Chapter 49: 4k Comments Bonus

Chapter 49 [4k Comments Bonus] That Xiao Zhai Zong really is something.

Remakes like The Favored One have market demand.

Netizens beg for more.

So why not jump in?

Aurora Entertainment's arrogant.

Making bank while ignoring the masses.

Industry folks aren't pushing back.

Basically heaven-sent.

Let him take the first bite.

Maybe other companies don't remake for legit reasons?

Lin He sipped his tea.

'...' Listening to Xiao Zhai Zong's bluster, fed up inside.

Had to kiss ass on the surface.

Thought this gig could justify jumping ship.

After today, Lin He decided to stay at Shaoguang Entertainment.

But staying here, watching Bao Qiuying climb—can't help feeling sick.

Heard the news: Bao Qiuying got poached by Aurora HQ.

Helming the infinite flow movie.

More jealous than angry.

Staying at Shaoguang with nothing to do.

Also means CEO Sang thinks Bao Qiuying's the better worker.

Lin He always looked down on her.

Figured she could barely pass as wife material.

Now something shifted.

CEO Sang's pick?

A female director with no real films, no awards—pulled to direct an infinite flow blockbuster?

Isn't that chaos?

Lin He was eyeing the exit.

Scouted around.

Better than some, worse than others.

Nothing beats Aurora Entertainment.

Sigh...

Meanwhile, Bao Qiuying's bestie Pu Qianlan grinned for real: 'Big shot, take me flying later.' Not her turn yet.

But seeing CEO Sang picked Bao Qiuying for the project, Pu Qianlan felt oddly reassured.

Not freeloading—has confidence.

Plus, with Aurora Entertainment scaling this fast, nothing's certain.

Rapid expansion means more actors needed.

Sang Yu had a nightmare.

For real.

Ever since reading Yao Yingbo's Killing My Boyfriend Ninety-Nine Times, his throat felt blocked.

Sang Yu knew—cold coming on.

Chugged water, popped pills, refused hospital.

Has some weird inexplicable resistance to the place.

But caught it anyway.

At night, couldn't tell if asleep or awake.

Vaguely remembers the dream—something hunting him too.

Details gone, but couldn't escape.

Day-thoughts-night-dreams efficiency, really?

Had to strike when he felt like crap?

Sang Yu felt genuinely wronged.

Grandparents heard he was sick, rushed food over.

Same stainless steel bucket they always use.

All home-style stuff.

Cured meat stewed with cabbage.

Stir-fried bamboo shoots.

Big bowl of fish soup with old tofu.

Ate till Sang Yu broke a sweat.

Half better.

The elders said pile on another blanket, sweat it out.

Liu Ping forced him to the hospital.

Sang Yu refused.

Also refused extra blanket.

Cold, no fever—pills, two days, done.

Idle but can't read novels or write.

Whole body restless, like angry.

Sang Ying's review: 'Sounds like PMS.

Exactly like me.' Sang Yu: '...' Sang Ying pulled: 'C'mon, walk it off.

Sun's nice today.

I brought Mangguo—so cute.' Sang Yu: 'Mangguo who?' 'My shop's internet-famous dog.' Sang Yu: '?' When'd it get famous?

Sang Ying sends cute pet clips constantly.

Sang Yu only replies sometimes, so doesn't know who's who.

Siblings headed downstairs.

Mangguo's a mutt—golden retriever fur, Pomeranian face (bigger face, longer snout version), Da Huang's male dog waist. ...Hot!

Sang Yu knew at first glance why it's internet-famous.

First look—tall, straight, long fur well-groomed, posture and eyes scream smart.

OK.

Genuinely cute.

Especially how that dog reacted to him.

Sang Yu, personally harsh, even admits it.

If an animal resists, won't come close—zero patience, turns and leaves.

But if they approach first?

Will trek to a specialty shop for treats, reward them.

Now?

Luckily, Sang Ying had jerky in her bag.

Sang Yu fed happily.

Dog tongues have no barbs, but occasional licks feel ticklish.

Sang Yu reached up to wipe drool off his head.

'Hey, I have wet wipes—!' 'Oh, hand 'em over.' All wiped...

Sang Ying resentfully wiped Mangguo's head.

Suddenly gossip: 'Bro, you hear?

Entertainment circle got some Aurora Entertainment knockoff now?' Sang Yu: '...?' Knockoff?

Sang Yu almost thought he misheard.

Entertainment companies have knockoffs?

Since Yin Rong didn't mention it, 'knockoff that can't kill the real deal'... possible.

Haven't checked news lately.

'What's it called?

Should be Starlight Entertainment.

Also remaking those butchered original novels.

Everyone's watching.' Sang Yu: '?' Our company's Aurora Entertainment.

That one's Starlight Entertainment.

What's the play?

Sure, two words colliding isn't rare.

But 'Aurora Entertainment knockoff,' 'remaking IP flop dramas'—those keywords colliding?

Worth asking.

This thing, not just Sang Ying knows.

Anyone surfing fast enough, all know. [Sang CEO, know Aurora Entertainment has a knockoff?

Thoughts on the level?] [Y03]: [Aurora Entertainment's massive, can support an outside company level.

Kidding.

Actually my reply equals promoting their level.] ...More toxic, OK?! [Why a knockoff?

Doesn't CEO Sang find it weird?] [Y03]: [Whenever one theme blows up in novel circles, authors copycat for traffic.

Riding the wave.] Writes novels, so gets it. [But more such companies, more focus on quality, isn't that positive for Domestic Entertainment?] [Y03]: [Sounds right.

But copying takes skill.

Some people have a gift for botching copies (laugh)] [So CEO Sang doesn't rate Starlight Entertainment?

Because Starlight's CEO had beef with you before?] [Y03]: [I rate it, else why give traffic here.

Made it like this, everyone wait and see] [So certain they can't match Aurora Entertainment's level?] [Y03]: [Others dunno, but Zhai Zong is sus.

Rushing to promote a knockoff with no works?

Scam people in to kill?] Directly named?! ... [Y03]'s vibe.

No holding back, no sugarcoating, no face.

Xiao Zhai Zong red with rage.

Where in business wars is it like this?

All backhanded moves, me-you, who puts it on the table?

But CEO Sang lost it—all current buzz, for Starlight Entertainment, all fame expansion.

Easier to grab copyrights.

Xiao Zhai Zong's move—pick those butchered novel authors, bump prices, buy film rights.

Second-sale asking price, for authors, high enough.

Generous terms.

But fact—most authors— Nooo!

Authors who sold film rights before are mostly financially free now.

If they also love surfing and see the drama...

Selling second rights at this point?

Gives off mercenary vibes.

Some authors also factor in how badly it got wrecked last time, worry this time their soul leaves their body too, so sell one less.

Of course some choose differently.

Not everyone's life is smooth.

Being broke is normal.

So Starlight Entertainment announced first project—Anlan.

Xiao Zhai Zong smug—first drama locked in?

Aurora Entertainment can't stop it.

Start filming—!

Specifically picked a clever start time, colliding with The Demolition Office's celebration banquet, stealing attention.

Result—barely anyone cared.

After all, glanced at the hot search start photo, got spooked. [Do domestic and foreign medical beauty clinics ban these people?] [Don't recognize the actors, looks off (no personal attack) actors don't fit] [Knockoff... at best Pinduoduo tier, actually insults Pinduoduo too.] [Big show, small results...] [Empty anticipation] Xiao Zhai Zong gritted teeth.

These people suck up to the rich.

CEO Sang picks unknowns too, why not?

Have it in natural light!

Photos like that are already decent.

Wait for official shoot—lights on, filter adjusted, skin smoothing on—all top-tier handsome men and beauties. ...

Sang Yu treated it as new entertainment.

Honestly, rich boring life needs this kind of brainless low-level villain as garnish.

Otherwise all normal-IQ adults, polite compliant socializing—how dull.

Watch them struggle, use every trick, results far from satisfying...

Schadenfreude is also a joy.

Sang Yu sipped pomelo juice.

Mouth's been bland lately—not a drop of alcohol, no sticky drinks, so picked this.

Oh, first celebration banquet.

Skipped The Favored One's with an excuse, came to The Demolition Office's.

Not boring.

Awards + speeches, investors flattering each other, behind-the-scenes staff, actors, advertisers networking.

Boring.

This time Xi Xingfa came too.

Like no grudge existed, smiling at Sang Yu like nothing happened.

Everyone nervous, worried CEO Sang would skip over the previous drama.

Luckily, he came.

But all watching his face.

Sang Yu, meanwhile, enjoying the other's expression, with great interest.

Sometimes observing brings infinite joy.

Any reaction from him triggers chain reactions from the other, trying to guess his angle, working hard at it.

Sang Yu: '...' Oh, bad. [Celestial Being] personality online again.

Act human.

Xi Xingfa saw the knockoff, Gong Yangtao didn't relax.

Investment can be added post-broadcast.

If Gong Yangtao, definitely would've seized that chance to cozy up to CEO Sang.

Gong Yangtao didn't jump in—clearly not a sharp one.

Just lucky at most.

Sang Yu hates socializing, headed to the bathroom, rinse and bounce.

But alert— Corner encounters are way too many.

People from the other side of the corner 'coincidentally' walk out, 'coincidentally' make eye contact, 'coincidentally' tilt their champagne glass.

Male, female, fat, thin, tall, short, glamorous, pure.

Sang Yu felt like he was collecting human models.

Good, none this time.

Not really.

This time a middle-aged man.

Self-intro—Cangyun Internet Cafe founder, Ji Cang.

Sang Yu raised an eyebrow: Internet cafe?

Cangyun Internet Cafe started as a small net bar.

Later Ji Cang caught the wind, renovated and leveled up, hit industry top.

Five years running first among large chain internet cafes.

Over a thousand stores nationwide.

Ji Cang sought CEO Sang.

Wanted to apply the Golden Spoon model to internet cafes.

Let customers experience this kind of competition too.

Pro player matches are matches, casual player matches are matches.

Golden Spoon has monthly tournaments.

If linked, not only enriches tournament branches.

Also boosts variety competition fame.

Fires up internet cafe customers.

If at the end, pros and amateurs do fun team PKs.

Wouldn't that be more fun?

Ji Cang knew he had to show CEO Sang the most valuable chips in limited time.

So he drafted beforehand, memorized many times, muscle memory fully off-script.

Words spitting out like a machine gun. ...

Sang Yu laughed out loud.