Pokémon, but cultural invasion

Despite his timidity and hesitation, the top student finally entered the movie theater in Kuroba City.

"Everyone can cook."

When the little mouse finally achieved his dream of becoming the head chef at the new restaurant, tears welled up in the eyes of the top student.

Xiaomi showed her through its simple and unpretentious actions: "Dreams are never a luxury for a select few."

After watching the film, the top student, overwhelmed with emotion, wrote a short message on social media in simple language and with sincere feelings:

"Ratatouille uses the story of a rat chasing its dream to give the warmest encouragement to every ordinary person."

“We can see the ordinariness in Xiaomi. He gets confused because his family doesn’t understand him, and he almost gives up on the eve of success. We can also see that Xiao Kuan is not a born protagonist. He is clumsy and introverted. He even needs to practice repeatedly to hold a spatula.”

"The conflicts and contradictions that arise between them are so common. This film does not have a grand narrative, but it presents the most authentic picture of pursuing dreams."

...

"After watching the movie, I realized that as long as you have a passionate heart, your dreams will never fade."

"This is dedicated to the self that once hesitated, was timid, and lingered at the door of dreams."

?

"A strange phenomenon."

At the old train station on the southern outskirts of Jinhuang City, filming is in full swing.

After registering his personal account, A-Che cherished his reputation and spent every day diligently reviewing reviews and audience reactions to "Ratatouille".

What surprised him was that the most upvoted review for the film was not written by the famous Carlos, but by an unknown private account.

"There's nothing strange about this."

"Compared to film critics who stand aside and pontificate, the sincere personal accounts of ordinary film fans are more touching, not to mention her good wording."

Quanshu said calmly that he and Ache were almost the complete opposites. He never deliberately searched for the reaction to his works, nor was he worried about poor feedback.

Because he knew that in a world where the average level of film production had declined a hundredfold, even a normal level of quality was enough to captivate audiences who had never tasted good pork.

Moreover, all the works I've copied are excellent, which is a clear case of superiority.

"That's true."

Ah Che brushed the dust off his clothes and looked around at the old station decorated by the prop team: "But it's amazing that you were able to find such a vintage station in Golden City."

This train station, located on the outskirts of the city, has been abandoned for many years and is now in the government's demolition process. Its architectural style and the items on display all belong to the last century.

The rusty yet still intact green train, the gate with every iron bar polished smooth by hand, the wooden shelves in the waiting room stuffed with yellowed newspapers...

Remove the rampant ivy and hang small, dim light bulbs in the narrow passageway. Under the warm yellow light, it feels like stepping back into a train station night many years ago.

"The inner section of the train car is ready, and the props team is prepared."

Guangtai's voice came through the walkie-talkie, and Quanshu waved to signal the extras outside the film set to warm up.

They poured into the station dressed in old-fashioned winter clothes.

Several Ice-type Pokémon created a "snow scene" together, with goose-feather snowflakes falling towards the station.

Ache set up multiple cameras that started up simultaneously, showing a bustling scene with people carrying all kinds of luggage and occasionally exhaling puffs of white mist.

Pairs of cotton gloves and scarves kept flashing in front of the camera, while the station's announcements, with their rough sound quality, repeatedly played notices of train delays.

The chill of the night seemed to penetrate the screen, making even the warm yellow light of the streetlights appear somewhat dim.

This station seems to be hidden in the folds of time, recreating scenes from many years ago.

"Boss, it seems like Officer Jenny has discovered us."

"Don't be afraid, they might not dare to make a move at the station."

Two tall, thin men stood under a streetlamp; one nervously rubbed his hands together, while the other looked around nervously.

Fortunately, the valuable goods were all hidden inside the ball.

He carried a bulging backpack and said, "Going to the carriage to get the goods will alert Officer Jenny, so we don't need that batch of goods."

“We’ll split up. You go to the south exit, and I’ll go to the north exit. We’ll meet up again in the Johto region using a secret code.”

The two exchanged a quick glance, then pretended not to know each other, lowered their heads, and blended into the crowded throng, disappearing as quickly as a drop of water into the sea.

The plainclothes police officers, noticing the commotion, remained calm and silently followed.

Meanwhile, in the forgotten cargo compartment, a pair of large, dark eyes quietly opened.

Perhaps the wooden cage was not properly locked from the beginning, and during the long and bumpy journey, the bolt and the lock hole completely separated.

The Growlithe cautiously nudged the cage door with its head—with a soft "click," the cage door and the black cloth covering it were pushed open together, revealing its fluffy little body.

Chapter 151 A Belly Full of Mischief

This is a Growlithe dog that is much smaller than its kind, and it is obviously a newborn, not even weaned yet.

Its round, thick claws stepped on the hard iron plate of the carriage, and it wobbled as it walked toward the door-shaped light.

The moment it stepped out of the freight car, it was instantly enveloped by the hustle and bustle of the station platform.

Footsteps, conversations among passengers, the creaking of cargo carts rolling across the ground... countless unfamiliar sounds assaulted the Growlithe's newly developed hearing, causing it to instinctively shrink its neck.

It is less than a human knee tall and can only stumble and stagger among pairs of passing leather shoes, children's shoes, and high heels.

I don't know where I'm going, nor do I know who I'm going with.

The night was snowy and the wind was biting cold. The Growlithe was curled up and shivering as it spun around.

The Growlithe stopped just before it was about to run into the hem of the brown trench coat and a pair of shiny leather shoes.

"No need to pick me up, I'll walk back."

The man with graying temples was on the phone, telling his wife, "Mine, I love you too."

He hung up the phone, grabbed it with his leather gloves and stuffed it into his pocket, while also noticing the small creature at his feet.

The wrinkled face magnified in the Growlithe's view as the body crouched down, revealing a kind smile: "Hey, little guy, lost?"

"Come."

Parker picked up the orange Growlithe and rubbed its brow with his rough fingers: "Where is your trainer?"

Growlithe wagged its tail contentedly; naturally, it couldn't answer Parker's question.

"Looks like you're really lost, little one."

Parker held it and looked around, muttering, "Your owner must be very worried."

"beep--"

The train sounded its whistle and slowly, heavily, began to move.

Amidst the clanging of the train tracks, Parker waited in place for a while.

The passengers had dispersed, and the passengers for the next train had not yet arrived at the station.

The platform was suddenly empty. Parker looked around, but it didn't look like any trainer was looking for his dog.

One cannot stay here forever on a cold winter night.

Left with no other option, he went to the lobby to ask the staff at the Goldenrod City station if any trainers had lost their Pokémon.

"This Growlithe is wandering around the platform."

Parker walked into the duty room carrying a suitcase in one hand and holding a Growlithe dog in the other.

"really?"

The short, stout, bald staff member on duty said, "It's really his luck that you found him."

Parker held it up with both hands: "Its trainer must be very worried about such a small Pokémon getting lost."

"Please take me in for a while, and wait for someone to come looking for me."

"Um... sir, I'm sorry I cannot comply."

The bald man shrugged and said regretfully, "My duty manual doesn't include adoption regulations, and besides, it might not even have a trainer."

"You may not know this, but there have been more and more abandoned cases in Goldenrod City recently. We can't take it in until a Pokémon welfare center is established."

Parker lifted the Growlithe's round paws and showed them to him: "No one would abandon such a good Growlithe."

"Yes, but if its trainer hasn't come to claim it by tomorrow morning, it will have to wander the streets with the little fox."

The bald man shook his keys: "I can only leave Growlithe at the station for one night, you know, I don't want to lose my job."

...

Parker, carrying Growlithe, walked back out the door and asked the guard to call him if anyone was looking for the lost Pokémon.

Do you know it's Friday today? Do you know where we're going?

He dragged his suitcase, leaving a trail of footprints and wheel tracks in the snow outside the station.

Parker asked and answered himself, "I'll take you to my house. It's a warm, big house with lots of friends. Do you like it?"

"Really, you'll like it."

On a snowy night with few pedestrians, Parker wrapped his Growlithe dog in his trench coat and took it home.

And so began the story of the man and his dog.

"Crack!"

Quanshu stopped filming.

"This part is very good, it doesn't even need much post-production processing. The last ten seconds or so with piano and violin accompaniment is enough."

"Camera crew, film the scene with extra number 4 again."

While they were preparing again, A-Che and Quan-Shu exchanged a glance, and he said, "As expected of a veteran actor from the golden age."

"Parker's micro-expressions were very well portrayed, capturing the struggle and hesitation when rejected by the staff on duty..."

Ah Che sighed, "Sure enough, the film industry never lacks good actors, but it lacks good directors and scripts."

"That makes sense, but it's too late for you to praise me now."

Quanshu smiled and turned on Guangtai's walkie-talkie: "Props team, turn on all the ambient lights in the station. We'll be shooting a series of aerial shots of the station later."

"Shots of the old train station can be strung together with shots of the maglev train station to create a sequence of footage showing the passage of time."

...

The filming continued until evening.

Quanshu was quite satisfied with the first few shots, but Ache insisted on shooting them several more times to refine the details.

Two blockbuster movies and a TV series with explosive ratings have fully honed A-Che's vision and abilities.

Things are different now; he is now the youngest top cinematographer in the film industry and has his own high standards.

"Don't blame me for being picky, but our third film in Tingxiang must be perfect to live up to the expectations of our supporters."

Ah Che shouted at the several exhausted extras, "Hang in there! Director Quanshu will treat you to barbecue after get off work!"

"Wow!"

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Quanshu sat to the side, her lips twitching involuntarily. Ah Che's words sounded so familiar; she wondered where he had learned them.

"On the first day of filming, I, the main character, didn't even have any scenes."

Hei Kui stood with her hands on her hips next to the director's seat.

Keep in mind that Takanosuke is playing a scruffy passerby in the background.

"You're unhappy that you don't have any scenes? Be careful not to get too close to me on set, and don't show your true colors."

The spring tree whispered a reminder.

Gastly has absolutely no sense of distance from humans. Although they are all employees of the village, if there is a misunderstanding and their boss is suspected of having an affair, it will be a blow to morale.

"Tch, let me ask you, what's the story behind that elf that came looking for you a few days ago? It was incredibly fierce."

Gastly clenched its fist, still shaken, and said, "When it descended, my two thousand years of accumulation seemed like an ant in comparison."