Chapter 127: The Trending Topic Explodes—How Did Something Else Get Mixed In? (Requests for Subscriptions)

"Six years since my debut, and I have yet to taste defeat. I find myself slightly expectant."

The host: "!!!"
Lin Haoming: "!!!"
Dong Xuefei: "!!!"
The crowd: "!!!"
...

After Su Mu finished speaking, the entire venue went silent.
This was immediately followed by a deafening roar of sound.
It was too far away to tell if it was jeering or cheering.
Let’s just assume it was cheering.
Regardless, no one had expected such a response.
Lin Haoming’s previous remarks had been arrogant enough, essentially painting himself as the gatekeeper of the film industry.
But Su Mu’s follow-up was even more overbearing!
Six years without a single defeat.
Who in the current entertainment industry would dare to say such a thing?
It sounded a bit pretentious, to be sure.
But when one looks back at Su Mu’s journey from his debut a few years ago until now...
He spent two years winning awards based solely on his looks.
Then, suddenly, his acting skills skyrocketed as if he had unlocked his inner potential. Last year, he dominated the screens with four television dramas, and this year, with *Xin Qiji*, he cleared the peak of the Chinese film industry.
To put it mildly, within the market for period romance dramas, Su Mu could do whatever he wanted.
There was no one who could compete with him.
From his looks to his acting, even in street dance variety shows, he was invincible in battles.
Had he ever lost?
It seemed he really hadn't.

On stage, Lin Haoming’s expression gradually tightened.
In truth, he hadn't expected the host to suddenly put the spotlight on Su Mu during this segment.
But since things had reached this point, there was no use dwelling on it.
His initial remarks were intended for Su Mu anyway.
He certainly wasn't going to submit to the idea of competing with Su Mu for roles two years down the line.
"I didn't expect Su Mu to be so confident. Well then, I shall wait and see."
Lin Haoming’s brief reply carried plenty of subtext.
Many could tell that these two might actually end up competing at the box office.

After a long pause.
"Su Mu is truly confident; this is the spirit that a filmmaker should possess. We look forward to everyone's future masterpieces."
The host recovered and smoothed things over.
Shortly after, he excused Lin Haoming and the others to move on to the next award.
The buzz didn't need to be excessive.
One sentence was enough.
Tomorrow’s headlines were guaranteed.
In fact, many people lost interest in the subsequent awards.
Almost everyone remained immersed in the exchange between Su Mu and Lin Haoming.
There was a palpable sense of tension between the two.
Although it was unclear why, it was certain there would be a good show to watch tomorrow.
...

Off-stage.
The crowd was still in shock.
Those who had worked with Su Mu were a bit better off, especially Zhang Huaimou and Chen Anzhi.
After all, they understood Su Mu’s strength.
If he really broke into the box office market, he wouldn't necessarily be inferior to Lin Haoming.
However, Dong Xuefei and others looked at him with strange expressions, glancing back at Su Mu from time to time.
"This Su Mu is quite interesting."
Zhang Huaimou smiled: "Shall I find an opportunity to introduce you?"
Dong Xuefei thought for a moment: "Alright."
Wang Xuan: "..."
Lin Haoming: "..."
...

In the back rows.
Many acquaintances cast sympathetic looks toward Su Mu.
Ning Yuyan not far away, and Zhang Jianlin and Zhou Yi on either side.
Su Mu ignored them all.
He just sat there calmly.
He didn't even know why Lin Haoming viewed him as a rival.
He didn't even know Dong Xuefei personally, let alone anything about some major production two years from now.

The timing was right, and he couldn't help but show off.
But he really didn't want to be pretentious.
There was clearly nothing for him to do at the awards ceremony, yet this had to happen.
There was no choice; since the opportunity to show off was handed to him on a silver platter, it would be unreasonable not to take it.

Beside him, Chen Yang glanced at Su Mu out of the corner of his eye, then a smile curled at the corners of his mouth.
He hadn't misjudged him; he was indeed a man who could outdo him.
To dare to say such things and to remain so indifferent while doing so—he must have been fully prepared.
Thinking of this, Chen Yang looked up at Lin Haoming in front of him, his eyes filled with pity.
*Brother, you are excellent, but you have chosen the wrong opponent!*
Chen Yang sighed with regret.
"What a pity. You're at the peak of your career, yet you chose to compete with him... you really don't know what you're doing..."
Zhang Jianlin: "???"
Zhou Yi: "???"
...

The awards ceremony ended.
Before Su Mu could leave the hall, he was surrounded by major media outlets.
A forest of long, black microphones was thrust into his face.
They began with leading questions:
"Su Mu, you have always been like a fish in water in period romance dramas. Why not continue to cultivate this field?"
"Your conversation with Lin Haoming today was quite tense. Are you two secretly competing?"
"Are you really that confident about entering the box office market?"
"Have you already prepared a new film for next year? Can you reveal what genre you plan to use to challenge Lin Haoming’s 400-million box office record?"

A barrage of questions was thrown at him.
An ordinary person might have been overwhelmed.
But Su Mu was as steady as an old dog.
He even used his eyes to signal Qian Jida, who wanted to step in and lead him away, to stop.
Such a good opportunity.
Naturally, it could not be wasted.
Su Mu faced the microphones, his expression suddenly turning serious: "Thank you all for your questions. Since everyone wants to know, I will say a few words. It might take a while, so it would be better if we all pulled up chairs and chatted..."
"???"
"???"
Su Mu: "Regarding your questions, I won't say... those who understand, understand... because if I promised you too much, it would mean what I'm giving is simply not enough. But do you have a thousand reasons to always follow my feelings?..."
[Speech proficiency +1]
[Skill point +0.01]

Half an hour later.
Su Mu: "Speaking of the relationship between Lin Haoming and me, it reminds me of the first snow in 2002, which came later than usual..."
"..."
"..."

One hour later.
The media members were vomiting blood.
They suddenly realized that they hadn't even had the chance to interview other stars yet.
And yet, this ancestor was still going on.
But what on earth was he saying?
It was impossible for him to have known Lin Haoming in 2002; he hadn't even debuted back then!
And why was he talking about saying goodbye to period dramas on a deserted street?
And what was this about looking into the distance—the box office market, where dreams fly freely?
What was all this nonsense?
Some people couldn't take it anymore.
Suppressing the urge to take action, they quickly grabbed their equipment and left.
Whoever wants to interview Su Mu next time, let them have at it!
...

On the way back, everyone in the car was a bit excited.
Qian Jida’s little mustache twitched.
Finally, he couldn't help but laugh: "Ancestor, do you know your popularity is going to explode again? But what were you thinking? Honestly, was this premeditated?"
Su Mu: "What could I have planned? They offered it to me, I simply accepted."
Xiao Juzi: "Boss was V5 and domineering today!"
Master Zhu: "V5!"
Qian Jida: "Hey, hey, stop it. Do you really think this level of popularity is easy to maintain? You have to deliver results later, otherwise you'll be mocked to death by Lin Haoming’s fans... oh no, maybe by everyone! But then again, I also feel that Lin Haoming’s look at you was a bit strange. He’s targeting you, but we haven't had any interaction with him in these past few years, have we?"
Su Mu shook his head: "I don't know either. Probably an illusion. But it doesn't matter. As long as the film for next year's New Year period breaks his record, that's all that matters."

Qian Jida: "His highest record is 400 million. Do you think that's easy? Besides, he's starring in Dong Xuefei’s New Year film this year; it might even be higher. And you haven't received any film offers for the New Year period yet. What if no one asks for you next year?"
Su Mu: "Then I'll go look for them."
Qian Jida: "???"
Xiao Ju: "???"
Su Mu didn't explain further, and as was his custom, he decided to go another round: "Look at me, since we're talking about today's awards ceremony, let me add two more things..."
Master Zhu: "Okay."
Qian Jida: "!!!"
Xiao Juzi: "!!!"
...

Early the next morning.
Major gossip media hot searches and front-page headlines.
Su Mu made the list with glory.
Weibo hot searches:
#1: Su Mu has yet to taste defeat?
#2: Su Mu and Lin Haoming
#3: Golden Peng Awards
#4: Su Mu’s six-year debut anniversary
#5: New Year box office...
#6: NNQT unfollows Tianxing Media
...
#SuperTopic... Can Su Mu surpass Lin Haoming’s 400-million record next year...

Overnight, Su Mu and Lin Haoming’s popularity soared.
Comments flew everywhere:
[Yet to taste defeat, slightly expectant, haha, I’m willing to call him the King of Pretentiousness! Lin Haoming has a 400-million box office; this year’s New Year film is still Teacher Dong Xuefei’s *Love Elegy*, it might even be higher. I ask, what is Su Mu going to use to win? Was he just holding on for dear life at the awards ceremony? I admit his *Xin Qiji* was really well-acted today, but that’s Lin Haoming after all! I like Su Mu too, but I feel he can’t surpass Lin Haoming’s works for now. Teacher Dong Xuefei’s films are all very good; unless Su Mu can get a better project, he can't compete with Lin Haoming. This time, he really is a bit too arrogant.]
...

In the studio.
Su Mu ate breakfast calmly.
He didn't care about the hot searches or comments online at all.
In fact, this was a result he could have anticipated last night.
However, most of the comments leaned more toward Lin Haoming.
It wasn't a matter of whose fanbase was larger.
It was that in their dialogue at the awards ceremony yesterday, Lin Haoming held the advantage.
His point was that if a newcomer wants to reach the high walls built by their seniors, they must first climb over them.
And the interpretation of Su Mu’s "yet to taste defeat, slightly expectant" seemed to imply that he didn't look down on most people, which naturally stirred controversy.
Some felt Su Mu had a strong personality.
Others might feel he was too arrogant.
But no matter how much you analyze it, nothing is as effective as actual box office numbers.
It will be lively for a few days at most.
Then, it will be a wait until this time next year.
The internet has a memory; this time, everyone will help them remember.
Sometimes, a "big melon" is sweeter when left to be eaten next year.

"Ah! Look quickly, why is something else mixed into this hot search?" Xiao Juzi asked strangely.
Su Mu and Qian Jida were eating breakfast and took out their phones to check.
They were also left confused.
Su Mu: "Did they slip and accidentally hit unfollow?"
Qian Jida nodded: "Yeah, that sounds like something those four blockheads would do."
Su Mu: "Then hurry up and send a WeChat message."
Qian Jida: "To whom?"
Su Mu: "To Zhang Hua'an, of course. Ask him if he’s died of anger yet?"
Qian Jida: "..."
Xiao Juzi: "..."
...

At this moment, at the Tianxing Media building.
In the office.
"Is this your decision?"