Chapter 158

On the Baidu Tieba, in the film bar.

Netizens were currently discussing the two movies, *Transformers* and *House of Flying Daggers*!

"Old Man Zhang's *House of Flying Daggers* is good! Especially Takeshi Kaneshiro and Andy Lau, they are just too handsome!"

"Zhang Ziyi is so beautiful! Especially the snow, it's really big!"

"*Transformers* is awesome! What are women? Supercars and explosions are a man's goal!"

"The robot is so cool! I really want to own a Bumblebee too!"

"Holy crap! How was this *Transformers* movie made? It looks exactly like the real thing!"

The audience members were expressing their views on these two movies without too much arguing.

Soon a day passed.

Film reviews and reports on yesterday's *Transformers* and *House of Flying Daggers* also appeared in real-world newspapers.

"Big Production! Big Scenes! A Visual Feast for the National Day Holiday!"

"*House of Flying Daggers*! Eastern Elements!"

Soon the first-day box office statistics were out.

The first-day box office for *Transformers* was 4. 9 million RMB.

Converted to dollars, it was only a few hundred thousand.

The first-day box office for *House of Flying Daggers* was slightly lower than *Transformers*, at only 4 million RMB.

Seeing this data, Old Man Zhang, who was drinking tea at home, excitedly finished the green tea in his cup.

Although the first-day box office wasn't as much as the other side, how much did his movie cost to produce, and how much did the other side invest?

He won the first day!

Another day passed.

The second-day box office for *Transformers* reached 8. million RMB.

*House of Flying Daggers* was 5. million RMB.

Seeing the second-day box office, Old Man Zhang, who was drinking tea at home, frowned.

The third day...

The box office for *Transformers* soared again, reaching a staggering 20 million!

On the contrary, the box office for *House of Flying Daggers* didn't rise but fell by one million, to only 4. million!

Old Man Zhang realized something was wrong!

He immediately put on his hat and mask and went out, then found a nearby cinema.

"Give me a ticket for *Transformers*."

"Sorry, the tickets are sold out. There's a show at 4 PM that isn't sold out. Do you want to buy it?"

Listening to the ticket seller's words, Old Man Zhang frowned. He pondered for a moment and then chose to buy it.

After paying and getting the ticket, Old Man Zhang prepared to leave.

At this moment, the ticket seller said again, "Sir, there are still tickets for *House of Flying Daggers*. If you feel bored while waiting, you can buy a ticket for *House of Flying Daggers*."

Old Man Zhang: "..."

Soon it was 4 PM, and Old Man Zhang entered the screening hall.

Two hours later, Old Man Zhang walked out of the screening hall with a blank expression and left the cinema without saying a word.

Days passed one by one.

The box office for *Transformers* continued to soar!

The box office, which was 4 million-plus on the first day, had now soared to a daily box office of 31. million.

You have to know that in 2004, a daily box office of over 30 million for a movie was something many people couldn't imagine!

But *Transformers* did it.

On the contrary, for *House of Flying Daggers*, the box office continued to fall.

In less than a week, the daily box office had dropped to 1 million!

For a movie with a production cost of tens of millions of RMB, a daily box office of 1 million could be described as a flop!

Actually, logically speaking.

Was the quality of *House of Flying Daggers* poor?

In fact, the quality of *House of Flying Daggers* really wasn't poor; otherwise, it wouldn't have received many major award nominations in later years and grossed over 80 million dollars domestically and internationally!

But there was no way around it; *House of Flying Daggers* and *Transformers* clashed!

Many audience members wouldn't watch both; most audience members who wanted to watch a movie only watched one.

So, relatively speaking, the audience chose *Transformers*, which had a higher production cost and more explosive scenes.

If Old Man Zhang had set the release date for the Spring Festival holiday, perhaps it would have been a different scene!

But these were things for later!

The popularity of *Transformers* made Chen Mo's fame explode again!

This time, he was famous not only as an actor but also as a director!

After all, an eighteen-year-old young director who filmed a two-hundred-million-dollar movie, and most importantly, the movie was filmed very well.

This couldn't help but make people sigh!

Handsome!

His family had money!

His musical talent was unquestionable, and his acting wasn't bad either!

The most critical thing was that his directing ability was also strong!

Ten thousand people, ten thousand moods.

Some sighed, some were jealous.

Chen Mo didn't care about the outside world, or rather, it was useless to care.

At this moment, he was taking Anne Hathaway, Avril, Emma Watson, and Will to tour around Jingcheng.

These people had come to China a few days ago to attend the premiere of *Transformers*, and as the host, he naturally had to treat them well.

"Master, what shall we eat later?"

Sitting in the business car, Will looked at Chen Mo and asked.

"How about hot pot?"

Chen Mo asked.

Hearing Chen Mo's words, Will's eyes lit up immediately.

A few years ago, when the two were still neighbors, Will had eaten at Chen Mo's house and fallen in love with Chinese food, and his favorite was hot pot!

"Damn it, I think if I stay in China for a while longer, I'll definitely become a fatty."

Avril said helplessly at this moment.

Hearing Avril's words, Chen Mo looked at her. He didn't know if it was an illusion, but he felt Avril did seem to have gained a little weight.

Especially her chest, which seemed to have grown a size larger.

"Today I'll take you to taste authentic old Jingcheng hot pot."

Chen Mo laughed.

Soon the car arrived at an authentic old Jingcheng hot pot restaurant.

Everyone did a good job of disguising themselves, then got out of the car and entered the store. Under the guidance of the waiter, they arrived at a private room, and only then did everyone remove their disguises.

Not long after, several copper pots were brought up, followed by several plates of thinly sliced lamb.

Everyone lowered their heads and ate the shabu-shabu lamb in big mouthfuls.

Honestly.

It was 2004 now, and in terms of ingredients, both the taste and health were better than ten years ago!

The freshness of the lamb made everyone shout that it was satisfying.

Even Anne Hathaway, who had the most goddess-like demeanor among them, had oil all over her mouth.

Half an hour later.

Everyone entered a rest period, the speed of eating hot pot slowed down significantly, and they began to chat.

"Master, that *Transformers* movie is really great. Will there be a second one?"

Will looked at Chen Mo and asked.

Hearing Chen Mo's words, except for Avril, who was in the music circle, the eyes of the others lit up.