his preview screening could be considered extremely successful.
Although it's still unclear what the current online situation looks like, judging from the feedback from the audience present, it was naturally quite positive.
The host had already received advance arrangements from the production team, so the audience members who stood up to ask questions were all pre-coordinated. Most of what they said consisted of praise, along with analysis of some plot details, especially concerning the finale.
One audience member who was called upon ran a marketing account focused on entertainment topics. The microphone they held even had their account's logo attached. They spoke very methodically, demonstrated strong observational skills, and proactively pointed out the differences between the two invitation letters Lin Yu'an received at different points in the plot.
"At first, I also thought Lin Yu'an was looking at an old invitation letter, subtly hinting that he hadn't forgotten the adventures that happened on the island. But later I realized I was still too naive."
The first invitation letter was to invite Lin Yu'an to participate in the game.
Whereas the second invitation letter was to invite Lin Yu'an to design the game!
If audience members weren't observant enough, they might not notice the differences between these two invitation letters. But that final line spoken by Lin Yu'an was a blatant hint.
Lin Yu'an had acquired a new job.
And he was very satisfied with it.
"So in the extra scene, the person speaking in Xu Ning's earpiece was Lin Yu'an, right? The extra scene takes place after he returns to the island and designs the Jungle Game?"
This audience member looked at Ren Changwen with great anticipation.
Ren Changwen just smiled: "This was placed as an extra scene for everyone; you can interpret it yourselves."
Would Ren Changwen admit to such an ending?
Of course not!
At least, as the director, he definitely wouldn't admit it.
Huh? Where did Lin Yu'an end up going? What was this so-called job of his?
Ahem, the audience can keep that knowledge in their hearts. He couldn't just outright say that Lin Yu'an ended up working for the game organizers, becoming the game designer for this deadly competition, could he?
Absolutely not!
How un-positive would that be!
So Ren Changwen very smoothly glossed over the answer.
The audience member who asked this question wasn't foolish either. Precisely because they ran a marketing account, they were especially sharp about these kinds of responses. When Ren Changwen deliberately skirted the topic, their mind immediately conjured up countless titles they could use for their video marketing content.
After this audience member, others successively stood up to ask questions and interact. Among them were fans of both Liu Zehang and Xiao He. There was even a somewhat famous blogger who went on stage in the name of being Xiao He's fan and engaged in some brief interaction with Xiao He.
Xiao He didn't know this blogger. Reportedly, they were a big name in the DIY/crafts sphere, usually loved doing creative handmade projects. For this preview screening event, they specifically coordinated with the cinema management to bring in a handcrafted Tang sword they wanted to give to Xiao He.
Truthfully, Xiao He could roughly guess this person wasn't a genuine fan of his, but rather a plant arranged by the production team to create a specific buzz. However, looking at the exquisitely crafted Tang sword in the blogger's hands, Xiao He couldn't help but feel a surge of genuine fondness. He proactively took the offered Tang sword, drew it from its scabbard, and examined it.
—This Tang sword naturally wasn't sharpened. But the overall blade was fluid and refined, the surface reflecting a cold gleam, carrying an innate chill that made it hard to look away once you saw it.
Without the blogger needing to suggest it, Xiao He had already fluidly drawn the complete Tang sword and casually flicked his wrist, executing a few practice swings in his hand.
Zai Xiaodao, seeing Xiao He's movements, showed a flicker of surprise in his eyes: "This sword weighs four jin."
For an average person, wielding this Tang sword wouldn't be a problem, but performing fluid, intricate blade maneuvers in hand required some effort.
Nowadays, in many film and TV productions, actors typically use two sets of swords. One set is exquisitely crafted with very refined appearance; these tend to be heavier and are generally used for close-up shots. The other set is lighter but slightly less well-made, used for actors performing blade-flourishing sequences or fight scenes.
So in some film and TV works, when characters effortlessly and elegantly twirl their swords, giving the illusion of ease, they are actually using props. Doing it with the real, heavier item does present a certain level of difficulty.
For an ordinary person, without prior practice, it's easy to injure the wrist.
That's why Zai Xiaodao, the blogger whose account name was "Zai Xiaodao," felt surprised upon seeing Xiao He's actions.
"Mmm, very nice looking, and it feels well-balanced in the hand."
Xiao He didn't quite follow Zai Xiaodao's train of thought and simply continued cooperating by praising the Tang sword Zai Xiaodao had crafted.
Zai Xiaodao didn't say anything more, but the smile on his face grew more sincere: "Then I'll gift it to Brother Xiao. I'll continue supporting Brother Xiao's work in the future, and I also wish 'Law of the Jungle' great box office success!"
"Thank you."
This was just a small interlude during the preview event. After Zai Xiaodao left the stage, the production team arranged interactions with a few more people, and then the preview screening was considered successfully concluded.
Xiao He genuinely liked this Tang sword. When he left the stage, he casually carried it in his hand and then handed it over to Xiao Chen.
"What's the current situation online?"
Xiao He hadn't seen Liu Rulan at the venue, so he roughly guessed she was outside handling matters. He didn't know whether the damaging information targeting him and Liu Zehang had been exposed online yet.
"It has, Brother Xiao."
Xiao Chen had also been promptly following the gossip and relayed the news to Xiao He.
"Not long after the movie started, people online began leaking damaging information about you and Actor Liu."
Xiao He rubbed his chin: "Let me guess what kind of damaging info they fabricated about me—that my good deeds were actually fake marketing? A persona collapse?"
Xiao Chen shook his head vigorously: "Not that, Brother Xiao! Many of your deeds have been officially verified; they can't fabricate stuff about those!"
Xiao He sighed.
That meant it was the news he least wanted to hear.
"So it's a relationship scandal? With whom?"
"Ahem—"
Xiao Chen coughed lightly a few times, then signaled for Xiao He to lean closer, and whispered a few sentences into Xiao He's ear.
Xiao He's eyelid twitched.
"Young little wolf dog? On-set relationships? Prefers older sisters and mommies?"
Xiao He: ?
Hello, can someone analyze this for me, what does this even mean?
Is this the kind of damaging information a living person could come up with?
Are they trying to prevent him from living?
Goddamn little wolf dog, please return the little wolf dog to the animals, okay? The little wolf dog is innocent!
And since when did he develop such preferences? He's practically worked to death every day on set; does he even have the energy for that? Just because most of the actresses he works with are from the 'older sister' generation, they slap such a label on him?!
Xiao He clutched his chest, stood rooted to the spot, and continuously took deep breaths.
Don't get angry, don't get angry—Inhale—Exhale—Inhale—
"Brother Xiao, are you okay?"
Xiao Chen expressed concern about this.
"I can still hang on..."
Xiao He forced these words out through gritted teeth.
"If I get so angry I die right now, I would definitely die with everlasting regret."