A Core Ship From The Start-Chapter 2387 - 1601: Welcoming Gift

After this, the first performance of "Tokyo Blade" ended amid thunderous applause.

When the White Ghost was finally defeated, almost everyone in the theater stood up and applauded wildly. Fortunately, there weren’t many scenes left after that, or with the audience so passionately excited, it might have been a problem to finish the performance smoothly.

After the curtain call, returning backstage and changing out of their costumes, the group was so exhausted... they almost collapsed into their chairs.

"It’s killer, I almost couldn’t get up at the end!"

Arima Kaname sat heavily on the sofa, looking fearful.

"Me too... after all, Xiao Ai’s oppressive atmosphere was just too strong..."

Beside her, Hei Chuan Chi Yin also looked worn out, nodding her head, and although the others didn’t speak, they shared the same sentiment. The final battle, for them, was not just an acting challenge; more so, it required them to divide their mental focus to fight against the murderous aura that Duanmu Huai was bringing. In fact, most of their energy was spent combating the aura, and the performance itself was more reliant on the instinctual responses honed from days of training.

"That feeling was like being hit by a waterfall; several times I thought I couldn’t hold on."

Jichuan Dahui also spoke with emotion, and another actor beside him nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, halfway through the performance, I felt as if I was truly fighting to survive. I felt like if I gave up at that moment, I might actually die... it’s the first time I’ve felt this way."

"Even though Xiao Ai’s aura on film was intimidating, actually facing it was completely different..."

Arima Kaname was staring at Duanmu Huai, who was quietly drinking water and scrolling his phone, and couldn’t help feeling emotional. On the big screen, Duanmu Huai’s oppressive atmosphere was already strong, but it was only after Arima Kaname truly performed opposite him that she realized the screen significantly dulled Duanmu Huai’s aura.

If Duanmu Huai’s oppressive aura could appear on the big screen, it might actually frighten people with heart conditions to death.

"By the way, Xiao Ai, aren’t you tired at all? I see you don’t even seem to have broken a sweat."

Hearing Arima Kaname’s inquiry, Duanmu Huai lifted his head and glanced at her.

"This level, for me, is just a routine affair."

"Huh? Even after performing with such intensity, you’re really not tired?"

"For me, it was just being a little more serious."

Duanmu Huai raised his hand and snapped his fingers.

"So it’s completely effortless."

"That’s what you call a little..."

Looking at Duanmu Huai’s gesture, Arima Kaname spat out a silent critique while sighing inwardly.

Indeed, Xiao Ai is a genius actor.

Arima Kaname considered that kind of aura, which she felt no matter how hard she tried, she could never achieve. Duanmu Huai, who could easily display such a powerful oppressive aura, clearly possessed extraordinary talent.

Yet... his shortcomings are also obvious, which is that Xiao Ai likes to act within his comfort zone and never challenges himself.

Online, the biggest criticism of Xiao Ai, aside from almost never participating in interactions, is his "narrow acting range."

For an actor, "narrow acting range" can be considered a deadly critique. However, despite this, Xiao Ai remains himself, never caring, never changing, and never minding.

What left Arima Kaname speechless was that Duanmu Huai wasn’t incapable of acting. From "Jintian," one could see that the male lead he played was quite commendable. Not only did the original author give high praise, but even fans gave unanimous approval. At that time, Arima Kaname also suggested Duanmu Huai take advantage of the opportunity to broaden his acting range and develop in more directions.

In the end, Duanmu Huai flatly refused.

"No, too much work is tiring."

Arima Kaname was almost infuriated.

On her side, she was fighting for her career, desperately trying to take on more work, while Duanmu Huai rejected it outright, claiming too much work would be tiring!

It’s like something she treasures being tossed aside as trash by someone else, making Arima Kaname very annoyed.

But Arima Kaname couldn’t do anything about Xiao Ai, because when she fought hard, trying to develop as a tri-star, all three paths collapsed. If not for the explosion of "Jintian," which again recognized Arima Kaname’s acting skills, she might have been just a "formerly genius child star" for life.

And although Duanmu Huai is lazy every year, only acting in one movie, he has never faltered. He may not be a superstar first-tier celebrity, but he is a stable top-tier second-line, and it’s not an exaggeration to say that over the past ten years, first-tier stars have come and gone while Duanmu Huai has consistently maintained his status and popularity, neither high nor low.

From a certain perspective, he can be considered a legendary figure.

After all, in the entertainment industry, bursting into fame isn’t difficult in itself. Sometimes, due to societal trends, the hot air of the time can give certain artists, who might not otherwise gain fame, the glory of a superstar in a short period. It’s possible that in certain years, when you turn on the TV, no matter if it’s news, variety shows, dramas, movies, songs, or magazine covers, you might see the shadows of these artists.

It feels like they are already immensely popular, as if they rule the world.

But what rises must fall. Artists like these could completely vanish next year and be forgotten by the world. In fact, such artists are never rare.

Those who can stand firm in the entertainment industry for over a decade, like an evergreen tree, are considered legends.

From this perspective, Arima Kaname really doesn’t have the guts to give Duanmu Huai advice. After all, she herself fell off after her initial fame as a child star, unlike Duanmu Huai who steadily takes on acting roles... Sigh, if her mother hadn’t been so anxious and accepted every job back then, maybe she wouldn’t have been abandoned like that. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Thinking of this, Arima Kaname sighed silently in her heart.

Sometimes she wonders if she should learn from Duanmu Huai and not push herself so hard. But unfortunately, Arima Kaname can’t do it. After all, she barely regained her status and naturally wants to solidify herself now, so... looking at Duanmu Huai, with an expression as if nothing is wrong, Arima Kaname just wants to bite someone.

But alas, she can’t beat him...

Arima Kaname suspects that Duanmu Huai could easily take her down with one hand.

The stage play of "Tokyo Blade" has been performing for a month and has been very popular for a month. Along with the hot show, the artists playing roles naturally welcomed busy work.

Of course, except for Duanmu Huai.

Aside from attending a few interviews due to the contract during the play’s performance period, Duanmu Huai turned down all other notices. People... well, are not surprised by this.

It must be said, in the entertainment industry, slacking off to Duanmu Huai’s level is also an achievement.

Even Ruby couldn’t bear to watch anymore.

"Sister, do you really think it’s okay like this?"

Watching Duanmu Huai lying on the sofa watching TV, Ruby couldn’t help but speak.

"I think it’s great, easy and carefree, what’s the problem?"

"Clearly Kaname and Chi Yin are busy appearing on shows, you not only don’t participate but stay at home eating snacks while watching them on shows. Isn’t this too heartless!"

Ruby thinks if Arima Kaname knew Duanmu Huai spent every day lying on the sofa watching their variety shows to pass time, she would definitely explode on the spot.

"For me, this is just fine... After all, I have other things to do."

Duanmu Huai glanced at her phone and then put it down.

"Speaking of which, sister, you’ve been looking at your phone these days, what are you watching?"

"Just some small things... hmm, in business."

Saying this, Duanmu Huai changed the channel, and then saw news broadcast images appearing on the television screen.

"...Regarding the recent Self-O Party senator black money scandal, it has been confirmed that several Senate members are involved. Today, the then Cabinet of Self-O Party held a press conference, publicly apologizing and resigning from their positions..."

"Humph."

Watching the old woman, trembling and pale-faced, stepping onto the stage to bow and apologize, engulfed by the flashing light, Duanmu Huai sneered.

Selling bridges indeed makes money, but it doesn’t mean selling bridges will always end well, right?

In ordinary novels, such a fellow would be exposed, then abandoned by their backer. But Duanmu Huai isn’t interested in following such dull, ordinary routines. Kamiki Hikari has backers, huh? Well, I’ll deal with your backers first, then come for you!

After investigation, Duanmu Huai learned that the middle-aged lady used party funds and deposited them into her private safe. Then, she gave part of it to Kamiki Hikari, as the latter’s source for opening offices and companies—well, how to put it, Duanmu Huai is quite impressed with Kamiki Hikari.

Looking at this woman with a waist diameter of eight feet and a bust diameter also eight feet, practically like a walking barrel, yet Kamiki Hikari could go through with it... Tsk, for this, Duanmu Huai can only call him ruthless.

If it were him, he wouldn’t do it even if beaten to death.

Moreover, according to investigations, this old lady seems to play quite sophisticated tricks, almost equivalent to steel wool level.

It shows that not everyone can earn bridge money.

Now, Kamiki Hikari’s old woman behind him has fallen, and the source of funds will naturally be investigated, certainly implicating Kamiki Hikari. Although Duanmu Huai also knows this won’t completely ruin Kamiki Hikari, but... just settling this trouble will likely consume considerable effort and time.

Hmm, consider it a welcoming gift, keep it well.

Staring at the apology press conference on screen, Duanmu Huai’s lips curled slightly, revealing a cold smile.

The real show is yet to come.