How did I become famous?

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, the snow stopped and the sun rose.

The warm winter sun began to envelop the snow-covered earth, and the streets began to bustle with activity.

This was supposed to be a day for family reunions, but several major film and television companies were still working overtime.

They are all eyeing the box office figures on the first day of this year's Lunar New Year film season.

At 1 a.m. on the second day of the Lunar New Year, Wu Kai was still at the company and had not gone home.

He just used his connections to buy a VIP seat at a movie theater to watch "Captain China" and is now waiting for the opening day box office results.

He didn't look well.

He felt betrayed.

The "8:20" order was already a huge joke, but now it's been revealed that he was the one who ordered it.

Although the company has issued a statement to refute the rumors and even sent lawyer's letters to several netizens who led the criticism against him.

But what's the point of a lawyer's letter? It just tells you, "I'm warning you, if you cause any more trouble, I'm going to sue you."

But how can he sue?

Those online trolls were indeed hired by him.

Although it was also because of another request...

But he had no evidence.

The online trolls do have evidence to prove that he hired them to smear "Captain China".

Fang Bie's spoofing was so convincing that Fang Bie actually believed it to be real.

To be honest, he felt good about his book, "Iron-Blooded Sandstorm".

However, it must be admitted that "Captain China" is a film that is several levels better than "Iron Blood Flying Sand".

But you shouldn't have lied to me!

The thought of Liu Mang's transformation made Wu Kai so angry he felt like he was going to vomit blood.

The thought of those cool explosion scenes and the large number of extras, all of which he had provided support for and even paid for, made him feel even worse.

With Liu Mang's name so prominently displayed, if your movie becomes a success, shouldn't I, Wu Kai, also receive a share of the credit?

No, wait! You're the one who deceived my feelings!

But ultimately, it all comes down to the box office.

Even though his movie has a bad reputation, he gets a lot of screenings!

Moreover, this is his first film after his career transition, and the company's expectation is simply that it won't lose money.

What other questions are there?

"Director Wu! The first-day box office results are in!"

Wu Kai steadied himself and replied calmly, "How much?"

"Twenty-one million!"

"real?"

"Really! This is a report!"

Wu Kai took the report, glanced at it, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.

The box office reached 21 million on the first day!

This has met his expectations.

After all, the investment was secured through connections, and the same method was used to arrange the screenings.

His film "Iron-Blooded Sand" has a screening rate of over 30%, so what if he gets criticized?

Anyway, the box office is already in.

Only after he has box office success to satisfy investors and the company can he have the money to make the movies he wants to make.

Wu Kai's mood improved considerably.

When he was in a good mood, he thought of his little brother.

Turn the report down and look...

"The Divine Physician in Plain Clothes" ranks first with 23 million copies sold.

"Iron-Blooded Sand" ranked second with 21 million views.

"Back to the Past to Meet You" ranked third with 17 million views.

......

"Captain China" ranked seventh with 9.3 million views.

Wu Kai beamed with joy.

Wu Kai suppressed a laugh.

Wu Kai was overjoyed.

Wu Kai called Fang Bie.

"Hey bro~ what are you doing~"

"Just got back from the movie and was about to go to sleep. What's up, Angkor?"

"The opening day box office figures are out, have you seen them?"

"Uh... I didn't see it."

Fang Bie doesn't care about this.

He's finding joy in his misery by going to the movies.

That one, "Back to the Past to Meet You".

To be honest, he thought the movie was quite interesting.

A person travels back two years and becomes a beautiful girl. In order to help her past self pursue her goddess, she ends up becoming her own goddess.

Hmm... I must say, it's really good-looking.

"My movie grossed 21 million! But yours isn't bad either, it made 9.3 million!"

Congratulations!

Fang Bie's voice sounded weak and listless.

Wu Kai's phone call shattered his last shred of hope.

In his original calculations, the total box office revenue of the film could not exceed seven million if he wanted to completely lose all the costs.

But it broke through on the very first day...

Fang Bie decided to treat himself to something nice these next few days.

Sigh... Anyway, the house is gone.

Fang Bie is now considering whether or not to try to get closer to Officer Chen Yongren.

In critical moments, I can turn to him for protection.

In a society governed by the rule of law, would Old Man Su really dare to drown himself in the river?

I just don't know how I'm going to make a living in the future.

The company I used to work for was also acquired by Old Man Su.

If I went to another company, I'm afraid Old Man Su would say one thing and I wouldn't be able to make a living there.

This life is truly absurd.

He shouldn't have agreed to this in the first place...

If he hadn't agreed, he would still be happily working as a concept artist, living an ordinary but carefree life.

Ugh......

Wu Kai was still immersed in happiness.

"Hey bro, when are we grabbing a bite to eat? My treat. Oh, and remember to bring Liu Mang along too."

Fang Bie rolled his eyes: "Brother Wu, I advise you to be kind. Liu Mang and his team have really taken off. Not to mention this movie, they'll be working at Speed ​​Film afterwards. Things change, so be careful he doesn't come back to cause you trouble when he makes a comeback."

Wu Kai laughed heartily: "Now that I've crushed him, when else should I show off? Do you think I'll let him off the hook once he takes off?"

Fang was taken aback; this guy had a really good attitude.

But he has a point.

Even if you become awesome in the future, at least I can show off in front of you now.

But if I don't show off now, you'll take off in the future, and I won't even have the chance to show off.

This guy sees things so clearly, so why did he still target Liu Mang in the first place?

Weird.

"Alright, that's all for now. I hope your movie flops."

This is not sarcasm, but a sincere blessing.

Wu Kai knew Fang Bie's purpose and also knew that Fang Bie was in a bad mood because his box office was doing well.

Therefore, he did not mention the online trolls.

After hanging up the phone, Wu Kai planned to go home and have a good meal, and then find Liu Mang again tomorrow to mock him.

But the assistant stood to the side and didn't leave.

"Xiao Zhang, you can go home now. Remember to tell me the day's box office figures tomorrow night."

Assistant Xiao Zhang's expression was rather grim: "Director Wu, there's something else I need to let you know in advance."

"What is it?"

"The screenings of 'Iron-Blooded Sand' were cut by a third the day after tomorrow, and then by about half. As for the release time... theaters are only willing to show it for a month, and that's only because of our company."

"Huh?" Wu Kai was stunned. "Why?"

"Someone posted an audio clip on Weibo that sounds like Director Wu's voice. That audio... is solid proof that the trolls attacking 'Captain China' were hired by us. Now netizens are boycotting our movie..."

Xiao Zhang took out his phone, opened Weibo, clicked on the trending news, and handed it to Wu Kai.

Wu Kai snatched the phone and played the audio...

[What's the name of your movie? "Captain China," right? Don't worry! I know several online troll leaders! If I don't smear your movie so badly your own mother won't recognize her, I'll change my surname to yours!]

The voice inside was definitely Wu Kai's voice.

There was another message following that audio recording.

"Solid evidence shows that Wu Kai, the director of 'Iron-Blooded Sand,' threatened Fang Bie, the director of 'Captain China,' to his face, saying he would hire online trolls to sabotage him! There's also video evidence! It's solid video evidence of Wu Kai leading a group to cause trouble on Fang Bie's set!"

There's also a short video clip showing Wu Kai leading a group to ambush Liu Mang and his associates.

The camera was so clear that Wu Kai's face was captured perfectly.

The comments from netizens below were also overwhelming...

"Hello Fang Kai!"

"I knew it! Those online trolls were indeed hired by Wu Kai!"

"Wu Kai is trash! His movies are trash, and his character is trash too! We strongly demand a boycott of 'Iron-Blooded Sands'!"

"Yeah, right! They're just hogging the spotlight! Don't they know how bad their movie is? They should really give up their screenings to 'Captain China'!"

"That Paramecium is definitely a hired troll for Wu Kai! He must have known about the movie's content beforehand, otherwise how could he have written such a long, negative review, especially before the movie's release!"

"I own a restaurant in Hengdian. I saw Director Fang having dinner with that scoundrel Wu Kai that day! They were chatting and laughing together. I never imagined Wu Kai was the kind of person who would stab his friends in the back!"

"Strongly boycott 'Iron-Blooded Sands'! Strongly demand that its screening slots be given to 'Captain China'! Like this post if you support me!"

This last comment has already received over 100,000 likes...

Wu Kai was completely stunned.

That audio recording was indeed what he said, but at the time, only I and Fang Bie were present...

No way! Yan Shuangying is President Su's bodyguard. He was sent by President Su to help Fang Bie ruin the movie. It can't be him!

Then... it can only be Fang Bie!

At this moment, assistant Xiao Zhang stabbed Wu Kai in the chest again: "Director Wu, the screening slots that our film will give up after tomorrow... will all be given to 'Captain China'..."

"You can go out now..."

Wu Kai spoke calmly.

Xiao Zhang wanted to say something, but in the end he went out and closed the door behind him.

Wu Kai lit a cigarette and dialed Fang Bie's number with trembling hands.

That was Fang Bie's lazy, annoyed voice...

"Angkor, I know your box office is booming, but you didn't have to keep me from sleeping, did you?"

"Fang Bie...did you do that thing online?"

"What's wrong? Did someone find out that I used a fake account to smear my own movie?"

"..." Wu Kai took a deep breath and roared, "Fang Bie! I'm telling you! We're finished! There's no future for us!"

He smashed the phone to pieces.

Fang Bie picked at his ear and muttered something:

"Are you sick in the head...?"

P.S.: Before I knew it, I'd written almost 3,000 words again. I plan to keep each chapter at least 3,000 words after it's published. I don't know if I can do it, but I'll try my best.