More than half a year had passed since the finale of Prequel of the Stars: Glimmer Season 2.
Three months after Season 2: Glimmer ended, the Prequel of the Stars Production Team released an exclusive Tendo side story titled "The Innate Strength 2" to maintain hype during the gap between the second and third seasons.
However, what the dimensional viewers didn't expect was that shortly after the side story concluded, the Prequel of the Stars Production Team dropped another bombshell:
The Prequel of the Stars Movie: The Magnificent Maritime Concert Hall.
Unlike typical exclusive cinema releases, the Production Team took the rare step of simultaneously broadcasting it across all platforms.
Some industry insiders criticized this move as breaking the rules.
Others felt they were experimenting with a new way to reach a wider audience.
But for the dimensional viewers, none of that mattered, because the Prequel of the Stars movie was premiering.
[Real World, 8:00 PM, Station 13(China forum)]
'First!'
'Finally, the movie is here!'
'Tendo-Caroline Faction declares occupation of the comment section!'
'Oh, you Tendo-Caroline fans certainly have a lot of authority~'
The movie screen lit up. The first thing that caught everyone's eye was the steam train station in the City of Steam, billowing large clouds of white vapor.
"I mean, Kong, are you an idiot?"
"Isabel offered to upgrade us, but you insisted we squeeze into this sardine-can second class?"
Liu Ma was pressed in the crowd, the strap of his backpack digging red marks into his shoulder.
Chen Kong rolled his eyes at him and retorted irritably, "Isn't other people's money still money? Besides, if you want an upgrade, why don't you pay for it yourself?"
"That's my working capital!"
Liu Ma stuck his neck out and righteously argued back in a loud voice that was remarkably clear even in the noisy station.
"Besides, this is a private trip; the company won't reimburse us! Spend where you should, save where you can. Do you even know how to manage money?"
As he spoke, Liu Ma proudly patted his pocket, fully embodying the spirit of a 'miser'.
Chen Kong folded his arms and scoffed unceremoniously, "Don't make it sound so noble. You just want to freeload off her, don't you?"
"Freeload? This is a networking investment on her part! I'll definitely pay her back someday!"
"Heh."
Liu Ma, finally past the security checkpoint and able to catch his breath, immediately counter-sarcasmed Chen Kong, who was impossible to reason with.
"What's so funny? You're just a blockhead who doesn't know how to adapt."
Chen Kong, who had also just passed security, instantly shot back.
"I don't know how to adapt? Well, you're just a stingy old miser!"
"Blockhead!"
"Miser!"
"Blockhead!"
"Miser!"
Vivian rubbed her temples, watching Liu Ma and Chen Kong nose-to-nose, furiously spitting insults.
These two, nearly forty years old combined, bicker like elementary school kids the moment they meet. They're hopeless.
Just as she was pondering whether to intervene, a loud whistle suddenly drowned out the noise of the station.
On the distant tracks, a steam train, puffing white vapor, was slowly pulling into the station.
"Alright, you two. Ticket check is about to start. Let's go in."
Vivian quickly mediated, grabbing one by the arm and dragging the two, who were still glaring at each other, toward the ticket gate.
"Save your grievances for when we're on the train. We'll miss the concert if we miss this train."
Hearing Vivian's words, Chen Kong and Liu Ma each let out a 'humph' and grudgingly turned their faces away from each other.
As the trio walked toward the ticketing line, the movie camera subtly zoomed in, giving a close-up shot of Chen Kong's chest pocket.
A slightly curled concert ticket, embossed with gilt lettering, was peeking out.
[Starlight Era 101 New Generation Diva Jing Liuli New Year's Eve Concert - Crimson Mist City Stop]
[Time: December 31st, 19:00]
During the dull wait for the ticket check, Liu Ma's attention was quickly drawn to the large screen advertisement at the station.
The screen was playing Jing Liuli's latest concert promotion PV.
In the advertisement, the purple-haired girl was on stage, waving to the camera, brilliant under the spotlights.
She possessed both the temperament of a star and a special kind of approachability.
Watching the advertisement, Liu Ma couldn't help but ask, "Kong, how much money do you think Liuli makes from one concert now?"
"Not sure. A few million? Or more?"
Just as Chen Kong finished speaking, a girl next to them suddenly struck up a conversation.
"Are you guys going to Crimson Mist City to see Liuli's New Year's Eve concert, too?"
They turned their heads to see a pink-haired girl in a JK uniform looking at them with a pair of beautiful, large, bright eyes.
Her pink pigtails gently swayed in the slight breeze from outside the platform, maximizing her cuteness and youthful charm.
Seeing the girl's overwhelmingly cute appearance, Liu Ma suddenly elbowed Chen Kong aside before he could speak, lowering his voice to a hushed, deep tone, and trying hard to sound mature and steady, jumping in to answer: "That's right, that's right. We're both devoted fans of Jing Liuli."
As he spoke, Liu Ma deliberately pulled out his concert ticket to prove his claim.
Chen Kong, who had staggered from the push, couldn't help but grumble irritably in his mind at Liu Ma's attempt to act sophisticated.
Seriously, dude, is this love at first sight?
And you're speaking in a fake voice. How disgusting!
Meanwhile, the dimensional viewers on Station 13(China forum) burst into laughter at Liu Ma's sudden shift in demeanor on screen.
'You're finished, Liu Ma. You've fallen in love!'
'Liu Ma, you old coot, going after a JK girl! Wait for Uncle Hat to come arrest you!'
'Office drone uncle meets city JK girl? I have a bad feeling about this plot development~'
'That fake voice! Is he trying to make me laugh myself to death so he can inherit my Huabei account?'
Looking at the concert ticket in Liu Ma's hand, the JK girl seemed to have found kindred spirits.
She cupped her cheeks in her hands, her eyes filled with the fanatical glow of a true devotee.
"That's great! I thought I was the only one here who understood Liuli!"
"My classmates all say her singing is mediocre and she's only famous because of her looks and her Dream Star-Origin. It makes me so mad!"
"Nonsense!"
Without hesitation, Liu Ma immediately and righteously refuted her: "Liuli has genuine skill! The transitions in 'Starry Night Lullaby' are incredible! Those people are just jealous!"
"Yes, yes, yes! Uncle, you are so right!"
The JK girl nodded vigorously, her pigtails swinging even more excitedly.
"U-u-uncle?"
Liu Ma's smile instantly froze on his face, his mouth twitching uncontrollably.
"Um, I, I'm actually only nineteen..."
"Huh?"
The JK girl blinked, quickly covered her mouth, and apologized profusely with a bow.
"I'm so sorry! It's just that you look so mature! I thought you were already in your thirties!"
"Pffft!"
Watching Liu Ma's face cycle from red to green to white, scratching his head awkwardly, and mumbling, "I call this mature and steady," Chen Kong couldn't help but burst out laughing.
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