Chapter 9: Public Opinion

Cheng Sheng frowned and said, "Everyone, I’m on a tight schedule and don't have much time for interviews. I can only answer three questions; after that, I have to return to the set to film."

"Director Cheng, many directors and artists in the entertainment industry don't think highly of your film. What is your take on this?"

The scene went quiet for a moment before a reporter jumped in to ask.

"Other people's doubts will not become stumbling blocks in my path. If they say I’m not good enough, that’s their freedom of speech; I can’t stop them. However, I will prove my worth with my actions and respond to all doubts with results."

Cheng Sheng replied coldly.

He knew that no matter what he said now, it wouldn't be enough to overcome the surging public opinion.

Only when the film was released and he slapped them in the face would they realize his excellence.

"Director Cheng, could you explain the source of your funding? Is it true that it has something to do with those coal bosses from Xishan?"

Once Cheng Sheng finished answering, another reporter asked first.

Cheng Sheng smiled. He had asked teachers Zhang Yang and Yang Chao to keep the source of the funds a secret, mainly because he didn't want to affect the filming. But now it seemed that if he didn't speak up, he didn't know how many people would speculate wildly. If things went south, someone might actually call the police to investigate him.

"Everyone, many people are very curious about how I managed to secure an investment of 100 million. Well, let me tell you: yes, my money was invested by those coal bosses from Xishan," Cheng Sheng said loudly.

The reporters were shocked upon hearing this; they hadn't expected it to be true.

Were those Xishan coal bosses stupid and rich?

They actually invested 100 million in Cheng Sheng.

"Perhaps you are thinking that those coal bosses are just stupid and rich to invest so much money in me, but you need to change your perspective and understand one thing: it was my talent that moved them, not because they are stupid. In fact, I only said one thing to them: that I would lead them to make a fortune. That is why they invested in me."

Cheng Sheng said this with righteous confidence. The reporters were stunned, wondering where he got such confidence.

If he weren't a director, he could probably become a billionaire running a pyramid scheme!

The reporters had truly learned a lesson regarding the shamelessness of the director before them.

"Director Cheng, Zhang Weiping said online that you are a clown. Do you have anything to say to refute him?"

A reporter asked.

"Zhang Weiping? Who is that? Is he a director?"

Cheng Sheng wore an expression of disdain.

Ah!

The entire room of reporters was dumbfounded. He didn't even know Zhang Weiping?

Everyone knew that Zhang Weiping and the "National Master" Zhang were a golden duo—one was a well-known producer in the industry, and the other was the most powerful director in the country.

How could Cheng Sheng have never heard of Zhang Weiping?

Could it be!

The reporters quickly realized that this was Cheng Sheng's answer.

Zhang Weiping called Cheng Sheng a clown, and Cheng Sheng replied that he wasn't even worth being called a clown.

Brilliant!

The reporters were excited. This was big news: a rookie director showing contempt for a famous producer.

"Alright, everyone, you should leave now. I’ve answered your three questions, and now I need to go back to filming."

With that, he turned and left without giving the reporters a chance to ask follow-up questions.

Although the reporters were a bit disappointed, they quickly cast that aside, transmitted the content of the interview back, and had it processed and sent out as quickly as possible.

It must be said that the media was fast.

Before long, what Cheng Sheng had said appeared directly on the internet. The reporters even added a little fuel to the fire, not afraid of making things bigger.

A tsunami of responses erupted online.

"Holy crap, is Director Cheng too badass? He actually secured 100 million with just one sentence?"

"A scam, definitely a scam. How can you get a 100 million investment with one sentence? Coal bosses might be rich, but they aren't fools."

"I absolutely don't believe this is true. A director friend of mine once took a script to those coal bosses for investment; he talked until his mouth was dry, and they only gave him 100,000."

"This rookie director is really something, he doesn't even know Zhang Weiping."

"He doesn't 'not know' him; he knows him too well. The person above, didn't you realize he was mocking Zhang Weiping for being less than a clown?"

"Badass! He didn't even spare the National Master, did he?"

"I don't know if this Director Cheng has talent, but his ability to bullshit is absolutely invincible."

"Really looking forward to this movie's release!"

"Talent my ass, he's just a clown. Which rookie director gets a 100 million investment for their first film? Even the National Master couldn't do that."

"Confirmed, he's helping those Xishan coal bosses launder money."

"Zhang Weiping, hurry up and come out to roast him back. I love the drama."

"Looking forward to the face-slapping and the plot twist..."

Public opinion was already fermenting and spreading online.

Many were impressed that Cheng Sheng could easily pull in a 100 million investment, but many others were skeptical.

At the same time, Cheng Sheng's response earned him a batch of "haters."

*Slap!*

At New Pictures Film Company, Zhang Weiping slammed the table in anger and cursed, "What does that bastard mean? He has no respect for anyone. A person like that must be blacklisted."

Director Zhang said calmly, "He has the Central Academy of Drama behind him. How are you going to blacklist him?"

Blacklisting usually targeted those without a background.

But Cheng Sheng had the Central Academy of Drama behind him, and now the whole school was supporting his filming.

If they really went after Cheng Sheng, the one who would end up unlucky would be Zhang Weiping himself.

Zhang Weiping's face darkened upon hearing this. He understood the logic, but he just couldn't swallow his anger.

On second thought, since he couldn't blacklist him, he would sabotage Cheng Sheng's film.

Not long after.

Zhang Weiping published an article, directly dismissing Cheng Sheng's film as worthless and bluntly calling it a massive flop.

Many directors and artists who had good relationships with Zhang Weiping, or who were doing it out of respect for Director Zhang, followed suit, stating they didn't think highly of Cheng Sheng's film.

They even called on their fans not to waste money on tickets.

With the instigation of Zhang Weiping and others, even most netizens began to feel that Cheng Sheng's film was unreliable.

They even bluntly stated they would absolutely not go see his movie.

In an instant, the internet was filled with negative news about Cheng Sheng and his film.

The teachers at the Central Academy of Drama were extremely anxious, but there was nothing they could do. They could only call Cheng Sheng and tell him to prepare countermeasures.

Cheng Sheng, however, was dismissive.

In the current situation, not responding was better than responding.

If he responded, it would only be more disadvantageous for him.

If he didn't respond, those people would naturally stop making a fuss once they lost their target.

Over the next few days.

Cheng Sheng handed the dramatic scenes over to Liu Meng to film, while he focused on shooting the war sequences.

After all, the war scenes were the highlight of the film.

If it weren't for the "Immersive" buff, he wouldn't have been confident in pulling it off.

With the cooperation of the troops and the actors, Cheng Sheng activated the "Immersive" buff.