Could today possibly bring double blessings?
Some find sleep, while others lie awake through the night.
In Shen City, on the 88th floor of the Cloud Sky Hotel.
“Reputation ruined, the tide has turned against us!”
Zhang Mou stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of the presidential suite, his face clouded with bitterness.
The entire city’s dazzling nightscape stretched out beneath him.
Yet, he felt no triumphant thrill of sovereignty.
The premiere of "Tai Chi" had long concluded.
By tradition, he should now be toasting with the core creative team.
But the thought of the film’s dismal editing drained all his enthusiasm.
To be fair, the opening day box office wasn’t terrible.
Yet Zhang Mou knew this was but a fleeting glimmer, a last gasp before the grave.
“Sigh.”
He truly hadn’t expected this.
Wang Xingxing was merely a newcomer director, yet his influence in the star-studded sphere surpassed all anticipation.
Many of the film’s subtle nuances were his ideas.
Initially, when this kid debated with him, Zhang Mou had earnestly explained why it wouldn’t work.
Audiences could never embrace a protagonist that saintly.
After all, the lead bore a blood-deep vendetta.
How could he simply brush it aside so lightly?
At the very least, there must be a plausible explanation.
Otherwise, those weak-water refugees would just have to be eliminated.
After all, this aligned with the fantasy trope of “kill gods with gods, slay demons with demons.”
Hadn’t "Path of the Gu" amassed countless fanatic, even crazed, fans?
“Tai Chi” could have taken that path.
But who would have thought?
“A facade on the surface, a different story behind the scenes!”
Zhang Mou shook his head with a sigh.
It was impossible not to feel anger.
As one of Daxia’s most renowned directors, producing such a stinker as "Tai Chi" was beyond his expectations.
A deep sense of powerlessness washed over him.
Though the chief director, he wielded no absolute authority on set.
Moreover, filming was split across multiple locations simultaneously.
Despite overall directives, some assistant directors openly subverted the plans!
“Heh, the scheming falls squarely on me!”
He understood well enough that Xing Yao had hired him to direct "Tai Chi" merely to leverage his fame.
As for creative control?
Ha! Did he really have a say?
The one who pays holds the truth!
Would the client’s dignity be disregarded?
He admitted his momentary lapse—he had become a lackey of capital.
“The house is about to collapse! Just hope it doesn’t come crashing down too badly…”
Zhang Mou laughed bitterly.
He stood long before the window, lost in thought.
Things grow old when they prosper; the path of decline was inevitable, long before it arrived.
Perhaps his glory had run its course, and "Tai Chi" was merely the fuse?
Helplessness!
Being conned, yet forced to make excuses for others!
Ha! One need not drink to become intoxicated!
The heavier the dew, the harder it is to sleep!
In the capital, Park Fang hurried home.
He rushed straight to his laptop.
His heart surged with unspoken emotions.
He’d found a treasure!
Hands trembling, he booted up the computer.
As soon as the screen flickered on, he eagerly opened a document and began typing at once.
“The article is a natural masterpiece, a stroke of genius!”
In this moment of inspired creativity, he had to pour his thoughts out in one go.
“Tap tap tap!”
A few lines appeared on the screen:
[On the Breakthrough of Low-Budget Productions in Daxia’s Film Market—An Analysis of the Hidden Gem ‘Crazy Stone’!]
“Meow meow meow.”
Beside him, his cat kept rubbing against him incessantly.
Yet, for the first time, the devoted cat slave ignored his feline’s needs.
“Smack!”
The calico was swatted away.
“Meow meow meow!”
The cat’s whiskers twitched in irritation.
Ungrateful slave!
Learning to rebel now?
I sacrificed my sleep for your attention.
Betrayal! I might just poop in your coffee!
Hmph!
What mischief could a little cat harbor?
Just punishment for disobedience!
Park Fang buried himself before the screen, eyes sparkling like a CPU’s indicator light.
“Glug glug!”
He downed a cup of “cat poop coffee” in one gulp.
His fingers danced rapidly over the keyboard.
The night deepened.
The world dimmed, but Park Fang’s thoughts were remarkably clear.
“Tap tap tap!”
With the final decisive keystroke, the article was complete.
“Exhilarating!”
His mood soared as he nervously posted it across major platforms.
He had a premonition.
This piece would go viral.
But he could not foresee the storm it would unleash!
“So happy!”
He scooped up the calico cat, gave it a couple of affectionate pinches, then fell into a deep sleep.
The east faintly brightened.
Dawn arrived.
A new day had begun.
---
The first-day box office data for seven summer releases had long been posted on official sites.
At the top stood Zhang Mou’s "Tai Chi"!
Audience rating: 7.4.
Box office take: sixty million.
No wonder it was the reigning champion!
The gossiping public buzzed with news.
But the capital backers felt it was well deserved.
In second place was the imported film "Clown," directed by Tod Flanders!
Audience rating: 8.1.
Box office take: forty million.
Unexpectedly, the score was quite high.
Many bystanders were dumbfounded.
But seasoned cinephiles believed the ratings were manipulated.
“Clown” was profound in theme, lofty as the clouds.
Who had dared give it a low score?
Could the ideological constraints be loosened?
Always just hyping their own favorites, huh?
Be careful not to get fooled!
Third place was Li Duolu’s "To Youth!"
Audience rating: 7.8.
Box office take: twenty million.
The onlookers shrugged.
But loyal fans were satisfied.
After all, for such a niche subject, these results were commendable.
Moreover, it had outperformed imported titles.
A point of national pride, indeed!
Fourth place belonged to Kelly Marshall’s "Black Liquid"!
Audience rating: 7.3.
Box office take: twenty million.
The crowd was indifferent.
Veteran cinephiles remained zen.
Those who knew, knew.
No need for excess chatter.
The film was certainly good.
But the imagery was rather repugnant.
Who would pay to feel uneasy?
Heh heh.
Fifth and sixth places were held by the animated power duo: "Green Grassland" and "Bear Anling."
Usually, these would rank higher in summer.
But this time, “Tai Chi” had burst onto the scene.
Between pleasing themselves or the kids, parents chose the former.
Seventh place went to Qian Lang’s "Crazy Stone"!
The public was stunned.
Where on earth did this obscure flick come from?
Audience rating shockingly stood at 8.8!
Even surpassing “Tai Chi”?
Yet the box office was mere three hundred thousand.
Was this some kind of vote-rigging?
Wait, that name sounded familiar.
Ah, yes—Qian Lang, known across Daxia as the “Prince of Bad Films”!
Could his movie really be this highly rated?
Very strange indeed!
“No way! A flop film scoring 8.8?”
“I don’t buy it! Must be fake!”
“Heh, those who understand know the thirty-thousand box office is definitely inflated!”
Haters quickly joined the fray.
The internet was soon flooded with scorn and ridicule.
Of course, some viewers who had seen the film defended it.
But their numbers were too few.
They were swiftly drowned out.
“So frustrating! No right to speak without investigation! Have you even watched the film?”
“Following the crowd blindly! When will Daxia have true freedom of speech?”
“While all are drunk, I alone am sober!”
“Director Qian, keep going! We didn’t recognize you before, but now we support you!”
Many rallied to Qian Lang’s defense.
They especially hoped the young director could withstand this wave of public pressure.
Whose success came without failure?
Now that Director Qian had transformed, couldn’t they judge fairly and objectively?
It was maddening!
Why was the internet always such a mess?
Hmm?
This article is good!
[On the Breakthrough of Low-Budget Productions in Daxia’s Film Market—An Analysis of the Hidden Gem ‘Crazy Stone’!]
Yes, yes, yes!
Well written!
Penetrating and incisive!
A rare gem!
Likes, saves, shares—all in motion!
While the internet roared, Galaxy Pictures remained serenely calm.
“Ahem! Is everyone here?”
Chen Yuanyuan smiled warmly.
“I suppose you all know what good news the company has?”
“Yes!”
The response was thunderous.
Though “Crazy Stone” had only three hundred thousand on its first day, it boasted a stellar 8.8 audience score.
What did that mean?
The film was undoubtedly excellent!
It was foreseeable that in the month-long summer season, box office revenue would soar past one hundred million, just as Director Qian predicted!
Good news!
This was tremendous!
With this film, Galaxy Pictures would surely soar to great heights!
---
The conference room was packed.
Everyone was excited.
“Colleagues, our outstanding achievement is closely linked to President Pei’s wise leadership and Director Qian’s brilliant talent!
So, when they arrive, let’s express our sincerest admiration, shall we?”
Chen Yuanyuan spoke earnestly.
Blame the tight timing and her lack of management experience.
This was the simplest way she could think to express it.
“Good!”
Fortunately, everyone was on board.
“Hehe, I picked a lot of flower petals from the garden downstairs!
Here, everyone grab a handful.
When President Pei and Director Qian arrive, we’ll shower them with petals!
Create a festive atmosphere!”
Hao Han’s broad, honest face glowed with excitement.
“Good thinking, Hao Han!”
Chen Yuanyuan praised generously.
The team worked quickly.
The petals Hao Han had gathered in over an hour were handed out in seconds.
At that moment, Pei Duoduo approached the company, his steps light beneath the morning sun.
“Hey! Who did this?”
He always enjoyed a bit of nature’s fragrance daily.
Now, the flowerbed was bare—no vibrant roses in sight.
“I’ll catch you and make you pay!”
Pei Duoduo stood with hands on hips, face puffed up in annoyance.
“Good morning, President Pei!”
Qian Lang greeted him, but Pei didn’t even notice.
“What’s wrong, President Pei?”
Qian Lang was puzzled.
He stepped closer but saw nothing amiss.
“We have a flower thief!”
Pei Duoduo turned, expression stern.
“Ah?”
Qian Lang was dumbfounded.
“Let’s get to work.”
Pei Duoduo strode forward.
As big boss, he needed to project the image of a master strategist before the team.
That way, Qian Lang—the hidden dragon—would follow him loyally.
Hohoho! I truly possess the wisdom of a phoenix chick!
“Oh, alright.”
Qian Lang followed behind.
The two entered the company, one leading, one trailing.
“Surprise!”
A shower of petals rained down.
“Danger, assassin!”
Pei Duoduo shouted, spreading his arms like a giant protective umbrella.
Shielding Qian Lang behind him.
No one would harm my hidden dragon!
“President Pei, Director Qian, great news!”
Chen Yuanyuan burst from the crowd.
“Great news? What’s that?”
Pei Duoduo maintained his protective stance.
Chen Yuanyuan, like a cheerful magpie announcing glad tidings, chirped:
“President Pei, under your wise leadership, we unearthed a talent like Qian Lang.
Thanks to our team’s recent strategic efforts, ‘Crazy Stone’s’ first-day results dazzled everyone!”
Heh, the summary was flawless.
Every compliment earned was duly given!
“Yes! Yes!”
“Dazzling! Dazzling!”
The team’s voices rang out, surpassing even the fervor of a live-streaming audience.
They looked up with admiring eyes at their leader.
Hoping for the saintly word, “Well done, everyone.”
But it never came.
“What did you say?”
Pei Duoduo’s expression shifted strangely.
Then, he suddenly collapsed backward.
Before Qian Lang could react, a beauty caught him in her arms.
“President Pei, are you alright?”
He whispered softly.
“My head’s a bit dizzy. Help me to the office!”
Pei Duoduo’s eyelids fluttered.
He gritted his teeth.
What was going on?
Wasn’t this supposed to be a guaranteed flop?
Then what was this dazzling result?
Heaven and earth!
Pei Duoduo ached in his heart.
“Oh.”
Qian Lang nodded.
Ready to ask the team for help.
But to his surprise, the team froze like wooden statues.
After a brief pause, Chen Yuanyuan and Hao Han exchanged knowing smiles.
Hehe.
Could it be double good news today?
Then they covered their eyes shyly and ran off.
Hurry, don’t be a third wheel!
Suddenly, the others caught on and quickly scattered.
“Hey, don’t run away!”
Qian Lang was baffled.
Who would explain the situation to him?