The Entertainment Industry in Turmoil: Young Actresses All Want to Rise to the Top

2013 5 Month 3 Day.

The entire entertainment industry was in an uproar as the "2013 Forbes China Celebrity List" was officially released.

The list immediately dominated the top three trending topics on Weibo, and the list itself sparks heated discussions every year.

First place: Zhen Zidan, annual income of 1.15 million yuan.

Second place: Fan Binbin, annual income of 1.1 million yuan.

Everything here is still relatively normal, but another list, the Forbes U30 list, really gave everyone in the entertainment industry a shock.

Almost all the focus and controversy has converged on one name: Shen Mo.

A name appeared prominently on the list: Shen Mo, with an annual income of approximately 12 billion yuan.

Upon seeing this list, countless netizens and media reporters almost simultaneously exclaimed, "??? Is this number a typo?"

But this wasn't a mistake; it was officially certified by Forbes.

Even more outrageous, Forbes added a rather unusual footnote in the explanation below the list.

"Considering that some of the companies Shen Mo owns are not listed and have highly complex asset structures, the above figures are extremely conservative estimates."

Extremely conservative!

These four words are more exciting than the numbers themselves.

Forbes knew that the release of the U30 Youth List would definitely attract a lot of attention because of Shen Mo, since he is one of the hottest stars this year.

So instead of waiting for outside speculation, it's better to proactively release an explanation and bring the previously low-profile U30 Youth Ranking into the public eye.

However, Forbes' explanation only silenced everyone more.

从2012年5月至2013年5月，沈墨投资电影《泰囧》收益约3亿元、电视剧《星你》收益约2亿元、电视剧《小别离》和《小欢喜》也收入总计1亿元。

Forbes reported over 6 million yuan in revenue from film and television alone.

But the real reason why the Forbes team used the phrase "conservative estimate" is...

"Shen Mo has directly or indirectly invested in multiple companies, but given that these companies are all unlisted, it is impossible to calculate their true value."

"Shen Mo's Ink Trace No. 1 Fund achieved particularly outstanding returns, with a yield of 325%, but Shen Mo's specific shareholding and the percentage of excess profits he receives are unclear."

"The annual personal income from the financial sector is conservatively estimated to exceed 6 million yuan."

Annual total revenue: Over 12 billion yuan.

No wonder the media was shocked.

No wonder their competitors are collapsing.

"Ten...twelfth billion? I counted it several times!"

"Is this really the kind of money an artist who's only been in the industry for two years can earn?"

"My goodness, this income gap is just too ridiculous! Those on the celebrity list don't even have a fraction of his income?"

"Should we check which list Shen Mo is on? U30, hey, that's for people under 30 who are making a name for themselves in the industry or showing the potential to become future industry and societal leaders?"

"A dimensional reduction attack!"

On the surface: I'm an actor. In reality: I'm a capitalist!

Other celebrities: acting, endorsements, commercial performances, variety shows... Shen Mo: acting (and buying a company along the way), producing dramas (and setting up a fund along the way)...

"Before, no one kept track of it, so we didn't know. Now we've discovered that he's invested in the food delivery platform I order from, the news headlines I read, and even the ride-hailing service Didi."

"Look at the video above, the kiwi fruit—he also uploaded it to Bilibili!"

"It's hard to imagine that an artist and a capitalist are such completely different people!"

"Wang Zhonglei and Wang Zhongjun are also involved in cultural and entertainment investment, why aren't they allowed in?"

"Wang Zhongjun and the others are all over 50 years old, thank you."

Some people in the entertainment industry are envious, but most feel powerless and regretful.

"How can we compare? We're still haggling over pay and billing, while they're already sitting behind the scenes controlling the financial landscape."

"In that case, it's not surprising that Huayi suffered a loss at his hands; he's simply not in the same league as the opponent."

"No wonder he previously acquired shares in Huayi; his investment skills have already surpassed those of people in the entertainment industry."

Many people secretly rejoiced that they had established a cooperative relationship with Mohen early on; this powerful force was clearly even more robust than they had imagined.

However, the financial sector reacted even more dramatically, because they knew that Shen Mo's real income was far more than what Forbes had listed.

"Don't laugh, this 10 billion figure is only part of what Forbes can calculate."

"Xiaomi, Meituan, Toutiao, Didi, Bilibili, which one of them isn't a recognized unicorn company in the industry, and their valuations are rising every minute."

"Besides, if the publicly disclosed private equity funds can achieve such high returns, do you think the returns from their undisclosed stock investments would be any less?"

High returns, making big money, celebrities, investors...

When these highly inflammatory words were concentrated on Shen Mo alone, the resulting media frenzy far exceeded expectations.

On the very night the Forbes list was released, an in-depth discussion about the matter was being broadcast live in the studio of the authoritative financial media outlet, CBN.

On the large screen in the studio, a screenshot of the controversial Forbes Celebrity List was displayed. Shen Mo's name and the lone figure of "12 billion" at the top were specially circled, and the four words "conservative estimate" were particularly eye-catching.

Host Chen Li, with a professional smile, got straight to the point.

"Today, the 2013 Forbes list was released, and one name and one number shattered our previous understanding of 'celebrity income.' That person is Shen Mo, whose estimated income is in the billions. Why is this number so special? What kind of business logic does it reflect?"

"Today we have invited three special guests: financial analyst Zhang Hao, entertainment industry research expert Li Man, and Liu Xin, partner of Redhill Capital. Hello to all three of you."

The camera then panned to the three guests, with Chen Li looking first at Zhang Hao.

"Professor Zhang, Forbes has unusually provided a detailed breakdown this time, showing that film and television revenue exceeded 6 million, and the financial sector's revenue is also 'conservatively estimated' to exceed 6 million. As a financial analyst, what is your view on this income composition?"

Zhang Hao pushed up his glasses. "To be honest, in my more than ten years in the industry, I have never seen such a clear 'dual-engine' income structure in a 'celebrity'."

"On one hand, there are top-tier blockbusters in the entertainment industry—'Lost in Thailand,' 'My Love from the Star,' and two 'Little' series. These are cash flow engines, contributing over 6 million yuan in cash revenue to him."

"On the other hand, there is the Midas touch of the capital market—the Ink Trace No. 1 Fund, with a return of over 325%, which represents an extremely terrifying performance bonus."

"Forbes' use of a 'conservative estimate' is very rigorous, because Shen Mo's personal profit share in the financial sector is a trade secret, but based on the known data alone, the figure of 6 million is at most low."

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Li Man then spoke, and her approach was even more incisive.

"I've noticed that many people online are saying 'unbelievable,' 'How did he earn so much money?'"

"But I would say that Shen Mo has precisely redefined the commercial boundaries of 'celebrities'."

"His model can be described as 'content empowers capital, and capital in turn supports content'."

"Everyone only saw that 'Lost in Thailand' made 3 million, but they may have overlooked the fact that the success of this movie also provided him with a key basis and opportunity to short Huayi. It's like getting two birds with one stone."

"His market insight and influence, built through content, directly translate into the ability to accurately target companies in the capital market."

"The value generated by this cross-industry synergy far exceeds that of simple addition."

At this moment, investor Liu Xin interjected, "Professor Li has hit the nail on the head."

"When we have internal meetings now, we jokingly refer to Shen Mo as a 'human unicorn detector'."

"Look at the Forbes estimates: Xiaomi, Meituan, Toutiao, Didi, Bilibili... these were all investments he made in his early days, either personally or through Mohen Capital."

"It's difficult to calculate the specific annual cash income from the equity appreciation of these unicorn companies, but this is the most terrifying cornerstone of his wealth empire, and its potential value may far exceed the apparent 12 billion."

Chen Yu seized on the key point and pressed further: "Mr. Zhao, are you implying that Forbes' 12 billion might just be the tip of the iceberg?"

Liu Xin answered affirmatively: "Without a doubt."

"We have no way of knowing the performance-based profit sharing ratio of private equity funds. More importantly, the valuation of the shares of these unlisted companies they hold has been soaring with each round of financing."

"That's why the financial sector's reaction was even more exaggerated, because we know that this part is probably even more astonishing than what has been revealed."

Zhang Hao added, "This also explains why the Forbes team was so cautious, repeatedly using 'conservative estimate' and 'unknown'."

"Undeniably, he is a celebrity in the entertainment industry, but his personal income is deeply tied to his investments in unlisted equity and the performance of private equity funds, which has rendered traditional statistical methods almost ineffective."

"This way of calculating wealth naturally sets it apart from other celebrities."

-----------------

Meanwhile, Shen Mo himself had already fled from the company to Xue Lu, because the entrance to the company building was already crowded with visiting reporters.

He took a sip of the Phoenix Dancong tea that Li Yitong had brought him, didn't look up, and just said something indifferently.

"Forbes' figures have never been accurate."

Li Yitong leaned against the tea table, resting her chin on her hand. Upon hearing this, she gently raised her eyes, her gaze filled with a hint of mockery as she looked directly at him.

"Oh? In your opinion, Mr. Shen, what number would be considered accurate?"

Shen Mo put down his teacup, met her probing gaze, and raised an eyebrow slightly. "I haven't calculated it, but... a billion isn't a lot."

"Pfft..." Li Yitong was amused by his casual remark about "Versailles" and couldn't help but lightly punch him. "You're just spouting nonsense!"

Shen Mo looked up, his eyes deep and unwavering: "My love for you is the most important 'one,' and all the zeros that follow only have meaning because of it."

"Eek..." Li Yitong's heart skipped a beat, her cheeks flushed uncontrollably, and she shyly rubbed the goosebumps on her arms that she didn't have.

"So, after all that love and romance, you'll behave yourself at work?"

"Why didn't you say these things to me at the company? Where did that aloof and serious demeanor go?"

Shen Mo chuckled softly, a hint of mischievous triumph in his voice, and began to seriously calculate specific numbers for her, counting on his fingers.

"What about Xiaomi's current valuation...?"

He actually started listing those staggering numbers!

"stop!"

Li Yitong was both amused and exasperated. She covered his mouth with her hand and looked at him with a hint of coquettishness and a "you're hopeless" expression.

She feigned anger, glaring at him, "Please put aside those useless numbers and start giving me a perfunctory answer."

"Otherwise, when you get back to the company, there will be no one to keep me company!"

A smile appeared in Shen Mo's eyes as he kissed the hand she was covering her mouth with.

Li Yitong's fingertips trembled slightly at his sudden kiss. In the instant she was stunned, Shen Mo exerted a little force in his arm and pulled her from the tea table into his embrace.

"Perfunctory?"

Shen Mo's voice rang in her ear, his warm breath brushing against her earlobe.

"That word doesn't exist in my dictionary."

The moment the words left her lips, Shen Mo leaned down and precisely captured her slightly parted lips.

Without any probing or hesitation, the kiss carried the lingering sweetness of Phoenix Dancong tea, and even more so, his burning passion.

Li Yitong was slightly stiffened by his sudden attack. Her fingertips, which were pressed against his chest, curled up subconsciously, but then softened quickly under his gentle yet forceful strength.

Shen Mo supported the back of her neck with one hand and wrapped the other around her waist, pressing her towards him with a little force.

Li Yitong's initial annoyance had long since vanished. She closed her eyes, her arms involuntarily climbing onto his neck, responding wholeheartedly.

Her senses were amplified to an extreme degree; she could clearly feel the slight itch as his eyelashes brushed against her skin, the solid warmth emanating from his chest, and the undeniable affection between his lips and tongue.

After an unknown amount of time, until both of them were out of breath, Shen Mo pulled away slightly, but their foreheads still touched intimately, their noses brushed together, and their breaths mingled.

His eyes churned with lingering passion and an intense tenderness that clearly reflected her flushed cheeks and shimmering eyes.

"Is this...?" His voice was slightly hoarse from the kiss, "Is it 'perfunctory' enough?"

Li Yitong was still breathing heavily, her heart pounding. Her question made her both embarrassed and amused, and she couldn't help but raise her eyes and glare at him coquettishly.

Her eyes were brimming with tears, lacking any intimidating power; instead, they seemed more like a silent invitation.

Shen Mo seemed to see through all her thoughts, and gently stroked her slightly swollen lips with his thumb.

"I think a bedroom should be added to Xue Lu!"

After saying that, a deeper smile flashed in his eyes, and then he lowered his head again to seal her lips that were about to speak.

The hand that was around her waist slowly slid in, touching something soft and warm.

This kiss was longer and gentler, filled with endless longing and cherishment.

Inside the Snow Lodge, the aroma of tea and love intertwine, creating a tranquil yet vibrant spring atmosphere.