IETSTSMLARA | The Rising Movie Emperor | 32
"Did you initially not want to enter the entertainment industry because you were afraid that no one else could ever win the Best Actor award once you started making movies?" Zhou Xintang asked, rubbing his wrist when released.
"Well, after all, I'm from another world," Lin Su chuckled, bending down to offer his hand.
"Tsk, I don't believe it," Zhou Xintang said, standing up and grasping his hand.
He had to admit that Lin Su was much more outstanding than he had imagined. There were geniuses in this world, regardless of whether Lin Su was from another world or not; his excellence was undeniable.
Some things were better left unexplored, like the story of the snail girl or the crane's return of favor. Once you delve into the truth, the beauty of the past dreams might be lost forever.
Instead of delving into who Lin Su was, Zhou Xintang preferred having him by his side.
"Where exactly do you like about me?" Zhou Xintang asked, his movements guided by Lin Su.
What was once thought to be a difficult and arduous martial arts training session had now turned into a sweet date.
Only when you fall in love with someone do you become insecure, prone to doubt, and ask the same question repeatedly.
"I like everything about you," Lin Su straightened his arm, showing no mercy just because they were lovers. "After ten minutes, go run a ten-thousand-meter with weights."
Zhou Xintang: "..."
What sweet date? The sweet nothings coupled with making him run ten thousand meters, hehe...
After physical training, martial arts guidance, Zhou Xintang trained for a solid six months, almost wearing himself out completely.
But Lin Su's guidance was indeed very effective. Although Zhou Xintang still couldn't beat Lin Su in a few moves, he could easily defeat others with ease.
Among them, Cheng Luozhu felt it the most: "Damn, this is unbelievable! Are you not going to join the special forces?"
"No, isn't this something an ordinary person can achieve?" Zhou Xintang released him effortlessly. "Young man, you still need to practice more. Don't be arrogant."
Cheng Luozhu wanted to retort but forcibly held back at the thought of being beaten if he couldn't win.
While Cheng Luozhu had to rest for two days due to a change of scene, he grimly headed to the set after two days, having been brutally crushed by Zhou Xintang.
Meanwhile, Zhou Xintang's new film began shooting.
Zhou Xintang played the lead role, and apart from him, the rest were newcomers who had also undergone six months of physical training, all looking tall and straight.
Being newcomers had its advantages; they were hardworking and could accept many new things. Of course, there were downsides too—they tended to have a youthful mindset and were prone to impatience.
"Who's the director?"
"Filming a sci-fi blockbuster domestically, I wonder what it will turn out to be. If I wasn’t trying to make a living, I really couldn't endure the past six months."
"We have no choice, we're newcomers. The treatment for those extras isn't even as good as ours."
"Sigh... it's all because of lack of fame."
"If only we were like Zhou Xontang, a single film could catapult us to stardom."
The murmurs of private discussions occasionally reached Zhou Xintang's ears, but he was accustomed to it. Some people would progress while others would be eliminated; it was the same everywhere.
His calm mindset persisted until Lin Su, wearing the director's hat and holding the director's megaphone, sat in the director's seat to start the shooting.
"Wow, who's this?"
"The director looks so handsome, is he a celebrity?"
"Isn't he that national agent? The one who pulled the reins of that horse?"
"Agents can be powerful, but can they direct?"
Various doubts were normal, but Zhou Xintang was thinking, oh, he's being lifted up by the big shot again.
Can he still maintain some dignity as an actor?
Lin Su clearly paid no heed to those words. Because he paid the money, these people had to follow his instructions.
However, unlike other directors who occasionally shouted, Lin Su was meticulous when explaining the scenes, and his demonstrations received applause and cheers from the skeptical newcomers.
Any lingering resistance dissipated within three days. When everyone saw Lin Su, their eyes were full of admiration.
Of course, those who flattered him rose quickly.
"Director Lin, how was my performance just now? I've been struggling with how to do it, can you personally guide me?" A young man with a refreshing appearance asked enthusiastically.
Zhou Xintang, on the sidelines, sipped his water. He initially thought that keeping his relationship with Lin Su private would be a bit awkward, considering how his fans could say anything when they got excited.
But he found himself more awkward because Lin Su's admirers were all around him, while his own fans couldn't even get close to him, separated by the internet or bodyguards.
People sought guidance under the guise of acting, and if Zhou Xintang were to make a fuss, he might be seen as throwing his weight around.
If he were a bomb, he'd be on the verge of exploding!
"Your physical training is insufficient. Another month of training and you'll achieve perfection," Lin Su glanced coldly at the young man, "If it still doesn't work, we'll find someone else."
The young man turned pale and muttered, "I can do it."
Then he walked away with lingering fear, and the seduction failed so badly that Zhou Xintang didn't even have room to show off. "Didn't you realize he was trying to flirt with you, Director Lin?" Zhou Xintang said as he waited for a response.
There was a hint of sweetness in the sourness, but his satisfaction couldn't be concealed.
"Who?" Lin Su looked puzzled.
Zhou Xintang couldn't help but laugh. Though he suspected Lin Su might be acting, he couldn't deny that he was thoroughly pleased. "No one," he said.
Thanks to Lin Su's ability to shield those signals, the filming process went smoothly overall.
Midway through the filming of "Future," the nomination for the Golden Phoenix Awards boosted the hype around Zhou Xintang and Cheng Luozhu.
One was nominated for Best Actor, while the other received a double nomination for Best Newcomer and Best Supporting Actor.
At the same time, Zhou Xintang's studio gained widespread recognition.
When Zhou Xintang received the nomination, he was filled with both anticipation and anxiety—not for the award itself, but because he remembered promising to go public with Lin Su if he won the Best Actor award.
He was once afraid of others' criticisms and slander, he later realized that their words were irrelevant to him. The only person he truly wanted was Lin Su.
As for why he didn't have expectations for the Best Actor award itself, when you have a big shot like Lin Su by your side who excels in everything, everything else pales in comparison.
Zhou Xintang felt more fulfilled by Lin Su's recognition than by winning the Best Actor award.
On the night of the awards ceremony, the stars shone brightly as luxury cars arrived one after another. Celebrities in elegant attire walked the red carpet, showcasing their grace and beauty to reporters and photographers.
The ceremony was live broadcast, and every appearance of the idol could trigger heated discussions and comparisons among fans online.
For example, comments ranged from who had gained weight to who looked stunningly beautiful.
Cheng Luozhu walked with the cast, but his appearance stood out prominently among the actors, eliciting screams of excitement.
"Luozhu looks so handsome!"
"His smile is so beautiful, I can’t breathe."
"Luozhu seems to have grown taller again. He's the man I can't help but look up to..."
Cheng Luozhu had many fans, and even though he didn't play the lead role in "Future," he had reached the position he deserved according to the original timeline.
Zhou Xintang didn't walk with the cast, not out of arrogance but because he was invited to appear as the final guest of honor at the ceremony, given his current fame and status.
"I'll be waiting for you inside," Lin Su adjusted his collar and watched Zhou Xintang gracefully step onto the red carpet.
His Zhou Xintang was dazzling, and fame could nurture a person just as love could.
Amidst the deafening cheers, voices seemed to break through the sky.
"I love you, Zhou Xintang!!! I love you!!!"
"Look at me, just one glance!"
"Tangtang, you're the best!!!"
"I'm about to faint..."
"Zhou Xintang, Zhou Xintang..."
Zhou Xintang smiled slightly at the camera, his phoenix eyes narrowing. That smile seemed to ripple through time, triggering more screams and discussions.
"The actor seems more handsome."
"This smile makes my heart pound, I can't take it!"
"I wonder if Tangtang will win an award. The performance in ‘The Warlords' as the emperor of the struggle is really impressive."
"Our little pig has been raised so well, I wonder which cabbage will be lucky in the future."
"Am I the only one who finds the name 'Tangtang' so sweet? Who came up with it?"
...
【Actor Zhou's nickname is the same as Young Master Lin,】System 06 objectively analyzed, 【Why has the host never used this nickname for him?】
【Using a previous person's nickname for someone else would be disrespectful in human terms,】Lin Su chuckled, 【That's something you should remember.】
【But I've changed my body many times, and I'm still called 06,】 System 06 couldn't fully interpret human emotions.
Lin Su smiled, 【But you're not human.】
System 06 felt something was wrong but it couldn't refute.
Even though Lin Su entered the ceremony venue, he wouldn't stay with Zhou Xintang. He could only watch Zhou Xintang sitting among the stars from a distance, but even among a crowd of handsome men and beautiful women, he still stood out.
"I didn't expect to be nominated for both Best Newcomer and Best Supporting Actor," Cheng Luozhu sat behind Zhou Xintang, chatting with him. The atmosphere hadn't become too strict yet since the ceremony hadn't started.
Fans also enjoyed seeing this relaxed interaction, as if they could glimpse a side of the celebrities that wasn't usually seen.
"You're talented, it's only a matter of time," Zhou Xintang leaned back and chatted with him, then glanced at Xi Wei with a smile, "Because of this award ceremony, their CP online is blowing up. Aren't you afraid he'll be jealous seeing you so close?"
"It’s just fans who are hyping it up but they know it's fake, if they don’t then they are stupid," Cheng Luozhu complained with a smile.
Zhou Xintang estimated that with just one smile exchanged between them, fans could find even more sugar: "What if it's real?"
"If it's real, we'll probably both get bashed to death," Cheng Luozhu sighed, "Forced sugar when it's fake, and bashed if it's real. If I ever want to come out, I'll probably have to wait until I retire. I have wronged him."
"Yeah, that's true..." Zhou Xintang's initially high spirits dampened, but his professional demeanor remained intact. No one could see through his smiling face any hint of melancholy.
Otherwise, news of his discord with Cheng Luozhu could make tomorrow's headlines.
As the ceremony began, one prestigious award after another was presented. Those who won naturally smiled with joy, while those who didn't manage to win still applauded with a smile, even if their mood was low.
To everyone's surprise, Cheng Luozhu won both the Best Newcomer and Best Supporting Actor awards. The Golden Phoenix Awards held significant prestige, and just these two awards alone would double Cheng Luozhu's salary.
However, there was an unwritten rule in award ceremonies: balance. The drama "The Warlords" had already won four awards, including Best Music and Best Director. If they won any more, the entire ceremony would become unbalanced.
The awards reached the Best Actress category. Although Cheng Luozhu had won awards, he felt complex emotions. If things went as expected, the Best Actor award tonight might not go to "The Warlords" crew.
"Keep calm," Director Lu patted Zhou Xintang's arm.
Zhou Xintang smiled, "I'm fine."
He actually wasn't as concerned about the award as one might think. If there was one reason he felt compelled to win, it was to give all his fans who supported and encouraged him an explanation. If he didn't win, it might disappoint them.
Lin Su quietly stood up from the back and left the venue silently as the Best Actress award was announced.
【In "The Warlords," Zhou Xintang's acting scores are very high, surpassing all the nominees' average scores,】 System 06 analyzed.
【Hmm, I know,】 Lin Su replied, but he didn't stop his departure.
The ceremony's host was already delivering the prelude to the Best Actor award, and amidst the tension and anticipation, Zhou Xintang was probably the calmest.
"The Best Actor award goes to... Zhou Xintang from 'The Warlord” group. Congratulations, Zhou Xintang!"
When this result was announced, everyone was stunned, especially Zhou Xintang, who remained seated without moving.
"Xintang, go up and accept the award," Director Lu called out to him, and only then did he react, somewhat bewildered, as he stood up and walked onto the stage.
Such a result had actually occurred before, but it was rare, a highly unexpected outcome.
But precisely because of this, fans and audiences were extremely surprised.
"I'm dying of laughter, didn't you see how stunned Xintang looked just now? So cute."
"I bet he didn't expect to win, after all, this result is really surprising."
"This is what we love to see."
"Congratulations to Xintang for winning the Best Actor award again after many years. It's a dream come true for our Tangtang Group."
"Who dares to say our Xintang lacks acting skills in the future? Just look at how he moved everyone to tears, leaving many others in the dust."
"Take me away, Tangtang..."
Although Zhou Xintang was bewildered, the distance from the audience to the stage was enough for him to regain his composure. With a polite smile, he shook hands with the presenter.
"It seems like you're really surprised, Xintang. Didn't expect this outcome, did you?" the host asked.
When he held the trophy in his hand, it felt somewhat unreal. Zhou Xintang smiled and said, "Indeed, because all the actors nominated alongside me were very talented."
"But you, Xintang, earned this award through your talent, it's well-deserved," the host chuckled.
The applause was loud, and Zhou Xintang's heart was pounding intensely. He recited his pre-prepared words of gratitude, and as he listened to the applause, something profound was accumulating within him.
Perhaps his next decision would be seen by many as self-destructive, but he wouldn't regret it.
"...Actually I have something to tell you all today," Zhou Xintang said, feeling suddenly relieved when he uttered these words.
The whole room fell silent, listening to what he wanted to say. Cheng Luozhu, however, began to realize something was wrong, but before he could stop him, the words had already left Zhou Xintang's mouth, "Actually, I like men. I'm sorry for not having openly shared this with everyone before, but I don't want to keep hiding it anymore..."
The entire room remained silent. Suddenly, someone questioned, "Why can't we hear anything? What did he say?"
"Is the microphone malfunctioning?"
Staff rushed onto the stage to check the microphone, swiftly replacing the faulty one with a new one. Their professionalism was commendable, but online discussions were heating up.
"What did Xintang just say? Why did we suddenly lose sound?"
"I'm so curious, it's driving me crazy."
"Xintang seemed very serious just now. Will he repeat it?"
Even those seated in the audience had questions. After all, such matters raised in this kind of setting could potentially be major news.
Only Cheng Luozhu's tense nerves relaxed. He didn't know why he suddenly had a feeling of what Zhou Xintang was going to say. His senior was not an impulsive person, always restraining his words and actions, but it was precisely such restrained individuals who were prone to impulsivity, which could be fatal.
The host smiled as he explained, "Sorry, we had a slight technical issue just now. What did Xintang want to say?"
Zhou Xintang didn't expect this outcome. The sudden turn of events dissipated the impulse in his heart. Everyone in the room was watching him, including Director Lu, screenwriter Liu, and many other colleagues he had collaborated with.
They had bestowed upon him this platform with honor and expectations, and he had nearly tainted it with his impulsive actions.
It was too impulsive. This wasn't the place to vent personal desires. Zhou Xintang had never been so grateful for an unexpected turn of events, which gave him a chance to redeem himself.
“I wanted to say that the person I am most grateful for standing here is my agent,” Zhou Xintang smiled, “I have two agents, one who brought me into this field, he is my friend, but he was more like an elder brother who showed me the way. Whether I continue to work with him or not, I will be grateful to him for my entire life. And the second one, you all know him, he's the one known as the national agent, Lin Su. I'm really thankful to you two.”
This speech once again drew applause. Zhou Xintang bowed, and as he lifted his head, he caught a glimpse of Lin Su's figure walking past the second floor.
That didn't seem to be the direction of the restroom. What was he doing there? This thought flashed through Zhou Xintang's mind, but he maintained his composed smile as he stepped down from the stage, giving no hint of his suspicions.
【Host, your method of unplugging the microphone wire was quick, accurate, and ruthless,】 System 06 analyzed the pros and cons, deciding to flatter at this moment.
【Well, thank you for the compliment,】 Lin Su responded leisurely.
【Don't you want to announce your relationship with him?】 System 06 questioned. According to the current power of the host, even if it were announced, the entertainment industry wouldn't be able to do anything about it.
Lin Su smiled and replied, 【It's not the right time yet.】
As the ceremony ended, discussions continued online about the awards presented tonight. The entry for Zhou Xintang as Best Actor firmly held the headlines, followed by an explosion of discussions, analyses, and admiration.
Zhou Xintang felt a little apprehensive looking at their expressions as he sat in the car. Lin Su remained silent, head lowered as he looked at something.
Zhou Xintang spoke up, "I'm sorry."
Lin Su looked up and smiled, "Sorry for what?"
"For not announcing our relationship as we agreed after winning the Best Actor award," Zhou Xintang felt he owed it to his fans, owed it to the Golden Phoenix Award, but he also felt sorry for the person who had always been with him. "I couldn't say it just now. It's not that I didn't want to announce it, but I want to delay it for another three days. I didn't want this film to be tainted with dirty water because of me."
He felt a bit apprehensive, afraid that Lin Su might see him as someone who breaks promises, and someone who's insincere.
But Lin Su smiled, adjusting his hair gently, his eyes filled with tenderness, but devoid of any questioning. "I don't remember anyone announcing that they like men openly. The correct way to announce it should be, 'Hey everyone, I'm together with Lin Su.'”
"Did you hear that? That's impossible," Zhou Xintang was sure there was no microphone enhancement at the time. Even the host might not have heard what he said clearly, but Lin Su's recount was almost identical.
He suddenly remembered seeing Lin Su's figure on the second floor earlier, a rare moment when his intelligence was at its peak in love. "What were you doing on the second floor? The microphone suddenly lost sound. Was it your doing? You didn't want to make it public? Do you possess clairvoyance abilities?"
"Hahaha..." Lin Su burst into laughter amidst Zhou Xintang's series of babbling. "You didn't want me to be criticized alone and wanted to bear the criticism by yourself. How could I not figure that out? You don't have to shoulder them alone. I consider myself a reasonable person. Your reasonable requests won't make me angry easily. Don't do such silly things in the future."
Zhou Xintang's eyes were tinged with bitterness. Having a partner who understands one's hardships, who comprehends his meaning behind every action, there's nothing more heartwarming than this.
"Do you need a hug, big brother?" Lin Su teased, leaning in.
It's worth mentioning that fame nurtures people, and the current appearance of the Best Actor undoubtedly made countless people want to embrace him.
"I do," Zhou Xintang broke into laughter through tears, leaning forward to hug his waist. His tears had dried up, his eyes still a bit red, he is undeniably beautiful.
Lin Su kissed his eyes gently. "There's no rush with this matter. Trust me, relax and focus on your acting."
"Okay," Zhou Xintang's emotions calmed down for the moment.
Of course, this temporary calmness was only temporary. When he returned home, he couldn't calm down at all, because Lin Su thought he looked too tempting on stage and cried even more beautifully when he came down.
Zhou Xintang complained about this man's bad taste, but cooperated exceptionally well because the mesmerizing look in Lin Su's eyes stirred his blood.
This person's appearance is hot, but inside, he's very cold. Being able to make his blood and gaze boil is truly an achievement.
The benefits brought by the Golden Phoenix Award for Best Actor to Zhou Xintang are countless. Riding on this wave of popularity, Lin Su directly released the trailer for "Future."
With a runtime of over a minute, the clip features intense collisions of various lighting effects and extremely cool stunt moments. It showcases futuristic floating technology, planetary collisions, and countless robots spread throughout the universe. Just a tiny ray could instantly destroy a small satellite. It's an unimaginable spectacle, one minute and thirty seconds that captivate the audience's attention, leaving them breathless until the end, yearning for more.
"Damn, these special effects are fucking amazing!"
"They must have put in millions just for this minute, if the whole movie is shot like this, it's gonna be a hit."
"I'm worried that all the excitement is packed into this one-minute clip. Why do so many movies do this?"
"I work in post-production, and even abroad, this level of technology is unreachable. To do the entire movie like this, it would cost at least a billion. Stop dreaming..."
"It's not impossible. Except for Zhou Xintang, all the actors in the film are newcomers..."
"Can newcomers handle the acting?"
Just one segment is enough to set the internet ablaze with discussions. Coupled with the announcement of the cast, it's like pouring a bucket of gasoline onto the fire.
With the boost from the Golden Phoenix Award, the fame of "Future" skyrocketed in just a few days.
However, most of the filming was done within green screen sets, so the media's attention couldn't penetrate through for the time being.
But such special effects and popularity did indeed uplift the spirits of these newcomers.
"These special effects are truly breathtaking."
“If this really takes off, even the least significant roles will gain recognition.”
...
However, this excitement settled down after two or three days under Lin Su's expectations. Because if they couldn't focus and deliver good performances, there was always the possibility of being replaced.
Zhou Xintang didn't say anything about this point. He himself believed that professionalism was the first rule of being an actor.
"Luozhu complained to me that he regretted going to Shi Wei's place," Zhou Xintang chatted with Lin Su in his spare time, "He missed out on such a good drama."
"He needs a leading role that belongs to him," Lin Su chuckled, "Tell him that once he gets the Best Actor trophy, he can freely choose his roles. You can convey to him that on public resources, I won't favor anyone, but on personal resources, I will play favorites."
That was blatant favoritism.
Zhou Xintang couldn't help but laugh, blinking his phoenix eyes, "You tell him yourself, I don't want to offend anyone."
In fact, without Lin Su's words, Cheng Luozhu could also understand the underlying meaning.
However, understanding was one thing, complaining was another. He could only lament his inability to be in multiple places at once, unable to act in all the good dramas.
Lin Su's guidance always hit the nail on the head. Despite the heated discussions outside, the production of this drama progressed smoothly.
While "Future" was in post-production editing, Cheng Luozhu's military film was released. Gunfights and military uniforms always held a special allure, and Cheng Luozhu's military uniform made countless fangirls cover their hearts, calling him a male god and wishing to marry him at any moment.
Regardless of how Shi Wei felt about such comments, the film became a hit just like in the original timeline. Cheng Luozhu's salary increased once again. Meanwhile, the script for the second part of "The Warlords," titled "Assassinating Qin," also landed in Lin Su's hands.
When the emperor destroyed six kingdoms, how could there be no resistance among them? But when military strength couldn't suppress it, they could only catch the emperor first.
People of later generations knew that unification was the trend of history, but for those who were conquered, their history of resistance was indeed tragic.
Zhou Xintang's role remained unchanged, but Cheng Luozhu's character had died in the first part and wasn't suitable for the second film, so after finishing the promotional tour, he unexpectedly found some leisure time.
"Ah, I'm just a poor soul no one cares about," Cheng Luozhu ignored the intimate gestures between Lin Su and Zhou Xintang, shedding tears on his own, "I’ve been resting for over half a month without any new roles, and I can see myself fading away."
A true drama queen.
"Here’s a supporting role," Lin Su handed him a script, "If you perform well, your popularity will rise. If not, you'll face criticism. Good luck."
As Cheng Luozhu achieved success and prepared to leave, Lin Su was about to continue his sentence when Zhou Xintang suddenly pushed against his chest. "Aren’t I too idle?" he asked.
He had been resting for over a month, except for occasional notifications. Compared to Cheng Luozhu, who kept taking on new roles, it seemed like he was indulging himself too much.
Blame it on the allure of romance, diminishing one's drive.
"I think you are indeed too idle," Lin Su blocked his mouth, signaling that it wasn't the time for Zhou Xintang, the reigning movie star, to be thinking about work.
As Cheng Luozhu's military film "Warfare" approached completion, "Future" was scheduled for release, just fifteen days away from airing.
Initially, the excitement surged again, but this time, it was met with a wave of mockery.
"Just how long did they spend on the special effects for a trailer? Can they really be that good?"
"I told you before, the trailer probably showed all the exciting parts of the movie."
"This is just a money grab. We shouldn't have high expectations for this film. If I end up watching it, I'll run laps upside down!"
"Brother, don't say anything too definitively, lest you get slapped in the face."
"If I really get slapped in the face, I will live broadcast naked."
Not only did people online not understand Lin Su's bold move, but even Shi Wei was puzzled. "Are you sure the special effects will be good in such a hurry? Once your reputation is tarnished, it'll be difficult to salvage. Why the rush?"
"We're rushing for film festivals, the Golden Bell Award, the Golden Bear Award, and the Golden Deer Award, I plan to sweep them all," Lin Su calmly replied, devoid of any joking tone.
"Will 'Warfare' also be submitted for review? Didn't you say you wanted Luozhu to win Best Actor?" Shi Wei started feeling a bit concerned.
Because what others couldn't achieve always seemed to have unexpected outcomes in Lin Su's hands, one had to be cautious.
"Let his talent speak for itself. With so many awards, winning one shouldn't be a problem," Lin Su said calmly. "As his lover, you should be the one who believes in him the most."
Shi Wei: "..."
You've said it all, both good and bad! Be careful who you make friends with!!!
Despite the widespread criticism, "Future" still premiered.
During the premiere, only 30% of the theaters had a 5% occupancy rate. Some went with a skeptical mindset, while others were there solely to support Zhou Xintang.
However, within the first ten minutes, countless reviews had flooded the internet.
"I'm freaking out!!!!"
"Oh my god oh my god oh my god, I regret not studying more in school. Seeing such explosive scenes only makes me want to say "oh my god."
"Refund my money? Compared to these effects, every sci-fi movie I've seen before is crap!!!!"
"I don't regret not watching, I want to stream running naked right now."
"If this show doesn't become a hit, it's a travesty."
The bystanders who were waiting for the moviegoers to come out and criticize were stunned and stirred up.
Compared to a poorly made movie flop, they would rather see a well-produced sci-fi blockbuster.
And now, it seemed like their wish had come true.
"Could it be fake reviews?" Some still had doubts.
"Are you saying the entire internet is a water army? If you don't want to watch it, you'll regret it. Don't let them deceive you!"
"Brother, I’ll go watch it now."
"+1."
The power of audience recommendations was absolutely immense. By the start of the second screening, the occupancy rate for "Future" had reached 100% in the late hours of the night, with many still queuing up, and online tickets were sold out in an instant.
Even with late-night screenings in theaters, they were still packed even with a 10% increase.
Waking up the next morning, those who hadn't paid attention to Weibo the day before were startled by the movie trending "Future."
Various critics gave very high praise.
"Not discussing the film itself, this is definitely a big leap in technology..."
"I don't regret not watching. I originally thought it was just hype from the water army, but after actually watching it, I realized my eyes couldn't keep up with the pace of technological advancement."
The number of Zhou Xintang's fans was increasing every moment, with tens of thousands more followers with each refresh.
All signs pointed to one thing: "Future" was on fire, and Zhou Xintang was also exploding in popularity.
Various invitations poured in, and the media was abuzz. Zhou Xintang pinched Lin Su's thigh and said, "I can't help feeling it's a bit unreal."
Even when he skyrocketed to fame back then, he didn't rise to stardom as quickly as he was now. While he certainly put in effort himself, a lot of the credit went to Lin Su.
"Well, what can I do to make it feel more real?" Lin Su asked in return.
"I don't think it's possible right now," Zhou Xintang refreshed his personal page again and took a deep breath. "It's both exhilarating and nerve-wracking."
Rarely did he feel so elated, and Lin Su just let him revel in it.
Because in his plan, Zhou Xintang's future was only the first step.
He wanted him to be the moon among these shining stars, capable of outshining everyone, making him an impression of the era, truly becoming an unforgettable superstar.
When his position couldn't be shaken by mere public opinion, those malicious words would probably disappear before they even appeared in front of him.
The popularly of "Future" kept rising every day. When people had become accustomed to it, the national television station reported on the latest special effects technology used in "Future."
Whether people knew about it or not, the clips shown caused a sensation.
This move was like a volcanic eruption, squeezing other films in the peak summer season out of the competition completely.
Postponing the release was imperative. With Shi Wei's support and government attention, Lin Su didn't let anyone dare to come and take a piece of the cake from his benefits.
Amidst the national discussions, "Future" premiered internationally as well. Similarly, on the first day, it was lackluster, but before anyone could start criticizing, it exploded on the second day, with box office and occupancy rates almost mirroring those in the domestic market.
This led to Zhou Xintang's fan base surpassing one billion, with many of the supporters and admirers expressing themselves in foreign languages.
And those new actors who were initially unknown really did become famous. Even before other film and television companies could poach them, the best ones had already signed contracts with Zhou Xintang's studio, leaving only the leftovers for others.
The heat of "Future" lasted for a whole year. After being postponed by three months, it was popular for three months, and as soon as it was taken off screens, it started another round of frenzy on the internet.
Just as the heat on the internet was starting to wane, this film swept various film awards, winning all kinds of awards. Even the highly anticipated "Warfare," with Cheng Luozhu as the lead, only managed to grab one of the double Best Actor awards, while the rest were all taken by Zhou Xintang. As for other films, they were simply crushed to the point of being invisible.
Because of the explosion in popularity, the breaking of various records, and Zhou Xintang's triple gold award victory, this year was dubbed the "Future Year" in film history, and it belonged to Zhou Xintang.
Zhou Xintang was initially quite excited, but later on, he became numb to it all. There were some who criticized him for not sharing any soup with colleagues from the same studio, but colleagues including Cheng Luozhu were particularly happy and supportive. With various expressions of support in place, those haters couldn't gain traction.
At this point, offending Zhou Xintang would definitely be unwise. The example of Zhou Xintang gives them hope, so if they wanted to become popular, it was best to please him. Others might not know what "Future" was about, but they had some knowledge of it.
Being popular had its advantages, but there were also downsides. For example, Zhou Xintang now had to bring a team of bodyguards when he went out, and be surrounded by fans and paparazzi, basking in the starlight.
Every piece of clothing he wore, every watch he had on could become an internet sensation, prompting people to rush to buy them. In this situation, wearing a couple's ring seemed like a dream.
But not wearing it attracted many suitors, even some men. They would even auction off the chance to have dinner with him.
Seeing the prices, Zhou Xintang, who was eating Lin Su's cooking, couldn't help but quip, "I think I don't need to act anymore in the future. Just dining with people will be enough to support myself for several lifetimes."
"Well, then I've made a fortune," Lin Su said as he served him some food. "Those people must be jealous of me."
Zhou Xintang, who was initially speechless, turned joyful, saying, "Yeah, if they knew I dine with you for free and still get paid, they'd probably turn green with envy."
"Let them be envious," Lin Su's attitude remained calm, but only he knew how much of a sense of accomplishment he had. This person, who was being watched by everyone, belonged to him alone.
As the heat of "Future" continued, news of the studio preparing for a new script spread. Actors who hadn't joined before started contacting them, some even willing to lower their fees to join the production.
The investment in "Future" multiplied several dozen times, and as soon as news of this production surfaced, countless investors came knocking with money in hand.
Lin Su didn't reject all of them outright. Apart from the Shi Corporation, he selected two or three others. While other production teams had to scramble for investments, here they not only had the luxury to choose but also had restrictions on how much stake they could offer.
When the investors finalized their shares, it attracted quite a bit of attention.
"Su Sheng Film and Television holds 70%. Isn't 'Future' almost entirely funded by this company? What's the relationship between this company and Zhou Xintang's studio?" someone questioned.
"It's not a problem if it's related to the studio, what's worrisome is if it's related to Actor Zhou himself."
1 Comments
Thanks for the update
ReplyDeletePost a Comment