Chapter 298: A Big News Story

Chen Nuo had made it clear that he was going to create a big news story today.

Everything he said to Liu Yifei was actually just nonsense.

All that talk about Zhang Yimou or the film was just a lie.

He would have to be insane to act in real life for such trivial, messy things.

His professional spirit was limited to spending these past few months gnawing through the script and script analysis for the English version of Inception, and having a weekly phone call with Nolan to discuss the script.

He hadn't reached the point of going crazy in real life yet.

There was only one reason he wanted to stir up trouble today:

He wanted to see if, having been reborn, he could actually earn money while standing tall.

He wanted to know if he really had to bow his head just because he was being pointed at by thousands.

He wasn't stupid... even if he were, Qi Yuntian, a dignified business school top student from Georgetown University, couldn't possibly be an idiot, right?

It hadn't been very obvious when those people online were scolding Liu Yifei before.

But this time, when it was his turn, it was too obvious.

On those online news briefings, every single news item about so-called fans was 100% controlled by someone manipulating public opinion to deliberately attack him.

Having been an internet celebrity for several years in his past life, he was far too familiar with these things.

One look at those headlines and he knew something was wrong. May I ask, how could reporters report on an event like that without being paid?

These were basically just primary-level smear and incitement tactics.

Things like famous fans leaving the fandom, fan clubs shutting down—through this guidance, whether it was passersby or relevant groups,

they were made to feel as if he had truly done something outrageous, stirring up the herd mentality of netizens, and finally, when the wall fell, everyone pushed it, turning against him...

Really, in his past life, he knew of quite a few celebrities and famous people who had fallen to this very tactic.

It was nothing if not terrifying.

However, the one thing Chen Nuo couldn't figure out was that the celebrities who had "collapsed" in his past life had more or less actually done something wrong.

What had he done?

He was a 23-year-old grown man; he didn't sell Hong Kong mooncakes, nor did he evade taxes or engage in illicit affairs.

Was it a crime for him to date someone, as if it were some kind of heinous act?

Did those people inciting public opinion online think he would be like Liu Dehua, not daring to go public with a relationship or marriage, and spending his whole life sneaking around on his knees to earn money?

Wasn't this looking down on people a bit too much?

Screw that, treating me like Liu Dehua.

To be honest, Chen Nuo simply couldn't understand Hua Zai's behavior. Hiding a marriage for 23 years—what exactly was he thinking?

If they met later, Chen Nuo really wanted to ask Hua Ge to his face: What exactly are you afraid of? Are they your fans, or are they your father, that you're so afraid?

He wanted to know what the consequences would be if he just went ahead and did it.

Would it be the end of the world if he dated someone?

Would all his endorsements come to cancel their contracts with him?

Would directors from all walks of life stop looking for him to act, eventually leaving him with no choice but to beg on the streets?

If anyone thought he and Mr. Liu Dehua were the same kind of person, he only wanted to say one thing: Sorry, you're wrong.

Today, Brother will let you know what the hell a "surprise" really is.

"Quite a few reporters."

Even though the artist's brain had short-circuited, Qi Yuntian, acting as his manager, was still smiling as he turned back to speak. He looked for all the world like someone who loved watching the chaos.

Chen Nuo knew there were quite a few reporters.

The Alphard had already reached this position, and they were only fifty meters from the North Film Academy gate; there was no need for Qi Yuntian's fake reminder.

Anyone who wasn't blind could see the crowd gathered at the film school gate.

Bustling, with long guns and short cannons, it looked even livelier than during admissions.

Chen Nuo hung up the phone and said, "My parents have already gone in; they told us to go in and meet them."

His schedule today was to first attend the graduation ceremony at the North Film Academy screening hall, then accompany his parents for a stroll around the school, take some photos, and officially bid farewell to his college life.

These reporters clearly knew his schedule and had come here to wait for the rabbit.

It was within his expectations, so there was nothing to say.

Whether he could earn money standing tall in this life or would only be able to beg for it on his knees—now was the time to test it.

He reached out his hand, originally wanting Liu Yifei to hold it, preparing to make a shocking entrance the moment he got out of the car to see if this world was black or white.

But he suddenly froze for a moment.

Because he saw Liu Yifei's clear, black-and-white eyes looking at him quite seriously, blankly, and foolishly; she clearly didn't understand what it meant for him to reach out to her, let alone what she was about to face.

Chen Nuo suddenly felt a bit of reluctance in his heart.

Indeed, if it were just a simple announcement of a relationship, it could serve as a form of protection for her.

But if he did it the way he was thinking now, if he were really scolded by fans until he fell from grace, she wouldn't be able to stay out of it either.

By then, Liu Yifei would truly be wronged.

Forget it, Chen Nuo decided to let Xixi know a bit about his thoughts; she had a right to know.

If the girl felt the risk was too great and wasn't willing, he would just call it off and get out of the car alone.

As it turned out, he had only just started, just mentioned that some people wanted to use fans to kidnap him and stop him from dating, and that he, Chen Mou, simply didn't believe in that nonsense,

when a small, white, tender hand suddenly appeared in the hand he had resting on his knee.

"Uh..." Chen Nuo looked down at the hand in his palm, then looked up at Liu Yifei, "You..."

Liu Yifei stared at him and asked, "Anyway, there won't be any misunderstanding, right?"

Chen Nuo reacted for a moment before he understood what she was saying, "Ah, oh, right. There won't be."

Liu Yifei nodded and suddenly grabbed his palm back,

fingers interlaced, holding on very tightly.

Chen Nuo was a bit moved, but in the end, he still wanted to give a reminder, "Do you know..."

Still not letting him finish, Liu Yifei interrupted him once again.

"Really won't be a misunderstanding?"

"Ah, right."

Chen Nuo was speechless. Why was this woman so obsessed with whether his parents would misunderstand? They were talking about serious business here!

At this moment, Linghu drove the car to the school gate and stopped.

Liu Yifei suddenly opened the car door, held his hand, and pulled him out in one leap.

In that instant, the reporters swarmed over like a swarm of bees.

If not for Linghu, Qi Yuntian, and the five or six security guards at the North Film Academy struggling to clear a path, Chen Nuo and Liu Yifei would never have been able to walk into the North Film Academy gate hand-in-hand, unscathed.

But walking into the school gate didn't mean the matter had subsided.

The school still had a few days before summer vacation, and the school gate was still filled with all kinds of people coming and going.

When the reporters at the gate rushed toward a certain spot like crazy, starting to ask all sorts of questions, some people stopped and stood on tiptoe to look outside.

"What's going on? My god, who is that? Chen Nuo and who?"

"Is that Chen Nuo?"

"Damn, holding hands? Chen Nuo and that woman are holding hands, right?"

"Chen Nuo holding Liu Yifei's hand? My god, are they really together?"

"Grass, grass, grass, they got out of the car? Just walking in like that, holding hands?"

"My god, this is going to be a big news story! Are they crazy? Crazy?!"

Not to mention these students, who were almost popping their eyes out of their sockets, even the old entertainment reporters and paparazzi at the gate who had been in the industry for over a decade were dumbfounded when Liu Yifei opened the car door.

For a moment, very few people believed it.

Chen Nuo and Liu Yifei were actually this daring!!!

No one believed it, because no one had ever seen such a thing!

In this era in the country, even a thirteenth-tier artist would be secretive about dating, wishing they could go to a basement to have sex, as if being known to be dating would mean losing those few pitiful little fans.

Who had ever seen a popular A-list star walking in front of them, openly and grandly holding his girlfriend's hand, letting them take pictures at will?

Moreover, this wasn't just any simple A-list star.

This was arguably the hottest male star in the country today, appearing in front of everyone's lenses holding his girlfriend's hand.

The key was that his girlfriend wasn't an ordinary person either.

Since her debut, she had been dubbed the "Fairy Sister" and was the goddess in the hearts of countless otaku.

Two such people, who had detonated all entertainment media online and offline yesterday with a single statement, seemed to feel it wasn't enough, and today, they were joining forces to give everyone an even bigger surprise?

Crazy, truly crazy.

Even though every veteran entertainment reporter on the scene knew that Chen Nuo was someone who didn't follow the rules, and there was a precedent of him suddenly going public with a relationship.

But this time, when it really happened again, every reporter on the scene still couldn't believe it.

Couldn't believe that this piece of shit luck had finally fallen on their heads!

The key was that this girlfriend was much more impressive than the last one!

There was no telling how many men in China and Japan were willing to spend money for the name Liu Yifei!

What kind of concept was the effect of one plus one?

If this photo were uploaded to the internet, wouldn't the whole country explode?

It's like the New Year!

If you didn't accept this late New Year red envelope, you'd really regret it for the rest of your life.

After Liu Yifei and Chen Nuo got out of the car, all the reporters on the scene seemed to go crazy; everyone's faces were flushed red, spitting as they spoke, and the cameras in the hands of the cameramen flashed non-stop, wishing they could press the shutter until it exploded. Questions came one after another, like machine-gun fire, popping non-stop.

Although they guessed that given Chen Nuo's personality, it was unlikely he would respond, no one was idle.

Everyone was thinking, what if these two were really Santa Claus today, handing out gifts?

What if the question answered was their own?

"Chen Nuo, are you two already living together?"

"Liu Yifei, did you come here specifically to attend Chen Nuo's graduation ceremony today?"

"Chen Nuo, what do you want to say to those fans online who have left the fandom?"

"Liu Yifei, this is your first time going public with a relationship; how are you feeling?"

"Chen Nuo, your parents are here too; did they know you would bring your girlfriend?"

"Chen Nuo, do you have any plans to get married?"

"Liu Yifei, can you..."

"Chen Nuo, do you have..."

What left the reporters slightly regretful was that Chen Nuo and Liu Yifei didn't answer any of these questions.

The two of them held hands, their pace unhurried and calm, not walking fast, but the school gate was only so far away, and they walked into the school in just a few steps.

The reporters were blocked outside the campus by security, and could only continue to click-click at the backs of the two.

When Chen Nuo and Liu Yifei walked into the school, the gasps and inquiries coming from all directions were not much quieter than those from the reporters outside.

Besides those with sharp eyes who had seen them earlier, there were also some students who happened to be passing by; when they saw the two walk in from the school gate, they all rubbed their eyes, suspecting they were dreaming.

"Wow!!!"

"It's really Chen Nuo!!"

"That's Liu Yifei!!!"

"My god, holding hands? What's the situation?"

"Announced they were dating yesterday, and appearing together today?"

"They really are a couple! I felt something was wrong before." "Me too, I felt something was wrong back at the Oscars."

These discussions reached Liu Yifei's ears, making her feel as if her feet were stepping on clouds.

In fact, from the moment she got out of the car, she had been in this dazed, floating state.

Up until now, she hadn't fully reacted to the fact that she had really done it.

Taking the initiative to hold a boy's hand and appear in front of those reporters. Announcing to the whole world that she was dating.

If it were before, she wouldn't even have dared to think about it.

Although, although it was actually fake.

But...

"Senior Chen Nuo, happy graduation. Senior Liu Yifei, hello. Are you, are you really together??"

When Chen Nuo and the others passed by, one of the several pretty junior students standing on the side of the road finally gathered the courage to ask a redundant question.

Chen Nuo was just about to tell Jing Tian to worry less about gossip and read more books,

but before he could speak, he saw Liu Yifei turn her head and give a heavy "Mm."

After Chen Nuo walked past, he couldn't help but ask, "What are you doing? What are you 'mm-ing' for? We're just putting on a show to fool those reporters; I didn't ask you to fool these younger brothers and sisters."

Liu Yifei didn't look at him, nor did she speak, giving a light hum from her nose, as if she were too disdainful to answer.

At this time, Chen Nuo couldn't be bothered to argue with her anymore. Because he had already seen Chen Bicheng and Pan Chengrong, who had come to attend his graduation ceremony.

To be honest, a very important reason why Chen Nuo had the courage to challenge the fans this time and was certain he wouldn't end up begging on the streets was that since March, the turn in China's property market had become very obvious.

The developers who had struggled for over a year and were almost doubting their lives had finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel.

His old man, who had been shrinking away for over a year, was now walking with his hands behind his back, walking in a splayed-foot manner again.

As soon as they met, Chen Bicheng laughed and gave him a bit of a hard time: "You called us to attend your graduation ceremony, and as a result, the three of us waited for you for over half an hour; you really have a big ego."

Chen Nuo ignored him and smiled, calling Pan Chengrong "Mom."

Then his gaze fell on the slightly timid young girl beside Pan Chengrong.

Seeing him look over, Cui Xueli was really like a frightened rabbit, immediately bowing ninety degrees, "Brother, hello."

After Chen Nuo returned to the capital, when he was free during the day, he had also gone to sit in that school district apartment of Pan Chengrong's a few times.

It was just a hurried visit, and he hadn't seen this "cheap" younger sister who was in class every day.

Hearing Cui Xueli speak this time, her Mandarin greeting was quite standard; it seemed she had indeed learned a lot at school.

Pan Chengrong laughed, "Don't put on airs as soon as you arrive; I see this girl looking at you like a mouse looking at a cat."

Only then did Chen Nuo reveal a hint of a smile, hummed, and said in Korean, "Your Chinese is not bad. Last time I went to Korea, I met your two sisters, did you know?"

Cui Xueli laughed, her eyebrows curved, and said in Korean, "Yes, they told me. Brother, they all sent messages asking me to thank you for taking care of them. Also, President Li asked me to send his regards to you."

Chen Nuo felt it wasn't really "taking care" of them; it was just that when he went to host a dinner back then, CJ Entertainment hadn't planned on letting those idol groups attend.

The only one that was allowed to go because of him was the group Cui Xueli was in before.

Zheng Xiujing and that Chinese girl were brought over by their president to greet him.

He was busy flirting with Kim Tae-hee, that "female sea king," at the time, so he just gave a perfunctory response.

And then that group inexplicably became popular.

When he was sunbathing in Palm Beach, he even received a call from Bong Joon-ho, saying that his beloved Girls' Generation was now having their thunder stolen by them.

It was all his fault for agreeing to let them attend the party, making those fussing Korean media think he was their fan.

At the time, Chen Nuo didn't quite understand the logic; fan is a fan, what's the big deal?

Why would they become popular just because he was their fan?

But now Chen Nuo finally understood.

It turned out that in the eyes of many people, the status of an idol or actor seemed to be determined by the quantity and quality of their fans.

Heh, he didn't quite believe in that nonsense.

"Brother, is this your girlfriend? She's really pretty." Cui Xueli glanced at Liu Yifei and asked in a low voice.

"Heh."

Chen Nuo ignored the gossiping Cui Xueli and introduced her to Pan Chengrong, "Mom, let me introduce you; this is my good friend, Liu Yifei."

"Your house is selling well, right? I might need to borrow some money from you at the end of the year or early next year."

"Borrow how much?"

"A few hundred million."

As the group walked toward the venue of Chen Nuo's graduation ceremony, Chen Bicheng heard this and said to Pan Chengrong, "Listen to what your son is saying, asking to borrow a few hundred million as soon as he opens his mouth. Is this really my son? I thought he was the son of the world's richest man."

Pan Chengrong said, "When your son lent you 100 million, why didn't you say you were like the father of the world's richest man?"

Chen Bicheng shouted, "What do you mean he lent me 100 million? 60 million of that was my money to begin with!"

Pan Chengrong rolled her eyes at him, "If your son hadn't helped you save that 60 million back then instead of buying some house, tell me, would you be bankrupt this time?"

Chen Bicheng was instantly choked.

Pan Chengrong turned to Chen Nuo and said, "You too. It's one thing to have endless films to shoot all year round, but you also invest so much money in making movies; don't make yourself so tired, money is never-ending. Why make yourself so stressed, why? Do you really want to be the richest man in the world?"

Chen Nuo sighed and said, "Mom, I think so too; you don't need to tell me. Starting next year, I'll only shoot two films a year. After I finish shooting that Twilight one, I'll only shoot one a year."

Chen Bicheng laughed, "If you don't work hard and earn more money while you're young, I'll see what you do when you're old."

Pan Chengrong frowned and said coldly, "Chen Bicheng, today is a good day, I don't want to scold you; if you don't know how to speak, just shut up."

"What's wrong with shooting one film a year? I think it's quite good. So what if you're old? Li Jiaoshou said that only those idol drama actors who rely on their looks to act eat a 'youth meal.' Good actors aren't afraid of getting old; even if they're old and ugly, they'll still have films to shoot..."

As she spoke, Pan Chengrong glanced at someone beside Chen Nuo, froze for a moment, and said with a smile, "Little Liu, you're also a good actor; tell me, is Auntie right?"

Liu Yifei was thinking about whether to lift her left hand or right hand when taking a step with her left foot. Because ever since she finished greeting the two elders, Pan and Chen, she had felt something was wrong the whole way here, always feeling that she didn't know where to put her hands and feet.

She really hadn't expected Pan Chengrong to suddenly speak to her, so she immediately gave an "Ah," and stammered, "Right, Auntie, good actors should reduce their exposure and maintain a sense of mystery. Generally speaking, they won't shoot many commercials, nor will they go on variety show interviews. As for taking on roles, some don't just shoot one film a year; they only shoot one film every few years."

Pan Chengrong laughed immediately upon hearing this, saying, "Only shoot one every few years? Chen Nuo, did you hear that? In the future, if you get married and have a baby, just go out and shoot one every few years to earn some milk money. If you're still like you are now, shooting films outside all year round, it would be strange if your wife didn't give you trouble."

Chen Nuo really hadn't thought about things like a wife.

Getting married, to him, seemed like something that would only happen in a dream.

So-called marriage always requires a partner, right?

Where is that person?

At this moment, out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly saw Liu Yifei nod thoughtfully after hearing Pan Chengrong's words, and couldn't help but find it a bit funny. He lowered his voice slightly and asked, "Xixi, you want to do that, shoot one every few years, right?"

As a result, Liu Yifei not only ignored him but instead turned completely red in the face, which made him feel a bit baffled.

Is this because she knows she's too lazy and is ashamed?

At this time, they had arrived at the venue of the graduation ceremony, the North Film Academy screening hall.

Half an hour later,

when he heard his name read out by the school leaders, announcing that he and the other 42 graduating students had been named the 2009 Outstanding Graduates of Beijing, Chen Nuo suddenly felt a heavy weight in his heart.

He really had to leave school.

Finally, in this standard screening hall of the Beijing Film Academy, at the grandly held 2009 graduation ceremony and degree-conferring ceremony, Chen Nuo had a real sense of graduation.

At this moment, Chen Nuo truly felt that, let alone the Lumière, even the Kodak Theatre back then couldn't compare to the surging emotions brought to him by wearing his bachelor's gown and cap, walking onto the stage, and receiving his outstanding graduate certificate—that little red book—from President Zheng.

Countless people off the stage raised their cameras and started clicking away at him.

Some he knew, some he didn't.

There were his parents, and his good friends. There were his classmates, and his teachers.

In this instant,

the memories of his four years of college, from September 1, 2005, to June 24, 2009, these 1,392 days, rushed toward him like a tide.

Chen Nuo even remembered the mood he was in when he came to Beijing alone back then.

A desperate gamble, with nowhere else to turn.

Yet in the blink of an eye, he had really achieved the goal he set when he came.

He had indeed done what he told Chen Bicheng: he got into college and graduated smoothly.

For the first time in this life, the first time since his rebirth, Chen Nuo wasn't acting, but was truly a bit teary-eyed.

At this moment, he even let go of a certain obsession and hatred that had been in his heart for a long time; he no longer thought about finding the person who stabbed him to death at some point and killing him. As long as he didn't appear in front of him again, let it be, let it pass.

Because if not for that knife, he wouldn't have been able to return to this moment and make his life complete.

Zheng Zhongjian smiled and shook his hand: "Congratulations."

"Thank you, President."

Zheng Zhongjian looked at him deeply and said softly, "If there's any place where you need the school to make a statement or speak up for you, just say the word."

Chen Nuo smiled, "Thank you, President, no need..."

Zheng Zhongjian nodded slightly and smiled, "Keep it up."

Chen Nuo and Zheng Zhongjian each held one end of the outstanding graduate certificate and posed for a photo together.

He saw Pan Chengrong off the stage wiping her tears, while Chen Bicheng was holding a camera, constantly taking pictures of him.

Beside them, Cui Xueli was waving at him, and Liu Yifei, well, she was standing next to Cui Xueli, hugging the little girl's shoulders, looking at him with sparkling eyes, the corners of her mouth turned up, wearing that standard polite smile.

Couldn't help but be polite.

From the moment she entered the screening hall, the number of people looking at her was probably the same as those looking at President Zheng, only half as many as those looking at him, Chen Mou, who was like a giant panda.

It was estimated that there were really very few people who brought their girlfriends to attend the graduation ceremony, and even the well-informed Yang Mi was stunned.

So much so that when she went on stage with him to receive the outstanding graduate certificate, Da Mi whispered to him: "You've got guts, Singer Chen, you really have guts! But I know it's fake; you're protecting her, right? You couldn't possibly really be with Liu Yifei, could you?"

Facing his old friend's expectant gaze, Chen Nuo nodded slightly, increasing the number of people in the know, which also made Miss Yang smile immediately, patting him on the shoulder and saying, "I knew I wouldn't misjudge you."

North Film Academy had backbone. Even for Chen Mou, the number one person in mainland film history with two Best Actor awards in hand, he didn't receive any special treatment at the graduation ceremony. Besides having a cameraman following him and speaking a few more words to the president, he was no different from other graduates.

Even during the group photo session, he stood on the far right with President Zheng.

If there was any difference, it was only later, when he went on stage to speak as the representative of the undergraduate graduates, the applause from the whole hall lasted for nearly two minutes, nearly twice as long as the applause President Zheng had received earlier.

During the speech, Chen Nuo didn't know if he had disappointed Li Er.

After all, Li Jiaoshou wanted him to say some profound insights to let the school's students be influenced, but he thought about it over and over and didn't express too many opinions on it, just reading the speech draft Qi Yuntian had prepared for him in a standard way.

He felt that he was just a student, so what right did he have to spout nonsense to others and pour chicken soup for the soul?

Everyone's path needs to be walked by themselves; how many pits are on the road, only after stepping into them will one understand how deep and painful they are. What's the use of others saying it? If it were really useful, the world would still be a family world.

So forget it, just go through the motions.

However, at the very end, he thought of the things that had happened in the past two days and suddenly felt inspired,

remembered a sentence he had seen online in his past life, and said it casually,

"Finally, I wish everyone: after wandering for half a life, you return still a youth. Having traversed mountains and rivers, you still feel the world is worth it."

"Thank you all."

(End of chapter)