Entertainment mogul: Starting his business with the internet

Chapter 484 Let's Tear It Apart

Time flies, and the calendar has quietly turned to the latter half of March.

On Saturday evening, the 23rd, the Wanda International Cinema in Beiping was ablaze with stars as the premiere of the movie "Tiny Times 1" kicked off.

This film has been a hot topic since its inception, with the focus undoubtedly on director Guo Jingming.

In the film industry, there are precedents for cross-disciplinary directing, but most of them are cinematographers or actors who have worked in the industry for many years and accumulated rich experience, like Zhang Yimou and Jiang Wen.

Guo Jingming, on the other hand, is completely different. He became a director with a huge following and a lot of controversy, despite being a complete "outsider".

Such a situation is extremely rare, a truly daring adventure, and thus attracted countless curious, scrutinizing, or expectant glances.

Tonight will be the moment to test the initial results of this adventure.

The cinema lobby was already packed with media reporters and enthusiastic fans.

When the four leading actresses of "Tiny Times"—Yang Mi, Guo Biting, Ni Ni, and Huo Siyan—appeared one after another, the flashbulbs went off like daytime, and fans screamed incessantly.

The four actresses, each with a distinct style, were brought together by this film and became known as the "Tiny Times Sisters".

Interestingly, Yang Mi and Huo Siyan are both members of the "Teddy Sisters" group, which adds to the film's buzz.

That evening, Gan Wei, another important figure in the sisterhood, also attended the event.

In recent years, video platforms have risen rapidly, with LeTV enjoying great success and its market value soaring, naturally elevating Gan Wei's status and position.

Upon entering the screening room, she was immediately approached by many female celebrities who chatted with her. Amidst their laughter and conversation, the social dynamics within the entertainment industry were on full display.

Gan Wei was in high spirits as she chatted warmly with director Guo Jingming, her words full of support and optimism for the project.

In the audience seats, moviegoers and invited guests entered one after another.

In an inconspicuous corner, two women, both fully armed and with their hats pulled low, quietly took their seats.

Looking at Guo Jingming, who was socializing with various parties in front of her, Liu Yuqing smiled slightly and muttered softly, "So short."

Hearing this, Liu Shishi couldn't help but smile: "You can't judge a book by its cover. He must have some talent to have gotten this far as a writer."

She hasn't been filming recently and has more free time, so her sister-in-law Liu Yuqing dragged her over. One reason was to support Yang Mi's new movie, and the other was to see how good the highly anticipated "Tiny Times" really was.

“I can’t get into his books at all.” Liu Yuqing curled her lip, her tone somewhat dismissive. “They’re all just piles of fancy words and pointless moaning. As for the movies, you’ll only know if they’re just as good-looking on the outside after you’ve seen them.”

After a pause, as if suddenly remembering something, she leaned closer to Liu Shishi and said, "By the way, sister, isn't there a Weibo Night event next week? Can you help me get some tickets? I want to go with my roommate to see the excitement."

"Yes, it's at the end of the month," Liu Shishi readily agreed. "How many tickets do you need?"

"4 pictures."

The 2012 Weibo Night was a major annual event with a star-studded lineup. The reason it was delayed until the end of the month was to accommodate Song Ci's schedule; the date was finalized only after the national conference concluded.

As the two chatted in hushed tones, the film premiere officially began.

The lights focused, and the host's enthusiastic voice resounded throughout the theater: "Next, let's give a warm round of applause to our 'Sisters of the Times' as they make their dazzling entrance!"

Amidst rousing music and thunderous applause, the four leading actresses—Yang Mi, Ni Ni, Guo Biting, and Huo Siyan—entered the center of the stage in elegant haute couture gowns.

Instantly, flashbulbs went off like crazy, capturing this dazzling display of beauty.

As a top influencer, Yang Mi naturally wants to occupy the center position.

With a charming smile and confident strides, she seemed to stand casually, yet she was precisely positioned in the golden spot most likely to be captured by the camera.

She wore a bright silver deep V-neck dress, showcasing her stunning figure, and her jewelry was dazzling.

How could Ni Ni accept this?

This rising star, one of the "Four Little Actresses," debuted in "The Flowers of War" and immediately reached her peak, showing tremendous momentum.

With the support of LeTV, she harbors a sense of pride and is aiming for the leading positions of actresses like Yang Mi, who were born in the 85s.

Wearing a dark green velvet gown, she exudes a powerful aura amidst her retro elegance.

With a graceful spin, her skirt bloomed like a flower, "floating" perfectly to a spot half a body length in front of Yang Mi, while a perfect smile graced her face.

Guo Biting appeared in a white lace dress, and her long, straight black hair further enhanced her goddess-like demeanor.

Seemingly a beat too slow, upon seeing Ni Ni's movement, she didn't force her way in, but instead let out a soft "Ouch," as if she had tripped over her high heels.

She staggered forward a small step, her hand "unintentionally" resting on Ni Ni's arm, forcing the other to turn slightly, while also creating a gap for herself to enter the frame.

With a hint of panic and innocence on her face, she said, "Ni Ni, I'm sorry, the ground is a bit slippery."

Huo Siyan, wearing a peach-pink strapless mini dress, stood smiling slightly to the side, cleverly adjusting the angle to ensure that her sweet profile and perfect leg lines could be captured by the side camera.

She even boldly bent down to adjust her skirt, a move that instantly made her the focus of the fans' cameras, eliciting screams and silently diverting their attention.

During the interview segment, this atmosphere of subtle tension reached its climax, almost turning into an open battleground.

"Mimi, I heard that Director Guo's crew sometimes has to wait for you to coordinate your schedule. What's the longest you've ever waited?" The reporter asked sharply, directly addressing the rumors that Yang Mi was "working on multiple projects at once" and "making the whole crew wait."

A hint of displeasure flashed in Yang Mi's eyes, but her smile remained bright, and she responded quickly: "Thank you for Director Guo and the crew's understanding and tolerance. We are like family, understanding each other."

The reporter then posed the question to Ni Ni: "Compared to your previous experience working with director Zhang Yimou, do you need to make significant adjustments to your acting style when collaborating with director Guo?"

Ni Ni smiled slightly, raising her chin: "Actors are like water; they take on different shapes depending on the container they're placed in. The most important thing is professional competence; I can adapt to any director's requirements."

After saying that, he glanced at Guo Biting meaningfully, a gesture that was almost a direct mockery of her wooden acting skills.

Guo Biting's smile froze on her face instantly, her voice soft yet weighty: "I'm a newcomer who started as a model, so I do need to learn."

I'm very grateful for the guidance from the senior members of the crew, especially Sister Ni, who was particularly caring towards me on set.

The audience below the stage watched these scenes with great enthusiasm, exclaiming how wonderful they were, and were already eager to see the movie.

Huo Siyan was asked about her love life, and celebrity romances are always a hot topic.

She covered her mouth and chuckled, her eyes sparkling, and said with a giggle, "I'm fine, but Ni Ni receives flowers every few days."

Ni Ni's gentle smile froze for a moment, and she secretly gritted her teeth.

Huo Siyan's words were practically telling the reporter that she was in a relationship. She was indeed in a passionate relationship with Feng Shaofeng, but she had no intention of making it public.

Once a female celebrity's relationship is exposed, it becomes difficult to maintain her innocent image, which can significantly damage her career.

The four actresses exchanged witty banter, their smiles radiant, yet every word they uttered was sharp and cutting, as if they wanted to expose each other in public.

The male actors standing to the side could only maintain awkward yet polite smiles, feeling completely out of place amidst the fierce clash of the female stars' auras, wishing they could shrink into the background.

Below the stage, Liu Yuqing stared in disbelief: "My God! Sister, do they always act like this?"

Liu Shishi, however, was not surprised: "We've only just begun."

Behind the scenes, the methods used to compete for resources are ten times more elaborate than this. In the entertainment industry, smiling to people and stabbing them in the back is the norm.

He then slightly raised his chin, his words carrying a hint of detachment: "However, once you reach a certain level, no one will dare to lay their petty thoughts on you."

His voice exuded absolute confidence and composure, the confidence that came from standing on a cloud overlooking the struggles of all living beings.

On stage, director Guo Jingming looked at the four smiling actresses before him, who were actually hiding sharp edges of hostility, and inwardly he was already wailing.

My mind was racing: They've gone mad! They've all gone mad!
From fighting over billing order to dress brands, from press releases to interviews, are they really going to tear each other apart at the premiere?! Yang Mi, why are you glaring at me? Ni Ni, do you think no one can miss the hidden meaning in your words? Guo Biting, what are you pretending to be, playing the innocent little flower? Huo Siyan, why are you stirring up trouble?!

Seeing the reporters' eyes growing brighter and their questions becoming increasingly difficult, and the atmosphere about to completely spiral out of control, Guo Jingming quickly stepped forward and interrupted:
"Thank you so much to all the media friends for your support of 'Tiny Times' and our four leading ladies! Due to time constraints, the interview session will have to end here!"

I'm sure everyone is eagerly anticipating seeing this wonderful film, a labor of love and a testament to our collective effort! Now, please enjoy the movie! Thank you!

Without giving any time to react, he gestured to the staff with his eyes.

The lights dimmed instantly, the music abruptly changed, and the dragon logo lit up on the large screen.

The subtle noises in the audience quickly subsided, replaced by the exquisite dialogue and overly saturated visuals on the screen.

The film opens with a montage of extravagance and debauchery, and the director clearly knows how to create a dizzying visual spectacle of "high society" at a fast pace.

Liu Yuqing watched for less than twenty minutes before frowning, leaning close to her sister-in-law's ear, and saying disdainfully, "What a terrible movie! What is this even about?"

Liu Shishi nodded slightly, crossed her legs gracefully, and stared at the screen with an almost scrutinizing detachment.

The display of luxury goods, luxury cars, and mansions in the film may amaze and envious ordinary viewers.

But for the wife of Asia's richest man, it was not only unsettling, but also seemed particularly ridiculous and embarrassing.

The deliberately slow-motion close-up of the platinum bag and the seemingly casually placed limited-edition watch on the table—that kind of painstakingly crafted "elite" image—would actually appear somewhat cheap and petty in the truly elite circles she interacts with daily.

"It's just a bourgeois fantasy," Liu Shishi thought to herself. The narrative pace of "Tiny Times" is slow and disjointed, and the plot is driven entirely by coincidences and howling lines.

Guo Jingming's work, his first foray into acting, appears incredibly clumsy and amateurish in terms of technique.

At that moment, a thought flashed through my mind like lightning: "I think I could make this kind of movie too."

Once the idea took hold, it wouldn't leave. Yes, why bother filming it myself?

As long as the capital is in place, and an experienced team of executive directors is hired, along with ten or eight assistant directors to handle the specific tasks, Liu Shishi can simply be the nominal director, controlling the overall direction.

If Song Yiyi makes a cameo appearance for a few minutes, tens of millions of "wife fans" will definitely go crazy buying tickets.

Thinking of this, a mischievous and smug smile appeared on his face, as if he could already see the headline "Liu Shishi crosses over to direct, achieving both critical and commercial success."

"Sister, what are you thinking about?" Liu Yuqing caught the unusual, almost "evil" sly smile on her sister-in-law's face and asked curiously, "That smile of yours is giving me the creeps, you're definitely not thinking anything good!"

"It's nothing." Liu Shishi quickly collected her thoughts and regained her usual composure.

She gently patted her sister-in-law's hand and suggested, "Yuqing, this movie is really boring. Let's go back. Watching it any longer is a waste of time."

Liu Yuqing readily agreed, having been feeling extremely uneasy for some time: "Great minds think alike! Sister, a new barbecue restaurant recently opened near the school, and the food is absolutely amazing. Let's go get some skewers!"

"Barbecue skewers?" Liu Shishi's eyes lit up suddenly.

Since becoming Mrs. Song, she has frequented high-end hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants, and has not experienced the simple joys of everyday life for a long time.

"Great idea! Let's go! If it tastes good, bring some back for your brother too, so he can also experience the flavors of home."

The two women exchanged a knowing smile, like students who had successfully skipped class, taking advantage of the moment when the movie plot was in the midst of a fake and exaggerated argument, they crouched down and quietly left their seats.

Liu Shishi sent a message to her assistants waiting outside, instructing them to go directly to the parking lot to meet her.

As night fell, Liu Yuqing had a barbecue and returned to the quiet Tsinghua campus.

"Sisters! I brought you some late-night snacks! They're still hot, eat them while they're hot!"

Liu Yuqing pushed open the dormitory door and waved the meat skewers and grilled vegetables wrapped in layers of tin foil and insulated bags.

"Hooray! Yuqing, you're the best!" Liu Jiajia, who was watching a TV series, and He Ying, who was engrossed in reading, immediately cheered and excitedly surrounded her.

The moment the foil was opened, the steam mixed with the aroma of barbecue instantly filled the entire dormitory, making everyone's mouths water.

Zhang Zetian, who was organizing his study abroad materials at his desk, couldn't help but take a deep breath, turn his head and smile, "It smells so good!"

Yuqing, didn't you go to the premiere of "Tiny Times"? It's over already? How was the movie?

Liu Yuqing took off her coat, took out makeup remover pads, and snorted disdainfully, "Don't even mention it, it's a complete disaster. I couldn't watch it for more than half an hour, so my sister and I slipped away early."

Liu Jiajia was happily munching on a skewer of grilled chicken wings when she heard this and said regretfully, "Oh? Is it really that bad? I quite like Guo Jingming's books, and I was even planning to go see 'Tiny Times' tomorrow."

"I sincerely advise you not to waste that money and time," Liu Yuqing said earnestly. "The whole film reeks of ostentatious materialism, the plot is nonsensical, and the actors' performances are awkward."

If you're looking to watch a movie, forget about "Tiny Times." You could check out "Finding Mr. Right," which opens tomorrow, starring Wang Kai and Lü Yi. The trailer looks pretty promising.

He Ying nodded in agreement: "I've heard that too. 'Finding Mr. Right' is produced by Tengda Culture and filmed on location in the United States. The quality should be quite good."

When the conversation turned to "America," Liu Jiajia naturally looked at Zhang Zetian: "Hey, speaking of America, Xiaotian, is everything settled about your studies abroad? Are you really going?"

Zhang Zetian nodded, his face showing a complex expression of anticipation and trepidation.

"Yes, the exchange student spots have been finalized, and the procedures are almost complete. We expect to depart in mid-to-late August."

He then looked at Liu Yuqing, who was removing her makeup, and extended an invitation, "Yuqing, you could also consider applying to study abroad. It would be great if we went together and had each other as company."

She knew her roommate's family's influence; arranging her study abroad would be no difficult task.

Liu Yuqing shook her head vigorously, "No, no. It's a foreign country, I don't know anyone, and I'm not used to the food. Just thinking about it makes me feel bored. I prefer to stay in China."

She was lively and loved being around people, and had absolutely no interest in studying alone across the ocean.

But then he added, "However, when you leave in August, I can come to see you off and take a trip to the United States for a summer vacation!"

We can fly there together then. I'll help you settle in first, and then we can spend a few days sightseeing before I come back.

He Ying recalled an old incident from before the New Year and asked curiously, "By the way, Xiao Tian, ​​didn't you say that your family had arranged a pretty important blind date for you during the New Year? What happened after that? I haven't heard you mention it since."

Zhang Zetian's smile froze for a moment, a look of embarrassment and disappointment flashing across his face.

She lowered her eyelids, her voice softening slightly: "That's all. They probably didn't like me." Her words were understated, but a hint of frustration was palpable.

The blind date, which was carefully arranged by her elders at great expense, ultimately fell through, undoubtedly dealing a significant blow to her self-confidence.

Liu Yuqing keenly noticed the fleeting awkwardness on Zhang Zetian's face and quickly spoke up to smooth things over and change the subject:

"Oh dear, what era are we living in? Still having arranged blind dates? That's so outdated! We should have free love and meet the person we like on our own."

Liu Jiajia had already finished eating and drinking. While helping to clean up the bamboo skewers and scraps on the table, she sighed in an old-fashioned manner:

"Sigh, it's easy to say, but truly outstanding men are like scarce resources, they're in high demand!"
But people like Yuqing and Xiaotian definitely don't need to worry; their looks and family backgrounds speak for themselves.

Suddenly turning the topic to Liu Yuqing, with a hint of teasing and curiosity, he asked, "Speaking of which, Yuqing, what kind of person are you looking for? Handsome or rich?"

Liu Yuqing paused in removing her makeup, looking at herself in the mirror, a hint of confusion appearing in her eyes for the first time.

As a young girl in love, she naturally fantasized about what her future partner would look like. Perhaps subconsciously, she always hoped to find a man as strong, perfect, and charming as her brother, Song Ci.

But deep down, I know perfectly well that people like my brother are rare in this world, and that's almost an unrealistic fantasy.

"Me..." After a few seconds of hesitation, he gave a generic answer, "I'll leave it to fate. I'll go with the feeling. If I really meet the right person, then no standards will matter anymore."

Unbeknownst to everyone, Zhang Zetian, who was sitting at the desk, had a few moments when his eyes flickered slightly.

The fingers gripping the pen tightened slightly, then loosened again; a vague yet bold idea might be quietly taking root in the heart.

(One update today, two updates tomorrow.)
(End of this chapter)