Zhou Yuánlěi's video quickly spread across the internet. He already had over a million followers and was something of a public figure online, so plenty of netizens flocked to watch the drama unfold.
"Oh my god, a video creator got arrested for making a video!"
"I've watched the video and even checked out some of the evidence released by the police. All I can say is, this creator let greed get the better of him. Maybe things going so smoothly for him over the past couple of years went to his head."
"I can't believe this creator. I used to think he was really conscientious, but it turns out the creator I followed was like this!"
"Of course. These days, anyone can become famous online as long as they know how to package themselves. You can't judge a person by appearances. He seemed like an honest guy, but he was actually extorting people."
"Damn, I followed the Phantom Projector for a while before. I was thinking of buying one to try it out, but after watching this creator's review, I believed all the crap he said and decided against it. Now I've already bought a monitor, and you're telling me this? Fucking hell, give me my money back!"
"So the Phantom Projector's specs are real after all. The police have already labeled Zhou Yuánlěi's video as fake, so doesn't that indirectly prove Shenma Technology Company's product really is as described in its flagship store? Those specs look pretty tempting. Wouldn't it be awesome to put one in the living room and watch TV?"
"This creator got famous and then got carried away, huh? That's unbelievable. The other party didn't want to do a sponsored promotion, so he just ruined their reputation instead? He deserves to go to prison!"
"So he was just treating us like fools, huh? I remember sticking up for him before and trashing the Phantom Projector and Shenma Technology Company. I never thought the truth would turn out to be this. I'm the real Joker here. Shenma Technology Company, I'm sorry!"
"That's why you shouldn't jump to conclusions about everything you see online. Just enjoy the drama rationally and let time prove the truth. Some public figures might seem like decent people, but behind closed doors, they can do anything. Isn't that right, Wu?"
"This is earth-shattering gossip! I strongly suggest that from now on, celebrities and other public figures should all receive a proper education and be evaluated every year. They should learn good morals and have exceptional talent before they're allowed into this line of work."
"Agreed with the person above!"
"+10086!"
"He had some nerve extorting a million yuan! You can bet he was paid to review all those other products he covered, too. And somehow he still managed to gain followers. Some hardworking little video creators who are just trying to make a bit of money must be crying in the bathroom."
"A five-thousand-yuan Phantom Projector wouldn't be expensive at all if it really had the performance described in the product listing: 8K ultra-high-definition picture quality, a clear 200-inch projection, a 144Hz refresh rate, and a one-millisecond response time."
"Has anyone who bought a Phantom Projector come out to say something? Is it worth buying or not?"
"I always knew something was off about Zhou Yuánlěi, that tech-review creator. I bought a niche media player based on one of his reviews and recommendations, but when it arrived, it wasn't nearly as good as he'd described. I even got attacked by his fanboys when I replied in the comments. They called me a hater who was jealous and couldn't stand to see others doing well. It really messed with my head."
"My whole PC setup budget is five or six thousand yuan, and for some reason, I just want to take a look at the Phantom Projector. Is it really that good?"
"A public figure threatening and extorting a business owner? That's wild. I really don't know how he became a public figure when he doesn't even understand such basic laws."
"This creator doesn't seem to watch Professor Luo Xiang's videos much. He couldn't even figure out something this simple. That's hilarious."
"So it really is useful to read up on criminal law. Even if you never need it, you should at least know the basics, so you don't end up behind bars one day without even knowing what happened."
"I was lucky enough to buy a Phantom Projector. I have to say, it's really amazing. Since getting one, I can't go back to the days of using a tiny monitor. The picture quality and everything else are so much better than a monitor. The only downside is that it's hard to find content, but watching 8K ultra-high-definition movies is seriously awesome!
"To stop people from calling me a shill or a scammer, I've posted my purchase record on my profile, along with lots of videos about the Phantom Projector. If you're interested, go check them out, and remember to like, comment, and share! If you're still not convinced and think everything I've said is fake, get in touch. We can video chat, and I'll show you my Phantom Projector."
"Several of my friends have already bought Phantom Projectors, and not one of them regrets it. The product quality is excellent, and it seems the company is a genuine Daxia Country business, too. A great product from a great company like this deserves our support."
Online, netizens were buzzing about Zhou Yuánlěi's arrest. His apology video also brought Shenma Technology Company and the Phantom Projector to the attention of many more people.
"Phantom Projector? What's that? I've never heard of it before. Is it a projector? I happen to need to buy one soon, so let me look into it."
"Heh, I've already ordered a Phantom Projector. Now I'm just waiting for it to ship. I heard this store ships really fast. If you're interested, give me a follow. I'll livestream the unboxing when it arrives!"
"Actually, there are dozens of review videos about the Phantom Projector online, right? If Zhou Yuánlěi's claims were false, as the authorities have confirmed, doesn't that mean the other people's reviews are true? A 200-inch 8K gaming display? If that's really what this Phantom Projector offers, it's a total game-changer. It's so small, you could even take it with you on business trips or vacations!"
The interest in the Phantom Projector among netizens soon translated into actual sales.
Over the past few days, production of the Phantom Projector had gradually increased. Sales had been steady, but the units didn't sell out right away, so Ning Yifan had gradually built up a large stock—more than two thousand units.
After Zhou Yuánlěi's video came out, it took just one day and night for all two thousand-plus Phantom Projectors to sell out once again.
"There really are a lot of rich people!" In his rented apartment, Ning Yifan looked at the sold-out Phantom Projectors and smiled faintly. "Maybe sales of the Phantom Projector will keep climbing for a while. It won't be long before young people in cities all over the country are using one."
The more products he sold, the more people would see how good they were. Even if it was just friends recommending them to each other, Shenma Technology Company—a little-known brand—could still rise to prominence quickly!
But before that, Ning Yifan looked around the room at piles and stacks of product components and finished goods. Even a three-bedroom apartment wasn't big enough anymore.
He had planned to look at factories a few days earlier, but the dip in sales had delayed him by over ten days. That was how things had ended up like this.
The storm over product quality and trust, stirred up by Zhou Yuánlěi, had finally died down. Ning Yifan could now focus on finding a decent factory building.
Although sales of the Phantom Projector had dipped slightly over the past few weeks, once a batch was produced, it still sold within a day or two. After the delay, Ning Yifan now had more funds at his disposal. Including the latest batch of over two thousand units he had sold, he had around fifteen million yuan available.
He had originally planned to spend five million yuan to buy a small factory, or rent a fairly large one. Now his budget had grown to ten million.
Other companies had plenty of workers to pay and shareholders to split the profits with. At Ning Yifan's factory, the boss and the only worker were both him. Production merely consumed a certain amount of electricity, so the profit margin was huge. Aside from equipment, parts, and materials, the only major expense he had left was the tax he was preparing to pay.
In short, Ning Yifan figured he made around three thousand yuan on every projector he sold. This batch of more than two thousand units brought in over ten million yuan in sales, earning him more than six million yuan in profit!
With everything settled, Ning Yifan finished shipping the latest batch of Phantom Projectors with the help of several SF Express couriers.
After shipping out this batch, production of the Phantom Projector would pause for a few days. It was time to upgrade the factory.
At half past ten that night, Ning Yifan went to bed right on schedule and entered his dream to study as usual.
Through his hard work over the past few weeks, Ning Yifan had unlocked two more kinds of cutting-edge technology tools.
The first was a 10,000-degree Celsius ultra-high-temperature smelting furnace, which also came with over a hundred new smelting materials that did not yet exist on Earth, as well as methods for smelting steel. It had taken Ning Yifan more than twenty days to master this technology. The development of many technologies was often limited by materials, which showed just how important materials were.
The other cutting-edge technology product was the High-Precision Machining Center. It could manufacture all sorts of metal components, and both its precision and the range of materials it could process far surpassed those of similar products currently available on Earth.
In short, Ning Yifan's goal was to keep his feet on the ground and learn one step at a time, unlocking every part of that vast Technology Tree that seemed as boundless as an ocean.
Technology changed the world. He turned off the lights and went to sleep, entering a state of study.
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