Entertainment mogul: Starting his business with the internet

Chapter 193 Drawing Eyebrows for You
After exchanging a few words with Cai Yinong, Song Ci clearly expressed his attitude toward Tangren Film and Television.

As a result, I felt much more relaxed, and I guess everyone at Tangren Company will treat Miss Liu like a treasure from now on.

"I heard from Shishi that Tangren is about to film 'Chinese Paladin 3'. I think she's really looking forward to this drama. When exactly will filming start?"

Upon hearing this, Cai Yinong nodded and replied, "Filming is expected to begin in Hengdian in June."

After speaking, she secretly glanced at Song Ci and breathed a slight sigh of relief when she saw that he looked normal.

After all, Xuejian, the female lead in "Chinese Paladin 3", is not the top female lead, and she was afraid that Song Ci would be dissatisfied.

After a moment's thought, Cai Yinong seized the opportunity to ask, "President Song, regarding the female lead in 'Chinese Paladin 3,' I plan to invite Lü Yi from Tengda Culture to play the role. What do you think?"

“Lu Yi?” Song Ci was a little surprised. He remembered that Yang Mi was the one who played “Xue Jian” in “Chinese Paladin 3”.

Could it be the butterfly effect that's going to ruin Yang Mi's masterpiece? But since it doesn't involve Liu Shishi, he's too lazy to worry about it.

So he replied casually, "If you want to invite artists from Tengda, just communicate with Zhang Zhao directly. I generally don't get involved in such trivial matters."

“Okay!” Cai Yinong replied respectfully.

She finally understood that this guy was only interested in the top female star's affairs; he was genuinely uninterested in other entertainment industry matters and wouldn't even bother to ask a single question.

After chatting with the three for a while, Song Ci lost the desire to continue the conversation. After all, his vision and perspective were not on the same level as theirs, and it was difficult for them to have anything in common.

Cai Yi-nong noticed that Song Ci's face was gradually showing a hint of impatience, and that they had already discussed most of the things that needed to be discussed.

Moreover, having already reaped a great harvest today, I sensibly prepared to leave.

He slowly rose from the sofa and said with a smile, "Mr. Song, I've troubled you quite a bit today. It's getting late, so I'll take my leave now."

"Shishi is drunk. Otherwise, please allow Mr. Cai to stay for a simple meal. Please forgive any shortcomings in our hospitality."

"Mr. Song, you're too kind. If you ever visit Donghai or Hengdian, I'll treat you."

Seeing that the president was about to leave, Jiang Yuanyuan and Lin Xia hurriedly stood up, politely greeted Song Ci, and followed Cai Yinong.

Song Ci escorted the three to the entrance, noticing Cai Yinong's hesitant expression, and asked, "Is there anything else, Mr. Cai?"

Cai Yinong stood in front of the door, hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not voice the thought that had just arisen in his mind.

Let's wait for another opportunity and have the top female colleague communicate with her man. Forcing a smile, she said, "It's alright, Mr. Song, please wait!"

After saying that, she gracefully left the villa with her two little followers.

After seeing off the three guests, Song Ci returned to her bedroom on the second floor.

As I went upstairs, I unconsciously slowed my pace and quietly pushed open the bedroom door, afraid of disturbing the tranquility inside.

A ray of afternoon sunlight shone through the gap in the curtains and fell on the sleeping Liu Shishi, giving her serene and pretty face a halo of light.

Song Ci stood by the bed, her gaze gentle. Miss Liu was curled up in the quilt, her breathing even and steady, still immersed in a sweet dream.

Looking at his girlfriend, who was as adorable as a deer, he couldn't help but smile slightly. He then turned and went to the study to get his laptop.

Back in the bedroom, he slowly sat down on the edge of the bed, placed his laptop flat on his lap, and browsed the news online while keeping Liu Shishi company.

The dimly lit screen reflected Song Ci's handsome and focused face as he skillfully logged into a news website, his fingertips dancing across the keyboard, typing in keywords such as "subprime mortgages."

The page quickly redirected, and news articles about the subprime crisis came into view, bringing to mind a magnificent picture of the global economic turmoil.

As Song Ci moved the mouse, her eyes sharpened and she began to carefully study the reports, trying to glean the latest developments and trends in the global economy.

Since the beginning of 2008, the shadow of the subprime mortgage crisis has gradually loomed over the global economy.

On January 4, data from the American Bankers Association showed that consumer credit defaults were worsening, with overdue payments reaching their highest level in nearly a decade.

On January 17, due to severe subprime mortgage losses, S&P Global Ratings began implementing a new assessment methodology for bond insurers.

. . .

On February 12, the six major U.S. mortgage banks announced a "lifeline" plan to prevent foreclosures.

On February 20, Germany announced that its state banks were in the midst of a subprime mortgage crisis.

. . .

On April 5, the International Monetary Fund stated that global subprime mortgage losses amounted to one trillion US dollars.

News reports and articles alike indicate that a global financial tsunami is imminent, causing widespread anxiety.

In the bedroom, the only sounds were the faint tapping of the laptop keyboard and the occasional whisper of the breeze outside the window.

Song Ci immersed himself in a sea of ​​information, and combined it with current US stock market data to roughly estimate the benefits of this subprime mortgage fund.

During his trip to the United States in January, he transferred $33 billion, which included all his assets and shares, to the Paulson Fund through an overseas trust in order to short US stocks.

As for why he needed to rely on the Paulson Institute, it was mainly because Song Ci had reservations. After all, as a Chinese, he would undoubtedly face huge risks and challenges if he wanted to short sell and profit from retail investors in the United States.

The only way to get things done is through a US-based fund. Although this incurs higher management fees, it's relatively safer and prevents the US from acting unscrupulously and causing unnecessary trouble if the profits get too high.

Outside the window, the sun was gradually setting, and the sky was getting darker.

After a long period of busy work, Song Ci let out a breath and rubbed her eyes, which were a little dry from staring at the screen.

He caught a glimpse of Liu Shishi beside him out of the corner of his eye. She had woken up at some point and was gazing at him quietly with bright, spirited eyes.

"Shishi, you're awake?"

Liu Shishi didn't speak; she had actually been awake for a while. When she first came back, she had pretended to be drunk, but later, as the red wine took effect, she was indeed a little tipsy.

Given that Mr. Song and Ms. K were bound to have something to discuss, I decided to relax and lay down on the sofa, gradually falling asleep.

The moment she opened her eyes, she saw the young man sitting next to her, and she really liked the reassuring and warm atmosphere.

Since Song Ci was busy with other matters, she didn't disturb him, but simply looked at Mr. Song with tenderness, enjoying this ordinary yet precious moment of happiness.

Song Ci casually placed the notebook on the bedside table, then lay down with a smile, turning to gaze at Liu Shishi.

Their eyes met, love flowed between them, and they felt each other's warmth.

After an unknown amount of time, perhaps just a moment of silence, or perhaps a long period of gazing, Liu Shishi finally couldn't help but chuckle: "Yiyi, are we just going to stare at each other like this?"

A bright smile appeared on Song Ci's face as she whispered, "This isn't necessarily a bad thing!"

I cherish the tranquility and warmth of these moments, hiding roses in the passion of summer, crabapple blossoms in the serene beauty of late autumn, and love within the gentle depths of my heart.

It felt like stepping back into their childhood, with Liu Shishi practicing ballet and him sitting quietly beside her with a book. Although they were doing different things, they were also tacitly accompanying each other.

Embracing her lover's neck, Liu Shishi gently kissed him before getting out of bed, stretching, and revealing her graceful figure.

"Sister K has left?"

"Yes! He spoke with me for a few words and then left." Liu Shishi threw herself into Mr. Song's arms, listening to his strong and powerful heartbeat, his breath sweet as orchids.

While stroking her boyfriend's chest, she asked curiously, "What did you two talk about?"

"Shishi, your hand!" Song Ci didn't have time to answer because his girlfriend's small hand had already unzipped his zipper.

"Alright, I won't ask anymore! Let's get down to business." Liu Shishi's cheeks flushed red, her eyes alluring, and she uttered a few words in a sweet voice: "My lord, I want it!"

"You haven't showered yet! You smell of alcohol."

Upon hearing this, Liu Shishi immediately roared in dissatisfaction, "Song Yiyi, you still look down on me!"

After saying that, she displayed her domineering aura, flipped over and sat on Song Ci, and said angrily, "There's a little umbrella!"

"Alright then." Seeing Miss Liu's coquettish expression, Song Ci helplessly pouted and lay down completely.

Life is like this; since you can't fight it, you can only enjoy it.

Soon, more than an hour passed. After the two had made love and released their desires, they washed up together.

"Yi-yi, when did you learn this skill?"

"I learned it from books before."

In the bedroom, warm yellow light spilled like honey onto the dressing table. Song Ci leaned slightly forward, her expression focused to the point of near-reverence.

He held an eyebrow pencil lightly in his right hand, the slender tip seemingly carrying a thousand tender feelings.

With his left hand, he gently held Xiao Qingmei's cheek, the delicate touch sending a warm feeling through his fingertips.

Liu Shishi closed her eyes slightly, her eyelashes casting fan-like shadows beneath them. Her cheeks were flushed with a light pink from shyness and anticipation, just like peach petals just beginning to bloom on a spring branch.

"Do the books you usually like to read teach men how to draw eyebrows for women?"

Song Ci didn't have time to answer. He held his breath and focused intently. He first lightly touched the tail of his girlfriend's eyebrow with the eyebrow pencil, and then, at an extremely slow speed, as if he were outlining a masterpiece, he filled in and blended the color little by little, following the natural curve of the eyebrow.

"I learned it from 'The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber,' didn't Zhang Wuji help Zhao Min draw her eyebrows?"

Sometimes Song Ci would lean closer to examine her closely, his breath brushing against Miss Liu's face, causing her eyelashes to tremble; at other times he would step back slightly to scrutinize the whole, ensuring that every stroke was just right.

Liu Shishi thought about it and realized that there was indeed such a passage in "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber".

She used to look forward to watching the Su Youpeng and Jia Jingwen version of "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" and wondered if a man would draw her eyebrows in the future.

I never imagined that after all the twists and turns, I would still end up in the hands of my childhood sweetheart.

"Hehe, Yi Yi, you are my Great Master Zhang! Draw well, and this princess will reward you handsomely if you do a good job."

I don't like Zhang Wuji.

"Why?" Liu Shishi asked curiously. Zhang Wuji was such a good man, so devoted to Zhao Min.

"Zhang Wuji gave up the martial world and the country. He gave happiness to Zhao Min, but left Xiao Zhao with worries, Zhu'er with wandering, and Zhi Ruo with regret... He lacked the responsibility of a man."

Before Song Ci could finish speaking, Liu Shishi puffed out her cheeks and said angrily, "How can he take responsibility and marry them all?"

"I'm your Zhao Min, Song Yiyi, and who are your Xiao Zhao, Zhu'er, and Zhiruo? It's Shen, who's been longing for you all this time, and went to America..."

"Don't move, it'll be done soon. Don't blame me if you ruin the drawing." Song Ci's voice was cold as he hurriedly interrupted his inexplicably jealous girlfriend. If she continued talking, things would get out of hand.

"You're always yelling at me!" Liu Shishi muttered, then fell silent.

With her eyebrow pencil never stopping, Song Ci paused briefly at the brow peak, then gently turned her wrist to skillfully outline the delicate yet gentle curve.

His focused concentration was as if all the world's troubles were shut out in front of this small dressing table, his eyes fixed only on Liu Shishi's eyebrows to be drawn and her delicate face.

As the last stroke was completed, Miss Liu opened her eyes. Her already bright eyes appeared even more lively under the new eyebrows, as if they held glittering stars and shimmering autumn water.

With her task completed, Song Ci breathed a sigh of relief. Although it was her first time drawing eyebrows for a woman, the result looked very good.

A satisfied smile curved her lips as she gently stroked her newly formed eyebrows with her fingertips, whispering, "So beautiful."

Liu Shishi looked up and saw Mr. Song's infatuated expression. She felt smug and had already forgotten the jealousy she had felt a few minutes earlier.

The two smiled at each other, and the room was filled with a warm and intoxicating atmosphere, more so than the lamplight.

After a long while, Song Ci sat on the edge of the bed, looking at the clothes that Liu Shishi had laid out on the bed, with a helpless expression.

Looking at his watch, he urged helplessly, "Shibao, it's already seven o'clock. We haven't had dinner yet. It's just going out to see a movie. Is it really necessary to make such a fuss?"

You're good-looking, you look good in anything. It's cool at night, so just pick something warm. It's dark in the movie theater, who'll notice you?

Hearing her boyfriend's urgent yet caring words, Liu Shishi felt a sweet warmth in her heart and smiled.
"It'll be ready soon. I'll dress up nicely so you can look good. My husband is so handsome, I have to be a good match for you, right?"

Knowing that Song Ci would only give a perfunctory "it looks good," Liu Shishi stopped expecting anything from her and picked up a blue dress herself, trying it on in front of the dressing mirror.

Song Ci lay on the edge of the bed, feeling utterly bored. Suddenly, she remembered something and asked, "Shishi, what are your plans for the future?"

Liu Shishi picked up another white shirt, but after comparing it, she was a little dissatisfied. Wearing white at night was too plain.

Upon hearing her boyfriend's words, she immediately replied, "I'm going to your company on the 15th to shoot an advertisement for you, and on the 22nd I'm going to Donghai to shoot the cover of a magazine."

Song Ci was taken aback when she heard this. "Tengda invited you to shoot an advertisement? How come I didn't know?"

Liu Shishi was also surprised when she heard this. When she received the news that Tengda Group had asked her to endorse the game, she thought it was related to Song Ci, so she readily accepted.

"I'll ask about the situation tomorrow. The company usually only hires celebrities to endorse and promote newly launched games, so it's fine if you take on one or two. But you can't take on too many game ads, or it will damage your reputation."

Liu Shishi nodded slightly. Since Mr. Song said there was no problem, she could focus on filming the advertisement.

"You need to make time for us next Saturday night, the 12th. Mr. Lei and his wife next door are treating us to dinner, and I've already agreed."

"Oh, you're the neighbor from building 8 next door, right?"

Song Ci nodded: "Yes!"

"What does he do?" Liu Shishi wondered, since only the very wealthy could afford to live in Jingyuan.

"Mr. Lei used to work in e-commerce, but unfortunately he missed the right time. If only he had met me sooner. Later, he switched to investing." Song Ci said with a regretful expression.

"You're both in the internet industry! So, between you and him, who's richer?" Liu Shishi asked one question after another, like a curious child.

"Your man is richer! But Mr. Lei isn't bad either, he has billions in his account!"

Liu Shishi exclaimed in surprise, "Billions? Then you have that too..."

Song Ci's patience had reached its limit, and she urged again, "Liu Shishi, are you ever going to stop? Have you chosen your clothes yet? If you don't want to go out, we can just have dinner at home."

(End of this chapter)