Entertainment mogul: Starting his business with the internet

Chapter 288 Arrangements for the Artists Under His Management

When Lou Yixiao, Deng Jiajia, and other cast members of "iPartment 2" saw Liu Shishi again, they all felt as if they had been through another world.

Just one New Year has passed, and the cast and crew are still the same as before, but Tangren's leading lady has become even more popular. With her minor supporting role as "Lu Su," she has become the most popular female star in the entertainment industry during this period.

"Old Sun, I brought some milk tea and fruit for the crew. Could you help me distribute them to everyone?"

"Okay, Senior Sister." Sun Yizhou looked at the graceful and smiling First Sister and felt that her temperament and condition were even better than before. He couldn't help but sigh that good health is good for one's appearance.

"Come over here after you've finished sending out the stuff, I need to discuss something with you."

After distributing the gifts brought by the lead actress to the production crew, Sun Yizhou went to the rest area on set to find the female boss.

In the chilly March air, Liu Shishi, wrapped tightly in a long overcoat, lay in a rocking chair reading a script: "Sit down, Lao Sun."

Sun Yizhou dragged over a stool and sat down next to the eldest sister, feeling inexplicably nervous.

Liu Shishi straightened up slightly and saw that Sun Yizhou's back was taut. She chuckled and said, "Don't be nervous, Lao Sun."

You've been with my studio for a while now, so let's have a good chat about your career plans today. First, tell me, what are your thoughts?

Sun Yizhou was stunned. He didn't expect the top female star to talk to him about the future. He awkwardly scratched his head, not knowing where to start.

At the time, he only knew about the relationship between the female boss and the richest man, and impulsively chose to join Liu Shishi's studio, betting that the future of the top star would shine on him.

"Sister, I really haven't thought about what the future holds. I wasn't interested in the entertainment industry when I was young. I was preparing to work in the electronics or IT industry during high school."

He entered the entertainment industry by chance and embarked on this path, taking things one step at a time until the release of "iPartment," which brought him some minor fame.

Looking back on the past three or four years since he entered the entertainment industry, Sun Yizhou sighed deeply, noting that the competition in the industry is more intense than outsiders can imagine.

Liu Shishi nodded slightly, understanding Sun Yizhou's mentality. Many people in the entertainment industry are like that; they initially just want to make a living, but sometimes an opportunity suddenly makes them famous.

"During the Chinese New Year, my husband and I discussed that since the studio is my business, we should manage it well."

Since you're the first artist signed to the studio, I also have a responsibility for your career. A man like you needs to get married, have children, and support a family in the future; you can't just drift along like that.

Sun Yizhou was a little helpless; he, a grown man, had actually been lectured by a young girl. Perhaps trying to save face, he quickly added:
"Actually, it's not that I haven't thought about it at all. The 'iPartment' series has huge potential. I figured I should make this series well first, accumulate some popularity, and when I become more famous, I can get better resources."

"It's a rather pragmatic idea. But we can't rely entirely on 'iPartment,' so we can take on more roles and get to be more familiar to the audience first."

Liu Shishi nodded, handed the script in her hand forward, and then said, "Tangren is about to film 'Scarlet Heart,' so you should study the script."

See if there's a role that suits you. I'll let K-jie know and reserve it for you.

However, I'm warning you beforehand: don't even think about getting the male lead role. Of course, you can audition if you're capable enough to get noticed by K-sister and Director Li, and I won't stop you.

Sun Yizhou was delighted and reached out to take the script: "Hey, sister, I've studied 'Scarlet Heart,' and I think I can definitely play a supporting role as a prince."

He was practically an artist under Tangren Media, so it was impossible for him not to pay attention to the big drama "Scarlet Heart." He had been thinking about whether he could get a role through the leading lady, but he didn't expect that the female boss also had the same idea.

Liu Shishi couldn't help but smile. Old Sun looked honest and simple, but he had quite a few tricks up his sleeve. He probably had his eye on this drama for a long time: "It's good that you understand. Which prince do you want to play?"

"Thirteenth Prince, is it alright?"

"No, Sister Thirteen has already booked Old Yuan."

Sun Yizhou was a little disappointed. He really liked the character of the chivalrous and righteous Lao Shisan, but Yuan Hong was a veteran of Tangren Media, and he knew he couldn't compete with her.

"Then fourteen?"

Ignoring the expectant look in the other person's eyes, the top sister shook her head: "The choice for Fourteen has also been made. Sister K promised this role to a newcomer in the company."

"Sister, we're all newcomers, can't you help me out?"

Liu Shishi spread her hands: "Let me be frank with you, that newcomer was found by Sister K to take over Lao Hu's job. She will be given special training. You can't compare to her."

When she met the newcomer at the company the day before yesterday, she understood why Cai Yinong had given up on Yuan Hong. The newcomer was young, handsome, and had more potential than Yuan Hong, making him a perfect candidate for Lao Hu to take over after he opens his own studio.

Upon hearing this, Sun Yizhou immediately lost his competitive spirit and gave a wry smile: "Alright! I can't compare to the future number one."

"I suggest you choose one of the second, ninth, or tenth children."

"Can I think about it? After all, these characters have very different personalities, and I need to figure out which one is more suitable for me."

"No rush, just decide before the auditions start at the end of the month. My studio invests in some film and television projects every year, and we'll reserve suitable roles for you."

"Thank you, boss!" Sun Yizhou was overjoyed, his face beaming with joy.

He was secretly pleased with his clever choice last year. If his boss hadn't been there, he would have loved to sing "Good Days" at the top of his lungs.

The woman then changed the subject: "There's something else I want to discuss with you. You don't have an agent yet, and I'd like my assistant, Jiang Yuanyuan, to be your agent. What do you think?"

Sun Yizhou, being astute and perceptive, replied, "I couldn't ask for more."

Liu Shishi smiled and said, "I'm glad you're willing. Don't worry, Yuanyuan has been with me for several years, her abilities are definitely not a problem, she's more than capable of being your manager."

Moreover, she comes from Tengda Culture and has good connections and resources, which can help you expand your network.

She only found out after the New Year that her assistant was in a relationship, so she wanted to make arrangements for Jiang Yuanyuan so that her earliest follower could advance her career.

Upon hearing that the agent had connections with Tengda Culture, Sun Yizhou couldn't hide his joy. In today's entertainment industry, who wouldn't want to climb up the Tengda tree?

Leaving the first sister's rest shed, Sun Yizhou was beaming with pride, walking with a brisk pace and humming "Good Days." Anyone could tell he had encountered a joyous occasion.

On set, Chen Chichi spotted Sun Yizhou shaking his head in the distance and nudged Wang Chuanjun beside him with his elbow: "Xiao Bu has encountered some great news!"

Wang Chuanjun shared the same sentiment: "Let's go over and ask what's going on. If it's really good news, we'll have to make him treat us."

Several girls followed suit, wanting to join in the fun.

Wang Chuanjun and Chen Chichi grabbed their friend from the left and right: "You daring Lu Xiaobu, why don't you confess the truth?" Sun Yizhou looked confused at first, then realized that he must have been too proud and aroused his friends' curiosity, so he smiled and explained: "It's nothing, I just got a role, um, a supporting role."

Lou Yixiao, quick as a flash, snatched the booklet from Sun Yizhou's hand. After a casual glance, she exclaimed in surprise, "Wow, the script for 'Scarlet Heart'! You're going to act in it?"

Sun Yizhou broke free from their grasp and shrugged: "I'm an artist from Liu Shishi's studio, and we're all part of Tangren Media. Is there a problem with me participating in 'Scarlet Heart'?"

Chen Chichi was immediately filled with envy. "Scarlet Heart" had been very popular on Weibo these past few days, and the voting for the male lead was in full swing.

Related information has also been revealed: the investment in this Tangren drama is no less than 50 million yuan, which is comparable to the recently popular "The Myth". Being able to participate in such a big production, even as a supporting role, is a rare opportunity.

Aunt Deng Jiajia asked curiously, "What role are you playing? Stop keeping us in suspense and tell us."

"Nothing's been decided yet, but I'll be playing a prince."

Deng Jiajia looked you up and down and couldn't help but tease you: "You don't look like a prince even in a dragon robe. With your frivolous playboy look, can you play a prince well? Don't turn the prince into a street urchin."

Seeing everyone burst into laughter, Sun Yizhou couldn't help but argue, "I was just serving the role. Don't underestimate my acting skills."

Lou Yixiao flipped through the script in her hand, her eyes darting around, and asked eagerly, "Yizhou, with such a big production like 'Scarlet Heart,' do you have any role introductions for me?"

Upon hearing this, everyone turned their gazes toward Sun Yizhou. "iPartment 2" would wrap up filming in ten days to two weeks at most, and once it wrapped, he would be unemployed. Without a new project to film, none of them knew what to do next.

Sun Yizhou pursed his lips: "Don't look at me like that. I was just fortunate enough to be given a supporting role by the boss. I can't do anything else."

Looking at the envious faces of the crowd, I secretly thought to myself, "When they found out I signed with Liu Shishi's studio, they all laughed at me for being stupid. Now they know how valuable the top female artist is. You'll have your turn to be envious in the future."

Amidst everyone's reflections, Deng Jiajia suddenly asked, "Yizhou, is Yijie Studio still signing new artists?"

"Auntie, you have to talk to Senior Sister about this yourself!"

Deng Jiajia nodded slightly. Ever since she learned a little about the background of Tangren's top female star, she had been hesitating about whether to make the same choice as Sun Yizhou.

She felt that Sun Yizhou's sudden joining of Liu Shishi's studio must mean he knew something.

So he kept trying to find out information indirectly, but Sun Yizhou seemed unreliable with his carefree attitude and kept his mouth shut, so he didn't get any useful information from him.

"Yi Xiao, give me back the script. We're filming now, let's talk about this after we wrap up."

"Here!" Lou Yixiao was still pondering Deng Jiajia's intentions when she heard this. She shoved the script in her hand into Sun Yizhou's hands and returned to the set to film with a heavy heart.

Liu Shishi was diligently filming on set, focusing on completing the final part of Qin Yumo's scenes.

And just like that, March 24th arrived in the blink of an eye, and the TV series "Du Lala's Promotion Diary" was broadcast simultaneously on Beijing TV and Donghai TV during prime time.

With the added boost of her "Lu Su" persona, "Du Lala's Promotion Diary" achieved soaring ratings as soon as it premiered on satellite TV, with both major satellite channels achieving ratings exceeding 1% and firmly ranking among the top two in the national ratings.

Soon, Liu Shishi and "Du Lala" became trending topics on Weibo, receiving unanimous praise from netizens and the media.

"This drama accurately captures the resonance of young white-collar workers and can be called the 'workplace bible for the post-80s generation'."

"Liu Shishi brought to life the struggle of an ordinary girl, and the leading lady's acting skills have greatly improved."

Furthermore, Headline Entertainment published a lengthy commentary, providing an in-depth analysis of the reasons for the show's success.

The article argues that in an environment dominated by spy dramas and family dramas, "Du Lala's Promotion" broke through with its youth inspirational theme, proving the potential of workplace dramas.

Its success will undoubtedly be seen as a sign that youth inspirational dramas are making their way into the mainstream viewership market, and will certainly drive the development of more similar themes.

Liu Shishi herself also changed her previous roles as a school beauty and the ideal woman, and successfully transformed into a career woman with "Du Lala", achieving a major breakthrough in her acting career and proving that she can still shine in modern clothes without "ancient costumes".

The next day at noon, Liu Shishi, who had finished filming in the morning, was in her RV, answering a call from Tong Dawei.

Listening to the male lead's constant flattery, Sister Yi couldn't help but recall the praise she had just seen from "Toutiao Entertainment" for the show and herself. She immediately felt ashamed and wondered how much money Sister K had bribed to get Toutiao to praise her so enthusiastically.

On the other end of the phone, Tong Dawei was beaming. The ratings for "Go Lala Go!" were a huge hit, and he, as the male lead, had benefited greatly from it, feeling that his career was about to be revitalized.

After showering the top star with compliments and praise, Tong Dawei got down to business: "Shishi, do you think we should strike while the iron is hot and get her on a few variety shows to increase our publicity?"

Liu Shishi, who was originally all smiles, immediately declined: "Brother Dawei, I don't go on variety shows. I didn't even go on 'Happy Camp' when 'Chinese Paladin 3' was being promoted. But I won't slack off on promotions. I will actively mobilize my fans on Weibo."

"Alright. Then I'll have to go on the show with other people." Tong Dawei sighed, not insisting. He had heard that Tangren's top female star didn't do variety shows, and he had just extended the invitation out of professional habit.

"Thank you! Everyone, you've all worked hard."

"Shishi, there's something else I want to discuss with you. Xu Jinglei wants to make a movie version of 'Du Lala's Promotion Diary' and asked me to invite you to play a cameo role to create a film-TV synergy and further amplify the value of this IP."

"A cameo in the movie version?" Liu Shishi was a little surprised when she heard this. She felt it was strange for her, the TV series Du Lala, to have a cameo in a movie, and she couldn't make up her mind for a moment.

"Yes, Xu Jinglei wants to have both versions of Du Lala appear on screen together, which I think the audience will be very interested in."

"Brother Dawei, let me think about it and I'll get back to you in a while. I'm about to join a new film crew, and my schedule is very tight."

Tong Dawei said with a smile, "No rush, no rush. I'm just asking on behalf of Xu Jinglei. If your schedule is not available, then forget it."

After ending the call, Liu Shishi continued browsing Weibo and immediately noticed a new trending topic entering the top ten.

7. Xu Jinglei invited Liu Shishi.

Out of curiosity, Liu Shishi clicked on the related topic and, upon seeing the reason, immediately became unhappy.

"Isn't this forcing me to make a cameo appearance?! How can they do things like this!"

It turns out that Xu Jinglei posted on Weibo, inviting her to make a cameo appearance in the movie version of "Go Lala Go!" Her words were sincere and heartfelt.

Liu Shishi was helpless. The famous actress had lowered her stance and sincerely invited her. If she didn't go, she would seem arrogant and disrespectful to her senior.

(End of this chapter)