Entertainment mogul: Starting his business with the internet

Chapter 19 Parents
In Donghai, this international metropolis, after nightfall, all kinds of neon lights flash and shimmer, and the bustling people end their busy day and begin their vibrant nightlife.

Song Ci stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window of her hotel room, admiring the Oriental Pearl Tower, the symbol of Donghai City, shining brightly in the sky, while talking on her phone with her mother, Liu Xiaoxian.

On the phone, Liu Xiaoxian said to her son with concern and a hint of reproach, "Why did you suddenly go to Donghai City on New Year's Day without telling me or your father? Do you know how worried we were?"

Although her son has been independent since he was young, his sudden departure to Donghai City, thousands of miles away, still worried her and her husband, who feared that something might have happened to their son.

"You guys have been so busy lately, so I didn't tell you. I'm only going for one day, and I'll be going home tomorrow."

Song Ci felt somewhat helpless. His mother had been busy with the admissions work for Beihang University these past few days, not to mention his father, Song Zhang, who was either making house calls or performing surgeries and was so busy every day that he barely had time to rest.

Sometimes the two of them wouldn't come home for two or three days. He thought he would go out for a day and then return to Beiping, so he simply didn't tell his parents.

"Then you must take good care of yourself. Stay in the hotel tonight and don't wander around," Liu Xiaoxian instructed her son.

Song Ci also thoughtfully said to her parents, "Yes, you and Dad should also take care to rest. Work is never-ending, but health is the most important thing."

Liu Xiaoxian was both touched and saddened. She and her husband were busy with work and had neglected to take care of their son. Fortunately, their son had always been an excellent student and had never caused them any worry.

However, her son is too independent, and after starting high school, he rarely communicates with her about anything, which makes her, as a mother, very disappointed.

"Honey, do you want to say a few words to our son?"

Song Zhang was sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper when he heard his wife's words. He quickly reached out and took the phone, his usual rigid and serious demeanor from the hospital replaced by a kind tone.

"On New Year's Day, please be careful when you go out. If anything happens, please tell me and Mom. You can talk to us about your studies, career, and even your relationship. Mom and I support you."

Compared to his mother's strictness, Song Zhang was a tolerant father. Song Ci smiled and replied, "I know, Dad. You and Mom should get some rest."

After hanging up the phone, Song Zhang sighed, "My son has really grown up. He went to another city all by himself without saying a word."

"It's all your fault! You're always busy, but I don't know what you're busy with. We've become estranged from New Year's Day!"

Song Zhang was speechless at his wife's unreasonable nagging. Although his years of life experience taught him not to argue with women, he still couldn't help but retort, "How am I busy with trivial matters? I'm saving lives!"

Liu Xiaoxian seemed preoccupied today and, unusually, didn't argue with her husband. "I ran into Xiaoshishi after get off work today. I wonder how she's getting along with her son."

Song Zhang picked up the newspaper again. "It's really strange. They're always talking about poetry and lyrics, and this New Year's Day trip to the East China Sea is during summer vacation, yet they didn't take her with them. By the way, you didn't give Shishi a hard time, did you?"

Liu Xiaoxian glared at her husband and said, "When have I ever given Shishi a hard time? Our son treats her like a precious treasure. Don't I, as a mother, have any sense of responsibility?"
"Shishi is a bit slow-witted, but she has a good personality, is cute, and is a perfect match for my son—a golden couple."

Song Zhang glanced at his wife and asked in surprise, "Didn't you always oppose them being together?"

Seeing that her husband had misunderstood her, Liu Xiaoxian replied irritably, "I used to only object to their early relationship, fearing it would affect our son's studies. But I've never done anything to Shishi. Now that she's about to go to university, it's natural for her to date. Our little piglet will eventually find a wife."

Song Zhang nodded. His wife was right; early romance was indeed not advisable. "I also quite like Shishi, but she seems very carefree and doesn't seem to have any romantic feelings for Yuandan."

Liu Xiaoxian said with a bitter face, "That's why I'm worried. Shishi and Yuandan are childhood sweethearts. She's the only female friend my son has had in his seventeen years of life, the only one during his youth. If Yuandan didn't have these feelings, it would be fine, but I see that he cherishes Shishi. If this doesn't work out, my son will be heartbroken."

Song Zhang gently patted his wife's back to comfort her, saying, "Shishi is still a young girl and probably hasn't figured things out yet. When she reaches the age of dating in a few years, her son is so outstanding and handsome that he will definitely attract her."

And as you just mentioned, your son only had one female friend, Shishi. Maybe he'll meet his soulmate in college, so don't rush things."

Liu Xiaoxian thought for a moment and said, "That's right. If he's willing to find a talented woman at Peking University during the New Year, that's fine too. As long as my son likes her, I won't object."

Song Zhang offered timely praise, flattering his wife: "My wife is the best mother-in-law in the world."

While Song Zhang and Liu Xiaoxian were chatting, Song Ci hung up the phone and prepared to take a shower. He was a little tired after sitting on the plane for half a day and planned to rest early to recharge before meeting Zhang Yong tomorrow.

Compared to the smooth hiring of Liu Rong, Zhang Yong's situation was full of twists and turns.

After Kerui Company contacted Zhang Yong in the early stages, Zhang Yong showed great interest in meeting Song Ci in Beiping. However, during the second communication, Zhang Yong made some excuses. When contacted three days ago, Zhang Yong clearly rejected Kerui and Song Ci's invitation.

Zhang Yong's change of heart left Song Ci disappointed. Through Kerui Company's investigation, it was discovered that Shanda Games had been contacting Zhang Yong to hire him as its chief financial officer.

At this time, Shanda Games was at its peak, with its market value reaching its zenith in July of this year, making it the second-largest internet company in China by market value. Shanda's founder, Chen Tianqiao, was also set to become China's new richest man with a net worth of 8 billion yuan.

On one side is a renowned listed company, and on the other is an unknown small enterprise. If Song Ci had to choose, he would most likely choose to become the chief financial officer of Shanda.

After Zhang Yong refused, Kerui Company offered several candidates for Song Ci to choose from, but Song Ci was not satisfied with any of them after reviewing their resumes.

Talented people are hard to come by, but Song Ci was still unwilling to give up and decided to show her sincerity by personally meeting Zhang Yong, which led to this trip to the East China Sea.

Song Ci had just finished washing up and stepped out of the bathroom when he noticed his phone vibrating. He picked it up and saw that someone with the contact name "Shi Bao" was calling him.

Song Ci answered the phone with a puzzled look, "Hello?"

Liu Shishi's clear, bell-like voice reached my ears: "Why didn't you answer my call?"

Song Ci explained, "I was just taking a shower. By the way, when did you change the name on my phone?"

Song Ci's contact name for Liu Shishi was "Poet Master." Only a handful of people had access to his phone, and the only person who would specifically change the contact name was Liu Shishi herself. He was just curious about when Miss Liu changed the contact name.

(End of this chapter)