Entertainment mogul: Starting his business with the internet

Chapter 544 Going North
On the last day of June, Hengdian World Studios was shrouded in a sweltering, humid atmosphere.

As noon approached, the sky suddenly darkened, with dark clouds rolling and gathering like ink. In an instant, a torrential downpour began.

"That's a wrap!" Director Li Guoli's voice came through the loudspeaker, and the entire crew immediately relaxed.

The staff began packing up the equipment, and the actors braved the torrential rain to head to the rest area.

Liu Shishi, dressed in an elegant ancient costume, saw Cai Yinong, Hu Ge, and their assistant standing at the edge of the set from afar. A gentle smile appeared on her lips as she lifted her skirt and walked quickly toward them.

"Old Hu, what brings you to the film set today?"

Hu Ge looked energetic, his sunglasses pushed up to reveal his clean-cut features: "I came specifically to visit you on set. I'll be joining the crew in a few days too."

Liu Shishi took the thermos from her assistant Su Xiaoxiao, took a small sip, and looked on with curiosity:

"Didn't you say you were going to focus on stage plays and hone your acting skills this year? Why did you suddenly change your plans? Did you come across a script that you love?"

Hu Ge shrugged helplessly and wiped the fine sweat from her forehead: "Don't mention it."

People from the Anhui Provincial Propaganda Department and television station personally approached us, and the investors included Dongying Group. You know how it is; it's really hard to refuse such a lineup.

"Then there's nothing we can do." Liu Shishi smiled gently, her eyes curving into crescents. "You haven't filmed anything for a while now."

This is a good opportunity to test the results of my stage acting training and see if my acting skills have improved. By the way, what kind of film is it?

Cai Yinong chimed in at the opportune moment, his words full of teasing: "It's a realistic urban drama, the female lead is Yan Ni, and Hu Ge plays her lover, there are even kissing scenes!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Shishi recalled Yan Ni's usual slightly tipsy and languid demeanor, and then imagined the scene of Hu Ge acting intimately with her, and couldn't help but laugh out loud:

"If Yan Ni has a kissing scene with Hu Ge, she must be very happy."

Amidst the laughter and conversation, Cai Yinong glanced at the exquisite watch on his wrist, and noticing that the rain outside was gradually subsiding, he said seriously:

"Shishi, Hu Ge is here too. I have something to discuss with you. Let's go to the lounge to talk."

Liu Shishi nodded, took the umbrella handed to her by her assistant, and said as she walked towards the lounge, "I heard that Yao Mei successfully got into Beijing Film Academy. Congratulations to her."

"Hmm." Cai Yinong's face showed a look of relief. "She's quite promising; her grades in her major courses are very good."

Hu Ge casually lifted Liu Shishi's trailing skirt and said, "Going to the Beijing Film Academy to receive systematic acting training is very important for an actor's long-term development."

K-sister, I think you should schedule fewer acting roles for her in the next couple of years.

Cai Yinong sighed softly, a hint of distress flashing across his brow: "That's what I was planning to do too."

But now I'm worried. Yao Mei has to go to school, and Shi Shi... sigh, what should I do about the female lead role in her next drama?

“Isn’t there Naza? Jin Chen, Hu Bingqing, and Yuan Bingyan can also try it.” Liu Shishi’s tone was calm as she casually brushed aside a strand of hair that had fallen across her forehead.

"Naza has been quite well-behaved lately, hasn't she? After breaking up with that Super Boy contestant, she's been diligently filming. With her looks, she was born for this."

Cai Yi-nong nodded slightly, holding his umbrella, lost in thought: "Let me think about it some more. There's still some time before I start filming my next movie."

"Sister K, is the company starting a new movie again?" Hu Ge was very surprised to hear this and unconsciously raised her voice.

Among the company's projects, "The Imperial Doctress" is currently filming, and "Xuan-Yuan Sword 2" is still in post-production, which means there are already two dramas backlogged.

In addition to investing in "Nirvana in Fire" and the talent show "Super Idol," as well as developing mobile games, the company has already invested over 100 million yuan.

Is this still the same Tangren Media that almost went bankrupt a few years ago because of my car accident and the delay of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes"?

Cai Yinong smiled broadly, his eyes radiating confidence: "Hu Ge, you are also a shareholder of Tangren, yet you show too little concern for the company. Tangren today is nothing like it used to be."

Hu Ge seemed to be deep in thought. He knew that "Scarlet Heart" and "Xuan-Yuan Sword" were not only huge hits in China, but also made a fortune from overseas copyrights.

However, the profits from these two dramas are definitely not enough to support K-sister's "lavish" investment.

Therefore, the only explanation is...

"Sister K, are those two Taobao stores under the company doing so well?"

Cai Yi-nong's lips curled into a slight smile, his pride evident: "It's more than just good. Let me tell you, the annual revenue of the two stores is no less than 2 million!"

"So profitable!" Hu Ge's eyes widened in shock, and she even stopped in her tracks. "Snacks and clothing really sell that well?"

He had previously bought some small items from Tangren's Taobao store and didn't find anything special about them.

Liu Shishi was also full of surprise. She knew that opening an online store was her husband's idea and that it should be effective, but she did not expect the revenue to be so amazing.

It's important to understand that the revenue from Taobao stores is all real cash, unlike investing in film and television productions where funds are tied up for a long time before you can get your money back.

"It's really easy to make money off fans!" Cai Yinong explained excitedly, his voice unconsciously rising a little. "Our store has celebrities attracting customers, and business is booming."

Collaboration-branded apparel and movie merchandise are all exclusive, and fans are particularly enthusiastic about them. After entering the store, customers often also buy snacks and small items, naturally driving up revenue.

She paused, then added with a hint of pride, "I'm being very restrained. I haven't over-exploited celebrities, and I've never sold autographed photos or exclusive materials. Otherwise, my revenue would be even higher."

Liu Shishi nodded in agreement, the pearl earrings on her earlobes swaying gently with her movements:

"Sister K, you're right to do it. It's fine to use celebrities occasionally to attract attention, but you can't over-exploit their reputation."

As they spoke, the three of them entered the rest shed, where the cool breeze from the air conditioner swept over them, dispelling the summer heat.

Su Xiaoxiao deftly poured freshly brewed Longjing tea for the three of them. The refreshing aroma of the tea filled the air, and then she tactfully left.

Cai Yinong picked up his teacup, gently blew away the floating tea leaves, took a sip, and slowly opened his mouth, his tone becoming solemn: "Shishi, Hu Ge, I plan to move the headquarters of Tangren to Beiping."

Liu Shishi remained calm, her slender fingers gently turning the teacup. Hu Ge, however, looked astonished and asked, "Why are you suddenly moving?"

Cai Yinong put down his teacup, placed his hands on his knees, and began to speak in a gentle and detailed manner: "Beiping is the absolute core of China's film and television industry."

Moving to the capital city made it easier for Tangren to raise funds, negotiate projects, and expand business more efficiently. In fact, the company already had a branch in Beiping (Beijing) as early as 2005.

Liu Shishi took a sip of tea without comment, her gaze drifting to the gradually stopping rain outside the window. For her, it didn't matter whether the company was in Donghai or Beiping.

Moving to Beiping actually makes it more convenient for her to come to the company, as she doesn't have to travel between the two places by plane, saving her a lot of time.

Hu Ge scratched her head, puzzled, and asked, "Sister K, hasn't the company always been considered part of the Shanghai circle? Is going north to squeeze into the Beijing circle?" Cai Yinong chuckled, his eyes revealing shrewdness. He adjusted his posture and replied calmly, "Although Tangren Media is based in Donghai, it is not part of the Shanghai circle in the traditional sense."

Actually, the company was backed by Hong Kong and Taiwanese capital in its early years. Later, it was fortunate enough to get involved with Shishi and join the Tengda Group, which allowed it to make rapid progress and thrive.

Hu Ge suddenly realized and chuckled: "Tengda Culture is the number one giant in the Beijing circle. It turns out that Tangren is still a force in the Beijing circle."

Cai Yinong glanced at the ever-present serene smile of the First Sister, nodded and then shook his head at Hu Ge, his tone becoming serious: "Yes and no."

Tengda Culture is indeed the largest force in the Beijing entertainment circle, but it is only a film and television company and is extremely small in size within the entire Tengda Group.

"By moving north this time, I hope Tangren can better embrace internet capital."

Hu Ge straightened up unconsciously, her expression turning serious.

He had completely grasped Cai Yinong's deeper meaning. Tangren Media, with Liu Shishi, the powerful boss's wife, had gained too many advantages and resources.

The little bit of resources that Liu Shishi revealed was enough to help Tangren grow stronger.

For example, the previous Weibo splash screen promotion, although it was the richest man's affection for his beloved wife, which made Liu Shishi gain a lot of popularity and high national recognition, the drama was produced by Tangren, so the company naturally benefited as well.

This is a top-tier resource that everyone in the entertainment industry dreams of.

Some resources are not even easily accessible to Tengda Culture, after all, the scale of a film and television company is far smaller than that of an internet giant like Weibo.

Cai Yinong further explained, tapping his finger lightly on the coffee table: "The headquarters of the four major platforms, Toutiao, LeTV, Youku, and iQiyi, are all in Beiping. If Tangren moves there, future cooperation will be much more convenient."

She sighed, her gaze becoming more profound: "In the past, the bigwigs in the Beijing film circle and the producers in the Shanghai film circle held the power of life and death over film and television projects."

They decide who acts, what is filmed, and where it is broadcast. Now, platforms have gradually become the biggest buyers and rule-makers in the film and television industry.

Hu Ge understood and unconsciously sighed.

This is the current state of the entertainment industry: film and television companies in Beijing and Shanghai have gradually become suppliers for platforms. The further we go, the more powerful internet capital will become.

"To be frank, the main reason for going north is to facilitate cooperation with the platform," Cai Yinong continued, his tone firm.

"Next year, Tangren will increase its production of customized dramas on Toutiao Video, with plans to shoot more than three."

Hu Ge revealed an expression of "I knew it." Cai Yinong's words confirmed his suspicions; the relationship between film and television companies and platforms had shifted from offense to defense.

"Oh, right!" Cai Yinong seemed to suddenly remember something, his gaze falling on the usually quiet Sister Shishi. "Shishi, speaking of the Shanghai entertainment circle, I just remembered something."

"What is it?" Liu Shishi looked up, her eyes asking.

"A new film and television company has recently been established and is highly regarded in the industry."

I've spoken with the person in charge, and they're willing to accept Tangren's investment, but unfortunately, the company is currently facing a cash crunch. However, Shishi, you might consider investing."

Hu Ge was stunned and looked at Cai Yinong in disbelief: "Sister K, you were so confident that your online store was doing well, but now you don't even have the money to invest in a new company? What's going on?"

Cai Yinong glared at Hu Ge and said irritably, "Do you know how high the valuation of this new company is?"

"How high?" Hu Ge curled his lip dismissively. For a new company, a valuation of twenty or thirty million was already the absolute maximum.

Cai Yinong uttered two words, his voice exceptionally clear: "5 million!"

"How much?" Hu Ge stared in disbelief, thinking he had misheard.

Seeing Cai Yinong's serious expression, he knew she wasn't just talking nonsense, and quickly asked, "How could it be so exaggerated? It's not just inflated, is it?"

Liu Shishi also showed a curious expression. It was indeed unbelievable that a startup film and television company was valued at 500 million.

"Inflated?" Cai Yinong sighed and shook his head. "This 5 million was not set by me, but by Tengda's assessment."

"Assessed by Tengda Culture?" Hu Ge was even more incredulous.

Cai Yinong shook his head again, his tone meaningful: "It's not Tengda Culture, it's Tengda Industrial Investment Fund."

Upon hearing this, Liu Shishi was slightly surprised. After a moment's thought, she asked, "Sister K, is the founding team of this company very impressive?"

“Yes.” Cai Yinong nodded affirmatively, his eyes revealing admiration and appreciation. “The company’s key figure, Su Xiao, is the general manager of SMG Pictures, a top-notch operator recognized in the industry.”

The other three core members are also top-tier talents in distribution, production, and operations.

After hearing this explanation, Liu Shishi and Hu Ge immediately understood.

This is not an ordinary startup team, but a collective effort of industry elites. They are not only highly capable, but also possess extensive industry resources, a network of contacts, and a precise grasp of content review and market trends.

"Tengda Industrial Investment Fund invested 100 million yuan to acquire a 20% stake. Tangren is currently facing a cash crunch, so investing less, or less than 10%, would be meaningless."

Liu Shishi nodded slightly, a knowing smile appearing on her lips: "I know my husband's company's industrial investment fund very well, and the team is very professional."

Since they believe this company is worth 5 million, then it must be worth that price. If they're willing, I'll invest 5000 million.

Cai Yinong chuckled, his tone becoming more relaxed: "The Tengda boss's wife is willing to invest; they couldn't be happier."

"Sister K, what's the name of this company?"

"Lemon Pictures".

"Okay, I've got it. I'll have Yuanyuan take charge of this in a bit."

Liu Shishi agreed softly, then joked, "Speaking of which, I've invested in several film and television companies, but I don't know which one will succeed. So far, it seems that Daylight Entertainment is the most reliable."

Cai Yinong chimed in, "Kong Sheng and Hou Hongliang, this master and apprentice pair, are truly remarkable. I'm already looking forward to 'Nirvana in Fire'."

While the three were chatting, a production assistant called out from outside the door: "Senior Sister, a young girl has come to visit the set. She says her name is Liu Yuqing, she's your sister-in-law!"

Liu Shishi was stunned: "Yuqing? Why didn't she tell me she was coming to the film set?" She quickly ordered: "Bring her in quickly."

I then walked out of the lounge and found that the rain had stopped.

Summer thunderstorms come and go quickly. In no time at all, the clouds disperse and the rain stops.

(End of this chapter)