Page 46

[Honestly, Starlight should stop going up against Jinbai Entertainment like this in the future. It's really not doing you any favors, haha. Look, didn't you lose again? The ratings are dismal. Can you even earn your money back? Look at President Cai—he's willing to invest and willing to put the funds into production. If you don't have that kind of courage, don't make this kind of drama. This kind of drama depends on skill. If you don't have the ability, go back to focusing on your idol dramas and xianxia dramas.]

[Oh, I almost forgot—Jinbai and Starlight still have a third showdown. This time, Star Universe Entertainment has bet on two dramas.]

[Hopefully Star Universe Entertainment learns its lesson.]

A good drama was not afraid of comparison. The more it was compared, the more its strengths stood out.

"Family Matters" excelled in its details, its emotions were delicate, and every actor's performance was beyond reproach. It was simply a heartfelt, perfect show to watch with a meal.

Compared to the period drama produced by Star Universe Entertainment, it was truly unbearable to watch. There was no historical research at all; it felt like they had filmed it blindly.

And they dared to go head-to-head with Jinbai Entertainment's drama? Who knew what the reviewers had been thinking to let it air?

Some netizens' words were harsh and biting, but they made a great deal of sense.

The drama had only just begun airing, yet there was already no need for further comparison. Jinbai Entertainment had won for certain.

Meanwhile, Boss Gao of Star Universe Entertainment was so furious this time that he clutched his chest, his vision swimming.

He had clearly instructed them to film it properly. How had it still turned out like this?!

The assistant said quietly, "Boss Gao, the director for this production was... was..."

"Who was it?"

The assistant answered that it had been filmed by his wife's relative—the son of the aunt he also called Auntie.

When preparations for the project had begun, that man had seen money to be made from it and gone begging to Boss Gao's wife. After his wife brought it up, Boss Gao had casually agreed.

Thus, the director originally chosen for the drama had been forced out.

"The original director was also involved in the early filming, but his opinions conflicted with your relative's, so... so..."

Auntie's son had no ability whatsoever. He had merely enrolled in a directing school, then paid his way through graduation.

The moment he entered the production crew, he began ordering everyone around, to the point that the original director could barely get a word in. With backing behind him, he did not respect the original director at all. How could that director have remained on the crew? He had packed up and left long ago.

And not only had he left, he had damaged the footage from the early shoot. Not openly, of course—he had "accidentally" dropped it into water. The footage that had already been filmed could no longer be used, so Auntie's son grandly waved his hand and confidently reshot it himself.

And that was how it ended up like this.

The beginning was still somewhat watchable, since it had the original director's work as its foundation.

The later parts were even more unbearable. They were painful to look at. How could the reviewers not know the drama was poor? But as always, the director was Boss Gao's relative. What else could they do but turn a blind eye?

Only now did Gao Su learn about this. His vision went dark with rage, and he stumbled backward.

"Boss Gao! Boss Gao!" The assistant hurried over to support him.

After taking two pills, Gao Su finally recovered, though his chest still heaved with anger. He smashed the things in his office, then went home to settle the score.

As the plot of "Family Matters" gradually unfolded, the drama's influence began to ferment.

This drama was the kind that grew on you. It seemed good when it first aired, but only became better afterward. With a little savoring, its rich emotions became apparent.

Therefore, after another three or four episodes aired, it began to explode in popularity.

Every day, hot searches about the drama could be seen online. It even spawned numerous famous lines, memes, and more.

The discussion remained at a fever pitch, with almost the entire internet following it.

The explosive success of "Family Matters" was already set in stone.

As for the period drama produced by Star Universe Entertainment, there was no need to keep watching. It only got worse, and even the platform had already given up all hope for Starlight's drama.

Cai Jinbai smiled. "Next, we can make a run at the awards."

"Family Matters" was fully capable of winning awards.

Just as the television drama was airing to great popularity, a film was sent abroad to compete for a highly prestigious award.

By the time the news returned home, the film had already won Best Director and Best Actor. The film had received recognition, and the actor had become popular as well.

["A Man and a Dog Adrift"? When was this filmed? How did I not know about it? The director is Li Hua—oh, Director Li's movie. The lead actor is... huh? Zheng Jingyuan? Why does he look so familiar?!]

[Ahhh, it's Zheng Jingyuan! The Best Actor winner! He plays Yang Zixin in "Family Matters"—he's the little uncle!]

[It's Yang Zixin! No wonder he looked so familiar. He was already a Best Actor winner before, and now he's won again! I thought his acting was really good. I was especially, especially captivated by him in the drama!]

[I really love Yang Zixin's character setting. I even searched for the actor who played Yang Zixin, only to discover that he had long been a Best Actor winner. But he temporarily left the industry years ago to seek treatment abroad after developing an eye condition. Who would have thought that after returning, he would win Best Actor again? He's amazing!]

[You all know that stuff, but I'm different. I also noticed that this award-winning film was invested in by President Cai, as was the television drama "Family Matters." Let me tell you a secret: Zheng Jingyuan originally didn't audition for the role of Yang Zixin. President Cai recommended him for it. Even when he went to film "A Man and a Dog Adrift," President Cai was the one who recommended him.]

Chapter 43

Because "Family Matters" had become such a hit, coupled with the film winning awards, Zheng Jingyuan received enormous attention. He had always kept a low profile even when he was a Best Actor winner years ago. Later, he left the industry to treat his eyes. After so much time had passed, even fewer young netizens knew who he was.

As a result, many people did not know Zheng Jingyuan. Yet when they searched through his past, they could not find even the slightest scandal.

[Wow, he seems like a very dedicated actor. No wonder he won Best Actor before. And when he didn't wear glasses before, he gave off a completely different vibe from how he looks with glasses now. I think he has even more charm with glasses now.]

[My relative works in the entertainment industry. He said Zheng Jingyuan's eyes were very difficult to treat, and even after treatment, his gaze would not be as lively as before. But his acting in the television drama still looked quite good to me. He must have put in a lot of effort.]

[He is a serious, hardworking actor. Otherwise, President Cai would not have recommended him for Director Li's film.]

[President Cai didn't just force people into roles. Director Li must have seen Best Actor Zheng's abilities before deciding to make him the lead. I'm curious about how good this movie actually is. If it could win such prestigious awards, it must be excellent. I'll go see it when it releases domestically.]

[Haha, this is great. "Family Matters" hasn't even finished airing yet, and the movie is about to be released too. I'm going to support it!]

This wave of attention was not bad. The film's opening attendance was secure.

As long as it retained the first wave of viewers, it could continue earning box office revenue through word of mouth.

However, considering the significance of the film, Director Li had mainly been aiming for awards. He had not expected the box office to be particularly high, since it was not the kind of film many people enjoyed watching. It was somewhat heavy upon closer reflection.

But after the film was released, it was like a drop of water falling into a pan of hot oil, setting off a crackling uproar.

[Damn, this tough guy cried watching it. Sob, Hope... The Best Actor winner's performance was incredible, and the dog acted amazingly too!]

[Director Li's usual film style—realist subject matter, sharp content, exploring human nature. I heard this one was adapted from a true story. Sure enough, art comes from life. But there's no question that this is truly a good movie, guaranteed to win awards.]

[Holy shit, we have a Hope Mall here. The prototype for this story was actually the owner of Hope Mall? I did hear that he went bankrupt and then started from nothing again. That's so impressive. So there was a story like this... I'll go take a look at Hope Mall tomorrow.]

[President Cai's eye for investments is incredible. It seems like he hasn't failed once since he started investing.]

[What a good dog. I grabbed my little rascal by the ears and decided that once the movie releases on streaming, I'll watch it with him. Sob, why aren't dogs allowed in movie theaters? I went home and hugged my little rascal as I cried. My little rascal looked at me like I was an idiot.]

Both the television drama and the film were extremely popular. Cai Jinbai put down his tablet in satisfaction.

Then he went to the screenwriting department and asked with a beaming smile, "Has the film's script been polished?"

The screenwriters in the screenwriting department: "..."

Their vision went dark, as though debt collectors had arrived at their door.

"It's been polished, President Cai." Finally, the screenwriting department manager stepped forward. "Please take a look."

Ahhh, President Cai had reviewed this version so many times already. Hopefully he would not send it back again. They were so afraid they would have to revise it all over again.

Fortunately, after Cai Jinbai finished reviewing it this time, he nodded. "Not bad. This one passes."

Only then did everyone in the terrified screenwriting department let out a huge sigh of relief. Whew, wonderful.

But immediately afterward, Cai Jinbai added, "This film's subject matter is part of a series, beginning with Primordial Chaos and ending with the Hundred Schools of Thought. This is only the first installment, 'Primordial World.' The next project is to polish the script for the second installment. Keep up the good work."

Everyone in the screenwriting department: "..."

Before they could even catch their breath, the sky had fallen again.

Cai Jinbai said, "There will be year-end bonuses for everyone during the New Year. You did well on this one, so there will also be red envelopes for everyone. They'll be sent in the group chat. Remember to claim them."

After saying that, Cai Jinbai turned and left.