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Millennial.
Plain and simple.
That's how Shen Yuan would describe himself if someone were to ask for his opinion. He's a millennial through and through. He's got all the check-boxes ticked. As a true millennial, he has embraced his status and default characteristics. However, of all the things bound to cause him trouble, 'taking a selfie' was not it! (Well, unless it was done during class, but whatever.)
The day his life did a full 180 begins with a notification that alerts him that the final chapter of 'Proud Immortal Demon Way' (PIDW for short, who's got time for long titles anyway?) has just been posted. With high expectations for the end of this unnecessarily-long stallion novel, Shen Yuan is beyond excitement. Chapter 6666, here we go!
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'STUPID NOVEL STUPID AUTHOR' these and many more colourful words are being typed in the comment box. Shen Yuan didn't just fucking read all those 6666 chapters full of mindless papapa and obvious plot holes and stupid everything only to have it end without any sort of explanation nor satisfactory conclusion!!! What? Is he supposed to buy that this was a 'happy ending'?? Pah! His anger, disappointment, and frustration all skyrocket as he almost eats an outdated pudding. WTF, this stupid novel almost makes me die! Definitely stupid.
After having roasted the trashy book for about an hour, Shen Yuan feels proud of his venting. That'll teach this shitty author, I mean, the NERVE, for crying out loud! Feigning elegance, he voices 'and with this, I rest my case,' as he grabs his mobile to take a mandatory selfie (you know, like any other millennial would do).
🤳
Having taken it, Shen Yuan opens the preview to check it out. As he does so, he notices something out of the ordinary. Huh? In the back of the photo, that is to say behind him, there's a weird-looking silhouette. It was black and it seems to form the shape of a slim but tall man.
'What the fuck?' He turns to check whether the lighting had made some of his merch look like that, but apart from his shelves full of books and various gadgets, there is nothing that resembles that shape. Odd. Wait a minute. Could it be?? Is this like one of those films? Am I communicating with a ghost or something?
Ha!
As if! It's probably just me needing a new phone (the latest iPhone was due soon, how lucky!). Moving on! His selfie ruined, Shen Yuan decides it's time for Take 2. This time, he selects a filter to fully give this vibe of 'I've just roasted a stupid novel, aren't I great?' and takes the second selfie.
🤳
This time round, he clearly spots how that silhouette pops up a millisecond after taking that damned selfie. 'DA HELL?!?' he shouts as he impulsively turns to seek that thing. In this photo, it is obviously closer to him and clearer to the eye; that is a man. Slim and tall, but very much an unwelcomed presence. Why is there a weirdo in my selfie????? All of this lasts barely a second.
He takes the photo, sees the creep, turns around, and then falls down on his ass as he cowers away from the room. In no time, his head hits a wall as he is looking for any immediate danger. Minutes pass and nothing happens. Is it... gone? Am I going nuts? With a pounding heart, he snaps.
'Oh, hell no! I've fucking read 6666 chapters of that stallion novel. Been through enough today. Not today, Satan! Nope!' he proclaims as he goes to grab his phone, which is a few steps away from him. He's dropped it… he's definitely going to need a replacement.
He tries a total of three times until he is able to unlock it (my fingers are trembling, alright? It happens even to the best.). Unlocked, Shen Yuan rapidly opens the gallery and checks the photo. He lifts his phone a little and compares the selfie to what's in front of him. Call him daft, he is shit scared, but he's also curious. Evidence of ghosts? Take that science!! Mindset fixed on getting some answers, Shen Yuan takes his mobile and uses the back camera to take a better-quality photo of that same spot.
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...huh? Nothing?
📸?
📸📸📸??
📸📸📸????
'Huh?!?' What is this?? He takes several photos, but they are all empty of creepy men! He tries changing the angle, using the flash, and even taking the photo horizontally, all for nought. Was it then some hallucination or light effect? Confused, he googles hallucinations, hallucinations selfies, ghosts on cameras, photos gone wrong, and many more, but all in vain.
Until an idea pops up.
Mmm… both times Creepy Man showed up when I took a photo with the front camera, righto? Well then, what if…. And so, Shen Yuan, still in his 20s, swallows his fear and embraces his millennial curiosity (and lack of common sense) as he puts the front camera and clicks on 'Record'.
🎥
That's the last thing he does before he's hit on his head.
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'FUCKING AUTHOR, FUCKING NOVEL, FUCKING-' these and many more colourful words are being typed in the comment box. One hand types like a typhoon as the other holds an icepack on his forehead. To his left, there's a crying man kowtowing. It is the 'Creepy Man'.
'Binghe is sorry for hurting you!! It wasn't this one's intention!' this goes on for some minutes. 'Binghe thought this was one of Meng Mo's trials.' He weeps. Binghe? Meng Mo? Ha, what are you, the protagonist from that stallion?!?
'OK, OK, stop! You've been crying for ten minutes! I beg of you, please calm down, I'm fine, see?' he lifts the ice pack for the Crying Man (boy?) to see. When he seems to have calmed down enough, Shen Yuan asks 'Good. Now, who are you and what are you doing in my house? And tell me why you think you're that Binghe from PIDW. And Meng Mo? Really? Who are you trying to jest, you ghost!
Well, to be honest, the Crying Man is similar to the official art of Luo Binghe, but what if that's the case? Is he supposed to believe that the protagonist transmigrated into his apartment?? What's more, if so, he seems to have transmigrated at an age prior to the Abyss conveniently maintaining his white-lotus personality?? Yeah, right.
More minutes pass until wannabe Luo Binghe fully calms down. Right after arranging his clothes a bit and wiping out his tears, Crying Man stares at him in silence.
'What?' Aren't you going to answer me??
'Binghe apologies, it's just… You look like She-' something akin pain shows on his face for a second before he continues, more quietly 'like Shen QianQiu.'
Oh, hell no! 'You mean that Scum?? Hey, no need to insult me!!'
'S-Scum…? Insul…? You… know who he is?'
'You kidding? I've read the novel, of course I know! Enough of that, you still haven't answered me. Who are you. Why are you here. You can't truly expect me to believe you're that Heavenly Demon Binghe from PIDW, huh??'
At this, wannabe Luo Binghe freezes and a threatening silence takes over. He looks ready to kill him and Shen Yuan immediately takes a subtle step back as he eyes the exit door.
'You're wearing odd clothes and your hair is too short…' he looks like a detective trying to piece clues together, 'this place… you- you've mentioned a novel?'
Is he really still playing the 'I'm Luo Binghe' card? Ha! Two can play this game! After having waffled between two different courses of action for a few seconds, Shen Yuan decides to simply rip off the bandaid. 'Here. Have a look at this,' he points to the laptop's screen to show him the first chapter of PIDW, that should be enough.
Wannabe Luo Binghe glances funnily at him, but immediately gets his eyes busy. Not too long after has him freezing again, but… does he seem a bit lost?
'Is there a problem?'
'...is there another scroll? I can't find the next one…' he says as he looks at his surroundings.
Hmph! Well played! Of course a fictional character wouldn't know! This ghost or whatever he is is good.
'Ah. Let me,' Shen Yuan scrolls down the page and Binghe's eyes widen, but he keeps quiet, still looking as if solving a vexing puzzle.
Sooner than expected, Luo Binghe stops reading and inquiries: 'This novel, is it finished?' 'Fresh from the oven.' he quickly answers, remembering his frustration over the whole novel.
'...' Ah, that's a modern saying. Oops. 'I see. So that's how you know about Shen QianQiu and my full name.'
'Assuming you truly are who you claim to be, yes. From beginning to end, I know of "Luo Binghe's" story.'
After pondering for a while, wannabe Luo Binghe sighs. His shoulders lose some tension, and suddenly he appears older yet lonely and frail.
Carefully, he says 'Binghe has a question…'
'Yes?'
'Will…,' another sigh, 'In your novel, will Binghe survive the fall from the Abyss?'
Oh, fuck.
So that's the exact point in which Luo Binghe left the story. Technically, it would be kind of possible? Was the Abyss like a portal of a sort?
'...yes.'
'But it takes some time, doesn't it?'
'That's a way of putting it.'
'….if you know what happens to me later… no. Nevermind.'
Silence fills the apartment. Shen Yuan's never been the type to understand people nor read them very well, he's usually in lockdown after all, but Binghe is probably trying to come to terms with his current dilemma. Meanwhile, Shen Yuan takes advantage to actually have a look at him. He's honestly surprised at the accuracy of the official art! Leave a good comment later, pinned. Tall and slim, he's obviously got the face of a Lord with a 3000-wives harem! Good for you, Binghe! Wait, if he's here, what will happen to the novel? More importantly, if this is permanent… is it legal to marry that many women?!? Google later.
'Would it be right to assume,' oh? Oh, right! Binghe is here. 'that you know of my… nature?'
'That you're half-demon? Yeah.'
That seems to shock Luo Binghe. Well, based on what he'd read in the novel, it might not be his knowledge of it, but the way he's said it. Did I offend him? Well excuse you, I just knew! I never thought I'd have to actually face you, give me a break!! However, Luo Binghe is not cutting his limbs apart for mentioning his demonic side. Hurray! Instead, he looks like a kicked puppy. How is that adorable?!? Isn't he supposed to be fierce and scary??
'You… you don't mind?' Luo Binghe tentatively asks.
'Not really? Should I?' Wrong words.
Automatically, Binghe floods his whole apartment with his waterfall of tears. How is he that scary Luo Binghe omhygod give me a break!!!!!!!!
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A year ago, on the day of PIDW's last chapter release, Shen Yuan's life got ruined by a selfie. A selfie, for Heaven's sake! A year ago, the transmigrated protagonist of PIDW arrived and Shen Yuan got a crying baby as a roommate who can't go a day without weeping fat crocodile tears or having sticky attitudes. You're 18 years old, Binghe!! Aren't you supposed to leave the nest??
If this were a novel of the likes of PIWD, there would be a whole arc on Binghe's life as he got used to his world, but well, it is not. Anyway, to be fair, it hasn't been all bad. Since they've met, Shen Yuan's got homemade dishes, he's got a more organised room (although he can mess it up just as quickly as Binghe can tidy it up. Oops!), and he's even got a companion that is there for him in those dark days in which his body threatens to give up once and for all. Still! Airplane Bro! Come and fetch your character, you shitty author! How come you're no longer part of this world?!? (...or maybe don't take him back, not that I'm attached to that white sheep or anything…)
'A-Yuan?'
Speaking of the devil (pun intended), 'hmm? inda livin' rmm' Dozing off, he doesn't say, his voice is probably a dead giveaway anyways.
Binghe walks towards him, wearing an apron. Ah, so I actually fell asleep, it's almost time for dinner. Good thing I keep my hair short, otherwise ugh! Tangles!
'zup?'
'The wise elder doesn't know the answer.'
'mmG'gle?' Odd. Recipes are not usually a problem for him to search for. 'wacha typed?'
After a year spent with Binghe, Shen Yuan got used to speaking in a more formal way to ground Binghe at least in that department, but he's not awake enough for that now.
Not that nor Binghe saying '''How to court your soulmate in a world that doesn't allow you to kill".'
BINGHE WTF???....noPE, NOT DEALING WITH THIS SHIT. TAKE HIM BACK. BYE. HASTA PRONTO!!!