he next day, Liu Rulan arrived at the filming location with a beaming smile.
"The matter is resolved. Those paparazzi have all been kicked out," she said to Xiao He.
Xiao He immediately praised, "Really? As expected of Sister Liu, you're truly amazing."
Liu Rulan chuckled lightly while pulling out her phone. "Moreover, I've already tracked down those bastards' accounts. According to fan reports, they're even suspected of taking money without delivering videos. They always disappear whenever people ask for the actual footage, lying to fans that video files can't be transmitted online. How ridiculous. I'll have my lawyers have a talk with them later."
Xiao He nodded. "Then I'll leave it to your hard work, Sister Liu."
"Enough about that," Liu Rulan said, handing her phone to Xiao He. "Thief Catcher should break through 100 million in box office revenue tonight. Anything you'd like to say about that?"
Xiao He took the phone, sounding surprised. "So quickly?"
"Though it's fast, this is already the limit," Liu Rulan shrugged. "After all, it's an online movie with weaker security measures than theatrical releases. With Thief Catcher's current popularity, clips are everywhere across all platforms, and pirated versions are widespread. Those willing to pay on Penguin Video are basically all we're going to get."
Even in cinemas with better security, there are still unscrupulous people secretly recording videos to sell online. For online movies, it's even simpler—just screen recording. Plus, after one membership account pays for viewing, it can be shared for others to watch. So although Thief Catcher currently has high viewership, payment conversion rates, and word-of-mouth reputation, it has already reached its limit.
This situation can't be improved by just more promotional efforts from the crew. The overall environment is like this. As pioneers, they've become the mountain many other productions want to surpass. Everyone is quite satisfied already.
Even Xiao He didn't plan to completely eliminate all pirated versions online. He only appropriately dealt with some cases of pirated content being sold, while generally letting things remain as they are.
After all, water that's too clear has no fish. Thief Catcher has already successfully proven its quality. If he launched a full-scale crackdown on piracy, such action would instead stand out conspicuously.
Then a bunch of jealous people would probably find opportunities to make sarcastic remarks.
So it's possible, but unnecessary.
"Lin Yu'an and Xu Ning, get ready!"
Just then, Director Ren called for Xiao He and Liu Zehang.
"You go film first," Liu Rulan said.
Xiao He nodded. "Okay."
Then Xiao He walked over to Liu Zehang's side.
Liu Zehang turned his head and greeted Xiao He with a grin. "I heard Thief Catcher is about to hit 100 million in box office revenue. Congratulations!"
Xiao He: "Thank you."
"That Director Lin of yours—does he have any new plans recently?" Liu Zehang asked curiously. "Will there be a second part?"
Xiao He shrugged. "Director Lin doesn't seem to have any new plans. Every time I contact him, he's traveling, living quite freely. He hasn't mentioned a single word about new projects."
But this master indeed worked hard recently—directing, screenwriting, and handling part of post-production. Taking a break is appropriate; no rush to prepare the next project.
Liu Zehang understood. "I see. Actually, I'm really looking forward to a second part. You must make a second one!"
Xiao He smiled helplessly. "That depends on Director Lin himself."
"Clap clap—"
Director Ren clapped behind the camera. "Come on, get ready. Lin Yu'an, Xu Ning, go to your positions."
"Okay."
The two stopped conversing and began seriously filming the current scene.
--------------
Lin Yu'an and Xu Ning encountered a player in an abandoned small wooden cabin on the island.
It was an elderly man with graying hair and a gaunt face.
Such an old man was undoubtedly easy prey for others on the island—his situation was even more dangerous than Lin Yu'an's.
But when Lin Yu'an learned that this old man had joined the Jungle Game to earn money for his grandson's medical treatment, complex emotions showed on his face.
He had come to this island for the hospital director mother's illness, and the old man was also here for his grandson's sickness. They were actually the same kind of people.
Looking at the hunched old man, Lin Yu'an thought for a moment and asked, "Have you used any cards yet?"
The old man shook his head with a bitter smile. "I've been hiding here since coming to the island. You found me first."
Just like their current situation—hadn't used any cards yet—
Lin Yu'an turned to look at Xu Ning.
Xu Ning crossed his arms, appearing completely indifferent, glancing sideways at Lin Yu'an. "Why look at me? I don't have money to give him."
Lin Yu'an choked, thought for a moment, then looked at the old man. "It's too dangerous for you here. You should complete the task and leave as soon as possible. According to the rules, as long as you find a partner who also hasn't used any cards, you can mutually cancel your cards and safely leave the island with the basic 3 points."
The old man sighed. "I know this method too, but most people on the island are vicious and dangerous. Who can be trusted? This old man will probably die here. It's just my poor little grandson..."
Actually, this method was quite simple. Most players who came to the island knew about it, but very few could truly trust each other completely and successfully use this method to escape the island.
Simply put, this was two players using wins and losses against each other to exchange points.
For example, I use a big card to beat your small card, I gain 1 point. Then you use your big card to beat my small card, and I return the 1 point I gained to you...
Continuing this mutual point exchange, the remaining Rabbit cards eventually cancel each other out. According to the principle that Rabbit cards meeting don't deduct points, both parties can finally cancel all cards in their hands while keeping their initial 3 points from coming to the island, safely leaving.
Don't underestimate these 3 points. According to the exchange rules here, the money converted from 3 points is already considerable wealth for many people.
Early when understanding the rules, Lin Yu'an had thought of this method. But for some reason, he didn't mutually exchange and cancel points with Xu Ning, instead continuing to explore deeper into the island.
And now...
Lin Yu'an thought for a moment, then turned to negotiate with the person behind him. "Can I send him out first?"
"Don't mind me," Xu Ning glanced at the cowering old man, chuckled lightly, and casually sat on a nearby chair, crossing his legs. "I'll just sit and watch the show. Do as you please."
...
The final result was exactly as Xu Ning said—a farce full of irony.
The old man tricked Lin Yu'an out of two points, then swore vehemently that he was too nervous earlier and played the wrong card. In the next game, he would definitely return those two points to Lin Yu'an.
But with only one point left—equivalent to having just one life remaining—how could Lin Yu'an fall for the other's trick again? He simply sneered and stopped believing the old man's words.
Seeing that he couldn't trick Lin Yu'an anymore, fierce light suddenly appeared in the old man's eyes as he suddenly lunged at Lin Yu'an.
Lin Yu'an quickly dodged. "So everything you said earlier was lies!"
"Heh, idiot! My grandson is perfectly healthy!" The old man sneered, his gaze falling on Xu Ning, who sat steadily in the chair without moving. "Young man over there, since we've all come to this island, there's no need to drag around dead weight! Partner with me instead! A fool like him could never survive until the end!"
"As long as you're willing to cooperate with me, we can continue doing this—I'll handle the surface, you handle the shadows. We'll definitely make a huge profit!"
Xu Ning lazily yawned, then slowly stood up.
He looked at the old man, then at Lin Yu'an, tilting his head slightly with some teasing:
"Who told you I came here for money?"