Chapter 34: A Frenzy of Smear Campaigns and Three Hundred Million in Ten Days

Sure enough, the next day, a massive amount of dirt was leaked online.

For instance: "Zhang Qianjun’s bullying on set confirmed!"

Internal sources from the production team claimed that Liu Xiaobei, who portrays an anti-bullying advocate, is actually the true bully on set. They alleged that the married couple Lu Yang and Chen Shu were repeatedly humiliated to their faces, but because they feared the capital backing Zhang, they dared not speak out, only weeping silently in their room at night.

Another headline read: "Certain Movie Star Uses 'Casting Couch' on Leading Lady."

According to insiders, the young actor Xiaobei allegedly used his power to coerce his leading lady during his debut film. Later, because the actress shaved her head and her looks declined, he set his sights on the second female lead. When she refused, he planted rumors of an illicit affair between them online and threatened her career, forcing her to submit. For his current film, he repeated the scheme; when the original lead refused to play along, he replaced her with a popular starlet once the director had already locked the cast. As for why it was a certain actress surnamed Liu, well, she was seen going out with him on her very first day on set—the reason is obvious.

There were also claims that Zhang was a tyrant during his school days, openly "selecting concubines" on the school forum, and rumors detailing his background as the son of a high-ranking official in Qiantang.

"Anything else?" Zhang Qianjun asked his assistant while scrolling through his laptop.

The assistant adjusted her glasses. "There’s more. They’re claiming you’re gay and coerced Chen Xiao, that you act like an emperor on set—berating staff and demanding Kan Qingzi take time off to serve you, and then having Kan Qingzi and Liu Yifei fight over you."

"Why is it all smearing me? Can’t they smear the 'Celestial' Liu too? The male lead shouldn't have to shoulder all the blame!"

"She’s getting plenty of flak, but since she’s already been embroiled in so many scandals over the last two years, people are used to it. It lacks novelty."

Zhang realized he had forgotten that—ever since *The Forbidden Kingdom*, Liu Yifei had been under constant fire, essentially blacklisted from the mainstream mainland film industry.

"Are the box office numbers in?"

"Not yet. Mr. Li hasn't sent them."

"I’m going to sleep. We’ll look at the numbers tomorrow morning."

The assistant looked worried. "Boss, are we just going to leave it like this?"

Zhang looked her in the eyes. "How else? Issue a denial? Spend money to scrub the trending topics? Have Glasses contact China Film Group. They invested in this, let them deal with it."

The assistant hesitated. "But China Film isn't really good at that kind of thing. It’s not like a government-mandated film where they can just censor people."

"Doesn't matter. Use their inaction as leverage to pressure them for the box office settlement. It’s been nearly half a year and they haven't paid up."

"Last time, China Film said the standard process takes six months, and they only pay half."

Zhang felt his blood boil. "Usually, I wouldn't even need their investment. Is money that easy to make? Always waiting to collect without effort—there’s no such thing. Tell them plainly: if I don't see the full settlement after the National Day holiday, I’m taking the distribution for *So Young* to Huaxia Film. If he thinks Huaxia is still linked to them, then I’ll go to Shanghai Film, Wanda, or even Enlight! *So Young* doesn't need their investment anyway; I can make that kind of money in a month of commercial appearances!"

He took a sip of water and added, "Did you get all that? Repeat it back to me word for word, don't miss a thing!"

A moment later, he noticed the assistant hadn't moved. "What are you waiting for? Go! Unless you want to stay and warm the bed?"

The assistant snapped out of her trance and hurried out of the room.

Zhang sat alone, feeling frustrated. Without the backing of major media or platforms, being hit with negative press made him far too passive. ByteDance was already seeking angel funding, but given his current reputation, there was no way they would give him the time of day.

*Might as well treat a dead horse like a living one,* he thought. *After the National Day box office run, I’ll head to the investment market and visit Zhang Yiming. Who knows? Maybe he’ll have a lapse in judgment and take my money.*

*Right, and I should support national women’s protection efforts—maybe try for a position at the Women’s Federation. God, making money is exhausting.* Dragging his weary body and mind, he drifted into a heavy sleep.

The next day, Zhang slept until 11:00 AM. While still in bed, he habitually checked his phone. Missed calls, texts, and WeChat messages flooded in, so many that the phone’s vibration could have doubled as a sex toy.

He ignored the unimportant ones. First was Glasses: "Qianjun, Sunday’s box office was 52.36 million, a 70% share of the market. With Saturday’s 45.6 million, Friday’s 23.7 million, and 830,000 from previews, that’s 122.49 million for the weekend—a record for a domestic film!"

Then from the director, Lu Yang: "Qianjun, believe it or not, the screenwriter and I never spoke ill of you to reporters."

"Qianjun, 52 million today—we did it!"

"Qianjun, Chen Shu complained a bit in private, but she never leaked anything to the press. We’re fellow alumni, you have to believe me."

Zhang smiled. *People are just venting their frustrations, I suppose.*

He scrolled down. His girlfriend had sent several messages in the middle of the night: "Babe, heard you’re exhausted. Should’ve gone to take care of you."

"Wow, hubby, you’re amazing! Invincible! Mwah mwah mwah!"

"Hubby, I want to be in *So Young* with you. As long as I don't have to play the vicious second lead, third or fourth is fine."

"Forget that last part. Sleep well, I’m going to bed too. Goodnight, mwah!"

A smile spread across Zhang’s face. He’d leave the script on the seat of her new car as a gift. It seemed the "Celestial" mother-daughter duo were tight-lipped; no word had leaked about his girlfriend taking the lead role.

Thinking of the "Celestial," he scrolled further.

"You did it. You weren't bragging."

*? What does she mean? Is she acting up again? Never mind her.*

Zhang dialed a number. "Order three lunches and bring them to my room."

Soon, his assistant scurried in. "Boss, food is on the way. Any further instructions?"

"Sit down and rest. We’ll eat together. We have three more cities to visit."

As they ate, another WeChat message arrived. "When you get back to Beijing, we’ll finalize the investment share for *So Young*. Regarding the box office share for *Better Days*, I’ve made the calls—the other side guarantees the funds will arrive on the first workday after National Day."

Looking at the message, Zhang finally felt a spark of excitement. This Mr. Li was a man who wouldn't let go of a hawk until he saw the rabbit. If he could pull off *So Young*, would he finally be considered a man with real connections? It was laughable that he’d been bragging in front of Liu Yifei and her mother, pretending to teach them about capital. *How ridiculous.*

"Get everyone together," Zhang said once they’d finished. "We leave in an hour. Just six and a half more days, then we head home!"

A week later, Zhang returned to the capital with his assistant—who seemed to have lost a cup size in the chest—and the rejuvenated Li Kai and Master Zhou. After announcing a three-day break at the airport, Zhang and Master Zhou headed to the company.

He told Master Zhou to go home and rest until Thursday, then found Glasses, whose excitement was palpable.

"The money is in! 56,207,423.6 yuan!"

Zhang exhaled. *Finally!* He looked puzzled. "That’s not right. It shouldn't be that much."

Li Yanjing took out his notebook. "The final box office for *Better Days* was 146.03 million. Plus, remember we sold the overseas distribution rights to China Film? That settled for another 8 million."

Zhang nodded.

"Also, a few things: China Film is holding a celebration tomorrow for crossing 300 million at the box office. You must attend. The investment for *So Young* will be confirmed before that. I also have a mountain of resumes for the new film’s casting that you need to decide on in the next two days. Finally, Wang from Huayi wants to meet on Tuesday. He says it’s urgent—you should definitely go."

Zhang collapsed back into his chair. *I still have to go home tonight and 'pay my dues'—when will I ever get a rest?*