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[I honestly think Starlight should stop going head-to-head with Jinbai Entertainment like this. It's been really bad for you, haha. Look, didn't you lose again? The ratings are dismal. Can you even make your money back? Look at President Cai—he's willing to invest and put the funds into production. If you don't have that kind of nerve, don't make this sort of show. Shows like this depend 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.]

[I hope Star Universe Entertainment learns its lesson.]

A good drama wasn't 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 The Actors' performances were beyond criticism. It was practically a conscientious comfort-watch drama.

Compared to the period drama produced by Star Universe Entertainment, it was simply unwatchable. There was no historical research at all; it felt completely slapped together.

And they dared to pit that against Jinbai Entertainment's drama? Who knew what the reviewers were thinking to let it air?

Some netizens' words were sharp and mean, but they made perfect sense.

The drama had only just started airing, yet there was no longer any need for comparison. Jinbai Entertainment had already secured its victory.

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

He had clearly instructed them to shoot it properly, so how had it 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 himself called Auntie.

When the project was being prepared, that man saw there was money to be made from it and went to Boss Gao's wife to beg. After his wife spoke up, Boss Gao casually agreed.

Thus, the director originally chosen for the drama was pushed out.

"The original director also handled the early filming, but he disagreed with your relative, so... so..."

That aunt'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 started throwing his weight around. He made it impossible for the original director to even get a word in. With someone backing him, he looked down on the original director and did not take him seriously at all. How could the original director have stayed with the crew? He had packed up and left long ago.

And not only had he left, he had also ruined the tapes from the early filming. Not openly, of course—he had "accidentally" dropped them into water. The footage that had already been shot could no longer be used, so that aunt's son waved his hand and confidently reshot everything himself.

Then it ended up like this.

The earlier episodes were at least somewhat watchable, since they had the original director's work as a foundation.

The later episodes were even worse. They were the kind that burned your eyes after one glance. Of course the reviewers knew the drama was bad, but as they always said, the director was Boss Gao's relative. What else could they do? They turned a blind eye.

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

"Boss Gao, Boss Gao!" The assistant hurriedly went over to support him.

Gao Su took two pills before recovering, but his chest still heaved with anger. He smashed the things in his office, then went home to settle accounts.

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

This drama was a slow burn. It seemed good when it first aired, but it only became better afterward. With a little thought, viewers could taste the rich emotions within it.

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

Every day, the internet was filled with trending topics about the drama. There were also plenty of famous quotes, memes, and more.

The discussions remained at a fever pitch. Practically the entire internet was paying attention.

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

Then there was the period drama produced by Star Universe Entertainment. There was no need to watch it anymore—the later episodes were even worse. Even the platform had completely lost hope in Starlight's drama.

Cai Jinbai smiled. "After this, we can make a push for some awards."

"Family Matters" was fully capable of winning awards.

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

When the news returned to China, the film had already won Best Director and Best Actor. The film had received recognition, and The Actors had become popular as well.

["A Man and a Dog Adrift"? When was this filmed? How come I never knew about it? The director is Li Hua—oh, Director Li's film. The lead actor is... huh? Zheng Jingyuan? Why does he look so familiar?!]

[Ahhh, it's Zheng Jingyuan! The Best Actor winner! He's also the one who played Yang Zixin in "Family Matters"! He's the younger uncle!]

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

[I really liked Yang Zixin's character setup, so I searched for The Actors who played him and discovered that he had already been a Best Actor winner. But he temporarily left the entertainment industry years ago to seek treatment abroad after developing an eye disease. Who would have thought that after returning, he would win another Best Actor award? So impressive!]

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

Chapter 43

Because "Family Matters" had become so popular, combined with the film winning awards, Zheng Jingyuan received an enormous amount of attention. He had always kept a low profile even when he was a Best Actor winner years ago. Later, he left the entertainment industry to treat his eyes. So much time had passed that even fewer young netizens knew of him.

As a result, many people did not know Zheng Jingyuan. Yet when they searched up his past, they could not find a single scandal.

[Wow, he seems like such a dedicated member of The Actors. No wonder he won Best Actor before. And when he didn't wear glasses before, he felt completely different from how he looks wearing 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 I thought his acting in the television drama was still really good. He must have put in a tremendous amount of effort.]

[He's a serious and hardworking member of The Actors. Otherwise, President Cai wouldn't 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 cast him as the lead. I'm curious about how good this film really is. If it could win such a prestigious award, it must be great. I'm going to watch it when it releases in China.]

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

This wave of popularity was good. The film's opening attendance was guaranteed.

As long as it retained the first wave of viewers, it could rely on word of mouth to keep earning box office revenue afterward.

However, given the meaning behind the film's production, Director Li was mainly aiming for awards. He did not expect the box office to be particularly high, since this was not the kind of film many people enjoyed watching. It was somewhat heavy upon closer reflection.

But once the film premiered, it was like a drop of water falling into a wok of hot oil, immediately setting off crackling reactions.

[Damn, even this tough guy cried. Sob, Hope... the Best Actor winner's acting 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 was adapted from a true story too. As expected, art came from life. But there's no doubt that this film was truly a good one. It deserved every award.]

[Holy crap, Hope Mall—we have one here. The original inspiration for this story was actually the owner of Hope Mall? I did hear that he went bankrupt and then started over from nothing. That's so awesome. There was actually a story like this... I'm going to Hope Mall tomorrow to take a look.]

[President Cai's eye for investment seems never to have failed since he started investing.]

[What a good dog. I grabbed my brat's ears and decided that when the film comes to streaming platforms, I'll watch it with him. Sob, why don't theaters allow dogs? I went home and hugged my brat while crying. My brat 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 script been polished?"

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

Their vision went black, as if debt collectors had come knocking.

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

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

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

The terrified members of the screenwriting department finally let out a huge sigh of relief. Phew, thank goodness.

But immediately afterward, Cai Jinbai added, "This film's subject matter is part of a series, beginning with the Primordial World and ending with the Hundred Schools of Thought. Right now, this is only

the first installment, Primordial World. The next project will be polishing the script for the second installment. Keep up the good work."

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

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

Cai Jinbai said, "Everyone will receive year-end bonuses for the New Year. You did well on this one, so I'll also send everyone a red envelope in the group chat. Remember to claim it."

After saying that, Cai Jinbai turned and left.

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