Chapter 96

(Naked - the running child can't afford to be hurt, tears streaming, seeking recommendation votes!)

...

Nio's voice came from behind a screen of green text, "I know you're there, I can feel it. You're afraid, you're afraid of us, you're afraid of change."

In the rapidly falling digital rain, a prompt box suddenly appeared, "System Crash"!

"I don't know the future. I came here not to tell you how everything will end, but to tell you how everything will begin. I'm about to hang up, and I will reveal the truth you've been hiding from humanity, so that the masses can see the real world. A world without computers. A world without rigid rules and boundaries, a world full of endless possibilities. After realizing such a world, where will we go next? I leave this choice to you."

The camera, using special effects, moved from behind the digital rain to the telephone receiver in Nio's hand, then showed the entire world.

A brand new world.

Nio walked out of the phone booth in the center of New York, and the masses walked past him.

He put on his sunglasses, looked up at the sky, and the camera kept rising, overlooking the entire city. A rapid sound broke through the air, and the fans who hadn't found the "Superman flying" scene throughout the movie finally saw the classic black cape drawing an arc in the sky and flying into the clouds.

At this point, the end credits music suddenly played, and the big screen dimmed.

Replacing it was a large line of text, "Screenwriter, Director: Christmas - Chen!"

"Producer: Steven - Spielberg!"

"Lead Actors: Christmas - Chen, Kate - Beckinsale..."

After the names of the main creators, the big screen showed a new scene with music, and the audience was pleasantly surprised, thinking of one word, "Easter Egg!"

Amidst a series of electrical sounds, the sky darkened, and three cute mechanical squids floated, wandered, and patrolled in the sky. The mechanical squid on the left, apparently bored, suddenly struck the mechanical squid in front with a mechanical claw. The struck squid, with a simple face made up of two eyebrows, two big eyes, and a curved mouth, turned into an angry expression, turned around, and struck the innocent squid behind with a mechanical claw. The struck squid showed a confused expression, completely bewildered, and then the three squids made a noisy "chirp chirp buzz buzz."

Suddenly, a human figure appeared.

The mechanical squids' noise stopped abruptly. Humans are enemies, and their expressions changed to anger, rushing toward the human figure.

According to the usual pattern, the human should have run away, but this figure remained calm, extending a palm toward the mechanical squids. An invisible wave swept over, and the three mechanical squids trembled violently and fell to the ground.

When they struggled to get up again, their big round heads showed expressions of docility, cuteness, and confusion, vividly circling around the human figure—none other than Nio!

"Huh~ This is the real world, right? Nio's superpowers actually brought into the real world. What does the last part mean? Did he tame the mechanical squids?" "Probably rewrote their program? If so, that's amazing." "What does this Easter Egg mean? Is it considering a sequel...?"

Numerous thoughts floated in the audience's minds, and some impatient ones began to whisper.

The first batch of viewers in most North American cinemas started to leave, while in the premiere screening room in New York, when the last shot ended and the Matrix film company's logo reappeared, the audience burst into thunderous applause and cheers that did not diminish.

Media reporters and film critics had looks of disbelief, thinking that this movie might have a good run?

They were already considering the headlines and predictions for tomorrow's news, "A Unique Sci-Fi Blockbuster—The Matrix?" "A Combination of Chinese Kung Fu and Hollywood Special Effects, a Screen Classic!" or perhaps an evaluation of the person, "Christmas - Chen, a Rising Eastern Star in Hollywood, a Shining New Director?"

"Clap Clap Clap Clap!" After a moment of silence, the premiere screening room erupted in cheers and applause.

The lights came on, and the cast and crew, with smiles on their faces, stood up and walked onto the stage to greet the audience's cheers.

"Congratulations!"

...

"Congratulations!"

...

The cast and crew of "The Matrix" hugged each other in celebration. Chen Tian hugged Kate Beckinsale, Charlize Theron, Laurence Fishburne, Hugo Weaving, Spielberg, and Yuan Huaping.

"Congratulations, young man, a fantastic movie!"

The speaker was Katzenberg, his face complex with emotion.

Chen Tian was once almost a screenwriter for DreamWorks, but in just two years, he had become a rising superstar in Hollywood. Movies are a thing that can create miracles, and Katzenberg genuinely wished the young man well for his current achievements.

"Thank you, Mr. Katzenberg!"

"Nio, Christmas—"

"Trinity, Kate—"

"Morpheus, Laurence—"

"Awesome! Cool! Fantastic!"

Someone in the premiere audience whistled loudly, and others shouted their names.

"Thank you, thank you all!"

Chen Tian and the main cast and crew waved, accepting the audience's applause. Everyone had a smile on their face, even Warner's distribution head, Philip, who had been tense all night, showed a wide grin. As the biggest figure in the main creative team, Chen Tian took the microphone handed to him by a staff member and said, "Thank you all, this is my first premiere. I don't know if the audience will be satisfied after watching..."

"Satisfied—" Before he could finish, the audience shouted in unison.

Chen Tian grinned, continuing, "Thank you. This movie carries a lot of hope, and many people worked hard and got hurt for it. Everything we did was for your response today, you are all so lovely. Thank you all."

He said several "thank yous," and since bowing isn't common in America, he waved to the audience, which brought another round of cheers.

The premiere ended, and numerous reporters surrounded Chen Tian, asking various questions, "Christmas, what do you expect the box office to be?" "Will there be a sequel to this movie?" "Did you and Kate break up, and are you just pretending to be together for the movie promotion?" "Kate, did you break up?"

"Sorry, we are all very tired. If there are any interviews in the future, we will notify you. Thank you."

Chen Tian left under the protection of security, about to enter a nearby hotel to gather with everyone, when a luxury Cadillac stopped in front of him. A fat man got out of the car, "Hello, Christmas Chen, congratulations, the movie was fantastic."

"Thank you." Chen Tian didn't recognize him and politely thanked him.

Kate was surprised and quietly reminded him, "This is Robert Iger from Disney, hello Mr. Iger."

Robert Iger smiled, "Hello, beautiful lady." He took out two business cards and handed them to both, "This is my card, perhaps we will have the opportunity to work together in the future."

Robert seemed to know they were going to a banquet and didn't talk much. After exchanging cards, he got back into the car and left.

Chen Tian then unfolded the card and saw that this guy was quite impressive, "Chief Operating Officer of Disney." The current COO of Disney should still be Sanford Litvack. Although there were rumors of a change in leadership, no news had been released that he was elected, but the card already revealed a lot of information. Disney is a super large group, including film, music, theater, ABC Television Group, radio, ESPN, interactive media group, etc., and Robert is the COO, a very significant position!

Although surprised that such a big figure would show interest in him, Chen Tian had no need to seek help, so he felt at ease.

His first premiere ended, and the exhausted and hungry cast and crew quickly gathered at a nearby hotel for a sumptuous dinner party.

They drank little but ate a lot, collapsing in their chairs with smiles on their faces.

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