The Mightiest Little Peasant c1-799

by Watermelonian, 西瓜星人

  ‘Dammit! So Qing Feng really is Tang Hao?’

  His facial muscles twitched, and he felt like he was going to vomit blood.

  He did not mind losing to anyone except for that guy!

  “Impossible! This is impossible!” He mumbled, still trying to grasp on straws.

  Another message soon came.

  Fang Qiming looked at it and felt dizzy.

  ‘He’s really Tang Hao!

  ‘Oh my god! Why is it him again?’

  Fang Qiming was losing his mind.

  ‘It’s always Tang Hao! Is he destined to be my nemesis?’

  “Sigh! What cruel fate! I, Fang Qiming, am born at the wrong time and the wrong place!”

  He collapsed on the chair with a dejected expression. He had nothing to live for.

  He dwelled in his sorrow for a while. With trembling fingers, he lit a cigarette and puffed out a cloud of smoke.

  Meanwhile, Z university was in an uproar as the news of Qing Feng being Tang Hao spread.

  “What? Tang Hao is Qing Feng? Why did he come up with such a weird name, as though he’s a Taoist master?”

  “No wonder even Council President Fang lost. So it’s him!”

  The number of stream viewers continued to increase, and the atmosphere remained lively. However, the growth had slowed down. The number of subscribers also gradually increased, breaking through two million.

  Tang Hao could not help but nod in satisfaction when he saw that.

  “Two million subscribers in such a short period? Oh my god, that’s incredible!”

  “That’s right. There aren’t many streamers on Sky Live with two million fans. All the others have been around for a long time before they managed to hit two million. Beauty Queen Liu reached the milestone in less than an hour.”

  Cao Fei and the others were stunned.

  Seeing that more and more people crowded around him, Tang Hao got up and went to another place to continue watching the live stream.

  Even though the battle of rockets was over, Liu Bingyao’s good looks and heavenly voice had captivated the audience. The comments and gifts did not stop pouring in, and the stream was firmly on the top spot of the front page.

  Liu Bingyao’s first venture into streaming was a resounding success.

  Tang Hao watched the live stream for an hour and a half.

  After the stream ended, he stood up and left the university.

  His phone rang when he was at the gate. He picked it up and saw that it was from Liu Bingyao.

  “Thank you!”

  “How did you know?”

  “Who else would compete with Fang Qiming except you?”

  Tang Hao smiled awkwardly.

  “I’m really happy to have so many fans today… I’ll be streaming for the next few days too. Will you be watching?”

  “Mm!” Tang Hao said, “good luck!”

  “Mm! I’ll work hard.”

  In the afternoon, Tang Hao gathered the Taoist masters and arranged for them to meet Liu Yan and Zhuo Hong.

  The film company was set to be operational tomorrow. The meeting was to discuss pre-production work for the movie.

  Liu Yan and Zhuo Hong were stunned when they saw the Taoist masters.

  The people in front of them were mostly in their fifties or sixties, but they were very fashionable. Each of them was neatly dressed in a suit and wearing sunglasses. Their demeanor made them look like an idol group.

  Liu Yan was stunned for a long time before she remembered that she had met them at Haotian Group’s dinner party. She remembered hearing that they were from Mao Mountain.

  ‘Are they all method actors?’ Liu Yan shook her head and felt helpless.

  ‘Those people had never acted in a movie before. How could they have any acting skills? Would the eventual movie be watchable?’

  “Where’s the director, Chairman Tang?”

  “That’s him!” Tang Hao pointed at the scoundrelly Trendy Taoist Master.

  Liu Yan and Zhuo Hong looked at the person and were stunned by his afro.

  “Um… How do I address you?” Zhuo Hong asked carefully.

  “My Taoist name is Xuan Yangzi. Just call me Xuan Yang.” Trendy Taoist Master sat down and said casually.

  ‘What? A Taoist master?’ Zhuo Hong was shocked.

  ‘Since when can Taoist masters become directors?’

  “Uh… have you made any movies?” Zhuo Hong asked carefully again.

  “No! It’ll be my first time directing a movie!”

  Zhuo Hong was utterly floored. He could not comprehend what was going on.

  ‘What? He’s a Taoist master, and he’s never made a movie before? He’s not even considered a third-rate director. He’s not a director at all, more like a con artist!’

  Zhuo Hong turned to look at Liu Yan.

  Liu Yan covered her face and dared not look at him. “They’re all very good friends of Chairman Tang!” She whispered.

  Zhuo Hong opened his mouth but could not say a word.

  He broke out in laughter abruptly and said, “Haha! It’s fine, it’s fine. We’ll do it your way! If the film turns out to be trash, don’t worry, I’ll take responsibility. You guys can do whatever you want!”

  When Liu Yan heard that, she covered her face again.

  She could hear that Zhuo Hong was in despair, and he was beginning to give up on himself.

  She was about to give up too.

  “Trash? What trash? Do I look like someone who would shoot a trash film? Are you kidding? Let me tell you, Spielberg is my spiritual mentor, and Stephen Chow is my idol. I won’t shoot a trash film!” Trendy Taoist Master was instantly enraged.

  ‘How arrogant!’ Zhuo Hong thought but dared not say it out loud.

  He smiled apologetically and said, “Well… I’ll call you Director Xuan then. The company will be operational tomorrow, and the production team will come. You can discuss the pre-production work with them.”

  “Oh, right, some media representatives are coming tomorrow. They might interview you. I’d advise you to watch your words.”

  Liu Yan leaned close and said, “Uh… should we call off the press conference?”

  “Why should we? It’s a good opportunity to promote our movie and create momentum!” Trendy Taoist Master was instantly excited.

  The other Taoist masters were also excited.

  “How many journalists are coming? I’ll dress up for the occasion!”

  Liu Yan and Zhuo Hong looked at each other and did not say anything.

  Then, the two of them looked at Tang Hao together.

  “I’m not coming tomorrow. I’d rather keep a low profile. I’ll leave it to you two!” Tang Hao said.

  After a pause, he said, “Publicity is always good. We need the media to talk about us.”

  “Yes, Chairman Tang!” The two had no other choice since their chairman had spoken.

  Next, Tang Hao found accommodation for the Taoist masters and went home.

  Chapter 566 - Amazing Production Crew

  “Haotian Ventures Into Film!”

  The headline was like a bomb that shook the entertainment industry.

  Everyone knew who Haotian Group was.

  In the eyes of the world, Haotian Group was a mysterious entity.

  It was not only because of its meteoric rise but also because of its amazing products.

  All their products, from the slimming tea to the beauty cream and aphrodisiac, were best described as “miraculous”.

  All women liked Bingji Beauty Cream, and all men liked Masculine Wind Aphrodisiac.

  Haotian had cornered the market with only those two products.

  New Magical Kitchen was even amazing. Just like its name, the food was almost like magic. Many people were obsessed with magical cuisine.

  Vitality Sports Drink and Divine Liquor were equally popular.

  Even more amazing was that all of Haotian’s products were unique. No one could imitate them. That was also an important reason for
Haotian’s rapid rise to fame.

  Now, the amazing group of companies was going to expand its territory into the film industry.

  The move had surprised many people.

  The next day, many media companies were invited to attend the opening ceremony of Haotian Pictures.

  The press conference proceeded as normal, though the journalists could feel that something was amiss when the company announced the new movie.

  ‘What’s going on with those old guys? Are they all actors?

  ‘And that’s the director?

  ‘Who is Xuan Yang? I’ve never heard of him! Are you sure that he’s a director?

  ‘Why would Haotian Group, with its financial resources, hire an unknown director and a bunch of nameless actors?’

  The journalists thought that they were at the wrong place and stumbled upon some third-rate company’s press conference.

  They confirmed their location once again and realized they were indeed at Haotian Pictures!

  They could not figure out what was going on.

  ‘Oh my god! How could this be?

  ‘Is this the amazing Haotian Group?

  ‘Why does it look like a third-rate company that stole Haotian Group’s name? No, this is even worse than a third-rate company. There’s no rating at all. The quality of all the actors and the director are simply miserable.’

  “Haotian is going to fail!”

  “Dammit, there’s no doubt. It’ll definitely be a bad movie! The worst movie ever!”

  The journalists were discussing in low voices.

  They were in disbelief, but at the same time, they were also excited. Haotian Group was finally going to fail. That was big, sensational news.

  “Bad movie? Who the f*ck said that it’s going to be a bad movie?”

  Trendy Taoist Master slammed the table angrily and stood up.

  “I never shoot bad movies!”

  “Then… may I ask, Director Xuan, have you ever filmed anything before?” A journalist stood up and asked.

  “No, I haven’t!”

  The audience booed.

  “You don’t say! You never shoot bad movies because you’ve never shot anything at all!”

  “Save your breath! Wait until the filming is done, then you’ll know if my claim is true,” Trendy Taoist Master shouted.

  “When can we watch the movie, Director Xuan?”

  “Well, well! The shooting period is a little over three months. We’ll be releasing it over the Lunar New Year!” Trendy Taoist Master said.

  The audience booed and laughed.

  “Three months? Hahaha! I’m dying of laughter!”

  “Are they even serious about shooting a movie? I don’t think I can bear to watch it! Is Haotian group crazy? Why would they destroy their reputation?”

  Liu Yan covered her face in agony.

  She could imagine the consequences after the news got out.

  It was a disaster!

  She sighed and discreetly sneaked away, afraid that the journalists might see her.

  Just as she expected, after the press conference in the morning, the news was already out in the afternoon and soon became trending.

  Everyone who read the news on the Internet thought it was made-up fake news.

  ‘The amazing Haotian Group wouldn’t do such a thing. What a joke! Someone wants to damage their reputation!’

  However, when the complete interview video was released, they had no choice but to believe it.

  “Oh my god! What is Haotian doing? All the people they hire are random nobodies!”

  Everyone was baffled.

  Was it a cash grab? If it were, they would have hired famous actors and a renowned director to shoot a trashy movie.

  If what they were doing would lose them money, that could not be considered a cash grab!

  “Hahaha! These poor losers are making a movie? Hahaha! Look at all their idiot faces!”

  Dragon Tiger Mountain was also in an uproar.

  The heavenly masters could not stop laughing after hearing the news. Many of them were rolling on the ground.

  “Ah, I can’t take this anymore! Those poor, shabby losers want to make a movie? I’m dying of laughter!”

  Laughter echoed in Dragon Tiger Mountain for three days straight. The heavenly masters were even laughing in their dreams.

  Even Tang Hao was affected. Cao Fei and the others asked him about what was going on, and Tang Hao replied that he was just trying out something.

  None of that could stop the Taoist masters.

  After several days of preparation, the movie finally went into production.

  …

  One day, a car arrived at a shooting location.

  The car drove straight in and arrived outside a certain studio.

  The car door opened, and a tall and handsome young man in his twenties stepped out. He wore a white suit and a pair of sunglasses.

  He closed the car door, adjusted his clothes, and tidied his hair. He looked very flashy.

  “This… is the studio of Mao Mountain Taoist Master?” He muttered contemptuously.

  Mao Mountain Taoist Master was destined to be a bad movie. He, Wu Tian, could be considered a small-time C-list celebrity. Under normal circumstances, he would not accept the role.

  Too bad, he needed the money!

  “The production team must also be terrible! I’m just here to see how bad it can be!”

  He walked inside as he spoke to himself.

  At the door, he heard a roar from inside.

  “Cut! Cut! Cut!

  “What’s wrong with all of you? Can’t you devote your soul to the character? Never mind, I’ll show you. Like this. Do you understand? If you understand, let’s continue.”

  Wu Tian was stunned.

  ‘Is that the director? ! He sounds quite imposing! He’s probably faking it though! I’ve heard that the director is some random unknown wannabe.’

  “You got it! Let’s take a break! The next scene is going to be a fight. Bring out the dumplings! Remember, we need five of them!” The voice shouted again.

  “Dumplings? Like rice dumplings?” Wu Tian was baffled. “This isn’t the Dragon Boat Festival!”

  He walked in and saw a few crew members walking over from one end of the studio while holding a rope.

  Behind them were five figures covered in white fur. Their eyes emanated an eerie light.

  “Oh, so he was talking about zombies! Tsk tsk, the makeup looks realistic!”

  Wu Tian couldn’t help but praise them.

  Chapter 567 - Passing Out Again and Again

  “Looks like the production team isn’t as bad as I thought!” Wu Tian looked around and muttered.

  The equipment and the film set were all first-class. Only the director and a group of lead actors were all nobodies.

  “What a waste!” He muttered again. Then, he grinned and shouted, “Hello, everyone, I’m Wu Tian. You must know me! I’m here to report for duty! Happy working with you!”

  As soon as he finished speaking, the studio fell silent. Everyone turned around to look at him.

  Wu Tian stood there and waved enthusiastically.

  However, everyone had an indifferent look on their faces. After looking at him, they withdrew their gazes and continued with their work.

  Wu Tian instantly froze with an awkward look on his face.

  ‘F*ck!’ He cursed internally, feeling a little angry.

  He was a C-list actor with some fame after all, and he was probably the most famous actor on the set. However, those people actually ignored him! That was really infuriating!

  ‘Dammit, what’s so great about this production team? Why are they so arrogant?’ He cursed angrily under his breath.

  Seeing that those people were ignoring him, he walked around the set.

  At that moment, the crew members walked over with five dumplings behind them.

  His curiosity was immediately piqued.

  “Hey, brothers! You guys have been work
ing hard. Aren’t you hot under that costume?”

  As he spoke, he reached out and patted the shoulder of one of the dumplings.

  In an instant, the few workers stopped in their tracks and looked at him with a strange expression on their faces.

  Wu Tian trembled when his hand touched the shoulder. The dumpling was cold, as though had touched a block of ice.

  “Wow! What’s this costume? Why is it so cold? You alright in there, bro?”

  As he said that, Wu Tian brushed away the white fur on the dumpling’s chest and tried to find a seam.

  However, he couldn’t find anything.

  He looked at the dumpling’s back but could not find anything.

  “That’s weird! Where’s the zipper? Don’t tell me that the fur grows on his body?”

  At that moment, the studio fell silent again.

  Everyone looked at the C-list actor with curious expressions on their faces. They were trying hard not to burst out laughing.

  Wu Tian touched the dumpling’s body and muttered, “You’re so skinny, bro. You look like you’re only bones!”

  As he said that, he grabbed the dumpling’s hand and looked at it.

  He was instantly stunned.

  Indeed, the hand was only bones.

  His body suddenly froze, and cold sweat started to drip down.

  “F*ck! It’s so realistic, it must be a prosthetic!” He tried to reason with himself.

  “You’re really determined, bro!”

  As he spoke, his gaze shifted to the dumpling’s other hand, and saw the same thing.

  He was instantly stunned once again.

  ‘F*ck! Both of his hands are prosthetics? Poor guy!’

  He swept his gaze over the dumpling’s face. It was somewhat sunken and distorted with a few strands of white hair growing on it. It was extremely unnerving, especially those eye sockets with nothing but two balls of eerie light.

  After staring at it for a while, Wu Tian’s entire body trembled and his hair stood on end.

  ‘That’s too realistic!

  ‘It’s like a real zombie!’

  He was beginning to doubt himself. However, he could not believe that zombies truly existed. He attributed the look of the zombies to the makeup crew.

  “Haha! How is that possible?”

  With this thought in mind, he laughed drily and reached out to touch the dumpling’s eyes.