The story continued on the big screen.
There were not many people in the theater, scattered here and there. There were only couples who seemed distracted, thinking about what to eat later; bored college students; and a few idle people without jobs. The ones watching most seriously were probably the cleaning ladies preparing to tidy up.
Lu Ban sat in the back row. As he watched the joys and sorrows in the movie, he felt strangely detached.
Du Danping and Song Yunyan sat beside him.
They both looked very young, as though they had been frozen at the best age, filled with limitless hope.
"How was it?"
Lu Ban asked.
The two turned to look at him.
"Not bad, I guess. It would've been better if I hadn't died so horribly at the end. Getting my head hit away like a baseball with a crowbar—however you look at it, that was ridiculous."
Du Danping protested.
"I think my acting could've been better. Sigh, I didn't quite grasp the character's psychology."
Song Yunyan touched her face and murmured.
"It was pretty good. We'll have more chances to work together in the future."
Lu Ban smiled and shook hands with the two of them.
When he raised his head, their figures had vanished, replaced by Stone.
"I originally thought I was the protagonist. Just look at me—I grew from a green young man into the head of a gang, encountered love, came to my senses, and then inherited a detective's mantle. That's a protagonist template through and through!"
Stone wore a long trench coat and gave an embarrassed smile.
"Next time for sure. I'll make you the protagonist."
Lu Ban smiled.
"It's a promise. I want a good ending."
Stone said.
"But it hasn't been written yet."
Lu Ban patted Stone on