Chapter 77: If This Old Man Doesn’t Rise to Fame, Then Heaven Itself Is Unjust!

Amidst utter chaos.

Watching Li Shixin, who sat in his chair like a lost soul, surrounded by a crowd of journalists offering comfort, Wang Hai was at a loss.

He had seen the caller ID when Li Shixin answered his phone just now.

Previously, when Wang Hai wanted to sign Li Shixin, he had looked into the old man’s background and knew for certain that Li Shixin had come to Rongdian because his unfilial son had refused to pay for his medical treatment.

So at this moment, he had no doubt about the authenticity of that phone call.

But deep down, he was nearly certain that Li Shixin’s current state was fake!

Watching the group of journalists wailing and wiping their tears, as if their own fathers had suffered a grievance, Wang Hai could only recall the scene of the old man grabbing his trouser leg earlier and felt utterly helpless.

These fools, do they really think this is some ascetic and pious soul?

He’s acting, he has to be acting!

Looking again at the devastated Li Shixin, Wang Hai didn’t even know if he should show admiration or resentment.

What a living legend!

Five minutes!

Who on earth could have imagined that, in just five minutes, the old master could stir up such a storm?

Just as Wang Hai was regretting his own softness—thinking he should never have given the old man even five minutes—the crowd of journalists, having soothed and comforted Li Shixin, finally saw him “catch his breath.” The grievance that had been pent up in his eyes, making onlookers feel as if their own hearts were stuffed with cotton, was released in a torrent of heartbroken sobs.

That hoarse, gut-wrenching wail once again cut deep into the softest parts of everyone’s hearts present!

Liu Chang, from Wenyi, watched Li Shixin’s tears stream down his wrinkled face, and his own heart was in turmoil.

His mother had passed away early. His father had raised him alone, relying on a few acres of farmland and odd jobs repairing shoes and fixing tires during the off-season. For over a decade, he’d struggled to put Liu Chang through university and change his life.

Now, seeing this scene, Liu Chang was trembling with anger!

Alas! Even a young ape knows to care for its mother—how can a human love himself less? Are there children in this world who are even less than apes?

In a daze, the essay "The Baby Ape," studied back in middle school, floated through his mind.

"Lower than animals! We journalists may be weak and frail, but at least we still have pens in our hands! Old master, let your tears flow—once you’re done, tell us your story."

Hearing Liu Chang’s words, the surrounding journalists all nodded in agreement.

But Li Shixin, with tears streaming down his face, simply waved his hand, “President Wang instructed me earlier—I can only speak for five minutes, no more.”

At those words, every journalist’s gaze immediately turned and pinned itself on Wang Hai!

“President Wang? Is that so?”

Faced with a crowd of glaring journalists, Wang Hai, still regretting his earlier leniency, froze.

Damn you, you old fox!

It’s bad enough you set up your own son—don’t drag me into this!

And sure, the interview did last less than five minutes, but you’ve already been crying here for almost half an hour!

“No, no, no!”

At this moment, Wang Hai’s survival instinct burst forth in full force.

“I did tell the old master that the interview shouldn’t exceed five minutes, but please don’t misunderstand! I—I… Oh, right! The old master suffers from a severe cerebral thrombosis, his life is at constant risk. It’s precisely because his son refused to get him a stent that he, feeling his days were numbered, came to Rongdian to fulfill his dream. I just thought—since he’s already been acting all morning, he must be exhausted, and I was afraid that a long interview would be too much for him! That’s all, really—nothing else! I swear on the light above!”

Oh…?

So that’s how it is.

Seeing the sweat pouring down Wang Hai’s forehead and his arms flapping like a fan, the group of journalists finally turned their gaze away.

Wait—what do you mean by “days are numbered”?!

Those who had just given up on digging for more news were instantly reignited.

Bombarded by their questions, Wang Hai could only grit his teeth and, glaring at Li Shixin—every cell of the old man now fully in character—reluctantly recounted Li Shixin’s medical results and the doctor’s advice.

When they learned that Li Shixin might have less than two months to live, the journalists fell silent.

That morning, they had indeed watched Li Shixin act.

They were all entertainment reporters—they could easily discern the quality and authenticity of an actor’s performance.

They had all been impressed by Li Shixin’s behavior on set that morning, but had simply thought him a talented and dedicated old actor.

Now, learning of his grave illness and recalling his performance on set, everyone was struck by a profound shock.

He’s acting with his very life!

“Old master.”

Several minutes passed before the journalists finally emerged from their shock.

Together, they bowed deeply to Li Shixin.

Perhaps this elderly man was a newcomer to Rongdian, but his dedication alone was enough to make most in the industry feel ashamed.

After bowing deeply, Liu Chang knelt down in front of Li Shixin and gripped his withered hand tightly.

“Master Li, you are a hero!”

Ding!

Received a strong [Admiration] cheer value: 16,751 points!

Silently accepting the journalists’ admiration, Li Shixin wiped away the last of his tears and gently shook his head at Liu Chang’s praise.

Supporting himself unsteadily, he rose from his chair.

With a face full of sorrow, he glanced at those present and laughed at himself.

“A hero? As the old saying goes: ‘The poor man stands at the crossroads, juggling ten steel knives, yet can’t reach his own kin. The rich man flaunts his weapons deep in the mountains, but can’t disperse his fair-weather friends. A great hero’s spear can shake the rivers and seas, but cannot ward off poverty and hunger. And as for me… what kind of hero am I, an old man who couldn’t even raise his own son right and is halfway in the grave? Good child, what sort of hero do you take me for?”

The desolate tone of his words made everyone’s noses sting once more.

But Li Shixin ignored them. After crying his heart out, his eyes were swollen.

Finishing his speech, he gently pushed Liu Chang aside. With a hunched back, he slowly parted the crowd and walked out.

“Old master, we haven’t finished the interview yet!” Seeing him leave, the journalists rushed forward to try and keep him.

Li Shixin waved his hand, not stopping: “No more. What’s the point? There’s nothing left to say. Just let me finish this play in peace. That’s all I owe to President Wang and Director Jiao, who took a risk in letting me join the cast despite knowing my condition—and to myself.”

Watching his lonely, desolate figure, the journalists once again… burst into tears.

Ding!

Received a strong [Admiration] cheer value: 21,133 points!

Having reaped the final wave of admiration, Li Shixin let out a deep sigh.

He was extremely satisfied with the actual effect of his self-written, self-directed, and self-acted one-man show, “Playing the Son,” which he had orchestrated over a little more than an hour.

Old man, every cell in your body is made for the stage!

If you don’t become famous, there’s no justice in the world!

Li Shixin raised his eyebrows and praised himself.

Marvelous!

“You old liar! You tricked me!”

Just as Li Shixin was wondering whether he should come up with another scene to stir up the unresolved Liu Xin scandal and further boost his influence, a loud voice suddenly rang out from the entrance to the banquet hall.

Looking up, he saw An Xiaoxiao standing at the door, and was momentarily taken aback.

Hadn’t he just seen the little girl leave?

When did she come back?

Has he been exposed?

As he was thinking this, a petite figure rushed into his arms.

“You lied to me, you lied to me! On set you tricked me into buying you oranges and bananas! You lied about the emotional substitution method, just so you could stuff cockroaches in my clothes! On set you seemed perfectly fine, making me think you were healthy! You… you… you old liar! I was planning to learn acting from you in the future… You can’t die, you mustn’t die—promise me you won’t die, okay?”

Phew…

Looking at An Xiaoxiao, her face covered in snot and tears streaming down her chin, this… simple, single-celled creature who had been completely fooled.

Li Shixin let out a breath, patted her little head in his arms.

“Alright, your teacher promises—not to die.”

Held tightly around the waist by An Xiaoxiao, unable to move, Li Shixin felt an unexpected sting in his own nose. Quietly, he opened the system interface and poured all of the seventy thousand-plus accumulated admiration points into the longevity option.

User: Li Shixin.

Physical age: 63 years, 237 days.

Current admiration points: 113.

Remaining lifespan: 122 days!