永不完工的贺图

Lao Liu from the publicity department has been frowning lately, the smell of smoke in his office thicker than usual. The cause is a "heartwarming" instruction from above: Hi, Mom must create congratulatory posters for all films that surpass its box office.

"This is the big picture, understand? We need to show our magnanimity!" The leader pounded the table, sending spittle flying.

Lao Liu understood, of course. The big picture meant the people below work overtime to reflect the wise decisions of the leaders. The first congratulatory poster was for Wolf Warrior 2, and the effect was pretty good – harmonious, friendly, and cheerful.

But the problem was, the box office record was like a wild horse, skyrocketing. Ne Zha 2 was about to surpass them, and Lao Liu quickly arranged for the artist, Xiao Wang, to work overtime. Xiao Wang was a miserable soul too, editing drafts all day until his eyes were seeing stars, and then having to stay up late to draw Ne Zha.

"Brother Liu, this is the third version already, can the client just make up their mind already?" Xiao Wang complained, rubbing his sore neck.

"Bear with it, Xiao Wang. The higher-ups said we have to reflect the essence of both films, to make the audience feel our sincerity!" Lao Liu advised patiently.

Finally, the congratulatory poster for Ne Zha 2 was freshly baked. The leader took one look and was delighted: "Not bad, not bad, keep it up!"

Before Lao Liu could even catch his breath, a new "bad news" arrived. The Wandering Earth 3, Interstellar 2, Avatar 6... the box office of each was higher than the last, and the posters became harder and harder to draw.

Xiao Wang finally broke down and threw his paintbrush down: "Brother Liu, I really can't draw anymore! If I keep drawing, I'm going to become Ne Zha!"

Lao Liu wanted to quit too, but he had elderly parents to support and young children to raise, and the mortgage and car loan were suffocating him. He could only bite the bullet and keep urging for drafts.

Even more absurd things were yet to come. Some "enthusiastic" netizens noticed that every time Hi, Mom released a congratulatory poster, it meant that a new film's box office had surpassed it. So, everyone started frantically "milking" their favorite films, hoping they could be "blessed" by Hi, Mom soon.

"Quick, vote for Rural Love Story 18, so Auntie Jia Ling can draw a congratulatory poster for it!"

"Plaza Dancing Grannies' Revenge requests to join the battle, targeting Hi, Mom!"

Lao Liu looked at the increasingly outrageous comments online, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. This was hardly a "heartwarming" poster; it was clearly a "death knell"!

One day, the leader suddenly came to Lao Liu: "Lao Liu, you've been working hard lately. But I have a new idea..."

Lao Liu's heart sank.

"We can hold a 'Congratulatory Poster Marathon', inviting filmmakers from all over the country to participate and witness the glory of Chinese cinema together!" the leader said excitedly.

Lao Liu closed his eyes in despair. He seemed to see a never-ending cycle: a film surpasses Hi, Mom, Hi, Mom releases a congratulatory poster, more films are "inspired", and the box office reaches new heights...

And he would be forever trapped in this nightmare of formalism, until the end of time.