Chapter 950: Whale Devouring

"Jointly produced by Happy Happy Mahua and Red Star Fort, starring Ma Li, Ai Lun, Shen Teng, Tian Yu and others, the comedy film 'Yin Yin Xiuxiu's Iron Fist' devoured the entire single-day box office on its opening day, raking in a whopping 230 million!"

"Affected by the opening day of 'Yin Yin Xiuxiu's Iron Fist': Huayi Pictures' 'Ex-Files 3' saw its daily earnings plummet by over 13 million, taking in only 4.25 million yesterday;"

Jackie Chan's 'Bleeding Steel' had its daily box office cut in half by 30 million, reporting 28.68 million; 'The Thousand Faces of Dunjia' took in 20.62 million yesterday, a sudden drop of 17 million, its upward box office momentum violently suppressed;"

"Director Feng Feng Xiaogang's film, the historical war drama blockbuster 'Youth', on its second day of release, saw its box office cut in half, earning only 38.01 million…"

"According to the aggregated scheduling data from China Film Distribution Company, major cinema chains raised the comprehensive screening rate of 'Yin Yin Xiuxiu's Iron Fist' by another two percentage points in the early hours of this morning, to 48.8%!"

"Anle Cinemas issued its N-th statement boycotting box office market bullying and retaliatory isolation. As of now, the chain's entire schedule prioritizes 'Youth', followed by 'Bleeding Steel'…"

……

Upon waking up, the film market was indeed a chorus of wailing and exasperated cursing, with snide, passive-aggressive jeers ringing endlessly.

After all, 'Yin Yin Xiuxiu's Iron Fist' was like a wolf among sheep, savagely tearing more than half the flesh—and often more—from every other film in its release window.

And in the eyes of the entire production industry at this moment, if one had to name the most wretched and aggrieved, it would be none other than Feng Feng Xiaogang and his 'Youth'.

Clearly, on its very first day it had shown strong critical reception and a momentum poised to sweep the New Year season, yet on the second day it just had to run into Happy Happy Mahua's comedy…

So much so that the second-day box office, which should have comfortably cleared 100 million, was brutally stomped down by forty million… At this rate, the man might just have a stroke out of sheer rage?

"Which shameless media outlet spread the rumor this morning that he was sent to the hospital for an IV? Isn't he posting on Weibo perfectly fine? Listen—every word is straight from the heart:"

"'…To be fair, in my view the most meaningful film of this New Year season is 'Youth'; its historicity, literary quality, storytelling, authenticity, realism, artistry… no matter which angle you consider, I am confident it is the best film of this season, the one no audience should miss. It far surpasses those films with hackneyed plots and flashy but hollow visuals… especially those lowbrow flicks that leave you with nothing but a laugh and no memory!'"

Listen to that—isn't he taking passive-aggressive jabs at all of you? And it's an indiscriminate attack! Hahaha…"

"It is a bit snide, but why does the tone of his post clearly lack the usual 'irascibility'? Could it be that he really is on an IV? Typing one-handed while the drip hangs?"

The more Lin Nan thought about it, the more convinced he became, and he was nearly dying of laughter.

Still, he could understand Feng Feng Xiaogang's current state of mind; after all, Zhang Zhang Guoli's failure in the bet was already a foregone conclusion, with virtually no chance of a turnaround;

Once the settlement comes in the second half of next year, Old Zhang will have to start cutting flesh to pay up, and his retirement will most likely be pushed back another five to ten years, won't it?

With such a glaring example right before his eyes, it would be strange if Feng Feng Xiaogang weren't anxious.

After all, who wants to spit out money they've already swallowed? Whether he can even come up with that much cash is anyone's guess.

One must remember that over the past two years, with the investment craze, plenty of filmmakers and star actors have been throwing money around—and Feng Feng Xiaogang is explicitly among them.

Fund managers, financial brokers—these people love the rich folks in the entertainment circle; because the latter are mostly clueless "clients" who invest for the long term, who listen to whatever they're told, and who trust projects introduced by acquaintances the most…

"Hmm? Hearing you analyze it like that, I have to say, I think it's really possible? Hahaha."

After the laughter died down, Wang Wang Changtian finally got to another serious matter on the phone:

A little past six this morning, just over two hours ago, Wu Jing returned from Hollywood; when he dropped off Xie Nan at Enlight Media ten minutes ago, he happened to meet Wang Wang Changtian, looking full of vigor, every inch the man simply waiting for his Oscar nomination a month from now!

"Don't worry, Sister Chen Hong, Liu Liu Yifei and I have never made a habit of going back on our word. We'll be there on time tomorrow afternoon."

At the dining table, Liu Liu Yifei wore a faint smile, also on the phone with Chen Hong. That's right—tomorrow was the premiere of 'Legend of the Demon Cat'.

Most directors prefer to hold a film's premiere during the day, especially in the morning. It's not only simpler and more convenient, but also easier to coordinate.

But Director Chen is different—he has a particular fondness for evening, starting the red carpet at four o'clock, screening the film after six, and adding a brief dinner; the timing is just right.

In his words: that time of day is when a normal person's brain is at its physiological peak of clarity, thoughts are most active, and emotions are most receptive—so the viewing experience is undoubtedly at its best!

On this point, Liu Liu Yifei had once discussed it with her own director; Lin Nan first gave an affirmative answer, but then promptly "roasted" Chen Chen Kaige, saying only Director Chen fusses over such things day in and day out, and that he'd be better off spending that energy polishing the script and plot—and should listen to the audience's opinions!

"Your word is enough. Back then 'Legend of the Demon Cat' simply wasn't meant to be; we didn't know Director Lin had lined up two films for you. But fortunately you turned it down, otherwise you might not have been able to throw yourself wholeheartedly into shooting 'Marriage Story'. I almost delayed a Venice Best Actress here, haha."

Chen Hong replied with a chuckle, teasing as she went, her high EQ on full display.

Hearing this, Liu Liu Yifei politely bantered with Chen Hong, and at the same time couldn't help recalling a joke Lin Nan had made long ago: that only the all-round, socially adept Chen Hong could keep the perpetually aloof, self-important Director Chen completely wrapped around her finger.

"Why do I feel Producer Chen is being a bit overly solemn? A film premiere shouldn't warrant two invitations, should it?" After hanging up, Liu Liu Yifei left the dining room and walked toward Lin Nan in the living room.

"Mm, I suspect she has some other intention?" Lin Nan turned and gave Liu Liu Qianqian a knowing smile.

In an instant, Miss Liu guessed what he meant, her expression turning doubtful. She frowned: "No way?"

"You really can't tell. But we'll know tomorrow, won't we?"

To be honest, Lin Nan wasn't sure either. But he knew one thing for certain: the current Director Chen is now a father!

……

On the film market, 'Yin Yin Xiuxiu's Iron Fist' continued its crushing, triumphant advance; the siphon effect was visibly maxed out, its devouring momentum unstoppable.

By afternoon, the entire film circle could clearly sense that the focus of discussion among countless movie fans and audiences online had completely tilted toward 'Yin Yin Xiuxiu's Iron Fist'; in other words, the public discourse across the entire New Year season was trending toward being monopolized by a single film.

Under these circumstances, Huayi and Feng Feng Xiaogang naturally chose to fight back, refusing to concede! And so, the industry and the internet were treated to quite a lively spectacle:

Huayi and Feng Feng Xiaogang mobilized every connection and resource at their disposal, calling on actors and stars from across the better part of the entertainment circle, including the Huayi camp, to come out in droves and advertise for 'Youth':

"A good film is like fine wine—after drinking it yesterday, there's still an aftertaste today. 'Youth' is exactly such a cup of fine wine. Sorrowful but not wounding, with hidden edge." —Han Han

"'Youth', one of the best Chinese-language films of the year!" —Fan Li Bingbing

"'Youth' is Director Feng's tribute to youth, and his attention to the fate of every individual under the changing times." —Huang Dong Xuan

"Fragrant and intoxicating. 'Youth' is utterly captivating, and I love it to the extreme." —Huang Huang Haibo

……Chen Daoming, Ge You, Little Zhang Zhang Ziyi… Shu Qi, Li Li Bingbing… Wu Wu Yifan, Xu Xu Jinglei…

Admittedly, in just one afternoon, Huayi really did use this method to mobilize the fans of a large number of actors and stars, and online discourse topics surged with the wind.

"Can we speed things up?" Feng Feng Xiaogang's tone was weak, listless. But his gaze remained sharp, edged.

"Let's talk about your state first—how did you end up like this? Feels like…" Liu Liu Zhenyun didn't have the heart to finish, feeling it was like a bad case of dysentery.

"Just a bit of pressure, nothing serious. Let's talk about the script." Feng Feng Xiaogang forced himself to rally, waving a hand.

"'Youth' has only been out two days and you're already pushing 'Cell Phone 2'—is it really that urgent?" Liu Liu Zhenyun couldn't help but complain.

"How 'Youth' is being targeted, you've probably heard. Of course, I and the group here won't give up, but at the same time I need to prepare for the worst.

I had originally planned to wait until 'Youth' finished its run, have a proper New Year, and then turn my attention to 'Cell Phone 2'. But the situation now is clearly not optimistic—I can't afford the slightest slack.

Zhang Guoli's bet has already failed; he's counting the days. See, he's taken on another variety show, 'The Birth of an Actor', because the money comes fast…" Feng Feng Xiaogang murmured weakly, without a hint of concealment.

"I really can't figure out you people—already so rich, why not just settle down instead of chasing performance bets?" Liu Liu Zhenyun shook his head, speechless.

"So you can only be a screenwriter. But that's fine too—you're a tenured university professor, don't get too deep into this business.

"Liu Zhenyun, considering we've known each other for so many years, how about putting in some extra hours this time?" Feng Feng Xiaogang tossed out one joke, then immediately turned serious again.

Liu Liu Zhenyun cast a glance at Feng Feng Xiaogang, who had no color in his face at all, and after a long while could only nod helplessly: "After the Spring Festival ends—no, after the fifteenth of the first month. I'll give you the script for *Cell Phone 2*."

"Good."

…………