Chapter 78 1/2

How popular can a movie be?

When “The Cultivator” was released, it was popular enough, right? It raked in a whopping 89 billion at the box office, surpassing the total box office of all other films during the same period.

A film with a setting unique to Huaxia managed to create a global wave of cultivation frenzy.

During the peak of its popularity, foreign fans flocked to Huaxia almost every day, some for the breathtaking landscapes depicted in the movie and others for a personal “pilgrimage” to the Ten Immortal Palaces.

During that time, entertainment media reporters were as happy as they could be, with extremely high readership every day, simply reporting on the popularity of “The Cultivator.”

At that time, media reporters exclaimed, “I wonder when we’ll see another phenomenon like this again.”

“The Cultivator” had reached its peak; its peak was too high, and people couldn’t imagine that there could be a movie in Huaxia that could surpass it.

But who could have thought that, just a little over a year later, “Interstellar War” would emerge?

The director was still Xu Man, and the producer was still Sheng Quan. They joined hands once again to surpass the peak they had created.

While “The Cultivator” had fewer viewers due to its unique Huaxia setting, the interstellar theme in “Interstellar War” was truly universal.

“Editor-in-chief, should the headline for this news be ‘Ticket prices for “Interstellar War” soared to 1,500, and the production team urges everyone to buy tickets rationally’ or ‘In “Interstellar War,” mechanical war dogs surprisingly exist, and a single one sells for 700,000, still in short supply’?”

The editor-in-chief thought for a moment. “Release both, with a time gap between them.”

After the editor-in-chief returned to his seat, an intern came over and asked, “Sister Chen, isn’t the most expensive one supposed to be 700,000? The guide dog series that sells for 15,000 is the one in short supply, right?”

“I know, but wouldn’t writing it like this get more clicks? Just make it clear in the main text.”

Chen explained as she wrote the script based on the information. “But honestly, Sheng Quan is really good. Look at this information; mechanical dogs have always had high prices in the market. Tens of thousands for an ordinary mechanical dog is quite common. She actually sells one for 15,000.”

The intern also looked at the information. “Didn’t they undergo technological iteration? Costs have decreased, so they can sell cheaper.”

“That’s why I said you just graduated. Things like technological iteration and cost reduction—if she doesn’t mention it, who would know? Everyone sells for tens of thousands; even if she lowers the price, she can still reduce it to 150,000, 100,000, or even 60,000 or 70,000. That would still be a significant profit.”

“You have to know, a mechanical guide dog is a solid commodity. We may choose not to buy, but what about blind people? A well-trained guide dog costs 200,000, and guide dogs are living beings with a lifespan. They pass away after ten to twenty years.”

Chen knocked on the documents in her hand. “But a mechanical guide dog is different. They offer a fifty-year warranty; it’s basically for a lifetime. Even if Sheng Quan sells them for 200,000, there would still be a crowd eager to buy. She has no major competitors in this field, and she can price them however she wants.”

“I understand,” the intern suddenly realized. “She monopolizes the market. Even if she sets a high price, everyone can only buy from her, but she doesn’t; instead, she lowers the price to 15,000, which is incredibly low relative to others.”

“Wow, when I read the news earlier, I didn’t feel it much, but now that I see it like this, Sheng Quan is really almost doing charity.”

“Exactly. That’s why the media praised her as a conscientious entrepreneur before. To be honest, I used to think it might be a paid advertisement for her. Now it seems like I was too narrow-minded.”

Those in the media industry share a common problem: when they see the media praising or criticizing someone, their first reaction is, “Is someone trying to stir things up?”

It’s somewhat similar to when Sheng Quan browses Weibo and sees a suddenly popular, unknown shop. Her first thought is, “Did they buy popularity?” It’s just a professional habit.

But now, even someone as experienced as her has to admit that Sheng Quan is indeed a conscientious entrepreneur.

Chen immediately made a decision: “I have to praise this point in the report.”

The intern was still in shock, mentally calculating. If a real guide dog costs 200,000 and Sheng Quan could sell a robotic guide dog, even if priced at 200,000, there would still be people eager to buy. But if she sells it for 15,000, she’s giving up a pure profit of 185,000.

Looking at the sales of robotic dogs on the official website, after some calculation, he exclaimed, “Wow! This is too conscientious. No, I have to go back today and buy tickets for the third screening of ‘Interstellar War.’ Consider it supporting Sheng Quan.”

“Not making money when you can—that’s integrity!”

***

“Well, it’s not like I’m not making money.”

Sheng Quan, in response to the overwhelming praise in the news media about her pricing of robotic guide dogs, actually felt quite pleased.

However, when interviewed about this, she still had to clarify: “The profits from the D1 series are indeed relatively low, but it’s not to the extent of potential losses as some news reports might suggest. I’m a businesswoman, not a saint. I still need to make money.”

“Even if I don’t make money, the equipment needs to run, and workers need to be paid. I can’t be losing money in business.”

It’s like when she runs a bodyguard company, only hiring retired soldiers. But not every retired soldier is qualified; the trainees have to undergo significant learning and training, and only those with qualified bodyguard skills can stay.

“Our robotic guide dogs have different series because we need to consider the economic levels of users. We can’t say that only very wealthy blind people can afford them; otherwise, they wouldn’t be convenient tools for daily life but luxury items.”

“Of course, with different prices, the performance and quality will also differ. We’ve conducted extensive experiments. The D1 series, to reduce costs, may not have as high usability as the D2 and D3, but it’s still sufficient for normal daily life.”

“Actually, 15,000 is still a bit expensive. If someone earns 3,000 a month, that’s five months’ salary. The R&D department is still working hard to see if we can further reduce this cost.”

When the program aired, Sheng Quan’s popularity among the general public increased even more.

There was no help for it; her straightforwardness was too genuine.

During this time of constant praise in the news, some people still felt that Sheng Quan couldn’t possibly be making any money and that the praise made it seem like she was giving things away for free.

In response, she came forward and said that she wasn’t losing money, there was still some profit, and the D1 series was sold cheaply, but that cheapness was for blind people who truly needed the guide function. She even admitted that the other series with entertainment features were sold at a higher price.

She also expressed her intention to study and produce even cheaper and better robotic guide dogs for blind people.

Her self-deprecating remarks made those who were initially critical of her retract their criticism and even develop a liking for her.

【I’ve heard some say that 15,000 is still expensive. For an ordinary family, it’s indeed not a small amount. But everyone can search for the prices of robotic dogs in the past. They often started at over 500,000, and they didn’t have the flexibility and convenience of the D1 series. Looking at the efforts Sheng Quan has put in, it’s already commendable.】

【Really grateful to Director Sheng. Currently, only her company produces this kind of technology in all the series, and she could have demanded high prices. My nephew became blind due to a congenital condition. When the news came out, my cousin and his wife were planning to use all their savings to buy a robotic guide dog for their child. When they saw the price was only 15,000, to put it without exaggeration, all our relatives breathed a sigh of relief for them.】

【I don’t know if you all are aware, but currently, only the D1 series is sold to Chinese people with a blind certification. Identity binding is also recorded in advance to prevent resale. I live in country B, and someone asked me because I’m Chinese when D1 will be open to foreigners. I only then learned that D1 is exclusively for citizens.】

【Adding to the comment above, I was also asked by classmates. When I heard it, I was very surprised. As far as I know, Star has never promoted this domestically.】

【Damn, is it true! Even so! I don’t know what to do; I love Director Sheng even more now.】