The promotional period for "Abuse the Scum" lasted a full two weeks – though it was originally planned for a month.
This was because the film was exceptionally popular.
Even after two weeks of release, it held the top spot at the box office in every region.
Judging by its box office trajectory, it had charted an astonishing upward trend, achieving consecutive increases and showing every sign of becoming the global box office champion for the year.
This meant at least a billion US dollars in revenue, with no upper limit in sight.
Those who had previously mocked the "Abuse the Scum" production team for their lavish spending, their extravagant budget,
for using two veteran actors to promote a newcomer, believing they were inviting their own downfall,
and for making what was undoubtedly the most foolish decision,
were now all thoroughly proven wrong.
Newspapers, always quick to follow the wind, immediately shifted their reporting.
The New York Times:
A masterpiece, rated nine-point-five out of a possible ten!
It's the first time I've witnessed such a beautiful film, from the actors, plot, cinematography, music, to the editing, everything was utterly captivating.
A production team with deep pockets and incredibly talented actors have delivered this year's best commercial blockbuster!
Possibly even the best in the last three years!
The Washington Entertainment Evening News:
Genius has emerged!
I believe I could watch this movie ten times in the cinema, drink ten Cokes, and eat ten servings of popcorn!
Trust me, there are actually people doing just that!
Vanity Fair:
I believe we are about to witness the birth of a new Chinese superstar.
Whether you like it or not, this is the market's choice.
She is so young, so beautiful – I have no doubt about the rumors linking Ling Qianhe to her, my God, who wouldn't fall for her?
That question...
was a test of the soul.
Who wouldn't fall for her?
Her movie posters were displayed in the busiest shopping districts worldwide.
Wherever you looked up, you could see Lin Muci.
She had become the idol of almost every young girl.
Young, confident, flamboyant.
Possessing incredible talent.
Her concerts, her movies – Vanity Fair got it right, who wouldn't fall for her?
...
While public attention on her continued to soar, and her popularity remained sky-high, Lin Muci herself had already concluded her two-week overseas film promotion. After domestic media coverage and a few promotional events in major Chinese cities,
she quietly joined Wu Minlong's film crew.
Yang Weiyang was the first to rush forward to hug her.
"Xiao Ci!"
She acted as if she were seeing a long-lost relative, almost teary-eyed.
"Xiao Ci! *Sob sob* I've been waiting for you for so long!"
Lin Muci hugged Yang Weiyang back. She had indeed lost some weight, but her bust hadn't shrunk. Among the four girls in the girl group Times Girls, everyone joked that although Lin Muci was the youngest, she was the tallest.
But if they lay down...
Yang Weiyang was definitely the tallest!
She nuzzled into Lin Muci, her face beaming with happiness.
"It's great that you're here, Xiao Ci, but are you finished with your promotions?"
"I saw the schedule Ye Tongtong sent; you were supposed to finish your promotions in three more days."
Lin Muci smiled.
"I've completed the promotional tasks. I rushed here early."
For the sake of her work here, she had been working for over thirty consecutive hours, but in front of Yang Weiyang, she didn't show any sign of fatigue.
Wu Minlong had gone to another filming base.
Yang Weiyang, holding Lin Muci's hand tightly, introduced her with great excitement.
"This is Xiao Ci! She's a top national star now!"
Bai Jian glanced at her and nodded.
The handsome young man's gaze held a smile as he looked at her.
"We know each other."
"I know she's very capable."
Without needing Yang Weiyang to introduce him, Zhou Yuan'an directly rushed forward, grabbed Lin Muci's arm, and shook it vigorously, expressing his excitement and eagerness.
"Xiao Ci?"
He scratched his head.
"I've been specially recruited too – Xiao Ci, let's meet at school after we finish filming. I've been selected for the national team this time, and I'm sure I can bring glory to the country like you!"
He wasn't good at acting in movies.
He had been scolded by the director countless times.
But—
He was confident he could play well.
He had been feeling dejected.
After being criticized by Wu Minlong so often, he had felt quite down.
He had even considered quitting, as he was still an absolute core player in his own team. But knowing Lin Muci was in the movie, he couldn't bear to give up.
Furthermore, Wu Minlong had a heart-to-heart talk with him later!
He was now planning to pursue a career as a professional athlete, but it was feasible for him to act in a film as long as he maintained his training.
His mother was ill and needed money.
The student aid he received from the school only covered his tuition.
Wu Minlong, who came from a humble background himself, analyzed it seriously. His strictness towards Zhou Yuan'an wasn't because he didn't believe in him; on the contrary, Wu Minlong felt he could endure hardship, was tall, and had good physical fitness.
He was very suitable for the role in the film.
Moreover, the character had a small part and wouldn't affect his training.
Wu Minlong also hoped that if his acting improved, it would save time by not needing to repeatedly polish a single scene, thus saving more time.
Instead of thinking he was not good enough.
And wanting to replace him.
It was a matter of communication. They were all simple and straightforward people, without much pretense. Wu Minlong had a talk with Zhou Yuan'an, and once things were cleared up, everything was fine.
Therefore, when Wu Minlong saw Lin Muci now, he was genuinely excited about the prospect of filming with her.
The atmosphere on set was also very good!
Yang Weiyang was a little jealous, muttering.
"It feels like you guys are more familiar with Xiao Ci than I am – *sob sob*."
But as they were all members of the main cast for this film,
the more familiar they became, the better, and the more synchronized they would be. However, Yang Weiyang had initially thought she could show off a bit, but unexpectedly, she turned out to be the most unfamiliar one.
She sighed. DaFeng Novel Network
"So, did Director Long say who the last member of the main cast is?"
"The designated strategist, the most intelligent man in our team, who is it?"
Yang Weiyang stared at Lin Muci expectantly.
Her large eyes blinked rapidly, as if relying on Lin Muci to reveal the secret. Unexpectedly, Lin Muci herself was clueless. She shook her head, pondered for a moment, and then said,
"It's probably not... Ling Qianhe."
He didn't say anything.
Moreover, he hadn't shown any unusual behavior recently.
Most importantly—
Before I joined the crew, he insisted on saying he wouldn't see me for a long, long time, so he pestered me, tossing and turning endlessly...
I almost fainted.
That Ling Qianhe.
His words were always sweet.
But his actions were fierce.
He gave me no room to breathe.
Her cheeks flushed, and she coughed twice, calming herself down. Lin Muci said,
"It's not Ling Qianhe. But Director Long is good at casting, he should be able to choose suitable people, right?"
As she was speaking, she saw Wu Minlong walking over from a distance.
Yang Weiyang had collaborated with Wu Minlong on a TV series before. Although she complained verbally that Director Long was harsh on her and always made her perform difficult fight scenes, it was because she was so familiar with him and dared to tease him like that.
Besides, Wu Minlong doted on her.
Only then did Yang Weiyang dare to complain like this.
If it were other seniors, she would be very timid. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been bullied by Huo Ziyao last time!
She didn't get angry even when she was hung up on the wire; she didn't want to cause trouble for the staff!
"Director Long? Xiao Ci is here, are we starting to film the ensemble scenes today? The scene where the team gathers?"
"Aren't we still missing a strategist?"
"I remember it was in the script, and you've been keeping it a secret."
Wu Minlong nodded.
"There is such a character. He is a main character throughout the entire space series."
"But he's not here today."
Yang Weiyang was stunned.
"He's not showing up yet? Xiao Ci is here, could this guy be even more of a big shot than Xiao Ci?"
Wu Minlong chuckled.
"Why, do you really want to meet this person?"
Yang Weiyang mumbled.
"We have to meet him, right? We can't act against a green screen... How can we act well by imagining someone out of thin air?"
Although in the industry, sometimes they do it like that.
Directly using green screen compositing.
Post-production synthesis.
But to act well, you definitely can't just use green screen. Wu Minlong seemed very confident.
"Don't worry, this person will definitely appear. You all get acquainted first."
Yang Weiyang sighed.
"Acquainted with what? Xiao Ci knows these two guys. Zhou Yuan'an is her classmate, and Bai Jian... Oh, right, Bai Jian, how do you know Xiao Ci?"
Bai Jian looked at Lin Muci.
"She helped me out."
Yang Weiyang nodded, spreading her palm.
"See, you all know each other. No need to get acquainted."
Wu Minlong, however, laughed.
"My telling you to get acquainted isn't about becoming familiar with each other. It's about becoming unfamiliar. In the plot, you don't know each other. In the early stages of gathering, you are in a state where you can't really trust each other. Therefore, you must portray that sense of distrust."
"In the early days, you are not teammates."
"Even though you're doing missions together, you'll still worry if the person next to you might stab you in the back."
"That feeling of constant vigilance, of walking on thin ice."
"That's what I want."
Yang Weiyang sighed with difficulty.
"Okay, okay, I'll think about it."
Lin Muci, however, leaned in and actively coached her.
"You've read the script, right? My character, Xiao Yu, is like a female assassin. So, according to her personality, in the early stages, before she's experienced a life-or-death crisis and before cooperating with partners to fight monsters, I really wouldn't trust anyone."
"This character has a strong sense of crisis, is very cold and tough. But she also has a soft side. It's just that she doesn't want to reveal her vulnerability to others."
She pointed to the script in Yang Weiyang's hand.
"But your character is different."
"Your character, Gu Qianqian, is like a priest-like role. You need to inspire people with your truth, goodness, and beauty. You are an angelic girl. You can approach us warmly, without fear of being hurt."
"Only with your personality can you melt the ice in my heart."
As she said this,
Yang Weiyang immediately understood.
"So, it's like how we interact in real life."
"I just need to stick to you and trust you completely."
"Then I'm confident."
"I might not be able to act other things well, but playing a girl who only has eyes for Xiao Ci, I'm the best at that!"
Bai Jian and Zhou Yuan'an both glanced at Yang Weiyang, both pondering a question.
Could it be.
That this girl is a lesbian?
Does she have special feelings for Xiao Ci?
No wonder, Xiao Ci is so amazing.
She captivates both men and women.
If a girl likes her, it's really... hard to say, hard to say.