012 The Storm Approaches, the Wind Fills the Tower

The film wrapped up shooting.

But that didn’t mean there was cause for complacency.

After all, post-production and marketing still awaited completion.

Fortunately, these two tasks wouldn’t consume much time.

For Qian Lang, post-production was incredibly simple.

Because the finished footage was already vivid in his mind.

Moreover, there were hardly any wasted shots during filming.

So, with just some basic tweaks, “Crazy Stone” could be edited and finalized.

This approach astonished many.

Typically, film editing is done in two stages:

First, a rough cut, then a fine cut.

But Qian Lang bypassed all that in one smooth step.

What clarity of vision must one possess to achieve such mastery?

The entire Galaxy Film family admired Qian Lang with utmost reverence.

After all, completing a film in just a few days was unheard of in Daxia’s cinematic history—a true miracle!

Chen Yuanyuan and Hao Han praised Qian Lang on Weibo,

using this to build momentum for the upcoming release.

But would the netizens of Daxia buy it?

They didn’t know Qian Lang’s talents.

They only saw his past history of flops and criticized him heavily.

“What trash film did he shoot this time, failing so fast again?”

“Is he really giving up now? At least before, he’d painstakingly polish for three months!”

“Hey, is it appropriate to say ‘painstakingly polish’ here?”

“Ha, can’t you see the sarcasm?”

“The literary skills of this generation online are really lacking!”

...

The internet was ablaze with unexpected uproar.

Chen Yuanyuan and Hao Han no longer dared to speak online.

But would the masses let them be?

Of course not.

The attacks not only continued—they grew more vicious.

Galaxy Film’s official website, Qian Lang’s personal Weibo,

even the Beijing Film Academy’s account, all under the subtle guidance of some unknown force,

were flooded with scathing insults from online trolls.

The language was even more unbearable than before.

Wang Xingxing nearly cracked a smile.

Indeed, there was nothing money couldn’t solve in this world.

Seeing no real challenge, he was too lazy to waste more effort and funds on Qian Lang.

“Once the last bit of funding is spent, I’m done with it!”

He was ready to call it quits, but the Beijing Film Academy struck hard.

Originally, they had no intention of retaliating.

As a century-old institution, they had a grand reputation to uphold.

But as public opinion swelled, and the moderators developed tendinitis from deleting hateful comments,

even that couldn’t suppress the fury of the “dark forces.”

This was untenable.

Reluctantly, the school had to step in and authorize students to launch a forceful counterattack.

One had to admit, the new generation of Daxia’s blossoming talents was formidable.

Each became an expert surfer of the digital waves.

With just a few simple maneuvers,

they managed to quell a great deal of the online uproar.

After this series of conquests, the haters dared not casually target the Beijing Film Academy’s official account.

But Qian Lang’s personal Weibo received no such courtesy.

More and more filth was carelessly hurled his way.

Yet Qian Lang remained utterly indifferent.

He didn’t even consider closing comments.

Let them be strong; I remain serene like the mountain breeze.

I stand firm and unmoved!

What tricks do you have left?

This stance unsettled the trolls.

Something was amiss!

A punch thrown with tremendous force landed on soft cotton.

Would you still have the will to fight?

Moreover, as the public opinion overwhelmingly sided with him,

the shadowy forces paying the trolls grew stingier.

Previously, a hateful comment earned three mao (0.3 yuan).

Now, with no challenge, it had dropped to a mere one fen (0.01 yuan) per comment!

This was disheartening.

A battle of insults is only engaging with back-and-forth exchanges.

What was even harder to accept was Qian Lang’s seemingly resigned, “damaged goods” attitude.

Yet some bystanders interpreted it as magnanimity,

even sparking support from many casual observers.

If anyone’s words became too sharp, a wave of counterattacks would follow.

Those who had been seasoned by the internet quickly adapted.

Qian Lang keenly sensed this subtle shift in online dynamics.

He saw an opportunity here.

A chance to guide public opinion and steer the narrative.

However, when he brought the finished film to Pei Duoduo to discuss marketing plans,

he met an unexpected defeat.

The usually accommodating Pei unexpectedly refused.

Their conversation hit a small snag.

“Director Qian, is marketing really necessary?”

“Our film’s already trending high on Weibo.”

“Regardless of whether the attention is positive or negative, at times like these,”

“any company-driven promotion might be superfluous and could even awaken the trolls’ fighting spirit.”

“Why risk losing more than we gain?”

“Of course, you know I’m not saying this because I’m stingy with money...”

Pei Duoduo’s expression was exaggerated.

In truth, she was overjoyed.

Qian Lang was truly a hidden dragon!

Filming finished in just thirty-five days.

Editing took only three.

Which director is so careless?

Most importantly, the online sentiment was overwhelmingly negative.

With such a hostile atmosphere,

what box office success could “Crazy Stone” expect?

A guaranteed flop, right?

Ha ha ha.

Once the summer release window closed, the system would settle accounts.

That ten million investment would easily double to twenty million.

In just about two months,

Pei Duoduo would pocket a ten million net profit.

And without paying taxes.

Wasn’t that much more satisfying than running a legitimate company?

Ha, anyone who called her a spoiled rich kid with nothing to do,

she would smash their face with heaps of cash.

“Director Qian, actually, we could try another approach.”

“No marketing.”

“Galaxy Film holds its own distribution rights.”

“No worries about cinema screenings.”

“But since you’re the chief confidential advisor,”

“dismissing a reasonable suggestion outright might be too harsh on your enthusiasm.”

“So, we should offer some form of compensation.”

“After all, employees are family—that’s the corporate culture I always emphasize.”

“Even if it’s just for show.”

“We must execute it flawlessly in every detail.”

“Because once your image collapses, it’s hard to rebuild.”

“Our film’s quality is quite good; it can compete for some awards.”

Pei Duoduo had a bright idea.

Though, frankly, she was speaking offhandedly.

If she truly believed in the film’s quality, she wouldn’t be so complacent.

Based on her “objective judgment,” she felt free to propose these “make-up” measures.

This eased her conscience somewhat.

After all, her actions had inadvertently pushed a young director further into the path of flops.

To say she was indifferent would be a lie.

As a boss, she didn’t want any family member to be mired in despair.

So, once the system rewards arrived, she planned to give Qian Lang a bonus of one million yuan.

Naturally, other employees wouldn’t be left out.

In short, as always,

if she had her share, the family would have theirs too.

“All right.”

Qian Lang nodded.

A big boss indeed.

Visionary and far-sighted.

Better to compete for awards than waste time on marketing.

A misstep could even provoke public backlash.

This was a more straightforward path.

After all, winning an award proved the film’s quality outright.

Wasn’t that more elegant than battling “online trolls” head-on?

The online brawls at the Beijing Film Academy’s official account,

he had witnessed it all.

Naturally, he felt uneasy.

As a time traveler, though his feelings for his alma mater weren’t particularly deep,

it was an undeniable fact that the academy and Wang Bo had been dragged into scandal because of him.

Moreover, the school stood by his side, cheering him on.

So how could he remain uninvolved?

He had confidence “Crazy Stone” would win awards.

After all, the film had been market-tested.

This would be a chance to redeem himself—not only personally but for those affected by the scandal.

This move would send ripples through the entire ecosystem.

After parting with Pei Duoduo, Qian Lang immediately instructed everyone to submit the finished film to the most influential committees in Daxia.

What he did not know was that the Beijing Film Academy was equally concerned about his new movie.

“Our own student deserves our support!”

The school leaders issued instructions.

The Beijing University Student Film Festival was soon approaching.

If Qian Lang’s film won an award, it would silence the online haters outright.

It would also provide solid grounds for the academy’s defenders to counterattack.

Without concrete evidence, rebuttals easily devolve into shouting matches.

On the internet, keyboard warriors say anything.

Without a breakthrough,

the century-old reputation of the Beijing Film Academy might really be at stake.

Times had changed!

Even a small, trivial post could stir up a storm online.

The school leaders never imagined it.

Half a month later,

“Crazy Stone” passed the review process.

The entire Galaxy Film family adopted a stance of indifference toward the online uproar.

Yet inside, they felt calm.

All thanks to Pei Duoduo’s farsighted guidance.

They had submitted the film to many competition committees.

Now, progress was visible.

This proved Director Qian was truly a great talent.

The film must not have major flaws.

Confidence grew steadily within Galaxy Film.

Qian Lang was full of hope.

Opportunities often arrive unannounced.

Unexpectedly, the company received a call from the Beijing University Student Film Festival.

After inquiries, they learned the nomination came from Qian Lang’s alma mater.

What a delightful surprise!

The entire team rallied behind Qian Lang even more fervently.

Their faith in Pei Duoduo deepened.

After all, she had broken through barriers and silenced opposition to secure such a talent.

On the eve of the summer release,

Chen Yuanyuan and Hao Han couldn’t help but ask Qian Lang if he was confident.

Looking at their expectant faces, he spoke a profoundly philosophical sentence:

“Contradictions are the necessary forces that propel things forward.”

At present, everyone hoped for the film’s success.

Yet this beautiful wish stood in stark contradiction to the negative public opinion across Daxia’s internet.

Still, this was no cause for despair.

As long as the chasm of contradiction was bridged or overcome,

a box office explosion for “Crazy Stone” was not impossible.

In life and work, confidence is essential!

Storm winds were gathering; the atmosphere was charged.

Close to the release date, Qian Lang received a call from Pei Duoduo.

She said there was an important matter to discuss.