Chapter Forty-Eight: The Film "Looking Up"

Meanwhile, in the block east of Detroit’s First Avenue, the white hunting dog Vern spotted the stingy drinker Gore from the Environmentalists’ organization pushing open the door, accompanied by a somewhat unfamiliar handsome young man.

At this moment, the neon lights mounted on the buildings not far from the Ice Point Bar’s window began to flicker. The sleepless night of the chaotic city had arrived.

The next day, Su Wen woke up and checked his phone to find trending posts and hot searches on major video and news platforms. The most popular was an article from The Wall Street Journal reporting that the Detroit branch of the financial giant Lexington Group had filed for bankruptcy due to a commercial scandal.

This report sparked a huge response online. The Michigan state government issued an apology. Meanwhile, faced with the various pieces of evidence anonymously released by the hacker Miss Caroline, Lexington headquarters held an emergency press conference to urgently shirk responsibility, admitting that their lax supervision of the branch had caused the scandal.

Of course, for the American leftists, who already harbored distrust toward oligarchic enterprises and the federal government, Lexington had been imagined as a shadowy corporation poised to unleash a T-virus biochemical crisis.

At the same time, the collapse of Wall Street’s financial stream and the stock market clearly signaled everything. Under mounting pressure, the California state government announced it had launched an investigation into Lexington headquarters, though no progress had been made.

This also confirmed Detroit’s eligibility to apply for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 9 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code. After becoming the largest municipal bankruptcy in American history in 2013, Detroit became the first landmark case of anarchist resistance.

The Chronicle of Civilization faithfully recorded all this. The name “Rhine” became impossible to ignore in history, on The Wall Street Journal’s website, and across major video platforms.

Of course, Su Wen appeared only briefly in the videos. Regarding the hero’s sudden appearance and his seamless disappearance, along with his handsome and dashing silhouette, ninety-nine percent of the comments and bullet chats were extremely excited:

“Did you see the figure standing atop the burning building in the video?”

“Absolutely stunning!”

“Rhine is my husband.”

“That name matches the one mentioned in the Equal Rights Act news before.”

“Could it be that ‘Rhine’ is actually a top-secret operative codename within the Night Watch? Maybe many people share that name?”

“The Night Watch has not come forward to clarify.”

“It’s highly credible.”

“Regardless, if I were there, I’d probably answer his call too. Rhine’s charisma is truly overwhelming.”

Reading these comments, Su Wen, who prided himself on having a “correct self-awareness,” nodded approvingly and said, “These comments are fairly objective.”

He had only explained the cause and effect to the Night Watch. Since no one had come forward to clarify, that was fine.

Meanwhile, a film released under a familiar name premiered simultaneously on major video platforms:

“Look Up”

Publisher: Azure

The film’s plot follows a black boy living in a city on the edge of civilized order—Detroit. In his childhood, a fire broke out due to poor housing quality, severely burning his parents before they could escape. For wealthy families, survival might have been possible, but for those living in slums, the exorbitant medical expenses were unbearable.

After his parents’ death, the boy was adopted by an old man who ran a dilapidated auto repair shop behind which stood a small orphanage. In Detroit, kindness was a luxury, and luxuries were meant only for a few to enjoy. Five years later, the old man fell ill and died. The black boy grew up.

To repay debts, during a chance car repair, he encountered the Carnival Racing Team and later became a racer himself, even a former defending champion. His nickname finally evolved from “Big Guy,” “Dummy,” and “Rare Good Man” back to Grace Arnold.

Yet when all evidence of missing children at the orphanage pointed to Lexington, he was furious but powerless. A racing champion could do little.

Until this strong black man met the Night Watch. He saw what Detroit’s cry belonged to and understood that many like him either succumbed to the ever restless, noisy environment and became scoundrels or died unnoticed on lonely streets. There was a third choice.

Midway through the film, Driver No. 25 races his black car, streaked with blue light, across the finish line. The plot reaches its climax. Once the flames ignite, they never extinguish.

Until the once iconic Lexington Skyscraper collapsed overnight.

At the film’s end, Miss Caroline’s words at the Ice Point Bar became the closing lines:

“When we look up someday, the stars once reflected overhead have long been obscured by the clamor of heavy metal music and neon light pillars that never fade.”

“Now, after his appearance, the neon lights remain lit, but the starlight cannot be hidden either. To Detroit. Cheers.”

The film’s images faded to black.

Most comments were likes and recommendations:

“Is this film a supplement to The Wall Street Journal’s report?”

“The emotions really hit home.”

“Don’t know why, but stories from Azure always end happily yet leave such a deep impression.”

“Rhine is just too cool.”

“The Night Watch is truly great.”

“At the end of the 18th century, Detroit built many buildings and was called ‘The Paris of America,’ known as the ‘Gilded Age.’ Now, after this film’s release, maybe it can be called the ‘Look Up’ or ‘Burning Flame’ Era.”

After browsing through the film, Su Wen took from the fridge a cocktail he had made over the past few days using cheap raw materials. Then he gently tapped the window ledge, as if toasting with someone.

He smiled calmly and said, “Cheers.”

At that moment, a blue hyacinth by the window swayed, as if bringing the distant North Atlantic sea breeze into the room.

Su Wen took a sip of the cocktail, which tasted like blue tonic water. The flavor was indeed quite good.

At the same time, he received a message from Jiang Menghan:

“Even with your father’s guarantee, obtaining the extraordinary advancement materials only grants you the qualification; you must personally enter the relic. Have you chosen your departure date and destination?”

“The Pacific Polynesian region—Samoa Islands ‘Storm Cliff—Natural Relic.’ That’s my destination.”

Su Wen replied gently, “Don’t worry. With the Night Watch’s recommendation and the Spiritual Review Bureau’s certification letter, the visa will come through quickly. The flight is after the fifteenth.”