Reboot the heyday

Chapter 3502 Not a Mistake for Life
"This is bound to be a great show."

Wang Taika leaned back in his chair with satisfaction, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and concealed a barely suppressed smile from the corner of his mouth.

He was very proud of his "professional" guidance, feeling that he was a master of understanding human nature.

With a light cough, Wang Taika brought his thoughts back to the conference room, his face regaining its seriousness: "In short, although this project doesn't involve a large investment, I highly value its artistic merit and social significance. You must put your heart into it and make it a thought-provoking and profound tragedy. Don't worry about funding; you must spend the money that's necessary, especially on costumes and sets, which must be realistic and aesthetically pleasing."

"Yes, we will definitely do our best!" Although the writers and directors were full of questions, they naturally dared not slack off because Wang Taika attached such importance to it.

Stepping out of the conference room, Wang Taika felt his steps become much lighter. Sunlight streamed in through the corridor windows, making the room exceptionally bright.

The Duck King caught up speechlessly and said, "What are you getting revenge on? I don't understand, but you're definitely getting revenge on someone."

Wang Taika asked in surprise, "Am I that kind of person? Hmm, I guess so, anyway, don't worry about it."

"Whatever, whatever makes you happy," the Duck King grinned.
Wang Taika said, "These screenwriters all look unfamiliar. I remember our company used to employ a group of people, I think they were screenwriters or something, many of them were from China. I still remember one named Zhang Baogou, I think that's it, because his name sounds like 'country bumpkin,' so I remembered him. Who else? I can't remember. Where are those people now?"

The Duck King had absolutely no recollection of this, and said, "Could they have left before I joined the company?"

"Really? I don't remember either." Wang Taika scratched his head. He remembered that there were quite a few eccentric talents among that group, but Wang Taika wasn't interested in doing anything serious back then, and he never paid attention to them again.

Now that I think about it, so many years have passed. Even if I were to think about it again, it would be like yesterday's news.

The Duck King said, "Don't think this is like a TV drama where leaving takes time. Some people are destined to only meet once. You might think there will be a next time, but that time will never come. Those people have already left the company, and who knows where they are or what they are doing."

Wang Taika nodded: "I know, it was just a casual question."

"You have a problem, which is that you always have inexplicable expectations for relationships that have already expired. This is not a good habit." The Duck King was unusually serious: "Take that person, that... I can't say the name, I'm afraid you'll get angry with me. But you know who it is. It's her. Actually, you two saw each other for the last time when you graduated. Was it you who forced to rekindle the relationship, or a tragic fate, trying to salvage a relationship that had already expired?"

"I didn't try to salvage the situation either," Wang Taika said, still feeling a little guilty.

However, Duck King is right. Wang Taika does have this bad habit: he always likes to have unnecessary expectations for a relationship that has already expired.

Thinking about it, it all seems pretty silly. Is this nostalgia, or just being sentimental?

Expired is expired, and the past is the past.

Abandoning the past is heartless, but wanting to go back to the past is brainless.

Wang Taika hesitated for a few steps, then suddenly came to his senses and looked at Duck King: "Why are you suddenly telling me all this? You're implying something, aren't you? Tell me, what do you want to say? Don't keep me in suspense."

"I was just trying to give you some inspirational words to prepare you," the Duck King said hesitantly. "Seeing how good you are, I think I can tell you something that will make you feel less good."

Wang Taika was taken aback and asked, "What's wrong? Is the company going bankrupt?"

"No, it's not that, it has nothing to do with the company," the Duck King said mysteriously. "It's about a woman. Be prepared."

As Wang Taika walked out, he casually asked, "You're not going to create another chaotic situation for me, are you?"

The Duck King looked around and said in a low voice, "This has nothing to do with me; it's your own harem that's about to explode."

Could it be related to what happened in the recent episode? While it was certainly a bit reckless, how did the Duck King know about it?

Wang Taika looked at Duck King: "This plot doesn't have any implications, don't overthink it. And how do you know that?"

"Huh? What?" Duck King looked bewildered.

Wang Taika realized he had misunderstood and said, "It's okay, just tell me what's going on."

Duck King paused, coughed lightly, and whispered, "Cheng Gymnastics is in love." Wang Taika's steps faltered slightly. He turned to look at Duck King, raised an eyebrow, and gestured for him to continue. His face remained expressionless, but a fleeting moment of astonishment, almost imperceptible to himself, crossed his mind.

"She's in a relationship!" Duck King announced, carefully observing Wang Taika's reaction: "I just got the news myself, and I've confirmed it. It happened in the last few days."

Wang Taika was silent for a second.

It's only been a few days since we last met.

Even the image of Cheng Ticao's delicate yet stubborn face flashed through my mind, along with the complex emotions of relief and determination in her eyes when we parted last time.

To be honest, I feel a little uncomfortable.

However, that slight discomfort was like a gentle breeze rippling across the water, but it quickly subsided.

The Duck King said, "This relationship has already expired. You're not thinking of doing anything bad, are you? Trying to poach someone or something, although that would be quite exciting."

"Shut up." Wang Taika gave a knowing and relieved smile. "Alright, this is a good thing. She's not young anymore, it's normal for her to be in a relationship."

Duck King was a little surprised by Wang Taika's calm reaction: "That's all you're going to do? I thought..."

"What did you think?" Wang Taika said calmly. "We made things clear a long time ago. I'm happy for her that she can move on and start a new life. Do you think I expect her to revolve around me for the rest of her life? You know my situation. There are some things that Koreans can accept, but Chinese people can't. Because if you have a choice, there's no need to make a trade-off."

He spoke frankly, without a trace of hypocrisy. To him, Cheng Ticao was like a stop on his life's journey; they had accompanied each other for a while, and when they reached a fork in the road, they naturally went their separate ways.

The Duck King just wanted to laugh: "I'm a little curious, if you went back in time, with your current mature and steady mindset, would you really end up with that person?"

“No, it won’t happen.” Wang Taika shook his head: “If I were to go back to that time now, it wouldn’t even be possible to start. In fact, just like me, what she misses and likes is nothing more than the naive young boy I was back then.”

“That’s true.” The Duck King nodded.

Anyway, that's the end of Cheng Gymnastics' matter.

Wang Taika will not, and cannot, give up any of his existing relationships for her, whether it's Chunka, Jiongjing, or anyone else.

These points were already clearly made clear during our last meeting. Cheng Gymnastics' choice was not unexpected and was quite normal.

What? You really think that every step you take is a romantic encounter, that everyone will fall in love at first sight and wait for you through wind and rain? Why should I?

If Wang Taika hadn't gone to South Korea back then, all his female confidantes would have made new choices and led different lives, for better or for worse. So what?

If Wang Taika were to disappear now, no matter how unforgettable he is, who would spend their entire life waiting for him? It seems unnecessary to wait for him anyway.

This isn't questioning feelings, but rather recognizing that beyond emotions, there's also the dimension of real life. There's nothing shameful about ultimately succumbing to reality. As long as you cherish that person in your heart, you haven't let each other down.

Of course, this is just a hypothetical scenario, but the reality is that evil deeds can last a thousand years, and Wang Taika still has many years to live on.

He jumps around trying to make his presence felt, so that those who truly care about him can see him every day without actually missing him.

This is love.

It's not the love of youth anymore; that was too dreamy, but too fragile.

This is love after time has passed, weathered and worn, yet inseparable.

I can't be sentimental anymore.

(End of this chapter)