The snow fell, and the temperature plummeted swiftly.
The wind howled, resembling the wailing of vengeful spirits, heightening the chill that gripped the air.
Inside the room, the fireplace blazed brightly, while the glass windows became misted over from the contrast with the frigid outdoor air.
The group sat near the sofa, roused from their previous shock, and began discussing the preparations for the movie premiere the following day. The event would be attended by numerous journalists, making it an ideal opportunity for formal promotion—an opportunity they could not afford to miss.
"Everything that needs to be arranged is in place. Let's not dwell on it any longer. For now, let's watch the movie," Zhao Lun said, wishing to move past the matter.
Monica: "Watch the movie? Here? How are we supposed to watch it without the equipment?"
Zhao Lun: "Athena, start it."
At Zhao Lun's signal, Athena's voice filled the living room. Then, the room darkened, and music began to play. The sound was full and three-dimensional, creating an incredibly pleasant atmosphere. Following that, the logo appeared—it was different from the one they had designed. This was Zhao Lun's personal logo.
"Ah!" Even though they had seen it before, they couldn't help but gasp in astonishment. The walls remained unchanged, yet they were oblivious to the fact that the living room had been transformed into a makeshift laboratory.
Zhao Lun smiled silently, allowing the projection to continue. After the logo, the plot began, and the intense music, akin to a drumbeat, tightened the audience's nerves. Alongside the music, subtitles appeared, listing the film's title, director, lead actors, scriptwriters, editors, and many other credits. While important, what truly captured their attention was the striking quality of the visuals—everything appeared remarkably pleasant to the eye.
After the music, the story unfolded, and the driving rhythm of the drums came to an end. The screen now showed a rainy night.
The torrential downpour drowned the dark night, with only the faint reflection of water on the ground to offer any light.
The streets were devoid of pedestrians, leaving only the sounds of wind and rain, creating an eerie silence. Suddenly, a sharp scream shattered the stillness of the rain-soaked night.
The scene quickly shifted, showing a group of black-clad figures, dressed like villains, their heads covered by pirate scarves, trudging through the rain with burlap sacks slung over their shoulders, splashing through the puddles.
The sacks emitted muffled sounds of struggling, but the prisoners inside were tightly bound, their mouths sealed—struggling was futile.
As the villains were about to disappear, a bright spotlight suddenly illuminated them from a corner, blinding their eyes. In the next moment, fists like lightning struck their noses, catching them off guard. Tears and mucus streamed down their faces.
The relentless barrage of punches fell like rain, leaving the criminals' faces swollen and battered. They couldn't retaliate before losing consciousness.
The rescuer untied the sacks and checked on the people inside, ensuring they were unharmed, before calling the police. By the time the authorities arrived, the victims were rescued and taken to the station, and the rescuer quietly withdrew.
On the screen, the audience was left with only the backs of three alluring figures.
After leaving the police station, the trio entered a prepared vehicle and headed in the opposite direction. It was then that the audience saw their true faces.
In tight leather outfits and form-fitting boots, their figures were accentuated, their bodies both alluring and fierce. These were the protagonists played by Nicole, Monica, and Angela. All three had dedicated themselves to physical training, achieving impeccable physiques. With their guns and sabers, they resembled warrior women, exuding a sense of strength and elegance.
Their beauty was unparalleled, representing the allure of both Eastern and Western women. After Zhao Lun's meticulous processing, their beauty on the screen appeared otherworldly. Coupled with the three-dimensional projection, the movie became so visually stunning that it captivated everyone watching.
"Is that... Angela and the others?" Maria was stunned by their beauty, almost failing to recognize them.
"Hehe, how can we watch a movie without drinks? Let's have some watermelon honeydew juice."
Zhao Lun instructed the maid to bring in some pastries and beverages. No one paid attention to what they were drinking; they were all too engrossed in the movie and the story unfolding before them. The novel three-dimensional projection method had transformed the film into something entirely immersive.
This movie had been processed by Zhao Lun's superbrain, and its effect was nothing short of extraordinary. With the three-dimensional projection, it felt as though the characters were about to step out of the screen, an experience that left the audience in awe. None of them could have anticipated such a mind-blowing technological achievement, leaving them wondering if such advanced technology existed in reality.
Throughout the film, Maria, Sandy, and even others rushed forward to touch the projections.
Nicole and the others eventually joined in, unable to resist. Even Hodal stepped up to touch the projections.
"…" Zhao Lun wondered why they were acting so clueless, given that they had already touched the projections earlier.
In the end, Zhao Lun decided to let them experiment. He no longer cared about this; his focus had shifted entirely to the virtual world his brain had opened up. With a third-person perspective, he could experience the movie anew. This mode of viewing was far more enjoyable, and if he felt like it, he could even interact with the characters and alter the plot. He could create new versions of the movie, each different from the last.
Zhao Lun refrained from doing so, as revealing such advanced technology all at once might overwhelm them. It was better to introduce it gradually.
His attention returned to the movie. From the plot to the performances of the three women, he focused mainly on their acting.
"Brother, why aren't you watching?" Maria's voice pulled Zhao Lun back from his thoughts.
"I've already seen it. You should watch now," Zhao Lun replied, ready to continue enjoying the film.
"Oh, brother, eat," Maria said, offering him a piece of chewy pine nut chocolate. He quickly swallowed it, savoring the taste with his eyes closed.
"Sandy, you want some too?" Maria teased, holding out another piece of chocolate for Sandy, who eagerly accepted it with a delighted smile.
The movie lasted for one hundred minutes. By the time it finished, everyone felt a sense of lingering excitement, wanting to watch it again. However, the evening sky was already darkening, signaling that it was time for dinner. They decided to pause the movie for a while, stretch, and enjoy a meal before watching it again.
Outside, a thick layer of snow had accumulated. Despite regular snow removal, the drifts reached up to their boots, and in places that had been left untouched, the snow was knee-deep. Zhao Lun couldn't recall ever experiencing such a heavy snowfall.
"The snow is so heavy. I wonder if it'll have any effect tomorrow," Nicole expressed her concern.
The cold weather made people reluctant to go outside, which might impact their movie premiere.
"Don't worry. Christmas is coming soon, and it will be lively. People will definitely come out to see it," Zhao Lun reassured them, aware that movie promotions during Christmas were always bustling. Their film was perfect for the holiday season, and he was confident it would attract plenty of viewers.
Time flew by, and the next day arrived.
The snow had lightened considerably, now falling in tiny flakes.
After lunch, Nicole and the others began preparing for the evening's premiere. Selecting dresses, applying makeup—there was a flurry of activity until the afternoon. They barely had time for a bite before setting out.
Zhao Lun, unable to bear it, insisted they eat before leaving. He took them to Trissy Town for the premiere.
Trissy Town had changed greatly, with several new developments that brought it on par with nearby small cities.
The cinema, built last year, was named Maria Cinema. Its grandeur rivaled that of theaters in big cities, and its décor was comfortable, resembling a grand hall. Holding the premiere here was fitting, but since the town lacked the infrastructure for promotion, they had also arranged premieres in larger cities. This event was more for fun.
The snow had paused, leaving only the cold wind blowing.
Despite its remote location, the red carpet was rolled out, and numerous journalists and celebrities had gathered.
As the stars walked down the carpet, the flashbulbs went off, blinding their eyes.
The stars wore off-the-shoulder gowns, smiling for photos, and giving interviews—truly beauty that froze the onlookers.