Entering the Chinese entertainment industry is like entering a deep sea

Chapter 818 'Father and Son' 'Meltdown' Double Blow

In 15, Liu Yifei lived a very fulfilling life, not only winning the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival but also becoming pregnant with her second child, a double blessing.

The results of the Flying Apsaras Awards were announced a couple of days ago, although she did not achieve the grand slam of Best Actress in a TV Drama.

But Rongchen Group has achieved considerable success, which makes her equally happy.

New Year's Eve is the busiest time for Rong Chen's artists.

The four satellite TV stations, Mango, Blueberry, Tomato, and Lychee, almost always finalize a deal with Yixin Media early on to have a top-tier celebrity join them.

Blueberry, in particular, has maintained a leading position in New Year's Eve viewership ratings for three consecutive years thanks to its strategic partnership with Rongchen.

Every New Year's Eve, it's essential for active celebrities in the industry to post on Weibo.

Either look forward to next year or look back on this year.

For example, Fan Bingbing and Li Chen, who announced their relationship for the first time this year, have shown their affection together the most times in 2015 since then, truly setting a new trend in the entertainment industry.

That's right, the number one weapon for grabbing headlines in the entertainment industry in 2015 was couples!

Yang Siwei is an expert and naturally understands the arrangements made by Fan Bingbing's studio.

Even her romantic relationships are part of Fan Bingbing's work plans.

Their plans to show off their affection never stop, and they consistently grab headlines every now and then.

Fan Bingbing has indeed become a sensation this year; the terms "Wu Datou" and "horse shaking" alone are enough to shake the entire internet.

But why is it that their fan base can't compare to those of Rong Chen's group?

Let's not even talk about Liu Yifei, she's not part of the Chinese entertainment industry!

She couldn't even compare to people like Yang Mi, Dilraba Dilmurat, Tang Yan, and Zhang Hanyun, which Fan Bingbing really couldn't understand.

"Bingbing, Sina called again for the Weibo Night on the 7th." On a pedestrian street in Taiwan, Mu Xiaoguang followed behind Fan Bingbing and Li Chen, looking like a bodyguard.

"Brother Guang, please go back for me."

"If you're not going, then I won't go either." Li Chen said, looking like he was ready to stand by you through thick and thin.

Fan Bingbing smiled, and the two held hands, naturally aware that paparazzi were following them.

"This matter concerning Li Yifeng is now considered settled. Brother Chen is truly ruthless. None of you members of the Li family are kind-hearted! You even treat your own people cruelly."

Fan Bingbing covered her mouth and giggled, joking with Li Chen while also subtly warning him not to emulate a reckless man like Li Yifeng.

"Everyone in the industry is saying that he was behind it, but does he have that much power? How did he know that Huanrui was in trouble?" Although Li Chen believed the online rumors, he was still unconvinced.

"Hmph, I don't know if it's true or not, but you have eyes, you can see for yourself. Let's not talk about the distant future, let's see if 'The Mermaid' will run into trouble this time!"

Li Chen knew what his girlfriend meant. When Wen Zhang got into trouble during "Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons," Zhou Xingchi was still very close to Hua Yi.

Zhou Xingchi is now practically part of Rong Chen's faction. If The Mermaid is safe and sound, who would believe that it wasn't Li Chen who was behind it back then?

Moreover, with Li Chen guaranteeing 16 billion yuan for "The Mermaid," many people are probably waiting to see Li Chen make a fool of himself.

On New Year's Eve, Fan Bingbing and Li Chen's intimate and cute photos in Taiwan didn't really show any signs of being a couple.

Liu Yifei also posted a Weibo message saying that the photographer was the Palme d'Or-winning director.

Postscript: Will sleeping right after eating turn me into a pig's head? So sleepy.

The post quickly went viral on Weibo and became a trending topic.

Sina Entertainment News

On the evening of December 31, Liu Yifei posted a photo of herself sleeping with her face partially covered on Weibo, and wrote worriedly: "Will I turn into a pig's head if I sleep right after eating? So sleepy."

"In the photo, Liu Yifei is lying in bed, holding a rabbit plush toy to cover half of her face. She looks very sleepy and is sleeping soundly. Although she is pregnant, she is still very beautiful."

As soon as the photo was posted, netizens flocked to comment.

"Is the cinematographer a Palme d'Or winner, a Lion of Gold winner, or a Silver Bear winner?"

"Could we also give our official photographer a chance to appear?"

"Even if it transforms into a pig, it's still a celestial pig."

"No, no, you'll always be the most beautiful!"

"That's the most beautiful too!"

Besides netizens, celebrities also joined in the fun.

Consort Hua, Jiang Xin, quickly grabbed a seat, seemingly sharing the same concerns as Liu Yifei, replying, "Same here!"

Shu Chang: "Liu Qianmeizi, don't use your beauty to commit crimes! I'll make you fat to death!"

Yang Mi: "Your senior definitely wants you to be as fat as possible, pregnant woman!"

Zhang Ruonan: "Sis, you look so beautiful even when you're sleeping, how can anyone else get any sleep? Waaaaah!"

Tian Xiwei: "I'll post one too, just to ride on your coattails. Tongliang Xiaotian reporting in, begging for your attention!"

Liu Yifei held her phone, watching this cute girl with big eyes blatantly trying to ride her coattails and even begging for her attention—she was probably asking for her husband's attention.

"Hey, come here and take a look!" Liu Yifei waved to her husband as he entered the bedroom.

Li Chen just had a phone call with Han Sanping.

Although Han Sanping knew perfectly well that Li Chen was behind Huanrui's recent troubles, he did not expose him.

Instead, they told him that starting tomorrow, in 2016, the regulation of the film and television industry would be tightened, especially the scrutiny of 'celebrity capitalization'.

Li Chen is now able to take these messages in stride. The butterfly effect he has created extends far beyond this one incident.

"What's wrong?" Li Chen sat on the edge of the bed and let his wife lean against him.

"This young lady is begging you to choose her!" Liu Yifei said with a smile.

Li Chen shook his head speechlessly: "What the hell! I thought it was something important. You should play less on your tablet, and if you're going to eat and sleep, you should keep your word, you pig!"

"You're the pig!" Liu Yifei pouted and laughed.

"Yes, yes, I'm a pig too. Go to sleep, be good." Li Chen snatched the tablet from his wife's hand without saying a word and covered her with the blanket.

Liu Yifei reached out her hand and said coquettishly, "Sleep with me!"

"I haven't taken a shower yet," Li Chen said with a smile.

"It's okay, I don't mind that you're dirty."

"Then I'm not welcome."

"Hey, what are you doing! Let go! We agreed to go to sleep! Hehehe!"

-

Popular celebrities post on Weibo, and so do celebrities with bad records.

Sina Entertainment News

On New Year's Eve, Huang Haibo posted: "2015 has passed, and the biggest gain this year is becoming a father! I have you, my dear son!"

There's nothing wrong with posting on Weibo, but what's strange is the way netizens express their opinions.

Happy New Year! +n

"After reading so many comments, they're all positive, making you want to come back."

"I really like you, and I hope you will bring us new film and television works in 2016."

We're all really looking forward to it. Good luck!

"Li Dabenshi! Come back soon!!!" "I miss you so much!!!! Happy New Year!"

When did celebrities with bad reputations become so beloved? These marketing accounts that stir up trouble are truly disgusting.

"Boss, give me a few more days. I'll have Haifeng and his son 'tried' together then. What are they? Two ladybugs trying to cause trouble?" Yang Siwei said confidently to Li Chen.

Yang Siwei's attitude towards this kind of person is just as firm as her boss's: the black market is black, and the white market is white; can it ever be completely cleaned up?

Would the authorities really allow a disgraced celebrity to make a comeback just because of a few marketing accounts and brainless fans?

Li Chen remained noncommittal: "I called you over not to talk about this."

"What is that?" Yang Siwei pondered.

"Zhou Xingchi will be here in a bit. Please explain your publicity strategy to both of us."

Yang Siwei suddenly realized that he was supposed to write a work report.

However, the boss had never cared about this kind of thing before, which shows that Zhou Xingchi's status in the boss's heart is no lower than Zhang Yimou's.

Yang Siwei secretly wondered what Li Chen, the boss, was thinking.

A short while later, Zhou Xingchi arrived with his assistant Chen Zhenyu.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the group went down to the private cinema on the basement level.

Li Chen then let Yang Siwei begin.

"Okay, boss, Mr. Stephen Chow, this is my plan."

Blu-ray projection showed a promotional video for "The Mermaid" on the screen, which included a clip of Deng Chao's mesmerizing dance.

Zhou Xingchi stared at Deng Chao's exaggerated performance in the film, glanced at Li Chen and Yang Siwei, frowned slightly and smiled, "Isn't this part a bit too crazy?"

“Stephen Chow, this is what audiences love now. Besides, this is Deng Chao’s style, isn’t it? You also appreciate his crazy dance moves as the ‘King of Nanchang’!” Yang Siwei said with a laugh as he handed over the iPad.

"Furthermore, the box office of 'The Villain Angel' has exceeded 600 million yuan. The data curve shows that the more 'The Villain Angel' is criticized, the higher its box office is. Deng Chao has brought his own topic of discussion this time."

Yang Siwei spoke eloquently, and by the end, Zhou Xingchi was listening with great enthusiasm.

Li Chen, on the other hand, only nodded occasionally in response from beginning to end.

Finally finished speaking, Yang Siwei turned to the big boss who hadn't said a word the whole time and smiled, "Boss, what do you think?"

Li Chen ignored Yang Siwei and instead asked Zhou Xingchi, "What do you think, Director Zhou?"

Stephen Chow always wears a hat, giving him a sense of vicissitude.

The King of Comedy has a tragic element in him, no wonder there is a saying that Zhou Xingchi is a century old.

"Director Li, Mr. Yang is an expert, I have no objection." Zhou Xingchi's Mandarin still had a strong Hong Kong accent, almost on par with Cai Shao.

Li Chen nodded and looked at Yang Siwei: "What did you see in the success of 'Wolf Warrior'?"

"Wolf Warrior?" Yang Siwei was taken aback. Why would his boss mention Wolf Warrior?
"Boss, you mean sentimentality?"

"That's right! I'm asking you, have you seen 'A Chinese Odyssey'?"

Without a second thought, Yang Siwei laughed and said, "Boss, of course I've seen it. I still remember all the lines from Stephen Chow's movie clearly."

Zhou Xingchi smiled gently, and seemed a little embarrassed by Yang Siwei's reaction.

Li Chen nodded: "Then let me ask you another question, have you seen 'Fight Back to School'?"

Yang Siwei didn't know what her boss meant, but she still answered honestly, "Boss, I've seen almost all of Stephen Chow's movies! How could I not have seen 'Fight Back to School'?"

"Okay, sure! How many tickets did you buy?"

Yang Siwei had barely uttered the word "I" when she instantly realized what she had said.

"Boss, you...you mean..." Yang Siwei had already guessed Li Chen's meaning and exclaimed in his heart, "The boss is simply a genius! If he comes to work in media, I'm definitely going to lose my job!"

"Back in the day, we all owed Stephen Chow a movie ticket! What do you think of this gimmick?"

"This...this..." Zhou Xingchi's mind exploded. He had been making movies for decades and had never seen such a crazy publicity campaign.

Yang Siwei suddenly slapped his thigh: "I get it! Boss! 'The Mermaid' isn't a new movie, it's an indulgence!"

"If you understand, then do it."

"Don't worry, boss, I'll take care of it."

"Director Li, is this...?" Zhou Xingchi was somewhat incoherent; clearly, Li Chen's move had hit a nerve.

If they really did it that way, although the method was a bit low-level, it would definitely be very effective. Zhou Xingchi himself had no idea how high the box office would reach.

Furthermore, it benefits from the support of the Rongchen brand and Li Chen's comprehensive support across platforms such as Weibo, Douyin, and Youku.
Zhou Xingchi dared not think about it anymore. A thought suddenly popped into his mind that startled him: a minimum guarantee of 16 billion yuan, wouldn't that be too hasty?
In the following two days, a popular post on Zhihu, "How Zhou Xingchi's movies changed your life," topped the trending searches.

Some people shared "A Chinese Odyssey," others shared "The Deer and the Cauldron," until someone suggested that we all owe Stephen Chow a movie ticket, and it's time to pay it back.

It was only then that people in the industry realized that the battle for the three major films during the Spring Festival season had already begun ahead of schedule.

Douyin users frequently see classic clips from Zhou Xingchi's past.

After New Year's Day, almost everyone remembered the phrase, "We all owe Stephen Chow a movie ticket!"
Chen Zhenyu excitedly called Zhou Xingchi to report: "Master Xing, the number of people who 'want to see' 'The Mermaid' has exceeded 1000 million! Once the pre-sales open, it will probably set an unprecedented pre-sale record!"

Zhou Xingchi was stunned for a moment, then suddenly said in Mandarin, word by word: "Director Li... he understands the audience better than I do."

Chen Zhenyu also thought so; in fact, he had wanted to say it that day at Li Chen's villa.

-

Wang Zhonglei was dumbfounded; Yang Siwei's shamelessness had shattered his preconceived notions.

How did Li Chen find such talent?

However, Wang Zhonglei had no time to look eastward at this moment.

On the first trading day after New Year's Day, A-shares were halted due to a circuit breaker. In just four trading days, the total market value of A-shares evaporated by 6.9 trillion yuan.

Not only Huayi Brothers, but also other leading private companies like Enlight Media suffered heavy losses.

If Wang Zhonglei is in such a predicament, then small and medium-sized film and television companies like Zhong Junyan and Jiang Lei are even more overwhelmed.

Huanrui had barely caught its breath after being summoned by the China Securities Regulatory Commission when it was hit by the first-ever circuit breaker in A-share history.

In just two weeks, the market value evaporated by 25 billion, almost 50% of the original market value!

Zhong Junyan felt that in less than two weeks, she had experienced a life-or-death ordeal.

After decades of hard work, we returned to before liberation overnight.

Just as Zhong Junyan was praying to the gods to stop provoking her.

A phone call almost killed Zhong Junyan on the spot.

"What did you say!"

"Mr. Zhong, it's true, Brother Feng has been caught red-handed! He's already in jail. What do you think we should do now?"

Li Yifeng's assistant was completely panicked.

In this era of social media, such things are almost impossible to hide, let alone a top influencer like Li Yifeng who is at the center of controversy.

"Mr. Zhong, Mr. Zhong, please say something!"

Mr. Zhong isn't unwilling to speak, but rather unable to; he's so anxious he's lost his voice.

On Weibo, a trending topic suddenly appeared at the top of the list like a meteorite from outer space.

#Huanghai Broadcasting Has Successors#
(End of this chapter)