Chapter 29: Sudden Fame and Troubles
Michelle, the owner of the cafe, was wiping the bar when a man walked in carrying a thick stack of books.
The person who came in was naturally Xiao Peng.
"Xiao, there's another pile of books today? What are the books about today?" Michelle asked curiously.
Xiao Peng placed the book on the table where he usually sat and replied, "It's a book about world hydrology and mechanical maintenance."
Michelle shook her head and said, "You read all kinds of books."
Xiao Peng smiled and said, "I only now understand the joy of reading. It would have been great if I had understood this when I was a child."
"Old rules?" Michelle asked.
Xiao Peng nodded. "Of course, but I'll still pay! I don't know how long I'll be here at this rate! There are so many books here! I'm almost embarrassed to drink free coffee like this every day!"
Michelle shook his head after hearing this. "No, no, no. I'm a man after all. I understand the principle of accepting defeat." He grinned and said, "Besides, I've already figured out how to get my money back."
"Oh?" Xiao Peng became interested. "What are you going to do? Don't tell me you're planning to get more fools to bet."
Michelle laughed heartily. "Even though it makes me upset that you called me a fool, who made you a monster? I'm not mad at you... Come, sit there, pick up a book and pretend to read. I'll take a picture of you! We'll take a few pictures together later!"
Xiao Peng was confused: "Are you okay? Did you fall off the bed and hit your head last night? Why are you taking pictures of me?"
Michelle pretended to be mysterious and said, "I already know who you are!"
"Huh?" Xiao Peng was horrified after hearing this and quickly said, "Those sex workers' parades have nothing to do with me!" He thought it was the reporters who came to tell Michelle about his identity, and he was already thinking about how to slip away.
Think about it, how could such explosive news as the "Sex Workers' March" not spread online? It would have surely caused a stir back home! Upon closer inspection, wow, the fundamental trigger for the Sex Workers' March was a Chinese person?
According to the nature of the Internet, within three days there will be a title party like "The story that a Chinese man and thousands of prostitutes have to tell"!
Xiao Peng, please have some dignity, okay?
But Michelle said cheerfully, "You are Xiao, the Chinese guy from 'Dancing with Sharks'... What 'sex' workers' parade are you talking about? The one in Marseille? What does it have to do with you?"
Xiao Peng waved his hands hurriedly: "It has nothing to do with anything!"
Michelle blinked: “Really not?”
"Really not!" Xiao Peng said righteously. Even if this happened, he could not admit it!
Michelle sighed, "Ah, when I saw the parade report on TV, I saw a girl in the parade. I was immediately captivated by her. She was the angel sent by God to save me! I even drove to Marseille to find her."
Xiao Peng's eyes widened in shock. "You're planning on pursuing her? Don't tell me you're planning on marrying a J-girl!"
Michelle's eyes widened after hearing this: "Marry a J girl? Are you crazy?"
Xiao Peng asked helplessly: "Then why did you go to see her? Could it be..."
Michelle nodded: "Of course it's for a romantic memory!"
Xiao Peng's face was filled with annoyance. If you were planning to go to PIAO, why didn't you just say so directly? And you made it so romantic? "Didn't you say she was an angel sent by God to save you?"
Michelle said seriously, "She doesn't think I'm unromantic, nor does she think I'm unfashionable. She certainly doesn't mind that I'm poor and live with my mother. She can bring me joy with just a little money. What else can a woman like this be but an angel?"
Xiao Peng felt tired after hearing this. He decided not to continue discussing this topic with Michelle. "What did you just say about 'Dancing with Sharks'? I didn't even know I had that title!"
Michelle looked at Xiao Peng, and after confirming he wasn't joking, her eyes widened. "You didn't know? Man, you're so famous now! Channel 5 aired a program featuring you dancing with a nurse shark and an interview with you! Kevin Costner became a legend when he won seven Oscars for Dances with Wolves, so people used the nickname 'Dances with Sharks' to describe you."
Xiao Peng understood what he had heard. It seemed that the Cousteau brothers' TV show had already aired. However, he did not believe Michel's words. He waved his hand and said, "Brother, stop it. How many people watch Channel 5? How can I be as popular as you say?"
France 5 is a science and education channel, so its ratings aren't very high! Xiao Peng thinks Michel's words are exaggerated. Just a few words in a documentary and you're going to become famous? You're overthinking "fame"!
Michelle pulled out her phone and swiped it while saying, "You're trending on Twitter!"
Xiao Peng was even more incredulous after hearing this: "Can you be more exaggerated? Even a documentary like 'The Cove' can't even become a trending topic on Twitter!"
The documentary "The Cove" released ten years ago was about the hunting of dolphins in Taiji Town, Japan. It won the Best Documentary Feature at the 82nd Academy Awards and caused a sensation worldwide.
Michelle's face was filled with black lines. "Was there a trending search on Twitter in 2009? Look! Is this you?"
Xiao Peng was shocked when he took the phone and saw that he was actually on the trending search on Twitter.
"How is this possible?" Xiao Peng suspected that he was seeing things. He rubbed his eyes to make sure he was not seeing things.
Michelle gave the answer: "In fact, the people from PAZ made a fuss about your report. They promoted you vigorously, which led to this result."
After hearing this, Xiao Peng cursed without thinking: "You bastard!"
Michelle patted Xiao Peng on the shoulder and said, "Xiao, this is your fate, face it calmly!"
Xiao Peng covered his face with his hands. "I wouldn't want to face such a fate even if they beat me to death! Aren't they roasting me on the stove? Damn it! If anyone from PAZ dares to come after me, I'll throw them out the window! I'd rather die than have anything to do with those lunatics!"
Michelle was shocked after hearing this and quickly said to Xiao Peng, "Hey, buddy! It's fine if we're just talking here between the two of us! If this gets out, I don't want to even close my café. I'm counting on this café to support me in my old age, with my wife and children! This is your own business, don't drag me down with it. Come on, Xiao, go back to your old seat, pick up your book and read it slowly! How many people want to be famous but can't! Accept it, this is your fate!"
Xiao Peng didn't know whether to laugh or cry after hearing this. He did want to be famous, but he really didn't want to have anything to do with PAZ!
Now, yellow mud is falling down my crotch - it's either shit or it's shit!
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