The only sun in Huayu

Chapter 86 I Don't Eat Beef! (8k4)

Han Sanping wasn't the only one having trouble sleeping.

"Ten million?! Ten million! Holy crap, Shen Shandeng, that's incredible!"

Fan Bingbing was so overjoyed that she lost her composure.

"Did you hear that? Ten million!!"

Fan Bingbing grabbed her assistant's arm, her voice rising with excitement.

"Broken! Set a new record for the highest-grossing opening weekend for a domestic film this year! It even broke the opening weekend record for 'The Creation'! It broke ten million on Thursday!!"

She jumped up, swinging her fists wildly, completely unaware that her slippers were flying off.

The assistant covered her mouth, tears silently streaming down her face: "Sister Bingbing, we...we really did it!"

During this period, she knew best the pressure Fan Bingbing was under, as she was practically carrying the entire studio forward on her own.

At the beginning of the year, she left Huayi Brothers and the protection of the giant, and her start to start her own business was not smooth.

The controversial film "Apple" failed to win any awards at the Berlin Film Festival, and its domestic release is still a long way off.

Public pressure and career uncertainty made her feel like she was walking on thin ice. At a crossroads in her life, the success of "The Eunuch" was a timely boon.

Fan Bingbing's eyes also reddened, and her shoulders trembled violently uncontrollably.

Based on her past habits, she would definitely seek out a powerful figure to rely on at such times, but Shen Shandeng's words have come true time and again.

Fan Bingbing was also worried that starting her own business this time might be just as difficult as joining Huayi back then.

Therefore, she remained undecided about the Taiwanese people who had contacted her, waiting for the results from Apple Daily and The Du Gong.

She needed more leverage, and she placed her greatest hopes on "The Eunuch".

The film did not disappoint her, nor did Shen Shandeng.

The character "Xu Zhicui" appeared precisely when she needed it most, and succeeded when she needed it most.

She was no longer a beautiful but empty vase, but a resilient, growing, and emotionally supportive palace maid.

From silently enduring difficulties to receiving Chen Mo's "betrothal gift" and becoming the envy of everyone, and then to becoming independent and even assisting in investigations after being transferred to a post outside the capital.

Shen Shandeng is also very good at photographing women. Not only are his photos beautiful, but his works are also highly completed and have been a great box office success!

Although Xu Zhicui doesn't have many scenes, she has a complete character arc, showing the subtle transformation from dependence to independence.

Especially her initial appearance, and the scene where she swallows the "vinegar-cooked rice" offered by the soldier during her incognito visit, which made many viewers recognize her acting skills during the roadshow.

A successful commercial film is extremely important to her!
This also made Fan Bingbing truly realize that success can be achieved without taking risks or relying on controversial hype to grab attention!

It felt like a ray of light had shone into my heart.

"Director Shen is taking a break." The assistant noticed that Bingbing had a fever and quickly reminded her.

"You have such a great attitude."

Fan Bingbing couldn't help but sigh, as she seemed to have never seen Shen Shandeng hesitate before; he had been wild from the very first time they met.

As she thought about it, her hand unconsciously reached down, trying to recreate the scene of their first meeting.

I was a little angry at the time, but now when I think back on it, it feels kind of sweet.

The success of "The Eunuch" made this sweetness even sweeter.

"Yes, it broke ten million on the first day, according to data from China Film Group."

After receiving a text message from the distribution manager, Chen Kun suppressed his excitement, spoke with Li Xiaowan on the phone, and then shared the good news with several friends.

It was already 1:30 a.m., and despite being exhausted from the day, he was wide awake.

He never imagined the movie would achieve this level of success!

I thought the script was good when I first read it, but I never imagined it would be this good. The director's work was excellent, the post-production was superb, China Film Group provided full support, and the marketing was brilliant, resulting in such amazing success.

Before its release, there were constant doubts, with mainland actors being criticized for not being able to carry the box office, lacking audience appeal, and having no star power.
Chen Kun started to doubt himself after hearing that.

Now? Based on the opening day results and the current momentum, Li Xiaowan and Zhou Xun both believe that the film will definitely break 100 million yuan.

The leading man in a movie that grossed 100 million!
This is enough to completely shed the label of "only being able to act in idol dramas" and truly stand at the top of the Chinese film pyramid.

Wu Jing, in the next room, also looked ecstatic.

When Shen Shandeng approached him, he not only readily accepted the role of Lu Bing, the loyal and passionate second male lead in the Imperial Guard, but also threw himself into the role with an almost desperate attitude.

He not only agreed to serve as action director, producer, and action choreographer, but also did not take any payment. Instead, he invested almost all of his savings into the production.

As someone who was involved in the entire process and staked everything on it, he knew that "The Eunuch" was definitely not bad. Shen Shandeng understood the ways of commercial films; he not only knew how to shoot, but also how to market.

But the 10 million sales on the first day still far exceeded his expectations!

The box office revenue in a single day alone exceeded the total box office revenue of many of his previous films over their entire run.

What's even more amazing is that the story of "The Eunuch" resonated inexplicably with his real-life situation.

In reality, his "gambler-like" actions were not well-received by anyone, but he believed in Shen Shandeng.

In the movie, Lu Bing's line, "Swords may break my bones, but my indomitable spirit cannot be taken away!" seems to be his own declaration.

The film's success brought more than just the joy of making money; more importantly, it gave Wu Jing a greater sense of psychological identification and a profound emotional experience he had never had during his time working in Hong Kong action films.

"Let's go on a roadshow!"

Huang Xiaoming confirmed the news and made a decision immediately.

The agent advised, "You're not the lead actor, and you don't have many scenes. 'The Eunuch' is currently competing with 'The Sinner,' and it previously featured a mainland cast. If you go there, you'll definitely offend people. You're the top leading man in mainland China, and the Hong Kong entertainment circle recognizes that."

"Why do they recognize me?" Huang Xiaoming, having shed his good-natured demeanor, sneered, "In the end, isn't it just because I'm good at handling things and don't touch their core resources?"

"If I go into acting and establish myself in the film industry, will they still recognize me?"

Huang Xiaoming has made up his mind; it's not an impulsive decision, but a well-considered one.

He had already inquired about feedback during the day and received nothing but praise.

Although Emperor Jiajing's role in "The Eunuch" is small, he exudes an imposing aura every time he appears.

Huang Xiaoming portrayed a young, sharp, and determined emperor.

Whether it was the resounding words during the Great Rites Controversy, "Amidst the clamor of wind and rain, how can we defy the grand principles of human ethics and filial piety? Though I am young, I still possess some ambition!", or the imperial strategies he devised in the deep palace later on.

This is his comfort zone.

Huang Xiaoming was considering the possibility of a "Jiajing Trilogy" and planned to contact Chen Daoming the next morning. Chen Daoming was also a major character in the first part, so they could work together.

He wants to be a leading man whose film grosses over 10 million yuan on a weekday!
He's a movie star, the lead actor in blockbuster commercial films!
If he hadn't competed at this point, he wouldn't have reached the position of "top leading man".

Some are happy and some are sad.

The team behind "The Eunuch" is not the only one waiting to see the opening day box office results.

In contrast to the inspiring scene surrounding "The Eunuch," the producers of "The Sinner" are currently shrouded in gloom.

Hong Kong Island.

The key figures of the "Creation" team, James Shams, Jiang Zhiqiang, and Paperclip, were all staring and waiting for the phone call.

Jiang Zhiqiang had no time to comfort Tang Wei; he was too preoccupied with his own problems to handle the situation.

"How much?! A weekday, Thursday, more than ten million in box office revenue in a single day?"

"How could the box office reach over ten million on just an ordinary Thursday?"

The news came around 2 a.m.

The three men stared at the first day's results of "The Supervisor" in silence for a long time; the room was deathly quiet.

silent.

Jiang Zhiqiang's eyes were bloodshot and red; he hadn't slept soundly for the past few days.

At that moment, I was completely stunned, terrified, and still a little scared and fearful.
I'm so regretful, I regret not crying even harder at the press conference.

They secretly rejoiced that they were sensible enough to pull the film from theaters.

Damn, over ten million on a Thursday? That's terrifying!

"The Creation" only made four or five million on its first day, and even on its highest day, it didn't even reach ten million!

If "The Supervisor" fails, they can still make amends, and even those who speak up for them can jump on the bandwagon.

They'll remain silent for a while at most, but they'll definitely retaliate fiercely later.

Even if "The Eunuch" becomes a success, as long as its box office is lower or about the same as "The Sinner," they can still say that the removal of "The Sinner" from theaters is a loss to the film market.

Conversely, the more successful "The Eunuch" is, the greater the price they have to pay, and the more severe their downfall.

In particular, "The Creation" was suppressed in a way that they never expected.

The worst-case scenario they had anticipated was direct intervention from relevant departments.

They could still pretend to be wronged. "The Sin" was the third consecutive Venice Film Festival award for a Chinese-language film, a major award given to Chinese-language films for three consecutive years, creating a cultural event for Chinese-language films, and it was given to Chinese-language films despite so much controversy.

Even the Venice Film Festival was accused of "favoring the Chinese," and Zhang Yimou still had to emphasize that the judges "unanimously approved" it.

Well, now even the fig leaf of "international reputation" has been taken away by Shen Shandeng.

Holy crap! How could Shen Shandeng be so wicked?

That's so sinister!

Jiang Zhiqiang had only one thought in his mind: Shen Shandeng was such a wicked person.

Sitting on the sofa, Paperclip seemed to have lost his soul, filled with remorse.

He didn't actually think he was wrong.

In his eyes, the Asian theater of World War II was a war between two countries, and he was not particularly close to either side.

He felt like he had been stripped naked and thrown into the freezing cold, with no cover or protection whatsoever.

Shen Shandeng's words, though seemingly a harsh and hurtful "praise," were merely empty words to him; what struck him most was the "theory of self-interest."

Having stayed at home for several years, he understands the cruelty and competition of Hollywood better than anyone else.

He knew better than anyone else that Shen Shandeng had indeed hit the nail on the head regarding Hollywood's unspoken rules.

A director without market support or a solid fan base cannot withstand any storms.

The reason he was able to stay at home for several years and become best partners with James Schamus ultimately lies in his Eastern perspective and his ethnic identity.

How did things get to this point?
After "The Bend of Water," he was captivated by the complex, twisted, and morally perplexing story of "The Creation of Evil."

He wanted to take another step forward, innovate further, pursue higher artistry, create something "new," and bring out the beauty of art.

But unexpectedly, this step could be the abyss.

I knew there would be controversy, but I didn't expect the risks to be this great!
The size and weight of the Chinese film market are already considerable. If he loses influence, market share, or even reputation here, can he recover from the next failure?
Paperclip glanced at Jiang Zhiqiang and James, his eyes changing slightly. If there was another failure like "The Hulk", would "The Bend of Water" still be waiting for him?

He really couldn't bear to go back to his old life.

Paperclip was furious. If it weren't for Shen Shandeng, if it weren't for that bastard Shen Shandeng, he wouldn't be in such a sorry state!
Shen Shandeng is so wicked!

James looked much more relaxed than Paperclip and Jiang Zhiqiang.

The play "The Creation" was supposedly initiated by Paperclip. On the surface, Paperclip wanted to do something "beautiful" and "innovative," but in reality, he thought it was profitable.

It allows you to make money while also engaging in some subtle cognitive maneuvers.

If it can follow the path of "The Hidden Dragon and the Hidden Tiger," it could have a profound impact on the film industry, guiding commercial films in this region toward marginal narratives.

For him, this kind of project, which can apply for policy subsidies, is a sure-fire way to make money.

Having given money and support, one naturally expects something in return.

Everyone had their own agenda; he wanted to make money and complete his mission.

Jiang Zhiqiang is someone who works in markets that are difficult to penetrate. As a major investor and producer, he pushes for the film to make money and also uses the director's name to push the boundaries of acceptable content.

The mission can only be accomplished if "The Sin" is shown here.

Encircling the continent is meaningless.

No one expected it to come to this.

James understood better what the success of The Duchess meant.

From "The Hidden Dragon and the Hidden Tiger" to "Creating Evil," why must it succeed?
Why does "The Creation" still need to desperately market its "explicit content" after winning an award at Venice?
It's not just about shifting historical perspectives and values.

The key is that only "success" can create a capital cycle!
James planned for "The Creation" to be both a critical and financial success.

Even if strong measures are taken in the end, everyone will walk away successfully, including the female lead!
At the same time, they are in a morally justified position.

"Lust, Caution" will transcend the film itself and become a cultural symbol and social phenomenon. Subsequent films will imitate it, and film companies and capital here will also pursue this formula of "serious history + large-scale content".

This wasn't accidental or unintentional; it's supported by theory.
In order to facilitate the diffusion of innovation and the interaction of cultural capital.

Behind this is Rogers' "diffusion of innovations theory," which states that new things go through five stages: cognition, persuasion, decision-making, implementation, and confirmation.
According to Bourdieu's "theory of cultural capital," awards and box office revenue are essentially the accumulation of symbolic capital. Once enough capital is accumulated, it can be transformed into symbolic power, which can then define what constitutes "good stuff."
There's also James's forte: postcolonial "Orientalism," where the Western gaze at the East is often reduced to spectacle, ranging from neutral "spectacles" like the Forbidden City and martial arts to the stigmatization of serious history as a form of curiosity.

Success is an essential step in gaining the right to define culture; neither step can be skipped.

Success is not merely a pursuit of utilitarian gain, but the only path to gaining the right to define culture.

Only by succeeding can one overcome the audience's natural aversion to counterintuitive new grammar, such as their natural rejection of "incomprehensible martial arts" and their natural disgust with "stigmatizing their own history".

It is necessary to achieve success in both awards and box office to make the audience doubt themselves, reflect on themselves, and actively align themselves with "authoritative standards," thus distorting their own perceptions.

If successful, this cultural symbol becomes a business code.

Film and television cultural capital doesn't care whether something is true or false, good or bad; as long as it makes money, it will invest.

If it fails, the so-called "innovation" is just a cultural code that can't be brought into the mainstream and can't be transformed into a part of public culture.

If "The Eunuch" is successful, Shen Shandeng's "Chinese history + Chinese core" approach may overshadow the influence of "The Hidden Dragon and the Hidden Tiger," and if Shen Shandeng understands this, he may even be able to swallow the influence of "The Hidden Dragon and the Hidden Tiger" as well!
Capital accumulation—who cares which kind of capital you're talking about!

The right to define and interpret this subject matter culturally will likely fall into the hands of Shen Shandeng.

Moreover, it was built on the back of "The Creation of Sin," directly interrupting the discourse construction of "The Creation of Sin"!

Shen Shandeng is truly evil!
That's a really vicious method!

Just like him!
James could only hope that Shen Shandeng had just stumbled upon this by accident and didn't understand these theories, otherwise things would be much more complicated.

"Don't panic, I've already admitted my mistake. They only do things to a certain extent here, so we'll definitely be fine."

Jiang Zhiqiang's words seemed to be addressed to others, but they also seemed more like a way of encouraging himself.

"I'm tired."

Paperclip got up and left.

He didn't want to say anything about the failed project; the losses had already been incurred. No one even mentioned his role as the cultural consultant for the Olympic opening ceremony anymore.

"Get some rest, things have already happened."

James then dusted himself off and left.

He panicked earlier mainly because he realized that Shen Shandeng had seen through his scheme, and he was also afraid of being arrested.

Now that we've reached Hong Kong Island, we're safe.

The losses are mainly long-term. There's the fear that Chinese audiences won't accept his "artistic packaging," the fear of losing the "right to define culture," and the fear that the film master he's worked so hard to promote will be ruined.

As for the "Creation" project itself, his Focus Features has already made a fortune from the European and American markets.

Of the three, he was the most relaxed and composed at that moment.

This is also the reason for using local cultural market compradors and cultivating cultural spies—to build a protective wall so that they can act as shields in critical moments.

Even now, many people here are still unclear about his role.

Like the artistic directors of the three major European film festivals and the Academy Council, Western media deliberately downplay his presence.

The room was empty except for Jiang Zhiqiang. "You damn bastard!"

Jiang Zhiqiang suddenly realized that he was the biggest clown!

Only him, Jiang Zhiqiang!

Paperclip is a cultural celebrity, so they won't easily touch him. Shen Shandeng even gave him a way out.

James had already made his money, so the risk was minimal.

When he, Paperclip, sought investment for his "Creation" project, Hollywood and many Asian investors hesitated due to the sensitive subject matter, high costs, and significant market risks.

It was he who risked everything, using his connections in the Asian financial world to raise most of the funds for the film, and took on enormous personal risks.

He also provided crucial support in coordinating filming and resource integration across Asia.

"Mr. Jiang, all my advertisements in mainland China have been taken down."

Tang Wei's voice was choked with sobs; it wasn't worry anymore, it was fear.

Jiang Zhiqiang casually replied, "Don't worry, don't worry, I've arranged everything."

suddenly.

A thought flashed through his mind: Who said he had no way out?

There's a fuse right here.

Isn't Tang Wei one of them?

The next morning, at the restaurant.

As soon as Shen Shandeng entered, he noticed that everyone was in a bad state, with dark circles under their eyes.

On the other hand, he looked refreshed and slept soundly.

Shen Shandeng frowned: "What's wrong? We still have a roadshow today."

His gaze swept over the east.

Yu Dong had been waiting since early morning. As soon as he saw Shen Shandeng, he ran over to complain, "Brother, my life is so hard!"

Shen Shandeng didn't even bother to lift his eyelids or reply.

He was a little surprised to see Huang Xiaoming and Chen Hao arrive.

"Are you here too?"

What's going on this morning? They're all showing off in front of him like peacocks displaying their feathers.

So hard to guess!
Chen Hao laughed and said, "Director, you've pioneered such a novel way of promotion through roadshows, so we definitely have to come and support you."

"Yes, yes." Huang Xiaoming nodded quickly.

Upon hearing that they were there for a promotional event, Shen Shandeng beamed with joy.

He turned to Zhou Qifeng and became quite rude.

"Why didn't you sleep well either? At your age, shouldn't you fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow? If you can't even sleep well, what can you do?"

Zhou Qifeng lowered his head in embarrassment; his self-control was indeed too weak!

The distribution manager reminded him: "We couldn't reach Mr. Han last night, please call him back as soon as possible."

"eat first."

Shen Shandeng waved his hand casually, completely unconcerned.

What's wrong with the head of China Film Group? Will he dare to be at the forefront when "The Sin" is released?

If you're scared, then shut up!

When everyone saw how calm he was, they were first surprised, then filled with admiration. The director was as steady as a mountain, while they themselves were the ones who couldn't keep their composure.

Your internal energy cultivation is insufficient!
"Director Shen, the box office figures for 'The Eunuch' have been revised yesterday; it's now twelve million! You should still give him a call back," production manager Zhang Nengshou cautiously advised.

This morning's data update showed that the figure was not ten million, but twelve million, with second-tier cities also performing exceptionally well.

Based on these results and this momentum, there's an 80-90% chance they can break 100 million.

A big-name director with hundreds of millions in revenue! We have to be extra careful!

Zhang Nengshou thinks he can brag about it for the rest of his life, having produced a movie that grossed over 100 million yuan at the box office.

"How many?!"

Exclamations rose and fell, some from Shen Shandeng, others from others.

Shen Shandeng was surprised that it could be corrected so much upwards.

Isn't every correction just about moving a decimal point and reducing it to one-tenth?
They even added more, bringing it to twelve million!

"Why didn't you say so sooner?" Shen Shandeng expressed his dissatisfaction with Zhou Qifeng.

What's going on, bro? Why didn't you tell me this important data earlier?

Shen Shandeng quickly calculated in his mind: 12 million on Thursday, 15 million on Friday, and another 30 to 40 million over the weekend, 60 million in hand, breaking 100 million is a sure thing!
He laughed until he was numb.

"Awesome! I love you so much!"

Da Mimi suddenly pounced on him and hugged his arm.

Fan Bingbing, who was standing next to her, suddenly felt a little uneasy, as if something of hers had been taken away.

Shen Shandeng stood still, letting Da Mimi shake him as if "asserting her sovereignty".

He looked up and gazed out the window. The horizon was ablaze with fiery red; it was no longer a faint glow, but the sun had risen!
The rising sun bursts forth!

Twelve million! Thursday! A new national record!
This is not just cold, hard numbers; it is the ultimate crowning of all of Shen Shandeng's bluffing, no, all his persistence, all his risks, and all his misunderstood ideas!
It's the market's most enthusiastic embrace!
An indescribable surge of heat rushed from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, causing him to tremble slightly.

It was ecstasy, but it was more than just ecstasy; it was something deeper and more immense, a tremendous roar of a dream being witnessed and responded to by the entire era!

"I came, I saw, I conquered!"

"As the director, I will be the sole ruler of all enemies in the town's cultural circle, dominating the world!"

Other hotel guests recognized the cast and crew of "The Eunuch" and came over to take photos with them.

Several people who had seen the movie were excitedly talking about its highlights.

After dinner, everyone went to the hotel conference room.

All eyes were on Shen Shandeng.

He was seething inside, but his face remained calm.

Shen Shandeng raised his hand and pointed to the rising sun leaping out of the window, saying each word clearly.

"Everyone has been with me on this project and has given so much. We've faced a lot of criticism, and I can say that there will only be more in the future."

"Because for us, it's the sun rising, but for some people, it's darkness falling."

Everyone was shocked!
Shen Shandeng held up one finger, his tone calm yet undeniably authoritative: "Stay humble. A movie breaking 100 million is nothing special. 100 million is just a small goal."

That's all? A hundred million is a small goal?!
Shen Shandeng sighed, "We've prepared so many marketing strategies, but it seems we won't need them."

Huang Xiaoming, Chen Kun, and others were speechless for a moment!

Is there any backup plan?

Anyone who offends you is truly unlucky; no wonder "The Sin" couldn't withstand the pressure, and everyone who comes has to kneel before it.

Shen Shandeng did prepare a lot of marketing tactics, but he only used the sob story once, which is still usable.

In addition, it cultivates audience engagement, attracts fans, and promotes industrial-grade management, world-class scriptwriting, and world-class creative awareness.

In the century-long history of film, he discovered technologies that didn't exist before during his first filmmaking experience.

It was my first time making a movie, so I didn't know how to cut corners and make a movie for everyone without making any money.

Shot with an "Arriflex 435" camera, it transforms ordinary mid-to-high-end production equipment into something truly groundbreaking.

The online trolls are all ready.

As a result, this is it?
The movie exploded before it even got going.

crush.

It outperformed the box office of "The Sinner".

All I can say is that the decision to release the film alongside "The Sinful Affair" was absolutely correct.

"The Creation of Evil" is extremely rare.

It's not just rare, it's extremely rare.

If we fight, we can win.

"Divide the troops into two groups!"

Shen Shandeng glanced at the well-trained and powerful troops and decisively gave the order.

“Brother Jing, you take Kun’er, Bingbing, Mimi, and the distribution team south to Shenzhen to explore the southern market. I’ll stay in the north with Haojie and Xiaoming.”

Da Mimi is unhappy and pouting.

Although Fan Bingbing was also dissatisfied, she knew what was important and what was urgent.

There's plenty of time to take care of my younger brother; the most important thing right now is to stabilize the box office momentum!

After everything was arranged, Shen Shandeng called Han Sanping back: "You really hit the jackpot this time. The box office is going to be close to 100 million. China Film Group has made a fortune."

Han Sanping on the other end of the phone wasn't in a good mood. They hadn't even entered the 100 million yuan club yet, and this was the attitude? He wouldn't even call him "factory director."
The atmosphere at the "Supervisor's Office" was joyous.

The atmosphere at Huang Li's house was gloomy from early morning.

"Box office statistics don't come that quickly. This result is definitely a publicity stunt! It would be good if it actually made five million."

Huang Li saw the report that "The Eunuch" had grossed over ten million yuan at the box office early in the morning, and he was upset and subconsciously denied it.

Sun Li didn't want to argue, but she couldn't help but ask, "Is five million a small amount on a weekday?"

"You can't portray Chen Hao's feeling at all! She's a 'heartthrob,' do you have that kind of acting skill?" Huang Li retorted, unable to bear it any longer.

"Yes, I'm not as good! But that's my role!" Sun Li was furious, then suddenly realized, "You went to the movies yesterday? With whom?"

"Is it any of your business? Can't the students have a say?" Huang Li said impatiently.

He was indeed shocked after watching "The Eunuch" yesterday.

Sun Li was heartbroken and wanted to confide in Shen Shandeng, but then felt that the gap between them had widened even further.

Sigh, she was the one who arrived first.

Shen Shandeng and his team arrived at Oriental New Century Cinema.

"So many people!" Chen Hao exclaimed in surprise.

A long, winding queue formed at the entrance of the cinema as evening approached.

The young people in the group were excitedly discussing the clips they had watched the night before.

"The special effects gave me goosebumps, they were so amazing! That's real kung fu!"

"Chen Kun is perfect for playing eunuchs! He's definitely the most handsome eunuch in the imperial palace!"

The theater manager rushed over to apologize: "I'm so sorry, Director Shen, there are just too many people, it's too popular! If you show up, it will definitely cause a huge crowd. We have to cancel the event to avoid any trouble."

Huang Xiaoming and Chen Hao looked at each other, wondering if this was the trouble of happiness.
They'd never experienced anything like it before, but it felt amazing.

"The prime-time seats are completely sold out tonight! Only corner seats are left!"

The manager rubbed his hands together. "Director Shen, could you please arrange for more copies? We really need them!"

Before Shen Shandeng could speak, a China Film distribution staff member chimed in, "We've already added another batch."

Back in the car, Zhou Qifeng added, "The other two cinemas also suggested temporarily canceling the event."

Huang Xiaoming understood and said with a wry smile, "Director, our film is too popular. Cinemas are only interested in showing it more and making more money; they don't want to show it to us anymore."

Shen Shandeng and his group had just returned to the hotel.

A group of reporters swarmed forward.

"Director Shen, the film 'The Eunuch' has broken records. What are your thoughts?"

"Xiaoming, are there any plans to collaborate on another project?"

"Are the box office figures for 'The Eunuch' accurate?"

"Chen Hao, how would you rate your own performance?"

"Director Shen, the producers of 'The Creation' have voluntarily pulled it from theaters. How do you evaluate 'The Creation' now? Do you think it should end here?"

Surrounded by people, Shen Shandeng remained silent.

Staff members intervened, saying, "The team will keep the media informed of the latest news in a timely manner."

Suddenly, several people pushed through the crowd and shouted, "Shen Shandeng! Professor Huang from Beijing Film Academy criticized your film for deviating from the path of art and engaging in rampant hype! What is your opinion on this?"

Shen Shandeng stamped his foot.

The Professor Huang mentioned by the reporter is the teacher of Jia Zhangke and Wang Xiaoshuai.

The staff tried to pull him, but couldn't move him.

The reporter who asked the question excitedly raised his equipment, and the other reporters instantly became excited as well.

Shen Shandeng turned to the camera and clearly enunciated: "《造孽》? Forced to be raised!"

boom!
The entire audience erupted in chaos!

Not only did he give an irrelevant answer, but he also started hurling insults?! This is unprecedented!

"Director Shen, you..." The reporter who had been trying to find fault stammered and deflated.

Shen Shandeng, afraid that everyone might not hear him clearly, repeated word by word: "《造孽》, forced to raise children."

Zhou Qifeng tried hard to keep a straight face.

Huang Xiaoming and Chen Hao were at a loss, wanting to laugh but not daring to.

The staff on site were also stunned. Is this what the new generation is like?
The reporters were both excited and bewildered.

"How could you curse me?" the reporter stammered.

Shen Shandeng said no more and left with his men.

What's wrong with cursing?
I cursed!
Some people and things are not there to communicate or discuss from the beginning; they are there to launch psychological attacks.

Since it's a psychological attack, it's essentially insults and curses.

It's just packaged with various concepts, cloaked in the guise of various concepts.

Shen Shandeng tore open the packaging directly.

If you can insult me, why can't I insult you back?

Shen Shandeng can certainly retort!

As it turns out, the more criticism "The Sinner" received, the more successful it became at the box office!
So he did it!

He's already a director who's practically in the billion-yuan club, so what if I criticize him?
What can be done?
He used the tricks that Yu Dong dared not use!

Back at the hotel, Chen Hao said, "There will definitely be controversy."

More than just controversy.

It's about to explode!
It exploded directly!

(End of this chapter)