Entertainment mogul: Starting his business with the internet

Chapter 172 Join if you can’t beat him
"Join the group!"

Upon hearing this, Teng Huatao's spirits lifted instantly, and he grasped the key point in the Song Dynasty poem.

He was secretly amazed; the big boss had already decided on the female lead!

Seeing Song Ci's gentle and kind manner towards Liu Shishi, the three people other than Zhang Zhao all seemed to understand something.

At this moment, they all suddenly realized that the dozens of female celebrities outside were just there to make up the numbers, and that they themselves were also involved in the situation.

"Understood! Thank you for the reminder, Chairman Song!"

Liu Shishi deliberately dragged out her words, subtly conveying a hint of coquetry. Inwardly, she thought to herself, "That jerk, he's implying he thinks I'm a terrible actress."

Last night at home, he was still enthusiastically rehearsing his lines, praising my acting skills. Men's words are truly deceiving.

However, he didn't show the slightest displeasure on his face; instead, his smile became even brighter.

"Then let's settle it like this." Song Ci coughed lightly, nodded slightly to his girlfriend, and made the arrangement without any hesitation, putting the matter at hand.

He made his relationship with Liu Shishi almost public in front of everyone, just to support his girlfriend and prevent any unnecessary trouble or disputes.

After Liu Shishi gracefully walked out of the audition room, Song Ci continued, "Zhang Songwen, you need to pay more attention to Shishi's acting skills. After all, the big screen demands more from actors' acting skills."

His tone carried an undeniable authority, yet it revealed his care and favoritism towards Miss Liu.

"Don't worry, I will do my best!" Zhang Songwen quickly replied, while also making sure to defend Liu Shishi and say a few good words for her.

"Chairman Song, actually Shishi's acting skills have improved a lot. She has been thinking about this play since May. Just now, perhaps because you were here, she was a little nervous and didn't perform well."

At the same time, he secretly rejoiced, thinking that his meteoric rise must have been due to Liu Shishi speaking well of him to the chairman. Otherwise, the big boss would be too busy with affairs of state to remember a nobody like him.

Song Ci nodded, understanding Zhang Songwen's meaning. Miss Liu was an experiential learner, and it was indeed a bit much to ask her to act out the feeling of unrequited love while she was sitting there.

My childhood sweetheart can never hide her feelings from me; there's no such thing as unrequited love.

Then he turned to Teng Huatao and said, "Director Teng, Shishi joined the crew later. Please forgive her if she does anything wrong."

"Of course, Mr. Song, you can rest assured. I will definitely cooperate patiently with Ms. Liu to make this movie a success." Teng Huatao smiled broadly, adopting an extremely humble posture.

He had always felt that the casting was somewhat inexplicable. Tengda Culture already had its own female artists, so why look elsewhere? He personally thought highly of Lü Yi and felt that she was very suitable for the female lead in the film, so there was absolutely no need for a public audition.

Now I understand that it was all the big spenders' idea. Sure enough, the entertainment industry is still the same as before, full of all sorts of unknown deals and secrets.

Song Ci glanced at his watch; it was already 10:30. After Liu Shishi's interview, he felt there was no need to waste any more time and intentionally left.

He was invited by Zhang Zhao to participate in the publicity stunt; he wouldn't have participated in the interviews with the previous people if he wasn't afraid of making it look too fake.

"Old Zhang, I'm leaving now." Song Ci stood up, preparing to leave.

"I'll send you off!"

Song Ci waved her hand: "No need, you can continue to finish this play."

Although Song Ci declined, Zhang Zhao still insisted on getting up to see the chairman to the door. The boss was being polite, but the subordinates couldn't take it seriously.

Just as she stepped out of the room, Song Ci instructed, "By the way, after all the movie auditions are over, come to the company. Liu Yan has something to discuss with you."

With Weibo about to launch, the celebrity promotion plan still relies on Zhang Zhao's help, and some details need to be discussed in person.

Zhang Zhao quickly replied, "I will go to headquarters the day after tomorrow morning to report to General Manager Liu and you."

He knew why the chairman had called him to the group; compared to Weibo, a movie was insignificant, so he dared not delay.

He plans to go to the company immediately after the male lead audition tomorrow; after that, the supporting role auditions aren't worth his time.

"Please stay, no need to see me off." Song Ci nodded slightly, then gracefully left the audition room, her posture upright, confident and composed.

After Zhang Zhao sat down again, Teng Huatao couldn't wait to speak, his tone inquisitive: "Mr. Zhang, Liu Shishi and Chairman Song are..."

Zhang Zhao nodded and said bluntly, "Future boss's wife."

"Ah!" Upon hearing this, Teng Huatao was slightly startled. He had some guesses about the relationship between the two, feeling that they were like lovers or perhaps relatives.

But upon hearing the term "future boss's wife" from Zhang Zhao, he immediately understood that this meant Liu Shishi would most likely become the chairman's wife.

In the complex environment of the entertainment industry, whether or not one marries a powerful figure represents two completely different levels.

Thinking of this, Teng Huatao secretly decided that he must pay even more attention to this future leading lady.

"Should we continue with the audition?" After understanding the whole story, Teng Huatao didn't want to waste any more time.

Zhang Zhao said matter-of-factly, "Go on, if you're going to put on an act, go all the way."

"Next, XXX." The staff continued calling out names, and the auditions continued.

Outside, Cai Yinong, who was anxiously waiting, saw Liu Shishi come out and hurriedly went to greet her: "Shishi, how is it?"

Liu Shishi nodded slightly and said softly, "It's done! I'll be joining the crew in a few days."

She didn't want K-sister to be too anxious or misunderstand and cause any trouble, so she gave her a reassurance.

"Really!" Cai Yinong was overjoyed, his excitement barely contained, instantly attracting the attention of those around him.

Realizing he had made a bit of a commotion, Cai Yinong quickly pulled Liu Shishi aside and whispered, "Quick, tell me about the interview in detail."

Liu Shishi pondered for a moment and then made up a story: "After I went in, Director Teng first asked me to act out a scene where I had a crush on the male lead. I performed exceptionally well and portrayed that feeling very realistically."

"Good, good, good, Shishi, you're the best!"

Upon hearing this, Cai Yinong praised her with satisfaction, a sense of pride welling up within him as if he were witnessing his daughter's blossoming into womanhood. This rising star of Tangren Media was indeed on the horizon.

Liu Shishi blushed slightly, but could only bite the bullet and continue rambling: "Then, Song Ci actually praised me! She said that I was pure and gentle, with an excellent image and temperament."

I seized the opportunity to strike up a conversation, saying I was a fan of his books. Zhang Zhao also knew me and put in a good word for me. Song Ci was so pleased that he immediately decided to cast me as the female lead.

"Great job, Shishi, well done." Cai Yinong never expected that the usually dull and naive Sister Shishi could be so quick-witted. Today was truly full of surprises.

Just as he was about to say something more, a commotion erupted at the end of the corridor. Song Ci, escorted by bodyguards, walked out, and several female celebrities boldly approached him, hoping to attract his attention. "He's gone!" Cai Yinong exclaimed in surprise.

Then it seemed reasonable. Since the female lead had already been chosen as the top female lead at Tangren Media, the subsequent interviews were just a formality. A big shot like Song Ci wouldn't waste her time here.

"It's all settled!" Cai Yinong was beaming with joy. With Song Ci, the one who truly made the decisions, gone, there were no more variables. Liu Shishi becoming the female lead was a done deal.

Not far away, Yang Mi and her group of four clearly noticed Song Ci's departure. Yuan Shanshan looked unwilling: "It's not even my turn for the interview yet, why did Song Ci leave!"

Yang Mi's face was ashen; her worst fears had come true.

Others might not know the truth, but how could she not know? The one who just came out was Liu Shishi, which means the female lead has already been decided. Song Ci didn't want to waste time interviewing the others, so she left halfway through.

"Is there any point in us continuing the audition?" Zhang Xiaofei clearly understood the situation and felt frustrated and aggrieved. Tengda Culture's blatant favoritism was just bullying an honest person.

"That damned resource-backed actress, I'll never forgive Liu Shishi!" Yuan Shanshan muttered indignantly, her jealousy welling up inside her.

"Song Ci is so biased! He didn't even bother to pretend. As soon as Liu Shishi appeared, he left with her." Even Jiao Junyan, who is usually the most optimistic, said angrily.

"Mimi, what should we do?" The three girls were at a loss and all looked at Yang Mi, hoping she could come up with a solution.

Yang Mi sighed, hanging her head as if resigned to her fate: "What can I do? If you're not satisfied, go online and denounce those who use connections."

At this moment, she has made up her mind that when her contract with Rongxingda expires next year, she will switch to Zeng Jia's team and join Tengda Culture.

Yuan Shanshan hesitated for a moment and said, "Ah, exposing Song Ci and Liu Shishi online, isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

The group exchanged glances, wondering if anyone online would believe their claims, especially since Song Ci was a business tycoon. Offending him and facing retaliation would be a huge loss.

"Are you stupid? I told you to denounce those with connections, not to mention Song Ci. You should be doing things discreetly, right?"

Yang Mi rolled her eyes. These three roommates were completely unmanageable; they were both incompetent and timid.

"Alright! I'm not participating in the audition! If you want to continue, then wait; if you don't, then go back first. I have something to do, so I'll be going now." After saying that, Yang Mi turned and left without waiting for the three of them to react.

With Yang Mi gone, the remaining three lost their leader, staring at each other blankly, unsure of what to do.

Zhang Xiaofei shook her head: "Let's go back too. There's no such thing as a free lunch."

"Then let's go back." Yuan Shanshan also looked listless. Her crush was right in front of her today, but she didn't dare to muster up the courage to say a few words. She was extremely discouraged.

After saying goodbye to her three roommates, Yang Mi did not leave the Zhongao Building, but instead followed her memory upstairs to Zeng Jia's office.

"Mimi, are you here for a job interview today?"

When Zeng Jia met Yang Mi, he was very enthusiastic, serving her tea and water and pulling her to sit down on the sofa. His attitude was gentle and friendly.

Yang Mi calmly said, "I was originally preparing for the interview, but I gave it up."

Zeng Jia looked puzzled and asked, "Why give up halfway?"

Yang Mi sneered: "Liu Shishi was already decided in advance. I didn't want to waste my time, so I came upstairs to see Sister Jia."

Zeng Jia exclaimed in surprise, "It's Liu Shishi again! You actually know about her too?"

She had no doubt about Yang Mi's words. She knew there must be something going on when Zhang Zhao prevented Wang Luodan and Lü Yi from having their interviews.

But to everyone's surprise, the chairman went completely shameless this time. You're a billionaire, yet you personally stepped in. How can you support someone like that? Your favoritism is outrageous!

"I've seen Song Ci and Liu Shishi shopping together." Yang Mi didn't want to bring up things that were in the past and went straight to the point:

"Sister Jia, I've made up my mind. After my contract with Rongxingda expires, I'm willing to come to Tengda Culture, but what resources can you guarantee me?"

Zeng Jia smiled slightly. She liked Yang Mi's straightforward and capable personality; that's what makes someone capable of great things.

Originally, she valued Wang Luodan the most, but that woman wasn't very smart. She actually had the audacity to go to Zhang Zhao, hoping that Zhang Zhao would help her and Song Ci get together. She must have lost her mind.

"In the first year, you'll get at least one leading role in a TV series and one important supporting role; the same goes for the second year, and you can even appear on the big screen. Also, Tengda Culture is known for its generosity, and they won't cheat you in the contract, it's a 50/50 split."

The terms offered by Zeng Jia were extremely tempting, and considering Tengda Culture's reputation in the industry, Yang Mi made a quick decision: "Sister Jia, it's settled then. Once my contract expires, I'll switch to Tengda Culture."

Zeng Jia beamed with joy: "On behalf of Tengda, I welcome you in advance!"

She felt that Yang Mi had more potential than Wang Luodan and Lü Yi, and might even be able to surpass them. What she liked most about Yang Mi was her relentless fighting spirit.

Yang Mi suddenly remembered something, hesitated for a moment and said, "Sister Jia, can we keep my coming to Tengda a secret for now? My godmother has a movie next year, and I'd like to try my best to get it."

"Dream of the Red Chamber?" Zeng Jia was naturally aware of Li Shaohong's new Dream of the Red Chamber, which was generating a lot of buzz.

Yang Mi nodded. She was now considered the top female star at Rongxingda and was also the goddaughter of director Li Shaohong. She should at least get a leading role in "Dream of the Red Chamber," either Daiyu or Baochai.

Zeng Jia readily replied, "No problem, then it's a secret for now. If you're determined to come to Tengda Culture, I'll take you to meet General Manager Zhang."

"Thank you, Sister Jia. I have thought this through carefully and I will never go back on my word."

Zeng Jia was delighted to have gained another great general under his command.

After taking a few sips of tea, Yang Mi casually inquired, "Sister Jia, does Song Ci usually come to the company?"

Zeng Jia was slightly taken aback: "He usually works at the group headquarters and rarely comes to Tengda Culture. I've only seen him a few times. The only person in the whole company who sees him more often is General Manager Zhang Zhao."

After saying that, he looked at Yang Mi meaningfully and asked, "Mi Mi, why are you asking this?"

Yang Mi was startled and immediately covered it up, saying, "It's nothing, I was just asking casually."

“I understand. You’re not the only one in our company who thinks like this. Wang Luodan and Lü Yi are also examples. Which young girl doesn’t have romantic feelings? After all, the big boss has a face, wealth, and status. It’s understandable.”

Yang Mi blushed slightly at what was said and covered up her embarrassment by saying, "Sister Jia, it's not what you think. I was just curious."

Zeng Jia didn't care about Yang Mi's embarrassment: "I support the company's artists to rise to the top, but you have to know yourself and your enemy to win every battle. If you want to poach Liu Shishi's boyfriend, you have to find out first that she got involved with Song Ci!"

She and Wang Luodan had discussed how to get close to a big boss. The hardest part was how to approach him. They didn't know how Liu Shishi, an artist from Tang Dynasty, could get involved with Song Ci!

(End of this chapter)