After Tiger and other film bloggers shared their opinions, other online viewers also offered sincere reviews and recommendations:

【The Phantom Thieves 2 was really good! I love movies that don't require much brainpower! The post-credits scene was so gripping, I can't wait for the third one.】

【So, has anyone figured out the city setting for the third movie? I'm even thinking of going to scout out where they're filming.】

【Everyone, calm down. The second movie just premiered, and there's no sign of the third yet. Don't get excited.】

【To be honest, I was only thinking about one other thing. The third-ranked character on the Thief Ranking was played by Xiao Ge, whose first two appearances already exuded charisma (except when he was persecuted by Lu Xiaokong). I really can't imagine who could play the first and second-ranked characters.】

【Haha, this is a serious question. It really feels like Xiao He has elevated the third position to an unprecedented level. If Director Zhuang doesn't make a third installment, I'm afraid Brother Xiao's status will become even greater. Who can surpass him then?】

【Looking at it from another angle, Director Zhuang's foresight was truly remarkable. It seems that, considering the main storyline of the grand world, he had already placed Xiao He in an important position. However, back then, Xiao He wasn't as popular or powerful as he is now. It just goes to show that Director Zhuang had excellent foresight at that time.】

【Director Zhuang is like this: a successful commercial film director. The only pity is that he's been stuck in commercial films for so many years, unable to create anything with substance.】

【I suspect some people secretly ate lemons (a Chinese internet slang term for being jealous or nauseous), how could they say such sour things?】

【That's true. Zhuang Hongyi's recent works have all been mindless, fast-food movies, lacking substance and value. Just look at the fact that none of his films have won any prestigious awards. It's a waste for actor Chen You to participate in his films. Back then, Chen You won Best Actor awards left and right, but what about now? Several films he made with Director Zhuang, and in the end, he didn't win a single Best Actor award.】

【Haha, this is hilarious! Some people are actually worried about Chen You. He's already won several major awards and is now a member of the 10 billion yuan box office club. I don't know where you get the nerve to say you're holding him back? In my opinion, Chen You's collaboration with Director Zhuang was the right choice. Chen You already has several Best Actor awards, which is enough to prove his acting skills, and his films with Director Zhuang have also proven his commercial value. I think it's a win-win situation for them.】

【Alright, stop arguing. Those people can only be sour-tongued. Director Zhuang makes a fortune from commercial films, why don't others make them? Don't they want to make money? That's too high-minded. Don't ever try to switch careers in the future.】

...

Every time a new movie is released, Zhuang Hongyi is dragged out and ridiculed, but he's used to it.

Like Ning Jiaqi, who tried hard in the past but failed to win international awards and then returned to China to develop the domestic market, Zhuang Hongyi really doesn't have much of a pursuit for awards. Compared to Director Ning, whose scripts still have a bit of satire and meaning, Zhuang Hongyi is a pure capitalist director.

While he wouldn't stoop to making money by creating bad movies or engaging in shady activities, he would absolutely never refuse to make money comfortably in his comfort zone.

So when Zhuang Hongyi saw those comments, he just gave a sarcastic smirk and told the marketing accounts to step ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) up their efforts and continue to stimulate the Spring Festival box office market for him.

Even after seeing Xiao He's popularity on the Spring Festival Gala, Zhuang Hongyi made a special phone call to Xiao He.

Xiao He was somewhat surprised to hear Zhuang Hongyi's request: "Huh? You want me to film a magic trick video all by myself?"

"right."

Zhuang Hongyi said meaningfully over there.

"Consider it another Easter egg."

Xiao He quickly processed the meaning of Zhuang Hongyi's words, trying to analyze his thoughts.

He's just a guest star, playing a cyber hacker. Is releasing a separate magic trick video really just for publicity and to generate more buzz?

Or is this related to the post-credits scene after the finale?

The lip movements that didn't accurately say the place name in the story are now being shown in the form of magic?

Xiao He didn't quite understand, and Director Zhuang kept his next plan a secret, so he simply treated it as a movie promotion.

After confirming that Director Zhuang had no other requirements, Xiao He asked Ge Fu to teach him a few magic tricks online.

The performance on the Spring Festival Gala brought Ge Fu considerable popularity, largely thanks to Xiao He's help. After that, he also capitalized on the hype, appearing alongside Xiao He's name on trending topics. From a magician who was only slightly known in the industry, he jumped to become a national-level magician, and many people knew of his existence. His popularity even surpassed that of the magicians on the CCTV Spring Festival Gala in the same year.

So when he learned of Xiao He's request, he agreed without hesitation.

As for the idea that magic tricks cannot be passed on to outsiders?

Ge Fu wasn't too concerned. After all, with the internet so developed now, many magic tricks have already been revealed. Sometimes it still comes down to the magician's own skills and intellect. He didn't mind Xiao He coming to learn.

Moreover, if we're really going to nitpick, Ge Fu was already on the verge of jumping up and down when Xiao He learned many of his magic tricks during the previous rehearsals.

"Then I'll teach you a few magic tricks that you can use anytime."

In the video, Ge Fu spreads out his palm: "All you need to prepare is a coin, a rubber band, and a pen..."

...

That evening, the topic of Xiao He performing magic tricks once again topped the trending search list.

The magic trick video is actually quite simple; it's just a 20-second video of a coin being turned into a toy.

However, more people were interested in Xiao He's skillful finger movements in spinning the coin than in its sudden appearance and disappearance. Watching the coin deftly flip on the back of his fingers, then leap lightly into his palm and vanish completely, only to be caught again between his fingers when he couldn't find it again after turning his hand over, netizens exclaimed how amazing it was.

【Great, the last time I saw something this amazing was in a game's cinematic. Thanks, Brother Xiao, for showing me that this is actually a human action.】

【So the Spring Festival Gala magic show is confirmed! It was definitely Brother Xiao's little trick back then.】 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

【It must have been Brother Xiao! He's practically made it crystal clear, hasn't he? Hahaha, as expected of Brother Xiao.】

【Great, great, a magic show with two magicians performing for me, how can this not be a win?】

【So where did Brother Xiao learn these skills again?】

While netizens were still laughing, Zhuang Hongyi had already reposted Xiao He's video and added his own caption, causing another huge stir.

【Zhuang Hongyi: Adding clues to the movie's post-credits scene. We welcome everyone's support for *The Phantom Thieves 2*, and thank you all for your enjoyment.】

Audience:?

What does that mean?

You're saying this is a clue for the third movie?

No, what exactly does a lip-syncing performance with an incomprehensible place name and a 20-second magic show hint at for the third movie?

And good heavens, the second season is still airing, and Director Zhuang is already eager to get investment for the third season. Isn't that a bit too much?