Chapter 2086: Hot

"It's a hit!"

While in Italy, Zhao Fusheng still received a call from Ye Jing.

But he was a bit puzzled—what was a hit?

"What's going on?"

Zhao Fusheng asked Ye Jing.

"Lost on Journey is a hit!" Ye Jing said with a smile. "First-day box office: fifteen million! First-week box office: forty million!"

Holy shit!

Even Zhao Fusheng couldn't stay calm this time.

If he remembered correctly, in the original timeline, the total box office for Lost on Journey was only around forty million.

Although in fact, the quality of this film was no worse than the subsequent two films in the Lost series.

But the box office gap was really huge.

Of course, it was definitely profitable; otherwise, the company wouldn't have started the sequels.

"That high?"

Zhao Fusheng asked in confusion.

"Yes, our promotion and distribution were excellent, the audience really liked it, and anti-piracy measures were good—no pirated copies have appeared yet," Ye Jing nodded.

"Keep it up, increase investment, and have Wang Qiang and Xu Zheng go on roadshows! Also, sue every pirated copy that appears, bankrupt them!"

After a brief thought, Zhao Fusheng made the decision.

"Okay, I understand." Ye Jing nodded and agreed.

Hanging up the phone, Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and couldn't help but laugh.

"What, what's so funny?"

Seeing his expression, Fan Baobao asked curiously.

"Nothing, just that film with Wang Qiang..." Zhao Fusheng told Fan Baobao about Lost on Journey and finally laughed, "Looks like that kid got lucky."

"That's really good."

Fan Baobao nodded: "So he can go the comedy route from now on?"

"Yeah, pretty much."

Zhao Fusheng smiled and didn't refute that. In his view, this was indeed a good thing for Wang Qiang.

After all, his image was what it was.

In a sense, Wang Qiang's image destined that he could never become an idol or a traffic star. So the only way for him to become popular and stay popular was probably the comedy route.

"That's good."

Fan Baobao was naturally happy for Wang Qiang.

"By the way, I'll be returning to China in a few days," Zhao Fusheng said to Fan Baobao.

"So soon?"

Fan Baobao was clearly surprised.

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "There are a lot of things over there that need my approval. Also, Marvel's new movie flopped last year, and I'm worried Disney might cause trouble."

"Then you should go back quickly," Fan Baobao said immediately upon hearing this.

She had heard Zhao Fusheng talk about Marvel—it was a business worth billions of dollars, so of course, it needed attention.

...

...

In fact, Lost on Journey was even more popular than Ye Jing and Zhao Fusheng had imagined.

Especially during this year's Spring Festival season.

"The wife is understanding, the mistress backs off gracefully; for a man, this life is worth it."

"A comedy that exceeded my expectations; it makes the audience laugh while also giving them some warmth. As a low-budget comedy, this warm comedy route might create a new genre market. The script is good, with a very precise grasp of context. Also, Xu Zheng proves once again that he is a type of actor that the mainland market is sorely lacking."

"First time watching a movie on its opening day, and I don't regret it at all. It's light, humorous, and full of the warmth of life."

"Good enough. What the Chinese film market lacks isn't big productions; it's sincere small and medium-budget films like this."

"Boss, the Yellow River is really yellow." "Bro, this is the Yangtze River."

"Very, very good. Solid script, characters that stand out. If domestic films all worked this hard, they wouldn't be so frivolous. It breaks away from the domestic comedy's inevitable copycat route."

"How is it different from Hollywood blockbusters? It made a big splash today, and it's the best comedy of the year in my book so far. Exaggerated but not over the top, hilarious, laughter with tears. Though the emotional parts are a bit forced, it's not too excessive, and it doesn't stop it from being a good comedy."

"The female teacher who needs money for treatment—I think she's the highlight of the film. At that moment, I felt she could be the best supporting actress in the future. The bed scene between Wang Qiang and Xu Zheng was good too, and the scene on the plane was also good. Lots of laughs, but the whole film didn't feel very coherent."

"Behind every female con artist is a group of orphans waiting to be fed. Setting aside the attempts at mainstream themes, this warm comedy has some charm. On the familiar topic of Spring Festival travel, the two distinctive characters—a white-collar worker and a migrant worker—are quite interesting. If you keep your expectations low, you'll get some pleasant surprises."

"A very nutritious low-budget comedy fast food. Life's hardships are nothing more than this; in the end, nothing beats going home. A humorous and thought-provoking film about little people!"

All kinds of reviews flooded the internet and media. It had to be said that a film becoming this popular was proof that Lost on Journey was truly a success.

Not only that, but the stark contrast between Wang Qiang playing the fool and Xu Zheng's helplessness finally made some in the film industry realize that this might be what audiences wanted to see.

Everyone was already tired of so-called high-mindedness; even if you wanted to tug at heartstrings, it had to be embedded in the ordinary, not delivered as a lecture.

It was a hit!

A huge hit!

That was the current state of Xu Zheng and Wang Qiang.

And various film offers came flooding in to Future Films like confetti.

Even they themselves received all kinds of invitations.

Only then did people realize how prescient Zhao Fusheng had been.

First, he strongly supported Xu Zheng in making films, then he signed Xu Zheng, gave him the freedom to open his own studio, and tied him to the Future Films chariot.

And everything that was happening now proved that Zhao Fusheng had truly planned ahead.

"Impressive!"

Ye Jing had discussed this with Yu Feihong and others more than once in private.

It had to be said, Zhao Fusheng was really amazing!

Whether it was Ning Hao or Jiang Wen, or Xu Zheng and Wang Qiang, Zhao Fusheng seemed to find a way to make each of them shine.

That alone was something others couldn't do.

...

...

By the time Zhao Fusheng returned to China a few days later, the entire Spring Festival season had been dominated by Lost on Journey.

"Barring accidents, the total box office might exceed one hundred million."

Ye Jing sat in the office and said to Zhao Fusheng.

"Not bad."

Zhao Fusheng smiled: "Have you handed out the bonuses?"

"Yes."

Ye Jing nodded.

For a hit film like this, it was necessary to give bonuses to the creative team.

After all, without their efforts, such results wouldn't have been possible—it was an industry rule.

"What are Xu Zheng's thoughts?"

Zhao Fusheng continued asking.

This was crucial, because the film had suddenly made Xu Zheng famous. Unlike in the previous life, where the box office was just profitable, now Lost on Journey's box office was explosive. If Xu Zheng had other ideas, it would be troublesome.

"Can't tell for now."

Ye Jing shook his head: "He and Wang Qiang are doing roadshows across the country, very seriously."

"Then let's wait and see."

Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and finally decided.

The issue with Xu Zheng was actually similar to that with Ning Hao. As they became more successful, how Future Films could retain them became a very real problem.

In an era where loyalty had a price tag, relying solely on a studio or a contract to keep people was basically impossible.

Even if the penalty for breach of contract was high, if a wealthy new boss came along and paid the buyout, they would leave just the same.

That being the case, they had to think of other ways.

After much thought, Zhao Fusheng suddenly realized that the only thing that could bind everyone together was probably the word 'interest.'

With that in mind, Zhao Fusheng looked at Ye Jing: "What do you think about letting them buy shares?"

Buy shares?

Ye Jing was stunned at first, about to dismiss Zhao Fusheng's idea, but then he fell silent.

His objection was because Ye Jing felt that shares shouldn't be given to actors or directors.

But then he understood that Zhao Fusheng probably wasn't just letting them buy shares; he wanted to use this method to tie these people to the company's chariot.

And come to think of it, if they really did this, it might just work!

The reason?

Simple.

Money moves hearts!

No one could resist the lure of original shares in a listed company!