Quiet Hallway's End

Are those... buildings, afar?

I'm almost there... don't fall asleep...

......

Cut!

Wonderful, Nyamu! That's exactly the feeling I was going for!

An ordinary village girl leaves everything behind on a journey to pursue her musical dreams.

This scene is her darkest moment. After this, a serendipitous encounter sets her on the path to becoming Lungmen's favorite musician.

Appreciate the compliment, D~

Dunno why, but when I read the script, I found myself really identifying with the heroine.

Of course! It was tailor-written just for you, Miss Nyamu!

*Shangshu dialect* Yeah right... like we didn't rewrite it in a rush to make the New Year screening...

Huh...?

The investors saw the success of The Drummer Girl and demanded we cast you for the lead role.

Then your agency wanted the movie out for the New Year screening, so the director here made me rewrite the script in a week...

In the original ending... the girl was meant to have this phantasmagoric dream in her dying moments.

Under a blaze of dazzling lights, an unremarkable girl staggered her way onto the awards podium.

There, in her dream, she finally won everyone's recognition and made peace with everything.

That's what the ending was supposed to be! A savage, ironic satire!

Ding nei goh fai, you think that trash you wrote would've got funding like this without Nyamu's name value?

Who gives a shake about your funding? You've been kissing sponsors' asses for so long, you've forgotten how to make art!

Stories like this just don't come true! Ordinary people never just get the chance to step into the spotlight!

*Shangshu dialect* You don't know that because you're not from the countryside! Well, I am, and I know!

I'll show you, third-rate hack writer—

Guys, you could talk this out...

I've always wanted to strangle you for those garbage shots of yours, ri ni xian ren ban ban!

Puk gaai, you just see, you're the first one I kick out the door when I get rich!

Hello?? Can you not—?!

Hospital called. Director and scriptwriter got put in the same ward. In facing beds.

Both of them are in neck braces though, so all they do is stare at each other.

Still, this means we can't shoot for a while...

Well, I haven't had a proper break in a hot minute. I'd say this is a silver lining for me.

We'll contact you once we nail down an upcoming shoot schedule for you. Just be on standby until then.

(Mutters) Man, I don't know why, but that's a weight off my shoulders...

No, no, I can't relax yet—

Mom...?

Y'eat dinner yet, Nyamu? Y'all busy?

Sure I ate.

Us folks at home been having a great year for wheat. Out'n the fields afore sunup, harvestin' away till sundown.

What? Y'all don't listen when I tell ya, huh? Take it easy, slow down. Enjoy country livin'.

Jus' don't want you to go wearin' yourself too thin, sweetie. Y'get weary out there, come home and take a break.

Say, sweetie, whaddya wanna eat for the holidays? Me and Dad'll whip you up somethin'...

I ain't makin' it back for the holidays, c'mon! I'm always busiest when everyone else ain't...

That so...

(Distant voice) Mom, y'got Sis on the phone?

(Sound of running)

Sis! We saw the trailer for your new movie on TV!

Too bad there ain't any theaters around here. We wanna buy your tickets!

Heheh, hey, no sweat. I'll send y'all a copy when they print the discs!

Yay—!

You look so cool in the movie, playin' on the drums!

I'm startin' to learn drums too. Been usin' your old set to practice.

Betcha been gettin' mad crazy at the drums now, right? I wanna perform on stage one day just like you!

I... heheh, been a li'l busy lately, ain't had time to practice.

But I'm no slacker, no way! You'n me, let's knock 'em dead!

You bet! Okay, Mom's yellin' at us to go to bed. You sleep soon, Sis!

Y'all take care a'yerselves! Night!

G'night!

Miss Nyamu, the agency just received an offer for you from a major variety show.

Recording starts tomorrow at 8pm, and it's slated to run into the early morning. Are you available?

That's sudden, wouldn't you say...

Well... the other guest they're inviting on is Miss Sora. The idol girl.

She's about even with you in terms of fanbase, and she's well-regarded both inside and outside the industry.

It's a great opportunity for exposure, and I know the schedule's a little tight, but the agency would really love for you to be on the show...

......

Okay, tell them—Nyamu's looking forward to working with them all.

Great. That's a wrap for today, then.

Good night, Miss Nyamu. Sweet dreams.

(...Well, at least I'm getting sleep tonight.)

How many months since I practiced last...?

...Where'd my sticks go?

...Screw it. See what's on TV, then call it a day.

Hello to all my fans! Fresh new talent Nyamu here!

I just starred in The Drummer Girl, airing in theaters now! It's a super intriguing movie, and I hope you'll all see it on the big screen!

My dream's to be the best drummer in Lungmen—no, in all of Terra!

......

Come with Nyamu! Let's be the mes we wanna be~!

......

I've gotta leave some things behind sometimes. I'm a pro, that's what that means... I know that.