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Father Lou said, "Because that's impossible, kid. Undercover cops always sacrifice far more than movies show."

"Movies beautify things, while reality is far crueler. Sigh, beautiful things are rare."

Even if the protagonist successfully completed his undercover mission, there was still a hole in his heart that could never be filled. Though the film never said it outright, after leaving the police station, the protagonist left his cap and badge on the desk.

After hearing Father Lou explain it, Lou Xiaoxiao wiped away her tears, took out her phone, and started furiously typing a social media post. "I'm going to promote this movie even more!"

"Sweetheart, help me make one later too." Father Lou wanted to keep up with the times and post on social media as well.

"Me too," Mother Lou said.

Lou Xiaoxiao said, "Okay, okay, okay. Once I'm done posting mine, I'll help each of you with yours."

The protagonist's acting was excellent. The relationship between the male second lead villain and the protagonist shifted from trust to suspicion, and their mutual probing was tense and thrilling enough to make hearts leap into throats. Especially during their confrontation scenes, both of them gave explosive performances that left the audience utterly satisfied and eager to slap their thighs in praise.

Even more surprising was Xu Yuqing, the third male lead. Although he had started out as an idol drama actor and had been shelved for three years, his acting had not held the film back in the slightest. Not only did he hold his own against the protagonist and the male second lead villain without being overshadowed, but his final scene before dying was even better than the protagonist's, faintly giving the impression that he had surpassed him. That scene would undoubtedly become Xu Yuqing's defining shot. His eyes and expressions were absolutely perfect.

Lou Xiaoxiao praised it fervently. She had so much she wanted to say that a social media post was not enough, so she went to post on other platforms as well.

And Chen Chengrong definitely had not run out of talent. He was still the brilliant great director he had once been!

There was not a single flaw to pick apart in this movie's plot logic. The pace was fast and tight without feeling chaotic. Instead, it flowed so smoothly that one second you would be puzzled, and the next you would suddenly understand—so that was it—before becoming tense again and eagerly anticipating what would happen next.

The director completely understood how to stir the audience's emotions, making people watch the movie with their full attention instead of growing drowsy, feeling bored, or eating snacks to pass the time.

In short, everyone walking out of the theater had the same feeling—this movie was going to explode in popularity!

Sure enough, only one day after its release, the movie was already receiving a flood of praise online.

Netizens' reviews directly drove up theater attendance. Every showing was packed, even the late-night ones.

[Fuck, I cried like a dog. Zhuang Xiaowu, come back! Pay me back for my tears!]

[The movie's theme perfectly interpreted its title, "Black or White." There is no absolute black and no absolute white in this world. The protagonist was played very well. In the end, he held fast to the justice in his heart. He was an ordinary person, yet not ordinary at all. He was imperfect, yet he absolutely became the perfect protagonist in my heart.]

[Among all these movies whose acting and plot logic are being put to the test, "Black or White" is definitely worth watching and supporting in theaters. Chen Chengrong truly deserves his title as a genius director. These past four years were not wasted. He really handed in an answer sheet that satisfied the audience. At the very least, I'm satisfied. Now I'm certain that the previous movie was absolutely the fault of the investors and producers. I can't believe it—if nothing had happened to Director Chen's family, if he had supervised the filming from beginning to end... uh, wait, if those actors who had been forced into the movie were removed, it probably would have been a very good film too.]

[If all investors were like President Cai, that would be great. He respects the director's opinions, doesn't randomly add or alter scenes, and provides financial support when necessary. The kind of big backer everyone dreams of, hahaha.]

[President Cai didn't lose out on this investment. The movie's a massive hit!]

[Our Little Xu is amazing!]

[Wuwu, Little Xu finally made it through. So great! I'm going for a second viewing.]

The movie's success had Jinbai Entertainment clapping and celebrating, but Starlight was utterly quiet. Gao Su's expression was dark.

The movie turning out well was entirely Chen Chengrong's credit. Cai Jinbai had merely invested in it and gotten lucky, that was all.

The project his own company was preparing next might flop miserably. Just wait and see.

"I remember that 'Family Matters' has already started filming, right?" Gao Su asked.

The assistant replied, "Yes, it's been filming for some time."

Gao Su asked, "Does the company have a script of the same type?"

"Yes, Boss Gao. You mean...?" the assistant asked hesitantly.

Gao Su said, "Film one of the same type. Hire me the best director and actors, then put together the team and start production."

It was obvious that Gao Su intended to compete with Jinbai Entertainment again.

"Yes, Boss Gao." The assistant immediately turned and went to handle it.

Cai Jinbai paid no attention to Starlight's movements. The explosive popularity of "Black or White" was already inevitable; all they needed to do next was keep it stable.

At the celebration banquet, Chen Chengrong got drunk and nearly threw his arms around Cai Jinbai and cried. Fortunately, someone pulled the director back. Otherwise, if he had really hugged him, President Cai might not have minded, but just look at Vice President Xuan's slightly terrifying gaze. Director Chen would definitely be made to suffer for it.

By the way, what exactly was the relationship between the two presidents?

Were they really just brothers?

But what brothers were ever this inseparable?

It seemed the two presidents even lived together.

Still, no one dared discuss it openly. They could only secretly speculate in their hearts.

In the current film industry, police-crime espionage films had long since lost their former glory. Yet the explosive success of "Black or White" injected a powerful shot of adrenaline into the genre.

No one knew who started it, but after watching the movie, netizens began checking in beneath police department websites with one message—[Police officers, thank you for your hard work.]

This prompted countless others to imitate them, flocking to the official websites of their local police departments to leave comments.

[Police officers, thank you for your hard work!]

[After watching the movie, I was deeply moved. May every undercover officer return safely.]

[Suddenly, I have the urge to apply to police academy.]

[The country is so peaceful because someone is fighting for us behind the scenes.]

The movie's success unexpectedly made police department websites across the country popular as well.

Faced with such enthusiastic messages from the public, police departments also responded and interacted with them.

This lively scene continued until the end of the year.

And the TV drama "Glory," which had undergone secret training earlier and been filmed overseas, actually aired before "Family Matters."

It was scheduled during the festive atmosphere of the New Year, alongside an xianxia drama and a period drama.

And at such a crucial time for promotion, Starlight unexpectedly announced that its carefully prepared idol drama had been given a release date as well.

The two idol dramas even had exactly the same premiere date.

Not only did their schedules clash, but their genres did too.

Sharp-eyed netizens sensed that something was off.

[Hiss, both Jinbai Entertainment and Starlight are releasing idol dramas. Are they going head-to-head on the same stage?]

[Same genre, and their premiere dates clash too. It's hard to say this wasn't intentional.]

[Just looking at the cast lineup, Starlight has invited nothing but huge stars, including some I like, so I'm more inclined to watch Starlight's idol drama.]

[I'm different. I followed the third season of "The Actors" to the end, and most of the cast in Jinbai Entertainment's idol drama "Glory" are familiar faces from "The Actors." I'm planning to give this one a try.]

[Why not watch both?]

[Tsk tsk, I wonder whose ratings will be higher then.]

[Looking forward to it, hahaha.]

[I support Starlight! What is Jinbai Entertainment even doing? They're using newcomer actors for an idol drama and broadcasting it while filming. It doesn't seem reliable at all, and it's even an original script. I'm really afraid they'll ruin it. But look at Starlight—they have popular young actresses and actors, a major IP script adapted from a famous romance novel, and an established fanbase. It should be good no matter how they film it, right?]

[I also think Starlight's drama will be better. Anyway, I'm a fan of the original novel. Although the casting is only average, I still plan to watch it for the plot.]

Next came fans supporting their favorite actresses and actors and heavily promoting Starlight's idol drama.

In contrast, Jinbai Entertainment had very few fans promoting its drama, and it did not seem to have much marketing either.

Thus, in the impression of some netizens, if Jinbai Entertainment and Starlight went head-to-head, Starlight's idol drama was guaranteed to win.

Seeing public opinion heading in that direction, Gao Su's dark expression, which had lasted for days, finally revealed a trace of a smile.

At the Crescent Moon Villa.

To match the New Year atmosphere, Auntie Cai, Butler Ding, and the others started decorating the house early in the morning, putting up Spring Festival couplets, hanging lanterns, buying lucky-character decorations, fruit, sunflower seeds, and more.

Auntie Cai had also ordered plenty of New Year decorations online, things like "May Wealth Pour In" and "Persimmons and Peanuts Bring Good Fortune"...

Cai Jinbai loved the New Year. He even cut out quite a few lucky-character window decorations himself, then had Xuan Yu hold up two of them while he took photos.

"Sit more casually. Don't sit so straight. Raise your left hand a little higher." Cai Jinbai directed him while smiling in satisfaction. "Good, Xuan. Just like that. It would be even better if you smiled."

Xuan Yu tried to lift the corners of his mouth, but the moment he deliberately tried to smile, his expression became incredibly stiff. In the end, his lips fell helplessly.

"Jinbai, I can't smile," Xuan Yu said.

Cai Jinbai glanced at him from behind the phone camera and thought for a moment. "Then don't smile, Xuan."

"But our Xuan is really handsome. He photographs well. Any random pose turns out great."

Our Xuan? Xuan Yu immediately could not stop the corners of his mouth from lifting. Even his originally sharp, angular facial features softened considerably.

With a click, Cai Jinbai captured the moment.

Xuan Yu said, "...Jinbai, you weren't praising me just to get that shot, were you?"