Entertainment mogul: Starting his business with the internet

Chapter 489 Not Enough Rank
At the end of March, the Beiping International Trade Center was ablaze with lights as the Weibo Night grandly opened, illuminating the early spring night sky.

The grand event was simultaneously broadcast live online, and its scale far surpassed that of the previous two editions.

Outside the China World Trade Center, the area was already packed with fans. A cacophony of colorful light sticks, banners, and screams filled the air, while security personnel stood by, striving to maintain order.

Inside the venue, the red carpet ceremony continued to generate buzz for several hours.

As the star power of the celebrities who appeared increased, the sound of camera shutters on site became more and more frequent, and the number of people watching the live stream online skyrocketed.

Inside, stars, directors, producers, and investors from most of the Chinese entertainment industry gathered, chatting and laughing in small groups. Everyone was a participant in this massive online spectacle.

In a corner, Li Bingbing, dressed in an elegant white gown, glanced at the bustling crowd.

She sighed softly to Huang Xiaoming, "Things are really different now. The scale of the Weibo Night event is probably even more grand than the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Awards."

Huang Xiaoming looked around and nodded with a sigh, his voice filled with understanding and helplessness: "There's nothing we can do, it's the trend of the times."

Weibo is like the 'water, electricity, and gas' of our industry; we can't do without it. If you want to make a living this way, who dares to refuse us?

Li Bingbing nodded slightly, deeply agreeing.

In the entertainment industry, people are often powerless to control their own lives. In the entire online world, it's hard to find another social platform like Weibo that can simultaneously possess immediacy, public nature, and openness.

It's like a virtual city square that never closes, where all the hot topics are generated, fermented, and exploded, ultimately defining who is at the top and who has faded into obscurity.

More importantly, Weibo is the only window for celebrities to directly connect with millions of fans at low cost and high frequency.

To maintain exposure and popularity by leveraging its traffic, one must naturally follow the rules set by its owner, Tengda Group.

Huang Xiaoming glanced casually at the distance and saw his girlfriend chatting warmly with Ni Ni. The two were laughing and talking, just like close sisters.

Slightly taken aback, she wondered to herself: When did they become so close? Friendships in the entertainment industry are hard to distinguish between genuine and fake.

He turned his gaze away from Li Bingbing and asked with a slightly teasing smile, "So, do you have any plans for today?" He was referring to buying trending topics.

Today, Weibo's trending topics list is no longer just a thermometer of public opinion, but also a bidding ground and trend indicator for the commercial value of celebrities.

Whether one makes the list and how long they stay on it directly impacts their exposure and status. On Weibo Night, which focuses the attention of the entire internet, getting on the trending topics list is as effective as a major publicity campaign.

Li Bingbing smiled helplessly and replied in a low voice, "We've thrown some; we can't fall behind completely."

Buying trending topics is almost an unspoken competition within the industry. If you don't invest, others will seize the high ground. In order to maintain your visibility, you have no choice but to bite the bullet and join this game dominated by capital and traffic.

Composing himself, he became serious and asked, "By the way, Xiaoming, is there any definite news from 'The Crossing'?"

Since rumors circulated within the industry that the role of Zhang Ziyi, the original lead actress, might be replaced in "The Crossing," she has made this "big pie" her top priority and has been actively working to secure it.

Huang Xiaoming smiled smugly and reassured his friend: "It's almost done, basically settled."

"That's great! Xiaoming, thank you so much this time!" Li Bingbing was overjoyed.

"Don't mention it." Huang Xiaoming waved his hand, lowering his voice even further, revealing more inside information, "Actually, I didn't put in much effort. You were already at the top of the candidate list, the key was that the pressure from the investors was too great."

Xiaoma Benteng has signed a performance-based agreement, requiring it to go public by the end of the year, putting immense pressure on its performance.

LeTV Video is struggling to breathe under the pressure of ByteDance Video, while Jia Yueting is busy joining forces with Foxconn to bet on 'Super TV,' the success or failure of which is uncertain.

Boss Li and Boss Jia are now seeking both stability and explosive growth. Zhang Ziyi has had a lot of trouble in recent years, and they dare not take any risks, which is why they've decided to replace her.

After a brief pause, he recalled an amusing anecdote to share with a friend: "President Li even had the wild idea of ​​inviting Liu Shishi to his wedding."

Li Bingbing scoffed: "Although Boss Li and Boss Jia are big names in the industry and have considerable influence, in terms of wealth and capital, the two of them combined can't compare to Liu Shishi right now? That's really wishful thinking."

“So,” Huang Xiaoming spread his hands, “I ultimately felt that it was the safest and most suitable thing to hand this responsibility over to you.”

Li Bingbing nodded in satisfaction, a hint of consideration in her voice, and sighed softly, "I understand. But this means that my feud with Zhang Ziyi is now officially established."

Huang Xiaoming also suppressed his smile: "It's inevitable. There are only so many resources."

Li Bingbing snorted coldly, a sharp and resolute glint flashing in his eyes—the edge honed from years of struggling in the entertainment industry: "It's come to this, there's no point in saying more. Let's see who has the best skills."

Meanwhile, Ni Ni and Yang Ying were having a pleasant conversation.

As two of the "Four Little Actresses" newly named by the media, they are of similar age and are all at the forefront of fashion and popularity. Although there is no shortage of open and covert competition, they now seem to have a sense of mutual appreciation.

As they were chatting, Ni Ni caught a glimpse of Huo Siyan waving at her from not far away, and immediately understood that the "Tiny Times Sisters" should get ready to walk the red carpet.

"Baby, let's talk again when you have time. I'm heading over now."

Ni Ni smiled and said goodbye to Yang Ying, elegantly straightened the hem of her expensive dress, and walked gracefully toward her group of friends.

At the starting point of the red carpet, Yang Mi, Ni Ni, Huo Siyan, and Guo Biting had already gathered.

All four are radiant and charming, each with their own unique style, like four delicate yet distinct flowers, poised to bloom and ready to be captured by the camera.

Riding on the wave of the box office success and explosive popularity of "Tiny Times 1" upon its release, the four have been enjoying unparalleled popularity lately, frequently appearing on trending topics and steadily reaping the benefits of online traffic.

As for the film's polarized reviews, or even the flood of negative comments? So what?

The movie is the work of director Guo Jingming. If it's not well made, the audience can criticize the director. What does it have to do with the actresses who did their jobs perfectly?

Traffic and popularity are what you can actually hold in your hands.

As staff guided them and the host announced their names, the four actresses switched gears, their faces beaming with impeccable smiles. They affectionately linked arms and walked side by side onto the red carpet.

In front of the autograph wall, when faced with questions from the host, their answers were witty and sarcastic, seemingly friendly and playful, but actually quite sharp.

This subtle exchange of words drew a flurry of camera flashes from the media at the scene, while the online live stream chat was flooded with comments, leaving viewers thoroughly entertained.

This kind of "plastic besties" drama is always the most popular part for the public.

After going through a series of procedures, the four of them finally entered the venue amidst a flurry of flashing lights.

The interior was brightly lit, filled with elegantly dressed women.

Yang Mi's gaze casually swept over the three "comrades-in-arms" before finally landing on Ni Ni.

This actress, who rose to fame as a "Zhang Yimou girl," is currently enjoying great success thanks to the backing of Zhang Yimou, the renowned director, and LeTV, which is heavily promoting her. She seems to be constantly competing with herself, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

Does she really think that with just one film, "The Flowers of War," she can sit back and be on par with top actresses who have already achieved great success in television dramas and have successfully transitioned to the big screen?
Yang Mi's eyes darted around, and she had a plan in mind: "Ni Ni, huh? Why didn't your Feng Shaofeng come along? Did you two have a fight?"

She frowned slightly, adopting the demeanor of a close friend, "Sigh, couples need to be more tolerant of each other. I know Shaofeng fairly well; he's straightforward and doesn't have any bad intentions. You just need to coax him a bit more."

He spoke slowly, but every word seemed to pierce Ni Ni's heart unintentionally. "Excuse me, I'll go see where my seat is."

These words, seemingly caring, were actually barbs in disguise. Upon hearing them, Ni Ni's smile froze instantly, and anger flared within her. The ambiguous past between Feng Shaofeng and Yang Mi remained a thorn in her side.

Even though her boyfriend repeatedly explained that it was just a publicity stunt arranged by the company back then, Yang Mi bringing it up in public with the tone of someone who had been through it all still made her feel extremely uncomfortable.

Suppressing his anger and maintaining his composure, he watched Yang Mi sway gracefully as she walked straight to the second row of seats in the inner area, his dissatisfaction growing stronger.

Looking around the venue, the seating arrangement at tonight's conference was strictly hierarchical:
In the center of the first row sat the richest couple.

On the left are several presidents and senior executives from Tengda Group's Weibo, Tengda Culture, Southern Cinema, and Toutiao Video, who hold the reins of the platforms and channels.

On the right are the heads of top domestic film and television companies such as Huaying, Enlight Media, Huayi Brothers, Huace Media, and Tangren Media, who control projects and resources.

The second row was occupied by renowned directors in the industry, including Zhang Yimou, Feng Xiaogang, and Chen Kaige.

And undisputed A-list celebrities such as Huang Xiaoming, Qiao Zhengyu, Li Bingbing, Zhang Ziyi, Zhou Xun, Hu Ge, Yang Mi, and Zhao Liying.

The third row consists of respected veteran actors, middle-aged directors with box office or award-winning works, and some senior and accomplished second-tier actors.

She herself was assigned to the fourth row!

A bucket of cold water instantly extinguished all the enthusiasm brought by walking the red carpet, leaving only a chilling feeling and an overwhelming sense of resentment.

In the eyes of the organizers, Ni Ni, one of the "New Four Little Actresses" and the lead actress of the blockbuster movie "Tiny Times", is actually just an ordinary second-tier actress?

I always thought that with my starting point as a "Zhang Yimou Girl" and the resources that followed, I had already firmly entered the ranks of the top tier!
Despite her reluctance, Ni Ni knew she couldn't fight city hall.

If she shows even the slightest dissatisfaction under the public eye, tomorrow the trending topics will likely be dominated by "Ni Ni is acting like a diva" and "Ni Ni's face turns sour on the spot due to dissatisfaction with seating arrangements".

Suppressing his dissatisfaction, he lightly stomped his foot, trying his best to maintain a nonchalant smile, and reluctantly walked towards the fourth row.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere was completely different in the private lounge outside the venue.

Song Ci was listening to Liu Rong report on the Korean company's intention to remake the hit drama "My Love from the Star".

After getting a general understanding of the situation, he waved his hand listlessly: "You can decide on this level of cooperation yourself. If there's anything you're unsure about, just ask Wang Jing."

"Understood, Chairman Song," Liu Rong replied hastily, but inwardly he sighed with emotion.

Today, the group's business spans the globe, with its reach extending into multiple massive sectors such as finance and technology. The size and profits of the film and television industry, which are considered "small-scale," are indeed increasingly disregarded by the chairman.

A few years ago, Chairman Song would occasionally inquire about the profits and losses of key projects, but now he can't even be bothered to allocate that much time.

As they were talking, the door to the lounge was gently pushed open, and Liu Shishi walked in with a smile, followed by two people: "Honey, I brought Sister K and Lao Hu over to say hello."

The visitors were Cai Yi-nong and Hu Ge, both of whom were old acquaintances.

Upon recognizing the familiar faces, Song Ci toned down her usual aloofness and said politely, "President Cai, Hu Ge, it's been a long time. Please sit down and let's chat."

When Cai Yinong and Hu Ge entered, they noticed Liu Rong next to the richest man. After exchanging greetings, they sat down on the sofa.

Knowing that her boss wanted to catch up and discuss personal matters, Liu Rong immediately got up and left: "Chairman Song, Madam, you two talk, I'll go to the venue to check the agenda."

Song Ci picked up the purple clay cup on the table, took a sip of tea, looked at Hu Ge, and said in a relaxed tone:
"I heard from Shishi that you haven't taken on any acting roles recently and have been honing your skills on the stage. I'll go see you sometime when I have time. Come to think of it, I've never actually seen a play before."

Upon hearing this, Hu Ge replied with a humble yet flattered expression: "Chairman Song is extremely busy. If he could come, it would be an honor for our entire drama troupe. We will definitely reserve the best seats for him."

Liu Shishi sat down next to her husband and smiled, "Old Hu really wants to settle down and hone his acting skills."

I heard his performance this time was very well received and highly praised. When he returns to film and television, he'll definitely be a breath of fresh air.

"I've only made slight progress; there's still a lot to learn," Hu Ge said modestly.

"Speaking of my understanding of acting, when I was filming 'The Myth' and acting opposite Mr. Zhang Shi, his performance really shocked me. I still remember the subtle and nuanced way he handled the role."

Knowing that her husband usually only read "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and "Ming Dynasty 1566", Liu Shishi recounted the past in detail.

Song Ci listened and nodded slightly.

Ultimately, when it comes to acting skills, if the director patiently guides you during filming, and the actor is willing to take it seriously and spend time immersing themselves in honing their craft, they can always reach a "passable" or even good level.

Just like his wife Liu Shishi, when he is in good condition and meets a good director, his performance is also remarkable.

The industry atmosphere has changed. Traffic is king, and celebrities are doing commercial performances every three days and brand events every five days.

Running around to several film sets a month, like rushing from one to another, how can one calm down and "waste" time to experience life and hone a character?
Everyone wants to take on more work and earn more money while they're popular; this is human nature under market selection, and there's nothing wrong with that.

After chatting with Cai Yinong for a few more minutes, Song Ci glanced at her watch and said gently to Liu Shishi, "It's almost time, shall we go in first?"

Today he's just accompanying his wife on a formality. Given his status and position, he no longer needs this kind of exposure; he can show up whenever he feels like it.

"Okay!" Upon hearing this, Liu Shishi's eyes curved into crescent moons, and she excitedly took her husband's arm. To be able to appear dazzlingly side by side with her husband was itself a great happiness and satisfaction.

On the red carpet, hosts Hua Shao and Li Ai received an urgent notification from backstage that the richest couple was about to arrive. They immediately interrupted the original schedule and adjusted the order of appearance to the highest level.

At the entrance to the red carpet, Yang Ying, who was about to step onto the red carpet, was suddenly stopped by a staff member: "Ms. Yang, please wait a moment. The next guest needs to enter first."

Amidst Yang Ying's bewildered gaze, Liu Shishi, arm in arm with Song Ci, strolled leisurely from behind.

Song Ci stood tall and graceful, with a sapphire brooch on his chest that shone brightly under the flash of the lights. He was handsome and extraordinary.

Liu Shishi wore a champagne-colored fishtail dress, showcasing her slender figure, flowing hair, and exquisite makeup. She exuded a gentle and noble aura, as if she were pampered and protected to the extreme.

Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Song!

"Hello, Mr. Song! Hello, Madam!"

All the celebrities and bigwigs waiting backstage stood up one after another, and greetings rose and fell.

The couple, like emperor and empress, calmly stepped onto the glittering red carpet, attracting all the cameras and eyes of the audience.

Yang Ying stood there, a surge of indescribable envy welling up in her heart, even tinged with a touch of bitterness.

She had previously hoped that her boyfriend, Huang Xiaoming, would accompany her on the red carpet to increase her profile and public attention.

But Huang Xiaoming had already planned to make a grand finale appearance with Deng Chao and Hu Ge to promote the upcoming film "American Dreams in China".

At this moment, Liu Shishi is surrounded by her husband's loving companionship and enjoys a glamorous life.

The thought of being all alone and having to make way for others, and that her boyfriend prioritized business collaborations over her, instantly dampened her spirits, leaving her with only an indescribable sense of loss and depression.

(End of this chapter)