Huayu09: Starting with Hijacking Xiao Shenyang

Reporter: "What do you think of 'A Simple Noodle Story'?"

Audience Member 2: "What kind of chopsticks are these? It's just a run-down noodle shop with a few actors, and you call this a blockbuster?"

Audience member 3: "The whole thing was forced to make the audience laugh. The jokes were old-fashioned. It didn't feel like a movie; it was more like a skit or a two-person comedy act."

Audience member 4: "The story is nonsensical, the narrative rhythm is chaotic, and the awkward dance at the end is just too ridiculous."

Audience member 5: "Zhang Yimou, you son of a bitch, how could you do this to us? Give us our money back!!!"

"Refund!!!"

One audience member lost control of their emotions, immediately triggering a herd mentality.

Half an hour later, the screening of "Project Gutenberg" ended.

Reporter: "This audience member, how would you rate 'Project Gutenberg'?"

Audience 1: "Um... I want to ask Director Chen, did you work at the Federal Reserve? The process of counterfeiting money is too professional, damn it, it doesn't feel like a movie, it feels more like a documentary."

Audience member 2: "I acknowledge Teacher Zhao's acting skills. He can convincingly portray any role. His portrayal of the gangster boss this time was amazing. Perhaps it's because his apprentice has trained him so well?"

Audience 3: "As expected of a Cannes award-winning director, the film he makes is high-class, with meticulous logic, a plot full of twists and turns, excellent picture quality, and a strong cinematic feel. This is the quality that Chinese-language films should have."

Audience 4: "Compared to reselling counterfeit US dollars, I'm more interested in the upcoming city box office competition. The quality of 'Project Gutenberg' is beyond question. I'll be watching it again tomorrow. I'm definitely going to see the first song in Beijing. I hope Director Chen won't let us down."

Audience member 5: "Um, I just wanted to ask if Teacher Zhao still accepts apprentices? I'll pay him!"

Audience member 6: "Brother, do you want to be Teacher Zhao's apprentice? You want to be Director Chen's apprentice, I'm too embarrassed to call you out on it."

The audience burst into laughter.

Through on-site interviews, the media obtained firsthand information. The audience watched "A Simple Noodle Story" for entertainment, and most expressed disappointment or extreme disappointment.

The man who shouted for a refund is the best proof of that.

In contrast, "Peerless" has received almost universally positive reviews, with some viewers already expressing their anticipation for a theme song dedicated to a specific city.

One audience member wanted a refund, while another audience member was eager to give them money.

High judgment.

Both sides' affiliated media outlets know how to write it, and even the neutral ones know how to write it.

Peking Union Medical College Hospital.

Chen Mo, Ma Lijuan, Liu Xiaoli, Liu Yifei, and Jiang Wen, who rushed over, accompanied Zhao Benshan, Xiao Shenyang, Deng Ziqi, and other singers to rest in the next ward.

"Xiao Mo, Uncle Wen just came from China Film Group. The box office figures for the first day of preview screenings at major cinemas in Beijing are out. Guess how much they are?"

Jiang Wen smiled and kept everyone in suspense.

"Approximately 200 million."

Chen Mo provided precise figures.

"Damn, how did you know?"

Jiang Wen exclaimed in surprise.

"It's not hard to guess. The average ticket price in Beijing is 40 yuan. There are 84 cinemas and 373 screens. Each screen can show a maximum of 3 screenings and a minimum of 1 screening. I estimate that the average occupancy rate for the prime time and midnight screenings of 'Project Gutenberg' will be over 30%. So the ideal box office for the first day of the preview screenings in Beijing would be 373 × 100 × 40 × 1.5 = 223 million yuan."

It's an old habit of STEM guys to quantify everything.

Moreover.

This is really not a difficult thing.

"Awesome!"

Jiang Wen gave a thumbs up.

Now I finally know where Quentin Tarantino learned that awesome line from.

Liu Xiaoli and Liu Yifei were both stunned.

This is so professional.

How did he manage to remain so calm after showing off?

"Ring ring ring!"

"Hey, Uncle Zhang, got it."

Chen Mo hung up the phone.

"What did General Manager Zhang say?"

"Fengtian has few screens and low ticket prices, but it has a high number of screenings and a high attendance rate. The box office for the first day of preview screenings was 131 million yuan."

Fengtian has only 50 screens and an average ticket price of 35 yuan, yet it still manages to gross over a million yuan. It truly deserves its status as the headquarters of Benshan Media and an undisputed core box office.

My friends really went all out!

"On the first day of the preview screenings, the box office will definitely break 10 million. That's about it for Zhang Yimou."

Jiang Wen gave his evaluation.

"Phew... Xiao Mo, peel an orange for your master."

Zhao Benshan held his breath and listened for a long time before finally letting out a long sigh of relief.

My little apprentice.

Having you is a blessing for your master.

"You're ordering Xiao Mo around again. Why didn't you say a word just now? You're really good at trying to get attention."

Ma Lijuan rolled her eyes.

Before Chen Mo could reach it, he picked up the orange, quickly peeled it clean, and expertly stuffed it into Zhao Benshan's mouth.

"You've just recovered from your mental illness, and you're already trying to choke me to death by finding another old man?"

Zhao Benshan made a joke.

"Who can I turn to? You left the company to Xiao Mo, who would want me, an old and poor person?"

Ma Lijuan rolled her eyes.

"Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to radishes and green vegetables; maybe some people will like them."

Zhao Benshan whispered a cricket's name.

"Shut up!"

"Oh~"

The master's wife raised an eyebrow, and the old man immediately fell silent.

"Pfft..."

Chen Mo didn't mean it.

"When your master is discharged from the hospital, I'll beat you until your face is covered in bruises, then you won't know why flowers are so red."

Zhao Benshan gritted his teeth and threatened.

"Pfft..."

Liu Yifei couldn't help herself either.

"Sisi's smile is so beautiful, like a flower in spring."

Zhao Benshan gave a thumbs up.

Chen Mo: ? ? ?

Liu Yifei: So shy~

"Hey, old man, can you stop with the gender discrimination and differential treatment? I'm your own apprentice!"

Chen Mo lodged a protest.

"cannot!"

Zhao Benshan's statement was concise and to the point, and the protest was ineffective.

"I can't live like this!!!"

Chen Mo immediately made a big gesture imitating a shrew.

"Hahaha…"

Everyone burst into laughter.

Even Liu Yifei, who is well-mannered, beautiful and dignified, laughed heartlessly. Then, as if remembering something, she quickly stepped forward and gave someone a light punch.

"Can you be serious for once?"

"Sigh...another wife-fearing woman."

Zhao Benshan couldn't help but make a joke.

"Waaaaah~"

Liu Yifei was sweating profusely. "It's boiling! It's boiling!"

……

……

The next day.

Box office figures for the first day of release are in.

"A Simple Noodle Story" grossed 1302 million.

"Project Gutenberg" grossed 1200 million.

Slightly behind.

In the original timeline, "A Simple Noodle Story" grossed over 2000 million yuan on its opening day, while "Project Gutenberg" had already raked in over 1000 million yuan.

Chen Mo wasn't in a hurry at all; he let the bullets fly for a while.

Box office on the second day of release.

"A Simple Noodle Story" grossed 1003 million.

"Project Gutenberg" grossed 1570 million.

A strong comeback.

On Thursday, September 24th, audiences also have to go to work; the peak box office season is on Saturday and Sunday.

"Project Gutenberg" is sure to continue its upward trend, while "A Simple Noodle Story" has no chance.

Yes, the battle is over.

Now let's see how "Project Gutenberg" buries "A Simple Noodle Story".

The reason why the original film "A Simple Noodle Story" had poor reviews but high box office was because many media outlets were bought off and had few channels to obtain information.

Audiences only knew that Zhang Yimou had a new movie being released, so they rushed into the cinema without thinking. Even if they were greatly disappointed, they had few channels to voice their grievances.

With the added impact of CCTV news reports, more and more viewers were lured into cinemas.

The situation is completely different now.

"A Simple Noodle Story" took the initiative to declare war on "Project Gutenberg," and the two films fought fiercely. The media paid excessive attention to this matter, as did the general public.

Therefore.

Once the reputation of "A Simple Noodle Story" collapses, it will be irreversible, and the phenomenon of word-of-mouth transmission will be completely uncontrollable.

As for whether Chen Mo manipulated public opinion.

Excuse me.

"A Simple Noodle Story" doesn't even qualify.

"Xiao Mo, these are the box office figures from China Film Group after two days of release in major cities. Beijing and Shanghai are leading with 552 million and 491 million respectively, followed by Fengtian with 308 million, which is nearly double the highest single-day box office of 'Transformers 2'. Guangzhou is next with 107 million, Pengcheng with 105 million, and then Chengdu, Chang'an, Nanjing..."

Zhang Jiahao held the report in his hand and gave a serious presentation.

If nothing unexpected happens, the combined box office figures for the first three days will reflect this ranking.

"Understood, Uncle Zhang." Chen Mo nodded, then called out, "Old Liu, paper and pen."

"Oh~"

Liu Yifei obediently took out a two-piece set from her bag.

It still smells delicious.