Entertainment mogul: Starting his business with the internet

Chapter 225 is all on my mind
The next morning, just as the sky was beginning to lighten, Liu Shishi was already sitting in the dressing room of the "Chinese Paladin 3" crew, yawning and listless.

The crew has been working overtime these past few days to catch up on the schedule, filming until 2 a.m. last night. They got up again before dawn to continue filming. The continuous high-intensity filming has left the lead actress looking completely exhausted.

"Shishi, did you see yesterday's trending topics on Weibo?"

Sitting next to her, Tang Yan, who was also putting on makeup, looked much better than Liu Shishi, with a gossipy expression on her face.

Liu Shishi barely opened her eyes, her lips slightly parted, and said weakly, "I saw it!"

Yesterday, her assistant Yuanyuan reported to her that Mr. Song was trending on social media. Although she was very tired after filming wrapped up, she still took some time out of curiosity to browse through the trending topics.

Tang Yan glanced at her best friend and said excitedly, "Boss Song really has 38 billion in cash!"

"That's the company's money, not his." The woman's eyes were half-closed, and she was truly speechless. What are you getting so worked up about with my Mr. Song's money!
Tang Yan disagreed, arguing vehemently: "Tengda Group belongs to Song Ci, so the company's money is his money."

Liu Shishi pursed her lips, too lazy to bother with Tang Yan, feeling that there was no way to talk to someone as clueless about business as her.

She was exposed to Song Ci's poetry from a young age and occasionally exchanged ideas with Zhang Tong about investing. Apart from not being able to understand financial statements, she now has a good understanding of business operations.

Tang Yan looked on with envy and said to herself, "Shishi, you have such good taste! You found a real tycoon! We women have to be careful when choosing a man, or we'll end up like Liu Tao!"

What happened to Liu Tao?

"You do not know?"

"I've been filming from dawn till dusk every day lately, so I don't have the energy to pay attention to gossip in the entertainment industry."

Tang Yan said excitedly: "Yesterday, Liu Tao announced his return to acting!"

"She's retired from acting?" Liu Shishi asked, puzzled. She hadn't really paid attention to Liu Tao.

Tang Yan chuckled lightly, with a hint of schadenfreude: "She just got married in January, and it was a whirlwind marriage! She thinks she's married a rich man and is planning to retire from the entertainment industry to live a life of luxury as a wealthy wife."

As a result, her husband encountered the financial crisis, his company went bankrupt, and he was left with a mountain of debt. Now, he has no choice but to return to acting to earn money to support his family.

Liu Shishi said with a serious face: "Since we are already married, and my husband's career has suffered setbacks, we should share weal and woe and support each other. If my husband, Mr. Song, goes bankrupt one day, I will do the same as Liu Tao."

Tang Yan couldn't help but roll her eyes, thinking to herself: "It's easy for you to talk when you're not in the same boat. Your man has 38 billion in his account, and his career is booming. What nonsense are you spouting about bankruptcy?"

Moreover, with Song Ci's face, even if she didn't have money, she would be willing to pay for it herself. Celebrities don't earn low incomes, and it's not like they can't afford to support someone.

Liu Shishi tilted her head, looking suspicious: "Yan Yan, why do you seem so excited? Liu Tao's comeback has nothing to do with us, right?"

"Hey, don't interrupt me, let me finish!"

"You say it."

Tang Yan, looking mysterious, rambled on: "Liu Tao didn't just stumble on a marriage landmine, but some helpful netizens reminded him on Weibo."

Female celebrities who want to marry into a wealthy family should at least thoroughly understand the man's background. The platform even thoughtfully provides a list of many eligible, unmarried, wealthy second-generation men for the actresses to consider.

"I understand!" Liu Shishi knew the plot without even having to guess. Mr. Song would definitely be ranked ahead of those people, after all, his conditions were what they were.

Tang Yan grinned, looking at the top star with excitement: "Boss Song is the most popular choice. Netizens are all wondering which little vixen will end up with him!"

Liu Shishi snorted: "Netizens are being nosy! But Song Ci is not some rich second-generation who just wants to live off others. He is a self-made entrepreneur. Putting him in the same category as those people is a bit of an insult to him."

Tang Yan nodded in agreement: "That's right. Netizens originally wanted to select some kind of 'Four Young Masters of Beijing,' but considering that Song Ci's current wealth and status may be stronger than those of the second generation's parents, they wisely excluded him."

The top female star said with a proud look, "That's how it should be!"

At this moment, Cai Yinong arrived at the dressing room and saw the two girls chatting enthusiastically. He jokingly asked, "What are you talking about? You seem to be having a great time."

"Sister K!" "President Cai!"

After greeting the two, Cai Yinong sat down on the chair next to Sister Yi: "Shishi, you've been so busy these past few days that I haven't had a chance to talk to you."

The movie you starred in with Chen Xiao, "A Little Thing Called First Love," will be released during the National Day holiday. Tengda Culture has scheduled the premiere for the evening of the 30th at Wanda Cinema in Beiping. You're preparing to return to Beiping in a few days.

Liu Shishi nodded: "I know, Director Teng has already informed me. So Director Li has been prioritizing filming my scenes with Chen Xiao these past few days. Later, due to film promotion, it may take some time to film again."

Did you invite any guests to the premiere?

"Tengda Culture sent out invitations, and I also invited my friends in the industry."

Cai Yinong nodded, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "Did you invite President Song to the premiere?"

Since the beginning of August, from "Bazaar Charity", "Three-way Milk Powder", to yesterday's "38 billion", Song Ci has been incredibly popular on the internet for more than a month.

If Song Ci were willing to attend the premiere of "First Love," a little publicity would bring the film a lot of exposure.

Moreover, once the news of Song Ci's participation in the premiere is released, it is estimated that many celebrities who want to climb the ladder of success will flock to the event, which will further promote the film.

“I haven’t told him yet! I don’t really want to bother him with such a small thing.”

"It would be best to communicate with him as soon as possible. It would be great if President Song was willing to come. 'First Love' is a female-led movie, and its box office performance will have a great impact on your future career development."

If you do well, you'll be able to establish yourself on the big screen and eventually succeed in both television and film.

Cai Yi-nong didn't dare to force her, but instead analyzed the situation and advised Sister Yi. She believed that as long as Miss Liu was willing to coax and plead with Song Ci, Song Ci would attend the premiere no matter how busy she was.

“Okay, I’ll call him in a bit.” After thinking for a moment, Liu Shishi felt that Sister K meant well, so she nodded in agreement. She thought it would be nice to treat it as a date with her boyfriend to see a movie.

Meanwhile, after receiving Liu Shishi's expectant invitation that morning, Song Ci readily agreed and readily agreed to attend his girlfriend's movie premiere.

However, he didn't have time to think about such trivial matters right now. Ever since he showed off his 38 billion yuan deposit certificate yesterday, his phone hadn't stopped ringing since morning. Various forces were coming one after another, and the fish had taken the bait. At this moment, he was completely focused on the phone with the high-ranking official who was cutting the ribbon at the company's relocation ceremony. He had to mentally review every word he said, afraid of saying the wrong thing.

"Chief, your orders."

"Little Song, you're really not being fair. Since the day your Tengda Group was founded, has the Beiping government ever treated you unfairly?"

A dignified, deep, and extremely imposing voice rang out. Song Ci knew perfectly well what the high-ranking leader meant by his questioning. Her mind raced, and she quickly and sincerely responded:

"No! Thank you for your concern, sir! Tengda's smooth development to its current scale is inseparable from the support of the Beiping government."

The leader's voice grew increasingly serious: "Then why did you go to the East China Sea to invest, instead of going to a place that's closer to home?"

Song Ci was already prepared, so she feigned surprise: "Sir, you already know!"

"Hmph! What a grand gesture! The first phase of the project alone involves an investment of 1.2 billion yuan to build Tengda Group's second headquarters and Asia's largest cloud computing research center in Donghai!"

Song Ci ignored the anger implied in the leader's tone and pretended to be in a difficult position: "Sir, that big leader from Donghai contacted me personally. How can I refuse?"

There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone. The leader and the leader of Donghai were of equal rank, and Song Ci clearly understood the immense weight of the other party's position. Unless that elder, who was also a graduate of Peking University, was willing to intervene, Song Ci could not refuse the other party's request.

“How about this, after deducting the 12 billion given to Donghai, your company still has 26 billion in its accounts. Beiping is your hometown, you can’t be biased, so invest 1.2 billion in Beiping as well.”

Song Ci smiled wryly: "Chief, that money is needed to maintain the company's daily operations."

The leader immediately retorted: "Nonsense, 14 billion is more than enough for Tengda's daily operations! Besides, those games you've been making are extremely profitable. Without the Beiping government protecting you, there would be plenty of people causing you trouble!"

Song Ci responded cautiously: "Thank you for your kind words, sir. I understand perfectly well."

"Alright! Don't worry, if you don't do the gaming business, someone else will. I won't take advantage of you. Whatever conditions Donghai offers you, Beiping can offer the same. Just tell me what you need!"

Upon hearing this, Song Ci was overjoyed and felt that the time was right. He cautiously probed, "There is something I need to report to the leader."

"I've been waiting for you here! You little rascal, what is it?"

After all that buildup, Song Ci finally revealed his true purpose: "Sir, I heard that the government may issue third-party payment licenses next year. Our Tengda business development has a great need for this. Do you think you could support us?"

"This is one of the reasons you're willing to invest in Donghai, isn't it?"

Song Ci dared not conceal the truth and answered honestly, "Sir, your insight is truly remarkable!"

He received inside information that the central bank will issue third-party payment licenses next year, but these licenses are in high demand and short supply, with many central enterprises and large state-owned enterprises eyeing them, making the competition extremely fierce.

He naturally had to plan ahead and make two preparations. Although Donghai was willing to help, Beiping was his base of operations. If he could handle things locally, he wouldn't need to go to such lengths.

"Alright, I'll communicate this matter with my colleagues at the central bank. As for other investment conditions such as land and taxes, you and your subordinates can handle those."

"Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!"

Suppressing her joy, Song Ci thought that once Tengda Group obtained its license next year, Yifutong would be able to say goodbye to the embarrassing situation of operating without a license and would no longer have to live in fear.

In the third-party payment sector, although everyone is operating recklessly without a license, it is still a major hidden danger. If no one bothers you on a normal day, it's fine, but if you are targeted, it will be a huge disaster.

After finishing the business, the leader's tone softened: "Xiao Song, you have impeccable family background and a clean record. The higher-ups want to make you a role model for the new era. Keep up the good work, your future is bright."

Song Ci was clear-headed and spoke humbly: "I have achieved some success thanks to the country. I only wish for a prosperous China, where the nation is peaceful and the people are safe."

The leader seemed moved by his words and sighed with emotion: "What a wonderful wish for a prosperous China, where the country is peaceful and the people live in peace."

This year has been tough, with snowstorms at the beginning of the year, major disasters in May, and the recent unpleasant events on three roads. You've handled all of these things very well.

He also regularly donates to education, which has been noticed by the higher-ups. In a year or two, the appropriate benefits will be arranged for him.

"I'm still young, you flatter me too much."

Song Ci understood what the leader meant. Every business tycoon had a semi-official title, such as representative, member, or director.

Previously, he kept a low profile because of his young age and unstable foundation. Now that Tengda has grown to a certain size, he can no longer keep a low profile, so he can only strive for greater success and higher social status.

Just as Song Ci finished dealing with the leader, at the same time, a group of people were eyeing the 38 billion yuan of Tengda Group, or more precisely, the 23 billion yuan in Huaguo Bank's account.

On Xicheng South Street, where the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) Beiping Branch is located, an impromptu meeting is currently being held in a conference room of the office building.

There were very few attendees, only five people, but they were all leaders of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China's Beiping branch: one president and four vice presidents.

At this impromptu meeting of the bank's president, the top executive naturally sat in the center. Although Song Ci's uncle, Liu Xiaochen, was the youngest and least experienced among the four vice presidents, and sat at the end of the table, he was the main character today.

Liu Xiaochen remained unmoved, fully aware of the true purpose of today's meeting, but showed no sign of it on her face. She diligently took notes and listened to the resounding speech of the top leader, President Jia.

"Comrades, the third quarter will end in a few days, but we are still far from meeting the deposit targets set for us by the head office."

Li Xing and Zhang Xing, you two, one in charge of personal banking and the other in charge of corporate finance, both have deposit-taking responsibilities. State your positions: how will you overcome difficulties and ensure the successful completion of the head office's targets?

Upon hearing this, Vice Presidents Li and Zhang exchanged a glance, both showing bitterness in the face of the top leader's questioning.

The meeting room fell silent for a moment, before Vice President Zhang broke the silence by speaking first:

"Jia Xing, you know the current economic situation. Businesses are going bankrupt one after another, and they can barely support themselves. Where are they going to get savings?"

I've been swamped dealing with this mess of bad loan debts lately; you can see my hair has turned white from worry. My only hope for saving money is to entrust it to Li Xing.

Hearing his colleague complain and shift the pressure onto him, Vice President Li immediately became anxious and retorted, "Director Zhang, don't just dump this 'hot potato' on me! Personal banking isn't easy to do either!"
Banks in Europe and America are going bankrupt one after another, leaving countless depositors with nothing. This has led to a lack of trust in banks among the public; people are not only not depositing money, but constantly withdrawing it. I'm at my wit's end, I'm so worried I'm losing my hair!

(End of this chapter)