Pirates began to dominate the Chinese entertainment industry.

Liu Shishi took a deep breath, intending to speak, but suddenly smelled the strong perfume on the man, which made her cough violently.

"Hello, sir...cough...sir. We're a film crew and we'd like to...cough...find a few luxury items for filming props. Would it be convenient for you? Just half an hour would be fine."

Liu Shishi had already covered her nose, but she still couldn't stop coughing, as if she had smelled the foreigner's body odor mixed with pungent perfume.

After saying that, she forced a smile that couldn't be more fake, which was probably the most friendly smile she thought she could give.

"Oh dear, what's wrong with you, little sister? This is a high-end perfume that I ordered from overseas. You really don't know its value," the rich second-generation said with a disdainful eye roll and a delicate gesture.

"..." Liu Shishi and Ji Yun were both rendered speechless.

Liu Shishi's face instantly turned bright red. She lowered her head and covered her face with her hair, then turned around and grabbed Ji Yun's hand, running wildly.

After running around the corner, she stomped her foot and gave Ji Yun a good thrashing with her little fists. "It's all your fault, you bastard! I'm so embarrassed!"

Ji Yun suppressed a laugh, but also felt a little embarrassed.

Who could have predicted that showing off a beautiful woman would lead to revealing the wrong sexual orientation?

He didn't dare suggest trying again; seeing her embarrassed expression, he knew he'd probably get bitten if he dared to speak again.

The prop master, who was watching the show from a distance, smiled confidently, thinking that he could definitely make Ji Yun lose face this time.

He turned his head and gestured to the others with his eyes, indicating that he would treat them to a meal after the event.

Liu Shishi wanted to go up and talk to him, but Ji Yun grabbed her arm. What was needed now was not an argument, but to prove that he had the ability to solve problems.

Ji Yun was not in a hurry and announced that the crew should take a break.

He then went to the Hermès window and began to scan the customers coming and going.

Ji Yun is in the entertainment industry and has lived in Shanghai for decades. She may not know all the wealthy people, but she has certainly met quite a few. In that case, it's best to address the problem directly.

"What are you doing?" Liu Shishi asked, puzzled.

"Hermes, the world's most expensive luxury brand. These days, only a handful of people in Shanghai can afford it. Just find one that looks familiar."

"Will this work?" Liu Shishi asked with some concern.

Ji Yun waited for about ten minutes, and more than a dozen groups of guests came and went. Just when Liu Shishi couldn't wait any longer, a somewhat familiar figure appeared.

She was a young woman with a cool and aloof demeanor, a slender figure, long flowing hair, and exceptionally beautiful features. Her confident and elegant bearing made her seem like a wealthy heiress.

Although it was the younger version, Ji Yun still recognized the other person:

Li Ying, a future top investor in the business world and a super-beautiful heiress with a net worth of tens of billions.

Years later, her name will appear in major financial news outlets:

A super student who completed three degrees at MIT in four years of university.

The Hangzhou-based business tycoon, Mr. Ma, personally visited Yunfeng Capital three times to bring her back from the United States as a fund partner. Her involvement directly helped the fledgling Yunfeng Capital generate tens of billions of yuan in profits within a few years.

With top-notch looks, top-notch intellect, and top-notch resume, she's a true all-rounder, a top-tier woman.

This woman's genes are terrifyingly strong.

Ji Yun had met the other party at a venture capital conference.

Ji Yun shamelessly tried to attract investment for the film at the meeting, but at that time she was sitting in the center of the conference hall and no one paid any attention to Ji Yun. With her wealth, she wouldn't care about the small amount of money she would make from making a movie.

However, according to the current timeline, she is in her twenties and should be a partner in the China region of an American investment bank. She is a wealthy elite but not yet extremely rich.

"Miss Li Ying!" Ji Yun locked onto her target and went to greet her. "Is that you? I'm your fan."

"I don't know you." Li Ying was a little confused as she looked at the stranger who had suddenly struck up a conversation with her.

"I heard your speech at the investment conference. Your analysis of the current state of the US financial system was truly invaluable and unforgettable."

Li Ying thought for a moment and asked, "Was it the one in New York last month? I did analyze the huge crisis in the US real estate market and advised investors to be cautious."

Ji Yun nodded quickly, looking grateful: "That's right, it was after listening to your analysis that I discovered there was a huge bubble in the real estate market, and that's why I sold two properties under my name."

"You're too kind. That's just your personal opinion," Li Ying said with a subtle smile.

"I'm a film director, and I'm making a film here. I wonder if Ms. Li is interested in film?"

"Of course, Wall Street has always been very interested in film investment."

Ji Yun knew she had a chance. Pointing to the several Hermes brand bags in the hands of the black-clad driver behind her, she said sincerely, "Actually, I have a favor to ask. Our film crew hasn't received any props for filming. Could you please lend us your luxury bags for a while, Ms. Li? You can also observe the filming process from the sidelines."

Li Ying's gaze lingered between Hermes and Ji Yun. After a moment of silence, she suddenly smiled and waved to the driver, "Sure, but I only have 20 minutes."

"Okay, thanks for your help!" Ji Yun nodded quickly and immediately called to the filming crew who were slacking off not far away to start filming.

Liu Shishi scrutinized Li Ying from the side, pursed her lips, her face puffed up with anger, and then turned to look at Ji Yun.

When Ji Yun gently pushed her head away, Liu Shishi was still a little annoyed.

But when she saw the four or five name tags the driver handed her, she couldn't move.

Hermes, Chanel, LV... This pile alone costs at least 100,000.

Liu Shishi stared, her eyes wide with a rare clarity.

She didn't even dream about buying as much as this woman.

Is this what life is like for rich women? She's dreamed of it too. Ji Yun, you good-for-nothing, hurry up and start acting! I want to be famous.

Liu Shishi was so startled that she patted Ji Yun's back with her little hands. When he nudged her shoulder to signal her to take the food, she snapped out of her daze and happily held it in her arms.

This time, her smile looked genuine.

The seasoned veteran on the other side suddenly stopped laughing.

It's so easy for pretty boys to strike up conversations. I've heard of celebrities using their looks to their advantage, but how come directors can use their looks too?

Once they had the props, they could only dejectedly start filming, looking like they had suffered a defeat.

There were two scenes today, with only a few lines, and neither was particularly difficult for Xu Zheng.

One scene shows him walking out of a shopping mall with Liu Shishi, carrying a bunch of designer brands. Liu Shishi asks him when they are getting a divorce, and Xu Zheng gives a perfunctory answer.

The other scene is later in the story, where Liu Shishi breaks up with Xu Zheng after their conversation. Since it's the same scene, we filmed them together.

Li Ying stood quietly to one side, watching how the crew filmed, how the director directed, and how the actors moved around...

A dozen minutes later.

"Director, this is a guaranteed take, take a look." Cinematographer Wang strolled over, carrying his equipment with a nonchalant expression.

Ji Yun examined each frame carefully, repeatedly confirming that there were no problems, before nodding in approval.

Then he turned to the team and assigned tasks: "Okay, the mall scene is done. This afternoon, we'll go to the airport and shoot some aerial shots of planes taking off and landing, and the interior of the airport."

Upon hearing that they could rest at noon, everyone hurriedly packed up their equipment and prepared to leave.

Ji Yun took the items from Liu Shishi's reluctant gaze, walked up to Li Ying, and handed them to her driver.

"I'm sorry to have taken up so much of your time." Ji Yun shook hands to express her gratitude.

"It's okay, there aren't many opportunities to watch a film crew shoot live." Li Ying shrugged. "For someone your age, it's quite capable to be able to direct those older men."

As he spoke, he handed Ji Yun a business card.

"You can come to me if you need investment in the future," Li Ying said with a playful smile, "but you can't fool me anymore."

Ji Yun was taken aback.

"My speech was in Chicago, not New York." Li Ying blinked, waved, and walked away with a flourish.

Ji Yun didn't hesitate when she realized she had been exposed. It was just an excuse to strike up a conversation anyway, so whether it was true or not didn't matter.

Ji Yun watched her figure disappear around the corner of the mall, then looked down at the business card in her hand—it had her name, job title, and mobile phone number written on it.

"KPCB..." he murmured the company name, his mind quickly searching for memories from his past life.

Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, a top-tier US venture capital firm, has invested in companies such as Amazon, Google, and Netscape...

He vaguely remembered that this venture capital firm later invested in several internet companies worth tens of billions in the East Asian market, but at this point in 2008, its domestic reputation was not very high.

Ji Yun saved the number in her phone, and that was the starting point of her network.

But he didn't rush to send a text message or make a phone call.

This kind of connection can't be maintained with just a text message. Her current interest in him might be more of a passing fancy, but that interest is short-lived. If he wants to turn this connection into a real resource, he needs to offer something substantial—a successful film or a worthwhile business plan.

"Wall Street, huh? I can make some money first and then contact them." Ji Yun set a timetable for herself in her mind.

He put away his phone, turned around, and walked back to the filming location.

When Liu Shishi saw him return, she leaned over and whispered, "That woman left? What did she say to you?"

"It's nothing, I just left a phone number," Ji Yun said casually.

Liu Shishi's smile froze for a moment before returning to normal, though her lips pursed slightly.

"Oh," she replied, lowering her head and turning to leave, her tone flat. "I'm going to touch up my makeup."

Ji Yun watched her retreating figure and found it somewhat amusing, but said nothing.

Some things don't need much explanation.