tickets and sat inside the theater, right next to the four goofballs.

"Excuse me, mind if I squeeze by?"

As Sheldon passed them, he carefully avoided letting his legs touch them, and before sitting, he wiped the seat with tissues many times.

"Dude, are you serious?"

Xu Can couldn't help but strike up a conversation.

Xie Erdun didn't realize the person in front of him was none other than his idol, Xu Can.

"Did you know how many people have sat in that cinema seat, and how many germs are on it? I'd suggest you wipe it down too."

"No worries, go on."

Xie Erdun still hadn't said enough, and even advised Xu Can:

"I think you guys are throwing money away today. This movie is definitely going to be a stinker. Better save your money and watch 'Captain America,' produced by Xu Can."

Leonard beside them quickly grabbed the guy and apologized to Xu Can.

"They already bought their tickets and you won't let them watch… Sorry, Mr., this guy's got something wrong with his head."

"Hey, there's nothing wrong with my brain. My mom took me to get my IQ tested."

Xu Can didn't mind. The movie had already started, so he put his arm around Mei Mei and quietly watched the film.

Howard in the next row, however, glanced over this way.

"Hey, guys. Don't you guys feel like that guy is Xu Can? And the one next to him is Taylor Swift?"

"What are you thinking?" Raj said dismissively. "How could Xu Can possibly watch a competitor's movie? He's been busy lately filming 'Interstellar.'"

"I just feel like it's…"

……

After a long two hours, Xu Can nudged Mei Mei beside him.

"Honey, wake up. Let's head back."

"Huh? What? It's already over?"

Mei Mei jolted awake, looked around, and found the theater completely empty, with the end credits still rolling on the screen.

"Yes, everyone's already left."

Xu Can saw Mei Mei had drooled at the corner of her mouth while sleeping, so he pulled out a tissue to wipe it for her, and casually stamped a kiss on her lips.

"Mm…"

Mei Mei stretched and felt a little awkward.

"What was the movie about? I probably didn't sleep well on the plane and I'm still a bit drowsy."

"It's fine. The movie itself is just like that—everyone else fell asleep too."

If Xu Can didn't have a body at the peak of human limits, he too could have dozed off.

The new version is pretty much like the past-life "Batman v Superman," but even more drawn-out and dull than the original.