Entertainment mogul: Starting his business with the internet

Chapter 494 I Only Love Your Eyebrows and Eyes
In early April, the Jiangnan region is lush with green grass and birdsong, shrouded in misty rain.

Without disturbing too many people, Song Ci and Liu Shishi traveled lightly and quietly back to their ancestral home in Suzhou, a water town in southern China.

The bluestone path winds and twists, the stream flows gently under the small bridge, and the white walls and black tiles stand quietly in the misty rain.

Everything seemed isolated from the rapidly developing world outside, forming a tranquil world of its own.

In the ancient ancestral hall of the Song family, the couple burned incense and offered sacrifices according to traditional rituals to comfort their ancestors.

The smoke curled upwards, carrying an air of solemnity and longing.

After leaving Suzhou, I went straight to Nanjing.

With Devon Manufacturing's new generation electric vehicle factory about to go into production, Song Ci had to personally conduct a final inspection as one of the company's core strategies.

Inside the huge, modern factory, robotic arms move with precision, and assembly lines operate efficiently, with brand-new electric vehicles taking shape on the intelligent production line.

The factory manager and technical director accompanied the boss throughout the process, explaining each step in detail.

Song Ci listened intently, asking questions from time to time, greedily absorbing the knowledge about automobile manufacturing like a sponge.

Liu Shishi accompanied her husband throughout the visit, quietly observing his other business ventures besides Tengda Technology.

After the inspection, the two declined the banquet invitations from the factory management.

On April 8, at Nanjing Airport, a Bombardier Global 7500 private jet was ready for takeoff.

There were no media cameras or noisy farewell processions, only the simple and efficient assistance of assistants and security personnel.

As the plane soared into the sky and gradually moved away from the familiar city skyline, a long-awaited sense of relaxation, unique to the two of them, finally slowly descended.

The cabin is spacious and furnished like a luxurious living room in the sky.

Liu Shishi leaned against the window, gazing at the mountains and rivers below that were gradually shrinking into a model-like form.

After finishing the last few urgent emails, Song Ci closed his laptop, went to his wife's side, and naturally took her soft hands in his.

A gentle voice: "Tired?"

Liu Shishi shook her head and gently rested her head on her husband's shoulder: "No, it just feels so magical. It's like our honeymoon has only just begun at this moment."

Song Ci chuckled softly, inhaling the fragrance of his wife's hair, and gently kissed her forehead: "For the next ten days or so, it will just be you and me."

After a long flight, the plane finally landed smoothly at Keflavik International Airport in Iceland.

The moment the cabin door opened, a rush of crisp, clean, and slightly chilly air washed away the fatigue of the journey.

A private butler and a seasoned local tour guide arranged by Ctrip were already waiting.

Song Ci and Liu Shishi did not linger; they boarded a waiting luxury SUV and headed directly to their hotel for the first night.

April in Iceland, at the turn of winter and spring, is a unique time of year that lies between desolation and awakening.

On both sides of the highway are vast plains covered with tundra, and in the distance are snow-capped glaciers that shimmer with a blue-purple glow in the sunlight.

The volcanic rock formations are rugged and bizarre, with occasional wisps of geothermal steam rising from the cracks, reminding people of the immense energy hidden deep within this land.

"The scenery here is like an alien planet," Liu Shishi exclaimed, gazing out the window.

Following her gaze, Song Ci nodded in agreement: "It's very special, it has a primal and powerful vitality."

In the evening, the group arrived at a luxury hotel near the famous Blue Lagoon.

As previously described by Hou Yue of Ctrip, the suites offer excellent views and also feature private outdoor hot springs.

After settling in briefly, the couple immersed themselves in the milky blue, mineral-rich geothermal hot spring to dispel the fatigue of their journey.

The setting sun in the distance dyed the snow-capped mountaintops a magnificent pinkish-gold color, creating a tranquil and pleasant scene.

The days that followed were filled with a fulfilling yet private schedule.

The two took a helicopter tour over Thingvellir National Park and hiked between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.

With expert guides, venture deep into glacial caves, touch the millennia-old blue ice, and feel the solidification and passage of time.

Driving along the south bank, you'll encounter the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, which cascade down like a silver river, often shrouded in mist with rainbows.

Song Ci has temporarily put aside all work, and her phone has been mostly silent during this period.

It was as if he had returned to his most authentic self, holding Liu Shishi's hand the whole time, listening attentively to the explanations, exchanging smiles with his lover when facing the magnificent scenery, or using his phone to capture countless beautiful moments for her.

Liu Shishi was completely immersed in the journey, her smile brighter than the sunshine.

Of course, the most anticipated part of the honeymoon is the Northern Lights.

On their third night in Iceland, according to the Ctrip team's forecast, the aurora index was very high. That night, a local expert guide drove them to an optimal observation point far from light pollution.

It was a vast expanse of black volcanic rock, and the low, rumbling sound of waves crashing against the icy black sand could be heard not far away.

All was quiet except for the gentle sound of the wind brushing against my ears.

The sky was like a huge, dark velvet curtain, studded with tiny, dazzling stars, with the Milky Way clearly stretching across the horizon.

The two, dressed in professional winter gear, huddled together, waiting for a miracle to happen.

"Are you cold?" Song Ci hugged her lover even tighter.

"It's not cold," Liu Shishi replied softly, her heart racing with anticipation.

Suddenly, a faint, light green band of light appeared on the northern horizon, like the soft hem of a goddess's skirt, swaying gently in the air.

"Look!" Liu Shishi exclaimed excitedly in a low voice, pointing to the sky.

The band of light gradually became clearer, brighter, and wider, and then it began to dance!
It is no longer a static veil, but a living, soulful entity that leaps, spins, and spreads across the sky.

Predominantly green, interspersed with faint pinkish-purple halos, it is ever-changing, vast and mysterious, breathtakingly beautiful.

The aurora grew ever brighter, illuminating almost the entire night sky and the earth, cascading like a waterfall, fluttering like silk, as if a silent yet magnificent cosmic symphony was being performed overhead.

Liu Shishi nestled in her husband's arms, gazing up at the wonder of the world, too moved to speak, her eyes slightly moist.

Song Ci lowered his head, gazing at her profile illuminated by the aurora, his eyes filled with amazement and tenderness, and said softly, "Some say that the aurora is the longing of the highest latitude on Earth."

Those who can see are the lucky ones favored by heaven. Shishi, my greatest fortune is being able to share this moment with you.

Liu Shishi turned her head and looked into her beloved's deep eyes, where the flowing aurora borealis was reflected and filled with his unreserved love for her.

She murmured tenderly, "It is said that those who see the aurora together will receive eternal love and happiness. Song Yiyi, I believe it."

Song Ci did not answer, but sealed Liu Shishi's beautiful vow with an extremely gentle kiss.

Under the magnificent and sacred light of the goddess Aurora, on this pristine land protected by glaciers and volcanoes, they embraced tightly, as if becoming the most eternal scene in the world.

Love needs no words. The tranquility and magnificence of this moment, the embrace and companionship, are the best interpretation of love.

After a long while, the aurora gradually faded, and the night sky returned to silence, as if the magnificent scene just now was just a dream.

But the warmth emanating from their clasped hands speaks of eternity with undeniable truth.

It was late at night when they returned to the hotel, still immersed in the awe and excitement of witnessing the aurora borealis. The suite's terrace was filled with the steam of the hot spring pool; they took another bath to dispel the chill.

"I will never forget what I saw today." Liu Shishi leaned against the pool, gazing up at the starry night sky.

Song Ci leaned closer and brushed aside the slightly damp strands of hair from her forehead: "Yes. From now on, every year, we'll go to a different place to see the world. As long as I'm with you, everywhere is a beautiful sight."

Liu Shishi smiled and kissed the corner of his lips: "Song Yiyi, your sweet talk skills are top-notch."

Song Ci raised an eyebrow and pulled her into his arms, the hot spring water rippling: "Oh? It seems I need more practice to keep Madam satisfied."

Outside the window, the Icelandic night is crisp and clear; inside the pool, there's a warm and tender atmosphere, a symbol of enduring love. Our sweet honeymoon journey reaches its first romantic peak thanks to the aurora borealis this night.

And this is just the beginning of a long and wonderful journey. Every day to come is like the aurora borealis, full of anticipation.

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In mid-April, night fell over Beiping, neon lights flickered, but they couldn't penetrate the oppressive atmosphere inside the living room of a high-end apartment.

Zhang Ziyi, dressed in silk loungewear, curled up on the sofa, her fingertips gliding coldly across the iPad screen.

The top trending topics on Weibo included eye-catching entries such as "Chinese actors in Transformers 4" and "Fan Bingbing joins Transformers 4".

Upon clicking, I found photos from Paramount Pictures' official press conference that afternoon.

Dressed in a luxurious gown, Fan Bingbing stood between Michael Bay and Paramount executives, radiant with confidence and a radiant smile. She handled the barrage of questions from domestic and international media with ease, basking in the limelight.

The press release emphasized that she has a significant role in this globally anticipated production, and is by no means a fleeting cameo.

"Heh." A very soft, sarcastic, and resentful laugh escaped from Zhang Ziyi's lips.

Once upon a time, being able to stand in that position, representing an Asian face in top Hollywood productions, and enjoying global attention was Zhang Ziyi's exclusive privilege.

Now, she is mired in difficulties and her career is declining, while her former "rival" is rising steadily and enjoying unparalleled success, even leaving her far behind.

The stark contrast and sense of loss pierced her heart. Looking at Fan Bingbing's smug expression in the picture, she wanted nothing more than to tear that smiling face off the screen.

"Smack!" He slammed the iPad face down on the sofa, his chest heaving as he struggled to suppress the surging bitterness and anger.

After venting, a deeper sense of exhaustion and emptiness followed. He then looked up at his agent, who had been sitting quietly on the sofa.

Ji Lingling remained expressionless, calmly observing her collaborating artist. That calmness, ironically, made Zhang Ziyi feel slightly embarrassed.

Taking a deep breath and trying to make his voice sound steady, he spoke with the last shred of unrealistic hope: "President Ji, is there really absolutely no room for maneuver for 'The Crossing'? What about Director Wu's situation..."

Ji Lingling's voice was completely flat, extinguishing any hope: "The production team has officially signed a contract with Li Bingbing. Everything is settled."

"Bitch!" Zhang Ziyi's anger flared instantly, and she blurted out the words almost without thinking, her delicate face contorted with rage.

"LeEco and Pegasus Media! They have absolutely no sense of contractual obligation! How did they beg me in the first place? Look at me now..."

She swallowed the rest of her words, but the humiliation only intensified.

"It's too late to dwell on it now." Ji Lingling's voice remained calm, almost cold. "In this industry, being replaced at the last minute or having your role snatched away is commonplace. This isn't the first time you've experienced this."

Yes, it's just everyday food. Zhang Ziyi clenched her fists so tightly that her nails almost dug into her palms. But who is she? She is Zhang Ziyi! She is Zhang Ziyi, who once almost reached the pinnacle of Chinese female stars and became an internationally renowned figure!
Now that she has fallen from grace and been trampled upon, the psychological gap is far more unbearable for her than losing a role itself.

He stared blankly out the window at the city lights for a long time, as if half a century had passed, before slowly exhaling a breath of stale air.

He asked in a resigned voice, "Are there any decent movie resources left in the industry lately?"

Ji Lingling's answer was crisp and direct, leaving no room for sarcasm: "Movies? None of the top-tier productions I've been able to get my hands on are suitable for you. Are you willing to settle for a low-budget romance film?"

He paused for a moment, then offered another option: "What about TV dramas? There are a few big projects looking for female leads, and they're offering quite a lot of money."

"No filming!" Zhang Ziyi refused almost reflexively.

This was her pride, which she had maintained for many years, and also her last act of defiance. Her deeply ingrained sense of superiority as a film star made it impossible for her to "descend" to film television dramas, even though reality was pressing in.

Ji Lingling couldn't help but sigh softly.

Zhou Xun has already humbled herself and returned to the small screen; the market has changed dramatically. Yet, this artist is still indulging in past glories and unable to see reality.

In her view, whether it's a movie or a TV series, making money and maintaining exposure are the only important things. How much is face worth?

"How about appearing on a variety show?" Ji Lingling changed the subject. "Hunan TV has a new music talent show called 'The Strongest Voice in China,' which is very popular, and they want to invite you to be a mentor. The offer is very generous."

Zhang Ziyi fell silent. In the past, she wouldn't have even considered this kind of variety show. But now that her film project was stalled and she didn't want to film a TV series, she really needed exposure to maintain her fragile popularity.

After much deliberation and a fierce internal struggle, he finally nodded slowly, his voice filled with weariness and resignation: "Go."

"Okay, I'll coordinate and arrange it." Ji Lingling replied softly, then changed the subject, "By the way, you and Sa Beining broke up?"

Mentioning her ex-boyfriend, Zhang Ziyi's expression instantly became unnatural, her eyes flickered, and her voice was barely audible: "Um... Xiao Sa and I broke up."

Ji Lingling was speechless for a moment.

When Zhang Ziyi was dating Sa Beining, his positive image and excellent reputation helped her regain much of the goodwill and public favor she had lost due to the "triple scandal".

Now that they've broken up, public opinion is bound to stir up a storm, and there will likely be a lot of chaos.

Seeing Zhang Ziyi's hesitant expression, clearly concealing something, her professional instincts prompted her to press further: "Is there something else you're hiding from me?"

Zhang Ziyi opened her mouth, stammered for a long time, and finally made up her mind to say, "I...I've started dating someone else."

"Who?" Ji Lingling's heart tightened, and she had a bad feeling.

"...Wang Feng."

The air solidified instantly.

Ji Lingling was completely stunned, staring at Zhang Ziyi as if trying to find any trace of a joke on her face. But Zhang Ziyi's evasive eyes told her that it was real.

After a long while, he let out a long, deep sigh, his tone filled with undisguised disappointment and a near-resigned calm.

"Alright. You can decide for yourself. I won't interfere in your private affairs anymore."

Zhang Ziyi's heart sank.

The agent's words, seemingly granting freedom, are in reality a sign of utter helplessness and relinquishment.

Even her closest work colleagues have lost faith in her judgment in choosing a partner and have no desire to offer any advice. Isn't this a kind of extreme disappointment?

A huge sense of loss welled up in my heart.

(End of this chapter)