Entertainment from Divorce

On the morning of the one-month anniversary of the film's release, the servers of the International Cultural Center's official website were once again lit up by the eyes of movie fans around the world.

When the box office figure of "3.871 billion US dollars" was displayed in bold at the top of the global box office charts, the entire film industry was once again thrilled by this Chinese hard science fiction film.

This figure not only far surpasses all other films released during the same period, but also pushes Interstellar's global box office record to new heights, making it the undisputed "box office champion" of the year.

The announcement released simultaneously on the official website made movie fans cheer with even greater joy.

Due to the continued high level of audience interest and petitions surrounding "Interstellar" over the past month, the International Cultural Center has officially announced that the film will be pulled from theaters for another month. Partner cinemas worldwide will continue to maintain a high screening rate, and some regions will add "director's cut" screenings to meet the demand for second and third viewings.

The news caused an immediate uproar on social media, with the hashtag #InterstellarDelayed# trending at number one within half an hour and garnering over 30 billion views.

Netizens left comments such as: "Finally, I have time to watch it for the fourth time!" "The director's cut is a must-see; I want to unlock more hidden details!" "This is true respect for a good movie; the box office can definitely surge again!"

Domestic cinemas responded quickly, with IMAX cinemas in Beijing, Shanghai and other cities taking the lead in announcing plans to add more screenings. Many cinemas adjusted their midnight screenings to prime time, and even launched "interstellar-themed movie packages" that included customized 3D glasses, spaceship model merchandise and themed drinks, which sold out as soon as they were launched.

The enthusiasm in overseas markets remained undiminished. On the day the postponement announcement was made, AMC theaters in Los Angeles held a "Interstellar Marathon Screening" event, playing the film on a loop from morning to night, attracting a large number of movie fans who brought tents and blankets.

A small astronomical exhibition was set up in the square outside the cinema, allowing audiences to experience stargazing during breaks in the movie, creating a lively atmosphere like a festival celebration.

In the villa area of ​​Ruishan Community, the morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting warm dappled light on the dining room floor of Tan Yue's home.

A delicate breakfast was laid out on the long table: freshly ground Blue Mountain coffee steamed, the edges of the golden-brown sunny-side-up eggs were slightly curled, and the aroma of bacon fat mixed with the wheat fragrance of toast filled the air.

Tan Yue, dressed in loose gray loungewear, sat at the dining table, her fingertips lightly swiping across her phone screen, which displayed box office data and a notice of delayed removal from theaters, published by the International Cultural Center.

“Three billion seven hundred and ten million…” Tan Yue read the number softly, the corners of his mouth unconsciously turning up, his eyes full of gratified smiles.

He looked up at Chen Ziyu across from him. She was elegantly cutting toast with a knife and fork, and the sunlight fell on the ends of her hair, gilding them with a soft golden edge.

"I didn't expect to achieve such good results."

Chen Ziyu put down her knife and fork, picked up her coffee, took a sip, and replied with a smile, "This is all thanks to your and the entire team's hard work. From script polishing to special effects production, and then to post-production promotion, you poured your heart and soul into every step. This achievement is well-deserved."

She picked up her phone and pulled up a post on her WeChat Moments: "Look, my best friend said yesterday that she took her parents to see the movie for the third time. Her father is a retired aerospace engineer. After watching it, he was so excited that he pulled the theater manager aside to discuss the black hole model, saying that the details in the movie were more accurate than many science documentaries."

Tan Yue took the phone and looked at the post with the accompanying photo.

In the scene, an elderly man with gray hair is holding a pen and paper and drawing a diagram of a black hole in front of a poster in the cinema lobby, surrounded by a group of young people listening attentively.

He couldn't help but laugh: "A movie is truly a success if it can be enjoyed by people of different ages and professions."

He put down his phone, picked up a fork, and speared a piece of bacon: "What makes me happiest is not the box office numbers, but seeing more and more people paying attention to science fiction and space travel because of this movie. Some people even say they want to be astronauts or science fiction writers. That is the true value of the movie."

Chen Ziyu nodded, her eyes full of understanding: "I know you've always wanted to convey these messages through the film. But you should also get some rest. For the past month, you've been looking at data, attending meetings, and giving interviews every day, even working overtime on weekends. Your dark circles are almost as bad as a panda's."

She reached out and gently touched the corner of Tan Yue's eye, her voice filled with heartache.

Tan Yue touched his face and smiled helplessly: "I am indeed a bit tired. But it's all good now. The movie's postponement has been decided, and Wu and the others will be in charge of the follow-up publicity. I can finally catch my breath."

He looked out the window; the greenery in the villa area was vibrant in the sunlight, and birds were hopping and chirping among the branches. "It's the weekend, shall we go for a walk? Let's relax and not worry about work, just like any other couple."

Chen Ziyu's eyes lit up and she immediately nodded: "Great! I've wanted to go to that old-established teahouse in the city center for a long time. I heard that their jasmine tea is especially fragrant and you can also eat authentic Chinese pastries."

After breakfast, the two began preparing to go out.

Tan Yue pulled a loose black hooded sweatshirt from the closet, paired it with dark jeans and white sneakers, and even found a pair of black-rimmed non-prescription glasses to wear. He casually ruffled his hair, covering part of his forehead.

He looked at himself in the mirror, then pulled up the hood of his hoodie, revealing only half his face, and said with satisfaction, "No one should recognize me now."

Watching his skillful movements, Chen Ziyu couldn't help but laugh, "Your disguise skills are almost on par with professional actors. Every time I go out with you, I feel like I'm in a spy movie."

Tan Yue turned around, straightened Chen Ziyu's beige trench coat collar, and explained with a smile, "When I was making movies, I often had to go to the cinema incognito to see the audience's reaction, so I gradually got the hang of it. Wearing a hat and glasses are basic skills, but the key is to keep your presence low and not let anyone notice you."

He paused, then added, "Also, try not to talk when you're outside, especially in crowded places. My voice is too recognizable, and it would be troublesome if I were recognized."

Chen Ziyu nodded obediently: "Don't worry, I'll cooperate with you." She picked up a black canvas bag and put her phone, wallet and tissues inside. "Let's go, let's try to get to the teahouse as soon as possible and avoid the morning rush hour."

The two quietly left their home and got into the car. Tan Yue specifically asked the driver to take several detours to make sure that no reporters or fans were following them before he drove towards the city center with peace of mind.

Along the way, they admired the city scenery through the car window, watching the bustling crowds and rows of shops on the streets, feeling the long-lost atmosphere of everyday life, and their nerves, which had been tense for a month, gradually relaxed.

The car was parked at the entrance of a quaint alley in the city center.

Tan Yue and Chen Ziyu, wearing hats and glasses, walked quickly into the alley with their heads down.

The alley was quiet, with old houses with gray tiles and white walls on both sides, red lanterns hanging at the door, and occasionally you could hear residents chatting and dogs barking.

They walked along the stone path and soon saw the old teahouse. A black plaque with gold lettering hung above the wooden door, bearing the four large characters "Qingfeng Teahouse". Two pots of blooming jasmine flowers were placed at the entrance, emitting a fragrant aroma.

The two pushed open the door and entered the teahouse. The interior was decorated in an antique style, with wooden tables and chairs, carved screens, and hanging calligraphy and paintings, all exuding a strong Chinese charm.

The teahouse wasn't crowded; most of the people were elderly people leisurely enjoying their tea, along with a few couples chatting quietly.

They found a corner by the window and sat down. The waiter quickly came over to take their orders. Chen Ziyu ordered a pot of jasmine tea and some snacks, while Tan Yue ordered a cup of green tea. Throughout the meal, the two of them tried to keep their voices down to avoid attracting attention.

The tea was served quickly, and the fragrance of jasmine tea filled the air. Chen Ziyu picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and closed her eyes in satisfaction: "It smells so good, even better than I expected."

Seeing her happy expression warmed Tan Yue's heart.

He picked up his green tea and slowly savored it, his gaze unconsciously sweeping over the other customers in the teahouse.

Just then, two elderly people at the next table were discussing something in hushed tones.
Tan Yue's ears inadvertently caught the words "interstellar travel," and he immediately perked up his ears to listen carefully.

"Did you go see Interstellar yesterday? It's such a great movie!" An elderly man with gray hair held a teacup, his voice full of praise. "The black hole special effects were so amazing that my eyes were wide open. And the family story in it almost made me cry. It reminded me of my son when he was little."

Another elderly man nodded repeatedly: "I watched it twice! I didn't quite understand the five-dimensional space the first time, but after thinking about it carefully the second time, I understood the director's intention. Chinese films are getting better and better these days, able to make such a good sci-fi film, even better than Hollywood's!"

“That’s right!” the first elderly man chimed in. “After my grandson watched it, he kept asking me to be an astronaut and even asked me to buy him a telescope. That’s the power of a good movie; it can influence the next generation.”

Listening to their conversation, Tan Yue felt as sweet as if he had drunk honey, and he couldn't hide the smile on his face. Chen Ziyu noticed his expression, quietly nudged his arm, and whispered, "Did you hear something happy?"

Tan Yue lowered his voice and whispered in her ear, "They're praising 'Interstellar,' and they even said that because of this movie, the child wants to be an astronaut." His tone was full of pride, and his eyes sparkled brightly.

Chen Ziyu smiled and nodded, without saying anything more, but picked up a pastry and handed it to him: "Try this, it tastes very good."

The two spent more than an hour in the teahouse, slowly sipping tea, eating snacks, and occasionally chatting in hushed tones, enjoying a rare moment of leisure.

As they left the teahouse, the sun shone brighter outside, and the alleyway became more crowded. They walked slowly along the alley, intending to stroll through the nearby park.

As I passed a music store, the theme song from "Interstellar" was playing from the speakers at the entrance, its melodious tune echoing in the air.

The video store window was filled with Interstellar merchandise, from movie posters and soundtrack CDs to spaceship models and character figurines—a dazzling array.
A group of young people were discussing the film around the window. One of the girls excitedly said, "I've already watched it three times. I'm going to watch it again when the director's cut comes out! Director Tan Yue is amazing. He made a sci-fi film with such depth and so touching moments."

The boy next to him nodded in agreement: "I liked the part where Cooper travels through the wormhole the most. The special effects were amazing, and the emotional expression was so delicate. I almost cried while watching it. Now all my friends are talking about this movie, and I even dragged my parents to see it. They said it was good too."

Tan Yue and Chen Ziyu slowed their pace, listening to their discussion, their hearts filled with satisfaction.

Chen Ziyu glanced at Tan Yue and noticed that the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned and his eyes were full of satisfaction.

She knew that for Tan Yue, audience recognition was more important than any award or box office figure.

The two continued walking and arrived at a nearby park.

The park was bustling with activity: middle-aged women dancing in the square, elderly people practicing Tai Chi, children chasing and playing, and young people sitting on benches reading books.

They found a quiet bench and sat down, where sunlight filtered through the leaves and warmed them.

"It's been so long since I've felt this relaxed." Tan Yue leaned back on the bench, closed his eyes, and felt the breeze on his cheeks. "I'm so busy with work every day that I've almost forgotten what leisure feels like."

Chen Ziyu leaned close to him and whispered, "You need to take more time to rest in the future. No matter how important work is, you can't neglect your health. This movie has been a great success, and you should give yourself a break."

Tan Yue opened her eyes, looked at Chen Ziyu, her eyes full of tenderness: "Okay, I'll listen to you. After we finish up with the rest of the things, let's go on a trip, find a quiet place, and have a good time for a few days."

Chen Ziyu smiled and nodded: "Okay, I've wanted to go to the beach for a long time. We can watch the sunrise and the starry sky, just like in the movies."

The two smiled at each other, said nothing more, and simply leaned back on the bench, enjoying this rare moment of peace.

The laughter, birdsong, and rustling of leaves in the park blended together to create a warm melody that surrounded them.

As evening fell, the setting sun bathed the entire city in golden sunlight.

Tan Yue and Chen Ziyu got up to go home. They walked slowly along the street and passed a movie theater. They saw that there was still a long queue at the entrance. The tagline for "Interstellar" on the poster, "Love and protection across time and space," was particularly eye-catching.

"It seems that postponing the takedown was the right thing to do; so many people still want to watch it," Chen Ziyu said with emotion, looking at the crowd in line.

Tan Yue nodded, his eyes full of anticipation: "I hope this film can influence more people and make more people fall in love with science fiction and Chinese films. In the future, I also want to make more excellent works and let the world see the power of Chinese films."

The two walked side by side in the sunset, their shadows stretched long.

They all wore relaxed smiles, enjoying this rare moment of leisure and looking forward to more possibilities in the future.

For Tan Yue, the success of *Interstellar* is just the beginning. His film career is far from over, with many more exciting stories to tell and a vaster cosmos to explore. (End of Chapter)