Chapter 141: Could this time really be something massive? (Subscriptions and votes requested! Update 3/3)

May arrived in a flash.

Over the past month, the major media outlets in the entertainment industry had been exceptionally calm.

Even the controversy between Su Mu and Lin Haoming showed signs of fading.

Of course, this did not mean everyone had forgotten their exchange at the Jinpeng Awards.

Lin Haoming had taken it upon himself to act as a guardian, claiming he needed to protect the threshold of the cinematic circle established by his predecessors.

Thus, he had already built a high wall using five hundred million box office earnings.

As for Su Mu’s parting remark, it was even more unforgettable and was still frequently quoted by many online.

"Undefeated for six years since my debut, with modest expectations."

Yet, these modest expectations had resulted in a fortress of five hundred million at the box office.

In the eyes of some, breaching his fortress would be no easy feat.

However, many netizens had stopped discussing the two of them for the time being.

It seemed they had grown tired of arguing and things had quieted down.

In truth, everyone still kept it in the back of their minds.

They were merely waiting for this year's New Year's season.

They wanted to see what kind of work Su Mu would use to strike back at Lin Haoming.

As for anything else, further analysis and comparison were futile.

The only effective judgment, naturally, would be spoken by the box office numbers.

Everything else was just hot air.

...

At the beginning of May, Su Mu cooperated with China Wuling in shooting an endorsement commercial.

The process was simple and not too difficult.

Only the lines were a bit awkward.

They actually quoted his classic line: "Undefeated, with modest expectations."

Though slightly reluctant, Su Mu still delivered the lines according to the script.

After all, Boss Li Rong had paid extra specifically for that remark of his.

And since Su Mu had taken the money, anything went.

Not to mention "undefeated," even if they asked him to say "I can take ten of you, the strongest in the universe," he would have no complaints.

Making money, after all, was nothing to be ashamed of.

...

In mid-May, the promotion and publicity for *Candle in the Tomb* concluded.

It was subsequently scheduled for an official premiere on May 29th.

This tomb-robbing themed project had gone through two and a half years of twists and turns, with even its first male lead heading off to "sew mailbags" midway through.

At last, after much anticipation, it was finally released to the public under Su Mu's takeover.

If the prevailing trend of the past two years had been idol dramas, then starting this year, the mega-hit genre for online television series was gradually shifting toward the supernatural and suspense.

Naturally, what could drive a genre trend had to start with content and works.

It was precisely because numerous related literary works emerged in an endless stream that people followed the trend and turned their attention toward film and television dramas.

Within the suspense and supernatural sector, the tomb-robbing theme stood uniquely on its own.

It was hard not to generate high expectations.

Even before its premiere, heated discussions had already broken out online.

[Comments:
Finally airing, I've waited too long! This must be the purest tomb-robbing theme in history, right?
Su Mu has actually discovered a major ancient tomb in real life, so he definitely knows his stuff. I bet no one is more professional than him; please don't let us down!
Have you guys read a recent book called *Tomb-Robbing Notes*? If *Candle in the Tomb* succeeds this time, I hope that book gets adapted too!
Looking forward to Su Mu's performance. Just thinking about how he has a five-hundred-million box office hurdle to clear at the end of the year makes me worry for him. I hope this drama brings him some good luck.]

Most online reviews expressed anticipation for the series.

To some extent, many people in the industry who wanted to try the genre but hadn't yet were waiting to see the outcome of this drama.

If it could successfully push the tomb-robbing theme to its peak, it would undoubtedly usher in a massive wave of popularity, much like costume idol dramas had over the past two years.

Meanwhile, another group of people was quietly waiting to see how Su Mu would perform.

...

Beijing City, Xuefei Film and Television Company.

To tell whether a film and television company possessed true strength, one only needed to look at whether its Hall of Honor was packed with high-value trophies.

The honor shelves of Xuefei Film and Television Company were piled high with numerous accolades Dong Xuefei had won over the years.

From various literary awards to artistic prizes in film and television, she had indeed claimed quite a few.

By comparison, Xu Jiang’s Jianghe Film and Television Company looked vastly inferior.

Inside the office at that moment, Dong Xuefei was conversing with a few people.

Anyone in the industry would have recognized the figures present as some of the top-tier directors of this year's New Year's season: Wu Dongxing, Gu An, along with Chen Anzhi.

As the group sipped tea, Dong Xuefei suddenly asked, "Anzhi, you've collaborated with Su Mu before, right? I saw that film about Xin Qiji—it was fantastic. What a pity it didn't get a theatrical release; otherwise, its results would have been quite impressive."

Chen Anzhi replied, "It can't compare to heavyweights like you who only direct mega-productions. But speaking of Su Mu, the kid is actually quite exceptional. His acting, character, and attitude—I approve of them all."

Dong Xuefei smiled. "Why do you sound just like Zhang Huaimou?"

Chen Anzhi said, "He was the one who recommended him to me in the first place, but he really is that good."

Wu Dongxing remarked, "I heard Xu Jiang's *Candle in the Tomb* is about to premiere. After struggling for a few years, they've finally cleared the clouds to see the moon. That Su Mu is the male lead, and the theme might become very popular. If the drama explodes, I'm even tempted to shoot a film version myself."

Gu An smiled and chimed in, "Well, what's this? Does Teacher Dong want the young man to star in your mega-production? But if I recall correctly, the male lead of your *Romance Elegy*, Lin Haoming, has some ongoing controversy with him."

Wu Dongxing sighed, "Five hundred million at the box office—it will probably be hard for Zhang Huaimou to surpass that by leading this kid. With Wang Xuan leading mine, we're barely hitting three hundred million this year. The market nowadays is truly difficult."

Gu An asked, "By the way, if he's teaming up with Zhang Huaimou, what genre are they planning to shoot for the New Year's season?"

Dong Xuefei smiled slightly. "I heard it's a comedy."

Wu Dongxing: "Huh?"

Gu An: "A comedy?"

Aside from Chen Anzhi, everyone was stunned.

Dong Xuefei continued, "This *Candle in the Tomb* premieres at the end of the month. We can use it to see what kind of performance he's capable of."

Wu Dongxing said, "Actually, I feel that if Su Mu wants to act in comedies, it might be hard for him to surpass your *Romance Elegy*."

Gu An agreed, "Indeed, comedies are not as easy to act in as people think, and besides, Su Mu isn't a comedian."

At that moment, listening to their conversation, Chen Anzhi did not refute them.

He simply smiled without a word.

Among the people present, no one understood Su Mu better than he did.

He still remembered how Su Mu mastered horseback riding, swordplay, and martial arts routines in just a few months, driven by that maniacal training regime.

Even the stuntmen from Yuan Zheng's martial arts troupe had been completely won over by him.

Could a comedy's modest demands on an actor possibly stump him?

Chen Anzhi simply didn't believe it.

He had a lingering premonition that Su Mu might just pull off something massive this time.

...

At the end of May.

*Candle in the Tomb: Ancient Cavern* officially premiered on major streaming platforms.

Everyone watched the first few episodes with eager anticipation.

And immediately afterward, the internet exploded.

Review waves came crashing down one after another.

In just a single night, its view count rocketed into the top twenty across the entire internet!

Xu Jiang hadn't signed an exclusive deal with a single platform, so it was a nationwide premiere across all networks.

Perhaps because it was the pioneering tomb-robbing theme, its impact was immense.

The next day, trending searches were once again dominated by keywords related to Su Mu and *Candle in the Tomb*.

Numerous film critics and professional heavyweights successively offered their viewing impressions and evaluations...

...

Inside the hotel.

Su Mu woke up early.

He was just about to give a corporate culture training session to all his employees...

(End of Chapter)