Entertainment mogul: Starting his business with the internet

Chapter 407 Comparing Me?
The atmosphere in the studio of the top female host at Tangren Media is relaxed.

Liu Shishi swiped her phone screen, browsing the lively news about the college entrance exam results on Weibo, and smiled as she spoke:
"Yuanyuan, Director Jiang, 'Legend of Chasing Fish' has successfully wrapped up. Thank you for your hard work during this time!"

Jiang Wei did not emphasize his own contributions, but simply nodded with a gentle smile.

"Being a producer is really not easy," Jiang Yuanyuan sighed, subconsciously raising her hand to gently touch her cheek. She had clearly lost a lot of weight from all the hard work and worry she had put into the production team.

"Everyone is like this at the beginning. Once you accumulate experience and become as skilled as Sister K, it will be much easier."

The eldest sister smiled and then turned her gaze to the studio's head director: "Director Jiang, the studio plans to collaborate with Toutiao Video on a web series in the second half of the year, and we would like to invite you to direct it."

A hint of hesitation flashed in Jiang Wei's eyes; he was somewhat resistant to filming a web series, and he gently persuaded him:

"Mr. Liu, with our studio's production standards and financial strength, there's really no need for us to shoot a small web series. It would be a waste of our talent."

Liu Shishi immediately saw through Jiang Wei's thoughts and patiently explained, "Director Jiang, this drama is different from the previous ones. Not counting the star salaries, the production cost alone is as high as 5000 million!"

"5000 million!" Jiang Wei exclaimed in surprise. Most of the web dramas on major video platforms are low-budget productions, with budgets of two or three million being common.

Five million is considered a big production, so a 5000 million investment is comparable to a big production broadcast on CCTV. Is this still the kind of web series he knows?
"This drama was funded by the studio and Toutiao Video, each contributing 2500 million yuan, making it the most expensive project ever invested in a web drama. Director Jiang, please take a look at the script that Toutiao Video sent you." Liu Shishi handed over the script from the side of her desk.

Previously, Zhou Juan, president of Toutiao Video, personally approached the studio, hoping to collaborate with them to create high-quality web dramas and help Toutiao Video gradually cultivate a professional production team.

Liu Shishi attached great importance to the Tengda Group matter and readily agreed to Zhou Juan's cooperation request.

"Day and Night, a crime and investigation drama!" Jiang Wei opened the script and was unknowingly deeply attracted by the thrilling and suspenseful plot.

"The story is indeed exciting! However, the plot is quite explicit; will it have any issues passing censorship?"

"There's no need to worry about that. The script has already been submitted to the filming and related departments for review. Director Jiang can just focus on filming."

With the boss's assurance, Jiang Wei stopped worrying about the censorship issue. After all, the censorship standards for online dramas are more lenient than those for broadcast dramas. Since Toutiao Video dared to invest heavily in filming, they must be fully confident in broadcasting it.

"Mr. Liu, are there any specific requirements regarding the selection of the lead actor?"

"There are no special candidates! There is only one hard requirement: the lead actor must have excellent acting skills and a suitable image for the role!" the leading lady solemnly instructed.

This collaboration is crucial to the transformation and development of Toutiao Video, and she cares about the quality of "Day and Night" more than anyone else.

Jiang Wei understood immediately that the investors had high requirements for the quality of the film, and promised: "I understand. I will organize open auditions, strictly select the most suitable actors, and ensure that the work is of high quality!"

"Yuanyuan, you'll still have to work hard to continue being in charge of the production."

“No problem!” Jiang Yuanyuan readily agreed. When they collaborated on “The Legend of Chasing Fish”, she and Jiang Wei worked together seamlessly.

She is looking forward to working together again, and her career plan is clear: she is determined to develop her career as a producer.

Just as the three were about to delve into the project details, Cai Yinong's angry rebuke suddenly came from the president's office next door.

"Is Sister K angry?" Liu Shishi was taken aback. The office was well soundproofed, but she could hear her voice clearly, which meant that Sister K was quite angry.

"Yuanyuan, has the company run into any trouble lately?" Sister Yi hurriedly inquired.

She has been staying in Beiping since the Magnolia Awards ceremony and just returned to Donghai today. She is not very aware of what has happened at Tangren Media in the past two days.

"It must be because of Naza's matter?"

"What's going on with her?"

Not only was Liu Shishi full of doubt, but even Jiang Wei cast a curious glance at her. Everyone in the company knew that Cai Yinong had high hopes for Gulnazar and had always been grooming her as his successor as the top female star.

Jiang Yuanyuan looked on with a gossipy expression: "I heard that Nazha is in a relationship!"

A few days ago, K-sister found out about this and her face turned really ugly. As soon as the Beijing Film Academy's summer vacation started, she rushed her back to the company, probably to confront her about it.

"Nazha is in love?" Liu Shishi was taken aback when she heard this, but then felt that this was not unexpected.

After all, Gulnazar is very beautiful and must have had many suitors at school. She is in the prime of her life, so it is not hard to understand why she would fall in love.

"Director Jiang, Yuanyuan, let's leave the 'Day and Night' project as it stands for now. Let me know as soon as the cast is confirmed."

After saying that, the eldest sister stood up gracefully, "I'll go and persuade Sister K. There's no need to get so angry. Let's talk things out."

In the next office, Cai Yi-nong was furious.

In the past six months, Tangren Media has been developing rapidly, and she has been very busy with work. She has neglected to supervise Gulinaza for a while. Who would have thought that the little girl would cause trouble and dare to secretly date behind her back.

Gulinaza timidly turned her face away, not daring to meet the president's cold gaze, and braced herself to argue, "President Cai, doesn't the company have an explicit rule against artists dating?"

"Did you inform me beforehand? I'm supporting your studies and sending you to the Beijing Film Academy, not so you can go and fall in love!"

Cai Yinong became increasingly angry and flew into a rage. "The company has been marketing you to the outside world, praising you as the 'most beautiful campus belle of Beijing Film Academy,' creating a pure and innocent image, and telling fans and the media that you have no dating experience."

If you start dating now, and it gets exposed, your carefully cultivated public image will instantly collapse. Your career has just begun; do you know how devastating that would be?

Gulnazar was so scolded that she couldn't lift her head, feeling wronged but not knowing how to explain herself.

"What's even more outrageous is that if you're going to be in a relationship, can't you at least keep it low-key? Can't you at least do it discreetly? To actually flaunt your relationship on campus like that is just plain stupid!"

Cai Yi-nong, still furious, also berated her boyfriend, saying, "And your boyfriend isn't any better. Has he ever thought about your career even once?"

When Gulinaza heard Sister K belittling her boyfriend, she couldn't help but retort, "Chen Gang is very good to me!"

"Good?" Cai Yinong laughed angrily. "Then tell me, how is it good? Did I buy you a house and a car, or did I spend money to bring in resources?"

Just a few cheap bags and some sweet talk, and you're all smitten and begging for their attention? You all want to marry into wealth like Shishi, look at Liu Tao, Che Xiao... Do you even have that kind of luck?

These sarcastic remarks thoroughly enraged Gulinaza, whose voice suddenly rose: "Sister K, Chen Gang's family is quite well-off in Qingdao! Besides, if Senior Sister Shi can date, why can't I?"

Cai Yinong stared wide-eyed in disbelief and coldly questioned, "You dare to compare yourself to Shishi?"
Her husband is the richest man in China, a stunningly handsome man in Asia, and a famously devoted lover. What makes your boyfriend compare to Song Ci?

Blinded by love, Gulnazar stubbornly insisted: "So what if it's Song Ci! How can you be so sure that Chen Gang will never be as good as him?"

"Hahaha!" Cai Yinong burst out laughing at these words. She truly hadn't expected Gulnazar to utter such seemingly irrational words, her eyes filled with contempt.

"I'm telling you this right now: if your boyfriend can achieve even a tenth of Song Ci's success, I'll kneel down and kowtow to both of you as an apology." These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over her, and Gulinaza instantly deflated. Song Ci had 300 billion in wealth, and for her boyfriend to want to accumulate 3000 billion was simply a pipe dream.

Outside the door, Liu Shishi, who had just arrived at the office, heard the two talking and paused in her action of knocking on the door, feeling displeased.

A hint of dissatisfaction arose in her towards Gulinaza: What kind of person is your boyfriend, daring to compare him to my husband? Her original intention to mediate the conflict vanished instantly.

Inside, seeing that Na Zha remained silent, Cai Yinong became even more unforgiving: "You still want to compare yourself to Shi Shi? Shi Shi was much more low-key than you back then!"

"She's dating the richest man and she hasn't made a fuss about it, so what gives you the right to be so arrogant? Look at the entertainment industry, how many women don't hide their relationships?"

After being repeatedly and fatally attacked by Sister K, Gulnazar was completely speechless and hung her head, no longer daring to talk back.

"Break up with that man immediately and clean things up so he doesn't have any leverage against you."

"Sister K! I..."

"I told you to break up, did you hear me?" Cai Yinong suddenly stood up, shouting angrily, his eyes flashing with cold light.

"I'll say it one last time: get things sorted out within three days, then come back and honestly go with Hu Ge and Tang Yan to promote 'Xuan-Yuan Sword'."

"I... understand." Gulinaza was terrified when she saw Cai Yinong so angry for the first time. She dared not argue and meekly agreed.

She still has eight years left on her contract with Tangren Media, and her father's medical expenses were also paid by her boss. At this moment, she dared not disobey Cai Yi-nong.

"Get out and reflect on your actions."

Gulinaza felt as if she had been granted a pardon and rushed out of the door in a panic, only to bump into Liu Shishi at the door.

Frozen in awkward silence: "Senior Sister!"

Liu Shishi didn't speak, just nodded indifferently, brushed past Nazha, and went into the office.

Gulinaza dared not linger and, disregarding Liu Shishi's reaction, hurriedly fled the scene.

Upon seeing the eldest sister enter, Cai Yinong took a deep breath to calm himself down: "Shishi, I'm sorry you had to laugh at me. That girl Nazha is really a handful."

"It'll be fine once she comes to her senses." Liu Shishi sat down at her desk. "I was originally planning to take her to Paris Fashion Week, but it seems better for her to stay at the company."

Cai Yinong was both surprised and delighted. He sighed inwardly at Gulinaza's lack of ambition, spending her prime years on dating. He thought that if Gulinaza had the ability to pick men, he wouldn't have said anything, but her taste was terrible, and she was still obsessed with love.

"Shall we send someone else?"

Liu Shishi pondered for a moment: "Bingqing has only been with the Tang people for a short time, let's give this opportunity to Jin Chen."

“Okay!” Cai Yinong nodded gently, feeling a slight disappointment at Gulinaza’s rebellious behavior today.

Suddenly, Sister Yi called out softly, "Sister K!"

"Hmm?" Cai Yinong looked up and met the other person's gentle yet somewhat solemn gaze.

"Sister K, it's been eight years since we met. Time flies."

Liu Shishi's tone was gentle, but it made Cai Yinong's heart tremble. He sensed what the "Queen" was about to say and felt a mix of anticipation and fear.

Seeing K's complicated expression, Liu Shishi smiled and said, "K, don't be nervous. I'm grateful for your care over the past eight years, and I'll need to trouble you again for the next five years."

Upon hearing this earth-shattering news, Cai Yi-nong was stunned for a moment before finally regaining his senses. Overjoyed, he exclaimed, "No trouble at all! Shi-shi, don't worry, everything is as it is under the new contract."

Liu Shishi smiled and nodded; she wasn't too concerned about the revenue sharing in the contract. She chose to renew for another five years because of her deep affection for Tangren Media over the years, and also because she was used to Cai Yinong's meticulous arrangements for everything.

She had thought it over carefully before: if she left Tangren Media, she would either join Tengda Culture or start her own business.

Having invested in so many film and television companies, there's no need to start a new one.

As for joining Tengda Culture, the company's senior management may not be willing to have the boss's wife in charge, let alone share resources with Yang Mi and Zhao Liying, so they really have no interest in it.

Moreover, after her wedding to Song Ci, she will gradually return to her family and have children with Song Ci. Therefore, after careful consideration, continuing to sign with Tangren Media is undoubtedly the best choice.

With the top female host choosing to renew her contract, Cai Yi-nong is full of fighting spirit and confidence in Tangren's IPO. He is radiant at this moment.

"Shishi, you're busy preparing for your wedding in the second half of the year and don't plan to take on any acting roles. What are your plans for next year?"

Liu Shishi thought for a moment and said, "After the wedding, we should go abroad for our honeymoon after the New Year. I haven't thought about anything else yet."

Cai Yinong rummaged through the documents on the table for a moment, pulled out a script, and handed it to Sister Yi.

Liu Shishi looked down at the script cover and read softly, "The Imperial Doctress, a female-centric drama!"

"Shishi, 'The Imperial Doctress' will be Director Li's final work. After filming this drama, he will completely retire behind the scenes to work as a producer and will no longer be a director."

Upon hearing this news, Liu Shishi was quite surprised: "Director Li is retiring?"

Cai Yinong nodded. Li Guoli had long intended to retire. The two had discussed it before. If Liu Shishi did not renew her contract, Li Guoli would have to hold on for three or four years for the sake of Tangren Media's stability.

Now that the leading lady has chosen to renew her contract, Tangren Media's mainstay remains, and Li Guoli can retire peacefully after filming "The Imperial Doctress".

"I hope you can take on Director Li's last film."

Seeing Cai Yinong's expectant gaze, Liu Shishi did not immediately agree: "Let me take a look at the script first."

The eldest sister was intently flipping through the script, her brows gradually furrowing: "The female lead's character is alright, but isn't the plot involving two emperors completely made up?"

Her husband, Song Ci, was particularly fond of studying history, and several of his best-selling books were historical works. Under his influence, she became very knowledgeable about the Tumu Crisis of the Ming Dynasty.

Upon hearing that the lead actress was dissatisfied with the plot, Cai Yi-nong quickly stated, "If there are any parts of the script that you are not satisfied with, we can revise them at any time until you are satisfied."

"Whether I'll take the role or not, let me think about it," Liu Shishi said, not giving a definitive answer.

However, the fact that it was director Li Guoli's final film, coupled with her fondness for the role of the female doctor, had already stirred her interest. Nevertheless, she still planned to discuss it with her husband.

"No rush, no rush, take your time to think it over," Cai Yinong replied with a smile, his eyes brimming with anticipation.

(End of this chapter)