Chapter 96: It's Not Cigarettes That Brother Smokes, It's Health.

Chapter 96: What Brother Smokes Is Health, Not Smoke

Lighting a cigarette with a banknote was merely an impulse Zhang Le had temporarily come up with to imitate Little Ma Ge. He never imagined that Chen Ke would actually cut this scene into the trailer, nor could he have foreseen that the impact would far exceed his expectations.

In the original version from the previous life, this scene had a profound influence, being discussed by countless people and imitated by many films. It was unquestionably a classic cinematic moment. But compared to today, it truly seemed weak.

Perhaps this is the age of information explosion, when dissemination is both wider and swifter. Perhaps there are now more people with nothing better to do, and more people eager to pretend to be cool.

Lighting cigarettes with banknotes, this pretense is simply insanely cool! To have been imitated by countless people feels entirely appropriate.

Of course, Zhang Le believed that behind this there was almost certainly the production company pulling strings. The purpose was, without question, to promote the film.

It ignited a wave of imitation across the internet, with even some celebrities and artists joining in and uploading videos to Weibo.

Of course, after smoking with money became overdone and imitated to the point of losing its appeal, there emerged smoking with love letters, smoking with labor contracts, and all manner of bizarre variations.

Especially the video of smoking with a love letter achieved extremely high click rates.

A shy girl timidly handed a love letter to a boy. The boy did not even glance at it before using it to light a cigarette, and the smug, annoying expression instantly froze.

The girl who had just been coquettish immediately stood up upon seeing his demeanor, slapped the boy to the ground. This reversal left everyone in stitches. Then a line of text appeared on the screen: Do not pretend to be awesome, getting awesome gets struck by lightning!

This video, while riding the wave of imitation, carried a small story and a touch of admonition. The reason it became so popular was that Yang Xiner had watched it, reposted it on Weibo, and teased Zhang Le.

No Way Back boasted a massive investment and an exceptionally strong cast, so it naturally would not skimp on promotional tactics such as premieres. Moreover, both Chen Ke and Zhou Run possessed extensive connections within the industry, making it easy to invite numerous big names.

These achievements were, of course, beyond the reach of Zhang Le and Yang Xiner at present.

Holding a premiere with diminished star power would likely fail to deliver promotional value and might even invite mockery. Therefore, Zhang Le’s Tang Bohu Points to Autumn Fragrance had no intention of organizing any such event, releasing it directly like Crazy Stone.

For the premiere of No Way Back, Zhang Le and Yang Xiner attended together in their habitual couple outfits, a sight that provoked no surprise. The true astonishment would have been if they had not appeared in matching attire. Zhang Le and Yang Xiner, who loved to display themselves and excel at showcasing their affection in the entertainment world, had long since become commonplace to the public.

Numb to the point that any media report on the couple would concern itself not with their affection but with the novel styles they had invented and the number of imitators it would inspire.

Their love had already established the benchmark for fashion trends.

Having seen it so often, it had become second nature. Under this subtle influence, no one now spoke of the two being unsuitable or ill-matched for each other.

Model couple, they merited the title without dispute.

Since both were models, who could claim one did not deserve the other?

Having been together for so long, the criticisms had long faded, leaving only a persistent, irremovable twinge of sourness whenever anyone mentioned them.

The premiere served the purpose of promoting the film, so it could not avoid recounting anecdotes from its production. The leads would naturally take center stage in interviews, while among the supporting cast, Zhang Le stood out as the most captivating figure.

Director Zhang, as a film director who is now shooting this movie as an actor, what different feeling does that bring? the host inquired.

The feeling, naturally, is far more relaxed. The director must consider every aspect, while the actor need only understand the character and bring it to life. Zhang Le thought for a moment and replied.

Does Director Zhang prefer directing or acting? the host asked.

Naturally directing! Zhang Le answered without hesitation.

Why? Both are about making films, why not choose the easier path? the host wondered.

Seeking abuse, he chuckled. Just joking. Director director, lead in front, acting behind. You have heard of acting excellently then directing, but never of directing excellently then acting? A film’s soul is the director who controls the whole, and I cherish that sensation.

Then Director Zhang has never considered devoting some energy to performance. After all, because of your outstanding portrayal in this film, the crew has dubbed you Genius Zhang! And I believe many people would be eager to see your splendid performance on screen. the host continued.

My splendid performance in this film is because the director of this film is Chen Ke. Zhang Le smiled and said.

Director Zhang, what do you make of the crew bestowing upon you the nickname Genius Zhang? the host inquired.

Humble, or arrogant? Zhang Le replied with a smile.

How does one answer humble, and how does one answer arrogant? the host asked curiously.

Humble would be to say it is undeserved. Zhang Le continued to smile. Arrogant would be to say it is richly earned!

Genius Zhang is richly earned, not the least bit exaggerated. The host smiled and asked, Director Zhang, what is the greatest difficulty you faced in this film, in the literary scenes or the martial scenes?

The literary scenes. Zhang Le replied.

Literary scenes? I thought it was the martial ones. After all, you handled nearly half the action sequences in this film. the host said in astonishment.

Everyone knows I am a martial arts practitioner. Although there are many action scenes, compared to the other performers they are far simpler and require no great difficulty to execute.

Then in the literary scenes, what do you find most challenging? the host asked.

In the film there are many smoking scenes, almost never without a cigarette in hand. Yet I do not smoke, and to portray a heavy smoker with complete conviction presents no small challenge. Zhang Le thought for a moment and said.

Director Zhang actually does not smoke, who could have imagined that. Your smoking scenes are simply breathtaking, leaving countless people in awe. Especially the moment of lighting a cigarette with a banknote, which countless people still discuss with relish. I heard this was added spontaneously by you. The film itself did not include this design. So how did you render this scene so unforgettable? the host exclaimed in surprise.

What brother smokes is health, not smoke. Zhang Le said with a touch of emotion.

What brother smokes is health, not smoke!

This remark left everyone momentarily stunned. The host immediately smiled and said, What brother smokes is health, not smoke. I suggest every tobacco company engrave this on their packs. Smoking harms health has become so familiar we have grown numb to it. Replacing it with this would undoubtedly remind people better to quit for the sake of their health!

Hehe. If this saying truly carried such an effect, no tobacco company would have written it on its packaging. Zhang Le laughed the moment he heard it.