This director is vindictive.

Chapter 282 The Qixi Festival Livestream Storm: A Carnival for 3 Million People and an Industry Upheaval
August 14, 2021, was the traditional Chinese Qixi Festival.

Although this festival is not a public holiday, in the past, every Qixi Festival evening, shopping malls, squares, pedestrian streets and the like would be packed with people.

But this year is exceptionally different.

The places most affected are not these places, but rather the cinemas!
According to Wanda Cinemas and ticketing platforms such as Maoyan, this year's Qixi Festival (Chinese Valentine's Day) shows that screenings from 8 pm to 11 pm would have been prime time in the past, with tickets almost always sold out.

However, this year, the data has plummeted, affecting many couples who booked tickets in advance. What caused this? Naturally, it was the "Chen Mo Welfare Live Stream," resulting in a refund rate as high as 70%!

In contrast to the dismal evening sales, daytime movie ticket sales actually increased. Analysts believe this is because some viewers, wanting to watch Chen Mo's live stream, proactively adjusted their entertainment plans, moving their movie viewing time to the afternoon or evening.

The media has dubbed this phenomenon the "Chen Mo phenomenon"!
There's no way around it; Chen Mo's live stream has become the hottest and most watched nationwide phenomenon.

While describing it as "the streets were deserted" might be an exaggeration, Chen Mo's live stream did indeed impact some industries.

Finally, evening arrived, and an hour before Chen Mo's live stream was scheduled to begin, Douyin had already opened the live stream room in advance.

However, despite overestimating the popularity of Chen Mo's live stream, they ultimately found that they had underestimated it.

The live stream data one hour before it started still far exceeded the platform's expectations.

According to Douyin's backend data, the number of people waiting online exceeded 5000 million within just 10 minutes of the live stream opening early, and the rapid flood of comments caused the server to lag multiple times. Many viewers urged in the comments section: "Start the live stream already!"

"We've already refunded the tickets, now we're just waiting for Chen Mo!"

"The movie theater owner is probably going to cry himself to sleep tonight."

Moreover, this number is still skyrocketing.

With the number of screens exceeding one million per second, the server pressure reached a critical point, forcing the technical team to urgently expand capacity to avoid a crash.

As the start time approached, the live stream's popularity reached new heights. The comments gradually shifted from anticipation to playful banter.
"I suggest movie theaters switch to selling projectors, so that all of China can watch Chen Mo at home tonight!"

"My boyfriend said this live stream was more effective than roses, and he sent me a 520 yuan red envelope instead of the money he saved on movie tickets!"

"I just passed by Wanda Cinema, and the ticket seller was also waiting in the live stream for Chen Mo to start broadcasting."

"Nine out of ten people in the Wanda Plaza ice cream shop are holding their phones, waiting for the live stream to start!"

As the start time approached, the number of people waiting online surged to an astonishing level. 30 minutes before the start time, the total number of people in Chen Mo's live broadcast room on Douyin had reached nearly 2 million!
Meanwhile, topics related to Chen Mo dominated the top ten trending searches on social media platforms:

#ChenMoLivestreamCountdown#
#Over 100 million online users#
#Refund your ticket for Qixi Festival to see Chen Mo#
#Cinemas Experience the Coldest Qixi Festival in History#
#The Economics of the Chen Mo Phenomenon#
#Livestream server crashed again#
The offline impact continues to grow: many restaurants have launched "Watch Chen Mo's live stream package," offering a chance to win prizes while watching Chen Mo's live stream and have your meal free offline!

Data from food delivery platforms shows that orders placed while staying at home on Qixi Festival (Chinese Valentine's Day) surged by 300% year-on-year.

As the clock struck eight, the black screen of the live stream suddenly lit up—Chen Mo, dressed in Hanfu, appeared in the live stream. Within the first minute, the number of viewers exceeded 2.5 million, and a storm of comments instantly flooded the screen. Backend monitoring revealed a significant fluctuation in national network traffic at that moment, prompting telecom operators to urgently activate contingency plans to ensure uninterrupted communication.

Moreover, the number of bullet comments exceeded 10 billion when the broadcast started, with countless netizens frantically spamming the character "福" (Fu, meaning good fortune), saying it could accumulate good luck. The server even lagged down due to the flood of "福" comments.

Meanwhile, on TikTok, the international version of Douyin, more than 30 million overseas viewers flooded in immediately.

"Good evening, everyone. To be honest, I'm a little surprised. I didn't expect everyone to be so enthusiastic. Wow, so many people in the live stream, I'm really under a lot of pressure!" Chen Mo said, somewhat astonished as he looked at the number of viewers in the live stream.

"You may not know this, but I originally wanted to do this live stream to promote the second phase of the Huayun Wedding Attire series. I just didn't expect everyone to be so enthusiastic!" Chen Mo said with a wry smile.

Before Chen Mo could finish speaking, the live chat exploded with comments again:

"Chinese-style Wedding Attire YYDS!"

"Thank you, Huayun. Without this, our welfare festival would be over!"

"The last episode of 'The Phoenix Brings Auspiciousness' was really beautiful, what's this episode?"

"Can we stop talking about clothes for now? What about the perks? Give us some perks first! My girlfriend and I even canceled our movie tickets to come here specifically for these perks!"

"Refund the tickets!"

"I'm a single dog. I originally wanted to go to the movies, maybe I could have a romantic encounter. But because of your live stream, I missed my chance to find a partner. You have to make it up to me, right?"

The rapid refresh of comments caused the server to lag again, forcing the live stream to restrict viewers' comments. Just kidding, with hundreds of millions of people online at the same time, even if each person only posts one comment, there would still be hundreds of millions of comments.

Chen Mo glanced around and found that many people said they had canceled their movie tickets specifically to watch the live stream and grab the perks.

"Today is Qixi Festival. I just saw that quite a few people said they refunded their movie tickets to watch the live stream. Okay! It was indeed my fault. I guess you all don't want to hear what I have to say right now, so let's just give you some perks. The first batch of perks is to make up for everyone's regret of not being able to watch a movie on Qixi Festival."

"For the first round of giveaways, we recommend that single people participate. After all, who knows, you might actually have a romantic encounter? The first round of giveaways is 100 million tickets to the movie 'The Battle at Lake Changjin,' all single tickets. You can choose a screening specifically scheduled for this live stream. Well, all tickets you win are single tickets. As for whether you'll have a romantic encounter, that depends on your luck!" Chen Mo said with a smile.

The live chat exploded immediately.

Countless single people were brought out of the water.

"Chen Mo is so excited! This is amazing! Whether I can find a partner depends on today!"

"Don't steal this if you're not single! We're already suffering enough from your PDA, so please give us singles a chance!"

"Couples, don't try to snag a ticket! If a couple manages to get a single ticket and then tries to go on a romantic getaway, that would be really awkward!"

"That makes sense. Hurry up and provide the perks! It has to be Chen Mo, giving away a million copies right away! You're truly amazing!"

Of course, that's the truth, but couples definitely won't let this freebie slip by!
Everyone was just using the meme.

"To be honest, I usually watch live streams more than I do them myself. Today I'm here to learn. Okay, 3, 2, 1, link up!" Chen Mo said with a smile.

The technicians were already prepared. As soon as Chen Mo finished speaking, a large red envelope icon appeared on everyone's screen. All they had to do was click to participate.

It's so simple it's outrageous.

"Holy crap, I won! Where's my other half? I hope this ticket brings me good luck!"

"Chen Mo is awesome! He won! Hahaha! A great start!"

"Keep going, keep going! Damn it, I've been single for thirty years and my hand speed still didn't get it! I refuse to accept this!"

The atmosphere in the live stream was ignited as the first wave of one million tickets to the movie "The Battle at Lake Changjin" were drawn out instantly. A tsunami of comments flooded the screen, and the server briefly lagged again due to the barrage of "福" (good fortune) characters.

Chen Mo couldn't help but laugh as he watched the many silly netizens in the live chat complaining about how they hadn't won despite their fast reflexes after being single for so many years. He shook his head with a smile and said, "Well, is it possible that winning this prize has nothing to do with reflex speed?"

"Everyone, please reduce the amount of comments. The programmer just messaged me saying, 'If you keep this up, you'll get a bonus.'"

As a result, the chat exploded again. Even though the speaking time was limited to once every 10 seconds or 1 minute, the sheer number of viewers was overwhelming.

The first wave of benefits has already been drawn, and now the number of online users is approaching 3 million. Heaven knows where all those people come from.

With a population of over a billion, this is almost one-fifth of the total!
As Chen Mo jokingly suggested that programmers get a chicken leg, netizens flooded the screen with laughter.

Programmer: Anyone who wants to work this shift can do so; I'm quitting to watch the live stream!

"Hey bro, let's team up for a movie-watching party for singles this Qixi Festival!"

"Well, couples who draw this can also participate. After all, who knows, the next one might be even better?"

"Your thinking upstairs is unhealthy!"

Meanwhile, the number of viewers in the live stream officially surpassed 3 million, and the backup servers urgently called up by Douyin finally withstood the pressure. Chen Mo then launched a second wave of benefits: "Since the first wave was a 'single's aid, then for the next wave, single people don't need to go to the cinema to be fed dog food (i.e., witness couples' displays of affection). I wish you a wonderful evening! The same one million tickets to 'The Battle at Lake Changjin,' but this time they are adjacent seat packages, specially for couples!"
Enough with the chit-chat, 3, 2, 1, go!

The next moment, everyone was frantically clicking on the screen.

This wave of benefits was drawn very quickly.

The comments section was filled with laughter once again.

However, this time the situation is a bit unusual. "Thirty years of single-person speed, and I still couldn't get a single ticket, but instead got a couple ticket. Is Chen Mo forcing me to break up a couple on the spot?"

"Winning the lottery is like dying in society. Can the cinema please give me a 'dog-abusing seat' where both my left and right seats are couples?"

"I'm planning to bring my best friend along, pretending to be a couple, grab all the perks, and run! So exciting!"

"We suggest the system should recognize single status certificates! Couples should be required to verify their identity when trying to book tickets!"

Meanwhile, a Douyin technical representative said into Chen Mo's earpiece, "The international version has been officially integrated into the live streaming room."

With the influx of international viewers, the live chat was instantly flooded with comments in multiple languages!

Chen Mo glimpsed messages flashing across the screen in Japanese, Korean, English, and even Spanish.

However, almost all of them were expressing envy, since they could only watch and couldn't participate in the lottery.

"Why only China?! I want free tickets too!!"

This is unfair! TikTok should have a global giveaway!

"Watching from NYC, so jealous right now..."
China's Qixi Festival live stream was amazing! I hope Japan can have one too! (Japanese)
Chen Mosang calls for global harmony! Welfare lottery system should be internationalized! (Japanese)

Chinese netizens are so lucky! We hope Chen Mojun can broaden her horizons internationally; we want the same benefits! (Japanese)

Please let South Korea hold similar events (in Korean).
One million movie tickets is insane! (Korean)

Meanwhile, overseas Chinese also left messages in Chinese: Chen Mo, please hold an international special event soon! Overseas Chinese also need benefits!
Chen Mo was also taken aback by the enthusiasm of overseas netizens. To be honest, since this live stream was originally aimed at domestic audiences, he always thought that there wouldn't be so many overseas netizens coming over just to watch and feel envious.

However, a report came through the earpiece from TikTok's technical staff that at that moment, there were over 30 million overseas netizens online.

Even TikTok has inquired whether it can also offer some benefits to overseas users, and TikTok is willing to pay for it if the value is up to 2 million!
Chen Mo thought for a moment and said with a smile, "Thank you for your support from overseas netizens. We didn't really plan to give any perks to overseas netizens for this live stream, but we just heard that the number of overseas netizens online has now exceeded 30 million. Our China is a land of etiquette, and as the saying goes, everyone who sees it should receive it. So, I'll add a little perk on the spot."

However, since this was a last-minute addition, there aren't many benefits; it's more about giving overseas users a sense of participation!

After exchanging a few words with his staff, Chen Mo turned to the camera and announced: "Here's the arrangement for overseas benefits: TikTok will randomly select 10 international viewers to each receive a 'Huayun Hanfu' international online store voucher! In addition, we will also be giving away 10 movie tickets for overseas screenings of 'The Battle at Lake Changjin,' and winners can use their e-tickets to watch the movie at participating cinemas in their local areas!"

The moment the words were spoken, the multilingual live chat exploded with activity:
"OMG!! Chen Mo is an internationalist fighter!" (in English)

"Can I redeem this voucher for Hanfu? Order now!" (in French)

"I've checked the list of Los Angeles movie theaters, now I'm just waiting to win!"

Japanese netizens flooded the screen with "ありがとう" (thank you) comments!

South Korean netizens flooded the screen with the word "(Daebak)".

The reason Chen Mo didn't release more of the extra international version benefits was partly because it was a last-minute addition.

He mainly thought that this could be considered a form of cultural export.

Huayun has already expanded beyond China, with online and offline stores all over the world.

However, the audience for Hanfu is not that large overseas, so this wave can also be seen as a way to promote Chinese culture.

On the other hand, it's also due to the probability of winning.

Currently, the number of online users in China has exceeded 300 million, while there are more than 30 million overseas, so the odds of winning this lottery are the same.

This appeased overseas netizens on the one hand, and on the other hand, it prevented domestic netizens from becoming concerned about inequality rather than scarcity.

Domestic netizens, however, are quite amused by this, after all, the difference between overseas and domestic welfare benefits is enormous, practically worlds apart.

Soon, many Chinese netizens started making jokes in the comments section.

"I suggest that foreigners who win movie tickets must learn to sing 'My Motherland and I' before they can receive their tickets!"

"Can the voucher be transferred? I'd like to help my international friends experience Chinese culture (just kidding)."

"The State Administration of Radio and Television should award Chen Mo a banner for his cultural export efforts!"

This lottery also caused delays on the international server due to the surge in traffic. The technical director complained in the background: "I thought 3 million people was the ceiling, but now it has directly swept across time zones to 4 million!"

The team urgently activated a multilingual bullet comment splitting system, processing Chinese and non-Chinese bullet comments in separate channels, which barely managed to maintain stability.

It's fair to say it was a bittersweet experience.

As for the benefits Chen Mo distributed, even Douyin felt they were too little and wished he would distribute more.

They can easily foot the bill; after all, the influence is too exaggerated, and the effect of this wave is absolutely explosive.

The number of overseas netizens online has surged dramatically, which is understandable, since previously they could only watch and not participate. Now, although the benefits are much less than in China, at least they are no longer just watching!
Moreover, the winning rate is actually not low at all; a 1% winning rate is quite high for someone trying to get something for free.

As for whether there will be more, who knows? What if? What if there is?

"Alright, let's move on to the next one. Ahem, the next perk is only for domestic netizens, so sorry to international netizens."

The next perk, which was also the original purpose of this live stream, is the theme of the second installment of the Huayun Wedding Attire series: "Soaring Through the Sky with a Sword".

Because the promotional video is about to start filming, and some netizens will be invited to attend the ceremony, the number of people receiving this giveaway will be smaller, only 3000. We apologize for the inconvenience.

However, although there are only 3000 available, the odds of winning are ridiculously low, even lower than the odds of winning the lottery.

However, countless netizens showed overwhelming enthusiasm.

"Holy crap, flying on a sword! And we can even watch the ceremony live, I have to try my luck!"

"What a pity, the probability is indeed too low! But I can understand!"

"Who's the main character this time? Gao Yuanyuan? Yang Mi? Zhao Liying?"

"I'm guessing it's Yang Mi or Zhao Liying, since they've acted in a lot of fantasy dramas!"

For a time, fans of Yang Mi and Zhao Liying, as well as their CP fans with Chen Mo, were all eagerly waiting for the news.

Chen Mo then changed the subject with a smile and said, "Of course, there are also benefits for other netizens. There are one million Hanfu vouchers from Huayun Clothing. You can use these vouchers to redeem Hanfu at Huayun's physical stores in various locations or online stores!"
Without further ado, 3, 2, 1, go!

The saying goes, "Don't let the good stuff go to outsiders." Last time it was an accident, so we weren't prepared, but this time we were well-prepared.

Moreover, the original intention of this live broadcast was to make Zhao Liying's idea of ​​"sharing romance" come true.

"Ahhhh! I won! Hahaha! I'm definitely going to buy a lottery ticket after this broadcast, the odds are so low, I can't believe I won!"

"It's a pity I only won a voucher for Huayun Hanfu! I really wanted to go to the ceremony in person!"

"Flying on a sword like an immortal! Wouldn't that bring TV dramas to life? I really want to go!"

What is "flying like an immortal on a sword"? (in Korean)

Is this Chen Mosang's wedding? (in Japanese)

"A traditional Chinese wedding? Inviting netizens to witness the ceremony? The sense of ritual is incredible!"

Overseas netizens are relatively unfamiliar with Chen Mo, so they were all puzzled by this.

However, netizens quickly explained to overseas netizens what Chen Mo was talking about.

Then the entire live stream was transformed by overseas netizens.

(End of this chapter)