Entertainment mogul: Starting his business with the internet

Let's read Chapter 280 together.

Donghai Cultural Garden, an ordinary residential community, is the filming location for the hit TV series "iPartment".

When filming the first season, due to limited budget, all the indoor scenes in the series were built using several abandoned shacks in the neighborhood.

When filming the second installment, director Wei Zhen still decided to use this location.

It was nearing noon, and inside the rest shed set up in the residential area, the male protagonists, Chen Chichi and Sun Yizhou, watched the girls board the luxury RV not far away, their faces filled with envy.

In January, the weather was freezing cold, and the wind howled like a knife. Several men stood shivering in the drafty rest shed.

The female protagonists were much luckier, as they were allowed by Liu Shishi to board the warm RV to escape the cold wind.

"Yizhou, although Liu Shishi is very popular, you don't need to be so obsequious."

As Chen Chichi rubbed his hands together, he recalled how his friend had been trying so hard to please Liu Shishi when she first joined the crew, and he looked puzzled.

Sun Yizhou mimicked Zeng Xiaoxian's classic eyebrow-raising gesture from the show, saying in a serious tone, "She's my boss, isn't it only right that I try to please her!"

Upon hearing this, Li Jiahang and Wang Chuanjun were momentarily stunned and asked, "What do you mean, boss? Are you implying that Liu Shishi is an investor in the production?"

Sun Yizhou shook his head: "Literally, I am now a signed artist with Liu Shishi's studio!"

"What?" The three of them were shocked when they heard the answer.

Chen Chichi's mouth dropped open in surprise: "Brother, you're not kidding, are you?"

Do I look like I'm joking?

The three looked at each other, and one of them asked in bewilderment, "Yizhou, what are your thoughts on this?"

After all, the main actors became quite famous after "iPartment" aired, and they are not short of agency contracts. It is simply unbelievable that Sun Yizhou would go and sign with the studio of a young actress.

Unable to reveal the inside story to everyone, Sun Yizhou could only vaguely say, "I have my own considerations; I'm betting on Liu Shishi's future."

Chen Chichi stepped forward and patted his friend on the shoulder, looking at him like he was an idiot: "Your idea is too ridiculous. Take my advice and think about how to terminate the contract. Everyone in the industry knows that Liu Shishi's studio is just an empty shell."

Recalling the news of the richest man's marriage on New Year's Day, Sun Yizhou said confidently, "He is now, but that may not be the case in the future."

"Sigh." Seeing their friend's inexplicable confidence, the three couldn't bear to discourage him. They figured they could only wait for the future to deliver a heavy blow before he would realize his mistake.

The RV was warm and cozy inside, with the air conditioner blowing warm air. Lou Yixiao, Li Jinming, and Deng Jiajia took off their heavy coats as soon as they entered the vehicle, looking relaxed and comfortable.

"Senior Sister, thank you." The three of them thanked the First Sister repeatedly.

Although Li Jinming and Deng Jiajia are both older than Liu Shishi, in the entertainment industry, a place of fame and fortune, seniority is never based on age. Whoever is more famous or has a higher social standing is considered the "older sister."

Liu Shishi leaned back on the soft sofa, holding an iPad in her hands, staring intently at the screen.

Hearing the three girls thank him, he didn't even look up, but simply replied softly, "You're welcome, please make yourself at home. There's tea over there, please help yourself."

Seeing Liu Shishi intently watching the iPad in her hand, Li Jinming assumed she was watching a popular TV series.

She tiptoed up to the eldest sister, a fawning smile on her face, and asked curiously, "Senior Sister, what TV series are you watching?"

Liu Shishi noticed Li Jinming's movements out of the corner of her eye and slightly turned the iPad screen toward her: "I'm watching yesterday's episode of 'Headline Star.' I didn't have time yesterday because I was busy with other commitments, so I asked my assistant to download it to the iPad. I'll watch it properly today."

"The episode aired yesterday, on the 23rd, featured an interview with Song Ci, the richest man in China. The show even trended on social media after it aired last night."

Deng Jiajia stood to the side and said with a smile that she had browsed related news on Weibo last night, and when she mentioned it now, there was a hint of smugness on her face as she learned about the gossip.

"Oh, is this interview about Song Ci? Senior Sister, can I watch it with you? I used to really like his novels." Li Jinming pleaded with her senior sister with a charming smile.

Liu Shishi seemed happy to share, and upon hearing this, she propped her iPad up on the table in front of her.

While moving over to make room for Li Jinming, he chuckled and joked, "Why did you say you used to like it? Don't you like Song Dynasty poetry anymore?"

Li Jinming chuckled and sat down casually next to the First Sister: "It's not that I don't like it now, it's just that compared to his later historical novels 'Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei' and 'The Prosperous Tang Dynasty,' I still prefer reading his early youth romance stories."

Deng Jiajia also came over to join in the fun, standing behind the two of them, craning her neck to watch this episode of "Headline Star" together, muttering to herself:

"I also love reading his early works, such as 'Left Ear' and 'East Palace,' but the literary value of his latter two historical novels is much higher than that of the earlier ones."

Lou Yixiao sat alone, feeling quite bored, so she decided to join the three of them.

So the four girls huddled together, their eyes all fixed on the iPad in front of them.

On the screen, the studio lights shone brightly, and the logo of "Toutiao Star" gleamed on the background wall.

The host, Li Hong, dressed in an elegant white business suit, sat gracefully at the interview table with a smile on her face.

Opposite him stood Song Ci, the handsome and refined chairman of Tengda Group and the richest man in mainland China.

"Wow, Song Ci is so handsome!" Li Jinming exclaimed, staring at the impeccably dressed and dashing Mr. Song, his eyes sparkling with admiration.

Deng Jiajia echoed, her eyes filled with admiration as she looked at the screen: "He is indeed very handsome, surpassing all the male celebrities in the entertainment industry. He truly deserves the title of a noble young master."

As Liu Shishi listened to the girls praising her husband, she felt secretly pleased, but she still pretended to be arrogant and said, "Song Ci is indeed quite handsome, everyone take a good look."

"Song Ci is just a little handsome!" Li Jin muttered, wanting to argue with the top star for his idol's looks, but just as he was about to speak, he suddenly felt Deng Jiajia touch him from behind.

Subconsciously, I turned my head slightly and saw my friend shaking her head at me. I instantly understood what she meant: it wasn't worth arguing with the top influencer over such a trivial matter; she was an investor. So I quickly composed myself and focused on reading "Headline Star."

On the screen, the interview had officially begun, and the host, Li Hong, asked the first question in a clear voice:
"President Song, you have rarely given interviews to the media. To outsiders, you have achieved fame at a young age and are full of vigor, so you should be very high-profile." Song Ci spoke calmly and eloquently, spouting grand principles about being low-key in life and high-profile in work, and how although he had been fortunate enough to achieve some success, he was still a newcomer to the business world and not like the older generation of entrepreneurs. He spoke with great confidence and authority.

Liu Shishi chuckled as she listened. She had asked her husband the same question before, and Mr. Song's answer at the time was that he was a game developer and was afraid of being too high-profile and getting attacked. She never expected that he would give such high-sounding reasons in front of the camera.

Following that, Li Hong asked several more questions about Tengda Group's future development strategy and technological innovation. Song Ci responded with witty remarks and concise, powerful language, winning rounds of applause from the audience.

The first few questions are just appetizers; the more formal topics are usually just used to get the ball rolling.

Few viewers are interested in highly technical topics like macro strategies and corporate planning; they are more interested in the trivialities of celebrities' lives and their romantic gossip.

After asking some business-related questions, Li Hong slightly adjusted her posture, becoming more relaxed.
"Mr. Song, your career is so successful, I'm sure your love life must be quite exciting too. I'm sure the audience here and watching on screen are very curious. Could you share a little bit with us?"

Song Ci shook her head slightly, a happy look on her face: "Actually, my love life is very simple. I think everyone knows that I got married on New Year's Day. My lover and I are childhood sweethearts, each other's first love."

From getting to know each other, falling in love, to walking down the aisle, everything happened naturally. Therefore, my romantic history is quite ordinary; there are no particularly special stories to share.

Upon hearing this, Li Jinming exclaimed in surprise, "I understand!"

The other three were startled by her loud scream. Deng Jiajia lightly punched her shoulder and snorted irritably, "Jin Ming, you're so jumpy, it's scary."

Liu Shishi, however, asked curiously, "What do you understand?"

"Now I understand why Song Ci got married so young!"

Seeing the knowing look on Miss Li's face, Liu Shishi asked with great interest, "Tell me, what is the reason?"

Li Jinming analyzed in a serious and eloquent manner: "Based on what Song Ci just said, I deduced that he is actually a complete novice when it comes to relationships!"

Think about it, he's only ever dated one girl, Qingmei. He's probably too busy with his career to have much contact with other women.

If he were given more time to meet other women and experience the wider world, a classic childhood sweetheart story might unfold where the unexpected love comes between them.

So, if you were Song Ci's girlfriend, wouldn't you be anxious and want to get married as soon as possible to tie him down?

Lou Yixiao listened to this well-reasoned analysis and nodded: "Jin Ming, I think you have a point."

"Hmph." Liu Shishi snorted lightly: "How can a gift from heaven compare to Qingmei? Do you know how much Qingmei means to Song Ci? If you don't know, don't spout nonsense. Quiet down and keep watching."

Li Jinming was meek and submissive, looking aggrieved, and dared not argue with the top sister.

On the screen, Li Hong paused slightly. Although Song Ci expressed her feelings simply, those few words sketched out the most beautiful and pure love:
"From childhood sweethearts to a lifelong commitment, it is perhaps the most romantic thing in the world, and it is something to yearn for."

After a moment of stunned silence, Li Hong quickly composed herself, becoming even more curious about Song Ci's wife, whom she had only heard of by name but never met.
"Mr. Song, you have been sharing your relationship progress on Weibo, from proposing last year to getting engaged and registering your marriage this year, but why haven't you revealed your wife's identity?"

Song Ci laughed and said, "It's just not the right time yet. When she feels the time is right, she will announce it herself."

Li Hong, quick-witted, probed, "Is she a public figure?"

Song Ci paused for a moment, then nodded slightly.

Li Hong's eyes lit up, and she pressed further, "Could you tell me a little more about her profession?"

Song Ci smiled without saying a word, his face mysterious, and did not reply.

"A public figure! Could it be some female celebrity?" Li Jinming exclaimed again, then immediately covered her mouth, afraid that the top female star would scold her for being noisy.

Liu Shishi didn't say anything this time, but just glared at her. She thought that Li Jinming usually looked a bit silly, but now he was quite clever and guessed it right away.

Seeing that the top star remained silent, Deng Jiajia mustered her courage and shared a piece of gossip: "I heard a rumor that Che Xiao, an actress from Huayi Company, married a super-rich man and will be holding her wedding banquet soon. Could Song Ci's wife be Che Xiao?"

Lou Yixiao also joined in the analysis: "Song Ci and Che Xiao are both from Beiping, so it's possible that it really is true."

Liu Shishi curled her lip, her face full of disdain: "Stop making wild guesses. Che Xiao was born in 82. Mr. Song wouldn't like an old woman who is five years older than him!"

Li Hong asked several more questions, racking her brains and trying every possible way to find out the identity of Song Ci's lover, but he skillfully evaded them all.

Faced with the boss's airtight answer, Li Hong had no choice but to skip the topic and move on to the next question: "How do you and your spouse usually get along?"

“When we were little, she would dance while I read books. Later, we grew up and had our own careers, so we didn’t see each other every day. But when we were together, things were still the same. She would play games online and browse Weibo while I wrote books.”

"Dancing!" Li Jinming grasped the key word, but this time he controlled his emotions and didn't say anything. He was thinking that he would go online later to find out which dancers were about the same age as Song Ci and were from Beiping.

Li Hong was also at a loss when it came to Song Ci. This richest man's answers were like playing a guessing game, always revealing bits and pieces of information unintentionally, but these pieces of information were vague and kept people in suspense.

After asking a few more questions in a conventional manner, the interview moved into the Q&A session with netizens. The large screen in the studio started scrolling rapidly, displaying messages from netizens on the official Weibo account of "Toutiao Star".

Li Hong's gaze swept across the electronic screen: "President Song, this netizen is a loyal fan of yours, and she noticed an interesting detail."

You used to wear a regular Longines watch, but why did you suddenly switch to an Omega gold watch last year?

Upon hearing this question, Song Ci subconsciously raised her hand, revealing the watch on her wrist and the dazzling wedding ring on her finger to the camera.

“I alternate between my two watches, and today I’m wearing a Longines. This Longines watch was the first Valentine’s Day gift she gave me in 2005.”

Although the watch wasn't expensive, it represented everything she had at the time. This Longines watch holds immense significance for me; it embodies the most sincere emotions of our youth.

That's why it's my favorite, and I've worn it the longest. As for the Omega, she gave it to me last Valentine's Day after our engagement. The two watches represent two important stages in our relationship.

At this moment, as her husband recounted the origins of the two watches, Liu Shishi cupped her pretty face in her hands, recalling the past, and became completely mesmerized!
(End of this chapter)