The movie is a huge hit!
Yu Nan, who played the male lead, experienced a career resurgence, and all the supporting actors also gained recognition, with everyone sharing in the benefits.
The internet is flooded with posts discussing the movie's plot, with everything from the storyline to the costumes and special effects being analyzed in detail.
What's most amazing is the special effects. Netizens directly said that they suggested checking if the female lead and the second female lead can actually fly, as it doesn't seem like acting.
Wang Fugui's name suddenly appeared on the top trending searches, transforming her from an unknown newcomer into a hot new star.
People who haven't seen the movie wouldn't associate the name with a female celebrity at all when they see it trending on social media; they'd probably think it's some kind of funny joke.
The second most searched topic was the pairing of the female lead and the second female lead.
Especially during the tour, Fu Gui acted all high and mighty in front of everyone, and Yu Nan called her "Sister Fu Gui" all the time, being incredibly obedient.
Fu Gui is only a delicate and beautiful woman in front of Director Zhuang. She will whine and act coquettishly, and even ask Director Zhuang to open the bottle cap.
Director Zhuang rolled his eyes, but still turned it on.
The audience was completely engrossed, especially the girls, whose screams were so loud they almost lifted the roof off the building. They were totally obsessed.
That same night, Yu Nan posted an update, calling himself the most miserable male protagonist in history, both sour and useless.
He also tagged Director Zhuang and Fugui.
—Don't let my inability to open a bottle cap in front of Director Zhuang fool you. When Director Zhuang isn't around, she can open my skull.
The entire production team shared this post, proving with their actions that what Yu Nan said was true.
Fu Gui also reposted it and tagged Qi An.
"Sister Zhuang, look, they're all bullying her."
Zhuang Sheng commented: Go, unscrew their skulls.
Ultimately, the film became the highest-grossing film of the year and won the Best Box Office Award at the year-end awards ceremony.
Fu Gui won the Best Newcomer Award, Yu Nan unexpectedly won the Best Actor Award, and Zhuang Sheng won the Best Director Award.
The impressive results were a slap in the face to those who once said that Zhuang Sheng was just lucky.
Oh, right, they also won a Best Special Effects award, which was voted on by netizens and is universally recognized online.
Not long after the movie was released, Yu Nan received a script that interested him.
He was extremely grateful to Qi An and said at the awards ceremony that Director Zhuang was his benefactor and that he would participate in the filming without pay whenever Director Zhuang needed him.
Privately, Fugui said, "That kid has a conscience; he knows to remember your kindness."
Qi An said, "It was just a small thing, I could have asked anyone, I didn't expect him to repay me."
Fu Gui chuckled to himself, thinking, "Sister An An is still as proud and aloof as ever."
There are so many male celebrities in the entertainment industry, there are plenty of people who are more outstanding and suitable than Yu Nan, and besides, choosing him would require resolving his contract issues first.
There's only one reason why Sister An'an, who hates trouble so much, chose him.
In his past life, when everyone avoided Zhuang Sheng like the plague, only he publicly spoke out in support, saying it wasn't Zhuang Sheng's fault, but that the industry was too dirty and unworthy of her talent.
Although he was completely clueless by then, he was of no help to Zhuang Sheng and instead brought himself a lot of criticism, which was a thankless task.
But in the entertainment industry, such a clean-cut "roughneck" is too rare, so Qi An is willing to give him a hand.
Even the smallest favor is still a favor, and for Boss Qi, every favor must be repaid.
Qi An said, "From now on, as long as he doesn't do anything reckless or break the law, and acts honestly, he will go far in his career."
Fu Gui nodded.
Qi An glanced at her and said with amusement, "You must have more clients asking for your services, and they're all offering pretty high prices. Why don't you consider it?"
Fu Gui shook his head: "No, no, it's just for fun. I'm very satisfied with my current couple and I don't plan to break them up."
Qi An flicked him on the forehead and said, "Since you're not going to act, then you can be my assistant and run errands."
Fu Gui covered his head and said, "Okay, just tell me what to do."
Director Zhuang has started preparing to make another movie.
The fantasy film made investors a fortune, and Zhuang Sheng is now a highly sought-after director in the industry, with many investors eager to collaborate with him.
Actors, both famous and not famous, submitted their resumes.
Because Director Zhuang said at the awards ceremony: "Don't keep focusing on those popular actors. When you turn on the TV, you see the same few faces over and over again. Aren't you tired of it? There are plenty of good actors. They just lack opportunities."
She added, "The film and television industry needs diversity; a single outstanding film is a disease that needs to be cured."
So everyone understood that with Director Zhuang, they don't care about popularity, they only care about talent.
The audition process was the same old three things: a medical examination form, tax payment certificate, and a guarantee.
The casting controversy from last time is still fresh in our minds. The two who had the most popularity and the most traffic are now in a different situation: one is working on a sewing machine, and the other has paid back 1 billion yuan in taxes and has been banned from the entire internet.
Those who were dissatisfied with Director Zhuang's actions at the time are now praising her foresight.
Netizens who were terrified said that if those two had actually been chosen, that fantasy movie would never have appeared on the big screen.
They will miss out on the handsome and adorable Yu Nan, the cool and wealthy young lady, and a stunningly beautiful couple.
With precedents already set in place and Zhuang Sheng leading the way, other directors have begun to follow her example, requiring auditioning actors to provide three pieces of proof.
This time, Qi An is filming Zhuang Sheng's second movie that was never released; it's a patriotic script.
The protagonist is based on a heroic general who died in the War of Resistance against Japan. He needs a good actor with experience and acting skills to play the role so as not to disappoint the hero.
Audition scene.
The 40-year-old veteran actor Zhou Aiguo has a refined appearance and elegant demeanor, making people feel like they are basking in a spring breeze.
He has an excellent reputation; he is handsome, talented, experienced, humble, and polite. He is a recognized artist of both high moral character and artistic skill.
He was practically born for this movie. The moment he appeared at the audition, almost everyone knew he was the lead actor that Director Zhuang wanted.
Even his name fits the movie theme perfectly.
It was Zhou Aiguo's turn.
He arrived wearing a Zhongshan suit, which is how the protagonist in the script usually wears.
He greeted him with a smile: "Xiao Zhuang, this is our first time working together. Your last movie was very good."
Qi An gave a forced smile: "Actor Zhou, please call me Director Zhuang. Whether we can work together is still unknown. Your slip of the tongue, Actor Zhou."
Zhou Aiguo, as expected of a movie star, remained calm upon hearing this and readily changed his tune.
"Haha, Director Zhuang is such a frank person. Although you are young, you are very talented. I really want to work with you."
Qi An gave a fake smile: "I'm looking forward to it too."
Zhou Aiguo smiled and looked down, showing a helpless tolerance towards his junior: "Alright, then I'll start my performance."
Qi An interrupted him: "Wait, have you submitted the three certificates yet?"
Zhou Aiguo was taken aback, then joked, "Do I still need to pay those fees? It seems Director Zhuang knows very little about me."
Qi An smiled meaningfully: "Why do I feel like I know Actor Zhou very well?"
Zhou Aiguo was somewhat surprised. He had thought that given his status and reputation, Zhuang Sheng wouldn't ask him for these things.
Unlike those fools who have only been famous for a short time and are short-sighted, who become arrogant after being praised, he would never tamper with taxes.
In this industry, only stable and sustainable development is the key to success.
Fu Gui: Hehe! Are you sure?
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