Entertainment mogul: Starting his business with the internet

Chapter 97 Teamwork
When men get together, they like to talk about women, and women do the same; the conversation inevitably turns to men as well.

In Shen Sisi's barracks, the girls were also getting ready to go to bed. Unlike the boys, they didn't have much energy. Although the first day of training wasn't very intense, it still took a toll on them, leaving them all exhausted.

At this moment, some of the girls were lying lazily on the bed, while others were busy applying skincare products. They were chatting about pre-sleep gossip, and what they were discussing was Song, the campus heartthrob.

Sun Jingyi kept yawning and asked her friend curiously, "Mumu, it's almost the second year of school, and we've already helped you win over his roommate, but you still haven't won over the heartthrob?"

Since meeting Song Ci yesterday, Shen Sisi has been in a daze and is very confused about her romantic path.

Hearing Sun Jingyi's teasing, Shen Sisi curled up on the bed and replied weakly, "I feel like he has never had any feelings for me. He just treats me as a friend. I have tried to get into his heart, but I have failed."

His words revealed a deep sense of frustration; his heart was as hard as iron, leaving Miss Shen helpless.

Upon hearing this, Wang Jing was incredulous: "I don't believe that even though you're so proactive and actively pursuing him, you still maintain a purely platonic friendship with him!"
You two are a match made in heaven in terms of looks and talent. I don't believe Song Ci could remain unmoved by you; it's impossible!

Shen Sisi sighed, her voice low and resentful: "He has hinted at rejecting me several times. We both know that if we were to speak frankly, we wouldn't be able to be friends anymore. I just held onto a sliver of hope, but now it seems that was just wishful thinking."

Sun Jingyi asked, "So you're planning to give up and cut ties with him?"

Shen Sisi's eyes were filled with confusion; at this moment, she truly understood what it meant to desire something that could not be obtained. "I don't know."

Sun Jingyi understood her best friend's heart best and knew that her best friend was definitely not willing to give up, so she advised her: "Mumu, I suggest you persevere and see. It's rare to meet such an outstanding man. I think even the most hard-hearted man can't resist a tender heart."

Wang Tong nodded in agreement: "Yes, if you show more care and attention to Song Ci, and are gentle and considerate, he will definitely fall for you. Did you contact him today?"

"no!"

Wang Tong quickly said, "That won't do. The living conditions in the barracks are so basic. You should send him a message to check on him."

Wang Jing, who was standing nearby, had a sudden inspiration and added, "We can also ask him if he needs mosquito repellent. There are so many mosquitoes here, the boys definitely won't be as well prepared as we are."

The group chatted amongst themselves, with Sun Jingyi brimming with confidence. "With everyone pooling their wisdom, I don't believe we can't help you win over the master. Mu Mu, quickly send the text message as we instructed."

"Okay, okay, don't rush me, I'll send it right away." Her roommate's repeated encouragement roused Shen Sisi, who took out her phone from the bedside table, typed a text message, and sent it to Song Ci.

To be a strategist, one must know oneself and one's enemy in order to prescribe the right medicine. Several girls asked one after another, "Mu Mu, how do you usually get along with Song Ci?"

Recalling the moments she shared with Song Ci over the past six months, a sweet smile unconsciously appeared on Shen Sisi's lips.

“We sometimes talk about literature, and occasionally we'll have a meal together when we bump into each other. There was also a time when we took a walk together by Weiming Lake.”

"Anything else?" Wang Tong asked excitedly. This was a firsthand account from the parties involved, the past of the most handsome and beautiful girl at Peking University. Who wouldn't want to hear such gossip?

Shen Sisi blushed slightly and replied sweetly, "No, not at all."

Wang Tong sat up from the head of the bed, her eyes wide like saucers, and asked again in disbelief, "That's all?"

"Mmm." Shen Sisi's voice was delicate and shy.

Wang Tong's expression froze instantly, his lips twitched slightly, and a look of disbelief and helplessness flashed in his eyes.

The other girls exchanged glances and looked at each other, creating a slightly strange atmosphere in the small barracks.

Shen Sisi peeked out, looked at her roommate with a strange expression, and timidly asked, "Is something wrong?"

Wang Tong rubbed his forehead, speechless at Shen Sisi's behavior. "My God, please, Mu Mu, are you chasing after a man, or are you fighting with other women for him?"

Aside from talking to him about literature, didn't you show him any concern, ask about his well-being, or invite him to a movie or shopping?

Shen Sisi argued in her defense, "Song Ci is a very cold person; he definitely won't accept my invitation."

Wang Jing curled his lips, "That's just sophistry. You haven't even tried, how do you know he'll reject you? He came to your birthday party last time, didn't he? Mu Mu, you're just going to chase after him without even trying, based on your feelings?"

Wang Tong nodded in agreement, "That's right, even if he rejects you, you won't pester him or cling to him relentlessly!"

The girls took turns interrogating Shen, the campus belle, with each word more hurtful than the last, leaving the emotionally naive Shen utterly ashamed.

While the girls were giving Shen Sisi advice and tips on dating, everyone in Song Ci's barracks lost the desire to continue chatting after Cai Jie returned from washing up. They prepared to turn off the lights and go to sleep to recharge.

Song Ci's phone vibrated slightly. He thought it was Liu Shishi replying to his text message after the film crew wrapped up. But when he looked closer, he was a little disappointed. It turned out to be a message from Shen Sisi.

"Song Ci, are you getting used to the barracks? There are quite a few mosquitoes here. I have prepared mosquito repellent. Do you need it? I can bring it to you tomorrow."

Simple and genuine, gentle as ever, her words reveal care and consideration.

Song Ci initially wanted to ignore it, but felt that it would be inappropriate. It is hardest to accept the kindness of a beautiful woman, so after hesitating for a long time, he replied to Miss Shen.

"Thank you, but you don't need to bring me mosquito repellent. I'm doing fine here. Military training is tough, Sisi, you should get some rest."

After replying to Shen Sisi, Liu Shishi figured he'd be filming late again tonight, so he sent his girlfriend a goodnight text.

"Shi Bao, everything is going well at the base. Don't worry about me. Night shooting is tiring, so please get some rest. I'll contact you again tomorrow when I have time."

After sending the text message, setting the alarm, turning off the phone, and going to sleep!
As night deepened and all the lights in the barracks were turned off, Shen Sisi's roommates continued to chatter incessantly, becoming increasingly excited.

Moreover, the more she talked, the more outrageous it became, as if with the help of the three strategists, the young phoenix and the young dragon, Shen Sisi could make Song Ci fall at her feet with just a flick of her wrist.

"Ding." The sound of a text message on the phone sounded abrupt and crisp in the darkness.

Wang Jing immediately guessed, "It must be Song Ci who replied." The dormitory was pitch black, with only a sliver of bright moonlight shining through the window. Shen Sisi nervously picked up her phone.

Because my eyes were sore from staring at the bright screen in the dark, before I could even see clearly, Wang Tong, who had climbed up from the next bed, suddenly rushed to my side and snatched my phone away.

"Ah, Wang Tong, what are you doing? Give me back my phone!" Shen Sisi exclaimed, quickly sitting up to grab the phone back.

"Was it posted by Song Ci?" The others stared at the light in the darkness and asked with great interest.

Wang Tong turned around, spreading one hand to avoid Shen Sisi's outstretched hand that was trying to snatch the phone.

He gripped his phone tightly, squinted, and read aloud, "Thank you. No need to trouble you to bring me mosquito repellent. I'm doing fine here. Military training is tough, Sisi, you should get some rest."

Enraged, Shen Sisi shouted, "Wang Tong, I'm angry! Give me back my phone!"

"Right away, right away! There's also something Mu Mu sent, I'll read it to everyone too, it's a Song Dynasty poem, are you getting used to life in the barracks? There are mosquitoes here..." Before she could finish reading, Shen Sisi took the phone back.

Wang Tong was quite excited to get the first scoop of the story. He said excitedly and confidently, "Mu Mu, let me finish reading it. We were the ones who suggested that you send the message."

"You're not just kicking someone when they've served their purpose. Besides, we need to understand the details so we can give you better advice and help you succeed in winning over that handsome guy."

Shen Sisi lay back down on the bed, turning to her side as if afraid that Wang Tong would continue to attack. Only then did she check her text messages. After reading them, she held the pink phone to her heart, filled with joy.

Wang Tong didn't make a move, and said confidently, "Mu Mu, look, if you show concern for Song Ci, he's still willing to reply to you. Isn't that how you interact? Unlike before, when you just chatted about literature and tried to steal a man, how naive!"

Shen Sisi retorted, unconvinced, "I've never been in a relationship before, how would I know there are so many intricacies involved?"

Sun Jingyi reminded, "Alright, stop arguing. Strike while the iron is hot and quickly reply to Song Ci's message."

Shen Sisi was stumped again. After thinking it over and over, she still didn't know how to reply: "How should I reply? Song Ci doesn't want me to send mosquito repellent. Can you guys teach me?" That's how people are. Once they have someone to rely on, they'll expect help from others.

The girls were all quite assertive and couldn't make up their minds for a moment. In the end, Wang Jing made the decision: "Don't ask for his opinion, just give a decisive reply. There are still more than ten days left. I'll bring you mosquito repellent tomorrow. Sometimes you have to be assertive."

Following Wang Jing's advice, Shen Sisi sent another text message to Song Ci. After waiting for a long time without receiving a reply, she gradually became sleepy and couldn't stay awake any longer. She drifted off to sleep amidst anticipation and anxiety.

As night fell and all was quiet, all the Peking University students at the military training base were already asleep, while the crew of "Nightclub," to which Liu Shishi belonged, was still busy.

The clock quietly struck midnight, and Song Ci, having waited in vain, reluctantly drifted off to sleep, while his childhood sweetheart continued to strive for her dream of becoming a star.

The lighting crew, holding dimmers, moved back and forth in the studio, striving to present a realistic atmosphere on camera.

Xu Zheng stood in front of the monitor, his eyes fixed on every detail on the screen. Every shot of "Nightclub" was the result of his hard work.

"Cut! Let's start over!" Xu Zheng frowned, his face full of bitterness, and shouted into the walkie-talkie. He was very dissatisfied with the scene just now.

Seeing this, assistant director Ma Xin suggested, "Director Xu, why don't we continue filming tomorrow? It's already late at night. We've been filming since this afternoon, and the actors' condition has deteriorated significantly. Everyone is exhausted and has no energy."

Xu Zheng rubbed his eyes, which were sore and swollen from staring at the screen for a long time. He checked the time; it was already 12:30 a.m.

It was indeed very late. Looking around, everyone, from the actors to the cameramen, looked exhausted and their expressions gradually became numb.

However, the filming schedule was already far behind schedule. Xu Zheng, who originally wanted to stay up all night to catch up, thought it over and decided to compromise. He encouraged everyone, "Hang in there, we'll wrap up after this scene."

Ma Xin sighed softly. Since the director had spoken, he, as the assistant director, had no choice but to continue to cooperate.

When he first joined the crew, he was eager to try and compete with Xu Zheng for power, but after being disciplined and reprimanded by Xu Zheng a few times, he became obedient and focused on doing his job well.

During this time, he gradually recognized Xu Zheng's abilities and learned a lot of knowledge and skills beyond theory from the director since joining the crew.

He had to worry about everything from art direction and styling to costumes and props. As the assistant director, he also had to coordinate and manage rehearsals and on-set command. In just two weeks, he grew rapidly on the set.

If a small production team with an investment of around 200 million yuan like "Nightclub" could put in so much effort, one can only imagine how difficult it is to direct big-budget productions with investments of tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of yuan.

"We have to reshoot again. When will we be able to wrap up?" Outside the studio, Jiang Yuanyuan, who had officially become Liu Shishi's assistant, complained quietly when she saw the director asking for reshoots.

Liu Shishi was soft-hearted and eventually agreed to Jiang Yuanyuan's request, making her her assistant.

Originally, Liu Shishi only mentioned this matter to Cai Yinong with a try-it-out attitude. Cai Yinong considered that he wanted to win over Miss Liu, and that it would be more reassuring for the young girl to have an assistant to take care of her when she was filming outside. So he agreed to let Jiang Yuanyuan join Tangren Film and Television as Liu Shishi's assistant.

So even though she's still relatively unknown in the entertainment industry, Liu Shishi is already enjoying the benefits of fame, including having an assistant.

After a week of training at the headquarters of Donghai Tangren Company, Jiang Yuanyuan officially started her job and is now accompanying her young master on the set of "Nightclub".

Qiao Zhengyu's assistant, Fang Yu, shrugged, looking like she'd seen it all. "This is nothing. Film crews often work through the night. Just wait patiently."

With a bitter expression on her round face, Jiang Yuanyuan sighed, "I never imagined that celebrities, who seem so glamorous on the surface, actually work so hard behind the scenes."

She and Fang Yu just waited on the sidelines, and they were both a little tired after a while, let alone the actors who had to wear heavy costumes in front of the camera and devote themselves wholeheartedly in the sweltering summer heat.

Recalling Qiao Zhengyu's daily work, Fang Yu nodded in agreement: "That's right, the road to fame is never smooth sailing. Without hard work, how can one achieve success? No one in the entertainment industry can become famous easily."

Fang Yu continued to ask curiously, "Yuanyuan, you used to be an employee of Tengda Culture, so why did you suddenly go to Tangren Film and Television to work as Liu Shishi's assistant?"

The artists they work with are close classmates from the same school. Jiang Yuanyuan herself has also worked at Tengda Culture, and since their jobs are similar, they naturally have a lot in common. Over this period of time, the two have become quite familiar with each other.

(End of this chapter)