Entertainment mogul: Starting his business with the internet

Chapter 273 Four People at the Same Table
"Tangren Media treats its artists so well, they even pay for their education?"

Yang Yi glanced at the young girl who was packing her things in the rented room, her face full of disbelief.

She had only ever heard of entertainment companies exploiting their artists, but she had never seen anyone cultivate an artist so meticulously before; it was truly a wonder of the world.

“Naza’s situation is different. She is still young and not yet an adult. Sister K has high hopes for her. If she can study at Beijing Film Academy, her future will be much brighter.”

Furthermore, K-sister had promised her parents that letting her go to school was one of the conditions of the contract.

Standing to the side, Liu Shishi thought of the company's arrangements for Nazha and couldn't help but nod in approval.

K-sister did not exploit short-term gains for personal profit; she has reasonable long-term plans for her artists, and her overall perspective has indeed improved significantly.

She had little experience with renting an apartment, so she asked her friend Tavia Yeung for advice.

Upon hearing that it was such a small matter, Yang Yi took it upon herself to find a suitable rental apartment for Gulinaza near the Beijing Film Academy.

"With her face, getting into the Beijing Film Academy would be a piece of cake. Studying wouldn't be a waste of her time."

"His academic performance can't be too bad either."

Yang Yi thought to herself, "How many celebrities are actually cultured?"

"Yiyi, how have you been lately?" It was a rare occasion for them to get together, and Liu Shishi was concerned about her roommate. They hadn't seen each other for a while and missed each other very much.

"It's alright, I can definitely make a living. I recently joined the 'New Laughter Inn' crosstalk club run by Jia Lin," Yang Yi replied with a smile.

Thanks to the leading lady, she is now a golden supporting actress in Tengda Culture's drama crew. Although she can't compare to the star actors, she doesn't lack roles, her income is decent, and she lives a stable life. She has settled down in the capital.

Seeing the contented and happy expression on Yang Yi's face, Liu Shishi felt relieved.

Of the three roommates, Lin Wenwen had a falling out with the others years ago and lost contact long ago. Chen Xin returned to her hometown in Hainan Province, and although they occasionally kept in touch, they hadn't seen each other since graduation.

Only Yang Yi chose to stay in Beiping and even entered the entertainment industry, so Liu Shishi took good care of her.

Gulinaza quickly finished packing and looked at the bright and clean little room. She repeatedly expressed her gratitude to Sister Yi: "Sister Yi, I've packed everything. Thank you."

Liu Shishi was also very satisfied with the small house that Yang Yi found. The environment around the school was quiet and peaceful, which was suitable for studying in peace.

"You can stay here and focus on your studies. K-jie will come to visit you in a couple of days when she's in Beiping on business. If you need anything, you can contact me or my assistant directly."

After settling Gulinaza in, Liu Shishi felt relieved. She checked the time; it was almost lunchtime.

"Yiyi, Nazha, let's have a meal together."

Yang Yi was overjoyed and smiled broadly: "Thank you for your expense, Mrs. Song. I happen to have a few juicy stories to tell you."

"Mrs. Song?" Gulinaza wondered why Yang Yi would address the First Sister in that way, but she was not familiar with the other party and felt a little timid, so she did not dare to ask.

Throughout September, Liu Shishi seemed to be completely detached from the hustle and bustle of the entertainment industry. She had a rather leisurely time at work, shooting magazine covers and attending two fan meetings, enjoying a relaxed and carefree life.

And just like that, time flew by and it was the end of the month.

On September 28, the 9th Bazaar Charity Gala was held at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Beijing Yintai Centre, attracting hundreds of celebrities, entrepreneurs and social elites.

Thanks to Weibo's tireless sponsorship and promotion last year, the Bazaar Charity Night has become widely known and is now a major event in the entertainment industry.

Countless celebrities are eager to get their faces on the show and use the opportunity to trend on Weibo and boost their popularity.

On the red carpet, the male celebrities' dressing styles varied, but most were quite similar, generally wearing common haute couture suits.

A few big names in the industry, like Cheng Long, have taken a unique approach by choosing to wear a Tang suit, subtly highlighting their status in the underworld.

Meanwhile, the female celebrities launched a fashion extravaganza, each showcasing their unique style and charm.

Especially with last year's double-edged sword incident, this year all female celebrities are dressed up carefully and radiantly, afraid that their limelight will be overshadowed by others, and that they will soon see news on Weibo about being outshone by so-and-so.

Even more so, a few female celebrities, in order to attract attention and stand out, dress in extremely bold and avant-garde styles, providing a feast for the eyes of many men.

On the red carpet, Yang Mi affectionately linked arms with Liu Shishi, flashing a professional smile under the flashing lights, clearly delighted.

After being promoted to one of the "Four Little Actresses," she finally received an invitation from the organizers this year, which allowed her to showcase her sisterly bond from the "Chinese Paladin" series in front of a host of media outlets.

Liu Shishi was also helpless. Her good friend said that she had no experience in participating in such charity events. After repeated requests, she softened and accompanied Yang Mi on the red carpet.

"Mimi, watch your posture."

The two walked hand in hand, side by side. Liu Shishi noticed out of the corner of her eye that her best friend was leaning slightly forward, and quickly reminded her.

She knew that Yang Mi had a slight hunchback, which might not be a big deal normally, but at this moment, under the spotlight and in front of countless cameras, any small problem of a female celebrity would be magnified and become the focus of discussion.

Upon hearing this, Yang Mi subconsciously straightened her body, secretly lamenting that her hunched back must have been captured by paparazzi.

With Tangren Media's top female celebrity, who's considered the epitome of figure in the entertainment industry, as a comparison, she'll probably be ridiculed by haters again tomorrow.

I couldn't help but think of a way to divert everyone's attention from my shortcomings!

Suddenly, a brilliant idea struck her. Looking down at her own stunning figure, Yang Mi immediately hatched a plan. She reasoned that because of her good figure, she was leaning forward slightly, which netizens would understand.

Thinking this, she glanced sideways at her girlfriends. The top girl was wearing a bright green haute couture dress today, looking youthful and energetic.

However, his style remains consistently conservative, tight-lipped, and unassuming. It's impossible to tell his true character from his appearance; probably only Boss Song knows whether he has anything to offer or not.

After taking photos in front of the autograph wall, the two headed inside. Liu Shishi frowned and asked, "Mimi, why are you staring at my chest?"

She had noticed before that Yang Mi's gaze kept falling on her chest, making her feel strange and very uncomfortable.

Yang Mi quickly shook her head and casually replied, "I was looking at your dress; it looks really good on you."

"Really? I also think green looks vibrant. My husband thinks this outfit is pretty good too."

Yang Mi looked on with envy. It's so great to have a rich husband; you can buy any dress you want. The dress she was wearing was rented. Although she had earned some money from filming in recent years, she had used it all to support her family and hadn't dared to spend lavishly.

Not to mention the extravagant act of buying a haute couture outfit just to attend a charity event.

"When will we finally get endorsements from high-end luxury brands?!"

Liu Shishi understood Yang Mi's meaning and comforted her, "It'll be soon. Once we have one or two more blockbuster works and solidify our position as a top-tier artist, brands will provide dresses for us when we participate in these events."

"Sigh, there aren't that many blockbuster hits!" Yang Mi sighed. In all her years in the industry, only "Chinese Paladin 3" had truly been a massive hit. Besides, her resources couldn't compare to her best friend's. She was content with just getting a leading role; she wouldn't dare dream of any high-quality, blockbuster script.

Stepping into the brightly lit banquet hall, the two found their seats with the help of the waiters. Upon seeing the place cards on the table, the same thought immediately came to mind: the organizers were up to something!

The organizers actually put the four young actresses and four young actors at the same table this time!
Looking at the seating arrangement, Liu Shishi shook her head helplessly, secretly complaining that the organizers were unfair for putting Lao Hu and Mimi together.

Everyone online knows that the two broke up recently, yet they still arranged for them to sit together, showing no consideration for the awkward situation of others.

Yang Mi also noticed the absurd seating arrangement. When her gaze fell on Hu Ge's seat card, a pang of pain flashed through her heart, but she quickly adjusted her mindset, sat down calmly, and made no attempt to conceal her true feelings.

As time went by, celebrities entered one after another, and the once empty hall suddenly became lively, filled with laughter and chatter. The guests at Liu Shishi's table gradually arrived.

"Senior Brother Lin!"

"Honey, how have you been?"

Yang Mi and Lin Yushen greeted each other. They used to be artists at Rongxingda, and since they were sitting at the same table, it wouldn't be right for them to pretend they didn't know each other.

"Teacher Zhu!" "Teacher Hu, hello!" "Sister Luo Dan."

The group consisted of several outstanding young talents in the entertainment industry. After getting acquainted, they chatted casually. Finally, Liu Yifei arrived late, and everyone stood up to greet each other.

After Liu Yifei took her seat, everyone suddenly fell silent, and the atmosphere at the table became somewhat subdued.

Seeing this, Hu Ge could only bite the bullet and try to start a conversation: "Yifei, long time no see. What have you been up to lately? Have you taken on any new roles?"

After all, he had worked with Liu Yifei on "Chinese Paladin 1," so he was probably the most familiar with the "Fairy Sister" among this group.

"I haven't been filming lately!" Liu Yifei didn't say much, and her voice sounded somewhat cold, as if carrying a sense of aloofness that kept people at a distance.

His gaze swept over the crowd, lingering on Liu Shishi for a moment, before he inexplicably added, "A movie will be filmed early next year."

Once the conversation started, Yang Mi joined in: "Yifei, you should take on one or two more dramas a year. Your fans are really looking forward to your work!" She and Liu Yifei had worked together on "The Return of the Condor Heroes" and were old acquaintances.

Liu Yifei gently shook her head: "I have high requirements for film scripts. Quality is more important than quantity. One film a year is enough."

Wang Luodan couldn't help but chuckle, a hint of disdain hidden in her laughter. She thought to herself, "Liu Yifei, you can pretend in front of outsiders, but if you don't have any roles to play, you don't have any roles to play. What's with all this talk about pursuing quality?"

Anyone in the industry with connections knows that Liu Yifei offended Huayi Brothers and Tangren Media, making it impossible for her to survive in the mainland entertainment industry, leaving her no choice but to develop her career overseas.

Although Liu Yifei felt disgusted by Wang Luodan's disdain, she held back her temper because the occasion was inappropriate. In fact, she had no way to deal with this popular young actress from Tengda Group.

The three female celebrities at this table all made her uncomfortable. Wang Luodan, in particular, was blatantly looking down on her.

Liu Shishi clashed with me at the Bazaar Charity Night last year, causing an unpleasant incident. She even snatched my endorsement, and the two fan groups have been arguing online every day.

Seeing Yang Mi evoked mixed feelings. The minor supporting character in "The Return of the Condor Heroes" had become her equal in just one or two years, which inevitably brought a touch of bitterness to her heart.

Liu Yifei gritted her teeth and secretly decided that she must make a name for herself at tonight's auction.

Because she was blacklisted by Huayi Brothers, she didn't receive any good scripts throughout 09, and her popularity was almost overtaken by three other young actresses. She desperately needed to get on the trending topics list to maintain her presence.

Soon after, the gala officially began, following the usual routine: the announcement of the top ten philanthropic celebrities.

Looking at the dazzling stars on stage, Yang Mi tilted her head and leaned closer to the top female star next to her to ask her something.

"Shishi, how much do you have to donate to be named a charity star? I remember you donated quite a lot, why weren't you chosen?"

"It's not just about donating money; the organizers also consider the influence of the celebrities. We've only been popular for a short time, and our reputation is still a bit behind that of the top actresses."

However, if you dare to donate a large sum, you can also try for this honor next year.

Yang Mi pouted and said, "When it comes to donations, you should do what you can afford."

She wouldn't dare compare herself to the top actress He Yijie. Her recent vote-buying and property purchases have essentially emptied her coffers, leaving her with little money for charity.

After saying that, she looked up towards the main table and asked curiously, "By the way, Shishi, why haven't I seen your man?"

"Tengda Group is preparing to build several large databases and is currently selecting sites. He was invited by the leaders of Guizhou Province to visit the area."

The two chatted idly, with Hu Ge occasionally chiming in, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

Soon the gala moved on to the exciting charity auction segment.

As the first few treasures were snapped up one by one, the atmosphere at the scene gradually became more and more enthusiastic.

When the fifth item was displayed on the stage's large screen, the actresses' eyes lit up. It was a beautifully designed, stylish and elegant women's dress.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the starting bid for this Armani multicolored gown is 100,000 yuan. I believe that the lady who wins this exquisite and beautiful gown will be blessed with good fortune."

The host waved a small hammer in his hand, trying his best to stir up the atmosphere.

Liu Yifei's eyes lit up instantly when she saw the evening gown. She immediately took a liking to the auction item and bid without hesitation: "150,000!"

Here they come! The celebrities who attended the previous gala all wore expressions of watching the excitement unfold, knowing that the real charity gala was only just beginning.

The first few items were just appetizers; the real show began when popular female celebrities in the industry started bidding.

Feeling Hu Ge's gaze fall on her, Liu Shishi was puzzled and asked in a low voice, "Old Hu, why are you staring at me?"

"Shishi, Yifei has made a bid, aren't you going to raise your bid?"

Why should I raise the price?

Hu Ge was taken aback, awkwardly scratching his head. He recalled the rivalry between the two Lius at last year's gala and thought it would continue this year.

Seeing Lao Hu's expression, Liu Shishi immediately realized what was going on and snorted irritably, "You want to watch a show, don't you?"

Hu Ge was caught off guard by the top female star's words, but she naturally wouldn't admit it, and denied it with a grin: "No, no, I just thought this dress was pretty and I thought you would like it."

Liu Shishi carefully examined the auction items on the screen and couldn't help but nod: "They are very beautiful."

While the top bidder was still hesitating about whether to raise the price, Wang Luodan took the lead, raising her number plate high with an impressive air: "Two hundred thousand."

(End of this chapter)