I thought Huang Yijun was just having a passing fancy, that his interest in Yin Lin would last at most a few days.
Who knew he’d become more and more fanatical, completely bewitched by that bratty girl.
Does Huang Yijun actually like Magical Girls, or does he like bratty girls?
Or is it because both hit his sweet spot, creating a combined effect that’s made him this obsessed?
“Old Huang, we’re friends, that’s why I’m giving you this heartfelt advice. You’re in too deep.”
Qian Dehao had also received the “preaching” and held a favorable view of Magical Girl Silver Lin, with no ill intent.
Normally, buying some merchandise or showing support online is one thing.
But this time, Huang Yijun was even sacrificing his personal time, hurting both his wallet and his mental state, getting mixed up with the Director, and even doing things together that were hard to explain to outsiders.
“By the way, what exactly are you and the Director doing? You two are always together, don’t tell me it’s just work.”
Song Wuli knew he didn’t want to give it up and was afraid pushing further might anger him.
Huang Yijun shoveled a few more mouthfuls of rice before answering.
“We do have some work to go out for. As his assistant, I have to stick by his side.”
Song Wuli scoffed.
“Come on, I know you better than that. We’ve been friends for how many years? Spill it, what are you really doing?”
Huang Yijun lowered his head again, slowly taking a few more bites of rice.
Song Wuli called him out directly.
“Still stalling for time to think of an excuse?”
Huang Yijun had no choice but to reveal a bit more of the truth.
“We really do go out for some work discussions, it’s just… not every trip is just work. The Director can’t sit in the office all day, he needs to go out to discuss business.”
“And the parts that aren’t work?”
Song Wuli pressed.
Huang Yijun hesitated.
“Occasionally… we go to our secret base, or attend regular gatherings, or organize some events, arrange some new work, things like that.”
Song Wuli frowned.
“What secret base?”
Huang Yijun said with a serious face, “It’s for gatherings of our supreme ‘Silver Future Church’.”
“Huh? What? Silver what? What church? What’s that for?”
Qian Dehao’s voice instantly rose a few notches.
“Say that again? When did you start believing in a religion? Why didn’t you tell us anything?”
Huang Yijun straightened his back, answering proudly.
“It was established not long ago, founded by some of us die-hard Magical Girl Silver Lin supporters. I’m part of the management too!”
Qian Dehao looked utterly incredulous.
“Buddy, is this a cult? Silver Future? Die-hard Silver Lin supporters? So the money you borrowed the other day was for this? Has that bitch Silver Lin completely fooled you?”
“Watch your language, who are you calling a bitch?”
Song Wuli was immediately displeased.
Huang Yijun also stood up abruptly.
“Even if you’re my friend, I won’t allow you to speak of her like that. And this has nothing to do with her. It’s just us, of our own volition, founding the church, and of our own volition, making her our object of faith.”
Song Wuli nodded.
“Right, why should the idol be held responsible for the fans’ actions?”
Qian Dehao looked confused.
“Wait, Old Song, why are you getting so worked up? Did you join that Silver Future Church thing too?”
Song Wuli shook his head.
“No, I didn’t know about it.”
Qian Dehao suddenly had a realization.
“Oh, I remember now. Back when Silver Lin first debuted, you were eyeing her high heels. So you’re a fan too. Are you a foot fetishist or a shoe fetishist?”
Song Wuli was speechless.
“No, I’m not a foot fetishist. I just happened to think those shoes looked good, for copywriting reference material.”
Qian Dehao sighed.
“After so many years of friendship, I wanted to believe you guys. But you two really do seem bewitched by that brat, making decisions with your lower halves.”
His tone turned serious.
“Let me make this clear, Old Huang, you’re 37, right? Old Song, you’re 34, right? I don’t oppose you finding wives, but don’t be such beasts, okay? Even thinking about a nineteen-year-old Magical Girl?”
“Old Huang, have some shame. It’s not too late to pull out now, don’t become a pervert.”
Qian Dehao pleaded earnestly.
Then he looked at Song Wuli.
“Old Song, you too, don’t be so perverted, studying her high heels every day. You’re 34, not young anymore, it’s time to find a girlfriend of a normal age.”
“Stop nagging, you don’t believe me anyway.”
Huang Yijun was too lazy to explain further.
“Don’t use your tinted glasses to speculate about the relationships within our Silver Future Church. You’re sullying the noble and pure connection between us believers and Magical Girl Silver Lin.”
They talked about quite a bit during this lunch, and the three brothers actually cleared up some of the distance between them.
Before, they didn’t understand Huang Yijun, didn’t know what he was sneaking around doing, so there was a lot of suspicion.
Now that things were out in the open, there was less distance.
Scolding aside, friends were still friends.
The latter half of lunch was spent discussing work matters and that Oscar-Nominated Screenwriter.
That guy was getting more and more favor. The Què Yì project team practically revolved around him, which made many people in the group unhappy.
Song Wuli grew more and more curious and asked why everyone was discussing that screenwriter.
Qian Dehao’s expression turned odd.
“It’s not his results people dislike, it’s his character. You’ll find out this afternoon, you’ll have to endure it, heh.”
Old Qian sighed, clearly having already had dealings with that person.
Huang Yijun didn’t feel it much. He was the Director’s Assistant, and the screenwriter treated him with some respect, so he hadn’t encountered anything nasty.
Listening to their descriptions, Old Song also got a rough idea of what kind of person the other party was.
After the meal, as they were about to leave.
“Old Song, by the way, there’s a small gathering tonight. The three of us should get together again, to celebrate your recovery, bring you some good fortune. You can’t refuse.”
Huang Yijun issued an invitation that brooked no refusal.
“Alright.”
Song Wuli did not refuse.
After about an hour’s lunch break, everyone regained a bit of energy, and the afternoon work began.
In the Second Wenan Group, there was constant whispering. Xiao Liu and Xiao Zhao were chatting about the screenwriter, their work somewhat distracted.
The newcomer, Chang Kaihuai, took the opportunity of delivering documents to stand by Song Wuli’s dormitory and asked in a low voice, “Group Leader, I heard someone is coming to visit this afternoon? The screenwriter recently in charge of the new version?”
Song Wuli had already received definite news from the Supervisor.
“Yes, him. He’s coming this afternoon.”
After Chang Kaihuai left, Chang Yong also came and asked the same question.
Everyone was clearly very concerned about this person and vaguely mentioned that he wasn’t easy to get along with and had a terrible reputation.
This further piqued Song Wuli’s curiosity—just what kind of person could earn almost universally bad reviews from everyone?