The more Pei Qian thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong. He hurriedly dialed Huang Sibo’s number.

Although there was a mole, and the transaction could no longer be stopped, Pei Qian still couldn’t help but ask.

Even if he was going to die, he needed to know why!

“Hello? Mr. Pei?”

Huang Sibo’s voice was slightly noisy on the other end, as if he were busy.

Pei Qian didn’t waste words with him and asked directly: “Who handled the film’s distribution and promotion?”

Huang Sibo was taken aback: “Huh? Shenhua Films, didn’t Manager Lin tell you?”

“Beep” – the call disconnected.

Huang Sibo looked at his phone screen, completely puzzled.

“Strange, wasn’t i,t Mr. Pei himself who brought in Manager Lin from Shenhua Films to help with the movie’s promotion?”

…

After hanging up, Pei Qian immediately called Lin Chang.

“Hello? Mr. Pei, what’s the matter? Isn’t the movie releasing tomorrow?”

Hearing this, Pei Qian’s heart instantly sank.

Indeed, it was this guy who did it!

Pei Qian struggled to contain his pain: “Did you use Shenhua Films’ resources to handle the distribution and promotion for ‘Beautiful Tomorrow’?”

Lin Chang, on the other end of the phone, paused slightly, then said with a laugh: “Yes, Mr. Pei, you’ve already discovered it? Oh my, I was planning to give you a surprise on the day of the movie’s release.”

“Mr. Pei, you don’t need to take it to heart. I didn’t spend too much money, just casually used the resources I had on hand. It’s just a small gesture, a small gesture.”

Pei Qian was so angry that he was speechless.

Listen to that, is that how a human being talks?

Didn’t spend too much money, just casually used existing resources?

And then you fucking got me nearly 40% screen share?

Lin Chang heard no response from Mr. Pei on the other end and thought he must be moved to silence, so he quickly said: “Really, I’m just returning a favor. Mr. Pei, please don’t take it too seriously.”

“Besides, the ongoing screen share still depends on the attendance rate and word of mouth, it might not always stay above 30%.”

“Of course, since it’s a film invested by Mr. Pei, it must be excellent. I’m just helping it along.”

“If Mr. Pei really feels uncomfortable about it, you can symbolically give some promotion fees after the box office makes a big profit.”

Pei Qian: “…”

After the box office makes a big profit?

By then, I’ll already be buried! Isn’t it too late to talk about “compensation”?

Pei Qian asked weakly: “Who told you about this movie…”

Lin Chang chuckled: “What, does Mr. Pei want to thank them in person? No need. It’s no secret that Fei Huang Studio is making a movie. Just a little asking around and you’ll find out.”

“Anyway, Mr. Pei, don’t worry too much about it. As long as we can properly handle A’Wan’s matter, what do these promotional resources count for?”

“Once A’Wan truly returns home, I’ll help promote every one of your future movies, Mr. Pei!”

Pei Qian: “…”

If you keep talking like that, Lin Wan will never return to your Lin family in this lifetime!

Pei Qian now finally understood roughly what had happened. Clearly, Lin Chang had misunderstood and took it upon himself to do some “things within his power” as a thank you to Pei Qian for persuading Lin Wan to return.

But Mr. Pei was suffering inside. This wasn’t thanking him; this was harming him!

Pei Qian gave a dry laugh: “Manager Lin, if the movie’s box office explodes, I’ll definitely settle this with you!”

“Beep” – the call disconnected.

Lin Chang looked at his phone screen, slightly surprised.

“Mr. Pei is truly Mr. Pei, even his way of showing gratitude is so unique.”

Though Lin Chang made it sound simple, securing such a high screen share had taken quite some effort.

Fortunately, the other films weren’t particularly strong, which helped secure such a high screen share on the first day.

“It seems A’Wan will be coming home soon.”

Lin Chang thought contentedly.

…

…

February 22nd, Tuesday.

Midnight.

Pei Qian came alone, sneaking into the cinema on the top floor of Universal Street to watch the premiere of “Beautiful Tomorrow.”

Huang Sibo, Zhu Xiaocai, Lu Zhiyao, and Zhang Zuting weren’t in Jingzhou. These days they were going to Imperial Capital, Magic City, Goat City, and other major cities for promotion and to meet fans.

At this moment, they were probably also waiting for the premiere in a cinema in some major city.

The reason Pei Qian came to watch the premiere secretly by himself was that he feared if the film’s premiere reception was too enthusiastic, he might not be able to control himself.

Not being seen by acquaintances would prevent him from losing composure on the spot and affecting Mr. Pei’s image.

Before entering the cinema, Pei Qian first saw a Modiste phone booth, and surprisingly, someone was singing inside it this late at night.

Seeing Modiste’s seemingly mocking expression, Pei Qian felt his eyelid twitch violently. He quickly turned his head to look away and hurried into the cinema, lest his mental state collapse before the movie even started playing.

Since he bought the ticket a bit late, he didn’t get a very good seat, just sitting in a corner on the edge.

Pei Qian thought this position was quite good.

On one hand, he wasn’t looking to get the best viewing experience; just watching it would suffice. On the other hand, there would definitely be many couples coming to see this movie, and sitting in a corner could effectively avoid being subjected to their public displays of affection.

However, as soon as he sat down, Pei Qian was speechless.

Right next to him was a couple.

Try as he might to avoid them, he still couldn’t escape!

Pei Qian could only vigorously munch on his large bucket of popcorn to divert his attention.

The occupancy rate in the entire screening hall was about 70-80%, not completely full. This was already quite good for a midnight premiere, considering this was Jingzhou, not a cinema in Imperial Capital or Magic City.

Of course, what was “quite good” by others’ standards was quite dire for Pei Qian!

“Stay calm, stay calm.”

“Must maintain a peaceful mindset.”

“Those coming to the premiere are probably Lu Zhiyao’s die-hard fans. For a domestic first-tier young actor, having some die-hard fans coming to watch the premiere is very normal and reasonable.”

“Once these die-hard fans have all watched it, the film’s attendance rate should plummet.”

Pei Qian munched on his popcorn while giving himself a pep talk.

Just past midnight, the lights in the entire screening hall turned off and gradually darkened.

The beginning showed a bunch of company logos, including Fei Huang Studio and Shenhua Films.

The discussions in the cinema gradually subsided, and everyone focused intently on the big screen.

The film officially began.

Accompanying the main creators’ list and background music were several montage shots:

Fast food relief meals are placed on a table;

Crumpled paper balls and flattened beer cans at the feet;

Advertisements chattering non-stop on a small screen;

A half-eaten bag of chips full of crumbs…

Through these few shots, one could slightly perceive the sci-fi background of the entire story. The style of the table, the small advertisement signs in the room, the cramped but tech-filled space, all seemed to hint that this was happening in a future world.

The chaotic static noise in the ears gradually became clearer. On the big screen, a seemingly well-produced but not particularly exciting variety show was playing. Well-articulated English voices came through, and subtitles appeared simultaneously at the bottom of the screen.

Lu Zhiyao’s back was sitting on the floor, leaning against the bed, staring intently at the big screen.

Suddenly, a “contest result” image appeared on the big screen. At the same time, a huge “congratulation” celebration text accompanied by firework effects exploded instantly on the screen, meaning the male protagonist had guessed correctly and earned income from this variety show.

“Yes!”

Lu Zhiyao shouted excitedly, clenching his fists and waving them vigorously. After a series of celebratory actions, he went to the meal dispenser to buy a can of beer…

?

Pei Qian suddenly realized that he seemed to have seen this scene before.

Next would be the beer-drinking segment!

When they were filming, Mr. Pei had personally “guided” Lu Zhiyao’s acting…

Pei Qian’s heart sank.

This movie was starting with its trump card!

In the rough cut version he had seen earlier, the first scene wasn’t this one!

With this change in the opening, it instantly created a powerful first impression!

The cinema was silent, even the sound of popcorn eating had diminished.

Pei Qian instantly had a feeling that “things might be going wrong.”

It looked very different from the rough cut version!

On the screen, Lu Zhiyao didn’t go back to pick up the discarded can. Instead, he slumped to the floor, leaning against the window, hugging his knees with both hands and burying his head deep in his arms.

This was the opening of the movie.

Then the scene changed, no longer showing the capsule where the male protagonist lived, but beginning to display the external scenes.

After midnight, the outside world became the domain of the destitute.

Towering skyscrapers pointed towards the night sky, like luminous tombstones.

One could vaguely see rooftop terraces and gardens on the distant buildings. Many wealthy people were fond of building their retro luxury homes on the very top of skyscrapers, and at night they would emit enough conspicuous light to constantly shine in the night sky, allowing all the destitute who could only come out for three hours at night to properly admire them.

At the bottom of the buildings, colorful neon lights flickered, in stark contrast to the paradise-like scenes at the very top of those skyscrapers.

The dimly lit stars and the neon lights on the ground seemed to be connected by these luminous “tombstones,” emanating a bit of absurdity.

Thousands of flying cars with different colored lights shuttled between the skyscrapers, like flowing stars in the night sky, converging into many colorful rivers.

However, the destitute walking in the drizzling rain with umbrellas were indifferent to everything happening above their heads. They were buying various strange-looking and not necessarily tasty snacks, engaging in some cheap entertainment activities, haggling over a few dollars, seeming to have become accustomed to it all.

Television screens in roadside shops were broadcasting news programs. A destitute person had been severely punished for coming to the outside world at the “wrong time,” and the host was “sincerely advising” all citizens to come to the outside world within the specified time and not to break the rules.

Pei Qian hadn’t seen this part before.

Because most of the shots were created with post-production special effects, the bulk of the investment had gone into this.

Looking at these magnificent scenes, the special effects that could almost pass for real, Pei Qian became even more nervous.

“Stay calm, stay calm.”

“The special effects are just for this small segment, just a few minutes, there are no more such grand scenes after this.”

Pei Qian grabbed another handful of popcorn and stuffed it into his mouth, using eating to alleviate his tension.