Release of "The Garden of Sinners"
Most movies in the country are released on weekends, a day before the weekend rest. This timing not only attracts viewers looking to relax after a week of work but also allows cinemas to gauge ticket sales as a warm-up.
Wanjia Cinema in Poetry City was no exception.
Li Yun stood at the ticket counter, staring at the screen displaying the movie titles, lost in thought. He was a movie enthusiast but also someone who had difficulty making decisions. On regular days, it wasn't a problem, but during the summer and New Year's holiday seasons, he always found himself in a dilemma. There were just too many good movies released during these periods, and he didn't know which one to choose. If he could, he would watch them all, but unfortunately, his funds were limited.
"Hmm..." As he rubbed his chin, a conversation between a man and the ticket clerk caught his attention.
"One ticket for 'The Garden of Sinners,' please," the man said, taking out his phone to scan the QR code.
"You again?" The pretty ticket clerk paused as she recognized the young man in front of her.
She remembered him because he had watched a show in the morning, came back in the afternoon for another, and now he was back again for a third viewing of "The Garden of Sinners."
"Oh, don't mention it," the man waved his hand, his tone a mix of frustration and determination. "I was discussing the lore online and couldn't out-argue someone. So I'm back for a third viewing. I refuse to believe anyone understands 'The Garden of Sinners' better than I do!"
He waved his notebook, clearly intending to take notes while watching.
"..." The ticket clerk was at a loss for words. In her year of working there, she had never seen such a passionate movie fan. Seeing the movie three times just because he lost an online argument? One movie ticket might not be much, but three tickets added up.
Watching the man enter the theater, Li Yun rubbed his chin and took out his phone to search for information on "The Garden of Sinners."
"Hmm? Produced by Picca Comics? The Porter? That sounds familiar... Oh, he's the creator of 'Your Name'!" Li Yun quickly remembered and showed a spark of interest.
He had seen "Your Name" and was indeed impressed. The comet scene, in particular, was beautifully crafted.
"Hope this one surprises me too," he thought, buying a ticket for "The Garden of Sinners."
Entering the screening room, Li Yun noticed there weren't many empty seats left, which surprised him given that this was a small, relatively unknown theater.
"Why are there so many people here today?" He muttered as he found his seat.
"Because the cinemas owned by the five major groups aren't showing 'The Garden of Sinners,'" a voice next to him said.
Surprised, Li Yun turned to see the man from earlier, the three-time viewer. "Oh, I see."
Li Yun nodded, intending to ask the man for his impressions when the film started. The audience stopped chatting and focused on the screen with anticipation.
Unlike the original "The Garden of Sinners" movie series, which had eight episodes and a mixed-up timeline, Ren combined elements to ensure clarity and continuity, making the story easier to follow without losing essential content.
The film began on a rainy night. A short-haired girl in a red hanfu walked aimlessly through the rain, her eyes empty and lifeless, reminiscent of a girl who had been broken in some unspeakable way.
She wandered the streets like a living corpse. Suddenly, a car's headlights illuminated her frail body. Instead of avoiding the oncoming vehicle, she wore a look of relief.
"What's going on? Isn't she the main character?" Li Yun thought, recalling the poster he had seen earlier. He clearly remembered the girl at the center of the poster. Was the main character gone right at the start? Could this be a story told in reverse?
As Li Yun pondered, the scene shifted to an ambulance rushing the girl to a hospital. The girl remained in a coma, but occasional flashes showed her nude body in an unknown place. One day, she awoke to find black lines crisscrossing her vision. Curious, she touched a flower in a vase by her bed, causing it to wither and break apart, and she fainted again.
When she awoke, her eyes were bandaged. A woman named Aozaki came to visit her, explaining the nature of her eyes—Mystic Eyes of Death Perception.
Despite seeing the flower wither, Li Yun didn't fully grasp the power of these eyes. However, Aozaki's comment intrigued him: "You must have realized you are now all alone."
An average viewer might think the girl's suicide attempt stemmed from family issues, leaving her feeling isolated. But Li Yun, a seasoned moviegoer, sensed there was more to this story.
----------
For 10 advance chapters: patreon.com/angelictranslating