After finishing today's filming, Liu Rulan walked back to Xiao He's side and handed him a water glass.
"Thanks."
"I've already discussed it with Director Lin. Tonight, you'll be doing a live stream on Yin Fu to attract one last wave of viewers to pay for the show," Liu Rulan said. "When you go back to the hotel on shore for the live stream, I've asked my team to do some styling for you."
"Okay." Xiao He had no objections.
After everyone finished work, Xiao He said goodbye to Director Ren, and then followed Liu Rulan and Xiao Chen back to shore by boat.
In the evening, Xiao He started his live stream on time.
【Here I am, here I am~】
【Good evening, Brother Xiao!】
【I'm begging for the second season of "The Thief Catcher," I'm begging for the second season of "The Thief Catcher," please don't make me beg you on my knees!】
【Waaaaah, will I ever see such amazing action scenes in the Chinese entertainment industry again? Brother Xiao, you and Brother Pu, you absolutely have to keep pushing the boundaries of action scenes!】
Because all the platforms had given advance notice, many fans entered the live stream room as soon as Xiao He started the live stream.
The number of online viewers surged instantly, reaching over ten thousand in the blink of an eye.
Soon, Director Lin, who was in charge of the main live stream, invited Xiao He and Pu Rong to join the official live stream of the Thief Catcher.
"Hi, hi~"
Pu Rong looked like he had just finished filming; he was still wearing his costume under his leather jacket and was waving to everyone in front of the camera.
If Xiao He remembers correctly, Pu Rong is currently filming a crime action movie, in which he plays an undercover police officer.
Good evening!
Like Xiao He, Lin Yipeng appeared to be in a hotel room, dressed casually in a white short-sleeved shirt and floral shorts. It seemed as if he wasn't live-streaming, but simply having a video chat with a few good buddies.
In contrast, Xiao He, who had changed his clothes and styled his hair slightly, was actually the most formally dressed.
Seeing the two of them, Xiao He sighed helplessly: "The way you two are acting makes me feel out of place."
Pu Rong chuckled: "There's nothing I can do. I was delayed a bit today, and I really can't make it back in time to redo the makeup and styling."
Lin Yipeng simply slumped into a chair and said, "What's wrong? I'm the director! Just stand up straight, don't push me around—"
Xiao He shrugged: "I have to push you, everyone's asking about your new work! You better get up and start working."
Lin Yipeng squinted at the comments: "You're talking nonsense. They're all asking me when the second season will be released."
Xiao He: "They're pretty much the same..."
【No, no, it's far from it! I'm begging for a sequel to The Thieves! My child has already worn the first book down to a fine patina! Look at the child!】
【I really hope the second movie has the original cast! Please, please! I'm so craving it!】
【Yes, yes, I strongly support a second part!】
Looking at the lively and colorful live stream comments, Xiao He touched his nose.
He actually knew what everyone's demands were, but Lin Yipeng had been either traveling or disappeared from public view lately, so Xiao He wasn't sure about Lin Yipeng's next plans. Therefore, he deliberately didn't mention it, so as not only to give everyone hope but also to affect Lin Yipeng's next filming schedule.
But Xiao He didn't expect Lin Yipeng to bring up this issue on his own initiative.
"A second part? Let me think—"
Lin Yipeng began to rub his chin.
His move undoubtedly gave his fans a lot of confidence, and even the comments in the live stream chat started jumping around rapidly.
【Do you agree? Do you agree?】
【Director Lin, I knew you must be understanding, brave, generous, universally loved, and the most beautiful woman in the world...】
【Upstairs, did you copy the wrong gender?】
【Director Lin, just name your price, and tonight the brothers will give you a big boost at the box office. We guarantee you'll be satisfied.】
However, in response to the fans' repeated requests, Lin Yipeng simply gave a wicked smile and said, "Guess?"
【???】
【Wait, we've built up the atmosphere to this point, and this is what you show me?】
【Okay, I understand. That means it's included. I hope the second movie will be released in theaters.】
【Hoping for a theatrical release +1. The quality of "The Thief Catcher 1" is truly wasted on a web film; it should have been competing for this year's summer blockbuster season.】
【By the way, are there any new movies released this summer? I can't seem to recall any...】
【No recollection +1. Summer movie season used to be quite lively, why is it so quiet this year?】
【Haha, is it possible that their popularity was completely overshadowed by the thieves!】
【ah?】
【Here's a little-known fact: thirteen films have been released in theaters so far this summer, but without exception, none have generated any buzz. Two have already been pulled from theaters, and three have had their releases postponed.】
【What? Are we thief catchers really that dedicated?】
【Haha, haven't you guys noticed? Lately, the internet is full of fan-made videos and recommendations about thieves catching movies. In this sweltering heat, who wants to go out to watch a movie when they can stay home?!】
【After "The Thief Catcher" became popular, I started looking for other online movies to watch, and I discovered several gems. Their imaginative concepts and excellent plots completely shattered my previous preconceived notions about online movies.】
【Please, do you even understand the significance of being the highest-grossing online film in Chinese history?】
【Great news! The movie "The Thieves" has officially surpassed 100 million in box office revenue! Congratulations to "The Thieves" for officially reaching 100 million in box office revenue!】
Congratulations!
【To be honest, I feel this number is unprecedented and will likely never be surpassed, unless The Thieves 2—oh, no, The Thieves 2 absolutely has to be released in theaters!!!】
Unfortunately, Lin Yipeng's words seemed to be just a joke to tease everyone, and he never mentioned anything about The Thieves 2 again. Although the enthusiasm in the comments remained high, Xiao He and Pu Rong tacitly refrained from bringing it up.
The live stream went on for over an hour in this lively and bustling manner before finally coming to a successful conclusion.
After the live stream ended, Xiao He finally asked Liu Rulan about the summer movie season this year.
To be honest, Xiao He had no idea that the summer movie season was being overshadowed by "The Thief Catcher," nor did he expect it to happen. If it weren't for the comments on the screen, he probably would still be unaware of it.
After all, the difference between the two is quite significant. One side is theatrical films, and the other is online films. Over the years, they have maintained a state of non-interference, like two completely different classes. Theatrical films are heavily promoted, while online films are released quietly. Most ordinary people probably only learn about the film while scrolling through short videos, and then watch it on those short videos without any interest in watching the original film.
However, there is one thing that is quite special about "The Thief Catcher" that cannot be fully shown in short video editing – that is, the action scenes!
The fight scenes from beginning to end would take about forty minutes to edit out of a short video. It's better to watch the original film than to watch it on a short video. The fight scenes are more exciting and the viewing experience is smoother.
But Xiao He still hadn't expected that "The Thief Catcher" would be this powerful!
Liu Rulan glanced at Xiao He sideways: "Do you even understand the significance of a phenomenal achievement?"
Not just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can be called a "phenomenal bestseller".
