Chinese entertainment: What's wrong with actresses wanting to improve?

Chapter 139 A Bloodbath Caused by a Steamed Bun

September 18, Beijing.

On its fourth day of release, "The Promise" had grossed 7200 million yuan, still leading "Painted Skin" in the same period.

But the wind has already begun to change.

For some unknown reason, the short film "A Bloodbath Caused by a Steamed Bun" appeared online 10 days early, even though it was originally scheduled to be released on December 28.

The publisher was still Hu Ge, and the platform for the post was Nebula Video, which already had a bullet screen feature.

Within three hours, the number of clicks exceeded 100,000.

Five hours later, 500,000.

The video is short, just over twenty minutes long.

Hu Ge re-edited footage from the film "The Promise," set it up within the framework of a legal program, and presented it with a serious narration and absurd visuals.

The barrage of comments drifted from right to left, densely packed.

"This is hilarious, hahaha!"

"This is better than the original."

"Wouldn't the poet Chen be furious if he saw this?"

"The bullet comment feature on Nebula Video is amazing!"

The next day, parody posts about "The Promise" began appearing on various portal websites, and the online frenzy started.

Chen Shiren's phone was ringing off the hook. Chen Hong forced a smile in front of reporters and said, "The audience needs time to understand," but everyone could see that this wave of public opinion was out of control.

On December 20, the daily box office of "The Promise" dropped to 8.2 million yuan, a decrease of more than 30%.

The daily box office of "Painted Skin" has rebounded to 600 million, and the gap between the two films is rapidly narrowing.

Fu Yibai, who was still filming on set, received a call from Han Shanping.

"Hey, Yibai."

"Was filming successful?"

Han Shanping asked with a friendly tone.

"It's going very smoothly. We'll be able to wrap up filming in about half a month."

"That's good, that's good."

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone before Han Shanping spoke again.

"Yi Bai, there's something I want to discuss with you."

Fu Yibai leaned back in his chair, his gaze falling on Tang Yan, who was touching up her makeup on set.

"President Han, please speak."

"You should know about the 'The Promise' thing, right?"

"Know."

"That video, 'A Bloodbath Caused by a Steamed Bun,' has been widely circulated on Nebula Video."

Poet Chen is extremely anxious. He asked me to pass on a message: could you please take the video down?

Fu Yibai did not respond.

Han Shanping continued, "Yi Bai, I know this isn't very ethical."

But China Film Group also invested in "The Promise," amounting to tens of millions.

I'm under a lot of pressure too.

"President Han."

Fu Yibai interrupted him, his tone calm.

"It's no longer about that video."

The post is now being reposted on various forums and portals, and the discussion thread has been filled with thousands of replies.

Even if Nebula takes down the videos, you can still watch them elsewhere.

Han Shanping remained silent.

"Mr. Han, it's not that I'm disrespecting you."

But this issue can no longer be resolved by simply removing it from the shelves.

Fu Yibai paused, then changed his tone.

"To be honest, this video was a pleasant surprise for Nebula."

"It's been online for over six months, and its daily active users have always been lukewarm, but they've doubled in the last two days."

A sigh came from the other end of the phone.

"I know... I know you're right."

Han Shanping's voice carried a hint of helplessness.

"But I also need to give an explanation to Poet Chen."

After all these years of friendship, they came to me for help...

"It's easy to explain."

Fu Yibai stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the artificial lake outside.

"You should tell him that it's not that you don't want to help, it's that you can't help."

The video has spread too widely and can't be suppressed.

Besides, the more you suppress it, the more it will rebound. You know what kind of temper netizens have.

If this really blows up, it will be even worse for the box office of "The Promise".

"..."

"Mr. Han, the best approach now is to handle this calmly."

Don't respond, don't explain, just pretend you didn't see it.

Netizens are just looking for fun, and once they've had their fun, it's over.

The more seriously you take it, the more enthusiastic they become.

There was a long silence on the other end of the phone.

After a long silence, Han Shanping's voice rang out again.

"Okay, we'll do it your way."

He paused, then added.

"Yi Bai, thank you for this."

"Mr. Han, you're too kind."

The phone hangs up.

The afternoon shoot proceeded as scheduled.

Tang Yan and Hu Ge were both in good form, and they finished several scenes in just one or two takes.

Li Dabai had two scenes today. After filming, he didn't leave immediately but sat in a corner, his gaze fixed on the monitor, seemingly lost in thought.

As Fu Yibai finished work in the evening and stood up, his phone vibrated.

It was a message from Yang Mi.

"Yi Bai, I've finished filming today!"

Director Lu said I acted well. I'm going back to Beijing tomorrow. I'll miss you.

The accompanying photo is a selfie of her in costume, with a Hengdian film studio in the background, and she is smiling.

Fu Yibai glanced at it and replied with "Okay".

He put away his phone and looked up at the film set.

As the staff were packing up the equipment, Tang Yan, wrapped in a down jacket, walked over and stood beside them.

"Whose message?"

"Yang Mi".

"oh."

Tang Yan nodded and didn't ask any further questions.

She paused, then spoke again.

"Want to come to my place tonight?"

Fu Yibai looked at her.

Tang Yan met his gaze and blinked.

"How could that be? You go back and wait for me."

"it is good."

Back at the hotel, as soon as the door closed, Tang Yan threw herself into his arms, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him.

This kiss carried the weariness of the day, as well as the longing that had been suppressed for so long.

Fu Yibai put his arm around her waist in response.

It's unclear how much time passed before the two finally parted ways.

Tang Yan buried her face in his chest, her breathing becoming erratic.

"I'm so tired today..."

"Then get some rest."

"don't want."

Tang Yan looked up at him.

"I need you to help me relax~"

"Little goblin."

As the night deepened, blush-inducing singing filled the room, only gradually subsiding in the latter half of the night.