Breaking up, No Joke

188. Final Countdown (I)

Translator: Lena

The Song Group rolls out an independent video website half a year later. Dead End, the first zombie play acted and directed by the Hua people, tops the website. Bo Yu starred the play six months ago.

The first episode of the play’s first season will be released at the beginning of January 1.

This is the first zombie play which goes viral without any promotion in the country. It is also the first one which doesn’t have any unscientific special effects.

Netizens who are interested in the play go mad when its trailer is released. They leave comments in Bo Yu’s account to entertain themselves. Bo Yu hasn’t posed anything in the past six months.

The trailer increases bystanders’ interest.

Three main characters, capable and good-looking, are friends in the TV series. The story is about making the best out of the worst situation and undiminished humanity in the dark. Besides, the trailer tells people that friendship is above all.

“You’ll have my back because I trust you.”

“We’re in the last days, and this is the human nature… But I don’t care!”

“Before the dark, we are strangers; before the dawn, we are partners.”

These lines emerging in the trailer go viral on the internet.

Besides, the three main characters don’t act like saints when facing dangerous situations in the trailer. They behave reasonably. Stupid scenes don’t appear in this play for people here take care of themselves first and then help their friends.

Such a story is outstanding in concurrent TV dramas, which quickly attracts people’s attention.

Hence, Dead End is top the trending on Weibo after the trailer is released. It gives rise to a heated discussion among everyone.

People often allude to Bo Yu who has vanished for a long time. They enjoy talking about his natural face and CEO boyfriend.

The first episode is released as the New Year comes.

Chu Mengmeng who wears high heels and her curly hair loosely is like an omnipotent alien. Followed by a dozen zombies, she gallops along the street.

Those zombies seem to be run over by cars. Roaring, they lunge at the woman. Their awkward gaits are appalling.

The extras in stunning makeup have outstanding acting skills. They are professional.

The episode is flooded by bullet screen comments, such as “How can she run so fast in high heels? Don’t her feet hurt?”, “Oh my God! These extras are great!” and “Jesus! They’re professional actors and actresses. The story’s appalling. I can’t take my eyes off the screen!”

Yuan Shi emerges in the next scene. The masculine man wearing a black undershirt, dark green pants and a pair of black boots dashes out with a sharp kitchen knife in hand. Suddenly, he kicks off the ground and steps on a shabby car. Bellowing, the man wields the knife.

A dead person before him is beheaded in the next second.

The best scene is about Bo Yu. The character is a logy and stingy coward. Such a man can’t get along well with his two partners in the very beginning. He shivers when facing a group of zombies. However, the situation allows no one to escape. Realizing that, he finally makes up his mind.

The fake Taoist priest from Mount Mao fumbles for a piles of yellow amulets and throws them at the dead. Shouting, the man rushes away like a bolt after he wields an iron bar at those zombies.

The story is unfolded.

Bo Yu turns off the video when they are halfway through the episode. Yawning, he turns to the impassive man beside him. “I think I can watch it alone. It’s embarrassing to watch it with you.” He scratches his head awkwardly.

Song Shilin glances at his lover, “Are you shy?”

‘Of course!’

Bo Yu stares at Song Shilin as if he was facing an idiot, “Am I not supposed to be shy?”

“I don’t understand. We did this before.” Song Shilin checks his phone which is ringing, “What… What’s wrong?”

“I’m not in the mood. Watch it by yourself. Remember to put on the headphones. I’m frustrated.” Sitting on the bed with legs crossed, Bo Yu murmurs seriously, “Little Candy’s changed. His eyes are glued to Little Watermelon. Why?”

“Because Little Watermelon is nice to his brother.” Song Shilin recalls his memory and finds that Bo Yu exaggerated. Although Little Candy likes to follow his elder brother after he can recognize people, the little boy spends most of the time clinging to Bo Yu.

After all, Bo Yu seldom joined in a filming crew in the past six months. He stayed with his two children except for necessary social engagements. Hence, Little Candy is obsessed with the dashing man who accompanies him almost every day.

Song Shilin can’t figure out why Little Candy loves Bo Yu so much. He understands that Little Watermelon clings to Bo Yu because the boy was with Bo Yu before two years old.

However, it’s Mrs. Song who looks after Little Candy. Bo Yu is an idle man who seldom feeds the boy or changes diapers because Mrs. Song or Yan takes care of that.

It seems that the little boy doesn’t like Mrs. Song that much. He loves Bo Yu more.

Every member in their family can’t figure out why Bo Yu enchants everyone.

“Little Watermelon is about to apply for a primary school. Don’t take him out frequently, okay?” Bo Yu suddenly elbows Song Shilin who is buried in his work, speaking seriously, “Understand?”

Song Shilin puts away his laptop impassively, “He’s not 5 years old. Why are you in such a hurry?”

“Are you muddleheaded because of heavy workloads? He’s 5 in a month. He’s about 6!” Bo Yu yells in a solemn face, “A 6-year-old boy should be in primary school.”

Song Shilin raises his brows. After hesitating for a while, he is unwilling to hurt Bo Yu’s feelings. Therefore, the man says in an indirect way, “Well, he’s about to be 5.”

“Uh-huh? It’s no difference between 5 and 6.” Bo Yu rolls his eyes at Song Shilin. He is annoyed with Song Shilin. ‘He’s being ridiculous.’ Scolds Bo Yu inwardly. “All right. I think our kid should start earlier than others.” Says Bo Yu.

“A child accepts and understands different knowledge at the age of 5 and 6. That’s scientific, so I don’t agree your opinion.” After pondering, Song Shilin shakes his head to oppose.

Although Little Watermelon goes to a bilingual kindergarten which teaches students more knowledge than an ordinary one, the boy hasn’t been overworked in these two years because assignments are few. Therefore, Song Shilin is okay with that.

However, the man can’t accept that Bo Yu plans to send Little Watermelon to a primary school a year early.

Hearing that, Bo Yu is astonished, “Have you called my brother? Why did you say the same words?”

“Because it’s true. All right. Can you leave me alone? I should work on the report. Have fun, my dear.” Proposes Song Shilin. He should go back to his work.

Dumbfounded, Bo Yu isn’t aware that Song Shilin is annoyed with him. Suppressing his wrath, the man snorts and leaves in a huff. “I will take two kids to the supermarket. Stay at home alone.” Says Bo Yu in a droopy tone.

Song Shilin frowns, “The supermarket is crowded at this time. Take Yan, or you and our children might get into troubles.”

However, Bo Yu ignores him by slamming the door.

‘Why not come with me?’ Bo Yu blames Song Shilin in his heart.

‘Men are all the same, and Song Shilin is the worst among them.’

******

Bo Yu is walking around with a trolley in which Little Candy sits. Little Watermelon follows Bo Yu. The boy is taller than before. The three starts a quarrel before the snack area.

Little Candy points at a bag of marshmallows, “Da..d, Daddy, candy, candy!”

Little Watermelon shakes his finger, wheeling his brother around. The elder boy places a bag of beef jerky into the trolley which is his favorites, speaking in a solemn face, “Little Candy, this’s the best.”

The younger boy is a little confused in the very beginning, but he notices that it’s not his favorite candy but jerky. He can’t chew the hard jerky! Outraged, the boy shouts while hitting the trolley, “Candy! Candy! Candy! Candy!”

Bo Yu says apathetically, “You’ll have a sore throat if you have too much beef jerky, and you’ll have decayed teeth if you have too much candy. Choose one, or I will tell your father.”

The two kids are afraid of their father, Song Shilin.

Hearing that, Little Candy becomes droopy immediately. He cheers up after a while. The little boy tilts his head to act cute, “Da… No brother. Candy! Sweet!”

Bo Yu remains silent.

Little Watermelon pushes the trolley forward until they can’t see any marshmallow. Another bag of beef jerky emerges in Little Candy’s arms.

The younger boy’s mouth crumples. He tries very hard to suppress his tears.