After hanging up the phone, Ye Zhi closed the webpage.
Since someone was generating buzz, she didn't need to get involved in the online discourse. The film's quality spoke for itself. With the current attention, its reputation was bound to soar.
She should be thanking these people for their help.
Even though she didn't know who had bought the publicity, she felt it was only right to show her gratitude to Cen Ya's entire team.
Ye Zhi picked up the phone on her desk and called the film and television department.
Soon after, Taoxun Film and Television's official Weibo account posted a celebratory graphic, marking the film "Diamond" surpassing twenty million in box office revenue.
Cen Ya, who had secretly contacted Lin Shuangshuang behind Cen Xiucheng's back, was sharing the online articles with Lin Shuangshuang, remarking how the public had discerning eyes and that Ye Zhi had truly become arrogant. Just then, she saw Taoxun's celebratory graphic.
"How could this be?" Cen Ya was both angry and confused. "This must be fake news..."
Lin Shuangshuang was also embarrassed at the moment. She was about to tell Cen Ya that these articles were bought by Ou Minghan to vent her anger and teach Ye Zhi a lesson. She was only fortunate that her mouth hadn't been too quick.
As for the celebratory graphic, it definitely wasn't fake. Taoxun wasn't crazy to create a fake one.
"It must be that Ye Zhi spent money to boost the box office herself for the sake of her reputation!" Lin Shuangshuang asserted confidently. "I heard that a while ago, she personally paid to invite many directors to watch this movie together!"
"Really?" Cen Ya was taken aback.
"Of course!" Lin Shuangshuang stated with certainty. "Ye Zhi, how could she possibly allow others to say she failed? She would definitely find ways to save face! I bet she'll spend money until she feels she's bought back her reputation. Let's wait and see!"
After speaking, Lin Shuangshuang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
She was really going all out for money. Her words were seamless. No matter what the final box office revenue for Taoxun's film was, she could always dismiss it by saying, 'Ye Zhi boosted it to her desired amount.'
Cen Ya sighed. "Why does Ye Zhi have to do this? Just for face, she's actually spending so much money to buy box office numbers. With such extravagance, how can her career last long?"
Lin Shuangshuang rolled her eyes speechlessly, but her tone was exceptionally fawning. "Yes, yes, Xiao Ya, you are truly too kind. After all she did to you, you're still thinking of her."
This made Cen Ya feel exceptionally good, and her mood improved.
However, her good mood only lasted until the evening because Taoxun Film and Television's official Weibo posted another new celebratory graphic. The film's box office had surpassed thirty million!
Moreover, word of mouth from viewers who had seen it was overwhelmingly positive, and the film's reputation exploded.
Su Corporation's initial box office prediction was twenty million. After the explosion in reputation, they revised it to fifty million. Seeing the film quickly break through thirty million, they directly set the projected box office to eighty million.
However, Su Ming privately contacted Ye Zhi. He personally had high hopes for the film and believed it could exceed one hundred million.
Su Ming was truly impressed. Su Corporation had initially not paid much attention to this small-budget film. But unexpectedly, with Ye Zhi's revitalization, it had become a dark horse of the summer. They were simply counting money until their hands ached!
However, the film's popularity also brought Ye Zhi some troubles.
During this period, many charitable organizations contacted her, requesting donations. She politely declined them all, which caused these organizations to express their dissatisfaction.
Lin Shuangshuang noticed this and immediately contacted Cen Ya, giving her an invitation to a charity event.
Lin Shuangshuang knew very well that Cen Ya had been following the film and had witnessed its transformation from obscurity to a successful comeback, which had left her in a bad mood. Coupled with Cen Xiucheng's strict control over her, she had contacted Lin Shuangshuang less and less.
But Lin Shuangshuang was not one to sit idly by.
After receiving the invitation, Cen Ya arrived at the event as scheduled.
After Lin Shuangshuang accompanied her through the event, a representative from a charitable organization approached Cen Ya and requested a donation.
Cen Ya directly produced a check. "Is ten million enough?"
The representative from the charitable organization was taken aback and then said gleefully, "Miss Cen, you are truly beautiful and kind-hearted! The amount of money donated isn't as important as your intention, which is truly noble and great, much better than President Ye of Taoxun!"
As Cen Ya was about to sign the check, a thought struck her. "Did President Ye donate? How much did she donate?"
"Heh, if she had donated, I wouldn't say anything!" the representative sneered. "Every time we call, they politely refuse our visits and haven't donated a single penny! You tell me, with all the money she's earned, with a box office of fifty million for one movie, why is she so stingy? I've never seen anyone as miserly as her!"
It was rare for someone to badmouth Ye Zhi so directly to her face, and Cen Ya's mood immediately improved. She picked up her pen and quickly scribbled on the check.
"Then I'll donate fifty million." Cen Ya tore off the check and handed it over.
"Wait!" Lin Shuangshuang quickly grabbed her arm and frowned, trying to dissuade her. "Xiao Ya, there's no need to donate so much!"
"It's okay," Cen Ya insisted, handing over the check. "I have money now."
Lin Shuangshuang withdrew her arm and said no more. She sneered inwardly, thinking that Cen Ya was just trying to compete with Ye Zhi.
The representative from the charitable organization expressed immense gratitude to Ye Qin Ya. Cen Ya smiled and said, "I believe President Ye doesn't actually not want to donate; perhaps she has some difficulties. After all, Taoxun is so large now, and she alone cannot make the final decision. Why don't you put her refusal to donate online? As long as it gains attention, she will surely donate for the sake of Taoxun's reputation."
The representative understood her underlying meaning and happily agreed. "Okay, I'll try it now!"
Not long after, Ye Zhi was trending on hot search again, even occupying two spots: "Ye Zhi Refuses Charity" and "Ye Zhi Declines Donation."
Upon noticing this, Zhan Ruoqing contacted Ye Zhi and informed her about the situation.
Zhan Ruoqing was bewildered. "Who is this? Why has someone been targeting you lately, constantly buying articles to slander you?"
"Who else could it be?" Ye Zhi said calmly. "Think about it, this isn't targeting Taoxun, but me personally."
Zhan Ruoqing was stunned for a moment and then understood.
If it were a commercial competitor, then the trending topics and these articles would definitely be aimed at Taoxun.
However, these two instances of trending topics were both aimed directly at Ye Zhi herself. The answer was obvious.
"Is your cheap sister that bored?" Zhan Ruoqing was extremely speechless. "She's fixated on you!"
"She must be really bored," Ye Zhi said with a mix of amusement and helplessness. "After all, her brother is keeping a close eye on her, not allowing her to date."