msmithbooks Chapter 38 Your plot twist today was absolutely amazing!
Chapter 38 Your plot twist today was absolutely amazing!
"What's wrong? My name, Shen Li, means 'Li,' the 'Li' in 'every grain is hard-earned'! It's both endearing and easily recognizable!" Shen Li said confidently.
"Besides, I'm the CEO. What's wrong with using my name? Jack Ma can be called 'Alibaba,' Pony Ma can be called 'Tencent,' so why can't I, Shen Li, be called 'Lili Run'?"
"They have a deeper meaning! Alibaba is the magic spell to open a treasure trove! Tencent is the message of soaring success! What do you mean by 'running like grains of rice'? Running one grain at a time? Like a mouse!"
"You're the rat!"
The four of them started arguing.
Finally, after a heated (and pointless) debate, a vote was taken.
Shen Li cast one vote (for himself), Jing Yang cast one vote (for himself), Yang Yi cast one vote (for Shen Li), and Dai Xiao abstained.
"Grain Run" passed by a narrow margin of 2:1.
Shen Li said smugly, "Democratic centralism, that's settled!"
Jing Yang wailed, "This lousy name is so embarrassing, I'm too ashamed to even mention it when I go out and promote it!"
"Then don't publicize it."
"...I'll promote it! I'll promote it, okay?!"
Just then, Shen Li's phone vibrated. She took it out and saw it was a WeChat message from Xiao Zhao.
"Shen Li, I've sent you the script for the skit in this afternoon's performance class. Take a look, and let's discuss any ideas beforehand. [Cute]"
It was followed by a nodding rabbit emoji.
Shen Li opened his email and downloaded the script. It was a short skit about unrequited love, in which he played a nerdy guy who had a crush on a goddess, and Xiao Zhao played the goddess.
The plot is roughly about a guy who secretly brings breakfast to his crush, saves her a seat, and picks up her packages every day, doing all sorts of quiet good deeds. The crush actually knows all this, but pretends not to.
One day, the nerdy guy mustered up the courage to confess his feelings, but the girl rejected him, saying she already had someone she liked. Heartbroken, the nerdy guy left. The ending showed the girl watching his retreating figure with a complex expression.
Shen Li frowned after reading it.
This script... feels a bit off.
The otaku silently makes sacrifices, the goddess knows it all but pretends not to, and finally rejects him... Isn't this the real-life version of "a simp never gets a good death"?
What did Xiao Zhao want to express when he wrote this script?
Is it simply because the subject matter has dramatic conflict? Or is it implying something?
Shen Li's mind began to race.
Xiao Zhao, with a peach-shaped bottom and a sweet voice, appears innocent and charming on the surface. But what girl is truly innocent after getting into the Beijing Film Academy's acting department? She actively asks for phone numbers, invites others to team up, and now she's even written a script about a "simp secretly in love with a goddess"...
Could it be that he wanted to use this script to test Shen Li's attitude?
For example, when he plays a "simp," does he show genuine emotion? Does he reveal his feelings for her in his performance?
Or perhaps, they simply want to enjoy the feeling of being secretly admired and satisfy their vanity in the play?
Regardless of the reason, Shen Li felt that there was something wrong with the script.
But to refuse outright would seem too deliberate. To revise the script, on the other hand, would seem disrespectful to one's partner.
His eyes lit up, and he had an idea.
Replying to Xiao Zhao: "I've read the script, it's pretty good! But I have a small suggestion, could you add a plot twist?"
Xiao Zhao replied instantly: "What plot twist? [Curious]"
Shen Li (typing):
"In the ending, after being rejected, the nerdy guy didn't leave heartbroken. Instead, he suddenly laughed and said, 'Actually, I was delivering these things for a friend who felt bad. Since you don't like him, I'll just tell him not to bother.' Then he walked away nonchalantly. The goddess, on the other hand, was stunned because she was actually used to being silently noticed."
After sending it, Shen Li stared at the screen, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.
This reversal turned the "simp" into a "tool brother" and the "goddess's rejection" into "the goddess's wishful thinking."
It retains the dramatic conflict while completely reversing the relationships between the characters.
More importantly, in the play, Shen Li is not the "secret admirer" but an "outsider who does things for his brother".
In this way, whatever "hints" Xiao Zhao's original script contained were easily neutralized.
After a long pause, Xiao Zhao replied: "This plot twist... is quite interesting. But doesn't it make the goddess seem a bit presumptuous? [Thinking]"
Shen Li replied:
"No, it's actually more realistic. These days, there aren't that many devoted admirers; most are just 'pursuers' or 'gift deliverymen.' This skit we made perfectly reflects the real lives of contemporary college students."
Xiao Zhao was silent for a moment, then replied with a smiley face: "Okay, then I'll change it as you said. See you this afternoon. [Cute]"
Shen Li put down her phone and let out a long sigh.
The first round was successfully resolved.
Jingyang leaned closer: "Who are you chatting with? You're laughing so slyly."
"Xiao Zhao. This afternoon, we'll rehearse in acting class and discuss the script."
"Holy crap!" Jing Yang's eyes lit up. "She actively sought you out to act with? Shen Li, your luck with women is insane, I'm so jealous!"
"What's with the sour grapes? This is called professional collaboration." Shen Li said righteously. "By the way, what are your plans for this afternoon?"
"Me?" Jing Yang sighed. "I'm paired with Li Fei. She's so cold and aloof, not easy to work with. I don't know if she can keep up with my acting."
Dai Xiao floated down from the upper bunk: "Based on my observation, Li Fei's acting style tends to be introverted and restrained. You, Jing Yang, tend to be exaggerated and extroverted. When the two of you act together, it'll either create chemistry or it'll be a train wreck."
"...Brother Xiao, can you say something nice?"
"Seek truth from facts."
In the afternoon, it was performance class.
Shen Li and Xiao Zhao's "modified version of the unrequited love skit" was surprisingly well-received. Especially the final twist, when Shen Li calmly said, "I delivered it for my brother," the whole class burst into laughter.
Teacher Yan commented: "This plot twist is great. It broke the audience's expectations and made both characters more three-dimensional. Shen Li, you did a great job designing it."
Shen Li humbly replied, "It's because Xiao Zhao's script is so good; I just added a few small ideas."
Xiao Zhao glanced at him with a smile, a complex emotion flashing in her peach blossom eyes, but it quickly disappeared.
Alarm bells were ringing in Shen Li's mind, but his "honest junior" expression remained unchanged.
That look... he knew it all too well. It wasn't "admiration," it wasn't "liking," it was something else entirely...
How to put it? Like a cat watching a mouse, like a fox watching a chicken, like a hunter watching its prey.
Xiao Zhao put away the script and tossed his hair.
Today she wore a light purple knitted camisole with two thin straps hanging on her fair and rounded shoulders, and the neckline was incredibly deep and voluptuous.
As she tossed her hair, her two full breasts swayed, making the eyes of the boys tidying up nearby almost pop out.
"Shen Li, your plot twist today was absolutely amazing."
Xiao Zhao smiled and took a step closer, her voice as soft and sweet as mochi, "I almost couldn't hold back on stage. How did you come up with that idea?"
When she leaned closer, the scent of perfume, a blend of floral and milky fragrance, filled Shen Li's nose.