Chapter 690: The Saint of Poetry

The next day, Luo Mo received a WeChat message from a staff member at his studio, suggesting he use his own Weibo account to "like" a video.

Luo Mo opened it and discovered it was from Gou Ge, whom he had a slight impression of.

After watching the video, Luo Mo was somewhat taken aback.

"'A Spray of Plum Blossoms' has become popular abroad on Blue Star too?"

Judging from the data statistics Gou Ge provided, in reality, the popularity of "A Spray of Plum Blossoms" abroad here on Blue Star is not yet as high as it was on Earth.

Yes, on Earth, who could have imagined that after Fei Yuqing announced his retirement, the very next year, his old song would trigger a frenzy abroad and become a Western Top Traffic...

One must know that during the years when "A Spray of Plum Blossoms" was popular, many traffic idols would spend crazy amounts of money abroad to boost their rankings, and their fans would also throw money around, just to create the illusion that their "brother" was very popular abroad.

An old song like "A Spray of Plum Blossoms," with zero publicity, zero promotion, and zero chart-topping efforts, had a much higher real popularity than all their new songs combined.

After finishing the video, Luo Mo thought: "Although the popularity on Blue Star isn't as exaggerated as on Earth yet, it's fermenting quickly and became popular quite early."

For him, this was definitely a good thing.

Because this is beneficial to the box office of "Charlotte Troubles"!

He decisively "liked" the video produced by Gou Ge.

Long before Luo Mo liked it, the video had already reached several million views on Weibo.

Once liked by Luo Mo, it quickly broke ten million and even climbed onto the Weibo Hot Search.

Luo Mo is relatively "stingy" when it comes to liking and reposting, so as soon as there is any movement on his Weibo account, the media and marketing accounts will come to pay attention.

A large number of silly netizens, after watching the video, felt as if they had found allies abroad and were all particularly excited.

"I'm dying of laughter, I can't catch my breath."

"Hahahaha, does this count as another Easter egg for 'Charlotte Troubles'?"

"The last time I laughed like this was the last time."

"Chen Luo, hurry up and release another song, you aren't as funny as them!"

"Yuan Hua: Are they all comrades abroad?"

Besides this, there were also some relatively more serious comments.

Many people were debating: Does this count as cultural Output?

Because if we return to the song itself, these foreigners' understanding of this song is wrong.

For example, they don't understand the meaning of the 【Plum】.

But domestically, the four gentlemen of 【Plum Orchid Bamboo Chrysanthemum】 are known to almost everyone.

If 【Bamboo】 is mentioned, everyone can always come up with some vocabulary in their hearts.

But if it were foreigners, their first reaction might be: "I know, I know! Giant pandas love to eat them!"

Luo Mo looked at the netizens' debate; although some people had different opinions, it could be seen that their comments were filled with—cultural confidence!

In Luo Mo's view, this is a pretty good thing.

Due to cultural differences, the memes played by foreigners will undergo a qualitative change, and Luo Mo thinks this is also normal.

In fact, when people domestically play with some foreign memes, there are also misinterpretations.

He only wanted to know, as the summer vacation has reached its end, can "Charlotte Troubles" get a bit more box office in these last few days?

The development of the situation was quite good.

Following the viral success of Gou Ge's video, the single-day box office for "Charlotte Troubles" was 30 million higher than the previous day.

Next, with the 【Key】 extended for one month, there will definitely be a few million in box office every day for these extra 30 days.

Luo Mo made a rough estimate that this film would likely end with a result of around 3.3 billion.

This wave was truly a crazy profit.

The production cost of "Charlotte Troubles" was not high, so the returns it brought were terrifying.

In the eyes of many industry insiders, this is the confidence Luo Mo has to throw 700 million in production costs to film Science Fiction!

But asking themselves, if the capital in the circle also earned so much from a Comedy film, would they throw so much money to film Science Fiction?

They certainly wouldn't be willing.

The money has already entered my pocket, don't count on me taking it out again!

Luo Mo is right; this path must be walked by someone, and someone must be the first to walk it.

But—anyway, I'm not the one to walk it!

Whoever wants to walk it, let them!

………

………

Time passed, and the sweltering September arrived.

Shanghai and Beijing haven't had much rain recently, which makes Luo Mo seriously suspect: "If Xiao Jingteng came to these two cities, his 【Rain God】 persona would collapse!"

However, this persona is actually quite interesting.

Other people's downfall: cheating, drinking tea, doing drugs...

Xiao Jingteng's downfall: it doesn't rain.

This year's Shuji Dang can be said to have been completely dominated by Luo Mo.

"Car King 3" has a cumulative box office of 1.09 billion to date, which is quite a bit worse than the first two.

Many viewers have left comments one after another: "That's enough, don't film a fourth one."

Because director Tian Ou is ambitious, and because the "Car King" series is a sweet pastry in the eyes of capital, the investment amount for the third one was quite high.

Looking at the current box office results, the 【Split Box Office】 the film side can get, minus the money invested, can only be considered a small profit.

In this way, "Car King 4" might really have a difficult birth.

The path for Director Tian to make easy money might be cut off like this.

As for Two Gun Kings, the box office did not surpass Car King 3 as hoped; it is currently at 989 million, barely breaking even.

Even so, it is already the highest-grossing Hong Kong film in the last two years.

However, what is strange is that whenever Hua Jiaqun attends events or promotes the film nowadays, he looks full of energy and in great spirits.

"A film he worked so hard on, seen as the greatest hope for Hong Kong cinema, nearly lost money, and yet he isn't decadent or discouraged?"

"Impressive, worthy of being Chairman Hua!"

"This mental fortitude, it's Ox!"

"Amazing, the older generation of Hong Kong Actors really is different."

"Ah, so moving, I feel like there is light in his eyes!"

"A chairman like this makes me see hope for the resurgence of Hong Kong cinema!"

Hua Jiaqun, who had just received the script for Peerless, never imagined that because he was too visibly happy, he would cause netizens to have so many... wonderful misunderstandings?

Many people in Hong Kong seem very moved, feeling that as long as Chairman Hua is here, everyone's drive will not dissipate!

We can do it! We Hong Kong films can do it!

Stand up! We will definitely stand up again!

Whatever doesn't kill us only makes us stronger!

Run forward! Facing cold eyes and ridicule!

This even made Hua Jiaqun wonder if he should delay announcing the news that he would be collaborating with Luo Mo?

The current state of public opinion seems to have developed in an unexpected direction.

I really just liked the script for Peerless so much and trusted Luo Mo's ability so much that I sincerely felt everything would slowly get better.

Before getting the script for Peerless, Hua Jiaqun had been depressed for nearly a week because Two Gun Kings didn't meet expectations; he didn't want to do anything and couldn't muster any spirit.

He even went to see his regular Psychologist.

In the end, his mental illness was cured remotely by Luo Mo.

——"Luo Mo Cured My Mental Internal Friction".

Not to mention, because the script came from Luo Mo's hand, even though the subject matter was incredibly sensitive and even highly restored the entire process of making counterfeit money, it still quickly obtained the 【Approval Certificate】.

If Luo Mo were from Hong Kong, Hua Jiaqun might pat him on the shoulder and say, "Handsome, you be the next chairman."

According to the current thoughts of Luo Mo and Hua Jiaqun, they intend to finalize the actors for all the main roles before announcing the new project, Peerless, to the public.

Therefore, Hua Jiaqun has things to be busy with again during this time.

And recently, some of Luo Mo's friends in the industry often ask him the same question.

"Has the 【Fan Hua Award】 invited you this year?"

As mentioned before, the 【Fan Hua Award】 is mostly held in September, either mid-September or late September.

On Blue Star, this ceremony used to be held every two years, and sometimes, due to special reasons, it was even held every three years.

In this way, the gold content was higher.

But as capital has invaded more and more severely, this award, like other awards, has slowly become an annual event.

Capital thinks: "Holding it every two years, with only so many awards in total, how is that enough to go around, huh?"

Experts with voting rights think: "Earning once every two years, how can that be as satisfying as earning once a year?"

Luo Mo previously had a public falling out at the 【Fan Hua Award】 ceremony, and this matter can be said to be known to everyone.

The subsequent piece, Dead Water, although not naming names, everyone knew who he was scolding.

Since the establishment of the 【Fan Hua Award】, when had it ever suffered such indignity!?

We firmly will not invite Luo Mo to attend the ceremony again, we firmly boycott him!

Until Mrs. Zhong Lin of the Review Department called a few expert judges of the 【Fan Hua Award】 in for a talk.

Hahaha, a misunderstanding, it was all a misunderstanding!

Therefore, the 【Fan Hua Award】 this year did invite Luo Mo.

But he had no intention of participating.

In fact, it wasn't just him who received an invitation; Xu Chujing, Wang Rong, Liu Gongming, and others also received invitations.

It's just that everyone was too lazy to attend.

Moreover, Luo Mo didn't even submit his films for consideration.

According to the rules, the standard for a film to be submitted is not high; basically, most films can be submitted.

However, whether it can be nominated or win an award is another matter entirely.

Luo Mo didn't submit a single work, so naturally, it was impossible for him to be nominated, let alone win an award.

For this reason, Wang Rong even expressed confusion and specifically chatted with Luo Mo about this issue.

"My Director Luo, it doesn't matter if you don't go to the ceremony, you can still submit your works. In this situation, if they still give you the award, or rather, have to give it to you, isn't that satisfying?" Wang Rong said.

Luo Mo looked at him, smiled, and said, "I understand what you mean. You want to see these expert judges hating me to the bone, but being unable to do anything about me, having to give me the award."

"Exactly! Just thinking about it makes me excited!" Wang Rong slapped his thigh.

But Luo Mo shook his head and said, "That's not what I want."

"Then what do you want?" Wang Rong was puzzled: "If you dislike those trophies, you can throw them in the warehouse; if it really comes to it, you can throw them in my warehouse too."

Luo Mo still waved his hand and said, "That's not what I mean. I want to solve the problem at the root."

"Hmm?" Wang Rong was stunned.

But no matter how he pressed, Luo Mo was unwilling to say more, yet remained stubborn and refused to participate.

It wasn't that he was unwilling to reveal his inner thoughts to Wang Rong, but he was afraid Wang Rong would think he was crazy.

……..

……..

Three days later, the Fan Hua Award ceremony began.

Wang Rong and Liu Shixiong were both at Luo Mo's home in Shanghai today.

Inviting everyone over today was to discuss matters related to the next comedy film.

Although Charlotte Troubles had not yet finished its theatrical run, it was time to start the new film.

After everyone finished chatting, Wang Rong suggested watching the Live Broadcast of the Fan Hua Award together, and with the bullet comments turned on.

Regarding this, Luo Mo and Xu Chujing didn't mind; if they wanted to watch, they would watch.

Liu Gongming even asked curiously, "Junior Brother, if I participate this year, can I win Best Newcomer?"

"Ask him." Luo Mo pointed at Wang Rong.

Wang Rong started as a comedy Actor; in this regard, he had the most say.

Wang Rong thought for a moment and said, "Judging by this year's situation, you could win."

"But if the competition is fierce and there are monstrous Newcomers with outstanding acting skills, I'm afraid you won't get it," Wang Rong said.

After finishing, fearing that Liu Gongming would think he looked down on his acting, he added, "This isn't about the level of individual acting, but that it's already the norm for comedy Actors to have a hard time winning awards."

Wang Rong pointed at the screen in the projection, saying, "These bullshit expert judges have a bias against us comedy Actors."

Liu Gongming understood and nodded slightly.

He didn't actually care about the Fan Hua Award accolades; if his Junior Brother didn't care about something, he, as the senior brother, certainly wouldn't care either.

He was just purely curious.

Right now, a crowd of celebrities was walking the red carpet.

In the bullet comments, the names of Luo Mo and Xu Chujing could be seen frequently.

Of course, many people were also posting about Wang Rong and Liu Shixiong.

But as one person after another finished walking the red carpet, everyone realized that many of the influential figures in the film industry this year hadn't come to the ceremony!

Many viewers watching the Live Broadcast couldn't help but speculate.

"Did the Fan Hua Award not invite them?"

But some viewers who were good at thinking immediately sensed something was wrong.

"That shouldn't be."

The one who had a grudge with the Fan Hua Award was Luo Mo; at most, they just wouldn't invite Luo Mo to attend.

But this time, too many people didn't come.

Quite a few people even suspected that Luo Mo had actually received an invitation.

Because in these past few months, several expert judges of the Fan Hua Award, when facing interviews and answering questions involving Luo Mo, had implied in their words that they wanted to downplay the issues.

There were a few who were almost ready to soften their stance in public.

After the red carpet segment ended, many viewers saw that Luo Mo and the others hadn't come, so they started leaving comments in the bullet feed: "Boring."

In an instant, the three words "Boring" flooded the Live Broadcast.

Honestly, if Luo Mo had come, then this year's Live Broadcast would definitely have exploded!

Since the previous incident had caused such a stir, who wouldn't want to continue watching the drama from the front row this year?

If Luo Mo didn't come to the scene, then there was no excitement to watch.

Watching an award ceremony, how could it be as exciting as watching the drama?

And when it reached the award-giving segment, the insults in the bullet comments gradually increased.

"Does this film even deserve it?"

"Laughing to death, Best Cinematography in my heart is Blind Massage."

"The nomination list for Best Newcomer is really unwatchable; what kind of monsters and freaks are these."

"Xu Ting winning Best Supporting Actress? Are you joking!"

"Exactly! Layun in Blind Massage acted so well!"

"Laughing to death, Xu Ting's acting isn't even as good as that little girl in Blind Massage."

"Best Special Effects should also go to Nezha, even though it's an Animation film."

"Laughing to death, Luo Mo's film actually hasn't received a single Nomination yet!"

Every year's award ceremony is somewhat controversial.

But this year's controversy was particularly large.

Wang Rong watched all this and guessed in his heart: "Luo Mo just wants to watch the Fan Hua Award get scolded, so he didn't submit any films for consideration?"

And as the entire Fan Hua Award ceremony concluded, the viewers watching the Live Broadcast realized that Luo Mo's films really hadn't received a single Nomination!

Not giving an award, everyone could still accept that.

But not even being shortlisted, not even giving a single Nomination, what was the meaning of that?

The public's Anger was ignited instantly.

The scolding never stopped.

"I'm fucking laughing to death; to encourage the development of the Animation industry, all major awards added an annual Best Animation award, and yet, Nezha broke 5 billion in box office and is in the top ten global animations, but it doesn't even deserve a Nomination at your Fan Hua Award?"

"The acting in Blind Massage was off the charts, and you didn't give a single Nomination?"

"My Liu Shixiong had the highest box office for a Newcomer Actor's first film; does he not deserve a Nomination for Best Newcomer?"

"Has the Fan Hua Award gone crazy this year? They aren't even doing the basic Face-saving work anymore."

This made the expert judges of the Fan Hua Award feel bitter inside.

It's not that we aren't willing to give a Nomination; I even wanted to set aside some awards for Luo Mo.

But he simply didn't participate; what can be done about that?

It's impossible to say that if he doesn't sign up for a marathon, we should still give him an award, right?

By the next day, the cursing not only hadn't stopped, but was instead growing more intense.

One must know, the number of people who like these few films is certainly not small.

This forced the Fan Hua Award to come forward and explain that films like Nezha: Birth of the Demon Child had not been submitted for consideration.

As a result, the top-rated comment was: "That's because you aren't worthy!"

For the past few years, the Fan Hua Award has been carving up the cake every year.

In the past, they only dared to pull some shady tricks on minor awards, but now they dare to carve up the cake for many major awards, and their way of eating is becoming increasingly unsightly.

Because of this, everyone's pent-up resentment is also growing heavier.

This made the Fan Hua Award's explanation—that this wasn't their fault—completely useless, and instead, they encountered another wave of netizens spewing vitriol.

There was no helping it; after all, it was you who first pulled the shady tricks with Dying to Survive.

The result of this was that the people at the Fan Hua Award were cursed into a stupor, each feeling more incensed than the last.

A few individual expert judges even made snide, passive-aggressive remarks when facing interviews.

It must be said, these people actually have some level of skill when it comes to being passive-aggressive.

They first expressed a passing, understated acknowledgment of films like Nezha.

Then, they began to accuse Luo Mo's approach of being too "dictatorial."

It is true that film is the director's art, and you are indeed the investor, and all copyrights are in your hands.

However, a film is the effort of everyone.

You are depriving others of their rights.

Furthermore, you are also wasting your own work, wasting a portion of its value.

If a work had a life, it would surely be sad, wouldn't it?

Luo Mo almost laughed out loud when he saw these interviews.

The former is a standard way of occupying the moral high ground.

Then why don't your rules state that for a film to be submitted, all the extras, crew, and everyone else must join in and vote?

Isn't my dictatorial power granted by your rules?

As for the latter, it's a bit too pretentious.

When you were pulling your shady tricks, why didn't you treat them with such Adoring care as if they were lives?

And why does Luo Mo insist on not participating?

It is because he simply feels that the Fan Hua Award is already ruined.

In any case, there are other awards; why bother participating in the Fan Hua Award?

His true inner thoughts were not even convenient to tell Wang Rong.

"As long as I keep standing at the peak of the film industry, it's not that I need any award, but that no award can do without me!"

"If the first-place winner you select each year is only considered second-rate in the eyes of the public, or not even second-rate, not even ranking in the top three... then what is the point of this lousy award?"

"One year is fine, two years is fine, three years might also be fine."

"But what if it's five years, ten years?"

Luo Mo knows very well that as long as he participates, it is impossible for him to come away empty-handed; they would still do some window-dressing, proactively offering him a few bites of the cake to keep up appearances.

They know that the gold content and public credibility are declining every year.

But this is a slow suicide; it doesn't matter, they can still rake in money for many more years!

Luo Mo just doesn't want the Fan Hua Award to commit slow suicide.

——Only by staying out of it can one... pull it up by the roots!

However, even the best of people make mistakes, and even the best horses stumble.

Film is a massive project, requiring several months or even longer.

Can anyone really guarantee that they won't stumble year after year, and stand at the peak year after year?

——"I can."

I am betting my career's golden age to see who lives longer, me or the Fan Hua Award. JPG.

By the afternoon, Luo Mo even saw an expert judge being passive-aggressive.

"We welcome everyone to submit, as long as they meet the rules, no matter who it is, they are welcome."

Setting the tone again, we didn't exclude Luo Mo; it's he himself who doesn't know what's good for him.

Even if the Review Department asks, we have an explanation.

"However, whether anyone comes or not will not affect the Fan Hua Award continuing forever," this expert judge said.

Xu Chujing laughed while watching the videos of these messy interviews.

She was laughing out of anger.

Luo Mo originally couldn't be bothered to pay attention to these people; he would just not participate every year and be done with it.

But, my Jing was angered!

No, absolutely not!

And so, the netizens saw a scene that felt familiar.

After the last Fan Hua Award ended, Luo Mo posted a modern poem, "Dead Water."

This year, he didn't even participate, and undoubtedly became "lazy," actually not writing a whole poem, but only writing one line.

However, one line—is enough.

This is a line from an ancient poem.

On Earth, this poet is no ordinary person; everyone calls him—the Poetry Sage!

Luo Mo only posted a mere dozen characters on Weibo, yet they were filled with immense spirit!

"Your bodies and names shall both perish, yet the river flows on, eternal and unceasing."

(PS: Continuing to follow the Requirement of the editor, posting an 【Update Notice】: This chapter was updated on August 17th at 18:50; the next chapter is expected before 8:00 PM tomorrow.)

(End of this chapter)