Super Zoo-Chapter 714 - 704: The Enemy’s Body

Xin Linli and Suming analyzed the situation thoroughly that afternoon.

The reason was actually quite simple, and it could be explained in a few words. However, every time the conversation turned to movies, the confused Xin Linli would transform into a clever chatterbox, as if she had an endless stream of words spilling out, going on relentlessly set after set, without stopping. If Suming hadn't later noticed it was getting late and actively interrupted her, she probably could have gone on until the next morning.

Put simply, different audiences require different approaches.

In mainland Huaxia, "Investiture of the Gods" is a household name and a cultural treasure. The vast majority of audiences are familiar with every character and roughly know the main plot...

Therefore, Huaxia Star's excessive adaptation and the deviation from the audience's understanding of "Investiture of the Gods" inevitably led to an outpouring of criticism from the viewers.

But what about other countries in Southeast Asia?

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Given Huaxia's historically significant influence in the Southeast Asian region, indeed many people in neighboring countries are familiar with "Investiture of the Gods." This forms the 'popular base' for the release of "The Legends of Investiture of the Gods" in Southeast Asia.

But knowing is one thing; how many could detail the entire story or fully understand the character traits and backgrounds?

Even in countries like Japan and Korea that have deep research into Sinology, only a handful of experts have read the complete "Investiture of the Gods."

The majority of Southeast Asian viewers' understanding of "Investiture of the Gods" is superficial at best: it's about mythology, deities fighting demons, and Yang Jian has three eyes.

No matter how outrageous Huaxia Star's adaptation is, it is acceptable to Southeast Asian audiences.

They originally didn't know anything, so whatever you give them is whatever they'll take as fact.

Besides, "Investiture of the Gods" is a cultural treasure of Huaxia, not of other countries' cultural wealth. People just want to watch something exciting; it doesn't matter how you adapt it. Even if Jiang Ziya and Lei Zhenzi were to fall in love, or Daji eloped with Yang Jian, no one would step up to complain.

So, to sell well in the Southeast Asian region, it's essential to play the card of "Investiture of the Gods," make the promotion lively, and tout the banner of Huaxia's millennia of culture and magical legends.

As for adjusting the cast, it's even less necessary.

On one hand, the companies that bought the distribution rights in other countries would not agree. They are after big names, and foreign audiences also go to cinemas for the stars. If you kick out all the big names from the main cast, who will watch?

Even moving Xiang Zuo's name further up the list is not needed.

Huaxia's audience recognizes Xiang Zuo and knows that this movie is Long Wu's production to promote his son. They already have a somewhat resentful attitude towards 'second generation' celebrities and coupled with the falsified cast list, of course, they would take the opportunity to lash out.

But who among the foreign audience knows Xiang Zuo? Very few are aware of the true intent behind "The Legends of Investiture of the Gods." After watching the movie, they might find the young man, seemingly with a smaller role, to be the real protagonist, and they might even become curious and raise Xiang Zuo's profile... In fact, although Xiang Zuo's acting is mediocre, in "The Legends of Investiture of the Gods," he is quite impressive compared to the other stars.

The approach should be specific to each situation, not rigidly applying the old methods.

Suming relayed the original conversation to Long Wu, who was highly impressed.

It wasn't that the two investors and big bosses lacked the vision compared to a newcomer like Xin Linli. It was purely a matter of being too close to the problem and thus blinded by concern. Enlightened by Xin Linli's points, both felt as though they had seen the blue sky after the haze had lifted.

After the serious talk, Suming noticed it was getting late, so he took Xin Linli to Whisperwind Pavilion to have a simple dinner and casually discuss how she felt about her new post over the past few days.

In the most private room on the top floor of Whisperwind Pavilion, Xin Linli, the little scatterbrain, seemed not too keen on the delicacies. She listlessly played with her chopsticks, her head bowed and lips pouted, appearing to be weighed down with thoughts.

Since its opening, Whisperwind Pavilion had no shortage of customers. However, as the head chef Hong Feifei was more in charge of supervision and did not need to cook every dish herself. She mostly served the guests in the few private rooms upstairs and therefore did not have too much day-to-day work, leading to a relatively leisurely routine.

Apart from cooking and women, she had no other hobbies. Ding Jing was even busier than Suming, with the two of them spending little time together. Driven by extreme boredom, Hong Feifei recently came up with several new dishes.

After looking at the menu, Suming thought that this young lady's psyche might be twisted, as she was heading towards becoming a dark culinary queen.

Hong Feifei personally delivered the last of her new peculiar creations: braised fat sea.

Seeing that none of the dishes had been touched, she glanced at Suming with surprise.

"What, you don't have confidence in my cooking skill?" Hong Feifei's eyes narrowed slightly. For a chef, the highest form of praise is to have her dishes completely eaten, with plates licked so clean they could serve as mirrors. Conversely, not taking a single bite is akin to insulting her cooking abilities – it's no different from spitting in the chef's face.

Xin Linli quickly waved her hand away. "No, the food my sister makes is delicious, it's just that I'm not really hungry..."

"Sister?" Hong Feifei's mouth twitched as if she were a mother beast infringed upon her territory, her gaze piercing Xin Linli, her voice carried a hint of sharpness and sarcasm, "Food, like people, no matter how delicious, can become wearisome after a time, so one has to keep switching it up, right, Mr. Su?"

Suming rolled his eyes. Why did this always come back to him? Can't a guy just bring a female employee out for a meal?

Frowning and speechless, he poked at a few dishes on the table with his chopsticks, "Sister, I get that you like to invent new dishes, but these are a bit too horrifying..."

As he spoke, he pointed at each with his chopsticks, "Braised Giant Throatwort, Charcoal-Roasted Sow's Trotters, Explosive Fried Pipa, Spicy Fish Scales, and this 'Terrifying Frozen Candied Fat Intestines' from the nightmarish realms! Are you trying to stop us from eating?"

With her chin upturned, Hong Feifei said confidently, "Humph, it might be unconventional, but it depends on who's making it. Just eat, it won't kill you..."

Having said that, her skirt trailing behind her like the wind, she turned and walked to the door. Just before stepping out, she turned back, resting her hand on the doorframe, "Don't leave after you're done eating, I have something to discuss with you." Then she briskly shut the door of the private room and left the top floor.

Ignoring her, Suming said, "People with true ability are all like that." He carefully picked up a piece of the 'Frozen Candied Fat Intestines,' which resembled sweet and sour pork in a crystalline sugar coat. The intestines were carved into a shape somewhat like a plump little monster, giving the appearance of a devil trapped in ice...

Why didn't they just call it 'Frozen Throne?'

Barely applying force with the chopsticks, he heard a faint crack... The surface of the candied coating enveloping the intestines suddenly formed numerous fissures spreading rapidly, and the monster-like intestine within also squirmed, as if striving to break free from its icy prison.

Taking a brave bite, he discovered a strange taste that was surprisingly not bad, which made him involuntarily reach for another piece.

An evil energy filled his entire body, as if set ablaze... Fucking hell, it was actually spicy!

"Mr. Su, you eat yours. I just don't like it," Xin Linli said.

This was the first time Suming had seen anyone indifferent to Hong Feifei's cooking. He decided on the spot that from now on, he must bring this little confused lady to Whisperwind Pavilion more often, intermittently undermining Hong Feifei's confidence—lest her attitude get too lofty.

Is work not going well?" Suming stuffed a piece of the Explosive Fried Pipa into his mouth, and upon biting down, it felt as though an entire forest had erupted in flames... It was also spicy!

Cautiously eyeing the eggshell soup, Suming thought to himself, this better not be spicy too, right? While it tasted good, the fact that everything was spicy was just too bizarre.

"There's been some gossip going around among colleagues..." Xin Linli's mind was clearly not on the food as she muttered softly, looking downward.

She was naive, not stupid.

Someone who could write lengthy, high-quality film critiques surely had sensitive emotions and actually observed life more keenly than someone as blunt as Suming. She murmured, "I used to be quite close with Li Wanting, we were schoolmates. Now so many people are talking about us, it's become a bit awkward when I see her..."

Suming was surprised. So that was the issue. In the film company, as two women rose meteorically—one, Li Wanting, and the other, Xin Linli—both young and... well, Xin Linli wasn't exactly pretty. But the key was, both were personally promoted by him.

In the company, it was inevitable that some would conjecture that these two women had an illicit affair with him.

With both women now in leadership positions, being seen as the 'little sweethearts' of the big boss, it was natural for regular employees to speculate, align themselves with one or the other, and even form factions behind the scenes.

Though there was no rivalry between the two initially, they could be turned into adversaries by groundless rumors.

"How did Li Wanting respond?" Suming smiled. Office culture was deep-seated, and where there were people, there would be gossip; it's something unstoppable but something one must adapt to.

"Li Wanting told me privately not to bother explaining, just to continue working as usual," Xin Linli said.

No wonder they say Li Wanting is like a sly fox and Xin Linli is clueless. Adapting to office culture is merely the basic course for survival. It seemed Li Wanting had mastered a more advanced tactic—neither confirming nor denying, using the rumors to solidify her authority and facilitate her work more smoothly.

Considering this, Suming nonchalantly said, "Next time someone spreads nonsense, you can refute them to their face. You don't have to tolerate such nonsense."

Xin Linli's words truly enlightened Suming. Aside from Cai Liming, the company indeed needed an 'adversarial pair' to keep each other in check. Like the factional struggles of ancient times, a wise ruler isn't afraid of party conflicts; instead, they might deliberately create them. As long as it's controlled within limits, a moderate level of antagonism can not only avoid negative impacts but also facilitate the ruler's control over the company and improve the work efficiency and enthusiasm of all parties involved.

Li Wanting had chosen to feign confusion, which suited her personality. Suming didn't want to interfere too much, but he couldn't let her have free rein; on the other hand...

Xin Linli was straightforward and couldn't stand the pettiness. Therefore, it would be best to allow her to take an open and righteous path, which would also serve as a check on Li Wanting.