Reborn in the Chinese Entertainment Industry: You're a Director, But You're a Casanova?

That evening, Feng Gong deliberately declined his social engagements and took Liu Yuehua to a quiet little shop.

As soon as the door to the private room was pushed open, a grandmaster of the crosstalk world, Mr. Ma Ji, who exuded a cheerful aura, sat in the main seat.

Sitting next to the old man was a slightly overweight young man with large eye bags.

"Master, please try this freshly sliced ​​duck skin, dip it in some white sugar to cut through the greasiness." After taking his seat, Liu Yuehua put away his usual fangs that meant to devour people without spitting out bones, and put on his most obedient smile, serving tea and water with quick and efficient movements.

After serving Ma Ji, Liu Yuehua turned around, picked up a glass of wine, and walked over to Ma Dong.

"Uncle-Master, this cup of wine is a toast to you. I have long admired your name."

Ma Dong had only been back from studying in Australia for a few years, and his head was full of cutting-edge ideas, which led to him getting thrashed in traditional circles.

Hearing a rising director who had won the Golden Bear in Berlin and whose films were recently box office hits in mainland China call him "Uncle-Master" made him feel flattered, and he quickly picked up his wine glass and stood up.

"Director Liu, you're too kind. Let's each discuss our own matters. Calling me 'Uncle-Master' makes me feel old," Ma Dong said with a smile, clinking glasses with Liu.

"The rules can't be broken. My master taught me how to enter the sect, so you are my own uncle." Liu Yuehua drank the wine in one gulp and sat down next to Ma Dong.

After a few drinks, while the elders chatted about the past of the performing arts world, Liu Yuehua and Ma Dong also started talking.

"Yuehua, I've seen your 'Comet,' the pacing is really good." Ma Dong sighed, "Unlike us TV program producers, there are too many rules and regulations."

"I wanted to create something for young people, but the higher-ups always felt it wasn't mainstream enough and insisted on adding some educational value."

"But once the show was made, young people didn't like watching it, and the elderly complained that it was too noisy. It didn't please either side, which was really frustrating."

As Liu Yuehua listened to Ma Dong's complaints, his mind raced with calculations.

Others might not know, but he knew it inside and out.

This senior apprentice is a goldmine in the online variety show industry. Most of the well-known variety shows that we can think of are actually produced by him behind the scenes.

Oddballs, bands, delightful.

This person's mind is full of whimsical ideas that can stir up the emotions of young people.

"Uncle-Master, your thinking is ahead of its time." Liu Yuehua began to deliberately throw out bait.

"I think the future direction of variety shows is definitely not to educate people. Judging from our current development, young people have already been educated enough during school and work. When they get home at night, they want to watch a show to relax. Who wants to listen to someone lecturing them?"

Ma Dong's eyes lit up; he felt he had found a kindred spirit.

"Yes, so what do you think the future direction should be?"

"Selling emotions and providing compensation." Liu Yuehua offered his insights on the future of variety shows.

"For example, bring together a group of eloquent people to argue about topics that people usually dare not or are embarrassed to talk about. The audience enjoys it and vents their emotions, which brings in viewership."

"For example, let's create a music competition program. Of course, not a talent show, but one where established artists, like pop stars and famous bands, compete on the same stage."

Upon hearing this, Ma Dong's eye bags trembled with excitement.

The vague, innovative ideas in his mind were instantly pierced through by Liu Yuehua's simple and straightforward words, becoming clear in an instant.

"Yuehua, what's wrong with your brain?" Ma Dong excitedly slapped his thigh. "This is an absolutely brilliant idea that breaks all the traditional rules of the television industry!"

"Uncle-Master, you flatter me. I am merely a theorist."

Liu Yuehua smiled innocently on the surface, but in his heart he was making crazy plans.

Fat Uncle is a walking money-printing machine for variety shows. Today I'll call you Uncle and fool you into submission. But in 10 years, when internet video platforms rise to prominence, I'll immediately poach you to be my content director.

I'll make you stay up all night every day working on the script and trying to get sponsorships, turning you into a hardworking 996 worker in my business empire.

The two hit it off immediately, and the more they talked, the more they enjoyed the meal.

After the dinner, Ma Dong helped the old man into the car and drove away.

Feng Gong had drunk some wine, his face slightly flushed. A gust of cold wind blew on him, and he patted his forehead before turning to look at Liu Yuehua.

"Oh, right, Yuehua, I've been so busy with meetings these past few days that I almost forgot something," Feng Gong burped.

"A few days ago, when I was leaving get off work, a young girl was squatting on the curb blocking my way at the main entrance of my workplace..."

"A young lady is looking for you? Master, have you gotten yourself into some kind of romantic entanglement?"

"Go to hell! Be serious and stop interrupting me," Feng Gong said with a laugh.

"That girl came to me using your name, or more accurately, she came to find you."

"Why are you looking for me? I haven't gotten myself into any romantic entanglements."

"You know all the people I'm close to."

"There's only Liu Yifei, Liu Shishi, Tong Yao, and Tang Yan."

"I've never met that girl before, but she said she knows you. She has a small square face and quite bright eyes."

"She said she really wanted to see you, no matter what, and she planned to..."

Feng Gong was about to continue speaking when

"Screech!" A sharp screech of brakes abruptly interrupted Feng Gong's words.

A Santana was parked on the side of the road. Its wheels drove over a puddle, splashing mud and water onto Feng Gong's trousers.

"You unlucky kid, can't you even drive? Trying to send your dad off early?"

Feng Gong was startled, but upon closer inspection, he realized it was his own unfortunate child.

He pointed at Feng Chengcheng in the driver's seat and launched into a tirade, instantly forgetting all about the topic of the unknown woman.

Liu Yuehua opened the car door, sat in the passenger seat, and glanced at Feng Chengcheng.

Feng Chengcheng, who usually talks back when scolded by his father, is unusually gloomy today. His face is so dark it looks like it could drip water, his eyes are even a little red, and he bites his lip tightly without saying a word.

Liu Yuehua frowned, but didn't say anything; he just observed.

Judging from the aura-reading technique, this kid probably confessed his feelings to some girl and got rejected or cheated on.

What he didn't know was that Feng Chengcheng was experiencing the most humiliating moment of his 18 years.

In the afternoon, Feng Chengcheng went to buy parts and happened to run into Tong Yao, who was accompanying her boyfriend to get her computer repaired, in front of a computer assembly shop.

Because Feng Chengcheng had visited the studio some time ago and seen the nursery rhymes that were being produced, they had some interaction.

Coupled with the secret crush that engineering students harbor for pretty girls, Feng Chengcheng took the initiative to go up and greet her.

But no sooner had he finished speaking than a young man with a fierce expression rushed out of the store.

That person was Zhang Mo, Tong Yao's current boyfriend.

Zhang Mo was known in the circle for his arrogance. When he saw a strange man talking to his girlfriend, he rushed up without saying a word and shoved Feng Chengcheng hard in the chest.

"Who the hell are you? What kind of mutt dares to hit on my girlfriend? You want a beating, don't you?" Zhang Mo pointed at Feng Chengcheng's nose and cursed.

Tong Yao was terrified and quickly stopped Zhang Mo to explain.

"What are you doing? He's my boss's friend, the brother of Director Liu who made 'Comet'."

Upon hearing Liu Yuehua's name, Zhang Mo became even more arrogant.

"Liu Yuehua, some nouveau riche who just popped up out of nowhere."

"Just because you have a few Hong Kong people backing you up, you think you can act like a big shot in Beijing?" Zhang Mo said with a look of disdain.

"My dad is Zhang Guoli, so he should keep a low profile in Beijing from now on."

"If you dare to make me unhappy, I'll smash your crappy shell company in a heartbeat." With that, he grabbed Tong Yao and left.

Feng Chengcheng was left alone, her face flushed red as she faced the gazes of those around her.