On the screen—
Bella's face became hard to hold together because of her friend's idiotic behavior, and the corner of her mouth twitched.
Below the screen—
the audience members, on the other hand, were amused by the groundhog Atu's stupid behavior and burst into laughter while clutching their stomachs.
"Oh—my God—this groundhog called Atu is also so cute—"
"So Atu's character setting in the movie is basically the comic relief, right? She comes in and immediately drops dead?"
"I think so! Maybe the meaning of her existence is to be the mood-maker of the team—she can bring us joy—and her image fits her character too! Chubby! Looks stupid! Doesn't she?"
"Yeah~ yeah~ yeah~ I think so too~"
Amid the lively discussion, the world on the screen also changed.
The voiceover that had disappeared because of Atu's appearance emerged again after Atu collapsed.
Bella continued introducing her "interesting self" to the audience through narration.
"As you can see, whenever Atu appears, I stop liking my talent."
"Although she also likes food, especially tasting it, her spirit of adventure is clearly stronger than mine."
"Whenever she encounters something she's never seen before, she always wants to take a bite."
"If it were only that, then it would be fine."
"What makes me most helpless is that she always treats me as a food quality inspector and asks me to help her judge whether the new food she found is edible."
"At first, I was very willing to help her identify things."
"Because we're friends."
"Her adventures sometimes bring me novel ingredients too."
"But now, I'm already very unwilling to help her with this."
"Because—"
"Bu—"
"Ou—"
Just like the handling in the previous section, the appearance of the voiceover meant that the movie on the screen had once again entered a dual-track narrative mode where sound and image were separated.
Bella used words to tell the audience about her helplessness while also using practical actions to rescue the already stiffened groundhog Atu. After all, her heart was kind, so there was no way she could watch her good friend die.
However, just as Bella used all the strength she had to drag Atu to the riverside, wanting to perform an induced-vomiting treatment on her, no matter what she did, she couldn't insert the tube into Atu's mouth.
So, after her temper rose, Bella struck Atu's large stomach.
Then—
Atu's mouth still didn't move at all.
But the miasma in Atu's belly was directly "nuked" out by Bella.
And this "coming out" didn't go through the top, but through the bottom.
The moment the yellow miasma appeared, the audience before the screen immediately understood why Bella hated her superpower when facing Atu!
Because no one could withstand fifty-times-strength toxic-gas pollution!
The way she looked like she was about to faint made everyone in the theater burst into laughter!
It also brought a new change to the story on the screen—
When dragging Atu to the riverbank, in order to make her more comfortable, Bella had leaned her against a small mound of dirt by the river.
At first glance, any normal person wouldn't notice anything unusual.
But when Bella, who was about to be knocked unconscious by the stinky fart, angrily hammered the little mound Atu was leaning against—
"Rumble—"
The small mound moved!
It shook its body!
It sat up!
"What~~~ are~~~ you~~~ doing~~~"
The dazed figure made a sound like Brother Ji!
Ah, pui—
It gave off the slowness of Flash from Zootopia!
The moment that slow voice appeared, the punchable feeling came out.
That "take it easy and crack some sunflower seeds before dealing with anything" manner made Bella want to roll up her sleeves and slap him wildly.
But perhaps hitting people wasn't very ladylike?
Or perhaps Atu would be completely done for if she wasn't treated.
In any case, after seeing that her good friend had woken up, Bella suddenly waved her hand, pointed at the idiot lying on the ground, and said, "Api! Atu poisoned herself again. Save her. Once you save her, tonight's dinner will begin."
"Tonight we're having pan-seared beans."
After learning that Bella had woken him up only because she wanted him to save someone, Api's cloudy eyes had not a shred of emotion in them. If one had to describe him, at that moment he was a killer without feelings.
He wanted nothing more than to put a donut around his neck and keep sleeping.
But when Bella said that tonight's dinner had beans—
"Snap."
The killer without feelings came alive!
He was about to kill!
He glanced at Atu lying on the ground, then stood up with a "hwoosh."
He raised his front limbs!
Lifted his body!
Aimed at the target!
And pressed down violently!
The moment that mountain-crushing momentum appeared, the image on the screen immediately cut.
A bird's-eye shot descending from above included all three figures lying by the river.
Of course, the one in the middle was naturally the current protagonist, Atu.
The instant Api pressed down on her, Atu, whose face had been peaceful, instantly opened her eyes!
As if she'd suffered a critical hit, her eyes immediately became bloodshot! Her pupils were filled with endless disbelief!
At the same time, her mouth instinctively opened.
"Loq—"
The moment a crisp sound like a wine bottle being uncorked appeared, the mushroom she'd swallowed earlier shot straight into the sky!
The next second, the camera on the screen flipped again!
It aimed at the night sky, capturing the mushroom.
The mushroom, which almost seemed to be rushing toward the universe, made everyone feel Api's strength!
And just as everyone who'd inserted themselves into Atu's position tightened their buttocks and felt that she'd been deeply injured, Atu, who'd regained consciousness, again made a slow sound:
"Bella~~~ why do I feel like I saw my great-grandmother again~~~ this mushroom really is delicious."
"Hahahahaha—this Atu really is a comedian—even after all that, she's still thinking about the mushroom."
"Oh! My! God! Atu is really too cute—"
"The newly appeared capybara is cute too! What's his name? Api, right? Before he appeared, I didn't even notice him at all! He just somehow grew up from the ground! This really is too cool, too cool, too cool!"
"Right, right, right! Api's way of speaking is funny too! So slow! He has this dumb, simple feeling!"
"And this guy is obviously a foodie and a lazybones, right? His good friend is about to die? But what does that have to do with him? That absolutely can't disturb his sleep! But the moment he heard there was food—wow~ wow~ wow~ his eyes lit up faster than anyone's!"
"My God—these little animals are way too fun—this movie is basically a comedy!"
"As expected, there isn't a single bad movie related to Isabella! It's only just started, and I've already laughed twice!"
The praise and joy in the screening room made Isabella, who was sitting in the front row, very happy.
This wasn't only because The God of Cookery's results were related to her future business layout. If The God of Cookery flopped, then her entertainment career would suffer a huge blow.
It was also because she actually quite liked the beaver, groundhog, and capybara she'd created. Although she, who'd already become capital, now had only business in her heart and only profit in her eyes, she still hoped that the little fellows she'd put together could possess a different kind of life. This hope—
was relatively pure.
And judging from the current situation—
"Chris, what do you think of this opening?"
Isabella turned sideways and nudged Chris Columbus beside her.
Mm.
Because Isabella wasn't considered a member of the main creative team, today she didn't sit in the very front of the cinema. Instead, she nestled in the guest seats.
Of course, this also had something to do with the fact that the best viewing seats in any theater were in the middle.
Previously, when attending premieres for films she'd acted in, Isabella's seat had always been at the very front of the theater. That angle, where she needed to raise her head slightly to take in the full picture, made her very uncomfortable. So today—
she finally sat in the optimal seat she liked.
And to her left were her own people: Chris Columbus, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas—
To her right were J.K. Rowling, Robert Iger, Steve Jobs—
Facing her question, Chris Columbus, who'd been watching the film seriously the whole time, nodded and praised it. "A very excellent opening. In just a few minutes, it's already used three small incidents to show the personality traits of the three main characters."
"This is very strong characterization."
Chris Columbus's praise made Isabella's eyes curve into a smile. And just as she nodded slightly, Steven Spielberg beside Chris Columbus suddenly leaned his head over and asked in a low voice, "Did you write this plot yourself?"
"Uh—not exactly—"
Isabella paused for a second, then gave her answer.
"Not exactly? Is that because Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois changed your script?"
"Mm? How did you know?"
"Because their two narrative styles are very classic. They both like using toilet humor," Chris Columbus answered on behalf of his teacher. "Mushu, the lucky cricket, and Little Brother in Mulan were all created by them."
"When Mushu can cross his legs and read a newspaper in Mulan, and the lucky cricket can lean back in a teacup and take a bath, then the scene where Bella gets knocked out by a fart must have been made by them, because you're—rather ladylike, right? Isa?"
Chris Columbus winked at Isabella.
Isabella laughed and nodded.
That's right!
The reason Isabella wasn't really considered part of The God of Cookery's main creative team was mainly because the final presentation of The God of Cookery was already vastly different from the story she'd originally designed.
As for where the specific difference was?
Previously, the story Isabella had imagined was like this:
In a world where humans and animals lived in harmony, there was a beaver who loved food very much. Her lifelong dream was to become a world-class chef and win the world championship of the God of Cookery Competition, which had been held since the Middle Ages.
But because Britain was recognized by the world as a culinary desert, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't achieve success.
After this fact appeared, Bella embarked on the road of seeking masters and learning skills.
After going through many setbacks, she successfully realized her dream.
At first glance, there was nothing wrong with this story.
It was the most standardized Hollywood dream-chasing journey.
But when Chris Sanders, the designer of Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, and Mulan, and director of Lilo & Stitch, and Dean DeBlois, the screenwriter of Mulan and also the director of Lilo & Stitch, saw this story, they immediately said that anyone could make this story, except Isabella.
The reason was also very simple.
That was because the current her had the royal family behind her.
There was no such thing as free speech in this world.
Your position determines your stance.
So, even if "Britain is a culinary desert" was something everyone knew and something people around the world recognized, Isabella still couldn't directly express it or diss it in the movie.
Nor could she abandon British cuisine and embrace French cuisine.
Don't think this was making a mountain out of a molehill.
Since its birth, film had never been, and could never become, a single independent narrative entity.
All tools with promotional attributes served power!
Precisely because of this, revision was inevitable!
And the revised story—
After Atu let out an earth-shaking shout, the voiceover appeared again.
This time, Bella introduced Api to the audience. She said Api was one of her best friends.
"The three things Api usually loves doing most are eating, bathing, and sleeping."
"Eating, bathing, and sleeping in the physical sense."
At the same time, the shot on the screen returned to the previous tavern restaurant.
The three fellows sat around a table, enjoying today's dinner.
Bella's dining posture was very ladylike. Atu looked like a country bumpkin at first glance. As for Api?
His only defining trait was crazily slurping up beans with "huff, huff, huff."
And the way he treated beans like noodles and sucked them up made him look unbearably cute.
The restaurant's television was broadcasting today's news:
"The 118th World God of Cookery Competition officially concluded yesterday in Paris, France—"
"French chef Paul Auguste, competing on home soil, lifted the 38th God of Cookery trophy for his country—"
"This result means that French cuisine has once again received worldwide recognition. France is a globally recognized holy land of cuisine—"
"Then, after a drawing of lots, the next competition, the 119th World God of Cookery Competition, will be held in London, Britain—"
"Although many people have always jokingly called Britain a culinary desert, since the World God of Cookery Competition officially began, British cuisine has still received recognition from many people around the world. So far, Britain has also lifted the trophy in three God of Cookery Competitions. Moreover, Britain currently still has a living God of Cookery, Gordon, who owns Hell's Kitchen—"
"We hope that three months from now, after the World God of Cookery Competition begins in Britain, British chefs can perform well—"
The flowing broadcast attracted Bella's attention.
Her friend's focus on the news also made the newly revived Atu open the chatterbox.
"Darling, do you want to take part in the God of Cookery Competition?"
"Mm."
"Oh~ I think your idea is great~ You can give it a try! Because the food you make is delicious."
"Really?"
"Of course! If you don't believe me, ask Api—Api? Api!"
Atu supported Bella entering the competition.
But Bella was somewhat lacking in confidence.
This made Atu want to pull Api in to encourage Bella together.
However, the moment Atu threw out the question, she discovered that Api had been seriously eating the entire time!
He hadn't paid any attention to their small talk at all!
This fact nearly made Atu die from anger!
Seeing that calling him produced no result, Atu immediately clenched her sandbag-sized fist and punched Api.
With a "duang—" sound, a water-ripple-like pattern spread across Api's heavy body.
The sudden vibration made Api abruptly raise his head.
He blankly glanced at Atu, then looked at Bella, and the two little tufts on his head trembled like butterfly wings.
"What~~~ are~~~ you~~~ doing~~~"
That reaction made Atu so angry she didn't know where to begin.
Clenching both hands tightly and forcibly holding back the urge to beat Api up, she repeated her words.
"I'm asking you whether Bella's food is delicious."
"Mm~~~"
"Do you think Bella has the ability to take part in the God of Cookery Competition?"
The slow reply looked perfunctory no matter how one looked at it.
But Atu knew that this was already Api showing great sincerity.
Precisely because of this, after gaining his approval, she immediately turned her head, raised a smile, and frantically winked at Bella.
Her meaning was very clear, and that was—
See? I was right, wasn't I?
"Mm~~~"
The amusing interaction between her friends made Bella laugh. "Okay, okay, since you all support me so much—"
"Then I'll give it a try!"
"If I really become the God of Cookery—wow~ then maybe I'll become the pride of Britain, just like old John said~"
"Snap."
The moment Bella raised her smile, a shutter-like special effect suddenly appeared, and the image on the screen immediately froze.
Like a displayed photograph, the frozen world was filled with the warmth of memory.
Then lively music jumped out, and Bella and the others began packing their luggage and saying goodbye to the villagers.
Mm.
The pacing of animated films was just this fast.
Only ten minutes had passed, and the largest goal of the entire film had already been set.
And honestly speaking, The God of Cookery on the screen was somewhat rushed when establishing its final goal.
But—
all animated films could weaken logic.
Like Finding Nemo. Nemo and his father's separation was simply him getting caught by humans a little over ten minutes into the opening.
It was that simple.
After a relaxed but not easy transition—relaxed referred to the cheerful atmosphere, while not easy referred to the three of them encountering a pile of small troubles on the road, such as storms and thunderstorms. This was also a common transition in animated films. If they didn't create some trouble, how else could the production team show that their technique was excellent and that the protagonist group had a bumpy journey?
The trio arrived at the registration location for the God of Cookery Competition. The prosperity of the big city amazed two of the trio. The one who wasn't amazed was naturally Api. After a brief stroll, the three met with the staff of the God of Cookery Competition. Then they learned that not just anyone could enter the competition. All contestants first had to pass the organizing committee's assessment. Only those who met the standard could compete.
So Bella decisively took part in the audition.
After a burst of busyness, she used ingredients from her hometown to make a dish called Misty Forest Trilogy for the judges.
They were:
Appetizer: black truffle cream mushroom soup.
Main course: fish and chips.
Dessert: raspberry sorbet.
When serving these three dishes, Bella's face was full of confidence, because these were the villagers' favorites!
But when a bald judge saw her work—
"Interesting—pet food."
The thin judge pushed up the gold-rimmed glasses on the bridge of his nose, pinched his fork with an affected gesture, and commented pretentiously: "Contestant, thank you for coming to take part in the God of Cookery Competition, but you clearly don't understand the true meaning of cooking."
"True cooking requires cultural depth, not—fish and chips that can be found everywhere on the street."
"I'm sorry, you didn't pass the audition."
"Boom—"
Bella's smile froze on her face.