Chapter 5: An Annoying Fairy… Could It Be Emergency Food?
He finally arrived at his tiny, rundown apartment, abandoned by God himself.
Everything that had happened with Wei Jinchao in the last few hours was a complete mess. The guy had even tried to blackmail him with his older sister, Wei Lianhua.
In his past life, she had become a famous actress, one of those women who lit up the red carpets with shining dresses, cameras chasing her like bees, and in the end, she had married a well-known film director.
A perfect story… that had never had anything to do with him.
Sigh… I never had a chance with her anyway.
The bitter laugh that escaped his throat bounced against the empty walls. Life had taught him the hard way that things never went how you wanted, and instead of letting others step on you, it was better to just live for yourself.
If he had been single for more than twenty years, it was because he had the willpower of a saint. And it wasn't like he had never tried; dating apps were full of profiles he had abandoned after endless dead-end conversations.
"Now the problem is… how the hell am I supposed to make a short film without a single dollar in my wallet…"
He pressed his forehead with his hand as if he could squeeze out a solution from his skull. All his money was swallowed by overdue rent, and the rest went straight to the hospital where his mother was still admitted.
The life of an adult was tough… though the irony was that he wasn't even fully considered one yet, and still carried responsibilities that many men in their thirties couldn't handle.
A metallic sound snapped him out of his thoughts.
Ding… ding… ding…
The microwave, with its crooked door that never closed properly, announced that dinner was ready.
If you could call that dinner.
Dragging his feet, he opened the old appliance. A cloud of rancid steam filled the room, spreading the smell of instant noodles and cheap plastic. The bowl shook in his hands, sharing the same misery as him.
As he stirred the noodles with a bent fork, he couldn't help but laugh bitterly.
"Great… tomorrow I need to plan a short film, and tonight I'm eating like a war prisoner. The universe is definitely laughing at me."
…
"Welcome to the Universal Filmmaker System!"
A shrill voice pierced my ears, and the smell of reheated rice vanished instantly.
When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw wasn't my rundown room or the microwave coughing like a dying tractor.
It was… a firefly in a dress?
No.
A fairy.
A fairy in a cheap sequin skirt, with plastic-looking wings and a megaphone bigger than her head. She looked like a knockoff version of some kids' movie I had watched when I was young.
"What the hell…? Did I die from instant noodle poisoning?"
I rubbed my eyes, but she was still there, floating like some fluorescent carnival bug.
"Wrong!" she shouted with excitement. "You have been chosen by the Universal Filmmaker System to become the next great Director! The Master of Life! The Lord of Light and Shadow!"
I stared at her in silence.
My stomach growled before I could say anything.
"… Are you going to pay my rent, or are you just here to ruin my dreams?"
The fairy spun in the air like she was shooting a cheap commercial and raised a tiny wand.
"Your mission is simple: travel to unknown worlds, live through other people's stories, and record them as material for your movies! In return, you'll gain resources, inspiration, and rewards that will make your career shine brighter than an Oscar on display!"
I swear I had lived through this déjà vu in my past life. That feeling when someone knocks on your door only to sell you fake insurance or a water filter you'd never use. She reminded me of those pushy salespeople who wouldn't leave you alone, even when you had no money.
"Alright, what's the trick here?!" I pointed a finger at the fairy like a lawyer in a cheap TV drama. "I've seen enough courtroom movies to know there's always a hidden clause. Always."
The little creature twirled and waved her wand. A beam of light projected a glowing contract in midair.
"No scams, dear Filmmaker!" she declared with a voice that sounded way too rehearsed. "The Universal Filmmaker System™ is completely legal, approved by cosmic laws and interdimensional film associations. Your mission is simple: you direct, you create, the system provides."
"Uh-huh…" I muttered, crossing my arms. "That's exactly what the guys selling Bitcoin in the street say. Where's the fine print? Do I lose a kidney? Do I become the slave of some dragon executive producer? Or will I end up shooting detergent commercials for eternity?"
The fairy put on tiny round glasses that appeared out of nowhere, like some cosmic secretary.
"Not at all. The only price… is your dedication. By traveling to other worlds, you will relive the experiences of their people. Each life, each tragedy, and each victory will serve as film material. If you direct them well, you'll be rewarded with gear, funds, and fame!"
I blinked several times, processing her words.
"… So basically, I'm an interdimensional parasite with a camera. Perfect. Just what I needed on my résumé."
The fairy clapped as if I had complimented her.
"Exactly! A true Filmmaker!"
I still didn't trust her, but there didn't seem to be any way to refuse.
"A shady company…" I muttered to myself. Not because of the color, but because that's what people called those companies that drained your soul while smiling in your face.
"So… where are we?" I finally asked, turning around for the first time.
"Excuse me!" grunted a man with a mustache as he shoved past me, holding a cardboard suitcase ready to fall apart.
I stared at the ship in front of me. Its hull was painted with golden letters, and the name sent chills down my spine:
Colosusic.
For some reason, that giant ship reminded me of a strange memory from my past life… no, it had to be just one of those coincidences. Yeah, sure.
The fairy floated beside me, giggling like I had just discovered some inside joke.
"Welcome to the First Production World. This place is made for beginners. Safe, harmless… perfect for you not to die."
"… What?"
"Well, it's time to pick the protagonist of this world," the system quickly changed the subject.
Her words were anything but comforting.
"At least tell me your name. I'm not calling you 'fairy.' People will think I'm crazy. Let me pretend I'm talking to my dead girlfriend or something."
She crossed her tiny arms, clearly unwilling, but sighed in the end.
"Officially, I'm the Film Support Module v3.7 of the Universal Filmmaker System…" she twirled in the air, "but you can call me Xiao Ying. I don't want to be treated like some nameless pet."
"Xiao Ying…" I repeated quietly, testing the name.
"What? You don't like it?"
"It sounds… like a soap opera actress."
"Hey! For your information, Xiao Ying means Little Shadow! A perfectly cinematic name, thank you very much!"
I rolled my eyes. At least now I had a name for her, so I wouldn't look like I was talking to myself.
"Fine, Xiao Ying. But if anyone looks at me funny, I'll just say I'm practicing lines for an indie movie. That way they think I'm some misunderstood artist, not a lunatic."
"As you wish." She flipped in the air and pointed at the crowded port.
"Now focus. We need to select the protagonist whose story will serve as your first material. Without a main character, you have nothing to film."
I looked at the sea of people boarding the ship. Men with fake-looking mustaches glued on, women with hats so big they could block the sun, a captain who looked like he lived in a permanent hangover…
"… And how am I supposed to choose? Do I hold a casting right here?"