For moviegoers, they became fans of the two leads. Throughout the end of 2047, the names “The Zero Law,” Lance Holt, and Rong Xu and Qin Cheng could be heard everywhere in the global entertainment industry.

Before the film’s release, both Rong Xu’s and Qin Cheng’s fans were full of anticipation. But after it was actually released, fans cried incessantly, both thrilled to see such an excellent film co-starring their two favorite actors, and in pain, wondering why this film had to be so heartbreaking!

[First, “Black Clouds,” Gu Mingxiu died in a car accident, and a few years later, Ling Xiao also passed away from illness. We can comfort ourselves that this is based on reality, there’s nothing we can do; Second, “Zhuang Hua Luo,” Kong Chao personally stabbed the Crown Prince’s heart. We can say this was for national vengeance, there’s nothing we can do. Now “The Zeroth Law”… now “The Zeroth Law”… tell us! Why is it so tragic! Wouldn’t it be better if they were together!! Boo hoo hoo hoo hoo…]

[I was so happy during the first half of the movie. Qin Shen and Rongrong are so sweet. Although Qin Shen is a bit of a jerk, always cold, they are still so sweet. They kiss and hug all the time, not shy at all. And Qin Shen and Rongrong’s acting is so good, I really think they are in love. But in the second half of the story… however much sugar there was in the front, there’s that much glass shards at the end! Screenwriter, do you have any issues with our Chengrong, why don’t you just say it! Why did Qi have to die, why did Chu Wen have to suffer so much, tell us!]

[I won’t say anything, I’m sending razor blades, I’m sending razor blades!!!]

[Originally, I wasn’t a Chengrong shipper, but after watching the movie, I really hope they can be together. The first time they kissed, I felt it was so beautiful. I’m a fan of Qin Shen; before, when my idol collaborated with other actresses, I never felt such sweetness, but when he’s with Rong Xu, even just in the same frame, I feel like the air is full of pink bubbles. Chengrong is so beautiful, it would be so good if it were real.]

[I was originally a pure fan of Rongrong, but if they really get together… I would absolutely bless them! Our Qi loved Chu Wen so deeply; he loved him so much that even after being broken into pieces, that love didn’t change one bit. I truly understand the promotional tagline printed on the movie poster now: My love for you is written deep in my chip, it’s my Zero Law T^T]

[The Zero Law that transcends all principles QAQ! No, I can’t take it anymore, I’m going for a fifth rewatch!!!]

To catch up with next year’s Golden Phoenix Awards, in October and November of 2047, a total of Qi major films were simultaneously released worldwide.

Before these films were released, directors had already thought that they might not be able to compete with “The Zeroth Law,” which was released at the end of October. So, one by one, they changed their release dates, staggering them to avoid the peak release period with this film.

But none of them expected that even after this film had been released for one, two, or even a month, its strong box office momentum would not diminish. It crushed gods and Buddhas alike! Even after being released for so long, when encountering newly released blockbusters, “The Zero Law” would overwhelm these films with its terrifying box office, preventing them from recovering.

Because of “The Zero Law”‘s incredibly high box office, cinemas did not reduce its screen count, which further exacerbated the problems for other films: audiences were already being snatched away, and now even their screen counts were drastically cut. How were they supposed to survive?

And the last film released at the end of November, “Qi Sins,” also had its opening day box office champion title stolen by “The Zero Law,” which was about to be taken off shelves. It is said that director Clemens Holt was so furious that he couldn’t even speak. After the premiere, he slapped himself and cursed: “Why did I promote that old stinker! He should have flopped and lost a fortune!!!”

The entire year of 2047 ended in such a cinematic frenzy.

“The Zeroth Law” indeed became the biggest winner of the year, but this does not mean that other films were not excellent.

A classic masterpiece can inspire audience enthusiasm, and many films that appeared in 2047 were themselves classic films that could be passed down for decades. 

Therefore, at the end of the year, when moviegoers looked back, they realized that so many excellent works had appeared in the global film industry that year.

“The Zeroth Law,” “Butterfly Tears,” “Qi Sins,” “The Dawn of Avergold”…

Among them, “The Zeroth Law” broke historical records with a total box office of 21.9 billion, surpassing the second-ranked film by a staggering 2.9 billion, topping the list of historical film box office records. But apart from it, “Butterfly Tears,” led by Old Liu and starring Wen Xuan, also broke the historical box office record for world art films, with a total box office of 10.1 billion, becoming the first art film to exceed 10 billion at the box office.

2047 was one of the most brilliant years in world cinematic history. At the end of the year, Rong Xu attended the celebration party for “The Zeroth Law.” Global media sent their blessings to the film. Finally, this young actor, who used his acting to make women worldwide shed tears, smiled and picked up the microphone, putting a period on this film in his list of works with one sentence—

“I truly love him.”

Six short words, yet they expressed the sole meaning of Qi’s existence in this life.

He was born only to love this person. From the first second he opened his eyes to the last moment he was destroyed, his life had no regrets, no pain, no sadness, only love, from beginning to end only love, that love written deep in his chip, carved into the depths of his soul, its name was Qi.

Thus, 2047 officially ended. In early 2048, Rong Xu collaborated with veteran Chinese director Old Qi to shoot a quaint martial arts film.

From entering this industry until now, Rong Xu had not starred in any period dramas, especially ancient action films. Soon after the New Year, he entered the crew for arduous filming.

Due to the immense popularity of “The Zeroth Law,” Rong Xu and Qin Cheng’s bromance was often joked about by major media outlets. Even on many TV shows where the two were not present, hosts would use them as a running gag, often discussing the classic kiss scenes and bedroom scenes in “The Zeroth Law” to create show effects.

Global moviegoers seemed to have accepted the notion that “Qin Cheng and Rong Xu are good bros, and it’s against nature if they don’t get married.” Although most of them didn’t take this teasing seriously, and some even thought it was mutual marketing hype, any hater now trying to criticize the two online based on this point would be drowned in spit by the vast number of passersby.

[So what if they’re together? Shouldn’t they be together?]

Haters: […]

This isn’t the script we agreed upon!!!

The cold month of February arrived as scheduled, and the films of the previous year gradually drew to a close. Now, starting from February, it was award season. The first of the global “Triple Gold” awards, the Academy Awards, is held every February.

In early February, the Oscars officially announced this year’s nomination list.

There were eight nominees for Best Picture, including “The Zeroth Law,” “Butterfly Tears,” “Qi Sins”…

The nominations for Best Director also did not surprise fans. Although many excellent works appeared throughout the previous year, the nominated directors were all recognized as the most outstanding among them.

For Best Actress nominations, the competition was not very intense, with Wen Xuan, the lead actress of “Butterfly Tears,” having the highest probability of winning.

Since winning the Golden Bear award again the year before last, Wen Xuan’s career had entered another peak. This single actress gracefully moved through various award ceremonies worldwide, solidifying her status as China’s top actress with excellent film achievements.

However, the competition for Best Actor was quite fierce. Apart from “Butterfly Tears,” most of the most outstanding films of the previous year were male-led films.

“Versailles Castle” tells the story of a young medieval lord, starring Cody Finland, who won Best Actor at last year’s Golden Phoenix Awards; “The Dawn of Avergold” is a war film, whose male lead, Spirit Caro, rose to Hollywood A-list fame with this film.

Not to mention “The Zeroth Law” and “Qi Sins,” both of which were dual-male-lead films, causing the jury to agonize over the Best Actor nominations.

When the list was officially announced, Rong Xu was filming a wire-work scene. As soon as he came down from the air, Rosie happily told him the news. Rong Xu also smiled and nodded, feeling quite pleased. But as he just opened his phone to personally check the nomination list, before he could even open the webpage, he received many messages.

[Wen Xuan: Tell me! Rongrong, did you betray our group or not! Quick, tell me!!!]

[Chu Qi: This Oscar nomination list is out. Congratulations to Xiao Xuan and Rongrong. But I’m also curious, Rongrong, no playing dead this time, tell me, what’s your relationship with that guy Qin Cheng?]

[Jennifer: I think it must be true.]

[Hugh: James is flirting, but he just told me he also thinks it’s true.]

[Lin Xuan: Rongrong, you’ve disappointed me too much, you’re actually a traitor QAQ! There’s no love in this world, I’m telling you, I’m not going to your global tour this year, hmph! You’re actually really a couple with Crazy Qin, that’s too much!]

Rong Xu had been in the industry for five years, and although he hadn’t fully pursued a singing career, he had released three CDs, totaling over a dozen songs. Starting from the second half of last year, Luo Zhentao had been planning a global concert tour. 

Rong Xu didn’t refuse and intended to donate all concert proceeds to the Rong Yan Foundation.

As an actor, his opportunities to interact with fans were far fewer than those of singers. After many years in the industry, he still hadn’t had the chance to spend more time with fans and communicate with them; a concert was an opportunity.

Seeing that the discussion group had implicitly accepted his relationship with Qin Cheng, and with Lin Xuan leading the charge in denouncing him, Rong Xu sighed softly. After a moment of thought, the young man typed out a helpless message: [Did I say that Qin Cheng and I are dating?]

Upon this sentence, the discussion group was silent for a moment.

[Lin Xuan: Eh… so you really aren’t dating?]

[Wen Xuan: No way?]

[Lin Xuan: The media nowadays is just too much! I just read a newspaper yesterday that said you and Qin Cheng are definitely dating, and that video from last year wasn’t just a scene rehearsal. Actually, I also felt it didn’t look entirely like rehearsal, but since you’re really not dating, then those paparazzi are too much, they even spread rumors that you’ve been together for years.]

[Rong Xu: Did I say… we aren’t dating? ^_^?]

[Lin Xuan: Right, don’t worry Rongrong, I’ll find a chance to teach those paparazzi a lesson.]

[Wen Xuan: …]

[Jennifer: …]

[Chu Qi: …]

[Hugh: On behalf of James and myself, we are shocked. He’s so scared by Rong that he’s not even in the mood to flirt.]

[Xia Muyan: I just got off work and saw such explosive news as soon as I came online…]

[Lin Xuan: Too much! Rong Xu! I’m breaking up with you! You’re actually dating Crazy Qin, goodbye!!!]

[Rong Xu: Don’t let the door hit you on the way out ^_^]

[Lin Xuan: …You’re not even going to try to keep me QAQ!]

[Rong Xu: I was going to say that I’m a member of the group, currently deeply embedded in enemy territory to gather intelligence for you. But if you insist on breaking up with me, then I can’t help it ^_^]

[Lin Xuan: Rongrong, I was wrong, I was just joking with you. Why didn’t you tell us earlier that you’re dating Crazy Qin? I have my pride too, okay? I’ve said so many bad things about Crazy Qin in front of you; tell me, have you been secretly laughing at me all this time?]

[Wen Xuan: Although I’m very shocked by this, I especially want to say… Rongrong, are you sure it’s you deeply embedded in enemy territory, and not Qin Cheng deeply embedded in your territory ]

[Rong Xu: …]

Experience truly made one wiser. With Wen Xuan setting the tone, the other three cunning veterans in the group also began to playfully tease Rong Xu.

In the Crazy Qin group, Lin Xuan was completely an airhead, possibly with some intellectual issues (not really), and no match for Rong Xu. 

Xia Muyan was always peace-loving and gentle, rarely getting involved in many things. As for Jennifer, her Chinese was too poor; sometimes she couldn’t even understand the words, let alone join in.

So, only Wen Xuan, James, Chu Qi, and Hugh, those four old foxes, remained.

One moment they’d say, “Rongrong, how far have you and Qin Cheng gotten, have you done naughty things?” and the next they’d say, “I can tell Qin has a face that looks good in bed, Rong, you’re very s3xually happy.”

Even the very open Hollywood playboy James directly asked: [How big is Qin exactly? I’m too curious. Rong, you don’t know, in our Hollywood circle, many actresses particularly want a one-night stand with Qin; I’m not even as popular as him. They all say Qin has a face that looks like he’s well-endowed and good in bed, and that I disagree with. Although Qin can be considered mixed-race, you East Asians are truly not as big as us Westerners. Why do they say I’m not as good as Qin? I disagree!]

Rong Xu: “!!!” How can you ask such a thing!!!

[James: Quick, tell me what he looks like, how big he is, does he dare to compare with me? I’m…]

[Wen Xuan: There are still kids in the chat group, James, shut up!]

[James: Ah, there are kids in our group? Who? I didn’t know.]

[Wen Xuan: @Lin Xuan]

[Lin Xuan: Wen Xuan, I’m going to fight you!]

[Wen Xuan: But I also want to know… how is Qin Cheng exactly? Hehe, Rongrong, why don’t you secretly tell me privately? Hahahahahahaha…]

Rong Xu: “…” Indeed, he should leave the group for his own safety.

Perhaps the original reason for creating the Qin Fengfeng group was to “deal with” Crazy Qin, but over the years, it became more like a small organization. Everyone often chatted, gossiped, and sometimes gathered for trips. They were more like friends, and only those who knew each other well were qualified to join.

So, Rong Xu and Qin Cheng dating didn’t bother the other members of the group. Except for Lin Xuan, who seemed displeased that Rong Xu had kept it from him, everyone else made various suggestive jokes, with such a large scale and low bar of discussion content that even Rong Xu couldn’t bear to look, choosing to block these perverted people.

Would you dare to show this side to your fans?

Just ask yourselves if you dare!

How dare you openly discuss someone’s size… cough discuss matters of that nature, and someone’s s3xual happiness… happy life! You tell me, is this appropriate or not? Does he not have any dignity!!!

Rong Xu really couldn’t do anything about these old foxes, but he could take it out on someone. When he called a certain man that night, he unceremoniously declared: “You are affected by those around you! Look at your friends, they’re so vulgar, you must be extremely vulgar too!”

Qin Cheng, who had just managed to say “Xiao Xu”: “…”

Too wronged, this was truly too wronged!

After much effort, he finally managed to comfort his thin-skinned beloved and confirm their meeting in Los Angeles, USA, in two days. 

Qin Cheng hung up the phone and immediately messaged Jennifer. In less than an hour, the not-so-scheming Jennifer revealed everything she knew.

So, ten minutes later.

[James: I @#%@!!! Qin, how do you know these things, how could you possibly know…]

[Qin Cheng: Last month, Ruth and I ran into each other at Ji Heya’s spring fashion show. She told me that your energy seems to be less than before lately? She’s very disappointed in you.]

[James: Shut up!!!]

[Qin Cheng: Oh, right, and a few days ago I also met Lenna Fite. She also said that you seem to be getting old, a bit powerless…]

[James: I was wrong, I was wrong, okay! Please stop!!!] It stings, bro QAQ

Meanwhile, Chu Qi had just…

After taking a shower, he received a message.

[Qin Cheng: Teasing him isn’t fun, why not tease me instead?]

[Chu Qi: …Huh?]

[Qin Cheng: I’m also in B City now. See you tomorrow.]

[Chu Qi: …!!!]

Next was Hugh.

[Hugh: I was wrong, Qin! I was totally led astray by James. Go find him; I didn’t bully your Rong.]

James: …Stabbed in the heart a second time, mate!

Finally, Wen Xuan.

[Qin Cheng: See you tomorrow.]

[Wen Xuan: Huh?]

[Qin Cheng: Since you’re so curious, why don’t you ask me in person and see what the answer is ^_^?]

[Wen Xuan: …]

James & Chu Qi & Hugh & Wen Xuan: “Who on earth betrayed us!!!”

Jennifer, diligently filming: “Achoo!”

On this side, Rong Xu didn’t know that on that very night, the four old foxes of the “Qin Fengfeng” group were heartbroken in various ways; he also didn’t know that the next day, Chu Qi and Wen Xuan, far away in B City, were reluctantly forced to meet a certain man and attend a treacherous banquet.

Three days later, Rong Xu departed from Y Province, flying to Los Angeles. At the same time, a flight also departed from B City, heading for Los Angeles.

Movie fans all over the world knew that the next day was the Academy Awards ceremony, where the most outstanding films of 2047 would compete.

__

Author’s Note:

Qin Chencheng: Are you saying I’m not wronged?! They bully Rongrong, Rongrong doesn’t bully them back, but instead bullies me, baby! My heart hurts, hurts, hurts, hurts!!!

James & Chu Qi & Hugh & Wen Xuan: Doesn’t your conscience hurt QAQ!!!