"You injected chicken blood or something? Why are you so fired up?"
Hearing Jing Yu's new project schedule left Cheng Lie completely stunned.
In his memory, Jing Yu had never worked this aggressively.
"It's only three films and two short projects—not five feature films at once. What are you panicking for?" Jing Yu said.
"Besides the two you just read—'Laputa: Castle in the Sky' and 'The Girl Who Leapt Through Time'—there's another called 'Your Name'. These three will be the company's main focus this year."
"Then what about the other two projects?" Cheng Lie asked.
"Something like my debut work 'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday'—I just felt like making them. I'm not expecting big profits, but at least they won't lose money."
In fact, when Jing Yu watched Makoto Shinkai's debut independent short 'Voices of a Distant Star' in his past life, it was after '5 Centimeters per Second' was already out. In Jing Yu's eyes, 'Voices of a Distant Star' was even stronger than '5 Centimeters', but it lacked fame purely because the animation quality was poor.
And now, the company had just finished working with major effects studios on 'Neon Genesis Evangelion'. The VFX team had experience with mecha-style action.
"You're not aiming to earn money—so why spend this much effort?" Cheng Lie asked.
"Hobby, obviously. Haven't you ever watched a show and imagined that if you were rich, you'd remake a great work with modern effects and pick actors you like? I have those fantasies all the time."
Hearing this, Cheng Lie paused, then stopped questioning.
"What about the budgets?"
"'Laputa: Castle in the Sky' and 'Your Name' will be the major investment films. The rest will be mid-budget."
Cheng Lie mentally calculated. Based on Jing Yu's usual tiered investments, he already had a sense. And the company had plenty of funds—production costs weren't an issue.
"Then hurry with the scripts. Casting for 'Fate/stay night' will begin in a few days. We can screen movie actors at the same time."
They discussed the matter for a while before Cheng Lie left.
Jing Yu was fast, but Cheng Lie was even faster.
Although he didn't leak anything, internal staff movement made many employees suspect something.
Is Cheng Lie contacting people across the industry so urgently?
That could only mean one thing—
The boss must be preparing major new works.
A few days later, Episode 3 of 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' aired.
By now, viewers had largely understood the show's narrative pattern.
It felt similar to 'Natsume's Book of Friends'.
There, each episode introduced a different yokai and connected their story with Reiko, the yokai, and Natsume.
In 'Neon Genesis Evangelion', each episode seemed to revolve around defeating a new Angel. Of course, the battles were the key spectacle…
But the real core was the protagonist's growth.
He was immature at the beginning, and even by Episode 3, he still was. But all his flaws could be traced back to his irresponsible father.
Every episode, he improved a little.
And that growth—raw and painfully realistic—was the real highlight.
Because it was too real.
Over 90% of people shared Shinji's flaws.
The reason he was so hated was simply that viewers saw too much of themselves in him.
Episode 3 focused on defeating the Fifth Angel—but everyone could tell the Angel was just a tool.
The main plot was Shinji and Ayanami Rei's interaction.
One was a boy who never received love from his father.
The other was a mysterious girl whom Ikari Gendo saved at any cost, even risking his own life.
Viewers could not understand Ikari Gendo at all.
He ignored his own son… but cherished Rei?
Was he a creep?
Many viewers—especially men—felt uncomfortable.
But the joint-battle scenes between Rei and Shinji in Episode 3 kept viewers excited.
"You won't die. I will protect you."
Though it was assigned tactical cooperation—Rei piloting Unit-00 to guard Shinji—the delivery of the line…
Just like in Jing Yu's previous life, the cold beauty's charm spread naturally.
Even when Shinji accidentally barged into her room and saw her undressed, her expression didn't change—
as calm and doll-like as ever.
Yet in front of Ikari Gendo, she showed inexplicable trust and even a peaceful expression.
When she heard Shinji insulting his father, she slapped him.
But after receiving mission orders, she showed the resolve to carry out her duty even at the cost of her life.
In just half an hour, viewer interest in Rei skyrocketed.
"Xia Yining is really amazing playing this character. The presence is insane."
"Must be miserable being the protagonist. His dad doesn't care—gives him a 'die if you want, whatever' face. But when he faces Rei, that old man actually smiles."
"I don't think Rei is bad. She just cares about Shinji's dad. Everyone else is invisible to her."
"Xia Yining is killing this role. I feel bad for her character already."
"There's barely any action this episode. Isn't Shinji essentially busy flirting the whole time?"
"I swear, if Jing Yu just made Shinji a little more decisive, ratings would rise 1% easily!"
"Who knows—maybe Shinji will have some big twist later. Right now he's frustrating, but the heroine is VERY interesting."
By now, viewers were used to roasting Shinji daily.
He was pitiful, yes—
But his actions made him frustrating.
"This time, we might die," Shinji said.
"Why do you say that? You won't die. I will protect you."
This exchange gave long-time Jing Yu fans a strong sense of déjà vu.
Because in the live-action 'Rurouni Kenshin', also starring Jing Yu and Xia Yining, there was a very similar scene—
Kenshin tells Yukishiro with heartfelt sincerity:
"I will protect you."
Now in 'Evangelion', Rei's calm voice carried a determination that transcended coldness.
"You're strong, Ayanami," Shinji said with envy.
"Other than this, I have nothing," Rei answered quietly.
"It's time. Let's go. Goodbye."
The visual effects, the atmosphere, and the breathtaking scene—
the two standing beneath a moon that filled half the sky—
created a picture-perfect pre-battle moment.
Under the moonlight, Rei stood in her white plugsuit, blue hair drifting, crimson eyes fearless.
That unshakable calm captured viewers completely.
So cool.
This heroine… wasn't she ten times cooler than the male lead?
Their nighttime battle was next—
Shinji fired the giant rifle while Rei shielded him with Unit-00's barrier.
But as everyone predicted, Shinji missed the first shot.
A deadly blank.
The Angel counterattacked Unit-01.
At the critical moment, Rei lifted her shield and stood before Shinji.
The energy beam melted Unit-00's armor; the entry plug was nearly destroyed.
But she didn't retreat.
Shinji's second shot hit, penetrating the Angel.
He immediately exited Unit-01 and tore open the burning hatch of Rei's cockpit—
just as his father once saved her.
"Don't say you have nothing."
Seeing Rei still alive, Shinji nearly cried.
He stared at her forced smile—and tears burst out.
"You shouldn't say sad things like goodbye at a time like this."
"Why are you crying?"
"I… I don't know what expression I'm supposed to use right now, facing you."
Seeing Shinji's hands covered in burns from opening her cockpit, Rei's expression grew less cold.
Who else lacked a place in this world besides Shinji?
Rei was the same—
always alone at school, no friends, no one caring for her.
Her only warmth came from Ikari Gendo, the one who once risked everything to save her.
But now, there was Shinji.
"Just smile."
At that moment, three episodes' worth of character buildup erupted inside the viewers' hearts.
Rei's eyes softened, and slowly… slowly…
She smiled.
For this shot, Jing Yu used special filters and lighting—
And the moment she smiled, Rei's beauty and aura multiplied before the viewers' eyes.
Countless viewers were stunned.
In Jing Yu's past life, this was the legendary EVA scene—
Rei Ayanami's unforgettable smile.
The cold beauty who never showed emotion…
who didn't panic even when Shinji saw her naked…
who remained fearless before death…
smiled—
to him.
All the emotional buildup exploded in that one instant.
As the ending theme played…
Many viewers were still frozen in that smile.
Did this episode have major plot progression?
…Not really.
But it moved people.
The protagonist improved.
And Rei—
Her popularity skyrocketed.
This character left viewers utterly fascinated.