The public screening of “No Bait” was undoubtedly a tremendous success.

From his own perspective as an audience member, Xiao He thought “No Bait” was excellent, and naturally, the others who watched it on-site felt the same way.

The most direct evidence was that when Xiao He attended the first public screening ceremony with the rest of the production team, the media members who had just finished watching “No Bait” showed no particular reaction upon seeing Ding Wanyu. Instead, they were scrambling to ask questions, and those questions were almost entirely related to the plot of “No Bait.”

This was the first time they encountered a situation where the discussion was so purely focused on the story itself.

In the past, there would always be people chasing stars on-site or showing concern for the actors or director. But at this moment, everyone was too preoccupied with other matters, eagerly wanting to get the final answer from the production team to see if their guesses were correct.

Questions like “Did Shu Yuxiu lie from beginning to end?” and “Did Shu Yuxiu really kill his wife?” appeared with the highest frequency.

To be honest, even Xiao He was somewhat confused by the director’s multiple script layers. After all, what he performed was one thing, but after Ning Jiaqi’s editing, it seemed to be a different story. So, even as the lead actor himself, he couldn’t fully distinguish which parts of what Shu Yuxiu said throughout the entire film were true and which were false.

Of course, as someone whose persona was highly synchronized with Shu Yuxiu’s, Xiao He could probably guess the answer—but why would he say it?

If he explained it clearly, how could he trick these people into going for a second or third viewing?

Box office! The box office needs to soar!

It wasn’t just Xiao He who thought this way; even Director Ning shared the same sentiment. With a smile on his face, he put on an enigmatic expression and said to everyone, “The story is interpreted differently by each viewer; everyone will have their own understanding. I believe all the answers are already hidden within the film. Everyone can take a closer look and dig a little deeper.”

How to dig deeper? Start with a second viewing!

Regarding the questions everyone was curious about, Director Ning’s main strategy was to read them but not reply.

As for the lead actor, Xiao He, he naturally just smiled along and avoided the topic.

In the end, the media really had no tricks left.

The smart ones had already started booking tickets for a second viewing, planning to immerse themselves in the film again later.

The less clever ones, slightly dissatisfied, chose to find new topics—

“My question is for Teacher Ding.”

The media person holding the microphone looked at Ding Wanyu beside Xiao He.

“Teacher Ding, may I ask why you chose to take on the script for ‘No Bait’ back then? Was it because the female lead role in ‘No Bait’ is similar to your own experiences?”

As soon this highly presumptuous topic was raised, the screening hall fell silent for a moment.

Everyone turned around, looking at the person who asked the question with complex expressions.

Seriously, how dare someone ask such a provocative question directly?

Currently, the internet is still discussing the matter between Ding Wanyu and Sun Yuyang!

Though, of course, the discussion focuses more on Sun Yuyang, since yesterday Sun Yuyang was confirmed to have been gambling, and the police have officially launched an investigation. This is indeed a very important news topic.

But—is the movie not good enough? Or are there not enough topics today?

Why ask such a question!

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a marketing account team from a company in Beijing.

Everyone’s expressions varied.

They hadn’t expected that side to still be unwilling to give up, even sending people to stir up trouble at this event.

They really have no sense of decency left.

Facing this sharp inquiry, Ding Wanyu didn’t even blink; her heart was no longer vulnerable to such questions. The host beside her, however, looked a bit more serious, tentatively gauging the reactions of the people around her, ready to step in and save the situation at any moment.

Fortunately, Ding Wanyu had anticipated this question long before she took the stage.

Holding the microphone, she smiled at everyone present and said, “‘No Bait’ is an excellent work. Shu Yuxiu’s success is no accident. After all, facing such a face, who wouldn’t like it? When I was filming, I often thought that if I were Qi Xinyue, I would definitely fall for him too.”

As Ding Wanyu spoke, the atmosphere in the venue eased considerably. Everyone followed her gaze to look at Xiao He and then laughed good-naturedly.

“However, all stories have an end. Those who dream will eventually wake up. Shu Yuxiu is Shu Yuxiu, Qi Xinyue is Qi Xinyue, and I am just me. I don’t wish to reduce such a brilliant story to a certain real-life relationship because of my personal experiences. Shu Yuxiu can represent many people, but he is absolutely not just a label for a scumbag.”

“So, the reason I chose this script is simply because I like it, appreciate it, find it meaningful and valuable enough, and I hope more people can see it and gain a little reflection and feeling from it. That was my original intention for choosing it.”

As she finished speaking, Ding Wanyu bowed slightly to everyone. “Here, I am also very grateful to the ‘No Bait’ production team for giving me this opportunity, and I am very thankful to all of you here for your love of ‘No Bait.’ I believe good works can be seen by more people, and I hope to bring more works to everyone in the future.”

After Ding Wanyu finished speaking, warm applause erupted in the venue.

From then on, no one linked “No Bait” with Ding Wanyu’s relationship issues again.

Everyone cooperated well with the subsequent segments.

Soon, this brief main creative team meet-and-greet ceremony officially concluded.

With the first day of “No Bait’s” release, online feedback about the film gradually began to emerge.

A large group of people started discussing the plot and quality of “No Bait.”

Another group howled, begging cinemas to add more screening slots.

[Please, XX Cinema, are you incapable? Who can watch with so few screenings? I want a second viewing, a third, a fourth! Don’t schedule so few!]

[Why is it that after coming out of the cinema, all the showings for ‘No Bait’ tomorrow and the day after at the cinemas near my home are already fully booked? Fans, please don’t rush the box office at this time! Wait until we’ve watched it, then go grab the midnight screening tickets, okay?]

[Um, is it possible that we fans haven’t even managed to get tickets ourselves?]

[????? Are you serious? Why are people even grabbing seats in the corner of the front row? Have you reached the point where you’re not picky at all just to watch ‘No Bait’?]

[Ahem, it’s mainly because I really want to watch it a second time immediately, so the seat location isn’t that important anymore.]

[What? People are already planning a second viewing? Based on what? Get out! I haven’t even managed to get a ticket for my first viewing, and you’re already on your second?]

[Hehe, it’s great being in a third-tier small city! Finished the first viewing and can go straight for a second, hehe.]

[That’s a bit much. What’s the mindset of those going for a second viewing? This promotion is a bit ridiculous. Watching it once is enough, why promote a second viewing? So funny.]

[Those who haven’t seen the movie don’t understand that heart-clawing, lung-scratching feeling! You won’t get it! There really are a lot of foreshadowing elements in the movie that you only notice when you rewatch it. Watching it again gives you the feeling of revisiting a horror film, making you feel uneasy.]

[So, is ‘No Bait’ good or not? I’m still hesitating about which movie to watch tomorrow.]

[Friend, stop hesitating. ‘No Bait’ is a must-watch for this May Day season!]

[This May Day, you might not have eaten any melons (gossip), but you must watch ‘No Bait’! I just came out of the cinema, and I am now the loneliest person in the world!]

[I finally understand why someone set up a scheme against ‘No Bait’—it’s because ‘No Bait’ is really good! Everyone, please don’t be influenced by the negative news online. The fraudulent-style romance between Ding Wanyu and Sun Yuyang absolutely cannot be considered the core promotional point of ‘No Bait’! I suggest the production team separate these two matters as soon as possible. ‘No Bait’ shouldn’t be reduced to just a simple emotional scam! It deserves a deeper meaning.]

[‘No Bait’ is super good! Especially Brother Xiao, he’s really, really handsome in it! His acting is absolutely top-notch, it’s just that the character is a genuine scumbag.]

[Already watched it twice. There’s a lot of foreshadowing; the second viewing offers a new experience. It’s really worth watching. By the way, Xiao He’s acting in ‘No Bait’ is unquestionably excellent. His grasp of the character’s state changes across different timelines is superb. The director’s narrative logic is also amazing. Even though it constantly jumps timelines, the logic of the entire film isn’t chaotic. Truly deserving of the award-winning director, well-deserved!]

[Only by understanding the main plot and subplot of ‘No Bait’ can you understand the final story. Director Ning Jiaqi’s skills are as sharp as ever! Thumbs up!]

[Xiao He acted so satisfyingly, and I watched so satisfyingly. But is there anyone who can give me a definite answer: did Shu Yuxiu kill his wife in the end or not?]

[Ahhh, please, no spoilers! I want to watch ‘No Bait’!]

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep