Chapter Eighteen: Rising to Fame in a Single Battle

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At 11 p.m. on April 8th, inside Solar System Film Company, everyone anxiously awaited the box office results.

"Has the box office data come out yet? Didn't they say we’d have numbers by 9:30?" Liu Chang paced back and forth, worried.

"Not yet," replied Glasses Brother, already in work mode, juggling his phone with his left hand and typing on his computer with his right, constantly sending messages.

"Chang, can you sit down for a bit? You keep pacing back and forth like a wandering chicken. The place isn't that big, and honestly, it’s quite annoying," Zhang Qianjun said, though he wasn’t too worried—there was a safety net after all.

"Relax, trust me, we’re definitely going to make it," Zhang Qianjun reassured everyone.

Suddenly, Li Kai shouted, "It’s out!"

Ding ding ding—the phones and computers of Li Yanjing all went off simultaneously.

"How much?" Liu Chang sprinted over to Li Kai.

"2.6 million, total box office 23.19 million. With an 8% screening share, we took 11.2% of the box office share. On the day of release, our film ranked second among new releases and fifth overall for the day. Qianjun, we made it!" Li Kai excitedly recited the numbers.

"Awesome! I knew we’d make it!" Liu Chang jumped up and down happily, flapping his arms like a chicken trying to defy gravity.

Glasses Brother was excited too, but his focus was different. He grabbed his calculator and quickly started crunching numbers.

A 5% special business fund and 3.3% special business tax must be paid to the state, so the revenue-sharing box office won’t reach 600 million, meaning no China Film digital agency distribution fees.

The shareable box office is 91.7%. Of that, cinemas take 57%, China Film’s distribution fee is 7%, and Solar System Film, as the producer, gets 36%.

Based on a ninefold multiplier from the first day, the final box office would be 260 * 9 * 91.7% * 36% = 7.7248 million. Deducting 4 million for production costs, 1 million for initial distribution fees, and 1.5 million spent on online promotion, there’s still a surplus of 1.22 million. The movie is profitable from box office alone!

"Qianjun, you’re amazing! Just from the box office share alone, the company is making money!" Even Li Yanjing, a middle-aged man at the brink of his prime, started dancing excitedly. Having worked as a manager in a music company for over ten years, he actually had some rhythm.

Zhang Qianjun looked at these three trembling single guys and couldn’t help but marvel at how easily satisfied a startup team could be—there was plenty of joy, after all.

"Glasses Brother, according to your calculations, how much can the company make?" Zhang Qianjun tugged on him to stop bouncing around.

"Expected company revenue is 7.5 to 8 million. After deducting costs, profit is 1 to 1.5 million," Glasses Brother said excitedly.

Zhang Qianjun was stunned. That little? What are you guys so excited about?

"That’s little?" Liu Chang fired up, "Big brother, you made money on your first film investment! Do you know how rare that is?"

"Exactly. Qianjun, do you know how much pressure Glasses Brother and I have been under? We just wanted not to lose too much and scare you off!" Li Kai, never one to be outdone, added.

Zhang Qianjun glanced at Li Yanjing, who nodded in agreement.

"Qianjun, you’re already seeing returns early in your career—that’s destiny. And don’t just count company revenue. You have a signature work now; you can do commercial performances and endorsements. That’s where the real money will come."

"Yeah, yeah, you’re right. Glasses Brother, contact the media. Use ‘Better Days’ crowns domestic new releases’ daily box office champion as the headline. Put up big posters tomorrow and have the online promotion team hype it up, saying ‘Better Days’ crushes all American and Hong Kong-Taiwan stars and sets a new standard for domestic youth films."

"Then contact Sina to get two days of trending topics over Saturday and Sunday. Negotiate prices, and if reasonable, we’ll buy some next week too."

Li Yanjing gasped, "Qianjun, is that okay? Isn’t that just blatant exaggeration?"

"How is it exaggeration?" Zhang Qianjun argued confidently.

"The top daily box office for new releases today is ‘Rio Adventure’, a foreign film. Then ‘Battlefield Blaze’, ‘Hidden Marriage Men and Women’, and ‘Universal Gravity’—all American or Hong Kong-Taiwan productions with big stars. Don’t worry, as long as the wording is precise, any movie can be the box office champion."

Glasses Brother was stunned. This works? Whatever, the boss said do it, so we do it.

"If there’s nothing else, I’m heading home," Zhang Qianjun waved goodbye to the three and drove back to his place.

When he got back, Kan Qingzi was still energetic and immediately asked about the box office. After Zhang Qianjun told the truth, there was yet another excited wandering chicken jumping around.

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To prevent commotion downstairs, Zhang Qianjun had to wield a stick to suppress this uncivilized behavior.

Starting the next day, ‘Better Days’ began its meteoric rise.

April 9th: box office 6.5 million, screening share raised to 13%, total market 28.2 million, box office share 23%.

April 10th: box office 8.7 million, screening share up to 20%, total market 20 million, box office share 43.5%.

First three days’ total box office reached 17.8 million, easily surpassing break-even.

At China Film, La Peikang looked at the recent box office data and remembered the young man who had called him “Director La” at the entrance the other day. Just then, a middle-aged man knocked and came in.

“Director La, you called?”

“Xiao Wang, ‘Better Days’ is doing well, but the promotion isn’t strong enough. Arrange for the main cast to do roadshows, tour the major domestic box office regions, and tell audiences young people need to work hard. Staying at home all day isn’t doing anything.”

“You’re right, I’ll arrange it immediately,” Director Wang nodded repeatedly.

“Also, we’re only distributing this film, right? No investment?”

“Director La, I’m in distribution, so I’m not sure about investment. But this film should be solely funded by one company. I heard the lead actor Zhang Qianjun invested himself, spending nearly 10 million on production and promotion.”

“I see. Young people these days are incredible. When there’s a celebration banquet, contact me early—I’ll come if I have time.”

“Okay, Director La. I’ll confirm right away.”

Knowing Director Wang would ensure theaters increased screenings and that China Film would hold a celebration banquet with senior executives attending, Zhang Qianjun had nothing else to say and arranged the roadshows.

First in the capital city—it was easy, just talking and hoarsely calling out.

But the following schedule made Zhang Qianjun realize roadshows were intense and repetitive work. Mountain City, River City, Suzhou, Qiantang, and Magic City—five places in five days, leaving the roadshow team utterly exhausted.

When they reached Qiantang, Zhang Qianjun hoped his parents could book a nice hotel for a good meal, but there was no time at all. He didn’t even see them, driving straight to Magic City, where the team agreed it would be the last stop.

Ma Sitong, now sporting stylish short hair, said the new crew was joining; Zhu Yilong said the same. Kan Qingzi had to return to shoot the company’s production ‘Sky Watch’, a rare second female lead role that she had to take.

That left only Liu Chang and Zhang Qianjun. They agreed they couldn’t skip Yangcheng—Teacher Zhang Songwen was still waiting. No one else needed to follow; just the two of them would fly to Yangcheng tonight and push through Sunday before resting.

On the plane, flying first class for the first time, the two were disappointed: the small plane’s first-class cabin was just slightly bigger seats, nothing special.

“Chang, I used to think the five-day Southwest tour with my parents was exhausting. Now I realize roadshows are nothing by comparison.”

Liu Chang slumped in his seat, exhausted.

“Tour groups are still travel. Unless they kick you off for not shopping, it’s not bad. Usually, the tour fee is low—you can’t expect luxury treatment. You’ve been hitting all those high notes lately; how’s your throat? Take care—it’s irreversible.”

Zhang Qianjun touched his throat.

“Can’t help it. So many people at the venue—I have to put on a show, or who’d watch a bunch of B-list stars just yakking on stage? But it’s fine; I’m gifted. My endurance and toughness are beyond normal.”

After speaking, he noticed Liu Chang had fallen asleep leaning sideways. He looked up to the flight attendant and said, “Hello, can you bring him a blanket? Thanks.”

Ignoring the flight attendant’s hopeful look, Zhang Qianjun reflected on the past few days’ gains. The roadshows definitely impacted box office, but promotion mainly relied on the internet. Roadshow influence was limited, but for himself, it was significant.

Back in Beijing, Glasses Brother kept calling, asking when he’d return. Because of his performance on the roadshow, Zhang Qianjun had gained some internet buzz. Commercial performances were already offering 100,000 yuan for two songs, specifically requesting him to sing ‘Rising Wind’ and ‘Fly Away’.

Mad—actors really do make good money.

While they ran the roadshows and online teams hyped it up, Zhang Qianjun felt the thrill of minor fame for the first time, with genuine fans promoting him.

Girls loved his handsome looks and domineering gaze; boys admired his physique and live singing. Online, the main base was on Weibo and Tieba.

“Ahhhh, Xiao Bei is so handsome! If a guy like that loved me, I’d ovulate on the spot!”

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“I don’t need him to do much for me. Just looking at his face and body is enough. His serious face, his rock-hard body—just thinking about it drives me crazy~”

“Ladies upstairs, please hold on! This is a public space—no group fantasies allowed.”

“Can’t control it! Shaving his head shirtless in front of the mirror was so cool. That waist, those abs, the diagonal lines—no, no, no~”

“Please type with both hands upstairs. Also, shirtless shaving in front of a mirror clearly references ‘The Big Guy’.”

“FYI, my husband’s diagonal lines are called ‘mermaid lines’.”

“Shut up, he’s obviously my husband.”

“Everyone shut up, I’m here to join this family.”

“Usually when women post like this, you know what’s up. From what I’ve analyzed, Zhang Qianjun is definitely tough. In the movie, his one-on-seven fight with thugs was conservative. Look at his back and neck—damn, he’s like a condensed silverback gorilla. He probably has to be careful not to kill those thugs.”

“Get lost, loser. How dare you call my husband a silverback gorilla? Speaking of which, are silverbacks strong or what?”

“Damn, men shouldn’t come to this thread. This is just a bunch of copy-paste nonsense hyped up for a lousy movie.”

“Idiot, get out. You’re just envious and hateful!”

“Creepy guys, go back to your own forums. This thread’s not for you!”

Finally, by the end of the second week, ‘Better Days’ box office shattered everyone except the lead actor.

April 11, Monday: 6.6 million box office, screening share raised to 30%, box office share 45%.

April 12, Tuesday: 6 million box office, box office share 38.7%. On this day, ‘Warring States’ premiered with 6.8 million box office and 43.8% share.

April 13, Wednesday: box office rose to 6.2 million, box office share 46%, ‘Warring States’ at 5.75 million.

April 14, Thursday: screening share up to 35%, box office rose again to 7 million, box office share 42%, ‘Warring States’ at 5.5 million.

April 15, Friday: box office 11 million, box office share 40%, ‘Warring States’ 6.3 million.

April 16, Saturday: box office skyrocketed to 25 million, box office share 60.5%, ‘Warring States’ 7.5 million.

April 17, Sunday: screening share 40%, cinemas added showings, box office 24 million, box office share 66%. The second week’s seven-day total was 85.8 million; ten-day cumulative box office reached 103.6 million, earning weekly box office champion and April’s top spot.

Meanwhile, ‘Warring States’, released simultaneously, was heavily affected. Including April 7th midnight showings, its six-day first-week box office was only 38.5 million. With a budget exceeding 100 million, this was beyond just losing money—it was a total flop.

In the third week, a new trending phrase emerged:

"Let’s all watch ‘Better Days’ together and cry in the theater."

Some of Zhang Qianjun’s female fans formed a fan club called ‘Ten Thousand Horses Hall’. Regardless of its true meaning, Zhang Qianjun was genuinely stunned when he first heard it. Fortunately, it was a fringe minority, but this group proposed a point:

They called on all female fans to watch ‘Better Days’ again, bringing along someone they liked or who liked them, to see if the other would cry together. After all, such an emotional movie—if you don’t cry with me, how can you say you like me?

Zhang Qianjun saw this on Weibo and marveled at how true operational experts were among the people. Why couldn’t the online hype companies think of this? Maybe it was just the wrong version.

Just then, Glasses Brother called.

“Qianjun, there’s an interview show. I suggest you go.”

“What show? ‘Bass Appointment’?”

“’Very Quiet Distance’.”