Who said this top flow is crazy! This top flow is awesome!

Chapter 211 "The Boss" is released.

June 19th, 23:30.

Wanda Cinema in the capital.

The premiere of "The Boss".

The spacious IMAX theater was now packed with people, including guests attending the premiere, representatives from various film media outlets, freelance writers, and many lucky fans and audience members.

The premiere date of "The Boss" is set for June 20th, which is no accident. In just half an hour, it will be the Dragon Boat Festival this year.

Therefore, strictly speaking, "The Boss" is not a summer movie, but a "Dragon Boat Festival movie".

The corridor outside the IMAX theater was bathed in a red glow from the huge posters of "The Boss".

The scarlet title of the film, "**The Boss**", spans the top, with Ikeno and Francis Ng facing off in the image, and below it written in large characters: "June 20th, the Zongzi Fist Strikes!"

The air was filled with the unique aroma of popcorn, cola, and grilled sausages that are typical of movie theaters.

Doorway.

This year, dressed in a smart trench coat, she stood at the aisle entrance, looking at the bustling crowd inside the IMAX theater, holding her phone: "What do you mean? Are you targeting my movies?"

"Regarding this matter, I have stated my position many times. I have neither targeted anyone nor failed to express my opposition. But you should know that I am just one of the investors. The decision cannot be made by one person alone."

On the other end of the phone, Jinming, in a refined and smug tone, "scolded" his sister: "I had previously advised you to adjust the release date, but it was not adopted. You and Chiye insisted on choosing to release at the same time as 'The Fortress of Shanghai,' which is a truly unwise decision!"

This year, I gritted my teeth and said, "Speak like a human being!"

“…In plain terms.” Jinming said expressionlessly, “Behind ‘The Fortress of Shanghai’ is a huge investment of funds and a top-notch production team. As a highly competitive epic, its scale and influence are self-evident. This misjudgment is truly a disgrace to you and Chino!”

This year, after a two-second silence, he yelled, "You really never learn!"

“It’s not that I don’t want to help you… I’m just one of the investors in ‘Shanghai Fortress,’ and I sincerely advise you to avoid dealing with ‘Shanghai Fortress,’… I’ve received information that after ‘Shanghai Fortress’ is released, its screening share will start at 40%. Tell me, where does such a high screening share come from?”

"Go ahead and rob us! Unless you only plan to release it for a few days, cash in on Chi Ye's fans, and then stop making money... what are you going to do after that? The whole box office belongs to 'The Fortress of Shanghai'!"

This year, she frowned: "Really? Why didn't I receive any news?"

"Hey, my silly sister, 'The Fortress of Shanghai' hasn't even been released yet, so of course only we investors know about this first."

Jinming paused, then said suspiciously, "You guys aren't really just trying to make money off Ikeno's fans for a few days, are you? If so, you guys are just too low."

"..." Jin Sui sneered: "Complete the kinship!"

Jinming: “?”

"Eh!"

He was about to speak again, but the person on the other end had already hung up.

"Hey, tell me, this girl is still arguing with me."

Jinming shook his head, looking quite disappointed.

He felt a mix of emotions and pride—yes, the biggest investment project of Chaotian Entertainment, which he had taken over, was "The Fortress of Shanghai".

This blockbuster, hailed as the progenitor of Chinese science fiction, is Chaotian Entertainment's first and most representative work in the domestic entertainment industry! He had unimaginable ambitions for it.

Of course, what he said on the phone was also true.

He really didn't intentionally target Chi Ye this time, and even strongly opposed the actions of the Beijing Film Circle, but... just as he said, he was only one of the investors, and the Beijing Film Circle was only targeting "Big Boss" incidentally. What they really cared about was the screening share of "Big Boss" and its competitors.

This is where the profits lie.

The so-called targeting is nothing more than killing two birds with one stone.

As one of the investors, Jinming naturally wanted to make money, so after his attempts to dissuade him failed, he stopped trying to stop him.

Now, thinking about her sister's "furious" reaction on the phone, Jinming sighed, "Sigh, she's still young. See? She got tricked."

With that, he stopped thinking about it and turned to look at the middle-aged man sitting in front of him—the head of the Shanghai Municipal Propaganda Department.

Yes, he is now doing his best to provide more support to "The Fortress of Shanghai" from above!

"Sorry, it's been a long wait."

"It's okay. Hearing you say that, we're now full of confidence in 'The Fortress of Shanghai' too, haha."

"Indeed, you have excellent taste..."

"..."

……

Premiere.

11:45.

"Is everyone here?"

Chi Ye stood backstage and asked Coco.

"...A few people didn't come, but most people did."

Coco glanced at the list, her face darkening: "Several artists who had previously agreed to work out have made excuses at the last minute... These jerks."

Chi Ye glanced at it and waved his hand dismissively: "It's okay, if you don't want to come, you don't have to."

As Ikeno's first film, the premiere of "The Boss" should naturally be as grand as possible.

As is customary in the industry, the premiere of each film is usually attended by many friends and media representatives.

Firstly, it's to create hype; after mutual praise, they can "trick" more passersby into buying tickets. Secondly, it's also a way to flex their muscles and show off their connections to the outside world—to put it bluntly, it's about putting on a show.

Unfortunately, Ikeno has almost no foothold in the film industry now, and he also has a conflict with the Beijing film circle. Therefore, the guests at today's premiere are basically all from the film industry.

Even so, many artists who are closer to the Beijing entertainment circle, or even those who are not, did not come.

Among the people who came, only Director Zhang of "Loop", Xiaohaijie Ran Qiao, Director Liu of "My Love from the Star", Li Qian, Lü Xiaoming, and a few artists from this year's company are considered well-known. Apart from them, there are only Jin Xia and Chi Ye.

To be honest, it's a bit shabby, but... there's no way around it. The drama industry and the film industry are inherently separate. Several second-tier "friends" and investors came here because of the popularity of Ikeno after "My Love from the Star," hoping to build good relations and collaborate in the future.

"It's okay, it doesn't matter if I come to the premiere or not, I just need a ticket..."

Ikeno glanced at the time and, seeing that it was already 55 minutes past the hour, prepared to tell everyone to sit down.

Just then, a gasp suddenly came from the last row of the audience: "Hey! Are you Shi Jinwei?"

"Ah, Weiwei's here?!"

"Weiwei! Weiwei!"

People in the front row turned around and saw a figure in the last row wearing a black baseball cap and a black mask, with chestnut hair falling to her shoulders. She reluctantly took off her hat and glared reproachfully at her assistant who had "unintentionally exposed" her.

"It's all your fault. See, we've been found out. We can't even go to the movies quietly now."

Assistant: "...I'm sorry, it was all my doing, I'm guilty."

"As long as you know."

Sister Pliers snorted, then looked up and gave Chi Ye a cold glance from afar, as if to say hello.

Chiye: "...6."

Why isn't Weiwei sitting in the front?

The Empress Dowager glanced at Shi Jinwei in the last row with surprise, first with delight at the thought of "someone's here," then subconsciously glancing at her chest... Hmm... she was dressed very conservatively this time...

No need to poke, just keep it in mind!
She hummed and raised an eyebrow slightly at Shi Jin.

Sister Pliers snorted and muttered, "What's so smug about that? What a drama queen!"

"Please be quiet, everyone. The movie is about to start. Please refrain from any screen recording during the film..."

On stage, the host has already begun speaking.

……

Meanwhile, in a cinema in Singapore.

Sister Shang sat leisurely and solemnly in the best viewing seat in the fifth row, with fried chicken in her left hand and Coca-Cola in her right, her little mouth greasy, enjoying her meal immensely.

There was "no one" around, except for an assistant sitting next to her—they had booked the entire venue for the day.

"Sis, you've already come all the way to Singapore, why...don't you just come back to China to watch the movie? Didn't Teacher Chi invite you to come and see a film?"

The assistant looked at Sister Shang and asked, puzzled.

"You do not understand."

Sister Shang said smugly, "I'm a lazy dog, I have to maintain my image! How can I let him know that I was in the United States the day before yesterday and now I've run back? He'll 'misunderstanding'! That would be so embarrassing."

"...Sister, it seems like the thing you're least afraid of is losing face."

The assistant complained.

Sister Shang paused for a moment, not angry, but slightly saddened, and said, "Sigh... mainly because Xiaxia is there... so, I think I'd better not go~ to make Teacher Xiaochi more comfortable."

"Well... booking out the whole theater is pointless except for contributing a little to the box office. If we don't go, they'll lose a lot of buzz."

"I've already planned it out. I'll have someone 'secretly' take a picture of me later, and then post it out in a couple of days. Hmm... that should be fine."

Assistant: "...Why bother?"

Sister Shang shook her head, repeating the same thing: "You don't understand."

……

"I really don't understand, how can 'Big Boss' try to piggyback on 'Shanghai Fortress'?"

In the capital, at a cinema not far from the premiere of "The Boss".

Ling Han sat in the crowded theater. It was 59 minutes past the hour, and all the commercials had finished playing on the big screen.

Coincidentally, the last advertisement was for "The Fortress of Shanghai".

This sparked an argument between a young couple next to her.

The man was clearly a sci-fi fan who didn't follow celebrities, while the woman... she had a slight Shonan accent, so she was probably a fan of Ikeno.

At this moment, the woman was very unhappy when she heard her boyfriend's words: "I say, aren't you guys being too morally blackmailing? They're both movies, so why is 'The Fortress of Shanghai' considered superior to 'The Boss'?"

"That was not what I meant."

My boyfriend analyzed logically: "Movies are different from idol dramas. Movies are about acting, special effects, and are the kind of blockbusters that are worth the ticket price..."

"Ikeno is making a movie so soon, it's obviously just to fleece you fans. What kind of acting skills could he possibly have? You don't actually believe that the 'acting genius' you're all talking about is real, do you?"

My girlfriend is Liu Xiaoxiao, who is a fan of Ikeno in Shonan.

During the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, she and her boyfriend came to the capital for a trip and wanted to see their idol up close at the premiere... but they couldn't get tickets, so they could only choose a nearby cinema to watch "The Boss".

But it's clear that the boyfriend doesn't approve of his girlfriend's idol, and even finds Ikeno particularly "hateful" because of what happened recently.

—He's just a pretty boy, everyone's criticizing him online, so he must be right to join in.

"...I'm not going to talk to you anymore. Anyway...Coconut's works have never disappointed."

Liu Xiaoxiao was a little angry, but she was past the age of mindlessly chasing celebrities, so she wouldn't quarrel with her boyfriend over such a small matter. However, she did feel a little uncomfortable and didn't know how to prove it to her boyfriend.

Because Ikeno's acting skills hadn't really left a strong impression on everyone before.

Idols, idol dramas, singers—none of these have anything to do with acting skills.

嗏

Judging from the trailer, "The Boss" should be a good movie, right?
He's a ghost, not even worth a hair on Brother Yan's head!

Ling Han cursed inwardly, but as an "undercover agent in the Beijing circle," she dutifully remained silent.

Ta-da!
Suddenly, the screen in the hall went dark, and then the familiar sound of the "Dragon Emblem" rang out.

Everyone in the theater was startled and looked up.

On the big screen, an animation appeared: a drop of water fell into a pool, creating ripples. As the ripples spread to the edge, the outline of a hollowed-out palm leaf rose from it, the leaf unfurling.

The words "Ikeno Studio" emerged from beneath the leaves, accompanied by tiny specks of light drifting by.

"This is Coconut's company!"

Liu Xiaoxiao explained science to her boyfriend.

Her boyfriend wasn't interested, and even found it a bit boring: "Aren't you going to start?"

"here we go."

Someone nearby said something, and the names and logos of various companies disappeared, while the screen suddenly lit up.

The ear-piercing roar of the engine tore through the darkness of the cinema.

A silver supercar sped through the streets of Binhai City, its tires screeching as they rubbed against the pavement.

The camera abruptly cuts to the car interior—Chi Ye… Zhao Tai grips the steering wheel with one hand, takes a swig from a bottle of strong liquor with the other, and grins maniacally.

As soon as he appeared, many female audience members in the theater gasped – Holy crap, what an authoritative face.

He was wearing an impeccably clean, pale white shirt and suit, with the collar slightly open, his hair neatly combed back, and a bit messy in front of his forehead. He also wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses—completely different from the Ikeno and Professor Ike I knew!

Completely different in temperament and appearance! So damn handsome!

Especially when viewed on the big screen, her excellent facial features and already striking good looks are magnified to the extreme!
Just as they were thinking this, what happened next sent a chill down the audience's spine.

inside the car.

Zhao Tai's pupils dilated with alcohol and excitement. The car he had forced to stop was reflected in the rearview mirror, and the driver's terrified face flashed by.

The hostess in the passenger seat was deathly pale, her nails digging deep into the leather seat: "Mr. Zhao... could you please slow down a bit?"

Zhao Tai didn't answer. Instead, he slammed on the gas, and the sports car shot towards the bend like an arrow, the tires screeching as they rubbed against the ground.

Suddenly, a muffled thud—the front of the car crashed into a fire hydrant on the side of the road.

"Fuck me!"

Everyone in the theater was instantly struck by the opening ceremony, and gasps of surprise filled the air.

On the big screen.

The smell of burning tires mixed with alcohol filled the air, and a fire hydrant was broken, with water gushing out.

Zhao Tai pushed open the deployed airbag, staggered out of the car, his suit open and his tie askew.

He stared at the dented front of the car, then suddenly burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the empty street: "Ha...hahaha! That's awesome! Now that's what driving is all about!"

Smiling, Zhao Tai staggered toward the car that had been forced to stop; the driver was trembling as he called the police.

"Hey." He kicked the car door, the metal groaning piercingly. "Did you just... honk the horn to rush me?"

The car owner was so startled that he dropped his phone and stammered, "N-no! Mr. Zhao, I..."

Zhao Tai tilted his head and stared at him for a long time, then suddenly grabbed a half-broken bottle of liquor and smashed it against the hood of the car.

"Bang!" The glass shattered, and the wine splashed everywhere.

"Now there is."

"..."

The cinema was silent.

The boyfriend opened his mouth: "Ikeno?!"

His reply was tinged with astonishment, because in the footage just now, the face was the same, but the makeup, hairstyle, and even the demeanor and lines were completely different from the Ikeno he remembered.

Is it the director's skill? Does Ikeno have this kind of acting ability?!
(End of this chapter)